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