Tara Sweeney Advances Toward Senate Confirmation

Press Release

During a Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in support of Tara Mac Lean Sweeney of Alaska to be Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. The committee approved the nomination by voice vote. Her nomination now heads to the full Senate for consideration. If confirmed, Sweeney will be the first female Alaskan Native to serve in the position.

"I was pleased to be able to support Tara Sweeney's Senate confirmation as she is extremely well qualified for this position. She is a fierce advocate for Alaska and will ensure that the Interior Department fulfills its federal trust responsibility to the American Indian and Alaskan Native people," said Senator Lisa Murkowski. "Tara is known for her strong leadership and ability to work in cooperation with tribal, local, state, and federal leaders to make meaningful and measurable impacts on Native communities. Her ability to work collaboratively with others, bringing together diverse views, to pursue the common goal of bettering the lives of the Native people will serve her well in this position."

"Today's vote moves Tara Sweeney one step closer to becoming our next Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, an extremely important position not only for Alaska but the nation," said Senator Dan Sullivan. "With Tara's long history of advocating for Alaska Native cultural values, rights, and economic opportunity, I can't think of anyone better -- or more qualified -- for this critical role within the Department of Interior. I thank the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, both Republicans and Democrats, for coming together to overwhelmingly advance Tara's confirmation and look forward to her swift confirmation before the full Senate."

Tara Sweeney Snip - 06.06.18

(Click the image above to watch video of Senator Murkowski speaking on behalf of Tara Sweeney)

The Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on Tara Sweeney's nomination on May 9, in which Senator Murkowski and Dan Sullivan offered their full support.

Background: On October 17, 2017, President Trump nominated Tara Sweeney to be the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, one of five assistant secretaries at the Department of the Interior, reporting to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs supports the Secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the United States' trust responsibility to the federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages and individual Indian trust beneficiaries, as well as in upholding the Federal-Tribal government-to-government relationship.

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