Texas Wants $11 Billion Back From the Government

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 24, 2025 at 4:54 AM EST


Texas Governor Greg Abbott has written to congressional leaders asking that the federal government reimburse his state for the $11 billion it spent on border security under Operation Lone Star. Newsweek contacted Abbott's office and the White House press office for comment on Friday via email outside regular office hours.

Why It Matters

The governor's request may be an early test for President Donald Trump, who has praised Abbott's efforts on border security under his predecessor but may balk at the federal government footing the bill.

What To Know

In a letter dated January 23 and addressed to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, Abbott said Texas had spent more than $11 billion to "protect the nation and secure the border." The total included almost $3 billion constructing 100 miles of border wall and deploying floating buoys in the Rio Grande and almost $6 billion on the deployment of 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety personnel.

In his letter to congressional leaders, Abbott said the Biden administration had "refused to enforce federal immigration law and pursued reckless open-border policies that invited record-breaking illegal immigration."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-wants-11-billion-back-government-2020125

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Of course they are not going to "foot the bill". "Everything is up to the states".

[travelingthrulife]

1. I suspect they never had to run their phony hate fest

You spent 11 billion for nothing? Tough.

[sop]

2. Is this the same Abbott who wanted to secede last year?

[NotHardly]

15. Yeah, and Abbot can F*ck Right Off while he is at it.

[SARose]

3. Lmfao

Never mind no comment.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. That's your state!

(I feel for you - have a BIL living there in the Dallas metroplex area)

[SARose]

5. Schools are failing

Electricity goes out.
Roads are crap.
Towns are dying.
Drought getting worse.
Healthcare scarce.
Children hungry at school.

But, what the heck let’s spend $11 billion on 50 miles of a butt ugly fence. Yee haw!

My only consolation is judgement comes for us all - eventually.

[surfered]

6. Well, people should know that just because Abbott says something, doesn't mean it's true.

[turbinetree]

7. Hey Abbott...............I got a taxpayer idea..............I want all of the money that we the people have given to

the state of Texas for "all" of the space flight operations over the years and all of the Army and Airforce bases, then completely dismantle all facilities and send the equipment back to we the people lets say in California, Colorado for example..............and then we the people will demand that you pay back all the money that you have taken to build your roads.........from the federal coffers as well.............have a nice fucking day................

[Ray Bruns]

8. Someone should tell Abbott to go pound sand

[tonekat]

9. I'd like to see Abbott Picked up

In his wheel chair by a helicopter and dumped down a tall smoke stack, like in the pre-credit sequence of For Your Eyes Only.

?si=TGMHWcGdU7OcY4X9

[republianmushroom]

10. They (republicans) call it fiscal responsibility and money well spent.

Until they need that cheap labor.

[cstanleytech]

11. Hey, that's all on the State as it was their own independent choice just like abortion laws are now.

[patphil]

12. The Federal Government didn't tell Texas to spend that money; they did it all by themselves.

It was their choice, and the bill is all on the residents of Texas.
Last May, Senate Republicans tanked a border protection bill that had bi-partisan support, but was opposed by Trump. He said he didn't want the Democrats to get a win on that issue.
Now Trump is in office, and the immigration problem was one of their main issues that helped elect him.
If Abbot wants someone else to foot the bill, he should look to the Republican Party, since their inaction fueled the crisis.

[eppur_se_muova]

13. EXACTLY !! Money "BACK" is a LIE, Newsweek editor shouldn't have allowed it in the headline.

No wonder we call them stenographers.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. I interpreted the headline as highlighting the typical Abbott whining.

[eppur_se_muova]

17. Also that. nt

[dalton99a]

14. Who asked you to spend that money, asshole?

[malthaussen]

18. "We will build the Wall, and the Feds will pay for it!" n/t

[KY_EnviroGuy]

19. Our KY Governor Beshear will be asking for a 2-Trillion refund.....

for coal strip mining remediation costs.......

[Ursus Rex]

20. 100% on-brand for Abbott

He went to court and got a huge settlemnt, then as a lawyer helped do away with tort protections in TX.

https://www.chron.com/politics/article/greg-abbott-tree-lawsuit-explained-19574621.php

[11 Bravo]

21. In other words, "Who's going to pay for my bit of performative bullshit?"