WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on his votes to advance the nominations of James Danly for the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), and Katharine MacGregor for the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI).
“While I vehemently disagree with many of the policies being pursued by this administration, I do believe the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior both need tested and qualified leaders who are familiar with the Departments and understand the work that they do.
“Too many decisions are currently being made DOGE personnel who frankly don’t know the first thing about public land, about Western water, about tribal nations, or energy policy, and yet have been put in charge of critically important programs and agencies, to disastrous effect.
“I am sure that I will disagree with many of the decisions that Mr. Danly and Ms. MacGregor make, I have worked with them before. But they are knowledgeable about these agencies and they will help lead. They have been responsive to me and they are qualified for the positions for which they have been nominated.
“I also want to say that I very much appreciate Secretary Burgum’s responsiveness on the issue of national monuments and his assurances to me in particular regarding recommendations to the boundaries of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, Tent Rocks, and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments.
“For that reason, I voted to advance their nominations.”
###