Deb Haaland: Senate to confirm Biden’s secretary of state’s secretary of state in historic vote

Deb Haaland: Senate to confirm Biden’s secretary of state’s secretary of state in historic vote

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She is expected to be confirmed, despite some Republicans expressing concern about her nomination and describing her views on public land use and fossil fuels as extremely.
This is not the first time that Haaland has made history. In 2018, she was elected one of the first two female Native Americans in Congress. Her nomination to lead the Department of Home Affairs was a victory for an alliance of progressive and indigenous leaders who strove to elevate one of their own to a powerful federal seat overseeing natural resources, public lands and Indian affairs. Once confirmed, Haaland will be part of Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis and reduce carbon emissions.
During her confirmation hearings, Haaland emphasized her nomination for history formation and said: “The historical nature of my confirmation is not lost on me, but I will say that it is not about me. I rather hope that this nomination would be an inspiration for Americans – move together as one nation and create opportunities for all of us. ‘

Regarding her motivation to take on the job, she said: ‘It’s hard not to feel obligated to protect this country, and I feel that every indigenous person in this country understands this,’ adding: ‘We wants to protect this country, and that means protecting it in every way. ‘

During a process vote Thursday, four Republicans, Sens Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, and Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined all Democrats to vote for the promotion of her nomination.

Republicans who oppose Haaland’s nomination stressed the previous remarks she made regarding fossil fuels and the answers they felt were inadequate during her confirmation hearing. Senator John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican and the GOP’s ranking in the Senate’s energy and natural resources committee, spoke in a speech to the opposition against the nomination on Thursday.

“Representative Haaland’s policies and lack of substantive answers during her confirmation hearing, in my opinion, disqualify her for this work,” Barrasso said, referring to comments from the past she made, including during an interview with The Guardian in 2019, where she said wholeheartedly “against fracturing and drilling on public lands.
“In my opinion and in my opinion, these views are extreme,” he said, adding that her views were “supported by legislation she sponsored” and pointed out that she sponsored the Green New Deal. resolution in the House.

During her confirmation hearings, Haaland sought to strike a fine balance on energy and environmental policy, saying: “There is no doubt that fossil energy will play an important role in America and will continue to do so for years to come.” But, she added, “Our climate challenge needs to be addressed,” and she claims that “the department plays a role in harnessing the clean energy potential of our public lands to create jobs and new economic opportunities.”

Haaland has on several occasions refused to give her personal opinions in light of questions from Republican senators, suggesting she would work in Biden’s service to carry out the government’s agenda.

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GOP Senator Steve Daines of Montana asked Haaland at one point, “Do you support a ban on hydraulic fracturing and no new pipelines?” She replies: “President Biden does not support me on a ban on fracturing.” Daines pressed the question again and Haaland said: “If I am confirmed as secretary, I will serve the president’s pleasure, and it will be his agenda that I will move forward.”

Despite Republican opposition, Democrats praised Haaland and praised him as capable of the post.

Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat in New Mexico, said in a speech to the Senate floor in support of her nomination, saying: ‘I am confident that she is the leader we need in Home Affairs to take important work to restore our landscapes, open up new outdoor recreational opportunities for all Americans, and launch our public lands to address the climate crisis. ‘

Heinrich backed down on GOP criticism, saying that Haaland’s policies “fall well into the mainstream and represent many of her voters fairly. I would say the vast majority of her voters.”

“I am eager for the Senate to finally take up the confirmation of Congresswoman Haaland so that she can go to work to protect our natural heritage for future generations,” he said.

CNN’s Gregory Krieg contributed this report.

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