House Set to Vote on Border Security Measure

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives will consider the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, H.R.2578 – a compilation bill that includes Rep. Rob Bishop’s (R-Utah) National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act in its entirety. Rep. Bishop’s measure would allow Border Patrol to obtain operational control on federally protected lands, specifically in Southern Arizona along the U.S.-Mexico border.Rep. Bishop’s provision would allow Border Patrol to build fences and roads as well as patrol a large section of the border in Arizona that is currently unsecured. Regulations put in place by the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture prevent Border Patrol operations on these federal lands. Rep. Bishop’s bill was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee in October of 2011 by a 26-to-17 margin.Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), however, will offer an amendment to H.R.2578 that would strip Rep. Bishop’s provision from the bill. NumbersUSA is urging a NO vote on the Grijalva amendment and a YES vote on an amendment that Rep. Bishop will offer to clarify his measure. While NumbersUSA takes no position on H.R.2578, we do support passage of Rep. Bishop’s provisions.The House is expected to begin legislative business at 12:00 p.m. with votes between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and again between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. It’s likely that votes on the Grijalva and Bishop amendments will be during the evening votes.Please call your House Rep. at (202) 224-3121 and urge a NO vote on the Grijalva amendment and a YES vote on the Bishop amendment to H.R.2578. For talking points and the direct number to your Rep.’s D.C. office, visit your Action Board.