Expressing disapproval of the occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by a group of armed individuals.

Bill: 114-hres-575
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2016-01-05
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Oregon

Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Latest action: action_date: 2016-01-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-01-05
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Condemns the unlawful, armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon and calls on those involved to end their occupation and surrender to law enforcement authorities immediately. </p>

tv_txt: IV 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 575 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 5, 2016 Mr. Grijalva submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Expressing disapproval of the occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by a group of armed individuals.

Whereas, on Saturday January 2, 2016, a number of armed individuals broke into and occupied the headquarters building at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon; Whereas these individuals have continued to unlawfully occupy and block access to the refuge headquarters in violation of Federal law, disrupting operations of the refuge; Whereas these individuals have prevented 20 refuge employees from reporting to work and prevented refuge employees living on the refuge from accessing their homes; Whereas the unlawful actions of these individuals are harming the local community, including forcing local officials to close public schools in the area for security reasons; Whereas these actions have forced closure of at least one other Federal facility in the area; Whereas the Harney County Sheriff and local residents, including Dwight and Steven Hammond, have condemned these unlawful actions; Whereas recent incidents involving these individuals and similar armed groups have resulted in violence, or threats of violence, toward Federal land managers and local and Federal law enforcement officers; Whereas those engaged in these unlawful activities have publicly called for more armed individuals to come to the refuge; Whereas at least one elected official has already offered inflammatory statements supporting these unlawful actions; and Whereas it is imperative that this unlawful occupation does not escalate into violence: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives condemns the unlawful, armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and calls on those involved to end their occupation and surrender to law enforcement authorities immediately.