Deb Haaland in Biden Cabinet members actions and issues
On Civil Rights:
Everyone deserves to love without discrimination
As a member of the U. S. House, Haaland was a committed ally of the LGBTQ community. In May of 2019, Haaland was awarded the prestigious Vanguard Award by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). The Vanguard Award is given to an outstanding
ally who uses their platform to further LGBTQ+ equality. Accepting the award she stated; "Everyone deserves to love who they love and be who they are without facing discrimination or violence."
Source: The Washington Blade on Biden Cabinet
Mar 16, 2021
On Civil Rights:
I have this wonderful lesbian daughter who I adore
Q: Please describe how an LGBTQ person in your life has affected your worldview.Haaland: "That would be my daughter, who is a lesbian. Sometimes I think about how I have this beautiful, wonderful lesbian daughter who I adore, and who
I want to have every opportunity for success. I just feel that every single American, regardless of where they are, what community they belong to, deserves to have opportunities to succeed."
Source: The Washington Blade on Biden Cabinet
Mar 16, 2021
On Civil Rights:
Was Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus
Haaland was also Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, a group of lawmakers that serves as a resource for Members of Congress, their staff, and the public on LGBTQ+ issues at the federal level.
The caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well-being for all regardless of sexual orientation of gender identity and expression.
Source: The Washington Blade on Biden Cabinet
Mar 16, 2021
On Homeland Security:
Calls herself a "military brat," parents both veterans
Major J.D. Haaland retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving 30 years. He served two years in Vietnam and was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. Secretary? Haaland has referred to herself as a "military brat" who attended more than a
dozen public schools as her family moved from base to base before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her mother, Mary Toya, a Native American woman, is a U.S. Navy veteran and a federal employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 25 years.
Source: West Central Tribune on Biden Cabinet
Mar 13, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Scheduled to speak at Navajo Nation virtual day of prayer
The Navajo Nation will honor the 1,200-plus lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic with a virtual day of prayer event. New U.S. Interior Secretary
Deb Haaland is among those scheduled to speak during the event, joining tribal government, religious and health care leaders, the tribe said in a press release Wednesday, exactly one year after the first Navajo Nation coronavirus death was confirmed.
Source: KTAR News 92.3 FM on Biden Cabinet
Mar 13, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
Will work to undo fossil fuel development on public lands
Rep. Haaland has said she would work to undo public lands policies that have led to a shortsighted focus on fossil fuel development, instead expanding renewable energy production. Fossil fuels drilled and mined on public lands account for nearly
one-quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and experts say addressing such development would be an important step in confronting climate change.
Source: The Wilderness Society on Biden Cabinet
Dec 19, 2020
On Government Reform:
DOI in 1851 threatened extermination; I'm proof he failed
Haaland would be the first Native American to lead the Interior Department, which has wielded influence over the nation's tribes for generations. "This moment is profound when we consider the fact that a former secretary of the Interior once proclaimed
his goal, was to quote, 'civilize or exterminate' us," Haaland said. "I'm a living testament to the failure of that horrific ideology." Haaland was referring to Alexander H.H. Stuart, who said that in 1851.
Source: KOB TV-4 on Biden Cabinet: Interior Department
Dec 19, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Campaigned on climate change, backs Green New Deal
Haaland said she would be a "partner" to address the impacts of climate change and environmental injustice. She protested the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock in 2016 and her first congressional campaign in
2018 was centered on climate change and environmental justice. She backs the Green New Deal to address climate change and economic inequality that is to the left of positions taken by Biden, who has nonetheless called it a "crucial framework."
Source: 19th News e-zine on 2021 Biden Cabinet
Dec 18, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Practices the "Seven Generation rule" for future decisions
Haaland, like millions of Indigenous peoples, strongly believes in and practices the Seven Generation rule. The rule says that all significant decisions must be made with the next seven generations in mind, and includes preserving and
protecting the water, the earth and the two leggeds and the four leggeds for people you will never meet--at least in this life.
Source: NBC News on Biden Cabinet: Interior Department
Dec 18, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Anti-fracking, supports Green New Deal
The 60-year Democrat told the Guardian in 2019 that she was "wholeheartedly against fracking and drilling on public lands." Some Republicans fear her support of the Green New Deal will go further than Biden's plan to just end new fracking
initiatives. "As a Native American woman who's ancestral homeland is under attack from the Fossil Fuel Industry: I 100% support a Green New Deal and a Congressional Climate Commission," she wrote in a 2018 tweet.
Source: Fox Business on Biden Cabinet: Interior Department
Dec 17, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household made me fierce
Haaland would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary. "A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior,"
Haaland wrote in a tweet. "Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household made me fierce. I'll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land. I am honored and ready to serve."
Source: CNN on Biden Cabinet: Interior Department
Dec 17, 2020
On Technology:
Hailed $165 million for rural broadband in New Mexico
Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich along with Representatives Ben Ray Lujan, Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small, hailed the announcement that 18 cable companies, satellite businesses, electrical cooperatives, and wireless providers in
New Mexico have won nearly $165 million from the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. The utilities received the funding for a 10-year period to provide broadband access in 64,170 locations in New Mexico.
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 11, 2020
On Technology:
Would park near wi-fi hot spot to do homework with daughter
Press release: "It's heartbreaking to see children huddling around a wi-fi hotspot to get their homework done--I know what that's like. My daughter and I would park at Barnes and Noble and do our homework in the car together because we couldn't afford
the internet. It shouldn't be this way. After writing and encouraging the FCC to expand access, I'm glad they approved this funding for underserved areas. I will continue to fight for broadband internet for all New Mexicans," said Haaland.
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 11, 2020
On Environment:
30 by 30 goal: conserving 30% of lands and oceans by 2030
There are a few other things that I'm planning to prioritize next year. Tops on the list is 30 by 30 - committing to the goal of conserving 30% of our lands and oceans by 2030 to protect the habitat that fish and wildlife need to reverse the
extinction crisis. President-elect Biden has said he will adopt a 30 by 30 goal. And I was really excited when the hunting and fishing community expressed support for the 30 by 30 initiative as a way to protect biodiversity.
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 10, 2020
On Government Reform:
Introduced Simplifying Outdoor Access to Recreation Act
I'm still trying to get my Simplifying Outdoor Access to Recreation (SOAR) Act through before the end of the year. SOAR is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will make it easier for outfitters and guides to work with federal agencies, prioritize
recreation on our public lands, an promote access for those who benefit the most from outdoor experiences, such as urban populations, low-income families, underserved or at-risk communities, and servicemembers and veterans.
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 10, 2020
On Government Reform:
Reconciliation in Place Names Act to remove offensive names
There are too many places and geographic features that have names that are racial slurs or derogatory terms, which make visitors uncomfortable and discourage them from enjoying the outdoors. My Reconciliation in
Place Names Act would expedite the cumbersome process we have for renaming places and create a body to recommend places to be renamed.
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 10, 2020
On Government Reform:
Climate Stewardship Act, plant 15 billion trees by 2050
I'll push the natural climate solutions in my Climate Stewardship Act, which would support planting over 4 billion trees by 2030 and 15 billion trees by 2050 and restore or protect over 2 million acres of coastal wetlands by 2030.
These measures will remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it, improve coastal resilience, and provide habit for fish and wildlife, particularly those seeking refuge from the impacts of climate change. And they can be part of an economic recovery ag
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 10, 2020
On Principles & Values:
As Pueblo woman feels connected to the earth
I learned from my parents to revere nature when I was growing up, and as a Pueblo woman, I feel connected to the earth and feel a responsibility to carry on the legacy of environmental stewardship of countless generations who came before me.
We as human beings depend on the planet for the things we need to live - clean water; the food we need that we get from farming, hunting and fishing; shelter; everything. It has been that way since time immemorial.
Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet
Dec 10, 2020
Page last updated: May 20, 2021