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David Bernhardt
David Bernhardt served as the 53rd U.S. secretary of the interior. He was a member of President Donald Trump's (R) administration.
Bernhardt served as acting secretary from January 2, 2019, when former Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned, to April 11, 2019. Trump formally nominated Bernhardt to the position on March 11, 2019, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on April 11, 2019, on a 56-41 vote.[1] Bernhardt served until his resignation on January 20, 2021.[2]
On February 4, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) announced that he would nominate Bernhardt to serve as U.S. secretary of the interior. In a tweet, Trump wrote, "David has done a fantastic job from the day he arrived, and we look forward to having his nomination officially confirmed!"[3]
Bernhardt commented on Trump's announcement, writing in a tweet, "It’s a humbling privilege to be nominated to lead a Department whose mission I love, to accomplish the balanced, common sense vision of our President."
The secretary of the Interior is responsible for overseeing the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), which "conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper."[4]
Before serving as acting secretary, Bernhardt served as deputy secretary of the Interior. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 24, 2017, and was sworn into office on August 1, 2017. Bernhardt was also a member of Trump's transition team, a group of advisors tasked with recommending presidential appointments for the incoming administration.[5]
Career
From 1998 to 2001, Bernhardt was an associate with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. After an eight-year hiatus from lobbying, Bernhardt returned to Brownstein as a shareholder. He also served as the co-chair of the firm’s Natural Resources Department.[6][7]
In 2001, he took a position with the U.S. Department of the Interior as the counselor to the secretary and director of the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. In 2004, he became the counselor to the secretary and deputy chief of staff within the department. In 2005, he was the deputy solicitor and, in 2006, he was the solicitor. He remained solicitor until 2009.[6][7]
U.S. Secretary of the Interior
| Nomination tracker | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate: David Bernhardt | ||
| Position: Secretary of the Interior | ||
| Confirmation progress | ||
 | Announced: | March 11, 2019 |
| Hearing: | March 28, 2019 |
| Committee: | Energy and Natural Resources Committee |
| Reported: | April 4, 2019 |
| Confirmed: | April 11, 2019 |
| Vote: | 56-41 |
President Donald Trump (R) nominated Bernhardt to serve as secretary of the interior in March 2019. The U.S. Senate confirmed Bernhardt on April 11, 2019, by a vote of 56-41.[1]
Senate confirmation vote
On April 11, 2019, the Senate voted 56-41 to confirm Bernhardt as secretary of the interior.[1]
| David Bernhardt confirmation vote, April 11, 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes for |
Votes against  |
Total votes |
 Democrats |
3 | 40 | 43 |
 Republicans |
52 | 0 | 52 |
 Independents |
1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Votes | 56 | 41 | 97 |
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a confirmation hearing for Bernhardt on March 28, 2019. The committee approved Bernhardt's nomination for secretary of the interior on April 4, 2019.[1]
Donald Trump presidential transition team, 2016-2017
Bernhardt was a member of Donald Trump's presidential transition team in his first presidential term. The transition team was a group of around 100 aides, policy experts, government affairs officials, and former government officials who were tasked with vetting, interviewing, and recommending individuals for top cabinet and staff roles in Trump's administration. He was the team's Department of the Interior advisor.[8][9] Bernhardt, in order to remain with the transition team, terminated his relationship with Westlands Water District because of an ethics policy issued by the Trump administration, which required lobbyist to give up their clients.[8]
Noteworthy events
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| Coronavirus pandemic |
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On December 16, 2020, Bernhardt announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[10]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Congress.gov, "PN503 — David Bernhardt — Department of the Interior," accessed April 12, 2019
- ↑ World Oil, "Outgoing Interior chief says Arctic oil leases will survive Biden," January 20, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Trump to nominate Bernhardt as Interior secretary," February 4, 2019
- ↑ U.S. Department of the Interior, "About," accessed December 17, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Current Agency Action Team structure," accessed November 15, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, "David Bernhardt," accessed November 21, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 LinkedIn, "David Bernhardt," accessed November 21, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Politico, "Economic landing teams announced," November 21, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Lobbyists abound on Trump transition," November 10, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Interior's Bernhardt tests positive for Covid-19," December 16, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ryan Zinke |
Secretary of the Interior 2019–2021 |
Succeeded by - |
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