"Rep. Deb Haaland will have at least one Republican supporter when the Senate votes to confirm her nomination to lead the Interior Department: moderate Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
It's a promising development for the New Mexico Democrat and her allies on the eve of her scheduled confirmation vote inside the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
It also comes a week after Haaland's two-day confirmation hearing hardened the extent of GOP opposition to the point where it was not certain whether any Republicans would cross party lines to support her.
Collins announced early this morning that, despite 'different views on some issues,' she would back Haaland for the Interior secretary position after 'examining [her] qualifications, reviewing her [confirmation] hearing ... and meeting with her personally.'"
Emma Dumain and Geof Koss report for E&E News March 3, 2021.
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