1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

Trump has nominated former New Mexico congressman Steve Pearce to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). While the agency is responsible for the management of 245 million acres of public lands, Pearce has a long track record of advocating for the sale or privatization of these protected federal lands. Pearce has co-sponsored and supported legislation to speed up the “disposal” of federal land; weaken the Antiquities Act, which protects scientifically and historically important resources on federal lands; and reduce the number and size of national monuments. He has criticized the preservation of forests and national parks, stating that “over 90% of this land is located in the western states and most of it we do not even need.” Additionally, Pearce has supported legislation to weaken the Endangered Species Act and accelerate approvals for public land leases by oil and gas companies. Unsurprisingly, Pearce has significant ties to the oil and gas industry. He and his wife co-founded a drilling company. Pearce has consistently prioritized the profits of the oil and gas industry over the protection and preservation of our public lands, making him unfit to serve as Director of the BLM. Demand your Senators oppose his confirmation and protect our nation’s public lands.