WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the need for Congress to act on Gov. Abbott’s request to reimburse the State of Texas for its efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border, which is a federal responsibility, and address the unprecedented crisis created by the Biden administration. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“In the midst of the Biden administration’s abject failure to keep the American people safe and control the movement of people and drugs, including some of the most dangerous criminals you can imagine, it was up to the State of Texas and our leadership, like Governor Abbott, to step up and defend our people and our borders to the best we could.”

“The Biden-Harris administration’s abject dereliction of its responsibility at an international border to enforce the law cost the State of Texas about $11.1 billion.”

“Keeping our nation’s border secure is the responsibility of the federal government. It is not—and it should not—be the responsibility of the individual states.”

“Governor Abbott has asked Congress to reimburse Texas for its costs that should have been incurred by the federal government.”

“I support this request, and along with our state delegation, we are going to fight to get Texas taxpayers the money they’re rightfully owed.”

“Texas taxpayers should not have to foot the bill alone as a result of President Biden’s mishandling of border policy.”

“The federal government created this crisis, and it’s up to the federal government to pay the tab.”