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U.S. Department of the Interior

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Department of the Interior
US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svg
Secretary:David Bernhardt, acting
Year created:1849
Official website:DOI.gov



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Executive Departments of the United States

Executive Departments
Department of StateDepartment of the TreasuryDepartment of DefenseDepartment of JusticeDepartment of the InteriorDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of CommerceDepartment of LaborDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Housing and Urban DevelopmentDepartment of TransportationDepartment of EnergyDepartment of EducationDepartment of Veterans AffairsDepartment of Homeland Security

Department Secretaries
Marco RubioScott BessentPete HegsethPam BondiDoug BurgumBrooke RollinsLori Chavez-DeRemerRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Scott TurnerHoward LutnickSean DuffyChris WrightLinda McMahonDoug CollinsKristi Noem

The Department of the Interior is a United States executive department established in 1849. The department was formed to protect and manage the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage.[1]

David Bernhardt is the acting U.S. secretary of the interior. He assumed the role on January 2, 2019, when former Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned. On February 4, 2019, President Donald Trump 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!"[2]

The department oversees various federal agencies including: the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey.[3]

On April 3, 2019, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 in favor of a change to chamber precedent lowering the maximum time allowed for debate on executive nominees to posts below the Cabinet level and on nominees to district court judgeships from 30 hours after invoking cloture to two.[4]

The change was passed under a procedure, often referred to as the nuclear option, that requires 51 votes rather than 60.[5]

It was the third use of the nuclear option in Senate history. In 2013, it was used to eliminate the 60-vote threshold to confirm presidential nominees, except those to the Supreme Court. In 2017, it was used to eliminate the 60-vote threshold required to confirm Supreme Court nominees.[6] For more, see Filibuster and reconciliation in the United States Congress.


History

The Office of the Interior was formed in 1849 to protect and manage the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage. The following is a list of important dates in the department's history:[7]

  • 1869: Hayden expedition began geological survey of Western territories
  • 1872: Yellowstone National Park established by Congress
  • 1879: U.S. Geological Survey established
  • 1903: First National Wildlife Refuge established at Pelican Island, Florida
  • 1916: National Park Service established by President Woodrow Wilson
  • 1940: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created from agency merging
  • 1982: Minerals Management Service established for mineral revenue collection and offshore land management

Mission

The Department of the Interior website states the mission:

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities.[8]
—Department of the Interior[1]

Leadership

Note: Votes marked "N/A" represent voice votes or unrecorded votes. Missing votes will be filled as they are researched.


Organization

Administrative State
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Initiatives and issues

Trump administration, 2017-2020

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See also

External links

Footnotes