The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh (Executive Calendar)” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S666-S667 on March 7.
The Department oversees more than 500 million acres of land. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the department has contributed to a growing water crisis and holds many lands which could be better managed.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh
Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination of Patrice Kunesh to be the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Ms. Kunesh is a descendant of the Standing Rock Lakota and a distinguished lawyer, advocate, and thought leader. She currently works at the Native American Rights Fund, but her career spans from being counsel for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe to being the director of the Center for Indian Country Development at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve--all in the service of Native communities. Ms. Kunesh also served as the Deputy Solicitor at the Department of the Interior and as Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development at the USDA.
The Administration for Native Americans at HHS helps Native communities, including Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives, with financial support and technical assistance for Native language preservation, economic development, and self-sufficiency.
I know that Patrice is up to the task. She is knowledgeable, experienced, and deeply connected to Tribal leaders and Native communities. She knows how the Federal Government works and how we can best fulfill our trust and treaty responsibilities in Indian Country.
Patrice's nomination is supported by the National Congress of American Indians and numerous Tribal nations. Most importantly, filling this role at HHS is essential to meeting our responsibilities to Tribal nations and Native communities.
I urge my colleagues to vote yes on Patrice Kunesh's nomination.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
