Rob Bishop: “We need greater control on the Park Service and BLM land on our border areas that is being devastated by illegal border…”

“We need greater control on the Park Service and BLM land on our border areas that is being devastated by illegal border crossing. The amendment that I am proposing goes directly to that goal and that purpose by committing $30 million towards law enforcement activities. Actually, it's $31.5 million toward law enforcement activities by agencies who are on our southern border. We, as a government, have a responsibility to prevent illegal border crossings. We also have a responsibility for land managers to be managing the land in that particular area. Now, this amendment that I have does move money around. I feel sorry for that. The particular area in which I am transferring the money is something that bothers me personally. I met my wife during a community theater. When I was in the legislature in Utah, I was the one that instituted a percent for the art programs so that 1 percent of all our construction monies went for arts to be considered. I have been a supporter of the Utah Arts Council. I also think it's appropriate that local dollars fund art programs so that local control can be there on the process level. With this particular amendment, it still leaves a $4 million, $4.5 million, roughly $4 million increase in the National Endowment for the Arts over last year's funding base, so there still is an increase.”