House Democrats largely ignored legislation to protect borderlands from trash and prevent the administration from housing migrants on public lands during a hearing Tuesday.
The Natural Resurces Subcommittee on Federal Lands met to discuss H.R. 1820, the “Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland (FLASH) Act,” from Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), which would also authorize funding and activities to ramp up border infrastructure on public land.
Immigration issues were a flashpoint during last year’s elections, and Natural Resources Republicans focused on the Biden administration using Floyd Bennett Field in New York — part of the Gateway National Recreation Area — to house undocumented people.
“When we fail to secure our federal lands, we fail to secure our border,” said full committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.). “Action is long overdue and the FLASH Act will tackle some of the most urgent issues facing federal borderlands.”
