Will you commit to defending the unique legal status of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes?

This is an important nomination. The Department's Indian Affairs hallway has been empty for quite some time, lacking the top political leadership your nomination reflects and that Indian Country deserves.

I am encouraged that the President chose you, Ms. Sweeney, a Native American nominee with business experience and deep connection to your tribal community.

I would like to know whether you will commit to clearly communicate and explain Indian Country's opposition to the Bears Ears decision at the highest levels within the department and at the White House?

There is perhaps no more important pending nomination to ensuring the Administration is well-positioned to honor the centuries-old government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States.

a successful Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs must be an informed and effective advocate for Indian Country priorities.

I do not believe there is any clear authorization from Congress to conduct these strikes.

if he's going to go forward with a markup of the proposal that's out there, before we do that, that we actually have a hearing

Looking from the outside, it appears that Indian Affairs within Interior is in complete disarray.

I think it's pretty clear--and I won't get you into the hypothetical, but, unless there's an imminent threat, I don't think the President can order that.

I hope that your team has compared the new Senate language...with the existing authorities.

the last administration, when it was going to bomb in Syria, asked for Congress's permission to do so, and they didn't get it.

You promised me that you would 'totally recuse yourself from any matter involving ASRC'.

I agree with Senator Durbin's earlier comments on Iran and withdrawing from the Iran agreement. This is a big mistake.

I am committed to upholding the trust responsibility to Indian Country, to ensuring the Federal Government is, in fact, fulfilling that responsibility and advocating for that in the Administration.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for scheduling this timely hearing to examine the current status of Puerto Rico's grid restoration and proposals for the future operation of its grid.

We ask you to again reject the drastic cuts proposed in the President's fiscal year 2019 budget.

Do you see the problem with granting greater access to polluting industries than impacted communities?