Senate Western Caucus Applauds Confirmation of Zinke for Interior Secretary
U.S. SENATE —Today, Senate Western Caucus led by Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) applauded the confirmation of U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke for Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-AL) is a fifth generation Montanan, former state senator, and a 23-year U.S. Navy SEAL veteran. In 2014, Ryan became the first Navy SEAL elected to the House.
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT): “I’m thrilled that we have Ryan Zinke, a westerner as Secretary of the Interior who understands Montana values. I have no doubt that Ryan Zinke will aggressively work to grow jobs through responsible development and improve public access through better management of federal lands.”
Senator Dean Heller (R-NV): “With over 85 percent of Nevada’s public land administered by the federal government, we need a Department of the Interior that will work with, not against us to on important public land priorities. Ryan Zinke, a fellow westerner, will restore common sense to land management and prioritize policies that bolster mining, ranching, hunting, fishing, and energy production in the west. As a sportsman myself, I know firsthand the importance of good stewardship, and I look forward to working with Ryan to benefit our western way of life.”
Senator John Boozman (R-AR): “Ryan Zinke’s knowledge of public land management and energy issues is important to the responsible use of our natural resources. I’m pleased to support his confirmation as Secretary of the Interior and look forward to working with him.”
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID: “I am glad that a Westerner will be at the helm of the Interior Department. I look forward to working with someone who understands and has advocated for the issues most pressing to Western states.”
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID): “Congratulations to Secretary Zinke on his confirmation. We Idahoans have a number of important issues that can be helped tremendously by having the full attention of Secretary Zinke, a Westerner with common-sense values. I look forward to working with him as we continue our collaborative efforts.”
Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY): “Being from a western state, Representative Ryan Zinke understands the incredible importance of public land issues to states like Wyoming. With so much of our land managed by the federal government, it is key that they are open for multiple uses such as recreation, agriculture and energy production. I look forward to working with him on the critical issues that matter to Wyoming and other western states.”
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT): “As a fellow Westerner who understands our way of life, Ryan Zinke is the right choice to lead the Interior Department. Under his leadership, I am confident that the Department will be committed to an inclusive approach to land management that values the voices of Utahns and respects our role in stewarding the lands we know and love. In particular, he understands the enormous damage inflicted on our communities by the abuse of the Antiquities Act, and I look forward to working with him and the President to undo the harm caused by the unilateral designations of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. I applaud his confirmation and look forward to working closely with him in these endeavors.”
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK): “I’m excited that we will have an Interior Secretary from a Western state who has been a strong advocate for energy independence. Secretary Zinke has committed to me that he will return the Interior Department to its rightful role, working with my state as a partner in progress, instead of stymying much needed economic and resource development.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “I congratulate Rep. Zinke on his confirmation as Interior Secretary, and am eager to work with him to restore balance to the management of federal areas. 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.”
Senate Western Caucus Membership
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Chairman
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Senator John Boozman (R-AR)
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)
Senator James Inhofe (R-OK)
Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID)
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Senator John Thune (R-SD)
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
