15 Mar 2021
The Senate on Monday voted to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Department of Interior (DOI), Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM), clearing a hurdle for Biden as he seeks to achieve “environmental justice” as one of his top agenda items.
Haaland, a citizen of the Laguna Pueblo tribe in New Mexico, is the first Native American to become a cabinet member, which aligns with Biden’s promise to appoint “the most diverse cabinet representative of all folks.” She was confirmed 51–40 with most Republicans opposing her confirmation.
Haaland was a proponent of the 2019 Green New Deal and has advocated for fully banning fracking and drilling on federal lands. She faced considerable resistance from Republicans during her hearing with the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in February before the committee ultimately approved her 11–9.