U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has nominated New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland as the new Secretary of the Interior, who, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first Native American to hold office.
Haaland, 60, was in 2018 one of the first two Native American women to be part of Congress, where she has dedicated herself to trying to improve the conditions of indigenous communities, such as assistance during the pandemic, as well as environmental and climate change policies.
“A voice like mine has never been Cabinet Secretary, nor has it been at the head of the Department of the Interior,” Haaland wrote on his 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 land protected. I feel honored and ready to serve.”
Haaland, who has until now been vice president of the House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee, is part of the Native American community of Poble Llacuna, although she also inherits from Poble Jemez, native communities located in the southwestern United States. Units.
If confirmed, Haaland would be part of Biden’s plan to constitute what would be the most diverse administration in White House history, thus reflecting the racial plurality of the United States.
The U.S. Department of the Interior is one of Washington’s largest agencies, managing natural resources, including natural parks and gas or oil fields, as well as the country’s cultural heritage. the federal government ‘s relations with the 578 recognized Native American communities.
While Haaland’s nomination weakens in some ways the already meager Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, its chairman, veteran Nancy Pelosi, considers Biden’s bet to be “excellent.” the congresswoman for New Mexico “knows the ground.”
If Haaland is finally elected as Home Secretary, Democrats in Congress will have only a three-vote margin over Republicans during the future Biden Administration, who have finally been unable to snatch any seats in recent presidential elections.