Republicans Look to Estenoz as ‘Voice of Reason’ at Interior

Republicans questioning Deputy Interior Secretary nominee Shannon Estenoz on Wednesday said they hope she’ll be a reasonable voice in an Interior Department they see as lawless for blocking fossil fuels development on public lands.

“I want to know if you’re going to be a voice of reason,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told Estenoz during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Barrasso wondered if Estenoz is going to unquestioningly support the priorities of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who he said is “irresponsible and unfit” and has “contempt” for the law for trying to halt coal, oil, ...