Thread by @jbendery

Day 2 of Deb Haaland's confirmation hearing begins.

Newly elected Sen. Mark Kelly is up, but as he talks, there's a weird echo and woman's voice reverberating in the room.

Manchin: "There's a female voice coming through."

😂

Kelly talking about how "special" the Grand Canyon is. Says he and Sen. Sinema intro'd a bill to ban uranium mining outside the park and asked if she would support their proposal for a permanent ban.

Haaland: "I look forward to discussing this issue with you."

Risch is up. Asks Haaland whether she supports Biden's plan to stop the Keystone Pipeline.

"I have to respect it sir," she says. "He is the president of the United States."

Risch just asked Haaland this question like 5-6 times.

Got the same answer each time: I support Biden's agenda, he's the president and this is his administration.

BTW here's how much money Risch and all the other GOP senators on this committee have taken from the oil and gas industry. Something to keep in mind as they try to cast Haaland as "radical" for wanting to protect public lands as Interior sec.

Via Accountable Senate War Room.

And... Barrasso just tried to argue that Haaland supports selling drugs to generate state revenue instead relying on oil and gas royalties. Really.

Whhhhhaaaaaaat.

Barrasso: Do you still think states should replace oil + gas royalties with taxes on sale of marijuana? (She's backed legalizing cannabis in NM to generate revenue.)

Haaland: The point was we should diversify our funding streams.

Barrasso: "Your preference is to turn to drugs."

That was a cheap, misleading shot by Barrasso.

He dramatically ended his remarks by suggesting Deb Haaland prefers peddling drugs instead of protecting oil and gas industry workers.

Here's what Haaland has actually said on cannabis legalization -- as a congresswoman representing her district in NM.

She's backed it as a potential new funding stream for the education system + said it could help decrease reliance on private prisons. newmexiconewsport.com/n-m-congressio…

A reminder of how much money Barrasso has taken from the oil and gas industry as he tries to cast Deb Haaland as a drug peddler not concerned about the welfare of the oil and gas industry.

Sen. Daines is up.

He's the GOP senator who has gone the furthest in opposing Haaland's nomination, saying he will block her (he can't) and routinely calling this Native American congresswoman "radical" for wanting to protect public lands as Interior secretary.

Murkowski is up. Talking about ANCs (Alaska Native Corps) + how the state's tribal infrastructure is very different than other states.

Haaland: I know ANCs provide key services to the state's 229 tribes. "They're not like any other corporations when we think of corporations."

A thing that is clear after watching yesterday's and now today's confirmation hearing for Deb Haaland:

Sens. Daines and Barrasso have already made up their minds to oppose her and their questions are set up entirely to try to make her look extreme.

Newly elected Sen. Marshall was just up, talking about himself as "little Roger Marshall" shooting a bird and being "a hero" for it.

"Whiskey's for drinking, water's for fighting," he says in another story about himself.

Okay.

Sen. Wyden now telling Haaland he's ready to support her and also "speak for you on the floor of the Senate because I think you have made the case beyond a doubt that you'll be there for rural jobs."

"I'm all in!" -- Sen. Wyden on Haaland

Barrasso is back up.

He wrapped up his last round of Q&A with Haaland by suggesting she's a drug peddler, by the way.

Barrasso, seemingly outraged at something: Can I get your commitment that you'll answer my written questions.

Haaland: Yep.

Barrasso: You backed a bill to give permanent federal protection to grizzly bears. You said you cared about the bears. I want to make sure you care about law.

She started talking + he interrupted by shouting, "I'm talking about the law!"

Haaland: I'll always follow the law.

That was jarring. He just shouted at her for... some reason.

Now Daines is back. Feels like he's grasping for tough Qs.

"Isn't the role of the Interior Secretary to advise the president, not just follow blindly?"

Haaland: "I'm part of a team." I'd work with all cabinet secretaries and President Biden.

"You'd be eighth in line to the president of the U.S." Daines tells Haaland.

Did not know this. Not bad!

Can't believe Barrasso just shouted at Haaland.

Totally unexpected, harsh and a stark contrast to her thoughtful, polite, conciliatory tone.

Things Barrasso has said and done during Deb Haaland's confirmation hearing:

*Suggested she's a drug peddler
*Suggested she won't follow science
*Called her "radical"
*Abruptly shouted at her

And... Deb Haaland's confirmation hearing is over.

No date announced yet on when the committee will vote to send her nomination to the Senate floor.