Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Congresswoman Deb Haaland as Secretary of The Interior

Press Release

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted today to confirm Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.-01) as Secretary of the Interior.

"Congresswoman Deb Haaland is committed to protecting public lands, ensuring our natural resources are available for future generations, and confronting climate change. She holds an important perspective as the first Native woman in a Cabinet-level position and first Native American Secretary of the Department of the Interior, which is positioned to benefit Nevada's government-to-government relationships with Native American tribes across the state. I look forward to working with Secretary Haaland to improve the Silver State's management of public lands, combat climate change, and ensure Native voices across Nevada are well represented."

Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion of strong legislation to curb the epidemic of missing, murdered and trafficked Native women and girls. She led the introduction of the Not Invisible Act and Savanna's Act, which were passed into low this year. These bills will, among other things, establish a commission law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, and survivors to make recommendations to the Department of the Interior and Department of Justice on combatting the epidemic of missing persons, murder, and trafficking of Indigenous women.

Senator Cortez Masto recently introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act to prohibit oil and gas leasing on public lands that have low or no potential for development.

Senator Cortez Masto met with Secretary Haaland in January.

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