Houston Daily

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul, who serves as vice chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, has joined Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Congressman August Pfluger in urging the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize Texas when distributing $13.5 billion in federal funds intended to reimburse states for border security expenses.

The funding was set aside in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a legislative effort that McCaul supported over several months through collaboration with House GOP leadership and the Homeland Security Committee. The provision to reimburse border states passed in May.

All members of the Texas GOP congressional delegation signed a letter addressed to Attorney General Bondi and Secretary Noem. The letter states: "We are writing as members of the Texas congressional delegation to request that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security (“the Departments”) reimburse the State of Texas for the costs it incurred to secure the border throughout the disastrous Biden-Harris Administration. President Trump’s signature legislative accomplishment, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, created two funds totaling $13.5 billion for the purpose of reimbursing states for stepping up when President Biden willfully refused to enforce our immigration laws at the border. The State of Texas bore the heaviest burden, incurring $11.1 billion in costs over four years. We respectfully request that the Departments prioritize Texas in disbursing these funds."

The letter criticizes changes made by President Biden's administration regarding border policy: "When President Biden came into office, he immediately reversed the successful policies that President Trump put into place during his first term to secure our borders against illegal immigrants." It further notes increases in apprehensions at the border and claims that an estimated 1.7 million additional individuals evaded apprehension during this period.

In response to federal policy shifts, Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021 as a state-led initiative aimed at strengthening border security through construction projects and law enforcement actions targeting illegal crossings and criminal activity.

The lawmakers highlight results from Operation Lone Star: "Operation Lone Star was a huge success. According to the State’s most recent figures, Texas apprehended over 535,724 illegal aliens since its launch, and decreased illegal crossings into Texas by 87 percent. Additionally, the State seized over 779 million lethal doses of fentanyl, protecting not just Texans but all Americans against this deadly scourge." They also note that these efforts cost approximately $11.1 billion between 2021 and January 2025.

The letter concludes with another call for reimbursement: "Texas’s actions through Operation Lone Star were absolutely vital to ensuring the safety and security of Americans across our great country. However, our State should not have had to bear alone the costs of securing the border when former President Biden intentionally failed to do so. We therefore respectfully ask that, as the Departments prepare to disburse the funds set aside in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the State of Texas be fully reimbursed for the costs incurred to protect Americans from illegal immigration and drug trafficking under former President Biden’s disastrous leadership."

Michael McCaul has held his seat since defeating Theresa Boisseau with 63.6% of votes in 2024; he previously won elections against Linda Nuno (2022), Mike Siegel (2020 & 2018), Tawana Walter-Cadien (2016 & 2014), maintaining strong support within his district.