Murkowski Congratulates New Interior Secretary
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) was confirmed to be the nation’s next Secretary of the Interior by a bipartisan vote of 68–31.
“I am hopeful that Rep. Zinke’s confirmation will mark the start of a new era for the Department of the Interior that is defined by greater cooperation with Congress, the states, and the local residents affected by its decisions,” Murkowski said. “This is particularly important for Alaska, which has more at stake and is more deeply affected by this Department than any other part of our country. I congratulate Rep. Zinke on his confirmation, am eager to work with him to restore balance to the management of federal areas, and cannot wait to bring him to our state.”
Murkowski is chairman of both the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee, which have jurisdiction over the Department of the Interior. She spoke on the Senate floor before voting in support of Rep. Zinke’s nomination.
