New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland Nominated To Lead Interior Department

The RV Industry Association congratulates New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM-1) on her nomination by President-Elect Biden to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior. If confirmed, Haaland would be the first-ever Native American cabinet member.

“We are eager to work Congresswoman Haaland and her team to continue to advance RV industry priorities, such as campground modernization and expansion, conserving our iconic public lands and waters for future generations, access to ample and safe outdoor recreation experiences, and the implementation of the historic Great American Outdoors Act,” said Jay Landers, RV Industry Association Vice President of Government Affairs.

Haaland introduced the bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR) Act, H.R. 3879, a bill supported by the RV Industry Association, aimed at expanding access to public lands and boosting the outdoor recreation economy by updating various outdated public land procedures such as special recreation permits. Congresswoman Haaland currently serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and Chair of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. 

Haaland is also the U.S. House of Representatives’ lead on the Native American Business Incubators (BIA) Program Act that would increase access to capital for business investment and growth through three-year grants to business incubators with ties to tribal communities, education institutions, and other organizations to expand assistance to a broad range of business sectors and incubation methods. The RV Industry Association will work closely with BIA to expand camping opportunities on tribal lands where many RVers camp.

Many of the Interior Department’s professional staff, with whom the RV Industry Association’s Government Affairs team have established strong relationships, are expected to remain on staff. After confirmation, the RV Industry Association, along with our Outdoor Recreation Roundtable colleagues, will begin the outreach to the new political appointees constituting Haaland’s senior staff.