U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, a Republican from north Texas who served as Texas’ Secretary of State under former Gov. Rick Perry, has filed a bill to have the federal government reimburse Texas for its border security costs.
He introduced the Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act on Feb. 15, named after Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star.
The three-page bill would require the federal government to reimburse Texas for OLS costs incurred from 2020 to 2023. Texas taxpayers paid more than $800 million in 2020-2021, Williams says, and more than $2.9 billion in 2022-2023. An additional $4.6 billion has been allocated for 2024-2025, he said in a statement.
“Since [President Joe] Biden refuses to do his job and safeguard the American people, Texas has been forced to step up to protect our homes and communities, and we must be reimbursed,” Williams said. “Texas has spent billions to help maintain the safety and security of all citizens across the United States and fight back against deadly human trafficking, sex trafficking, drug and cartel activity, and seemingly endless unlawful entries that are draining Texas’ resources.”
