Biden Cabinet, Truly a 'Rainbow Cabinet'... First Appointment of 'Native American' Cabinet Member

Rep. Deb Haaland Likely to Be Nominated as Interior Secretary
Michael Regan Named as EPA's First Black Administrator
Haaland's Nomination Expected to Help Democrats Barely Maintain House Majority

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] For the first time, a Native American, often referred to as 'Indian,' is expected to be appointed as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to nominate its first Black head, solidifying the framework of the next U.S. administration's 'rainbow cabinet.'

President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Deb Haaland (60), a U.S. Representative from New Mexico, as the first Secretary of the Interior for his upcoming administration, according to foreign media including the AP on the 17th (local time). If she passes the Senate confirmation hearing, she will become the first Native American to serve as Secretary of the Interior. The photo shows Representative Haaland speaking to reporters about the census at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., last March. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 17th (local time), according to major U.S. media including The Washington Post (WP), President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Representative Deb Haaland, who represents New Mexico, as the Secretary of the Interior. This marks the first time a Native American has been appointed to a U.S. cabinet position. WP described this appointment as "a historic turning point in the relationship between the U.S. government and Native Americans," emphasizing its significance. Additionally, Biden is reported to have nominated Michael Regan, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as the EPA Administrator.

The U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for managing and conserving federally owned lands, natural resources, waterways, and also handles issues related to 600 Native American tribes. Upon confirmation through hearings, the Secretary will be responsible for managing one-fifth of U.S. territory. Representative Haaland is from Arizona and was born to a Norwegian-American father and a Native American mother. Due to both parents being military personnel, she moved frequently, attending 13 different schools. After her parents' divorce, her family faced financial difficulties, and she started working at a bakery at age 15. She grew up in a challenging environment, receiving assistance such as food stamps. She also attended law school with the help of student loans. In the 2018 general election, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives alongside Sharice Davids, becoming the first Native American women elected to Congress.

However, with Haaland’s appointment to the cabinet after winning re-election, the Democratic Party’s number of House seats has decreased, barely maintaining a majority. The Democrats hold 222 seats, which is 9 fewer than in the previous election, and only 4 seats above the majority threshold of 218.

Michael Regan, nominated as EPA Administrator responsible for U.S. environmental issues, will play a key role in realizing Biden’s climate change agenda. He will need to address issues ranging from setting fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and trucks to emissions from coal-fired power plants and cleaning up major polluted areas. While working in the North Carolina state government, Regan achieved results such as negotiating a multi-billion-dollar coal ash cleanup agreement with Duke Energy and establishing the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, collaborating with Republicans and others. Although he showed firmness in the coal ash cleanup project with Duke Energy, he also demonstrated political skill by effectively cooperating with the Republican Party.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.