Texas Wants $11 Billion Back From the Government
Source: Newsweek
Published Jan 24, 2025 at 4:54 AM EST
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has written to congressional leaders asking that the federal government reimburse his state for the $11 billion it spent on border security under Operation Lone Star. Newsweek contacted Abbott's office and the White House press office for comment on Friday via email outside regular office hours.
Why It Matters
The governor's request may be an early test for President Donald Trump, who has praised Abbott's efforts on border security under his predecessor but may balk at the federal government footing the bill.
What To Know
In a letter dated January 23 and addressed to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, Abbott said Texas had spent more than $11 billion to "protect the nation and secure the border." The total included almost $3 billion constructing 100 miles of border wall and deploying floating buoys in the Rio Grande and almost $6 billion on the deployment of 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety personnel.
In his letter to congressional leaders, Abbott said the Biden administration had "refused to enforce federal immigration law and pursued reckless open-border policies that invited record-breaking illegal immigration."
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-wants-11-billion-back-government-2020125
Of course they are not going to "foot the bill". "Everything is up to the states".
travelingthrulife
(1,325 posts)You spent 11 billion for nothing? Tough.
sop
(12,180 posts)NotHardly
(1,523 posts)SARose
(1,057 posts)Never mind no comment.
BumRushDaShow
(146,207 posts)(I feel for you - have a BIL living there in the Dallas metroplex area)
SARose
(1,057 posts)Electricity goes out.
Roads are crap.
Towns are dying.
Drought getting worse.
Healthcare scarce.
Children hungry at school.
But, what the heck lets spend $11 billion on 50 miles of a butt ugly fence. Yee haw!
My only consolation is judgement comes for us all - eventually.
surfered
(4,516 posts)turbinetree
(25,506 posts)the state of Texas for "all" of the space flight operations over the years and all of the Army and Airforce bases, then completely dismantle all facilities and send the equipment back to we the people lets say in California, Colorado for example..............and then we the people will demand that you pay back all the money that you have taken to build your roads.........from the federal coffers as well.............have a nice fucking day................
Ray Bruns
(4,868 posts)tonekat
(2,100 posts)In his wheel chair by a helicopter and dumped down a tall smoke stack, like in the pre-credit sequence of For Your Eyes Only.
republianmushroom
(18,608 posts)Until they need that cheap labor.
cstanleytech
(27,292 posts)patphil
(7,283 posts)It was their choice, and the bill is all on the residents of Texas.
Last May, Senate Republicans tanked a border protection bill that had bi-partisan support, but was opposed by Trump. He said he didn't want the Democrats to get a win on that issue.
Now Trump is in office, and the immigration problem was one of their main issues that helped elect him.
If Abbot wants someone else to foot the bill, he should look to the Republican Party, since their inaction fueled the crisis.
eppur_se_muova
(37,976 posts)No wonder we call them stenographers.
BumRushDaShow
(146,207 posts)eppur_se_muova
(37,976 posts)dalton99a
(85,611 posts)malthaussen
(17,841 posts)KY_EnviroGuy
(14,633 posts)for coal strip mining remediation costs.......
Ursus Rex
(306 posts)He went to court and got a huge settlemnt, then as a lawyer helped do away with tort protections in TX.
https://www.chron.com/politics/article/greg-abbott-tree-lawsuit-explained-19574621.php