HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO ADVANCE TRUMP INTERIOR SECRETARY PICK
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Also Approves Two Other Long-Delayed Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A day after supporting expedited consideration of President Trump’s nominees, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted to advance the nomination of David Bernhardt to be the next Secretary of the Interior.
Hyde-Smith voted with the majority on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to advance Bernhardt, as well as Susan Combs to be Assistant Interior Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget; and Aimee Jorjani to be lead the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Combs nomination has been languishing for 632 days and Jorjani 382 days.
“The President deserves to have his team in place to effectively manage the nation’s federal lands and natural resources, including important activities in Mississippi like offshore energy production and management of our national parks and wildlife refuges,” Hyde-Smith said.
“I recently met with David Bernhardt, and I found he has the knowledge and experience to lead the Interior Department. The Senate should act as soon as possible to confirm him, as well as other nominees,” she said.
Bernhardt, who has served as Acting Secretary since January, was previously confirmed with bipartisan support in May 2017 to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. The Bernhardt, Combs, and Jorjani nominations are now available for Senate consideration.
Hyde-Smith, who serves on the National Parks Subcommittee, was awarded a 2019 National Park Heritage Award from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) on Wednesday.
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