Haaland must face a contentious confirmation hearing on the Interior nomination

Haaland is about to highlight his nomination to make history during the hearing, saying, “The historical nature of my confirmation has not gone unnoticed, but I will say that it is not about me. Instead, I hope that this nomination is an inspiration for Americans – advancing together as a nation and creating opportunities for all of us, “according to a copy of its initial comments provided by the Interior Department.

Haaland must also thank Manchin directly for calling the audience and “sharing with me the issues and needs of the people he represents in West Virginia”.

An official with the confirmation process told CNN that Democrats are defending Haaland that focuses on his bipartisan legislative background and extensive work with public land and wildlife. Perhaps most importantly, expect your supporters to argue that Haaland believes that all work is important – and that oil, gas and coal jobs will remain an important part of the US economy as a transition to a clean energy future.

Republicans have repeatedly said that the Biden government will kill jobs through its clean energy agenda, which Haaland supports. Democrats plan to counter that Haaland, New Mexico’s home state depends on oil and gas revenue to finance its schools and help its economy.

Manchin was asked about a fracturing ban on public land and whether it could affect Haaland’s appointment – and said a fracturing ban “would be harmful to her or anyone else”.

Republicans expressed concern about her position against new leases for drilling for oil and gas on federal land and the fact that she supported the New Deal Green, a progressive political proposal advocated by New York progressive Democratic MP Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez . Haaland said in the past that he is “wholeheartedly” opposed to fracturing and drilling on public lands and is a co-sponsor of the New Deal Green resolution.

Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn recently tweeted: “The nominated Interior Secretary joined protests and opposed the fracturing,” in a possible preview of how Republicans can attack the nomination.

A group of House Republicans asked Biden to withdraw the nomination in a letter last month, citing his position on the Green New Deal and the leasing of oil and gas on federal land.

“The representative named Haaland is a direct threat to workers and women and a rejection of the responsible development of America’s natural resources,” warned the letter.

House Republicans will not be allowed to vote in the Senate confirmation process, but arguments against the nomination are likely to be echoed by members of their party in the upper house.

Supporters and opponents of the nomination have been working to pressure your case in preparation for the hearing.

The Global Indigenous Council and the Rocky Mountain Council of Tribal Leaders launched a campaign in support of Haaland in states representing the Senate’s top votes and where senators criticized the nomination.

Haaland posters were displayed in Montana, where Republican Sen. Steve Daines said he was “concerned” about the nomination, and will also appear in West Virginia, Wyoming, Utah and South Dakota.

Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, said in a statement before the confirmation hearing that “Rep. Deb Haaland has shown hostility to the very development of oil and natural gas that underpins the state and district she represents.”

The confirmation hearing comes at a time when several other high-profile Biden nominees are under scrutiny.

If confirmed, Haaland would be part of Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis and reduce carbon emissions. Biden has proposed an ambitious climate agenda aimed at ending carbon emissions from power plants by 2035 and proposes broader public investment in green infrastructure, including $ 2 trillion for clean energy projects.

The U.S. Department of the Interior conserves and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage, as well as overseeing the federal government’s relations with Native American tribes.

The appointment marked a major victory for an alliance of progressives and indigenous leaders who campaigned relentlessly to elevate one of them to a powerful federal chair that oversees natural resources, public lands and indigenous affairs.

Haaland’s fierce defense for a climate justice policy and indigenous rights made her a champion of the new left.

Before running for Congress in 2018, Haaland, a single mother, joined the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline project, which was planned to pass 1,200 miles from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline was routed under a reservoir near the Standing Rock Sioux Reserve, leading to legal challenges and, eventually, mass demonstrations and a camp that brought together indigenous and environmental activists from across the country.

“A voice like mine was never a cabinet secretary or head of the Interior Department,” Haaland tweeted in December. “Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo home made me fierce. I will be fierce for all of us, our planet and all of our protected lands. I am honored and ready to serve.”