The Texas GOP Caucus announced on May 7 its unified support for H.Res.50, a resolution introduced by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington that affirms states’ constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government does not secure the border.
The resolution highlights concerns among Texas Republican lawmakers about what they describe as federal inaction on border security and emphasizes their position that states should be able to act independently if they believe the federal government is not fulfilling its constitutional obligations. H.Res.50 cites Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution, stating that states retain sovereign authority to protect their territory and citizens from invasion or imminent danger when necessary.
Chairman Nathaniel Moran said, “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. 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.”
Arrington said, “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. 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.”
H.Res.50 was introduced as an effort by members of Congress from Texas—including Reps. 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)—to reaffirm their view on state sovereignty regarding border security.
Arrington has served as U.S. Representative for Texas’ 19th district since replacing Randy Neugebauer in 2017, according to Ballotpedia. In recent elections he defeated Nathan Lewis in both 2022 and 2024 general elections with over eighty percent of votes each time; he also won previous races against Tom Watson in 2020, Miguel Levario in 2018, and Troy Bonar in 2016 by wide margins—all according to Ballotpedia.
Supporters say passage of H.Res.50 would clarify legal questions around state actions during times when they believe federal authorities have failed at securing borders.
