US Senate confirms Trump’s pick Ryan Zinke as Interior Secretary

Zinke voted with other House Republicans on January 3, 2017, to overturn a rule requiring Congress to account for the value of federal land before transferring it to states or other entities, which would make it easier for lawmakers to giving up federal control of public lands.

Photos tweeted by Zinke and by Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement show the former Navy SEAL riding with U.S. Park Police officers. The self-described “conservative conservationist” is expected to get to work rolling back Obama’s climate change agenda.

“The president-elect has said that we want to be [energy] independent”, Zinke said. “And I am optimistic that Congressman Zinke will do right by Montana and the country in his new role”, said Tester. The much-debated project has pitted industry groups and unions against environmental and community groups, and two Indian tribes against each other.

Congressman Zinke also expressed his commitment to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the need to clear the estimated $12 billion backlog in fix and maintenance at our national parks.

The White House is expected to issue an executive order soon reversing former President Barack Obama’s temporary moratorium on coal leasing on USA lands, which is part of a wider review of the program.

“You can’t be a Roosevelt Conservationist, when you vote to make it easier to sell off public lands”, Schumer said.

“Secretary Zinke has made important promises to the millions of Americans who support and enjoy our natural open spaces, and I join them in expecting him to keep those promises”, Grijalva’s statement said. The second-term Republican is also the first Montanan to serve in a presidential cabinet.

Zinke also indicated he would review increased oil and gas drilling and mining on federal land and offshore areas.

Wyden abstained from voting during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s vote because of news reports that indicated Zinke was interested in transferring federal forest management from the U.S. Forest Service to the Interior Department.