In My Inbox Today

Dear Friend,

During my time in Congress, I have tried to limit the size and scope of the federal government. But one of our federal government’s most important duties is ensuring the security of the American people. And right now, the Biden Administration’s policies are not getting that job done. There’s a crisis on our southern border, and instead of doing its job, the federal government is leaving it up to states like Texas to make sure we enforce our laws and keep our citizens safe. 

That’s why I introduced the Border Security Reimbursement Act. My bill would reimburse Texas for the cost of having to foot the bill for border security. Texans pay federal income taxes so that Washington can do its job. But instead, Congressional leadership has prioritized inflation-causing spending packages while neglecting the worsening crisis on our southern border. That’s unacceptable. My bill would help bring back home some of your hard-earned tax dollars, so it goes where it’s needed: keeping you and your family safe. 

National security is the federal government’s job, not the Texas government’s. But according to the Texas Legislative Budget Board, our state has spent over $3.2 billion since the 2008-2009 budget and is predicted to spend another $800 million during the 2022-2023 budget. For example, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Guard launched Operation Lone Star, a program designed to combat drug and human trafficking into Texas. Our state should not have to pick up the slack for our federal government’s inability to fulfill its obligations. But if the Biden administration’s policies won’t address the situation, the federal government should pick up the tab for our state’s hard work. It’s the least they can do.

It's time we admit that the many of the Trump administration’s border policies, like the Remain in Mexico Policy, were successful deterrents that kept our border secure and Americans safe. I urge the Administration to get serious about protecting our country’s safety and sovereignty and adopt these proven approaches to securing our border. 

As we continue our work in Congress, please do not hesitate to contact my team in Washington, DC at (202) 225-6565 or visit https://crenshaw.house.gov to share your thoughts on legislation or issues of importance to you. In addition, I encourage you to sign up for my weekly e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on what I’m working on each week in Congress.

It is a privilege to serve you in Congress, and I look forward to your continued input throughout my term.

Sincerely,

Dan Crenshaw

This is what I received, minus only the letterhead and the image of a signature.  Just for full disclosure.

But I'm confused:  government spending is bad, unless it's money spent in Texas so the state doesnt' have to pay anything for having an international border?  I mean, human trafficking is a serious problem, especially here in Houston.  But the state of Texas shouldn't have to spend money on law enforcement for that, we should outsource it to the feds entirely?  Or get them to pay for it?  Doesn't that mean we're paying for it anyway?  Or are we getting the other 49 to subsidize us?  What kind of federalism is this?  Or is this the new "states' rights"?

So the "size and scope of government" should be limited, except where we can get some money from the feds?

I'm confused.