The president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, has proposed this Thursday to the congresswoman for New Mexico, Deb Haaland, as the new Secretary of the Interior, who, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first Native American to hold the position.
Haaland, 60, was one of the first two Native American women to serve in Congress in 2018, where she has dedicated herself to trying to improve conditions in Native communities, such as assistance during the pandemic, as well as environmental policies. and against climate change.
“A voice like mine has never been a cabinet secretary, nor has she been in charge of the Department of the Interior,” Haaland wrote on her Twitter account. “Growing up in my mother’s house in Pueblo made me strong. I will be strong for all of us, our planet and all of our protected land. I feel honored and ready to serve.”
Haaland, who until now has been vice chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, is part of the Pueblo Laguna Native American community, although she also has a heritage from Pueblo Jemez, native communities located in the southwestern United States.
If confirmed, Haaland would be part of Biden’s plan to constitute what would be the most diverse administration in the history of the White House, thus reflecting the racial plurality of the United States.
The United States Department of the Interior is one of the largest agencies in Washington, with which natural resources are administered, including natural parks and oil or gas fields, as well as the country’s cultural heritage, in addition to managing the relations of the Federal government with 578 recognized Native American communities.
While Haaland’s nomination somewhat weakens the already slim Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, its president, veteran Nancy Pelosi, considers Biden’s bet to be “excellent,” since the congresswoman for Nuevo Mexico “knows the terrain.”
If Haaland is finally elected as Secretary of the Interior, the Democrats in Congress will count during the future Biden Administration with only a margin of three votes above the Republicans, who have not finally been able to snatch any seats in the recent presidential elections.
CLIMATE EQUIPMENT
The president-elect has also announced this Thursday the rest of his elected to occupy other key positions on environmental issues, as part of the ambitious proposal he has launched during his campaign, in which he promised to end carbon emissions by 2035 and an investment of 2,000 million dollars (1,600 million euros) in infrastructure and energy more respectful with nature.
Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has been chosen by Biden to be the new Secretary of the Department of Energy, while Brenda Mallory, an environmental attorney, has been nominated to chair the Council on Environmental Quality and Michael Regan as administrator of the Protection Agency. Environmental (EPA).
The remaining nominees are Ali Zaidi and Gina McCarthy, to serve as deputy adviser and advisor, respectively, to Biden on climate and environmental issues.
