Washington D.C. — Today, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding Secretary Zinke’s attacks on the Department of the Interior employees:

“The public servants at the Department of the Interior deserve respect from the man charged with leading them—not cheap shots in the press,” said Senator Cantwell. “Secretary’s Zinke’s comments yesterday betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of federal civil service. They are non-political employees charged with implementing and enforcing laws passed by Congress and have incredible domain expertise in their areas of responsibility.”

“Replacing them with purely political people will not protect our public lands or protect taxpayers from special interest sweetheart deals."

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