Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on his decision to oppose the nomination of William Pendley to be the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

“I will oppose the nomination of William Pendley to be the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. His past comments calling the Endangered Species Act “a joke,” comparing global warming to the existence of unicorns and arguing the federal government should sell off its public lands are disqualifying. At this moment in our nation’s history, the Bureau of Land Management and every agency need leaders who are willing to listen and lead with compassion. Mr. Pendley’s comments about the Black Lives Matter movement make it clear he is not fit to do so.”

###