U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R) and Ted Cruz (R), along with Congressman August Pfluger (R), led members of the Texas congressional delegation in pressing the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to prioritize Texas as they distribute border security reimbursement funds created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Act includes $13.5 billion intended to reimburse states that took on border security responsibilities during what the lawmakers call the "Biden-Harris border crisis."
In their letter, the lawmakers argue that Texas "bore the heaviest burden," spending $11.1 billion over four years to address border security challenges that they say stemmed from the Biden administration's refusal to enforce immigration laws.
"We respectfully request that the Departments prioritize Texas in disbursing these funds," they wrote.
They highlight the launch of Operation Lone Star in March 2021, initiated by Governor Greg Abbott in response to federal inaction. The operation expanded state border enforcement through wall construction, buoy barriers, and deployments of law enforcement personnel.
According to the delegation, these efforts resulted in the apprehension of illegal border crossers, gang members, and other criminal suspects.
"Texas's actions through Operation Lone Star were absolutely vital to ensuring the safety and security of Americans across our great country," the lawmakers said, emphasizing that the state should not have shouldered the costs alone.
They argue the federal government should fully reimburse Texas "for the cost incurred to protect Americans from illegal immigration and drug trafficking under former President Biden's disastrous leadership."
Additional dignitaries include more than two dozen Republican members of Congress from across Texas, highlighting the widespread support within the delegation for prioritizing Texas as the funds are released.
