Members of the Texas delegation in the House have joined Rep. Chip Roy’s effort to oppose any funding bills for the Department of Homeland Security unless changes are made to DHS’s border policies, The Hill reported.
In an open letter to House colleagues last Thursday, Roy, along with 14 other Texas Republican Reps pledged to vote against any continuing resolution or DHS appropriations bill that does not include taking “necessary steps to secure the border.”
The Texas Republicans argued that enacting a continuing resolution would mean continuing to fund the same disastrous policies that have perpetuated the current border crisis. Likewise, the lawmakers argued that approving a full-year appropriations bill for Homeland Security without “forcing” the significant changes needed to secure the border “is equally objectionable.”
The letter proposes withholding funds from DHS until President Biden signs HR-2, the Republican border security bill that the House passed in May that would limit asylum, complete the border wall, and prohibit federal funds from being used to contravene its provisions. Additionally, the lawmakers want DHS to adopt policies that would provide law enforcement and the US military “the tools necessary to target dangerous cartels.
The lawmakers also call for Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign, be removed, or have his salary defunded. Finally, the letter calls for the federal government to reimburse Texas for the costs associated with Operation Lone Star, the state program to crack down on border crossings.
Congress must pass a spending bill before the end of the current fiscal year on September 30 to keep the government funded.
In addition to Rep. Roy, the letter was also signed by Texas Reps Brian Babin, Michael Burgess, Michael Cloud, Patt Fallon, Lance Gooden, Welsey Hunt, Ronny Jackson, Morgan Luttrell, Nathaniel Moran, Troy Nehls, Keith Self, Pete Sessions, Beth Van Duyne, and Randy Weber.
