Gov. At a Friday function, Greg Abbott praised Texas for receiving$ 7.5 billion in federal insurance funds for border security costs that have accrued over the past few years and explained how the state plans to get a total of roughly$ 10 billion.
Abbott disclosed in a press release on September 18 that the state was authorized to receive a$ 7.5 billion reimbursement for border security expenses as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed last year.
At a press conference held on Friday to celebrate October as law enforcement understanding month, Abbott said,” We’re not yet finished making sure Texas gets every dollar we can for the price that we incur.”
He thanked the police, who he claimed had “dedicated the past four years to making sure that Texas would be protected by Joe Biden’s open border plans.”
Abbott argued that “people don’t forget the reckless endangerment posed” by Biden’s “open border guidelines” to Texas and the United States, which he claimed allowed hundreds of “unvetted” illegal immigrants into the country each day without knowing how many of them may end up being murderers, rapists, and other criminals.
Texas “held the series when Washington did no.” Abbott stated in the media release that” Texas citizens spent billions to prevent illegal bridges, catch thieves, and capture deadly drugs.”
He noted that the state’s Operation Lone Star, which “deployed thousands of Texas National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety soldiers, built border restrictions, and used systems to prevent illegal crossings and offense drugs,” reduced illegal border crossings by more than 80 %.
The governor explained the procedure for requesting additional funding.
” The Department of Homeland Security had$ 10 billion to grant to all states for any kind of expense reimbursement.” We received 75 % of that, Abbott said. He added that the goal is to also receive 75 % of the additional$ 3 billion that the Department of Justice ( DOJ) has yet to distribute, which would bring Texas ‘ total reimbursement to about$ 10 billion.
Abbott stated that the state had submitted a request and would” sit down in negotiations” with the DOJ.
As Budget Chairman, I worked with my fellow Texans to make it a priority in the One Big Beautiful Bill to correct this mistake and ensure Texas taxpayers were reimbursed for the significant financial harm our citizens have caused. I’m pleased to let Texas know today that it has received the restitution it is owed.
