New Mexico Democratic Rep. Deb Haaland’s nomination to be Interior Secretary in the Biden administration will receive a final Senate vote Monday afternoon. She will likely win the Senate support after a procedural vote to advance the nomination received the support of four Republicans but not Oklahoma Sens. Inhofe and Lankford.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, who had not voiced his stance on her nomination prior to the Thursday vote opposed her nomination as did Sen. James Lankford who had spoken against the nomination during Haaland’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Four other Republican Senators, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina supported the nomination.
Their support means Rep. Haaland nomination will apparently be approved, making her the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.
Sen. Lankford voiced opposition during Haaland’s confirmation hearing, saying her environmental stances were too radical for him and for Oklahomans. Sen. Inhofe, while voting no in the procedural vote has yet to voice any public statement explaining his vote.
