News Rep. Debra Haaland becomes first Native American woman to preside over House March 8, 2019 Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY Comments Off on Rep. Debra Haaland becomes first Native American woman to preside over House Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., got a standing ovation after a Republican saluted her for being the first Native American woman to preside over the House.