"WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday voted to confirm David Bernhardt, a former lobbyist for the oil and agribusiness industries, as secretary of the interior. The confirmation of Mr. Bernhardt to his new post coincided with calls from more than a dozen Democrats and government watchdogs for formal investigations into his past conduct.
Senators voted 56-41, largely along party lines, in favor of Mr. Bernhardt’s confirmation. Three Democrats — Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, the senior Democrat on the Senate Energy Committee; Senator Krysten Sinema of Arizona; and Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico — supported Mr. Bernhardt, as did one independent, Senator Angus King of Maine.
As interior secretary, Mr. Bernhardt, who has already played a central role in designing many of Mr. Trump’s policies for expanding drilling and mining, will now serve as the nation’s senior steward of its 500 million acres of public land and vast coastal waters."
Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times April 11, 2019.
SEE ALSO:
"Senate Confirms Ex-Lobbyist David Bernhardt To Lead Interior" (AP)
"David Bernhardt Confirmed As Interior Secretary Despite Ethics Concerns" (Los Angeles Times)
"Senate Votes To Confirm Bernhardt To Be Interior Secretary" (CNN)
"Interior: A Divided Senate Confirms Bernhardt" (E&E News PM)
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