Who Is Deb Haaland? Biden's Nominee As Secretary For Interior Department

President-elect Joe Biden could nominate Congresswoman Deb Haaland as the Interior Secretary. Haaland will be responsible for managing the nation’s public lands and honouring its treaties with the indigenous people to whom the land originally belonged.

She will additionally enact policies that combat the climate crisis and strengthen protections for endangered species.

The news was announced by Biden’s transition team on Thursday evening.

The undeniable reality of climate change is taking a toll on lives and livelihoods across the country.



This team will listen to scientists, experts, and affected communities as we race to confront one of the most urgent challenges facing our nation.https://t.co/kj73D37Ql9

— Biden-Harris Presidential Transition (@Transition46) December 18, 2020

Also Read: In A Historic First For Democrats Joe Biden May Nominate Indian-American Neera Tanden To Cabinet

Born in 1960, American Politician Debra Anne Haaland has been in the position of the United States representative from New Mexico’s first congressional district since 2019. The district includes most of Albuquerque, along with most of its suburbs. Haaland is a former chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

If confirmed, Rep. Deb Haaland would be the first Native American to carry a Cabinet-level position in the history of the US.

Here are ten things to know about the congresswoman:

1. The congresswoman from New Mexico served as the head of the New Mexico Democratic Party and worked on former President Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign.
2. Before performing on the presidential campaign, she volunteered in efforts to increase Native American voter turnout.
3. Haaland earned a  Bachelor of Arts in the year 1994 from the  University of New Mexico and  Juris Doctor in Indian law from the Mexico Law school in 2006.
4. Haaland worked at a local bakery after completing her graduation from Highland High School.
5. She leads the 30x30 effort in the House, a major conservation plan to protect 30% of land and ocean in the US by 2030.
6. Making history as one of the first Native American members of Congress, Haaland was a part of the wave of women who won House seats in 2018.
7. She served as the tribal administrator for the San Felipe Pueblo, federally recognised as a Native American Tribe, from January 2013 to November 2015.
8. Haaland introduced the ANTIQUITIES Act, a bill that would greatly expand National Monuments of great ecological and cultural value.
9. She has powerfully opposed fossil fuel industry interests, taking the bold position to meaningfully limit all forms of oil and gas drilling on public lands.
10. After the defeat for democrats in New Mexico in 2014, Halland was responsible for raising enough money and rebuilding the state.

Also Read: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden To Take Oath Outside US Capitol, Urge People To Participate From Home

Image Credit: Hindustan Times

Vanshika is an Intern with SheThePeople.TV.