During the second day of the hearings, Haaland argued that her role as Secretary of the Interior would be very different from her role as an elected member of the House of Representatives.
“The role of a congressman in a district of the country is very different from the role of a secretary who fights and works for every American and all our public countries across the country. Those are two different things, I recognize that,” said Haaland.
The allegation came after Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, the leading Republican committee member, confronted Haaland with earlier statements she has made, including that she is “wholeheartedly against fracking and drilling on public land.” After bringing up the earlier comments, Barrasso said the committee wants to know how Haaland would advise Biden as president if he is confirmed.
GOP Senator Steve Daines of Montana later expressed skepticism about Haaland’s argument that she would differentiate between the different roles – arguing that positions she has taken as a congressman would affect Americans outside her district.
“Some of your previous positions that you have taken,” he said, “clearly affect people more than just your constituents. So I am not convinced that you will bring that view forward because you are sure to have some very strong positions that are clearly impacting people outside of New Mexico’s First District. ”
Republicans have repeatedly claimed that the Biden administration is going to cut jobs through its clean energy agenda, which Haaland supports. If confirmed, Haaland would be part of Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis and cut carbon emissions.
In her opening statement, Haaland sought to strike a delicate balance in energy and environmental policies, saying, “There is no doubt that fossil energy plays and will continue to play an important role in America for years to come.” But, she added, “Our climate challenge needs to be addressed,” saying that “the ministry has a role to play in harnessing the clean energy potential of our public lands to create jobs and new economic opportunities.”
Barrasso said Tuesday that he feels “troubled” by some of Haaland’s views on climate and energy issues, while Daines said he is “concerned” about the nomination continuing.
In a controversial exchange on Tuesday, Barrasso asked Haaland to reply to an October 2020 tweet saying Republicans don’t believe in science. The GOP senator pointed out that he and several other Republican committee members are doctors, calling the comment “concerning.”
“Senator, yes, if you’re a doctor, I assume you believe in science,” Haaland replied.
Haaland has repeatedly declined to express her personal views in light of targeted questions from Republican senators at the hearing, saying instead that she would carry out Biden’s agenda.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho repeatedly pressed Haaland to support the Biden government’s decision to close the Keystone XL pipeline. Haaland first responded by saying she supports Biden’s decision to revoke the pipeline’s permit.
“I have every confidence that the president, his decision – I mean, I have to respect him, sir. He is the president of the United States,” said Haaland.
Risch followed up several times with the question whether she supports the closure of the pipeline. Haaland finally replied, “Senator, when I say I support President Biden’s agenda, I assume you can take my answer as a yes.”
Moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, the chair of the committee, has not yet said whether he will vote for Haaland.
Manchin did not hold his hand at Tuesday’s hearing, saying he believes a president deserves “wide latitude” in the selection of his cabinet nominees, but added, “I also accept the Senate’s constitutional obligation to advise and to vote with the appointment of the president seriously. “
On Wednesday, Manchin thanked Haaland for returning for a second day of questioning and for “being so diligent and doing such a good job”.
“I just want to thank you for coming back and being so diligent and doing such a good job. I really appreciate that, Congressman Haaland,” he said.
During the hearings, Haaland discussed the historical nature of her nomination at the confirmation hearings and discussed her motivation for getting the job done.
On Wednesday, Haaland said of her motivation: “This is our whole country, this is our mother. You have heard that the Earth refers to Mother Earth.”
She went on to say, ‘It’s hard not to feel an obligation to protect this country, and I feel that every indigenous person in this country understands that, which is why we have such a high percentage of our people living in it. serve army. wants to protect this country, and that means it must be protected in every possible way. “
This story and headline were updated Wednesday with additional developments.