As Congressman Raul Grijalva uses the benefits of that unequal access to promote another double standard for immigrants, his colleagues are asking tough questions and speaking out against the Obama administration’s decision to pick and choose the nation’s winners and losers.
Arizona U.S. Representative Paul Gosar said, “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.”
“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,” said Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce (NM-02). “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.”
“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.”
“We applaud free speech on the National Mall and the ability of all Americans to have access to it equally,” said Representative Doug Lamborn (CO). “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.”
“Whatever potential Secretary Jewell might have had to change the credibility of federal land management has been cavalierly destroyed with decisions like this,” said Representative Mark Amodei (NV). “Using the nation’s parks and monuments as the smash mouth poster boy in the politics of punishment is despicable.”