The Friends Committee on National Legislation is honored to support Rep. Deb Haaland’s (NM-01) historic and groundbreaking nomination to the Department of the Interior and we urge the Senators to confirm her. We know that Rep. Haaland will represent all Americans as she leads the agency’s efforts to protect our public lands, champion environmental justice, and take important steps to address climate change.
As people of faith, we recognize our moral responsibility to care for the earth and those around us.
As people of faith, we recognize our moral responsibility to care for the earth and those around us. Our care for others is integral to our concern for the planet, and vice versa; one cannot be unwoven from the other. To achieve true justice in the world, we must address the historical and ongoing injustices of racism, disregard for tribal sovereignty, and the devastating impacts of our extractive economy.
If confirmed, Rep. Haaland would be the first Native American to lead the Department of the Interior. From her position as Secretary of Interior she will raise up Indigenous voices, fulfilling the department’s mission of honoring the United States’ Nation-to-Nation relationship with tribes.
FCNL recently awarded Rep. Haaland our first Justice Award in honor of her leadership in efforts to end the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, which the Congresswoman says would continue to be one of her highest priorities if confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. Ending this crisis remains a key priority of FCNL’s Native American Advocacy Program.
More than ever, as we face compounding crises, we are coming to understand, as many Indigenous people have long understood, the mutuality and interdependence between human beings and all forms of life. How we care or do not care for the earth impacts the ability of humankind to survive, and the ability of thousands of other species and ecosystems to survive as well.
FCNL urges the Senate to give Rep. Haaland a fair hearing and quickly confirm her nomination.
We believe that Rep. Haaland shares this understanding and commitment. As Secretary of the Interior, she will seek to advance environmental justice, protect our natural ecosystems, and ensure that our public lands are preserved and accessible for all Americans.
FCNL urges the Senate to give Rep. Haaland a fair hearing and quickly confirm her nomination. We look forward to working with her in her role as Secretary of the Interior.
