FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2026
Contact:
Media@backcountryhunters.org
Senate Committee Advances BLM Director Nomination; Full Senate Vote Next
Stevan Pearce moves forward in confirmation process on 11–9 committee vote following weeks of public lands community engagement
Missoula, MONTANA—The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today voted 11–9 to advance the nomination of Stevan Pearce to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). While the nomination advanced out of committee, the closely divided vote underscores the serious questions raised throughout the confirmation process thus far about the future stewardship of America’s public lands. The nomination will now move to the full U.S. Senate for a final confirmation vote, though a timeline for that vote has not yet been announced.
“This morning’s committee vote shows this nomination received real scrutiny—and that didn’t happen by accident,” said Ryan “Cal” Callaghan, president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). “Hunters, anglers, and public lands owners spoke up, contacted their senators, and demanded tough questions. That engagement matters, and it will continue to matter as the confirmation process moves to the Senate floor. Let’s stay engaged, stay informed, and most importantly stay steadfast in our commitment to keeping public lands in public hands.”
Earlier this year, BHA conducted a nationwide engagement effort focused specifically on the future leadership of the BLM. Within 72 hours, more than 3,700 community members responded to the poll, submitting detailed questions and priorities they believed senators should raise during the confirmation process.
Those responses emphasized expectations around trust, accountability, balanced land management, and a clear commitment to keeping public lands public. In the weeks leading up to today’s committee vote, hunters, anglers, and public lands advocates also contacted senators directly, urging careful consideration of the nomination and encouraging tough questions during the confirmation process.
Those interested in seeing how those questions materialized during the confirmation process can view an archived webcast of the initial hearing.
To see how individual members of the Committee voted during markup, watch the archived webcast of the March 4 committee proceedings.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. To learn more about issues important to BHA’s membership, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/issues.
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