Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2013) – The National Park Service has granted special permission for a pro-immigration rally to take place on the National Mall today, adding to the Administration’s penchant for picking and choosing what monuments and memorials are open and who they are open to. Members of the Congressional Western Caucus responded to this decision with the following statements:

“The government should never be in the practice of giving preferential treatment to certain groups, but that is exactly what the Obama Administration is doing when it denies veterans access to memorials dedicated to their service and at the same time, encourages an immigration rally with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on the National Mall. It is the job of the President to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, yet this Administration continually picks and chooses this nation’s winners and losers. Unfortunately, the real losers here are the American people who are locked out of our nation’s public lands- unless they happen to agree with the President’s political beliefs.”

-          Chairman Steve Pearce (NM-02)

“Throughout the nation, the federal government is putting up fences, barriers and orange cones to keep people away from our national treasures, even when it costs no federal money to keep them open. Apparently, World War II veterans who fought for their country did not do enough to get access to a memorial built for them, but the Park Service is rolling out the red carpet for union-allies and supporters of the President’s immigration agenda to hold a huge rally on the closed national mall.  I am disappointed but not surprised given President Obama’s history of picking and choosing how, when, and on whom to enforce the nation’s laws.”

-          Co-Chair Cynthia Lummis (WY- At Large)

“National parks and monuments belong to the American people, not just those using them to advance their political agendas.  To elevate any partisan cause over our heroic veterans is un-American and demonstrates a disregard for our laws and values. I hope the President will change his behavior, but unfortunately this is what we’ve come to expect from him."

-          U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-04)

“The Obama Administration willfully disrespected our World War II veterans by barricading their memorial on the National Mall. Now the Administration is taking down the barricades and welcoming pro-immigration activists to the Mall.  This double standard is part of President Obama’s practice of using taxpayer dollars to pick winners and losers.” –

-          U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

“We applaud free speech on the National Mall and the ability of all Americans to have access to  it equally. Unfortunately, the Administration has closed the Mall and memorials to some groups and not others, giving preferential treatment under the law. If it’s going to be open for some, it needs to be open for all.”

-          U.S. Representative Scott Tipton (CO-03)

“I am disappointed that the President and his administration have again decided to put his political allies in a different category than the rest of Americans. He has allowed special access to the National Mall—which is closed while the government is shutdown— for rallies furthering his political interests. In contrast, World War II Veterans, who fought and bled to preserve our nation, our Constitution, and our liberty, are barred from entering the Monument memorializing their sacrifice. There is something very wrong about the discrepancy there.”

-          U.S. Representative Chris Stewart (UT-02)

“Whatever potential Secretary Jewell might have had to change the credibility of federal land management has been cavalierly destroyed with decisions like this. Using the nation’s parks and monuments as the smash mouth poster boy in the politics of punishment is despicable.”

-          U.S. Representative Mark Amodei (NV-02)

“I wish the Administration would just allow everyone to enjoy open air parks and monuments instead of picking favorites.  I’ve cosigned a letter to National Park Service Director Jarvis with many of my colleagues to get to the bottom of this.”

-          U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer (ND- At Large)

“It is appalling that the Obama Administration has barred our nation’s veterans from visiting the World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, yet today, an immigration rally has been allowed to take place on the National Mall with many of the President’s closest Congressional allies in attendance. It is unconscionable that the Administration would all but tell our nation’s veterans who put their lives on the line to protect our country that they do not deserve special treatment, but illegal immigrants do. This is just another example of the Obama Administration showing favoritism to advance their own political agenda. This unfair treatment is unacceptable and it must stop.”

-          U.S. Representative Paul Broun (GA-10)