An adviser on the United Kingdom’s health advisory group on Saturday said it is “extremely unlikely,” that citizens will be authorized to participate in holiday travel overseas this summer amid the spread of more transmissible variants of COVID-19. 

Mike Tildesley, who serves on the U.K.’s Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M), told BBC Radio 4 that there could be a “real risk” of citizens bringing back additional variants of the infection as the U.K. attempts to combat ones already rapidly spreading within the country. 

“I think that international travel this summer is, for the average holidaymaker, sadly I think, extremely unlikely,” he said. 

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“What is really dangerous is if we jeopardize our vaccination campaign by having these variants, where the vaccines don’t work as effectively, spreading more rapidly,” he added. 

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Currently, U.K. citizens are not allowed to travel overseas except for a limited number of reasons, including education or work, and anyone who wishes to travel must submit a “Declaration to Travel” form to the government, according to the BBC. 

Tildesley said Saturday that the pandemic taskforce will be reporting to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on April 12 with more detailed information on when international travel can likely resume. 

While several of the companies that developed coronavirus vaccines are currently testing inoculations to be used against various COVID-19 variants, citizens are right now relying on doses that were specifically designed to prevent infections from the original strain of the virus. 

U.K. Health Minister Matt Hancock on Saturday announced that half of all adults in the country have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. 

“It’s so important because this vaccine is our way out of this pandemic,” he said in a video address shared on Twitter. “So when you get the call, please come forward and get the jab, and join the majority of adults who’ve now been jabbed.”

While most countries, including the U.S., have developed a phased vaccination approach to ensure higher risk populations and essential workers get priority access to the vaccine, the U.K. has aimed to initially distribute as many first doses of the vaccine as possible, with delayed second shots. 

The U.K. has largely relied on the inoculations from AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech, both of which require two doses weeks apart.

California prosecutors on Monday filed a lawsuit against Brookdale Senior Living, the state’s largest nursing home chain, accusing it of manipulating ratings on the federal government’s rating system, as well as illegally discharging patients.

The New York Times reports that California Attorney General Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraCalifornia sues nursing home chain over alleged Medicare ‘manipulation’ This week: Democrats eye next step after coronavirus relief bill win The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by the National Shooting Sports Foundation – Biden: Back to ‘normal’ still means ‘beat the virus’ MORE, President BidenJoe BidenThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Split screen: Biden sells stimulus; GOP highlights border RNC to shadow Biden as he promotes COVID-19 relief bill Dems’ momentum hits quagmire over infrastructure plans MORE‘s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, filed the lawsuit along with other prosecutors in the Superior Court in California. They accuse Brookdale of winning “undeserved higher star ratings” up until April 2018 by submitting false reports about its staff members.

The company is accused of also illegally evicting or transferring patients in order to “fill its beds with residents who will bring in more money,” the Times reports. Prosecutors said Brookdale once discharged a 78-year-old resident with heart and kidney disease without removing his catheter.

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It also reportedly continued rigging the system in its favor even after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) improved its method of collecting staff data. Prosecutors accuse the nursing home system of logging nurses’ daily hours instead of depending on individual nursing homes to report the amount of time spent with patients.

The manipulation resulted in Brookdale being “awarded higher star ratings than it deserved,” prosecutors wrote.

“The chain’s manipulation has allowed Brookdale to attract prospective patients and their families to its facilities by misleading them about its quality of care,” they say.

“We categorically deny that Brookdale engaged in intentional or fraudulent conduct. We are disappointed in the allegations against the skilled nursing industry. Publicizing unproven allegations is reckless and undermines the public’s confidence in a service necessary to the care of elderly individuals, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” a company spokesperson said in a statement provided to The Hill.

The Times reports that the lawsuit seeks civil penalties and an injunction in order to prevent unlawful conduct in the future. The civil penalties could result in up to $2,500 per violation found as well as an additional $2,500 for violations committed against senior citizens and those with disabilities.

“We have detailed policies in place to ensure compliance with C.M.S. reporting rules, and we are not aware of any instance where inaccurate or false information was submitted by any of our communities outside of the confines of the C.M.S. rules,” Brookdale spokeswoman Heather Hunter told the Times.

—Updated at 6:04 p.m.

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday as the country expands its vaccination program to senior citizens and health workers.

Reuters reported that Moon got the first AstraZeneca dose ahead of a planned overseas trip to the United Kingdom in June for the Group of Seven gathering. Roughly 680,000 vaccinations have taken place in South Korea so far, according to the country’s health system.

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South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Tuesday that he would get the vaccine too if he thought it would inspire others to get vaccinated. Health officials are battling a wave of skepticism surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine globally, and protests against vaccination have erupted across Europe.

“I’m willing to get an AstraZeneca vaccine first if that helps reassure people so that they feel safe about participating in the campaign,” Chung said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The country’s health system has reported just under 100,000 total infections since the pandemic began last year and 1,704 deaths from the virus.

A retreat from recent peaks in bond yields pushed the tech-driven Nasdaq index up Monday morning, while other indexes saw mixed results.

The Nasdaq composite opened up nearly 100 points, or 0.8 percent, while the S&P 500 was flat with a 3 point, or 0.1 percent increase and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 106 points, or 0.3 percent.

Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds, which rose to a 14-month high last week amid concerns of inflation and the possibility of an overheating economy, retreated to 1.68 percent, a drop of 0.04 percentage points.

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Markets have been tentative in embracing new highs, as the economy appears set for a major rebound due to increasing vaccination rates and foreseeable end to the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the economy for over a year.

Critics of President BidenJoe BidenAstraZeneca says COVID-19 vaccine found 79 percent effective in US trial with no safety concerns The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: Back to the future on immigration, Afghanistan, Iran This week: Senate works to confirm Biden picks ahead of break MORE‘s $1.9 trillion relief plan worry that its sheer magnitude will push demand up before supply can follow, leading to price increases.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has signaled that a brief jump in prices will not spur higher interest rates, and that any spike in inflation is likely to be temporary.

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Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Monday warned of the risks associated with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, in part because of their high volatility.

“They’re highly volatile, see Bitcoin, and therefore not really useful as a store of value and they’re not backed by anything,” Powell said during a digital panel discussion hosted by the Bank of International Settlements.

He added that crypto assets are more used for “speculation,” rather than a “means of payment.”

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“They’re more of an asset for speculation, so they’re also not particularly in use as a means of payment. It’s more a speculative asset that’s essentially a substitute for gold, rather than for the dollar,” he said.

Powell also addressed the potential for the Federal Reserve to institute its own central bank digital coin. He said the Fed is “exploring” the issue, but that it is “not in a mode of trying to make a decision at this point.” 

He added that they are experimenting with technology and discussing policy.

Bitcoin prices have surged in the past year as large companies and many banks begin adopting cryptocurrencies, Markets Insider reported.

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In February, Tesla purchased $1.5 billion worth of bitcoins and announced plans to accept the cryptocurrency as payment in the future.

According to Markets Insider, the price of bitcoins increased to more than $61,000 each earlier this month, as more investors try to profit off the cryptocurrency’s growing popularity.

Republicans on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee are raising objections to the Interior Department’s list of participants for a forum on federal oil and gas leases. 

In a letter sent Monday, Republicans on the panel accused the department of deliberately excluding Republican governors of energy-producing states. The forum, set for March 25, will review the Biden administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands.

“We believe that you have intentionally limited the right for the public to participate, including state-wide elected officials, namely the governors of our states,” says the letter. 

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GOP senators signing the letter included Sen. John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum Republicans pan talk of raising taxes to pay for infrastructure bill MORE (Wyo.), the panel’s ranking member, as well as Sens. Cynthia LummisCynthia Marie LummisOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum Small cities fret over feds redefining metro areas MORE (Wyo.), Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum Democrats, Republicans recommend more input, detail on Biden conservation goals MORE (Mont.), Bill CassidyBill CassidyOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Native groups hope Haaland’s historic confirmation comes with tribal wins | EPA asks court to nix Trump rule limiting GHG regs | Green group asks regulators to block use of utility customers’ money for lobbying  MORE (La.), James Risch (Idaho), John HoevenJohn Henry HoevenOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum Small cities fret over feds redefining metro areas MORE (N.D.), John CornynJohn CornynOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum Sinema, Cornyn urge Biden to use ‘full authorities’ at border MORE (Texas) and Kevin CramerKevin John CramerOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum Small cities fret over feds redefining metro areas MORE (N.D.).

Participants in the virtual forum are set to include representatives of industry groups, unions and advocacy groups, according to the full list released by the department.

These include Alaska Federation of Natives executive vice president and general counsel Nicole Borromeo, North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey, National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito, National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp and Frank Macchiarola, senior vice president for policy, economics and regulatory affairs at the American Petroleum Institute.

The moratorium was one of Biden’s first acts as president, and has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans in Western states in particular. An end date to the hold has not yet been announced, but newly seated Interior Secretary Deb HaalandDeb HaalandWH withdraws deputy Interior secretary amid pushback from Murkowski: report OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Obama marine monument designation | Interior reverses course on tribal ownership of portion of Missouri river | White House climate adviser meets with oil and gas companies Senate GOP pushes back on list of participants in oil and gas leasing forum MORE said at her confirmation hearing that “it’s not going to be a permanent thing where we’re saying we’re restricting all these lands from something.”

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The IRS has extended the tax filing season by a month, but that decision didn’t resolve every challenge taxpayers and the agency are facing.

The agency announced Wednesday that the deadline for individuals to file their 2020 federal tax returns is now May 17 instead of April 15. That announcement came after lawmakers and tax preparers pushed for an extension in light of the logistical challenges of filing taxes during the pandemic and questions taxpayers have about provisions in various coronavirus relief laws.

Lawmakers and tax preparers think the extension is helpful but may be too limited. Additionally, the extension could exacerbate the difficulties that the IRS faces in implementing coronavirus relief legislation.

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IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig said during a hearing held by the House Ways and Means Committee’s oversight subcommittee on Thursday that he doesn’t want the IRS to extend the filing deadline year after year.

“This cannot be a pattern,” he said.

The IRS is among the federal agencies that has been most impacted by the pandemic, because it has needed to carry out tax-filing seasons while also implementing key portions of the coronavirus relief measures Congress has passed, including the $1.9 trillion package that President BidenJoe BidenAstraZeneca says COVID-19 vaccine found 79 percent effective in US trial with no safety concerns The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: Back to the future on immigration, Afghanistan, Iran This week: Senate works to confirm Biden picks ahead of break MORE signed March 11.

Last year, the agency extended the tax filing and payment deadlines to July 15. This year’s tax-filing season started a couple of weeks later than usual because the agency needed to do programming after former President TrumpDonald TrumpThe Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: Back to the future on immigration, Afghanistan, Iran Juan Williams: Biden flips the script The Memo: Two months in, strong Biden faces steep climbs MORE signed a $900 billion relief package in late December.

The IRS had been hesitant to extend this year’s filing and payment deadlines as well, with Rettig telling lawmakers in February that extensions cause confusion for taxpayers and back up the agency. But the agency this past week announced a one-month extension, after facing pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the fact that taxpayers have questions about coronavirus relief laws and about the fact that the IRS has processed fewer tax returns this year than it had at the same time last year.

While lawmakers are happy that the IRS extended the deadline for individuals’ 2020 tax returns, they have signaled that they could ask for additional extensions in the future.

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“We will continue to consult with the commissioner and will monitor IRS activities as the filing season progresses to determine if more time might be necessary,” Rep. Bill PascrellWilliam (Bill) James PascrellIRS extension leaves other headaches to solve On The Money: IRS plans to extend tax filing deadline to mid-May | Powell voices cautious optimism | Treasury has sent out 90 million stimulus payments IRS plans to extend tax filing deadline to mid-May MORE (D-N.J.), chairman of the Ways and Means oversight panel, said at the start of Thursday’s hearing. “But for now, I appreciate the commissioner’s willingness to heed our calls for relief for our constituents.” 

Tax preparers have raised concerns about the IRS’s decision to only extend the deadline for individuals’ 2020 returns and not also extend the April 15 deadline for estimated tax payments for the first quarter of 2021. They said that failing to extend the estimated-payment deadline essentially could make the 2020 tax-return extension moot for some taxpayers.

“That’s an obvious problem that makes no sense, given that estimated tax payments are generally based on prior year information,” said Amie Kuntz, a CPA in the national tax office of RubinBrown. 

Estimated payments are typically made by self-employed individuals, independent contractors and small businesses owners. About 9.6 million individual tax returns for 2018 reported estimated tax payments, according to IRS data.

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“The relief valve wasn’t opened very wide,” said Barry Melancon, president and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs.

Rettig said at Thursday’s hearing that the estimated payment deadline wasn’t extended in order to prevent wealthy individuals from avoiding interest and penalties.

“There’s a large contingent of wealthy individuals in this country who do not make their estimated payments and who essentially take the money that they should be paying in an estimated payment on a quarterly basis to the government and take the arbitrage and they invest it,” Rettig said. “We’re not going to give them a break of interest and penalties to do so.”

Rettig added that the IRS designed the extension it issued to focus on those who are most vulnerable. 

However, tax preparers said that there are many lower-income people who need to make estimated payments, such as gig-economy workers.

“A lot of the most vulnerable workers are self-employed,” Kuntz said.

The IRS has made substantial progress in implementing some aspects of Biden’s coronavirus relief law.

The agency announced Wednesday that it has already disbursed about 90 million of the stimulus payments authorized by the law — more than half of all the payments that are expected to be distributed. Additionally, Rettig said that he thinks the agency will be able to help households receive a tax break for unemployment benefits without requiring them to file amended tax returns.

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But other aspects of the measure will be more difficult to implement. 

One of Democrats’ top priorities in the new relief law is a temporary expansion of the child tax credit (CTC). The law directs the IRS to establish a program in which it makes advance payments of the credit on a periodic basis starting in July. Democrats are hoping that the payments can be sent to families monthly.

Rettig said that the extension of the filing deadline gives the IRS less time to implement the advance payments of the CTC. He said that the same IRS employees that work on tax-return processing are also needed to establish a web portal that taxpayers can use to opt-out of the advance payments or provide the IRS with information about a change in their circumstances, such as the birth of a new child.

“I don’t have the resources to devote to that portal until filing season ends,” Rettig said.

Rettig said that the IRS hopes it can set up the program on advance payments of the CTC by July, but that the payments may not initially be issued on a monthly basis. He added that he hopes over time to move toward making the payments on a monthly basis.

“I think it might be a challenge to get it to monthly right out of the box, but we’re focused on trying to get these payments out to the people in a meaningful manner and a meaningful time frame,” he said. 

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In addition to needing to implement the provision in Biden’s law on the CTC, the IRS also still needs to issue guidance providing clarity about relief programs for businesses created by previous rounds of legislation, such as the employee retention tax credit and the Paycheck Protection Program.

“There are several areas from previous bills where we’re waiting on definitive guidance,” Kuntz said. 

The IRS is carrying out this year’s filing season and implementing coronavirus relief legislation as it is still working to process tax returns filed last year. Rettig said that there are 2.4 million individual returns for 2019 that are currently in processing in the IRS’s system, as well as another 5 million returns for 2019 and 2020 where the agency is reaching out taxpayers for additional information.

“They’re in a tough situation and they still have a lot of work to do to get current,” said Mark Everson, who served as IRS commissioner from 2003 to 2007 and is now vice chairman of the tax consulting firm Alliantgroup.

Twitter on Friday said Rep. Marjorie Taylor GreeneMarjorie Taylor GreeneRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s meeting with Trump ‘soon’ in Florida QAnon site shutters after reports identifying developer Republicans head to runoff in GA-14 MORE’s (R-Ga.) personal account on the social media site was suspended as the result of an error. 

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The suspension had led Greene’s office to complain about the matter, arguing the 12-hour suspension was done with no explanation of an “alleged violation.”

A spokesperson for Twitter told The Hill in a statement that the account was suspended in error. 

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“We use a combination of technology and human review to enforce the Twitter Rules across the service,” the spokesperson said. “In this case, our automated systems took enforcement action on the account referenced in error. This action has been reversed, and access to the account has been reinstated.”

A statement issued by Greene had included a screenshot of the message Twitter sent to her personal account stating “we have determined that you have violated the Twitter Rules, so we’ve temporarily limited some of your account features.”

The screenshot said that she could only browse Twitter and send direct messages to followers, and that she would not be able to tweet, retweet or like other tweets from the account.

Greene’s statement had linked the timing of the suspension to a resolution introduced by Rep. Jimmy GomezJimmy GomezHillicon Valley: Twitter says Greene account suspended in error | Justice Dept. indicts hacker connected to massive surveillance breach | Trump reference to ‘Chinese virus’ linked to increase in anti-Asian hashtags Pelosi says top Democrats won’t back measure to expel Greene Twitter says Greene account suspended in error MORE (D-Calif.) to formally expel Greene from Congress over her previous support for violence against Democrats.

“This move eliminated any possibility for Congresswoman Greene to defend her reputation, her seat, and most importantly the votes of 230,000 Georgians in the 14th District on the Twitter platform,” the statement from Greene said.

The House voted to strip Greene of her committee assignments in February over her past support for conspiracy theories and support for statements of violence against Democratic politicians.

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Greene later on Friday tweeted, “What a coincidence? Twitter’s little error wasn’t resolved until after 12 hrs.”

Greene’s account was previously suspended in January over “multiple” violations of the platform’s civic integrity policy. It wasn’t clear at the time which posts directly led to her suspension.

-Updated 7 p.m.

The Supreme Court on Monday weighed a challenge by California farm owners to a state law that gives union organizers access to agricultural lands for part of the year, hearing arguments in a potential landmark case over the scope of private property rights.

The hourlong telephone argument did not provide a clear signal about how the court would ultimately rule on whether California’s regulation amounts to a government “taking” of land that entitles the businesses to compensation.

The challengers to the California law were Cedar Point Nursery and Fowler Packing Co., two companies that grow and ship strawberries, grapes and citrus fruits nationwide, employing thousands of workers including many hired on a seasonal basis.

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Justice Amy Coney BarrettAmy Coney BarrettSupreme Court hears clash between California farm owners, labor unions Poll finds Clarence Thomas is GOP’s most popular Supreme Court Justice Exclusive: GOP officials offer support for Vanita Gupta MORE said both sides “have line-drawing problems,” referring to the tradeoffs attendant to both California’s push for the court to decide such disputes on a more flexible case-by-case basis, as well as a stricter legal test favored by the business community.

At issue in the case is a pro-labor California law that grants access to organizers for 120 days out of the year to educate farmworkers about the benefits of unions. At the time of its passage in 1975, many seasonal workers lived at their worksites and lacked access to phones, meaning face-to-face contact on farm property was the only means of interaction.

Beyond the immediate facts of Monday’s clash, the case presented the justices with a question that has bedeviled the courts for decades: When does a government regulation go so far as to amount to the taking of property, which under the Fifth Amendment gives an owner the right to payment?

The lawyer for the challengers to the law, Joshua Thompson, argued the companies are owed money on account of the heavy burdens imposed by California’s regulation, which denies his clients the right to exclude union organizers from their property for a substantial part of the year.

That argument faced pushback from some of the justices.

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Elena KaganElena KaganSupreme Court hears clash between California farm owners, labor unions Barrett authors first Supreme Court majority opinion against environmental group Justices raise bar for noncitizens to challenge removal from US after conviction MORE, an Obama appointee who is one of the court’s more liberal members, allowed that a right to exclude is “one of the sticks in the bundle that a property owner has.” But such a right, she said, does not typically form the basis of the kind of Fifth Amendment claim at issue here.

“I don’t think, like, the denial of a right to exclude counts as a discrete interest in property,” Kagan said.

Justice Samuel AlitoSamuel AlitoSupreme Court hears clash between California farm owners, labor unions Justices hear sparring over scope of safeguards for minority voters Kavanaugh dismays conservatives by dodging pro-Trump election lawsuits MORE, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush and is one of the most conservative justices on the bench, asked how deeply rooted the growers’ legal theory was, questioning Thompson about when their property interest first arose in the eyes of the law.

“Is this a question of whether it’s a property interest under California law today,” Alito asked. “Or is it a question whether it would be regarded as a property interest at the time of the adoption of the Fifth Amendment, or is it something else?”

Defending the California law was Michael Mongan, the state’s solicitor general. 

He urged the court to resolve the case using what he called the “standard ad hoc” approach of weighing the benefits of a particular regulation against its specific burdens — rather than adopt the “blunt instrument” of a strict rule.

Interest groups backing California also warned the court in amicus briefs against adopting a categorical rule regarding private property protections. Such an approach, they cautioned, could have sweeping implications that make it harder to lawfully carry out inspections on everything from food products to coal mines.

Some of the court’s more moderate conservatives — including Justice Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughSupreme Court hears clash between California farm owners, labor unions Poll finds Clarence Thomas is GOP’s most popular Supreme Court Justice #MeWho? The hypocritical silence of Kamala Harris MORE, a Trump appointee — signaled an openness to preserving a case-by-case approach. Though others, like Barrett, said these applications are often “stacked in favor of regulations.”

The case was appealed to the Supreme Court after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in 2019 sided with California’s pro-labor law.

A decision in the lawsuit, Cedar Point Nursery v. Victoria Hassid (No. 20-107), is expected before the term ends in late June. 

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Progressives on Monday celebrated Deb HaalandDeb HaalandThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Split screen: Biden sells stimulus; GOP highlights border Progressives celebrate historic Haaland vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senate confirms Haaland to lead Interior | House Republicans pitch nuclear, natural gas as ‘cleaner’ energy future | Congress investigating ‘clean coal’ tax credit | SEC to weigh requiring further climate disclosures to investors MORE’s historic confirmation to lead the Interior Department after the Senate voted to make her the first Native American Cabinet secretary. 

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As she assumes the role following the 51-40 vote, Haaland will oversee a department with significant responsibilities to the country’s 574 federally recognized tribes, as well as with significant responsibilities over federal lands and waters. 

The New Mexico Democrat’s opposition to a controversial method of fossil fuel extraction called fracking, participation in a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline and support for the Green New Deal have made her a favorite among progressives advocates, who vocally supported her nomination. 

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“We are thrilled that Secretary Deb Haaland was confirmed to the Presidential Cabinet,” Varshini Prakash, executive director of the Sunrise Movement, said in a statement. “Now, she must wield her power to crack down on fossil fuel corporations and evict companies that drill for oil on public lands and in public waters. We are excited to see the progress she makes.”

The Sunrise Movement and the group Justice Democrats together listed Haaland as their top choice to lead the department before President BidenJoe BidenThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Split screen: Biden sells stimulus; GOP highlights border RNC to shadow Biden as he promotes COVID-19 relief bill Dems’ momentum hits quagmire over infrastructure plans MORE announced he had chosen her. 

Another advocate for Haaland, Julian Brave NoiseCat, tweeted “She won. We won.”

“In a historic vote, the Senate confirms Deb Haaland of the Laguna Pueblo and first district of New Mexico the next Interior Secretary. #DebForInterior,” added NoiseCat, who is the vice president of policy and strategy at progressive group Data for Progress. 

In Congress, Haaland’s progressive colleagues similarly cheered her on. 

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“The confirmation of Sec. Deb Haaland is a historic step toward redeeming our nation’s relationship with first Americans,” said Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee. 

“Sec. Haaland will bring to the Interior Department and the Biden administration a profound responsibility and commitment to climate change, equity, and public actions that all Americans will benefit from. Sec. Haaland has made history for her people, and now she will help guide our shared history. I look forward to her leadership and resolve,” Grijalva said. 

Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenProgressives celebrate historic Haaland vote Congress investigating ‘clean coal’ tax credit Californians split over Newsom recall: poll MORE (D-Mass.), for whom Haaland was a presidential campaign co-chair, similarly noted that the nomination was historic because she will lead a department that “did so much through the generations to try to undercut the strength, the health, the survival, of the tribal nations.”

“This is about having someone who has this moment where she actually can reset the relationship between the United States and the tribal nations,” Warren told MSNBC.

However, the same policy positions that garnered her progressive support also drew strong opposition from many Republicans. 

“Representative Haaland has a hostile record toward made in America energy, natural resource development, and wildlife and land management. She has enthusiastically called for a ban on all new pipelines and is a leading cosponsor of the Green New Deal. I have serious concerns about how Rep. Haaland will use this position in ways that negatively impact the Montana way of life,” said Sen. Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesProgressives celebrate historic Haaland vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senate confirms Haaland to lead Interior | House Republicans pitch nuclear, natural gas as ‘cleaner’ energy future | Congress investigating ‘clean coal’ tax credit | SEC to weigh requiring further climate disclosures to investors Senate confirms Haaland to lead Interior MORE (R-Mont.), who has vocally opposed the nomination. 

Haaland said during her confirmation hearing repeatedly stressed that she was implementing President Biden’s nomination, not her own. The president does not support a fracking ban or the Green New Deal. 

She also acknowledged that fossil fuels will continue to play a role and stressed finding a “balance” between that and combatting climate change. 

After she was confirmed, Haaland said in a tweet that she is “ready to serve.”