Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, will hold a press conference Friday, July 8, at 9:00 a.m. to highlight concerns about a Republican bill to allow Department of Homeland Security personnel to waive environmental rules within 100 miles of the U.S. border. Rep. Ed Markey, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and representatives of several national environmental groups –  including the Sierra Club, Pew Environment Group, Wilderness Society, Center for American Progress and Defenders of Wildlife – will be on hand to voice their concerns with the bill and to rally opposition.

Rep. Rob Bishop, who heads Grijalva’s subcommittee, earlier this year introduced H.R. 1505, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act. The bill allows Department of Homeland Security personnel to waive the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, among other laws, within 100 miles of the U.S. border and on all public lands if deemed necessary to secure the border. The measure would allow the construction of new roads, among other measures, that would otherwise violate environmental protection standards.

“This bill is straightforwardly about gutting environmental standards,” Grijalva said. “There are reasonable ways to ensure border security that don’t go out of their way to harm the environment. This bill shouldn’t pass, and I’m happy to bring as much attention as possible to the problems it would create.”

Where: 234 Cannon House Office Building

When: Fri., July 8, 9:00 a.m. Eastern time