Texas GOP Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming States’ Right to Defend Against Border Invasion

Texas GOP Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming States' Right to Defend Against Border Invasion

WASHINGTON - Today, Texas GOP Caucus Chairman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) announced unified caucus support for H.Res.50, a resolution introduced by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) affirming states' constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to secure the border.

H.Res.50 affirms states retain the sovereign authority under Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution to defend their territory and citizens from invasion or imminent danger, particularly when the federal government fails to meet its constitutional obligation under Article IV, Section 4 to protect states from invasion.

The Texas GOP Caucus urges Congress to ensure states are never again forced to endure the consequences of federal failure. Under the Biden administration's failed open-border policies, millions of illegal immigrants crossed into the country, cartel activity and drug trafficking surged, and the federal government actively obstructed Texas's efforts to secure its own border and defend their citizens. While illegal border crossings have plummeted to historic lows under President Trump's leadership, the Texas GOP Caucus is fighting to ensure states are never again left defenseless under a future Democrat administration.

"The Framers understood that a state cannot be left at the mercy of a federal government that refuses to do its job when there's an invasion at its border," said Chairman Moran. "That's why Article I, Section 10 exists - and that's exactly the situation Texas and our border states faced for four years under the Biden administration. H.Res.50 affirms what the Constitution already guarantees: states have every right to defend its citizens. The Texas GOP Caucus is united in ensuring that right is recognized and preserved."

"We've seen the consequences of a federal government that abdicates its first and most important responsibility - providing for the common defense - and, if the past is prologue, we know exactly what we can expect from future Democrat administrations that want to take us back," said Chairman Arrington. "The right of a state to defend its people is not a novel theory - it is one the Framers explicitly provided for in the Constitution. That is why I introduced H.Res.50, and the Texas GOP Caucus is united in calling on Congress to meet this moment with the urgency it demands to ensure that states like Texas are never again forced to be passive victims of a failed federal government."

Background:

H.Res.50 was introduced to reaffirm states' constitutional right to secure their borders and protect their citizens when the federal government fails to act.

The resolution is grounded in Article IV, Section 4 and Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution. Under the Biden administration's failed border policy, record levels of illegal border crossings, cartel activity, and drug and human trafficking placed unprecedented strain on border states and communities. During that time, Texas and other states were forced to take action to protect their citizens, while the federal government failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to provide for the common defense.

H.Res.50 does not expand state authority - it affirms the constitutional balance of federalism and ensures states are not left defenseless when Washington fails to act. The resolution has garnered growing support from a broad coalition of policy organizations, legal scholars, law enforcement officials, and conservative leaders across Texas and the country. With full support from the Texas GOP Caucus, members are calling on Congress to pass H.Res.50 and provide clarity for future legal challenges.

The Texas GOP Caucus is composed of Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the State of Texas, including Reps. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Keith Self (TX-03), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Michael McCaul (TX-10), August Pfluger (TX-11), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Randy Weber (TX-14), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Chip Roy (TX-21), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Roger Williams (TX-25), Brandon Gill (TX-26), Michael Cloud (TX-27), John Carter (TX-31), and Brian Babin (TX-36).

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