AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the Texas Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 3, Funds to Build the Wall, by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston:

“It is clearer than ever before that decisive action needs to be taken to secure the border because the Biden Administration is perpetuating the border crisis. I was the first state elected official to suggest that Texas should build the wall on January 10, 2019, and hindsight proves I was correct. Now, the Texas Senate has passed SB 3, which appropriates $1.54 billion to continue building the border wall. These funds are in addition to the over $5 billion appropriated in our budget to continue funding Operation Lone Star.

“The Texas Senate’s work to secure the border is far from over. We must give Texas law enforcement as many tools as possible to secure the border and keep Texans safe. The Texas Senate will make sure that we are putting all of our resources into the fight to secure the southern border, including passing this bill to Gov. Abbott’s desk.”

SB 3, by Sen. Joan Huffman, appropriates $1.54 billion to continue building a wall on our southern border and increase law enforcement overtime, pay including extra staffing at the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County.

Senate Finance Chair Joan Huffman and the House author Rep. Jacey Jetton have filed identical bills in both chambers.