Updated / Tuesday, 16 Mar 2021
14:49
Deb Haaland will oversee polices guiding use of 500 million acres of federal and tribal land
The US Senate has confirmed Representative Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior, making her the first Native American to lead a cabinet agency and giving her a central role in President Joe Biden's sweeping plans to fight climate change.
A divided US Senate confirmed the New Mexico Democrat in a narrow vote after she clinched support from Republicans including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Maine Senator Susan Collins.
Ms Haaland's ascension to the cabinet is the culmination of weeks of active campaigning by Native American tribes and environmental groups in support of her historic appointment.