
Secretary of Interior Nominee Deb Haaland delivers an opening statement at her Senate Energy Committee confirmation hearing on Feb. 23. (Source: C-SPAN)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on March 9 moved to bring a final vote on President Joe Biden’s nomination to head the Interior Department after two Republicans pushed for more debate on her positions on oil and gas development.
Republican Senators Steve Daines and Cynthia Lummis earlier in the day put holds on Biden’s nomination of U.S. Representative Deb Haaland to head the department, in a move that likely only delays her confirmation for a few days until next week.
Haaland is expected to be confirmed by the Senate as at least two Republicans, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, support her nomination.
“Despite Republican obstruction, Representative Haaland will be confirmed by the Senate,” Schumer said. If approved, Haaland would become the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency.
The Democrats effectively control the Senate. There are 48 Democratic senators and two independents who caucus with the Democrats vs. 50 Republican senators. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, holds the tie-breaking vote.
Republicans have pressed Haaland on statements that were critical of fossil fuels.
“Her record is clear: she opposes pipelines and fossil fuels, ignores science when it comes to wildlife management and wants to ban trapping on public lands,” Daines said in a release.
At her Senate hearings, Haaland said it would be Biden’s agenda, including a pause on new drilling leases on federal lands, that she would pursue if confirmed, not her own.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:13 a.m. CT March 10.
Recommended Reading
Phillips 66’s NGL Focus, Midstream Acquisitions Pay Off in 2024
2025-02-04 - Phillips 66 reported record volumes for 2024 as it advances a wellhead-to-market strategy within its midstream business.
Utica Liftoff: Infinity Natural Resources’ Shares Jump 10% in IPO
2025-01-31 - Infinity Natural Resources CEO Zack Arnold told Hart Energy the newly IPO’ed company will stick with Ohio oil, Marcellus Shale gas.
Utica Oil’s Infinity IPO Values its Play at $48,000 per Boe/d
2025-01-30 - Private-equity-backed Infinity Natural Resources’ IPO pricing on Jan. 30 gives a first look into market valuation for Ohio’s new tight-oil Utica play. Public trading is to begin the morning of Jan. 31.
BP Pledges Strategy Reset as Annual Profit Falls by a Third
2025-02-11 - BP CEO Murray Auchincloss pledged on Feb. 11 to fundamentally reset the company's strategy as it reported a 35% fall in annual profits, missing analysts' expectations.
The New Minerals Frontier Expands Beyond Oil, Gas
2025-04-09 - How to navigate the minerals sector in the era of competition, alternative investments and the AI-powered boom.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.