WHEREAS, the Texas State Guard was founded in 1871 and has a long and proud history of serving the citizens of Texas by supporting state missions, from hurricanes to border security, and is currently assisting six active missions related to the Southern border; and

WHEREAS, the United States is currently battling the largest border invasion in our nation’s history, with United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer encounters rising above 11 million unauthorized American migrants attempting to enter since October 2019, in addition to migrants not encountered by CBP; and

WHEREAS, this crisis has led to unprecedented levels of crime related to human trafficking and drug smuggling, and an increase in crime committed by illegal immigrants residing within our borders; and

WHEREAS, Texas has been forced to spend billions of dollars to protect its border and its citizens, provide funding to local governments, and transport illegal immigrants out of Texas to reduce the strain on local communities such that the Republican Party of Texas has made Border Enforcement to repel invasion and deter illegal immigration its top Legislative Priority; and

WHEREAS, “Support of Our Armed Forces” in Plank 230, overwhelmingly affirmed by delegates to the 2024 Republican Party of Texas State Convention, states in part:

“All current and prior military personnel and their families must have the benefits, healthcare, housing, education, and overall support they need. Injured military personnel deserve the best medical, mental health, and rehabilitative care our country has to offer. The Texas State Guard should receive the funding necessary for equipment, uniforms, healthcare, and pay needed to accomplish the mission of the Texas Guard motto, ‘Texans Serving Texas’”; and

WHEREAS, the unique mission of the Texas State Guard has lately come under scrutiny by media and political forces questioning the support for an able-bodied military force specifically under the direction of the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Texas voters have made it resoundingly clear that securing our State’s southern border with qualified boots on the ground is of utmost importance; now

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas rejects any efforts to minimize, degrade, or reduce the effectiveness of the Texas State Guard in performance of its historic mission to protect our Texas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas calls on the State Legislature to invoke Article I, Section 10, Clause 3, of the United States Constitution, known as the “state self-defense clause,” to allow Texas to defend its citizens and to prevent federalization of Texas State Guard resources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas calls on the State Legislature to bolster the efforts of the Texas State Guard through priority funding and to establish a statewide defense force to put American Citizens and Texans first in border enforcement and security.