There is a hidden provision in President Donald Trump’s widespread “big, beautiful bills,” allowing Texas to win billions of dollars in funds spent on state border security under the Biden administration.
The law allocated $12 billion to the grant program, allowing states to reimburse the costs of trying to stem the flow of illegal immigration during the Democratic administration.
The measure was added to the bill hours before the final vote, but Rep. Michael McCall of R-Texas, former chairman of the House Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, told Fox News Digital that it was a product of several months of negotiations.
“At an early stage, [Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., and I were discussing reconciliation going through the Homeland Security Committee. And, you know, there was about $70 billion for the border,” McCaul said. “Texas bore the brunt of the federal mission the last four years and deserves to be reimbursed. And so he agreed, had a conversation with Governor Abbott, and he agreed.”
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Rep. Michael McCaul spoke with Fox News Digital about the weeks of talks it took to secure billions for states that incurred border-related costs during the Biden administration. (Getty Images)
While the text does not name Texas specifically, Fox News Digital was told that the measure’s inclusion was primarily sought by the Lone Star state’s congressional delegation.
The state of Texas, Fox News Digital was told, had incurred just over $11 billion in costs from Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to keep the border in his state secure.
“The fact of the matter is, when you look at the costs that were borne, Texas had the lion’s share of [the burden] We will be giving federal missions when the Biden administration fails to fully implement border security,” McColl said. “My state built border walls and detention facilities. We had a lot of costs.”
According to the Texas Tribune, Operation Lone Star alone cost Texas $11.1 billion.
Rather than adding it to the bill’s first text, McCole said the leader chose to include it in the “manager fix” added Wednesday night, along with several other issues that require lawmakers to negotiate.
“The legislative process, that’s something I’ve known for 20 years and how to get things done here, and the way we worked was strategically very clever,” McColl said. “It’s going to the Senate now, and Senator Cornyn will take it and become the Senate champion.”
The Texas Republican first met Abbott and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) about the issue in early February, Fox News Digital reported.
McCaul said that August Pfluger also played a key role (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
McCaul said he also worked closely with R-Texas’ Republican Research Committee Chairman August Pfluger.
“Texas spent $11.1 billion on border security, including $5.87 billion in personnel expenses and $4.75 billion on border walls and barriers. The Texans stepped up when the federal government failed to secure the border and protect the community.
Johnson on his part thanked McColl for his efforts in a public written statement.
“Thanks to Congressman McCall, he said he stepped up to protect Americans in the face of Biden’s border catastrophe. “If those patriotic governors had not taken action and had used their national resources, Biden’s devastation from wide open borders would have been significantly worse.”
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“Without the help from the Biden-Harris administration, the state would have been forced to take extraordinary steps to protect its communities by reducing the crisis, building barrier systems and increasing law enforcement activities.”
And while McCole and his colleagues’ efforts in the House of Representatives do not guarantee that Texas will ultimately see those funds, it brings them a step closer to success.
The measure is one aspect of a multi-trillion dollar bill Republicans are working to pass through the budget settlement process.
By lowering the Senate’s passing threshold from 60 to 51 votes, the settlement will allow those in power to stand by the minority, in this case Democrats, completely on the sidelines, while passing certain fiscal laws.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star costs more than $11 billion in Texas (AP Photo/LM Otero, file)
Trump has directed Republicans to use settlements to advance policies on tax, immigration, energy, defense and government bonds.
The Senate and House of Representatives must pass the same version of the bill before they can reach Trump’s desk.
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McCaul told Fox News Digital that he is confident that the measure will remain on the Senate bill after a conversation with the Trump administration on the issue.
“I expect it to move forward,” McColl said. “I’m proud to have been able to achieve this and I’m extremely proud of what my state has done to stop the flow of illegal and dangerous actors.”
When reaching the comment, Abbott told Fox News Digital, “This is a national issue that Texas was proud to tackle, and we are grateful for the allocation that reduces the financial burden that Texas has suffered.”
Elizabeth Elkind is the main reporter of Fox News Digital’s reporting in the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen on Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow me on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to Elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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