[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 34 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S1422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Nomination of Ryan Zinke

  One of the most recent people whom the Democrats have been delaying 
is Congressman Ryan Zinke. He has been nominated to be Secretary of the 
Department of the Interior. We have all heard about his qualifications 
for the job. His time serving the people of Montana in the State senate 
and in the House of Representatives is something that people hold up as 
to why he is qualified for this job. He is a Navy SEAL. He is an 
adopted member of the Fort Peck Tribes. He is a westerner. As a 
westerner, Ryan Zinke understands the importance of the position he has 
been now nominated to fill.
  Don't take my word for it. Listen to Senator Tester, Democrat from 
Montana, who came to the confirmation hearing for Congressman Zinke and 
he said so. He said: ``I believe it is very important for someone who 
knows the West to serve as Interior Secretary.''
  He was full of praise for this nominee. Senator Tester took the time 
to come to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and tell all of 
us on the committee about his support for Congressman Zinke to be 
Secretary of the Interior. He actually said: ``I am honored to 
introduce Congressman Zinke to this committee.'' He went on to say: ``I 
trust that this Navy SEAL will shoot straight as they always do.''

  The Department of Interior manages an incredible amount of acreage 
and water resources. It is responsible for protecting thousands of 
species of animals and plants. The person who heads up this Department 
has a very big and important job to do. We need someone in this job who 
can work with the people who are most invested in the good stewardship 
of our natural resources, and that is the people who actually live on 
the land. I believe that Congressman Zinke will do exactly that. He 
will work with States and with communities to find solutions that work 
for everyone, because America's natural resources actually belong to 
all of us.
  He understands that Washington does not always get the answers right, 
and he certainly knows that when Washington comes up with a one-size-
fits-all approach, it can do real damage. During Congressman Zinke's 
confirmation hearing, I asked him about some of the policies that we 
have seen over the past few years that have been restricting American 
energy production. He said he thinks the correct policy on energy 
development is ``all of the above.''
  Well, I agree. Do Democrats really object to using all of our options 
for creating the energy that we need to power our economy and our 
country?
  We should be trying to make American energy as clean as we can, as 
fast as we can, and do it in ways that don't raise costs for American 
families. I think Congressman Zinke understands this. I think he will 
do all that he can to make sure that we achieve what we need, which is 
the right balance.
  Democrats on the committee actually think so as well. His nomination 
was reported out of the committee on a strong bipartisan vote of 16 to 
6. That is a significant bipartisan show of support for the nominee. 
But the obstructionists on the other side should listen to their 
colleagues and give up the delaying tactics and senseless obstruction 
that is ongoing.