7 February 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) — The Kansas House passed a resolution today supporting Texas in its illegal immigration battle.
On Wednesday, GOP members of the Kansas House are standing in solidarity with Texas after passing House Resolution 6035, which urges Governor Laura Kelly to send Kansas National Guard troops to Texas.
“Millions of individuals have entered our country illegally due to the failures of the Biden Administration, posing a threat to national security, a rise in human trafficking and smuggling, and releasing a deadly influx of fentanyl into our communities,” Republican leaders in the House said in a joint statement. “By prohibiting Texas from defending its border, the Biden administration has accelerated and exacerbated these safety concerns to crisis level. We encourage Governor Laura Kelly to join us and stand with Texas to provide any needed support to the Governor of Texas as it protects its citizens and rightfully defends its southern border.”
The resolution requires the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to send enrolled copies to the Governor of Texas, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Governor Kelly, House Speaker Daniel Hawkins and representative Pat Proctor.
Proctor, who carried the resolution to the floor, said the following:
“The Biden administration has willfully refused to meet its Constitutional responsibility to secure our borders. In response, Texas is exercising its Constitutional, sovereign right to self-defense. And today, the Kansas Legislature said, loud and clear, that we stand with Texas.”
The Republican-led push received pushback from some Democrats. They believe the practices initiated by Texas, like setting up razor wire along the border, are inhumane.
“Frankly, I’m appalled at some of the political games that we play with people’s lives,” said Representative Angela Martinez, D-Wichita. “I support the humane treatment of people…I support the responsible handling of this migrant crisis…but, I cannot support this resolution.”
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly indicated that she believes this is a federal issue, in an interview with the 27 News Capitol Bureau last week. Other House Democrats are also echoing that sentiment.
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