Luján Votes to Confirm Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary

Washington, D.C. – Today,U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after presiding over the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Congresswoman Deb Haaland as the next Secretary of the Interior. Haaland received bipartisan support with a final vote of 51-40.

Video of Senator Luján presiding over the Senate and his floor speech in support of Haaland’s confirmation can be found HERE.  

“It was a great honor to preside over the Senate’s momentous confirmation of my good friend Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior. This vote marks a historic moment for our nation: the first time a Native American has ever taken her seat in the President’s Cabinet. As a Pueblo woman, Congresswoman Haaland has a unique and long-overdue perspective to contribute to the Department’s mission of protecting our natural resources and honoring America’s trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations. As former Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, she also brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. I have no doubt that Secretary Haaland will leave an indelible mark on the Department of Interior, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to make a difference for the people of New Mexico.”

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