House Budget Chairman Pushes Resolution on State Border Defense

Arrington's H.Res. 50 aims to affirm states' constitutional authority to defend themselves when federal government fails to secure the border.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:26pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping, geometric shapes and waves of bright colors representing a border patrol vehicle speeding through a chaotic landscape, conveying the tensions over state sovereignty and border security.A fractured, high-energy illustration captures the tensions over state sovereignty and border security as Congress debates a resolution affirming states' constitutional authority to defend themselves.San Angelo Today

House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and dozens of national and state leaders have urged Congress to pass H.Res. 50, which affirms states' constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to secure the border. This effort comes in response to the unprecedented border crisis under the Biden Administration and is aimed at ensuring states are never again left defenseless under a future administration.

Why it matters

The resolution seeks to clarify states' sovereign authority under the Constitution to defend their territory and citizens from invasion or imminent danger, particularly when the federal government fails to meet its constitutional obligation to protect states from invasion. This is a response to the recent border crisis and aims to prevent future administrations from leaving states vulnerable.

The details

H.Res. 50 affirms that under Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution, states retain the sovereign authority to defend their territory and citizens from invasion or imminent danger, especially when the federal government fails to fulfill its duty under Article IV, Section 4 to protect states from invasion. The resolution is backed by a coalition letter signed by leading policy organizations, law enforcement officials and conservative leaders across Texas and the country.

  • H.Res. 50 was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2026.

The players

Jodey Arrington

U.S. Representative for Texas's 19th congressional district and Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

Texas Public Policy Foundation

A conservative think tank that led the coalition letter urging Congress to pass H.Res. 50.

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What they’re saying

“Under Biden's open-border chaos, millions of illegals invaded our southern border, flooding communities with drugs, crime, and criminals. Fortunately, border crossings are now at historic lows under President Trump's leadership – but we cannot rely on who occupies the White House to determine whether our border is secure.”

— Jodey Arrington, House Budget Chairman

What’s next

H.Res. 50 has been introduced in the House and is awaiting a vote. If passed, it would affirm states' constitutional authority to defend their borders when the federal government fails to do so.

The takeaway

This resolution highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority over border security, with some states seeking to assert their own sovereign powers when they feel the federal government is not adequately protecting them from threats like illegal immigration. The outcome of this effort could have significant implications for the balance of power between states and the federal government on national security issues.