Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), the Republican minority leader in the U.S. Senate, announces his opposition to Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) as Secretary of the Interior on March 10, 2021.

McConnell cited Haaland's prior support of the Green New Deal, a popular climate change and economic proposal, and her past positions on energy development as reasons to vote against her historic nomination to lead the Department of the Interior.

"Her record and her views ignore the fact that American energy independence fueled prosperity for the working class and middle class over the last four years," said McConnell.

The Senate is moving forward with Haaland's nomination this week. A final vote is expected next Monday, March 15, and a leading Democrat has already said she will win confirmation.

"Despite Republican obstruction, Representative Haaland will be confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary Haaland," Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, said on March 9.

Cover photo courtesy House Committee on Natural Resources, Democrats:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalresourcesdems/49170147711/i

The historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) to be Secretary of the Interior inches forward in the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2021.

As promised, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the majority leader in the Senate, filed a cloture motion that was signed by 17 members of the chamber. The move prepares the way for a procedural vote on Haaland's nomination to lead the Department of the Interior.

The Senate will first clear the motion by a simple majority vote. Then a final vote on Haaland must be taken before she is formally confirmed as the first Native person in the Cabinet of President Joe Biden.

The final vote is expected to occur on Monday, March 15. Haaland could then be sworn as Secretary soon after.

Cover photo courtesy House Committee on Natural Resources, Democrats:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalresourcesdems/48001851787/

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the majority leader in the U.S. Senate, speaks on the historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) to be Secretary of the Interior on March 9, 2021.

"She would be the first Native American Cabinet minister of any agency and the first Indigenous Secretary of the Interior, a profoundly important moment given the historically troubled relationship between the federal government and tribal nations," said Schumer.

Two Republicans -- Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) -- have said they will fight Haaland's nomination to lead the Department of the Interior. But Schumer said the Senate has enough votes to overcome the roadblocks.

"Despite Republican obstruction, Representative Haaland will be confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary Haaland," Schumer said.

Schumer said he is initiating a process to overcome the Republican objections following his remarks. It's then expected that a vote would occur on Haaland's nomination next Monday, March 15, 2021.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals hears arguments in Robert Doucette v. U.S. Department of the Interior, No. 19-35743, on March 2, 2021.

Audio Source:

https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/view.php?pk_id=0000036471

VIdeo:

https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/view_video.php?pk_vid=0000018905

Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) is on her way to making history yet again, this time as the first Native person in a presidential cabinet.

By a vote of 11-9 on March 4, 2021, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved Haaland's nomination to serve as Secretary of the Interior in President Joe Biden's administration.

“It is long past time to give a Native American woman a seat at the Cabinet table,” said Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), the chairman of the committee.

The committee's roll call fell largely along party lines. All 10 Democrats on the legislative panel voted in favor of Haaland, who is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) crossed party lines to support the nomination. She said Native people in Alaska are “enormously proud to have a Native American nominated to this position.”

Haaland's nomination can now be considered by the full U.S. Senate. Republican lawmakers -- some from states with significant Indian Country populations -- have said they will try to stall the floor vote.

If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Native person to lead the Department of the Interior, the federal agency with the most trust and treaty responsibilities to tribes and their citizens.

President Joe Biden delivers a video message to the National Congress of American Indians on February 23, 2021.

“I promise you I’m committed to writing a new and better chapter in the history of our nation-to-nation relationship,” Biden said at NCAI’s executive council winter session, which is being held virtually.

On January 26, Biden signed a memorandum on tribal consultation and strengthening nation-to-nation relationships. He ordered all federal agencies to improve their plans on working with Indian Country.

“Respect for tribal sovereignty will be the cornerstone of our engagement with you,” Biden told tribal leaders.

“Above all, we are going to uphold our trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations,” Biden added.

Biden highlighted his historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) to be Secretary of the Interior. If confirmed, she would be the first Native person to lead the Department of the Interior and the first Native person in a presidential cabinet.

“There’s much, much we have to do,” Biden said.

Rear Adm. Michael Toedt, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for the Indian Health Service, provides opening remarks on a COVID-19 update call with members of the media.

Other participants on the call included:

*Jillian Curtis, director, IHS Office of Finance and Accounting

*Cmdr. Kailee Fretland, deputy lead, IHS COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force

*Cmdr. Holly Van Lew, deputy lead, IHS COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force

*Loretta Christensen, M.D., IHS Navajo Area chief medical officer

Note: Only the IHS presentation of the media call is posted here.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Oversight Hearing “A call to action: Native communities’ priorities in focus for the 117th Congress.”

Wednesday, February 24 2021 - 02:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

The Honorable Fawn Sharp

President

National Congress of American Indians, Washington, DC

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/NCAI%20SCIA%20Testimony%20%282_22_21%29.pdf

The Honorable Leonard Forsman

President

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Portland, OR

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/20210224%20ATNI%20Forsman%20Testimony%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Indian%20Affairs.pdf

The Honorable Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey

Chair, Board of Trustees

Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Honolulu, HI

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/Written%20Testimony%20from%20OHA%20Chair%20Carmen%20Hulu%20Lindsey_SCIA%20hrg%2002.24.21_FINAL.pdf

Ms. Julie Kitka

President

Alaska Federation of Natives, Anchorage, AK

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/AFN_testimony_IndianAffairs_2.24.2021_0.pdf

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/oversight-hearing-call-action-native-communities-priorities-focus-117th-congress

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Oversight Hearing “A call to action: Native communities’ priorities in focus for the 117th Congress.”

Wednesday, February 24 2021 - 02:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

The Honorable Fawn Sharp

President

National Congress of American Indians, Washington, DC

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/NCAI%20SCIA%20Testimony%20%282_22_21%29.pdf

The Honorable Leonard Forsman

President

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Portland, OR

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/20210224%20ATNI%20Forsman%20Testimony%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Indian%20Affairs.pdf

The Honorable Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey

Chair, Board of Trustees

Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Honolulu, HI

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/Written%20Testimony%20from%20OHA%20Chair%20Carmen%20Hulu%20Lindsey_SCIA%20hrg%2002.24.21_FINAL.pdf

Ms. Julie Kitka

President

Alaska Federation of Natives, Anchorage, AK

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/AFN_testimony_IndianAffairs_2.24.2021_0.pdf

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/oversight-hearing-call-action-native-communities-priorities-focus-117th-congress

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Oversight Hearing “A call to action: Native communities’ priorities in focus for the 117th Congress.”

Wednesday, February 24 2021 - 02:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

The Honorable Fawn Sharp

President

National Congress of American Indians, Washington, DC

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/NCAI%20SCIA%20Testimony%20%282_22_21%29.pdf

The Honorable Leonard Forsman

President

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Portland, OR

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/20210224%20ATNI%20Forsman%20Testimony%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Indian%20Affairs.pdf

The Honorable Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey

Chair, Board of Trustees

Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Honolulu, HI

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/Written%20Testimony%20from%20OHA%20Chair%20Carmen%20Hulu%20Lindsey_SCIA%20hrg%2002.24.21_FINAL.pdf

Ms. Julie Kitka

President

Alaska Federation of Natives, Anchorage, AK

https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/AFN_testimony_IndianAffairs_2.24.2021_0.pdf

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/oversight-hearing-call-action-native-communities-priorities-focus-117th-congress