Senate confirms former oil and gas lobbyist David Bernhardt as interior secretary

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

By Darryl Fears April 11 at 3:15 PM

Former oil and gas lobbyist David Bernhardt was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday to lead the Interior Department, an agency that controls nearly half a billion acres of public land and the vast amount of oil and gas mineral resources resting beneath it.

The 56-to-41 vote Thursday promoted Bernhardt from Interior’s acting secretary, a job he assumed after his predecessor, Ryan Zinke, resigned amid numerous investigations into his behavior and management of the agency. Bernhardt had served as Zinke’s deputy until his departure in December.

The vote tally made Bernhardt the Interior Department’s least popular nominee for secretary in 40 years, according to the Center for American Progress, a liberal-leaning policy institute. Before Thursday, Zinke had the most votes in opposition, 38. Before President Trump’s two picks, every nominee over that time received fewer than 25 no votes, the group said.

Bernhardt’s extensive experience at Interior, where he served as solicitor during the George W. Bush administration, was cited by his supporters who said he is more than qualified to lead the agency.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/04/11/senate-confirms-former-oil-gas-lobbyist-david-bernhardt-secretary-interior/

[C_U_L8R]

1. They're dooming their grandchildren

What fuckers.

[Maxheader]

10. Yep

Worthless deniers....It may very well be that we are not going to gain on slowing down global warming. But we don't need bastards like this enabling it...

[TeamPooka]

2. This country is for sale to corporations right now.

[catbyte]

3. Christ on a cracker. It just gets worse every goddamned day.

[dhill926]

4. what a fucking joke...

and some Dems voted for him....ah well...

[Evolve Dammit]

5. Good God. All GOP senators can go stright to hell.

[onit2day]

6. Trump is draining the swamp alright, right into our homes and communities

Trump supporters can not admit to being wrong about anything this PINO does even if it gives them cancer

[Judi Lynn]

7. 'A walking conflict of interest': ex-oil lobbyist confirmed to lead US interior department

Senate voted 56-41 to approve David Bernhardt’s nomination as critics say he is a ‘walking conflict of interest’

Adam Gabbatt and agencies
@adamgabbatt
Thu 11 Apr 2019 18.36 EDT

The Senate has voted to confirm David Bernhardt, a former a former oil and gas and water lobbyist, as secretary of the embattled interior department.

Senators voted 56-41 to approve Bernhardt’s nomination to oversee more than 500m acres of public lands and other resources, including national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges.

Bernhardt, who was confirmed as deputy secretary in July 2017, has been acting secretary since Ryan Zinke – who was plagued by scandal – stepped down in December. Democrats have complained that the former oil and gas lobbyist has used his federal position to benefit former industry clients.

Before joining the administration, Bernhardt worked at a Washington law and lobbying firm on behalf of mining companies, oil and gas giants, a politically powerful western water agency and other groups that have business before the interior department.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/11/david-bernhart-interior-department-senate-confirmation

[Grins]

8. 56-41

I want to thank Senators Heinrich, Sinema, and of course, Joe Manchin, for your support. I will rerun the favor one day.

He would have gotten in anyway without your votes, but “Thanks a lot!” for letting us know where you really stand!!

[jpak]

11. I'm Sorry - But the Swamp is Full

Nevermind