Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the majority leader in the U.S. Senate, speaks on the historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) to be Secretary of the Interior on March 9, 2021.
"She would be the first Native American Cabinet minister of any agency and the first Indigenous Secretary of the Interior, a profoundly important moment given the historically troubled relationship between the federal government and tribal nations," said Schumer.
Two Republicans -- Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) -- have said they will fight Haaland's nomination to lead the Department of the Interior. But Schumer said the Senate has enough votes to overcome the roadblocks.
"Despite Republican obstruction, Representative Haaland will be confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary Haaland," Schumer said.
Schumer said he is initiating a process to overcome the Republican objections following his remarks. It's then expected that a vote would occur on Haaland's nomination next Monday, March 15, 2021.
