In addition to breaking a barrier at Interior, Haaland would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary. In that case, Democrats would still be able to bring Haaland’s nomination to the full Senate for a vote following several procedural steps. Native Americans are letting the senators know they’re watching. Tom Rodgers, president of Global Indigenous Council, said the group wants to send a message to Daines, who has said he may try to block Haaland’s nomination. ADNoiseCat said the treatment of Native Americans by Republicans could push them to lean even more to the political left.

Source: Washington Post February 19, 2021 18:02 UTC