Today, the Senate confirmed Rep. Deb Haaland to lead the Department of Interior. The following is a statement from Abigail Dillen, President of Earthjustice: 

“We offer our wholehearted congratulations today to Rep. Deb Haaland on her appointment to lead the Department of Interior. This moment calls for a truly visionary leader, who understands the existential threats of climate change and collapsing biodiversity and the corresponding imperative to protect our precious lands and waters for current and future generations. That is Secretary Haaland. She has a stellar bipartisan record of fighting for science, natural stewardship, climate action, and tribal sovereignty, while championing good-paying jobs in a clean energy economy.

“The historic appointment of the first Native American woman to lead the Interior Department, which holds so much sway over the lands and rights of sovereign tribes, marks a new day of opportunity to address the wrongs perpetrated by the federal government and begin to remedy enduring injustices for Native communities. We look forward to working with Secretary Haaland to protect this nation’s treasured lands and wildlife and building together toward a more resilient future.”