DAILY DIGITAL EDITION | FRIDAY MARCH 5
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After weeks of nominations and hearings, the only thing left between Deb Haaland and the secretary’s office in the US Department of Interior is time.
After securing public support from coal-powered Democrat Joe Manchin of W. Va. and Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska Deb Haaland’s confirmation passed the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee yesterday on an 11-9 vote.
Joining Murkowski in crossing party lines for the full Senate vote will be Susan Collins of Maine. That gives Haaland enough votes to be confirmed — whenever the Senate schedules the vote.
Haaland’s historic nomination has (rightly) garnered many headlines but there is another story here, too. Haaland’s biggest champion throughout the Senate process was once a leading contender for the Interior post himself: Martin Heinrich.
New Mexico’s political types remember that Heinrich and retiring Senator Tom Udall were both early contenders for Interior secretary. Heinrich publicly focused on raising money and support for Biden and Senate Democrats in the election but didn’t stop sportsmen and public lands advocates from pushing his name.
But when Biden picked Haaland, Heinrich became her biggest champion in the Senate. Just watch this speech he made yesterday where he speaks of his pride being a constituent of Haaland who represents him and his family’s Albuquerque neighborhood in Congress.
[Watch] Heinrich Votes To Advance Haaland Confirmation
Heinrich speaks about his and Albuquerque’s pride being represented by Deb Haaland.
Haaland’s vote is not likely to be scheduled until next month after the House, where Haaland is still a member and a key Democratic vote, passes a slew of Dem priorities.
Speaking of public lands and environment, last week The Paper.‘s Gwynne Ann Unruh, reporting from Silver City, wrote about climate change and how it may create the first year in memory when chile farmers may go without any irrigation water.
In this week’s print edition of The Paper., she follows that with a look at the push by oil and gas to lock up what little is left. Digital subscribers get it here as well.
Not a Drop of Water to Spare
By Gwynne Ann Unruh
Fresh water use by oil and gas has impacted New Mexico’s small communities, particularly those in proximity to the Permian Basin and the San Juan Basin who are fighting the industry for access to fresh water.
It’s the weekend and it will be almost 70 degrees! New Mexico has some of the most amazing public lands and open spaces in the country. Here’s a list. Find one you’ve never visited (or one you’d love to see again) and get outside this weekend.
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