Responding to complaints from his constituents, Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., has been asking state and local officials to remove any militia members who have taken up residence on the Cliven Bundy’s ranch.
Bundy, who claims he doesn’t recognize the U.S. federal government, has been grazing his cattle on public land for two decades without paying fees. The Bureau of Land Management last month rounded up Bundy’s cattle, creating a confrontation with the anti-government movement who arrived in droves anticipating a confrontation with federal law enforcement. Since the BLM stood down from enforcing court rulings ordering Bundy to remove his cattle, militia members have been lingering in Bunkerville, Nevada.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that some have gone as far as setting up checkpoints on public roads and asking for identification. Horsford told KNPR News the FBI is investigating “the laws that were broken by Mr. Bundy and others.” He said they will be held accountable.
“Mr. Bundy is not going to get any special treatment,” Horsford said. “There are court orders requiring him to pay his fees … to stop grazing on land that had been prohibited from grazing. So this is not over. There will be some accountability for those involved.”
Horsford’s 4th Congressional District cover northern Clark County and parts or all of six rural counties, including Bundy’s ranch. Meanwhile, the freshman Democrat, who is seeking re-election in November, outraised his GOP congressional opponents in the first quarter of 2014. Horsford raised nearly $220,000 in the quarter ended March 31 and reported $287,000 cash on hand for his re-election campaign, according to finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Horsford was also a recently appointed member of the House Financial Services Committee. He said his role with the committee assignment will allow him to work on further stabilizing the Southern Nevada housing market.
“Southern Nevada remains the most unstable housing market in the country, and working on legislation to help homeowners will be my top priority,” Horsford said. Guest: Steven Horsford, member of the U.S. House of Representative from Nevada’s 4th Congressional District.
Rep. Steven Horsford