AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced this week that he has created a Senate committee tasked with focusing solely on issues facing the state’s southern border.
“Public safety is government’s first responsibility and there is no greater threat to public safety in Texas right now than the failed, open-border policies of the Biden Administration,” said Lt. Gov. Patrick. “The cost to Texans of unchecked human trafficking and drug smuggling is staggering. The ancillary cost of rampant crime in our communities is enormous. It is unacceptable that our citizens and our brave Texas Peace Officers are being killed.
“It is for these reasons, and others, that I have prioritized border security since my first session as Lt. Governor.
“Since the 84th Legislative Session, we have increased spending by several billion dollars to provide additional assets to secure our border including manpower, equipment, and even funding to build our own border wall.
Previously, the border fell under part of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security, which will now be entitled the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs. Border issues will be taken up in the new Senate Committee on Border Security.
“I have selected members with military experience for the committee since they have the experience and knowledge of operations, strategy, and tactics to best serve. I am naming Sen. Brian Birdwell to serve as Chair, and Sens. Bob Hall and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa as the other members,” Patrick said.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, the committee will oversee the funding and policies of Texas’ effort to secure the border. Members will work closely with Governor Abbott’s office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas National Guard and other state agencies.
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