After multiple reports in recent months of violence, drug running and murders on federal lands near our Southern Border, it seems the Obama Administration has a distorted view of the reality facing Border Patrol agents, law enforcement officers and everyday citizens.

Interior Department spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff said in a statement this week that Secretary Salazar is trying to "meet the twin goals of protecting our national security and our natural resources" and that “significant progress” has been made.

Recent media accounts paint an entirely different picture:

• Border Patrol Navigating Reams of Regulation to Secure Federal Land (FOX News, 6/18/10)
• Federal Regs on Environment May Be Hindering Border Security, Lawmakers Say (FOX News, 6/16/10)
• U.S. Closes Park Land Along Mexico Border to Americans (FOX News, 6/16/10)
• Pinal County Sheriff: Mexican drug cartels now control parts of Arizona (ABC 15 6/11/10)
• Two men killed in smuggling corridor (KTAR, 6/7/10)
• Two BLM officers dodge bullets (KVOA, 6/6/10)
• Agents feared Mexican drug cartel attack on border dam (Houston Chronicle, 6/2/10)
• Law Enforcement Officer Shot in Pinal County (Tucson Weekly, 5/1/10)
• Goddard: Rancher likely killed by drug-cartel scout (Arizona Republic 4/2/10)

Does that sound like “significant progress”?

House Republicans, led by Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Ranking Member Rob Bishop, have introduced legislation (H.R. 5016) that would give U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) operational control of the border and ensure that the U.S. Department of Interior does not impede or restrict Border Patrol from effectively doing their to job to secure the border.

For more information visit /border

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