Washington, D.C. and Santa Fe, NM — The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Conservation Voters New Mexico issued the following statements in response to the news that President-elect Biden is expected to name Congresswoman Deb Haaland the next Secretary of the Interior:

“Congresswoman Deb Haaland is a force — an inspirational leader and advocate for climate action, conservation, and sovereign Tribal Nations,” said LCV SVP of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “She’s well positioned to drive forward Biden’s ambitious conservation agenda — including protecting 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 — and ensure we use all of our tools to fight climate change and share nature’s benefits equitably with all communities.  The contrast between the oil lobbyist David Bernhardt and the first Indigenous person to lead Interior could not be more stark.”

“Representative Haaland, if confirmed, will be the first Indigenous person to lead the Interior Department,” said Conservation Voters New Mexico Director Demis Foster. “She will bring her community-centered connection to land and water to her leadership role in ways that fully embody New Mexico’s  deep-rooted values. Her nomination signals the Biden administration’s recognition of the need to truly engage and consult with the tribes and pueblos on land decisions and acknowledge that we are all occupying Indigenous lands.”

Rep. Haaland has a stellar 97% lifetime LCV score. LCV Action Fund endorsed Haaland in her 2018 and 2020 campaigns for Congress. 

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