Multiple sources confirm that Karen Budd-Falen, serving as Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior, said in a December video that grazing regulations were part of her Interior responsibilities, with the direct quote: "the thing that probably was the closest to my heart was grazing regulations" [1][2][7]. The video was posted publicly to YouTube by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), chairwoman of the Senate Western Caucus, and was first reported by The Washington Post [1][3][7]. Reporting describes the December gathering as a Western Caucus event attended by conservative (Republican) members of Congress [1][2][3]. Budd-Falen's full remarks included specific descriptions of policy changes to grazing, including categorical exclusions and filling vacant BLM allotments, which she discussed in her role as a senior Interior official [4][5]. No corrections, retractions, or denials of the substance of Maddow's characterization have been identified; the Interior Department has responded only that Budd-Falen has complied with all legal and ethical requirements [6]. The surname is spelled "Budd-Falen" in all primary and secondary sources; Maddow rendered it as "Budd Phalen" at broadcast speed.