The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kate MacGregor as the Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior with a 58-38 bipartisan vote.
MacGregor has been exercising the power of the Deputy Secretary since May 2019 and was nominated to take the role full-time in October. She arrived at the department as President Trump took office in January 2017 and served in several roles including Chief-of-Staff and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary.
The administration has made easing regulations on energy production on public lands a key priority and MacGregor has played a key role in that push. Western Wire has previously covered the department’s social media campaign to promote those efforts where MacGregor stated, “American strength relies on American energy. Production from federal lands creates jobs and keeps energy prices low for American families and businesses. It also generates revenue that goes towards important conservation projects.”
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt called MacGregor “a tremendous leader” who will “serve the American people admirably.”
MacGregor confirmation’s received a strong vote in the U.S. Senate including from key western senators like Kevin Cramer (R-ND) who said, “Kate MacGregor approaches each task with energy, determination and excellence, never tiring of the work before her. She illustrated a true passion for good governance, public land management, energy independence and conservation stewardship.”
MacGregor also received the support of five Democrats including New Mexico’s Martin Heinrich, whose state saw record revenue from oil and natural gas production in 2019. Likewise, Ryan Flynn, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association said MacGregor has “an exceptionally strong background that has prepared her extraordinarily well to serve in this capacity.”
Other key western leaders also praised MacGregor’s confirmation including Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and the U.S. House’s Western Caucus.
“Kate MacGregor clearly knows the issues surrounding energy development, wildlife, water and other natural resources. She understands the federal government should be a good neighbor when dealing with landowners, mineral split estates and state agencies,” Gordon said.
While Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) said that her “hard work will leave the American people shocked by how much energy and electricity she brings to the job. As someone who has dedicated her career to public service she is an asset to President Trump, Secretary Bernhardt, and our entire country.”
MacGregor was also a senior staff member on Capitol Hill before moving to the Interior Department and a key tribal group applauded the confirmation while praising her work in Congress. “Kate MacGregor’s experience on Capitol Hill and with the Department of the Interior, has shown and she has proven to be a more than capable leader, administrator, and strong proponent of the Department’s mission,” said Conrad Stewart, Board of Directors for National Tribal Energy Association. “She has been a strong advocate for Tribes, Tribal Sovereignty, and the issues important to us.”
