Texas Congressman Wants Biden Admin To Pick Up The Bill For State’s $1.5 Billion Border Security

Texas Republican Rep. Pat Fallon introduced a bill last week to request the federal government to reimburse his state for $1.5 billion in border security.

The “Lone Star Reimbursement Act” would require the Department of Defense to pay Texas back for the cost of Operation Lone Star — which was launched in response to the border surge during the Biden administration.

“As a border state, Texas is disproportionally impacted by illegal immigration, but we shouldn’t be forced to bear the entire financial burden when it comes to securing the entire country,” Fallon said in a press release.

“Gov. Abbott launched Operation Lone Star because of a lack of action from this administration. Texas shouldn’t be punished for Biden’s mistake and my Lone Star Reimbursement Act recognizes this,” he added.

Fellow Representative August Pfluger(R-TX) voiced his support for the proposed legislation.

“Texas has spent nearly $1.5 billion on border security – a responsibility that should NOT fall on Texans,” he wrote. “Our plan sends the invoice for the border crisis where it belongs: the President’s desk.”

🚨I’ve joined @RepPatFallon in introducing the LONE STAR REIMBURSEMENT ACT.
Texas has spent nearly $1.5 billion on border security – a responsibility that should NOT fall on Texans.
Our plan sends the invoice for the border crisis where it belongs: the President’s desk. pic.twitter.com/Qmt89BkE7z

— Rep. August Pfluger (@RepPfluger) June 21, 2022

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott took to Twitter on Wednesday to thank Fallon for his efforts.

“Thanks U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon for the ‘Lone Star Reimbursement Act,’” Abbott wrote. “It would force the Feds to reimburse Texas for the state’s border security initiative. The bill notes Texas has arrested 134,000 illegal immigrants & denied entry to 16,700.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by 11 Texas Republican House members. Rep. Michael Burgess, one of the co-sponsors, argued Texas should not be forced to pick up the tab for the Biden administration’s border failures.

“The Biden Border Crisis is turning every state into a border state; however, Texas should not be bearing the sole cost to secure our southern border. I have offered amendments to appropriations bills to repay Texas for its leadership and hard work to protect Americans. I appreciate my friend Pat Fallon for joining this fight with the Lonestar Reimbursement Act,” he wrote in the press release.

Texas Republican Rep. Michael Cloud added that his state “must be reimbursed.”

“The Biden administration failed the American people by abandoning their Constitutional duty to secure our southern border. Texas stepped up, at their own expense, to do the job the Biden administration relinquished. Texas must be reimbursed,” he wrote.

Texas has already shifted approximately $1 billion in federal COVID-19 funding as part of Operation Lone Star, according to a report by the Texas Tribune. The new legislation would request funding for additional funding not already covered by federal funds.

In addition to enhanced border security along the state’s southern border, Texas has started construction of fencing along key portions of its border with Mexico.

Abbott announced in December that the construction of the state’s border wall had begun.

“Texas has officially started building its own border wall,” Abbott tweeted.

Texas has officially started building its own border wall.

Biden allows open border policies and refuses to enforce laws passed by Congress to secure the border and enforce immigration laws.

Texas is stepping up to do the federal government’s job. https://t.co/K7CbIPs75p

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 17, 2021

“Biden allows open border policies and refuses to enforce laws passed by Congress to secure the border and enforce immigration laws,” the governor added. “Texas is stepping up to do the federal government’s job.”