Texas Representative Jodey Arrington (R) stood with Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) current stance on the border as he tore into the Biden administration’s handling of border security.
“I hosted eight town halls last week, and we don't have time here today that's sufficient to express the level of outrage that the people in West Texas feel on account of their federal government and their commander in chief abandoning them. Not only has this commander in chief, this derelict president, failed to enforce the laws of the land, abdicated his chief responsibility to provide for a common defense, he has unilaterally surrendered control of our border to terrorist drug cartels,” said Rep. Arrington.
“But he's gone one more step to add insult to injury to the people of Texas, and to border states, who are trying to fend off this deluge. At every turn, he's used every lever of power to obstruct our leaders from doing the job that he's failed to do," added Arrington. "The fundamental question, and I suspect the Supreme Court will answer this, is: ‘Can Texas and any other state defend its border, protect its citizens, and enforce the laws when the federal government fails to do so?’”
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of President Joe Biden (D) in his administration’s lawsuit against Gov. Abbott for his use of razor wire at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The Constitution is explicit and unequivocal in answering that question. Article 4, Section 4 says that every state is guaranteed protection against an invasion by their federal government. And it would make sense that our Founding Fathers would make provision for a circumstance, given that they were pretty wary of a central government," added Arrington.
“And Article 1, Section 10 says if there is an invasion or imminent danger such that will not permit delay, the state has the sovereign constitutionally protected power to defend its border, protect its citizens, and enforce the laws of the land. And, I would posit that not only do they have the right, I think it's the duty of the state to protect its citizens. So, let me tell you a few things in closing that I believe to be true.“
The Texas lawmaker stated that the U.S. would not back down from the government of Mexico. Furthermore, he claimed that Texans would not ask the president for his input on fixing serious issues in the country.
“Number one, the state that fought and won its independence against another country is not going to play passive victim to a failed federal government,” said Arrington.
“Number two, the people of Texas are not going to ask Joe Biden for permission to protect its citizens and defend its border.”
“And finally, not only is the constitution on our side, but the American people are on our side as well,” concluded Arrington.
The GOP has touted the border as their main focus, going as far as to put it over foreign aid bills and halting legislation. However, it will be interesting to see what bipartisan deal comes from their talks.
