Philip Baker-Shenk is a Partner and Kayla Gebeck is a Public Affairs Advisor in the Washington D.C. office
President-Elect Donald Trump has officially announced Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) as his nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI). During his time in Congress, Zinke has addressed various DOI issues regarding federal mineral leases, public land conservation, tribal law enforcement needs, Indian water settlements and other matters of importance to Indian Country.
"I will work tirelessly to ensure our public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come," Zinke said in a news release from the Trump Transition office on Dec. 15, 2016. "Most important, our sovereign Indian Nations and territories must have the respect and freedom they deserve."
During the 114th Congress, Zinke introduced and advanced legislation to extend and improve the Indian coal production tax credit, authorized a water settlement for Blackfeet Tribe and re-established the Royalty Policy Committee to further a more consultative process with key federal, state, tribal, environmental and energy stakeholders. Zinke also helped introduce a resolution to designate May 5, 2017, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.
For additional information on the new Administration, please view Holland & Knight's Presidential Transition Analysis Center, an informational hub that provides key information on our working relationships with the incoming Trump Administration and the most up-to-date information on inaugural events and transition developments.
Holland & Knight's Native American Law Group is devoted to the unique needs of tribal governments and the complex field of Indian law, including matters such as sovereignty, banking, hotel, retail, energy, casino, infrastructure and utility development.
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