Ryan Zinke
U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR), Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) applauded Senate confirmation of Ryan Zinke, former Republican congressman from Montana, to serve as secretary of the Department of the Interior.
Walden, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said Zinke’s confirmation signaled a great day for Oregon and the West.
“My good friend Ryan Zinke will make a tremendous secretary of the interior,” Walden said. “Together, we have a lot of work to do to improve the health of our forests, increase access to our public lands, clean up our national parks and boost American energy production. I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke and my colleagues in Congress to accomplish these important goals while creating quality jobs in Oregon and throughout the West.”
House Majority Whip Scalise called Zinke “an American hero” who previously served his country with distinction as a Navy SEAL — and would continue to do so in his new role.
“Ryan is not only a strong proponent of responsibly developing America’s vast energy resources, he also understands that producing energy and protecting the environment are not mutually exclusive,” Scalise said. “I was glad to host him on my annual Offshore Energy Tour in 2015, when we traveled to a production platform in the Gulf of Mexico to see firsthand how American oil and gas are safely developed, and also discussed the importance of revenue sharing so Louisiana can restore our coast while strengthening America’s energy security.”
Scalise said Zinke would continue to be a champion of American energy and would become a key figure within the Trump administration.
House Majority Leader McCarthy said Zinke understands how public land policy affects millions of Americans “as someone who embodies the unique culture and values of the West.”
“Our great land is something we should be able to access, enjoy and conserve,” McCarthy said. “Secretary Zinke understands this delicate balance and has the right experience for the job, which made him the ideal choice to head the Department of the Interior. I congratulate my friend on his confirmation and look forward to working with him.”