FRANKFORT, Ky. — A crisis at the country’s southern border is the center of debate among Kentucky lawmakers. The Kentucky House and Senate introduced resolutions calling on Gov. Andy Beshear, D, to support Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in securing the Texas border.
A growing number of states, mostly Republican-led, are expressing their support for Abbott's fight in protecting the Mexico-U.S. border. Kentucky Republicans want Beshear to do the same. House members debated their version of the resolution, and it was adopted by the full House 77-17.
Abbott remains locked in a legal battle with the federal government with securing the border. Kentucky House Republicans have said he has their full support with House Resolution 57.
“Our border security should not be partisan," said resolution co-sponsor, State Rep. Rebecca Raymer, R-Morgantown.
Texas has installed around 30 miles of razor wire along the Rio Grande. Abbott directed the Texas National Guard to not allow Border Patrol into the area.
State Rep. Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, sponsored HR 57. It says President Joe Biden has failed to enforce federal laws protecting states and current immigration laws, leading to an influx of immigrants coming to the U.S. illegally.
“Some of us look at it as an invasion; they’re coming across in such large numbers," Heath said. "This isn’t just illegal border crossings anymore. This is an invasion of our country."
The resolution passed the House local and state government committee 15-3 along party lines. Heath and other Republicans argue border security affects all Americans, including Kentuckians.
“Each and every illegal crossing is an opportunity to smuggle in drugs, engage in human trafficking and allow terrorists easy access," Heath said.
Razor wire has severely injured some migrants. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration can cut the wire, but Texas has said it will continue placing and replacing it. Kentucky Democrats have argued Abbott himself is breaking federal laws.
State Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, said elected officials take an oath to uphold the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions. Supporting Abbott could threaten the country's democracy, she said.
“I think that supporting a governor who is not following the guidance of our Supreme Court is a slippery slope," Bojanowski said.
Since 2020, Beshear has sent nearly 850 National Guard members to the southern border. He honored those troops in October with the Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation Award.
Beshear sent Spectrum News 1 a statement, reading:
“Throughout my time as Attorney General and Governor, I have always avoided 'pick-a-side politics,' and in the last election, the people of Kentucky showed they are exhausted with this constant ‘us-versus-them.’ I answered the call under both Presidents Trump and Biden, and Kentucky has sent nearly 850 National Guard members to the southern border. In doing so, we answered the call of our country, not the clamor of the latest political outrage. Last year, I thanked our soldiers for their service at the border and awarded them the Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation. Finally, I have concerns that today’s resolutions are based on a legal theory that was previously used to support secession. I am a proud American who will always support our one nation under God.”
A similar resolution in the Senate has been assigned to a committee.