UTAH PUBLIC RADIO • March 6, 2026
Senators on the Natural Resources Committee voted along party lines Wednesday morning to advance President Trump's pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Steve Pearce, a former Republican congressman from New Mexico, will next need to clear a vote in the full Senate in the coming weeks to be confirmed. Pearce's supporters include energy and grazing groups. A coalition of oil and gas associations praised his nomination. He has faced intense scrutiny from environmentalists. During a hearing last week, Pearce was asked about his previous advocacy for the sale of public lands. He indicated that he would not be in favor of such sales. Pearce has previously opposed national monument designations, advocated for downsizing national monuments, and called for public land sell-offs.