Overview
- Pearce’s nomination has been formally sent to the Senate, starting the confirmation process in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
- Pearce served seven terms in Congress, previously ran for New Mexico governor in 2018, chaired the state GOP, and led an oil-services business.
- As a lawmaker, he backed shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante and sought to limit the Antiquities Act, signaling a push for expanded fossil fuel access on federal land.
- Republicans, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis, praised the choice, while environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the Center for Western Priorities issued strong opposition.
- The BLM manages roughly 245 million acres of public land and 700 million acres of mineral estate; the move follows Kathleen Sgamma’s withdrawal earlier this year and coincides with Trump nominating Douglas Weaver to the NRC.