“I have personally spoken to our tribal leaders, and I’ve heard them out on this issue,” Stauber mentioned through the Wednesday, Feb. 17, interview. “They know that I remain committed to working with them and continuing to build upon the strong relationship that we’ve developed.”
But the native Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa disputed the congressman’s claims, saying Stauber, R-Hermantown, doesn’t talk with them in any significant method, and referred to as his efforts “failure.”
Through its spokesperson, the band mentioned Stauber declined a proposal to take a seat down with its management council to debate U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland’s nomination to be President Joe Biden’s inside secretary overseeing federal lands and pure sources.
U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for the Interior Secretary, speaks after Biden introduced her nomination amongst one other spherical of nominees and appointees for his administration in Wilmington, Delaware, on Dec. 19. (REUTERS / Kevin Lamarque)
Confirmation would make Haaland the primary Native American to serve on a presidential cupboard.
When the Fond du Lac Band provided to have Stauber meet in individual with its Reservation Business Committee, Stauber’s workplace instructed the band he was “only available for one-on-one phone calls,” Fond du Lac spokeswoman Rita Aspinwall mentioned.
The band declined cellphone calls with Stauber.
“In Representative Stauber’s years in office, he has failed to give the courtesy of notifying the band of any proposal directly impacting the tribes,” Aspinwall mentioned in a written assertion. “His office has failed to set up tribal consultations on a quarterly basis. Ultimately, he has failed to consult with Minnesota tribes on various matters affecting Indian Country.”
Stauber’s workplace described Fond du Lac and Bois Forte management as having declined to speak, saying the congressman has learn joint and particular person tribal letters on the matter, and spoken with tribal lobbyists in addition to executives from the Mille Lacs and Leech Lake bands of Ojibwe, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
“The congressman has an open-door coverage and appears ahead to speaking with tribal management any time they’re keen,” Stauber spokeswoman Kelsey Mix mentioned.
Stauber, who represents Minnesota’s eighth Congressional District, helps pipeline growth and the arrival of copper-nickel mining in Northeastern Minnesota — causes opposed by Haaland and plenty of different Native Americans.
Stauber and Haaland, D-N.M., serve collectively on the House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee.
He distrusts her politics, and described her as “very, very radical,” a time period he typically makes use of for Democratic colleagues.
The Interior Dept w/ Rep. Haaland on the helm could be disastrous for northern MN’s pure resources-based economic system & working households throughout the nation. That’s why I despatched a letter to the Biden Admin requesting that they withdraw her nomination. Read extra: https://t.co/Eh6vYSUvp6
— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber) January 26, 2021
In January, he wrote a letter to the White House calling for the withdrawal of Haaland’s nomination even supposing the 5 tribes in his district have been supportive, elated even, with Haaland’s nomination as Biden’s inside secretary.
Haaland’s affirmation listening to is subsequent week.
Stauber mentioned he couldn’t “turn a blind eye” to Haaland’s help for the clear vitality laws referred to as the Green New Deal, or her positions towards pipelines and copper-nickel mining, although Stauber incorrectly presents Haaland versus mining generally.
“I can’t turn a blind eye to her having joined pipeline protestors, and she opposes fracking and drilling on public lands,” Stauber mentioned. “She has championed legislation that would halt mining in Northeastern Minnesota. Mining is a bridge to a better future.”
He mentioned he wrote his letter in January in hopes the Biden administration would have nominated somebody who “recognized we could both preserve our environment and responsibly develop the resources that power our economy.”
On Trump, Minnesota governorship
During the interview, Stauber declined to say if he’d be supportive of a political future for twice-impeached former President Donald Trump, calling it “hypothetical.”
“I have no idea what President Trump is going to do as a private citizen,” mentioned Stauber, an ardent Trump supporter. “Until such time, I can’t make a decision.”
Stauber additionally took on whether or not he would run for the governorship of Minnesota, as an alternative of Congress, through the 2022 midterm elections.
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber
“I’m literally humbled to have my name mentioned,” he mentioned, refusing to disclaim the web rumor that he’ll run for governor. “There’s a lot of conversations that need to be had. I’ll never say never. I’m keeping all options open, but I was just reelected, and I have a great opportunity to represent the constituents of the 8th District in Congress.”
When he first ran for Congress, Stauber introduced his candidacy a full 16 months previous to the 2018 election.
Stauber says he opposes Gov. Tim Walz’s ongoing emergency authority through the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s Democratic-led state House has denied Republican makes an attempt to finish the peacetime emergency.
“We’re going on 11 months of a governor who refuses to relinquish his emergency powers,” Stauber mentioned, including that it was time to let state legislators take part pandemic options.
Stauber cited the Minnesota Hospital Association’s criticism in a letter despatched final week to Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. It mentioned not sufficient vaccine doses have been reaching well being care suppliers and that the allocation course of had reached an “untenable crossroads.”
“We’re seeing mistakes made by this administration,” Stauber mentioned.
Stauber has been dealing with roadblocks of his personal within the U.S. Congress, the place he’s repeatedly complained in information releases a few lack of bipartisanship, and the way his contributions on issues akin to proposed laws for police reform have been blocked from seeing the House ground.
“The Democrats have very little motivation to work in a bipartisan manner,” he mentioned. “When Joe Biden pledged unity during the inaugural address, I feel at this moment he’s not lived up to that promise thus far.”
Stauber pointed to Biden’s 31 government orders so far, repeating a legislative workaround popularized in latest historical past by his predecessors within the Oval Office.
“When you have the House, Senate and White House, you would think you’d want to put forth legislation through the proper channels,” Stauber mentioned of the Democratic majorities.
“Mr. Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus plan comes at a time when we’ve got already spent trillions of {dollars}. Not solely will this end in new wasteful spending, however it’s unclear how helpful this plan will probably be to assist the nation by the pandemic.” https://t.co/bkQF9sweHh
— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber) February 18, 2021
He expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden-led $1.9 trillion COVID-19 reduction proposal, which Democrats have mentioned they might transfer with out GOP help.
“Every different package deal for COVID reduction for the American individuals has been bipartisan,” Stauber mentioned.
Stauber famous his assignments to a few committees, together with small enterprise, transportation and infrastructure, and the House’s Natural Resources Committee, the place this week he was appointed rating member of the subcommittee on vitality and mining sources.
“They’re relative to our district,” Stauber mentioned of his assignments, including that he was excited to be one of many few individuals in Congress with greater than two committee assignments.
