Republicans used oil industry-backed study to criticize Deb Haaland

Senators posed misleading questions as they cited findings of a widely criticized research report

Republican senators cited a study commissioned by the biggest oil and gas trade association in the US in their criticisms of Deb Haaland, Joe Biden's nominee to lead the Department of the Interior, during a confirmation hearing last week.

Republicans on the Senate energy and natural resources committee referenced the study, which has been widely criticized by conservationists, as they grilled Haaland, a Democratic US representative from New Mexico, on her past statements about energy issues and the Biden administration's climate plans.