In an ongoing investigation into the White House’s handling of the border crisis, House Republicans are intensifying their efforts to hold the Biden administration accountable. Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., have sent a series of new questions and document requests to White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chairwoman Brenda Mallory, raising concerns about the administration’s decision to house migrants on public land in New York.
According to Republicans, the White House’s migrant housing plans seem to disregard environmental concerns. The investigation was initially launched in November, with the first request for additional information regarding the environmental approval process for leasing Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field to the local government for migrant housing. However, their initial letter was ignored by Mallory, prompting the Republican leaders to express their dissatisfaction.
In September, the Department of the Interior (DOI) agreed to lease portions of Floyd Bennett Field’s property to address the ongoing migrant surge at the southern border and the related influx in New York City. Temporary housing was constructed on land along the shore of Jamaica Bay. However, Republican leaders have pointed out that Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul had previously noted that such an action would likely violate federal laws. Hochul mentioned that officials had informed her office that they do not allow for the use of shelter on any of their properties.
Furthermore, Republicans have expressed concerns about the White House Council on Environmental Quality bypassing the normal environmental review process mandated under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This law requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of projects and proposals on federal land before approval. Despite these concerns, the Biden administration moved forward with using national park land to establish a migrant housing encampment, securing alternative arrangements for NEPA compliance.
House Republicans argue that national parks are meant for recreation and should not be used as temporary or permanent housing for individuals without shelter. Their investigation takes place against the backdrop of a record number of migrants flooding the southern border. In December alone, over 302,000 migrants were encountered attempting to cross the U.S. southern border, marking the largest single-month figure ever recorded. Fiscal 2024 first-quarter numbers reached 785,000 encounters, the highest number ever recorded.
As Republicans call for structural reforms to secure the border, the Biden administration has yet to respond to the requests for comment. The ongoing investigation aims to bring transparency and ensure effective oversight, fulfilling the Committee’s responsibility to the American people.
In conclusion, House Republicans are doubling down on their investigation into the White House’s decision to house migrants on public land in New York. Their concerns include the disregard for environmental concerns and the bypassing of the normal environmental review process. With record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border, Republicans are pressing for structural reforms to address the border crisis and secure the border. The Biden administration’s response to the investigation remains awaited.
