Senate confirms oil and gas lobbyist as Interior secretary

Today, the Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of David Bernhardt for Interior Secretary by a vote of 56 to 41.

After spearheading the Trump administration’s anti-conservation agenda at the Interior Department for nearly two years, Bernhardt has established a shameful record of assaults on the nation’s public lands, while having his conflicts of interest and ethical practices called into question.

Statement from Jamie Williams, president, The Wilderness Society:

“We are gravely concerned that the Senate has confirmed an oil and gas lobbyist with a troubling record of favoring special interests to be the chief steward of our nation’s public lands, parks and waters. We will continue to hold Mr. Bernhardt to the highest ethical standard and call on Congress to do the same. David Bernhardt has too often favored special interests at the expense of our shared public resources and the health of our communities. His record and deep conflicts of interest should have made him unfit to be Interior secretary.”

For more information, contact Michael Reinemer at Michael_Reinemer@wilderness.org.