$2.3M bipartisan support for Missouri troops at border
Missouri Legislative Leaders Support Governor’s Request for Border Troops
Legislative leaders from both parties are backing Governor Mike Parson’s call for $2.3 million to deploy Missouri National Guard troops and State Highway Patrol troopers to the southern border. This move comes as a response to the federal government’s lack of action in addressing the border crisis.
Senator John Rizzo: A Necessary Response
“I intend to vote for it at this point because I think it’s important to have some sort of response to the crisis at the border that the federal government has clearly punted on,” said Senator John Rizzo. “It’s sad that Republicans in Washington, D.C., have decided to punt on fixing the border crisis simply because it was proposed by a Democrat or President Biden, or that Democrats were involved in the process to fix this.”
Governor Parson announced his support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star on February 21, pledging to send 200 soldiers and 22 troopers. The requested funds will be part of a supplemental appropriation.
Senator Bill Eigel: Standing with Texas
“I’m supportive of continuing to work with those states when it comes to solving the border crisis, which was caused by the Joe Biden administration when they opened the border and caused this invasion to begin in the first place,” stated Senator Bill Eigel. “I can’t speak for my colleagues, but I suspect there’s going to be a lot of appetite in the Missouri Senate.”
House minority leader Crystal Quade expressed her party’s support for the funding, despite potential disagreements within the caucus.
Crystal Quade: Paying for Government Actions
“I’m interested to see how the debate goes,” said Crystal Quade. “I do believe it will pass. You know, they’re sending them anyway, so this conversation is really about if we are going to pay for it or is that going to come out of the excess money we have? And I am always in support of us paying for what we’re doing as a government.”
While both Senator Eigel and Representative Quade expressed concerns about sending troopers to the border, they differed in their focus. Quade highlighted the understaffing of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, while Eigel emphasized the need for troopers to focus on patrolling highways within Missouri.
Crystal Quade: Staffing Concerns
“Our Missouri State Highway Patrol is understaffed,” Quade explained. “We know that we’re short in that bucket and this is going to cost us a lot of money when we are, again, trying to fill these vacancies and pay folks more.”
Senator Bill Eigel: Prioritizing Missouri
“I’d like to see those highway patrolmen working in the state of Missouri,” Eigel stated. “I think that we have folks in the National Guard we can send down and share those resources with the state of Texas. But we’ve got a lot of things that we need the Highway Patrol to do here. I’ve talked extensively about moving Highway Patrol resources to the highways leading into and out of Kansas City and St. Louis so we can address some of the criminal activity that’s using those highways as a conduit to reach our suburbs and to reach into some of our rural areas.”
What are the concerns that opponents of the move have raised regarding Missouri’s involvement in border security?
All my colleagues, but I can certainly speak for myself when I say that I am committed to doing everything within my power to secure our border and protect the citizens of Missouri.”
Missouri is not the only state standing in support of Governor Abbott’s efforts. As of March 16, at least nine other GOP governors have committed to sending troops and law enforcement personnel to assist with border security.
Amidst the ongoing surge of illegal border crossings and the overwhelming strain it puts on local resources, the federal government’s response has been lackluster at best. Despite promises of comprehensive immigration reform, action has been minimal and progress has been slow.
By taking matters into their own hands, Governor Parson and the legislative leaders of Missouri are demonstrating their commitment to the safety and security of their constituents. They are sending a clear message that they will not sit idly by while the federal government fails to address the crisis unfolding at the southern border.
Opponents of the move argue that it is an overreach of state power and a waste of taxpayer dollars. They believe that border security is solely the responsibility of the federal government and that state resources should be focused on addressing local issues.
However, the urgency of the situation cannot be ignored. The influx of illegal border crossings has strained law enforcement agencies and overwhelmed border communities. It is not just a border issue; it is a nationwide problem that requires immediate attention.
Furthermore, the decision of the Missouri legislative leaders to support Governor Parson’s request is not driven by partisan politics. It is a unified response to a crisis that affects the entire nation. By supporting their fellow governors from across the country, they are standing in solidarity and recognizing the need for a collaborative effort to address this pressing issue.
In conclusion, the support from Missouri legislative leaders for Governor Parson’s request to deploy National Guard troops and State Highway Patrol troopers to the southern border is a necessary response to the federal government’s inaction. It showcases their commitment to the safety and security of their constituents and sends a powerful message to the nation that states are willing to take matters into their own hands when the federal government fails to act.
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