Ryan Zinke
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Steve Scalise (R-LA) applauded President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) to serve as Secretary of the Interior.
Zinke serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Armed Services Committee. In 2014, he became the first Navy SEAL elected to the House.
Cassidy, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will take part in Zinke’s confirmation hearings during the next Congress.
“Congressman Zinke has been a successful member of the House Natural Resources Committee and is a solid choice for secretary of the interior,” Cassidy said. “As the chairman for the Senate subcommittee on national parks, I look forward to working with Zinke on public lands management in ways that bring the maximum benefit to the American people.”
Zinke has proven himself a “true patriot,” Cole said, as a Navy Seal and as a member of Congress.
“Congressman Zinke is well-versed and knowledgeable about the issues concerning our nation’s interior from his service in the Montana State Legislature and his role on the House Committee on Natural Resources,” Cole said. “As a lifelong hunter and fisherman, he has great respect for our environment, and is a strong advocate for conserving public lands and keeping them productive.”
Cole added that Zinke has noted his commitment to and understanding of Native American issues.
“As the co-chair of the Native American Caucus, I’ve had the opportunity to work with him on numerous Native American matters,” Cole said. “He is a consistent defender of tribal sovereignty, and is committed to helping tribes achieve economic independence.”
House Majority Whip Scalise, meanwhile, said Zinke is a conservative who understands the importance of expanding energy production.
“We know that safe and responsible drilling is critical to America’s energy security, and President-elect Trump’s selection of Ryan Zinke sends a strong message that he wants to create more jobs and finally establish America as the world leader in energy production,” Scalise said.