Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Nomination of David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – Today Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) issued the following statement in response to the nomination of Acting Secretary David Bernhardt as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
"David Bernhardt's nomination represents more of the same when it comes to the Trump Administration's destructive leadership of the Interior Department. The ‘monument review' that he helped former Secretary Ryan Zinke orchestrate was a sham that ignored input from the tribes and the American public so they could achieve their ultimate goal of slashing protections for our public lands.
"Already, Bernhardt has been involved in decisions that have weakened protections for endangered species and make it easier for oil and gas companies to drill on protected lands. That's no surprise, considering he is a former lobbyist for the oil and gas industries who will benefit from those dangerous changes.
"I and my fellow Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee will be keeping a close eye on Bernhardt's confirmation hearing. I urge my Senate colleagues to reject his nomination."
Rep. Ruben Gallego serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, and as Chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
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