LUJAN STATEMENT ON VOTING AGAINST STEVE PEARCE TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan issued the following press release:

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting against the confirmation of Steve Pearce as the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):

"At a time when Republicans are rushing to sell off our public lands, they cannot be trusted to lead the Bureau of Land Management. While serving in Congress, Mr. Pearce opposed protections for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in his own district, a treasured New Mexico landscape. His record makes it clear that he will not stand up for our public lands.

"I voted against Mr. Pearce because his record speaks for itself. The Bureau of Land Management stewards 13 million acr...