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The Democratic Congresswoman from New Mexico is a historic choice and would be the first Native American Cabinet Secretary if confirmed by the Senate. But Democrats and White House officials told CNN they predicted the audience could become tense, and some Republicans have already spoken out against what they call his “extreme” and “radical” views on energy and environmental issues.
A key question for the future of his appointment is whether Joe Manchin, chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and one of the more conservative Senate Democrats, will support him. Manchin does not precede the hearing – he has yet to say whether he will vote to confirm Haaland.
Manchin said on Monday: “We are very open to hearing from her and hope she has a good hearing.”
Haaland is also expected to directly thank Manchin for convening the hearing and “sharing with me the issues and needs of the people he represents in West Virginia.”
An official in the confirmation process told CNN that Democrats are advocating for Haaland, which focuses on its bipartisan legislative record and extensive work with public lands and wildlife. Perhaps more importantly, expect his supporters to argue that Haaland believes every job is important – and that oil, gas, and coal jobs will remain an important part of the U.S. economy as transition to a clean energy future.
Republicans have repeatedly said the Biden administration will cut jobs through its clean energy program, which Haaland supports. Democrats plan to counter the fact that Haaland’s home state of New Mexico depends on oil and gas revenues to fund its schools and help its economy.
Manchin was asked about a fracking ban on public lands and whether that could affect Haaland’s nomination – and said a fracking ban “would be detrimental to her or anyone.”
Republicans have expressed concern about her stance against new leases for oil and gas drilling on federal lands and her support for the Green New Deal, a progressive policy proposal championed by Progressive Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio – Get out of New York. Haaland has said in the past that she “wholeheartedly” opposes fracking and drilling on public lands and is a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal resolution.
Texas GOP Senator John Cornyn recently tweeted: “Home Secretary candidate joined pipeline protests and opposed fracking,” in a potential look at how Republicans could attack the nomination.
A group of House Republicans called on Biden to withdraw his candidacy in a letter last month, citing his position on the Green New Deal and leasing oil and gas on federal lands.
“The appointment of Representative Haaland is a direct threat to working men and women and a rejection of responsible development of America’s natural resources,” the letter warns.
House Republicans will not have a vote in the Senate confirmation process, but arguments against the nomination are likely to be echoed by their party members in the upper house.
Supporters and opponents of the appointment scrambled to make their case before the hearing.
The Global Indigenous Council and the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council have launched a campaign to support Haaland in states that represent key votes in the Senate and where senators have criticized the nomination.
Billboards featuring Haaland have been installed in Montana, where Republican Senator Steve Daines said he was “concerned” about the nomination, and will also appear in West Virginia, Wyoming, Utah and Dakota. South.
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, said in a statement ahead of the confirmation hearing: “Representative Deb Haaland has been hostile to the very development of oil and natural gas that supports the state and the district it represents. ”
The confirmation hearing comes as several other top Biden nominees have come 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 program that aims to end carbon emissions from power plants by 2035 and offers broader public investment in green infrastructure, including $ 2 trillion for clean energy projects.
The US Department of the Interior conserves and manages the country’s natural resources and cultural heritage, and oversees federal government relations with Native American tribes.
The appointment marked a major victory for an alliance of progressive and Indigenous leaders who have campaigned relentlessly to elevate one of their own to a powerful federal seat that oversees natural resources, public lands and Indian affairs.
Haaland’s relentless advocacy for climate justice policy and indigenous peoples’ rights made her a champion of the New Left.
Before running for Congress in 2018, Haaland, a single mother, joined protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which was scheduled to travel 1,200 miles from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline was routed under a reservoir near the Standing Rock Sioux reserve, resulting in legal challenges and, eventually, mass protests and an encampment that brought together Indigenous and environmental activists from across the country.
“A voice like mine has never been secretary to the cabinet or head of the Home Office,” Haaland tweeted in December. “Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo house 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.
CNN’s Kate Sullivan, Liz Stark, Greg Krieg and Jasmine Wright contributed to this report.
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