Congress Woman Deb Haaland, First Native American To Be Appointed To Cabinet

Congress woman Deb Haaland will serve as the nations Secretary of the Interior

President Elect Biden makes another historic appointment to Cabinet with the appointing of Congresswoman Deb Haaland to lead the Office of the Interior. She is one of the first two Native American women elected to the U.S. Congress. Never in the history of the Union has there been a Native American to serve in Cabinet which is quite appalling.

Secretary Designate Haaland has spent her career fighting for families, including in tribal nations, rural communities, and communities of color. Under her leadership, the protection of Federal and Indigenous land will be protected and not sold off to the highest bidder, which is a stark 180 from the Trump administration.

Congresswoman Deb Haaland currently serves as the Representative for the First District of New Mexico in the House of Representatives — one of the first two Native American women elected to the United States Congress.

As a single mom and someone who has lived paycheck to paycheck Haaland knows the struggles many families face. A longtime organizer, Haaland has spent her career advocating for the needs of her community. In Congress, she holds leadership positions including the 116th Congress Freshman Class Representative to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, House Democratic Region VI Whip, and Deputy Whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She is also the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. 

“A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior. Growing up in my mother’s Pueblo household made me fierce. I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land. I am honored and ready to serve.” said Secretary Designate Deb Haaland

Prior to her election to the U.S. House, Haaland was an entrepreneur and advocated for environmentally sustainable business practices. Additionally, Haaland served as Chairwoman of the New Mexico Democratic Party — the first Native American elected to lead a state party. Haaland, whose mother served in the Navy and whose father was a Marine, also serves as an Honorary Commander of Kirtland Air Force Base. She earned a B.A. from the University of New Mexico and a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law. 

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