Biden appears to undermine U.S. energy security with “far-left” DOI appointment
(WO) – On Oct. 31, the Biden administration’s Department of Interior (DOI) appointed Laura Daniel-Davis as Acting Deputy Secretary. According to Fox News, the promotion comes after two previously failed nominations over what Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) considered “playing partisan politics” regarding U.S. energy security.
Daniel-Davis has more than 14 years of working at DOI across multiple administrations, the department said in a press release. She served as Chief Of Staff to Interior Secretaries Sally Jewell and Ken Salazar, as well as Associate Deputy Secretary during the Obama-Biden administration.
Daniel-Davis was involved in several so-called “green” initiatives, including permitting the U.S.’ first offshore wind project. She also served at the department during the Clinton-Gore administration in a variety of roles, including Associate Director of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. Prior to joining the Biden administration, Daniel-Davis served as Chief of Policy and Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation, which focused on radical climate policies, according to Fox.
Daniel-Davis appeared in two Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearings since 2021, when President Biden first nominated her for the position. However, both hearings failed, due to Republican opposition to her far-left climate agenda.
Fox News quoted Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), saying that Daniel-Davis “consistently blocked access to important minerals and restricted oil and gas leasing on federal lands.” Barrasso claimed that the appointment is just another part of this administration’s “devotion to a radical, anti-American energy agenda.”
Daniel-Davis has found herself in the hot seat with more than one government agency. In March 2023, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, (R-Ky.), and House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, (R-Alaska) investigated her over a leaked memo that showed lower royalty rates for an Alaskan offshore oil and gas lease would enhance U.S. energy security, Fox News reported.
Daniel-Davis also has been accused of violating federal regulations regarding conflict of interests surrounding Alaskan oil and gas leases by watchdog group Protect the Public’s Trust, whose director was quoted as saying, “members of Congress are already demanding an audit of the ethics office at Interior, and rather than treading lightly, they appear to be doubling down,” according to Fox News.
The federal probe and subsequent accusations prompted Sen. Manchin’s condemnation of her previous nominations.
