The GOP, the BLM and the Senate

Published: July 17, 2020, 9 a.m.

For years, William Perry Pendley has not been one to hide his views on privatizing federal lands and cutting environmental regulations. Yet, he’s been the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management, and is now the president’s pick to lead the agency. But the nomination of such a divisive candidate puts some Republican senators in a tough spot: should they side against Trump, or drop the environmental credit they may need to win re-election in November? POLITICO’s Kelsey Tamborrino and Anthony Adragna explain. Kelsey Tamborrino is an energy reporter for POLITICO. Carlos Prieto is a Politico podcast producer. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.