On the recordJune 19, 2012
Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Grijalva amendment, which would restore proper environmental oversight and protections to construction performed by the Border Patrol. Even with the Bishop amendment just adopted, the bill waives 16 different environmental laws--for example, the National Environmental Policy Act and wildlife refuge laws--to give DHS operational control over these lands. Mr. Chairman, that would mean that on our northwest border, the Border Patrol would have largely unfettered access, and environmental protections would be waived, within 10 miles of Seattle. In Arizona, this would encompass all of Tucson. In New York, land in Buffalo and Syracuse could come under control. These are sweeping and unnecessary provisions, and the Department of Homeland Security has said it does not want them. Having worked on this issue for years as chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I urge my colleagues to adopt the amendment.
