On Monday New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland was confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of the Interior, making her the first Native American Cabinet secretary in the country’s history. NMBC Congratulates Secretary Haaland and is proud to see New Mexican leaders helping to shape the future of our nation in Washington DC. 

Senators voted 51-40 to confirm Haaland, who was strongly supported by advocates for conservation and Native American issues. Haaland will soon be leading a federal agency with wide-ranging responsibilities on public lands throughout the country. The Interior Department approves oil and gas drilling and mining on federal lands, runs national parks, and is involved in protecting wildlife and endangered species.

New Mexico Business Coalition is opposed to positions taken by Haaland while in Congress, such as co-sponsoring the ‘Green New Deal.’  However, during Secretary Haaland’s confirmation hearing she was asked about previous positions she’d taken against the oil and gas industry, like support for a fracking ban and reduced permitting for producers. She said that her role as a congresswoman is different from that of a Cabinet secretary and made a commitment to “listen to America’s energy workers”. She said she’ll make decisions based on science, and she acknowledged that fossil fuels will be part of the country’s energy portfolio for years to come.

NMBC looks forward to working together and is hopeful that Secretary Haaland does indeed listen to the thousands of oil and gas workers, their families who depend on these jobs and industry producers who are the lifeline of our great state. Click HERE to read more.