BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.C.R. 35
	By: Estes
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	3/24/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

�

It is the responsibility of the federal government to fully maintain the security of the Texas-Mexico international border.

The federal government has neglected its duty to fully maintain the security of the Texas-Mexico international border.

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.

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 fiscal biennium, Texas spent $222,068,318 on border security operations; in the 2014-2015 fiscal biennium, $467,872,482; and in the 2016-2017 fiscal biennium, $800,038,429.

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 international border with Mexico secure and placing an undue burden on the state's taxpayers.

RESOLVED

That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby express its dissatisfaction with the federal government's inadequate efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico international border.

That the 85th Texas Legislature respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to reimburse the State of Texas in the amount of $1,489,979,229 billion for bearing the financial burden of the federal government's responsibility to secure the Texas-Mexico international border from 2012 through 2017.

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 to 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.