Deb Haaland Will Be the First Native American Interior Secretary
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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Named Time Person of the Year
The president-elect and vice president-elect added a couple more historical firsts to their legacy.
Rep. Deb Haaland will be the first Native American interior secretary of the United States, Washington Post reports.
According to the Post, President-elect Joe Biden has tapped the New Mexico congresswoman as a historic pick for a department that oversees the country’s natural resources, including tribal lands.
Haaland, a first-term member of the House of Representatives, has pledged to transform the department from a champion of fossil fuel development into one that promotes renewable energy and policies to combat climate change.
After the pick was announced, several key political players congratulated Haaland on the historic appointment.
"A visionary Native woman in charge of federal lands. Unequivocally progressive. Green New Deal champion. Exquisitely experienced," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "@RepDebHaaland sister, you are going to do such a great job. I am so proud of you and the movement."
This is a big deal.
Historic appointment. A visionary Native woman in charge of federal lands. Unequivocally progressive. Green New Deal champion. Exquisitely experienced.@RepDebHaaland sister, you are going to do such a great job. I am so proud of you and the movement.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 17, 2020
A fantastic and historic choice.
For too long, Native people have not been adequately represented in Washington.@RepDebHaaland is a leader and trailblazer who will protect our lands and resources and ensure Indigenous people have a seat at the table. https://t.co/vHbmGbpm8v— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) December 17, 2020
Madam Secretary Deb Haaland.https://t.co/CbMkaf5E6W
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) December 17, 2020
Yay!!
Congratulations sis, so excited for the amazing work you will lead. Proud of @Deb4CongressNM and the movement for pushing for this historic appointment.
It’s a great day in America. https://t.co/b4QfiLJNZk— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 17, 2020
Prior to her selection, Haaland gained support from environmental groups, indigenous peoples' advocates, and other members of Congress.
"Haaland knows the territory, and if she is the President-elect’s choice for Interior Secretary, then he will have made an excellent choice," Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Haaland won reelection to represent her New Mexico district for a second term.
