By: Estes, et al. S.C.R. No. 6
(Creighton)
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
and 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 the
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 Legislature of the State of Texas
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 speaker of the house of representatives and to the president of
the senate 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.