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Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia and chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks during a confirmation hearing for Rep. Deb Haaland, a Democrat from New Mexico and secretary of the interior nominee, in Washington, D.C. on February 24, 2021. On Wednesday, Manchin announced he would vote to confirm Haaland. (Photo: Sarah Silbiger AFP via Getty Images)
'Glad That's Settled': Manchin Backs Haaland for Interior
The West Virginia Democrat's announcement signals a key hurdle for her confirmation as secretary is cleared.
Feb 23, 2021
Conservative Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin announced Wednesday that he will vote to confirm for President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the Interior Department, Rep. Deb Haaland.
The West Virginia senator, who'd been under sustained pressure from progressives to back Haaland (D-N.M), said in a statement that "while we do not agree on every issue, she reaffirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship, addressing the diverse needs of our country, and maintaining our nation's energy independence."
Manchin's statement pointed to Haaland having "reiterated the position of the Biden administration that our country will continue to use fossil fuels for years to come, even as we transition to a cleaner energy future, through innovation not elimination."
"I look forward to working with her to protect our public lands and ensure the responsible use of all our natural resources in a bipartisan manner," said Manchin.
\u201cThere was literally never a good reason* for Manchin to be against Haaland, so... glad that's settled.\n\n* ["But she's not white" is not a "good reason," Senators]\u201d— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal) 1614199643
Haaland supports the Green New Deal and opposes fossil fuel drilling on public lands. A member of the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, Haaland would be the first-ever Native American cabinet secretary if confirmed for Interior secretary.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which Manchin chairs, held the second day of Haaland's confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Up to this point, Manchin's vote on Haaland was still unclear, making her confirmation uncertain in light of the chamber's narrow Democratic majority.
Manchin's statement appears to refer to Haaland's remarks Tuesday, when she told lawmakers: "There's no question that fossil energy does and will continue to play a major role in America for years to come. I know how important oil and gas revenues are to fund critical services."
"But," she added, "we must also recognize that the energy industry is innovating, and our climate challenge must be addressed."
\u201cWith the confirmation hearing over, it's clear Deb Haaland meets every criteria to be America's next Secretary of Interior, and its first Native American one.\n\nHer closing statement expresses everything you need to know about her commitment to the land, the nation and the people:\u201d— Kier\u00e1n Suckling (@Kier\u00e1n Suckling) 1614195508
Hundreds of advocacy groups demanded Haaland's swift confirmation with a letter this month calling her the "right person to lead the charge against the existential threats of our time--tackling the climate, biodiversity, extinction, and Covid-19 crises, and racial justice inequities on our federal public lands and waters."
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biodiversitydeb haalandfossil fuelsindigenousjoe bidenjoe manchinrights & justiceus department of interiorus senate
Conservative Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin announced Wednesday that he will vote to confirm for President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the Interior Department, Rep. Deb Haaland.
The West Virginia senator, who'd been under sustained pressure from progressives to back Haaland (D-N.M), said in a statement that "while we do not agree on every issue, she reaffirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship, addressing the diverse needs of our country, and maintaining our nation's energy independence."
Manchin's statement pointed to Haaland having "reiterated the position of the Biden administration that our country will continue to use fossil fuels for years to come, even as we transition to a cleaner energy future, through innovation not elimination."
"I look forward to working with her to protect our public lands and ensure the responsible use of all our natural resources in a bipartisan manner," said Manchin.
\u201cThere was literally never a good reason* for Manchin to be against Haaland, so... glad that's settled.\n\n* ["But she's not white" is not a "good reason," Senators]\u201d— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal) 1614199643
Haaland supports the Green New Deal and opposes fossil fuel drilling on public lands. A member of the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, Haaland would be the first-ever Native American cabinet secretary if confirmed for Interior secretary.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which Manchin chairs, held the second day of Haaland's confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Up to this point, Manchin's vote on Haaland was still unclear, making her confirmation uncertain in light of the chamber's narrow Democratic majority.
Manchin's statement appears to refer to Haaland's remarks Tuesday, when she told lawmakers: "There's no question that fossil energy does and will continue to play a major role in America for years to come. I know how important oil and gas revenues are to fund critical services."
"But," she added, "we must also recognize that the energy industry is innovating, and our climate challenge must be addressed."
\u201cWith the confirmation hearing over, it's clear Deb Haaland meets every criteria to be America's next Secretary of Interior, and its first Native American one.\n\nHer closing statement expresses everything you need to know about her commitment to the land, the nation and the people:\u201d— Kier\u00e1n Suckling (@Kier\u00e1n Suckling) 1614195508
Hundreds of advocacy groups demanded Haaland's swift confirmation with a letter this month calling her the "right person to lead the charge against the existential threats of our time--tackling the climate, biodiversity, extinction, and Covid-19 crises, and racial justice inequities on our federal public lands and waters."
Conservative Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin announced Wednesday that he will vote to confirm for President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the Interior Department, Rep. Deb Haaland.
The West Virginia senator, who'd been under sustained pressure from progressives to back Haaland (D-N.M), said in a statement that "while we do not agree on every issue, she reaffirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship, addressing the diverse needs of our country, and maintaining our nation's energy independence."
Manchin's statement pointed to Haaland having "reiterated the position of the Biden administration that our country will continue to use fossil fuels for years to come, even as we transition to a cleaner energy future, through innovation not elimination."
"I look forward to working with her to protect our public lands and ensure the responsible use of all our natural resources in a bipartisan manner," said Manchin.
\u201cThere was literally never a good reason* for Manchin to be against Haaland, so... glad that's settled.\n\n* ["But she's not white" is not a "good reason," Senators]\u201d— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal) 1614199643
Haaland supports the Green New Deal and opposes fossil fuel drilling on public lands. A member of the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, Haaland would be the first-ever Native American cabinet secretary if confirmed for Interior secretary.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which Manchin chairs, held the second day of Haaland's confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Up to this point, Manchin's vote on Haaland was still unclear, making her confirmation uncertain in light of the chamber's narrow Democratic majority.
Manchin's statement appears to refer to Haaland's remarks Tuesday, when she told lawmakers: "There's no question that fossil energy does and will continue to play a major role in America for years to come. I know how important oil and gas revenues are to fund critical services."
"But," she added, "we must also recognize that the energy industry is innovating, and our climate challenge must be addressed."
\u201cWith the confirmation hearing over, it's clear Deb Haaland meets every criteria to be America's next Secretary of Interior, and its first Native American one.\n\nHer closing statement expresses everything you need to know about her commitment to the land, the nation and the people:\u201d— Kier\u00e1n Suckling (@Kier\u00e1n Suckling) 1614195508
Hundreds of advocacy groups demanded Haaland's swift confirmation with a letter this month calling her the "right person to lead the charge against the existential threats of our time--tackling the climate, biodiversity, extinction, and Covid-19 crises, and racial justice inequities on our federal public lands and waters."
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