Del. Bordallo is chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans.

The Federal Government has a fundamental responsibility to secure our nation’s borders; however, the methods by which our borders are secured, and the manner by which the Federal Government implements this strategy, are also fundamental to the public’s acceptance, and the government’s success, in meeting this responsibility.

Our free and open system of representative government is built on public participation, discussion, transparency, and public accountability in decision-making. While this can mean delays, extra costs and, at times, legal challenges, I believe that the only way our government can succeed and endure is if the people themselves feel vested in the important decisions that most affect their daily lives.

We need to understand the practical implications of what it will mean to our communities and our environment to live on a daily basis with a border wall, and this is what I hope the hearing held in Brownsville will help accomplish.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 9:37 am and is filed under Politics, Energy/Environment, Homeland Security .