Arizona’s congressional delegation is at odds over President Trump’s permanent replacement pick for outgoing Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke.
When President Trump nominated acting Secretary David Bernhardt to succeed Zinke at the Interior department, Republicans quickly supported the president’s nominee, but Democrats raised their doubts.
Democrats believe that Bernhardt, a former oil and gas lobbyist, has a conflict because his former firm did a lot of work on energy and mining.
“Arizona, our environment, our public lands, and Indian Country cannot afford to have David “Conflict of Interest” Bernhardt confirmed as Secretary of Interior. I call on my Senate colleagues to step up and stop Bernhardt,” said Rep, Ruben Gallego (D) (pictured)
Gallego’s colleague over in the U.S. Senate, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D) says that she has faith that Bernhardt will “faithfully uphold the law,” and will vote to confirm.
“After meeting with Mr. Bernhardt and carefully considering his nomination, I am confident he is professionally qualified, believes in the mission of the Interior Department, and will faithfully uphold the law.”-Sen Kyrsten Sinema
Another Arizonan Republican Rep.Paul Gosar, believes “the American people deserve” to have Bernhardt’s leadership at the Department of Interior.
