Zinke New Interior Secretary

Senate confirmed new Interior Secretary 68-31

The Senate confirmed Wednesday Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke to lead the Department of the Interior. The vote was 68-31, with all voting Republicans and 17 members of the Democratic caucus backing him. Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia did not vote, CNN reports. “We need to see the Secretary of the Interior act with conviction as the nation’s top champion of public lands and foremost arbiter of balanced management for fish and wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation,” said K.C. Walsh, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s Corporate Council chairman.

“We know Secretary Zinke will bring his common-sense conservation vision … and he will support our public lands legacy and the critical mule deer habitat it provides,” said Mule Deer Foundation President and CEO Miles Moretti. “The confirmation of an avid outdoorsman to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior marks the end of a hostile era towards hunters and sportsmen,” said Chris Cox, NRA Institute for Legislative Action executive director.