U.S. Senate Confirms David Bernhardt as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On April 11, the U.S. Senate voted 56-41 to confirm David Bernhardt as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). Prior to his confirmation, Sec. Bernhardt served as Deputy Secretary of the Interior under Secretary Ryan Zinke, becoming Acting Secretary in January 2019 after Sec. Zinke resigned. Secretary Bernhardt also served at DOI during the George W. Bush Administration from 2000-2009, including as the department’s solicitor.
As Secretary, Bernhardt will play a leading role in overseeing the roughly 500 million acres of public land under DOI’s jurisdiction. Nearly 62% of America’s counties contain federal public lands, and we rely on a strong partnership with federal land managers to ensure that our public lands counties remain strong, stable and economically vibrant.
Counties look forward to working with Secretary Bernhardt and DOI to address the priorities of America’s public lands counties and ensure that counties have a seat at the table throughout DOI’s decision making process.
Attachments
Related News
U.S. Senators introduce bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program through 2029
U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. XXXX). The bill would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program through fiscal year (FY) 2029 and provide critical fiscal certainty for timber-dependent communities in more than 700 counties nationwide that are home to National Forests. The U.S. Forest Service-administered program supports essential government services such as roads, public education and law enforcement.
U.S. Senators introduce bipartisan comprehensive permitting reform package with major county wins
On Sep. 30, the leaders of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S. 5653), a comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform package that would make major changes to several federal environmental protection statutes.
Counties Applaud Introduction of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act
Over 700 counties receive essential resources supporting education, transportation and public safety through SRS