CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary, making Haaland the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.
The Senate voted 51-40 with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., supporting confirmation and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., opposing the nominee. Four Republicans — Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Maine Sen. Susan Collins and South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham — joined 47 Democrats in confirming Haaland. Nine senators did not vote.
Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo and began serving in the House of Representatives in January 2019. Upon being sworn in, she will lead the department responsible for overseeing matters related to Indigenous people and the relationships between the federal government and tribal organizations. The Department of Interior also handles energy development, natural resources, the conservation of public lands and waters, and animal protection.
Republicans shared concerns about Haaland’s stances as a legislator ahead of Monday’s vote. Lawmakers criticized Haaland for her opposition to fossil fuel extraction and support for the Green New Deal. Haaland told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in February her responsibilities will focus on administrating the Biden Administration’s agenda, noting the differences between serving in Congress and as a Cabinet member.
Manchin, the committee’s chairman, backed Haaland following back-to-back appearances before legislators. He said Monday while he does not agree with some of her past statements, he has confidence in Haaland’s ability to work with lawmakers from both parties.
“At her hearing, she confirmed that she and the administration recognize that our country will remain dependent on fossil fuels for years to come, and a transition to a cleaner energy future must come through innovation, not elimination,” he said. “She also affirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship and the need to work across the aisle to find the bipartisan solutions needed to address the diverse needs of our country.”
Capito, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has opposed three Cabinet nominees including Haaland; the senator voted against confirming Jennifer Granholm as energy secretary and Michael Regan to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
Capito has previously shared concerns regarding other Biden appointees and the administration’s actions on climate change, such as the president’s cancellation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline permit.
“After watching her confirmation hearing, meeting with her directly to discuss these issues, and learning more about her positions that impact my state of West Virginia and those who call it home, it is clear that her policy positions would be extremely harmful to my state,” Capito said. “It is for that reason that I did not support her nomination.”