Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) led a letter to Pueblo Action Alliance (PAA) Executive Director Julia Bernal as part of the committee's ongoing oversight into U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's potential misuse of her position and lack of impartiality with the organization in her role as a cabinet official. In part, the members wrote:

"PAA regularly engages in lobbying, political activities, and extensive advocacy efforts regarding environmental and energy issues, particularly as it relates to oil and gas production on federal lands. DOI is responsible for managing oil and gas production on federal lands. Secretary Haaland has purportedly met with PAA leaders during her time as Secretary of the Interior to discuss PAA’s opposition to oil and gas production on federal lands. Secretary Haaland has also met with PAA leaders on other occasions and broadcasts her association with PAA while serving as Secretary of the Interior, including by adorning personal items with PAA insignia. Likewise, PAA frequently touts their close relationship with Secretary Haaland. The Committee is interested in learning more about this unique relationship between Secretary Haaland and PAA...

"A review of PAA’s filing history and nonprofit status with the New Mexico Secretary of State is also cause for concern. Despite operating at least since 2018, PAA did not incorporate in New Mexico until October 15, 2021. On March 17, 2022, the State of New Mexico revoked PAA’s nonprofit status. PAA’s nonprofit status was revoked until June 5, 2023. Despite losing its nonprofit status, PAA continued to operate and conduct programming in New Mexico and across America between March 2022 and June 2023...

"The Committee is concerned with the unique intimacy between PAA and Secretary Haaland, PAA’s partnership with international socialist organizations intent on influencing American policy, and the opaqueness surrounding PAA’s funding sources and compliance with U.S. nonprofit regulations."

Read the full letter here. Read the committee's oversight requests to Haaland on this issue here and here.