A key Senate committee has approved the nomination of New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland to be Interior Secretary. It clears 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 Senator Lisa Murkowski was the lone Republican to support Haaland, who won unanimous backing from committee Democrats. The vote follows an announcement by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Main, that she will support Haaland in the full Senate.