Jim Saxton: “However, I am deeply disturbed by one aspect of the bill. Most of the provisions of the bill, I think, are in accord…”

“However, I am deeply disturbed by one aspect of the bill. Most of the provisions of the bill, I think, are in accord with good sound policy. However, this bill does contain one provision, to exempt the Immigration and Naturalization Service from both the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. This provision is intended to address an issue that has to do with the California-Texas-Mexico border. However, the way this section is written, the exemption applies to the entire border of the United States, not just the California-Mexico border near San Diego. This waiver is not necessary, either in theory or in reality. Section 7, as a matter of fact, of the Endangered Species Act provides the framework to address any fence building. I have letters from the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior stating that these waivers are not necessary. Mr. Speaker, if it is important enough to exempt the Immigration and Naturalization Service from these important environmental laws, then we have to grow food, why do we not just exempt the Department of Agriculture? We have to get around in this country, so why do we not just exempt the Department of Transportation?”