Resolution Passed 32-1 After Floor Debate
CHARLESTON, W.Va.- Members of the West Virginia State Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution in support of Texas Governor Abbott and Texas’ right to self-defense regarding the ongoing crisis of illegal immigration at the nation’s southern border. The resolution passed by a vote of 32-1. Lead sponsor of the resolution was State Senator Mike Stuart, a former United States Attorney for the southern district of West Virginia and a candidate for West Virginia Attorney General.
“West Virginia stands with Texas,” said Senator Stuart. “This was a strong bold statement by the WV State Senate in support of strong border security and in defense of national security. More than 8 million have crossed our southern border illegally since President Biden took the oath of office. We fully support the tremendous and important efforts of Texas Governor Abbott, Texas Border Patrol, and others in Texas to end the chaos despite the Biden Administration’s aggressive actions to maintain an open border.”
Stuart continued, “I have been to the border. I have seen the crisis up close. I have met with Texas Border Patrol agents, law enforcement, and ranchers. It is an outrage that the federal government does nothing to secure the border. It is an even greater outrage that the Biden Administration fights any attempt to secure it.”
The resolution passed after remarks by Senator Stuart and a heated response by State Senator Mike Caputo (D, Marion) who spoke passionately against the measure including objecting to the resolution’s reference to razor wire.
“President Biden created the crisis, and he has abdicated his responsibility to secure the border,” said Stuart. “Human traffickers, child predators, violent criminals, terrorists, and, yes, even many seeking nothing other than a better life flow freely across the southern border. President Biden invited the border crisis, incited the border crisis, and has refused to uphold the Constitution. The people of this nation are far less safe today than when President Biden took office.”
The resolution specifically provides that the West Virginia Senate stands in solidarity with Governor Greg Abbott and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border.
“We fully support Texas and Governor Abbott” said Stuart. “If the Biden Administration refuses to secure our border, it is the absolute right of Texas to secure it. The people of West Virginia strongly support Texas’ right of self-defense in the midst of one of the greatest national challenges in the country’s history.”
As the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Stuart led the historic prosecution of corruption by justices of the West Virginia State Supreme Court of Appeals as well as record prosecutions and raids related to the opiate crisis.
