David Bernhardt confirmed as Secretary of Interior

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The US Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nominee to become the next Secretary of Interior, a key agency for American Samoa and the other territories.

KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…

The Senate voted 56-to-41 to elevate David Bernhardt from Interior acting secretary.

Bernhardt replaced Ryan Zinke as acting chief after Zinke resigned in December amid numerous ethics investigations.

Zinke visited American Samoa last year and was instrumental in developing recommendations to President Trump to ease fishing restrictions in the Pacific Remote Islands Marina National Monument.

Bernhardt served as Deputy Secretary until Zinke resigned and worked closely with Zinke to develop many agency policies, likely including national monument changes.

Bernhardt also visited American Samoa when he was Interior’s top attorney during the George W. Bush administration.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen hailed Bernhardt’s Senate confirmation as “good news” for American Samoa, that Interior’s leadership will “stay in place.”

Aumua says the Senate “did the right thing” recognizing Bernhardt’s experience,despite opposition by most Democrats who criticized his past lobbying for theoil and gas industries.

The congresswoman, who continues to press for more favorable fishing rules in thePacific, says “our islands will benefit from the stability of Secretary Bernhardt continuing to direct Interior.