Texas poised to receive $7.5 billion from federal border reimbursement fund

Senator John Cornyn told one outlet that Texas is set to receive $7.5 billion from a federal border-cost reimbursement fund, a figure negotiated by Governor Greg Abbott and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The amount comprises three-quarters of the $10 billion DHS grant authorized in the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act, which also earmarked $13.5 billion in total grant funding for states. Texas, having spent over $11 billion on Operation Lone Star during the Biden administration, expects the lion’s share of the money.

While DHS opened applications in early June and extended the deadline to mid-September, the rollout has been sluggish, prompting frustration from Cornyn as the midterm elections and the state’s January budget session approach. A separate $3.5 billion grant from the Department of Justice is also pending for counties and cities. Cornyn, who lost his primary runoff, said he will use his remaining Senate vote to pressure the administration to finalize the payments.