Heinrich Supports Confirmation Of Ryan Zinke For Interior Secretary, Highlights Success of National Monuments In New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) voted in support of Secretary of the Interior nominee U.S. Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources business meeting. “While we are clearly not going to agree on every issue, I believe its very important to have a Westerner in this role -- particularly one who is committed to keeping public lands in public hands,” said Heinrich. Earlier this month, during Representative Zinke’s confirmation hearing, Senator Heinrich pressed him on his views on the Antiquities Act and protecting public lands. Heinrich also highlighted the diverse and overwhelming community support for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments in New Mexico and submitted letters from veterans, sportsmen, small business owners, and faith leaders to the record. “In my state of New Mexico, we have two new monuments that have already proven to be incredibly popular with local communities, and which are already driving economic growth for local businesses. And my Navajo and pueblo constituents are very excited about the new Bears Ears monument that protects some of their most sacred places. I have letters here from business owners, sportsmen, faith leaders, county commissioners, and veterans in New Mexico asking for your support of the Rio Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks national monuments,” said Heinrich. “The Antiquities Act is the law of the land, and communities in New Mexico are already in the process of developing plans for their new monuments.” Press Release