At a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Congresswoman Aumua Amata stressed that federal agencies tasked with keeping the borders secure should be doing the job to their fullest capabilities.
The first term congresswoman is a member of the House subcommittee.
The hearing titled, “The Consequences of Federal Land management Along the U.S. Border to Rural Communities and national Security,” focused on the challenges to maintaining rural communities and securing the border under federal land management regimes.
Aumua told the hearing while she certainly understands that the majority of those crossing the border are good people, simply looking to create a better life for themselves and their families, “we must not lose sight of the fact that there are people in this world who would do us harm.”
She said, “A porous border is detrimental to the security of our citizens, and it is concerning that these agencies may not be fulfilling their duty to the American people.”
The congresswoman says in a press statement that as the committee of jurisdiction with oversight of the Department of the Interior (DOI), it is the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations duty, to ensure that DOI is not impeding the operations of the Border Patrol.
By citing environmental laws intended to protect endangered species, she believes DOI is preventing access to federal lands managed by the department, thereby endangering the citizenry.
The congresswoman says these actions must be addressed, and the committee will continue to hold those departments accountable.
In thanking the witnesses who attended the committee hearing she stressed that by working together, “we can help to ensure the security and safety of the American people.”
