Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), the Republican minority leader in the U.S. Senate, announces his opposition to Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) as Secretary of the Interior on March 10, 2021.

McConnell cited Haaland’s prior support of the Green New Deal, a popular climate change and economic proposal, and her past positions on energy development as reasons to vote against her historic nomination to become the first Native person to lead the Department of the Interior.

“Her record and her views ignore the fact that American energy independence fueled prosperity for the working class and middle class over the last four years,” McConnell said in a speech on the floor of the Senate.

The Senate is moving forward with Haaland’s nomination this week. A final vote is expected next Monday, March 15, and a leading Democrat has already said she will win confirmation in the chamber.

“Despite Republican obstruction, Representative Haaland will be confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary Haaland,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the Democratic majority leader, said on March 9.

The Department of the Interior is the federal agency with the most trust and treaty responsibilities to tribes and their citizens. It includes Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education and the recently-established Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, which is taking over most of the duties previously assigned to the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.

Note: Cover photo of Deb Haaland courtesy House Committee on Natural Resources, Democrats