A Republican House lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at reimbursing Texas for nearly $4 billion in expenses incurred to secure the southern border in recent years.
Dubbed the “Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act,” the measure was introduced Thursday evening by Texas Republican Rep. Roger Williams. If successful, it would reimburse the state for the combined $3,726,400,000 it expended on activities related to border security from 2020 through 2023.
“The Federal Government is primarily responsible for securing the borders of the United States at and between ports of entry,” the bill states. “Due to the lack of action by the Federal Government, the State of Texas has been forced to continually appropriate funds to secure the southern border of the United States.”
The measure aims to “help maintain safety and security for all citizens” in the U.S., noting Texas’ efforts to combat human trafficking, sex trafficking, drug proliferation, illicit movement of weapons and contraband, criminal organizations, and unlawful entry. According to the bill, Texas spent over $800 million in 2020 and 2021 and more than $2,926,400,000 in 2022 through 2023 to secure the border.
The legislation also highlights Texas’ plan to allocate an additional $4,600,000,000 for border security from 2024 through 2025.
Under the bill’s provisions, Texas would submit an application for reimbursement to the secretary of Homeland Security and the secretary of the Treasury Department, detailing the total amount spent by the state on securing the southern border over the past four years.
