By: Estes S.C.R. No. 6
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the federal government
to fully maintain the security of the Texas-Mexico international
border; and
WHEREAS, The federal government has neglected its duty to
fully maintain the security of the Texas-Mexico international
border; and
WHEREAS, An unprotected border facilitates drug smuggling,
human trafficking, and opens the door to spillover violence from
criminal cartels; moreover, the ease with which members of
terrorist organizations can enter the country poses a grave threat
to homeland security; and
WHEREAS, The federal government's failure to prevent illegal
entry has shifted much of the responsibility to the State of Texas;
consequently, budget writers must weigh the costs of border
security against the expense of other state services; during
2012-2013 budget cycle, Texas appropriated $221,600,000 for border
security operations; and
WHEREAS, The executive branch and the United States Congress
have consistently delayed meaningful action on border security,
forcing Texas to expend significant resources to keep the
Texas-Mexico international border secure and placing an undue
burden on the state's taxpayers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby express its dissatisfaction with the federal government's
inadequate efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico international
border; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby
respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to reimburse
the State of Texas in the amount of $221,600,000 for bearing the
financial burden of the federal government's responsibility to
secure the Texas-Mexico international border during the 2012-2013
budget cycle; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.