WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—the Chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of Interior—released the following statement today after meeting remotely with Deb Haaland, President Biden’s historic nominee to lead the department:
“I’m proud to support Deb Haaland’s nomination to lead the Interior Department. It’s long past time for a Native woman to join the Executive Cabinet and run the department that carries out the federal trust responsibility towards tribes.
“Her lifetime of service gives me every confidence that she will do everything in her power to take crucial steps at Interior to defend our public lands and our planet. I have full faith that she will put the health, safety, and well-being of our communities and environment above the wish lists of megapolluting corporate executives who have spent the last four years ransacking the department. I look forward to continuing to work with her throughout her confirmation process and in the administration.”
Click here for a high-resolution photo of the meeting.
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