Progressives celebrate Biden’s historic pick of Haaland for Interior Secretary

Progressives are praising President-elect Joe Biden’s selection of one of only two Native American women ever elected to Congress to serve as his Secretary of the Interior. 

“YES!” exclaimed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet on Thursday. “This is a big deal. Historic appointment. A visionary Native woman in charge of federal lands. Unequivocally progressive. Green New Deal champion. Exquisitely experienced.” 

On Thursday, the Biden transition team announced Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) would be nominated to serve at the post. She is the first Native American tapped for a Cabinet position in American history. 

“Congratulations sis, so excited for the amazing work you will lead,” tweeted Rep. Ilhan Omar (Minn.), a fellow Democrat. “Proud of [Haaland] and the movement for pushing for this historic appointment. It’s a great day in America.” 

Cori Bush, a newly elected member of Congress and soon to be latest addition the Democratic Party’s more progressive caucus tweeted: “Madam Secretary Deb Haaland.” 

This is a big deal.

Historic appointment. A visionary Native woman in charge of federal lands. Unequivocally progressive. Green New Deal champion. Exquisitely experienced.@RepDebHaaland sister, you are going to do such a great job. I am so proud of you and the movement.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 17, 2020

Yay!!

Congratulations sis, so excited for the amazing work you will lead. Proud of @Deb4CongressNM and the movement for pushing for this historic appointment.

It’s a great day in America. https://t.co/b4QfiLJNZk

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 17, 2020

Madam Secretary Deb Haaland.https://t.co/CbMkaf5E6W

— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) December 17, 2020

.@Deb4CongressNM my sister in service & partner in good, you are going to be incredible in this role and center the voices of those who deserve to be heard at @Interior.

Excellent choice @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/NxxsULmL1z

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) December 17, 2020

Haaland is a backer of the Green New Deal and if confirmed would oversee the country’s public lands, forests and parks.