Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the Democratic majority leader in the U.S. Senate, speaks on the historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) to be Secretary of the Interior on March 9, 2021.

“She would be the first Native American Cabinet minister of any agency and the first Indigenous Secretary of the Interior, a profoundly important moment given the historically troubled relationship between the federal government and tribal nations,” Schumer said of Haaland, who is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna.

Two Republicans — Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) — have said they will fight Haaland’s nomination to lead the Department of the Interior. But Schumer said the Senate has enough votes to overcome the roadblocks.

“Despite Republican obstruction, Representative Haaland will be confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary Haaland,” Schumer said.

Schumer said he is initiating a process to overcome the Republican objections following his remarks. It’s then expected that a final vote would occur on Haaland’s nomination next Monday. She could then be sworn into her position at Interior as soon as Monday or Tuesday.

If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Native person to lead the the federal agency with the most trust and treaty responsibilities to tribes and their citizens. Interior includes Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education and the recently-established Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, which is taking over most of the duties previously assigned to the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.