Arrington, Jodey RSS Articles

Arrington Fights to Crack Down on TANF Fraud

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. - House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement after the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act, a comprehensive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reform package that includes his legislation, the Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act:

"Washington’s abject failure to protect tax dollars has resulted in an unprecedented scale of fraud that threatens not only the sustainability of our safety net programs, but also the future economic viability of our nation. This problem is strikingly clear in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, where federal funds are administered by state governments with no federal oversight, leaving billions of dollars in taxpayer funding vulnerable to fraud and improper payments every year.

"That’s why I introduced the Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act, which I was proud to see included in the legislative package to reform TANF that was advanced by the Ways and Means Committee. This critical legislation will provide much-needed oversight of the TANF program and ensure that the federal government is fulfilling its responsibility to safeguard American tax dollars.” - Chairman Arrington.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal funding to states to assist low-income families, but current law does not require states to report improper payment data to the federal government. As a result, the federal government is unable to accurately measure the scale of fraud and improper payments within the program.

Chairman Arrington’s Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act would strengthen accountability by requiring state governments to report improper payment data for TANF to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the first time. The legislation equips the federal government with the tools needed to identify waste, fraud, and abuse and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used to support vulnerable families as intended.

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ARRINGTON: Securing Record Investment in Dyess Air Force Base

Sun, 24 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Securing Record Investment in Dyess Air Force Base

May 24, 2026
By Rep. Jodey Arrington
AS SEEN IN THE ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS

The first and most important responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. This year’s Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill delivers on that duty by strengthening America’s military readiness and advancing President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda.

I’m especially proud this legislation delivers the largest investment in the history of Dyess Air Force Base — providing more than $164 million for critical B-21 Raider infrastructure and security upgrades, nearly double the previous record appropriated investment we secured just last year.

When I met with Airmen and base leadership at Dyess Air Force Base, we discussed the urgent need for these exact infrastructure improvements to support the B-21 bed-down mission, strengthen operational readiness and ensure Dyess remains at the forefront of America’s long-range strike capability.

From securing Dyess as the future home of the B-21 Raider and protecting the B-1 mission through 2030 to delivering year after year of historic investments in infrastructure and modernization, strengthening and safeguarding Dyess’ mission for generations to come has remained one of my top priorities. These investments will help ensure the Big Country remains the tip of the spear of America’s air arsenal and a cornerstone of our national defense.

This bill also fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits, invests in mental health and suicide prevention programs, and strengthens the military infrastructure needed to deter our adversaries and defend the homeland.

I will never stop fighting to ensure our warfighters have what they need to succeed on the battlefield, our veterans receive the support and resources they deserve, and the Big Country remains at the forefront of America’s national defense mission.

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington is a Republican serving the 19th Congressional District of Texas and chairman of the House Budget Committee. His district covers Lubbock and Abilene as well as much of the South Plains, Big Country and surrounding region.

Support for H.Res.50: Affirming States’ Constitutional Right to Defend Against Border Invasion

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

H.Res.50, authored by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19), affirms states’ constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to secure the border.

The resolution comes in response to the unprecedented border crisis under the Biden administration, during which Texas was forced to spend more than $11 billion through Operation Lone Star to protect its communities while the federal government actively obstructed state enforcement efforts.

While President Trump has restored order at the border, we cannot rely on future administrations to maintain secure border policies. H.Res.50 clarifies Congress’s understanding that states facing “invasion” or “imminent danger” retain the sovereign authority under Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution to act in self-defense. The resolution is now backed by every Texas Republican in Congress, constitutional scholars, national policy organizations, law enforcement advocates, and conservative leaders across the country.

Passing H.Res.50 will reaffirm the constitutional balance between the federal government and the states and ensure that states like Texas are never again forced to be passive victims of a failed federal government.

Constitutional & Legal Scholars

Opinion & Editorial Support

Media Coverage

Texas Republican Delegation

Outside Groups

State Legislative Support

Arrington Celebrates Passage of Largest Investment in Dyess Air Force Base History

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement after passage of H.R. 8469, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.

“The first and most important responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. This year’s Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill delivers on that duty by strengthening America’s military readiness and advancing President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda.

“I’m especially proud this legislation delivers the largest investment in the history of Dyess Air Force Base — providing more than $164 million for critical B-21 Raider infrastructure and security upgrades, nearly double the previous record appropriated investment we secured just last year. When I met with Airmen and base leadership at Dyess Air Force Base, we discussed the urgent need for these exact infrastructure improvements to support the B-21 beddown mission, strengthen operational readiness, and ensure Dyess remains at the forefront of America’s long-range strike capability.

“From securing Dyess as the future home of the B-21 Raider and protecting the B-1 mission through 2030, to delivering year after year of historic investments in infrastructure and modernization, strengthening and safeguarding Dyess’ mission for generations to come has remained one of my top priorities. These investments will help ensure the Big Country remains the tip of the spear of America’s air arsenal and a cornerstone of our national defense.

“This bill also fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits, invests in mental health and suicide prevention programs, and strengthens the military infrastructure needed to deter our adversaries and defend the homeland.

“I will never stop fighting to ensure our warfighters have what they need to succeed on the battlefield, our veterans receive the support and resources they deserve, and the Big Country remains at the forefront of America’s national defense mission.” – Chairman Arrington.

Investment in Dyess Air Force Base:

This legislation delivers the largest investment in Dyess Air Force Base history, providing more than $164 million for critical B-21 Raider infrastructure and security upgrades.
- Provides $4.5 million for gate repairs and design at Dyess Air Force Base, one of only 18 Community Project Funding requests included for Fiscal Year 2027.
- Provides $160 million for B-21-related infrastructure and facilities, equal to the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2027, including:

$74 million for the Low Observable Corrosion Control Facility.
$63 million for the Flight Simulator Facility.
$23 million for electrical utilities site improvements.

Texas GOP House members: What we must do to keep the border secure

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Texas GOP House members: What we must do to keep the border secure

Congress must clarify states’ ability to protect themselves.

OPINION BY THE TEXAS GOP CAUCUS
MAY 13, 2026
AS SEEN IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Texas has seen firsthand the consequences of a federal government that fails to secure the border and defend its citizens.

For four years, the Biden administration’s open-border policies placed extraordinary strain on our state. Millions of illegal immigrants poured across our border, drug and human trafficking surged, and communities across Texas were ravaged – straining law enforcement, public services and local resources.

When Texas stepped up to protect its citizens, the federal government didn’t just fail to help – it actively stood in the way. The Biden Department of Justice repeatedly sued Texas for taking action to secure the border and enforce the law, forcing our state to shoulder the burden of a crisis it did not create. This dereliction of duty at the federal level cost Texas taxpayers more than $11 billion through Operation Lone Star.

Today, under President Trump’s leadership, order has been restored. Border crossings are at historic lows, and the federal government is once again fulfilling its primary duty to provide for the common defense.

But the security of our border and the safety of our communities cannot depend solely on who occupies the White House. Fortunately, the Constitution provides a remedy that ensures states are not left defenseless if and when future administrations attempt to return us to open-border policies.

Congress now has a critical opportunity to assert this fact.

Article IV, Section 4 is clear that it is the responsibility of the federal government to “protect each [state] against invasion.” But the founders also recognized that this duty might not always be fulfilled. That is why Article I, Section 10 preserves the sovereign authority of states to act in self-defense when they are “actually invaded” or “in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.”

What does this mean? States do not have to be passive victims of a failed federal government.

House Resolution 50, authored by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, and endorsed by every Texas Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, affirms what the Constitution already provides and clarifies the law around when states may exercise their authority to act in self-defense. It does not expand state power or create new law. It provides critically needed clarity. Specifically, the resolution makes clear that border states experienced such a surge in lawlessness from an insecure border that it constituted an imminent danger to our states, cities and communities.

Biden-era legal challenges exposed how ambiguity can be used to block states from defending themselves. Courts will ultimately be asked to resolve this issue. When they do, they will look to Congress for guidance on what constitutes an invasion or imminent danger.

Without that guidance, states like Texas will face the same uncertainty in future legal battles against administrations that seek to reverse strong border policies.

Passing House Resolution 50 will reaffirm the constitutional balance between the federal government and the states and ensure that Texas is never again forced to bear the consequences of Washington’s failures without the ability to fully defend its communities.

Congress has both the opportunity and the responsibility to act now.

This op-ed is submitted by the Texas GOP Caucus, representing Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the State of Texas, including Reps. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Keith Self (TX-03), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Michael McCaul (TX-10), August Pfluger (TX-11), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Randy Weber (TX-14), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Chip Roy (TX-21), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Roger Williams (TX-25), Brandon Gill (TX-26), Michael Cloud (TX-27), John Carter (TX-31), and Brian Babin (TX-36).

OPINION: Texas paid for Biden’s border crisis. Republicans must make sure it never happens again

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

TEXAS PAID FOR BIDEN’S BORDER CRISIS. REPUBLICANS MUST MAKE SURE IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN

We know exactly what we can expect from future Democrat administrations

OPINION BY REP. JODEY ARRINGTON
May 13, 2026
AS SEEN IN FOX NEWS

Under President Trump’s leadership, illegal border crossings have plummeted to historic lows and the rule of law has been restored to communities across the country. This is much-needed relief from the open-border chaos and lawlessness we endured under the Biden administration, but Congress would be foolish to think this problem is solved for good.

We’ve seen the consequences of a federal government that abdicates its first and most important responsibility – providing for the common defense – and, if the past is prologue, we know exactly what we can expect from future Democrat administrations that want to take us back.

For four years under Biden, millions of illegal aliens flooded our borders, drug and human trafficking surged, and our communities were overwhelmed. And when Texas stepped up to protect its citizens, the federal government didn’t just fail to help – it actively obstructed. When Texas deployed buoy barriers, the administration sued. When the state installed razor wire, federal agents cut it. When Texas passed laws to enforce immigration policy and restore order, the Department of Justice challenged those efforts in court. The Biden White House used every tool at its disposal to keep the border open and leave states defenseless.

That raised a fundamental question – one that, despite the current successes of President Trump, promises to return under future administrations: Can a state defend its border, protect its citizens, and enforce the law when the federal government fails to do so?

Fortunately, the Constitution answers that question.

Article IV, Section 4 guarantees the federal government "shall protect each [state] against Invasion." But the Founders also understood that this duty might not always be fulfilled, which is why Article I, Section 10 preserves the authority of states to act in self-defense when they are "actually invaded" or "in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay."

The right of a state to defend its people is not a novel theory – it is one the Framers explicitly provided for in the Constitution. That is why I introduced H.Res.50, a resolution endorsed by every Texas Republican in Congress and supported by a broad coalition of policy leaders, legal scholars, and law enforcement officials across the country. It affirms the constitutional authority of states to defend themselves and clarifies Congress’s understanding of when that authority applies.

This resolution does not expand state power or diminish federal authority. It reinforces the constitutional balance and provides the clarity that has been missing when it matters most.

Biden-era legal battles between Texas and the federal government exposed how ambiguity can be used to block states from acting, even in the face of clear and imminent danger. Should these issues arise again under a future administration – and they will – the Supreme Court will look to Congress for guidance on what constitutes an "invasion" or "imminent danger."

H.Res.50 provides such guidance by establishing congressional intent and ensuring we do not leave states defenseless when their federal government abandons them.

This is not a theoretical exercise. It is about what happens the next time Washington fails. We cannot assume that future Democrat administrations will maintain the same commitment to border enforcement that we enjoy today under President Trump.

We have a responsibility to act now. The American people gave Republicans unified control of Washington, and Congress has the opportunity to ensure that states like Texas are never again forced to be passive victims of a failed federal government. We must meet this moment with the urgency it demands.

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington is a Republican serving the 19th Congressional District of Texas. He is the Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a Senior Member of the House Ways & Means Committee.

'There Are Only Two Sexes: Male and Female.' Arrington Leads Effort to Restore Biological Sex Standard in Title IX

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Title IX Clarification Act, legislation to codify that Title IX nondiscrimination requirements tied to federal education funding are based on the biological reality of sex. This legislation would further uphold President Trump’s revocation of a Biden-era Executive Order that directed the Secretary of Education to interpret Title IX anti-discrimination language – “on the basis of sex” – to cover “discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“Title IX was created to provide equal opportunity for our daughters, not to push a radical gender ideology that jeopardizes their safety,” said Chairman Arrington. “My Title IX Clarification Act stops the abuse of Title IX by affirming a simple truth: there are only two sexes - male and female - and taxpayer dollars should not be used to advance extreme social policies. I’m proud to lead this effort to protect opportunities for women and girls, rein in bureaucratic overreach, and restore clarity and common sense to federal law.”

Congressional Support:

“As a father of three daughters who compete in sports, protecting their opportunities on and off the field is of the utmost importance to me,” said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11). “Title IX has been a cornerstone of fairness for women and girls for over five decades, and the Title IX Clarification Act ensures that promise endures for the next generation. Every female athlete across America deserves to compete on a level playing field. I am proud to support this effort and am grateful to my good friend and colleague Congressman Jodey Arrington for his leadership in introducing this important legislation.”

“Title IX was created to protect women and girls, not erase them. The Title IX Clarification Act restores common sense by reaffirming that sex means biological sex, just as Congress originally intended,” said Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36). “This bill protects fairness in women’s sports and ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to impose radical gender ideology in our schools. I’m proud to support legislation that preserves opportunities for women and girls and puts truth ahead of radical political activism.”

“As a longtime supporter of Title IX, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this much-needed legislation,” said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04). “Our Nation has rightfully enshrined equal opportunity for women in all educational activities, and Congress must ensure that States recognize the reality of biological sex and protect opportunities for women and girls at every level.”

“I have two daughters and seven granddaughters, and Title IX was written to protect their opportunities – and those of all women and girls – both in the classroom and in sports,” said Rep. Mike Bost (IL-14). “That law was passed to level the playing field, not to be twisted beyond recognition by the misguided Biden administration. This bill restores congressional intent, and I am proud to cosponsor it.”

“Unelected bureaucrats do not have the authority to rewrite federal law to fit a far-left political agenda,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24). “The Title IX Clarification Act restores the original meaning of Title IX, protects women’s sports, and gives schools the clear statutory guidance they need. Congress must defend the rights and opportunities Title IX was designed to secure for women and girls.”

“Title IX was written to protect women and girls from discrimination, not erase the biological reality of sex,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03). “I am proud to join Congressman Arrington and support his leadership on this important issue. The Title IX Clarification Act restores clarity, protects female students and athletes, and ensures taxpayer-funded education programs uphold the plain meaning of the law.”

“Women deserve equal opportunity in academics and athletics, and Title IX exists to protect exactly that,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01). “The Biden administration spent years trying to rewrite federal law through executive overreach—using education dollars meant for the classroom to force a woke gender ideology that biology rejects. This legislation closes the door on activist reinterpretations of Title IX and upholds the law’s original intent.”

“Title IX was written to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls,” said Riley Moore (WV-02). “The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 restores the law’s original intent by clearly defining ‘sex’ in law, ensuring that females will never be forced to unfairly compete against men again. I’m proud to cosponsor this commonsense legislation to protect fairness in women’s sports, uphold the rule of law, and defend women and girls against the Radical Left’s gender insanity.”

“When Title IX was created, the intent was clear,” said Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03). “Unfortunately, the Left has spent years trying to blur definitions and undermine the intent of the law. The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 would ensure that Title IX protections are based on the biological reality of sex, not a social abstraction. I am grateful to work with Rep. Arrington and our colleagues to provide schools and students with the fairness, clarity, and privacy they deserve.”

“Democrats love to say, ‘trust the science,’ and that’s exactly what the Title IX Clarification Act does,” said Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17). “That’s why I’m continuing the fight for biological truth alongside Congressman Arrington. This legislation clearly defines sex under Title IX as biological male or female and ensures federally funded schools adhere to those definitions. Americans are tired of watching common sense get thrown out the window to appease radical gender ideology, especially when it comes at the expense of women and girls.”

“Idaho led the charge as the first state to protect fairness in women's sports in response to the Biden administration’s radical rewrite of Title IX. Americans must never forget this insanity, which would have jeopardized the safety and rights of girls and women nationwide,” said Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02). “To combat the Left's delusions and prevent future misinterpretations, Congress must clarify and restore Title IX's original meaning.”

“I’m proud to co-sponsor the Title IX Clarification Act of 2026,” said Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01). “This legislation restores clarity to Title IX by reaffirming Congress’s original intent that ‘sex’ is defined in law based on a person’s biology at birth—plain and simple.”

“God made mankind in two distinct categories: Male and Female. This distinction is not just the foundation of created order, but essential for interpreting Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment,” said Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01). “America will not tolerate men in women’s sports. They are distinct, and this bill will leave no room for error.”

“Actual scientists, as opposed to political scientists, inform us that men and women are biologically different,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-04). “Congress created Title IX to protect women and girls by ensuring that they would not be excluded from federally funded activities on the basis of their biological sex. Woke activists want to eliminate the traditional understanding of sex by expanding Title IX’s definition and include sexual orientation and gender identity, a change that would open the door to allowing men to play in women’s sports. Congress should pass the Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 to ensure the plain meaning of the law isn’t undermined by unelected bureaucrats advancing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) agenda.”

“The Democrats have lost their minds. They spent four years trying to erase biological women from federal law,” said Rep. Mike Rulli (OH-06). “Not through a vote, not through debate, but through backroom bureaucratic rewrites that nobody asked for. Biological women are not a political talking point. They are our mothers, our daughters, our sisters. Title IX was written to protect them; the left can call it controversial all they want. In Ohio's 6th District, we call it common sense.”

“Title IX exists to protect our women and girls in the education system. That means protecting them from biological males trying to enter spaces intended for females,” said Rep. Addison McDowell (NC-06). “This bill clarifies the original intention of Title IX and ensures that our daughters will have fair access to athletic opportunities, private spaces, and everything else they are entitled.”

“Children should be learning their ABCs, not woke DEI. I work tirelessly so my six incredible granddaughters never have men in their locker rooms or on sports teams,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01). “It’s outright dangerous. The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 codifies President Trump’s Executive Order on gender identity, which is common sense. There are two sexes, man and woman, period. I’m for protecting our kids and their childhoods and for preventing liberal politicians from altering biological facts.”

Outside Support:

“Since its enactment over 50 years ago, Title IX has opened the door for millions of young women to access equal educational opportunities and experience the thrill of victory on the playing field,” said Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel and Director of the Center of Public Policy, Alliance Defending Freedom. “But previous administrations tried to redefine "sex" and allow males to take away the opportunities rightfully belonging to women. We applaud Rep. Arrington’s proposal to re-affirm the original meaning and intent of Title IX and safeguard its promise of equal opportunities for countless generations to come. From privacy to sports to healthcare, our laws should recognize and respect that women and men are biologically different, and they should uphold the dignity and safety of women and girls.”

“The Title IX Clarification Act is unfortunately necessary legislation to stop gender ideology activists in school, the courts, and future Democrat administrations from harming women,” said MaryBeth Waddell J.D., Director of Federal Affairs, Family and Religious Liberty, Family Research Council. “Part of Title IX’s original intent was to bring equal opportunity to female athletes. However, we have seen successive Democrat presidents push schools and athletic associations to allow biological males to invade women’s sports, taking away awards and opportunities from women and girls. Not only have men been allowed to compete directly against women, outperforming and sometimes seriously injuring them, women’s and girl’s privacy has been ignored and their safety jeopardized as males have been allowed in private spaces such as women’s locker rooms. This bill reaffirms the plain meaning of Title IX. It should be supported by all members who claim to support women’s rights.”

“For too long, the very law meant to protect women and girls from sex discrimination has been wielded by those who deny biological reality in order to undermine them in their sports, locker rooms, bathrooms, and campuses. We are committed to fighting for the unique dignity of women and girls, and we believe that restoring Title IX enforcement to its original intent is a much-needed course correction,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee. “Rep. Jodey Arrington’s Title IX Clarification Act will restore Title IX to its original intent, securing permanent protections for women and girls on the basis of sex, not false ‘gender identity.’”

“Family Policy Alliance supports the Title IX Clarification Act because it ensures that federal education funding under Title IX is based on commonsense support for women, not woke ideology,” said Craig DeRoche, President and CEO, Family Policy Alliance. “This legislation will protect women’s athletic opportunities as Title IX intended.”

“While Title IX was originally passed in recognition of biological reality and the need to protect women's sports, privacy, and safety, it has lately been distorted to serve the $4.5 billion transgender industry that preys on young women and children,” said Terry Schilling, President, American Principles Project. “This is why Congress must pass the Title IX Clarification Act to address one of the most important education issues of our time. The American people are watching, and this is the moment for lawmakers to choose truth over delusion. APP stands with Congressman Arrington in fighting for common sense in an age of madness.”

Background:

Clarifies that Title IX protections are based on biological sex by defining “sex” in federal law as male or female for purposes of education programs and activities receiving federal funding.
Restores the original intent of Title IX and prevents future administrations from reinterpreting the law to include gender identity or sexual orientation without congressional approval.
Establishes clear statutory definitions for “male” and “female” in Title IX to provide certainty for schools, students, parents, and states receiving federal education funding.
Reinforces President Trump’s reversal of the Biden administration’s attempt to expand Title IX through executive action and agency rulemaking.
Addresses concerns raised during recent Supreme Court arguments regarding whether Congress has clearly defined the meaning of “sex” under Title IX for states accepting federal funds.

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Arrington Leads Effort to Eliminate China's Tariff on American Cotton

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led a group of lawmakers representing districts with significant cotton production in sending a letter to the Trump Administration calling for elimination of China's 10 percent tariff on American cotton as part of the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.

The letter thanks Ambassador Greer for his continued efforts to eliminate foreign trade barriers and open new market access for American farmers and ranchers while highlighting the critical importance of China as an export market for U.S. cotton.

“As you continue efforts to achieve reciprocal and balanced trade with China, we write in advance of the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi to underscore the critical importance of China as a market for U.S. cotton,” the letter reads, in part. “Excluding India, China is as large as the combined textile industries in the next seven importers – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, and Egypt. We are grateful for the Trump Administration’s efforts to open markets for U.S. agriculture and look forward to supporting your efforts as the negotiations progress.”

Click HERE to read the full letter.

“The National Cotton Council applauds Congressman Arrington for leading this effort to address the barriers limiting U.S. cotton exports to China,” said Gary Adams, President and CEO, National Cotton Council. “At a time of significant challenges across the Cotton Belt, restoring access to this critical market is essential to strengthening demand for our producers and supporting the broader industry.”

“Congressman Jodey Arrington understands the critical nature of exporting raw U.S. cotton into the Chinese market, the largest textile industry in the world,” said Buddy Allen, President and CEO, American Cotton Shippers Association. “The actions outlined by Mr. Arrington in his letter to Ambassador Greer will put the U.S. cotton industry back in a position of strength and support the rural economies that depend on it.”

Arrington was joined by Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01), Earl A. "Rick" Crawford (AR-01), Vince Fong (CA-20), David Kustoff (TN-08), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), August Pfluger (TX-11), David Rouzer (NC-07), Austin Scott (GA-08), and Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13).

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Arrington wins full Texas GOP backing for border invasion resolution

Thu, 07 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Arrington wins full Texas GOP backing for border invasion resolution

May 7, 2026
BY MATEO ROSILES
USA TODAY NETWORK

With the clock winding down on U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington's term, he still has several items on his checklist he wants to accomplish before leaving office — and one just gained the full support of every Texas Republican in the U.S. House.

The Lubbock Republican's office announced that a resolution on border security — one he has been trying to push through Congress for years — has just received the backing of the full Texas Republican Delegation in the U.S. House.

"Texans have seen the consequences of federal failure, and we cannot afford another border crisis. With the full support of the Texas delegation, I’m calling on Congress to act now to pass this resolution and ensure that no future Democrat administration can take us back to open-border lawlessness," Arrington, R-19, said in a statement.

Arrington's House Resolution 50 was written to affirm states’ constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to secure the border.

Here's what you need to know about the resolution, why it was written and who is backing it.

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, speaks at a news conference about the wins and impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on West Texans and Rural
Americans on July 10, 2025 in Lubbock, Texas. Arrington helped author the bill signed by President Trump on July 4. Mateo Rosiles/Avalanche-Journal

What is House Resolution 50?

Arrington's resolution, introduced in January 2025, formally declares that southern border states — Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California — faced an invasion during the Biden Administration.

As a resolution, it is not a law nor does it require a presidential signature; rather, it expresses the U.S. House's opinion on the matter. The resolution alleges that President Joe Biden did not take the necessary actions to protect Americans from threats at the border during his time in office.

Here are the four points laid out in the resolution:

States have the sovereign right to exclude a person without a legal right to be present.
Declares that states along the U.S.-Mexico border were "invaded" or were in "imminent danger" from "paramilitary, narco-terrorist cartels, terrorists and criminal actors" from 2021 to 2024, and the states had the constitutional right to defend themselves
Declares that the federal government failed to protect the border against the invasion from 2021 to 2024.
Declares that the Biden administration failed to "faithfully execute the laws" of the U.S. and to defend and protect states on the southern border against invasion or imminent danger.

Arrington first introduced the resolution in 2021 and then again in 2023 — but neither of them went anywhere.

Why did U.S. Arrington write H.Res. 50?

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) speaks with press before going to the House Chambers to vote on February 25, 2025 in
Washington, DC. Congress members are voting on three bills relating to small businesses and the 2025 fiscal year budget. Kayla Bartkowski, Getty Images

As Arrington describes, the resolution is grounded in the U.S. Constitution’s Guarantee Clause — Article IV, Section 4 — and Article I, Section 10, which addresses a state’s sovereign authority to act in self-defense when facing invasion or imminent danger.

The resolution alleges that the Biden administration created a failed border policy which allowed record levels of illegal border crossings, cartel activity and drug and human trafficking to take place, putting a strain on border states and communities.

In a 2024 opinion column in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, Arrington stated that during the Biden Administration, Texas and other states were forced to act to protect their citizens, while the federal government failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to provide for the common defense.

With Arrington set to leave office in January 2027, this is the final push he can make on the resolution.

Who is backing H.R. 50?

The U.S.-Mexico border wall stretches along a dirt road new Sunland Park, New Mexico, on March 24, 2026. Gaby Velasquez/El Paso Times, Puente News Collaborative

His resolution has gained the backing of lawmakers, legal scholars, law enforcement and leaders across Texas and the nation.

Most recently, in early April, the Texas Public Policy Foundation penned a letter to Congress in support of Arrington's resolution, with over 100 Texas state lawmakers, Texas Republican leadership and others signing on.

In addition to having every Texas Republican in the U.S. House sign on as a cosponsor of the resolution, Arrington also got the backing of constitutional scholar and former deputy assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, John Yoo.

"The Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, forbids states from interfering with the federal government’s monopoly over our territorial sovereignty," said Yoo in a statement. "But the House of Representatives could make its own findings of fact that failures at the border rose to the level of an ‘imminent danger’ that would justify a state’s exercise of self-defense. Such a set of findings might bolster Texas’s case in the courts as well as its political case to the public. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R.-Texas, has introduced H.Res 50, for example, to do exactly that. Without such congressional support, Texas is likely to fail."

Texas GOP backs resolution saying states have right to repel border ‘invasion’

Thu, 07 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Texas GOP backs resolution saying states have right to repel border ‘invasion’

The push comes as Texas' SB 4, allowing police to arrest migrants suspected of entering the US illegally, faces new legal challenges

May 7, 2026
By Landon Mion
AS SEEN IN FOX NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: The U.S. House’s Texas GOP Caucus announced Thursday that it is united behind a resolution from Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, arguing that states have constitutional authority to secure their borders against an "invasion" or "imminent danger."

The caucus is urging Congress to approve the measure, citing what Republicans called the "failed open-border policies" under former President Joe Biden and the millions of illegal immigrants who crossed into the country during his administration.

"It is the job of elected officials to protect the Americans that sent them to office," Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Unfortunately, we’ve seen Democrat leaders willfully facilitate a border invasion time and time again. States ought to be able to step in and secure the border when federal government cannot or will not do so. I am proud to join the Texas GOP Caucus in standing up for the American people."

The House resolution, first introduced in 2021 in response to the border crisis under the Biden administration, affirms that states have a right under the Constitution to secure their borders if the federal government fails to act. Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have long treated immigration enforcement as primarily a federal responsibility.

The U.S. House's Texas GOP Caucus announced unified caucus support for a resolution affirming that states have constitutional authority to secure
their borders against an "invasion." (David Peinado/Anadolu via Getty Images)

H.Res. 50 says states retain sovereign authority under Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution to defend their territory and citizens from "invasion" or "imminent danger" when the federal government fails to meet what Republicans describe as its Article IV, Section 4 obligation to protect states from invasion.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Arrington said the U.S.-Mexico border has largely been secured under the Trump administration but argued his resolution is needed to ensure states can act if a Democrat returns to the White House.

"What we want to avoid is what happened during the four years of the Biden administration, which is, we had a bunch of states being overrun and overwhelmed with illegal immigration and all the various problems that occurred as a result. We didn't have a federal government that was doing its job and, in fact, we had a federal government that was obstructing states like Texas from actually filling the gap that they left because they abdicated that responsibility," the congressman said.

Arrington argued that fentanyl and other drugs flowing across the border contributed to more than 100,000 overdose deaths in a single year during the Biden administration, while illegal border crossings, cartel activity and drug and human trafficking strained border states.

"The drugs were killing hundreds of thousands, they were killing a plane load of American citizens every week," Arrington said. "They killed over 100,000 Americans in one year, which is more than we lost in the Vietnam War. When you're losing more American citizens to what is tantamount to chemical warfare from the Mexican terrorist drug cartels, in close cooperation with the Chinese who were providing the precursor material for synthetic fentanyl, that was the greatest and most imminent threat to our nation during those four years."

The congressman highlighted that his resolution has received support from the Texas GOP Caucus, conservative organizations, law enforcement officials and legal experts.

Rep. Jodey Arrington said his resolution is needed to ensure states can still take action when a Democrat returns to the White House.
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"The Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, forbids states from interfering with the federal government’s monopoly over our territorial sovereignty," John Yoo, former deputy assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "But the House of Representatives could make its own findings of fact that failures at the border rose to the level of an ‘imminent danger’ that would justify a state’s exercise of self-defense. Such a set of findings might bolster Texas’s case in the courts as well as its political case to the public. Without such congressional support, Texas is likely to fail."

In a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, Texas GOP Caucus Chairman Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, said "the Framers understood that a state cannot be left at the mercy of a federal government that refuses to do its job when there’s an invasion at its border."

"That's why Article I, Section 10 exists — and that's exactly the situation Texas and our border states faced for four years under the Biden administration. H.Res. 50 affirms what the Constitution already guarantees: states have every right to defend its citizens. The Texas GOP Caucus is united in ensuring that right is recognized and preserved," he said.

The resolution comes amid a legal battle over Texas Senate Bill 4, a state measure that would allow police officers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing into the U.S. and authorize state judges to order certain migrants to leave the country.

The law is set to take effect next week after a federal appeals court vacated a lower court ruling last month that had blocked enforcement. The appeals court found the plaintiffs in that case did not have standing to sue, but it did not resolve the broader constitutional questions surrounding the law.

S.B. 4 established a state-level crime for illegal entry and authorized state magistrates to order certain individuals to leave the country if they are convicted.

Arrington told Fox News Digital that Texas’ S.B. 4 could soon reach the U.S. Supreme Court as legal challenges continue.

Rep. Nathaniel Moran said states "have every right to defend its citizens." (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images)

The Texas Civil Rights Project, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Texas filed a new lawsuit this week seeking emergency relief to block several provisions of the Texas measure before they take effect May 15.

The groups argue the law is unconstitutional, saying immigration enforcement is exclusively the responsibility of the federal government and that federal law should preempt the state statute.

Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, argued that S.B. 4 is "cruel and illegal," adding that the groups "will keep fighting it until it is permanently struck down."

"Every court to have reached the merits of laws like S.B. 4 has found them to be unconstitutional," he said in a statement.

The three groups did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on Arrington's resolution in time for publication.