"WASHINGTON — A key Senate committee on Thursday approved the nomination of New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland to be interior secretary, clearing the way for a Senate vote that is likely to make her the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved Haaland’s nomination, 11-9, sending it to the Senate floor. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the lone Republican to support Haaland, who won unanimous backing from committee Democrats.

Murkowski, a former chair of the committee, said she had “some real misgivings” about Haaland, because of her support for policies that Murkowski said could impede Alaska’s reliance on oil and other fossil fuels. But the senator said she would place her “trust” in Haaland’s word that she would work with her and other Alaskans to support the state."

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press March 4, 2021. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"She Will Likely Be Confirmed. But When?" (Indian Country Today) [3]

"Collins to back Haaland for Interior, sealing her approval" (AP) [4]

"What to Expect When You’re Expecting #DebForInterior" (Data For Progress) [5]

"‘I...Really Struggled Through This One’: A Republican Senator Chose History Over Oil And Gas" (Washington Post) [6]