Thread by @IndianCountry

THREAD: Follow along here for live updates of Rep. Deb Haaand's historic Senate confirmation hearing ⬇️

You can also watch live beginning Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources website: energy.senate.gov/live-webcast

On December 17, 2020, President Joe Biden selected Rep. Deb Haaland as his nominee for Interior Secretary. If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.

The hearing has officially started. Senate Energy Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Manchin and ranking member Sen. John Barrasso give opening statements outlining the job responsibilities of the Interior secretary.

Haaland begins her opening statement with a land acknowledgement paying respect to "the ancestral homelands of the Nakochtank, Anacostan, and Piscataway people."

Haaland: "The historic nature of my confirmation is not lost on me, but I will say that it is not about me. Rather, I hope this nomination would be an inspiration for Americans, moving forward together as one nation and creating opportunities for all of us.

Haaland: "I carry my life experiences with me everywhere I go. It’s those experiences that give me hope for the future. If an Indigenous woman from humble beginnings can be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, our country holds promise for everyone."

Haaland says her top priorities if confirmed would be to support federal employees, provide clean energy jobs and restore public lands. In Indian Country, she would focus on expanding broadband internet and addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Sen. Maria Cantwell on Haaland:
"Mark me down as one who very much appreciates the fact that the Secretary of the Interior, being Native American, will give us an extra advantage on BIA issues that are so important to Indian Country overall."

You can read our coverage on Rep. Deb Haaland's historic Senate confirmation hearing on our website. Visit us: indiancountrytoday.com

Sen. Mike Lee asks Haaland questions about public land designations and adds that Utah's stakeholders deserve a say in the designation process.

Sen. Bernie Sanders asks Haaland how she will combat the climate crisis. Haaland says she will create millions of clean energy jobs and inspire young people to find careers in those areas.

Sen. Steve Daines questions Haaland on endangered species, specifically about grizzly bears. He also asks about leasing moratoriums and Haaland's previous statements opposing new pipelines and fracking. He ends saying that he is concerned about Haaland's nomination.

Sen. Ron Wyden asks Haaland about collaboration and working together. Haaland says, "I guess I couldn't agree with you more that collaboration is absolutely important, and I was the highest rated freshmen for bipartisanship in 116th Congress."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski: "It is indeed very significant your nomination to this position as the first Native American woman. We respect that."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski asks Haaland about her approach to oil, gas and mineral resource development in Alaska. Haaland says she will follow the law, make the best decisions for Alaskans and will work with Murkowski in the future.

Sen. Martin Heinrich asks Haaland if she will aid in repatriating sacred objects. Haaland responds, "It's heartbreaking. I've seen some of those pictures on the internet ... So absolutely that would be very important issue and I believe tribes would be grateful."

Sen. Mazie Hirono tells Haaland, "Based on my conversation with you, I would expect that you will be very committed to working with us on Native Hawaiian issues as well as issues relating to other Indigenous peoples."

Sen. Bill Cassidy asks Haaland if she will be guided by science or be "prejudice against fossil fuels."

Haaland: "I have stated many times that if I am confirmed to the Interior Department, decisions will be guided by science."

Democratic Sen. Angus King of Maine asks Haaland if she will review regulations regarding methane being released into the atmosphere. Haaland says yes, "We should be breathing clean air."

Republican Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota asks Haaland about her opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Haaland: "Yes I did go to stand with the water protectors ... I know that tribal consultation is important, and that was the reason that I was there."

Republican Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota asks Haaland if she would recuse herself from matters related to the Dakota Access Pipeline in the future. Haaland says she will heed advice from Interior attorneys and ethics team members about how to proceed.

Chairman Manchin asks Haaland to return for a second round of questioning. It looks as if Haaland's hearing will continue again on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi asks Haaland about how the livelihoods of people in Mississippi will be secure under Haaland's leadership. Haaland reiterates a commitment to working with Hyde-Smith in the future.

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada asks Haaland for various commitments to the state of Nevada regarding efficient land management and collaboration. Haaland commits to all of Cortez Masto's requests.

Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas asks Haaland about her plans to manage invasive species.

Haaland: "I look forward to working with you to find ways to remedy those situations."

Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado says he hopes to keep the Bureau of Land Management headquarters in Grand Junction, CO.

He asks Haaland if she will keep an open dialogue about this issue. Haaland responds saying she will keep an open dialogue.

Day one of Haaland's Senate confirmation hearing has ended. It will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. EST.