TURNER CHAMPIONS SENATE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT
OF TEXAS’ EFFORTS TO DEFEND SOUTHERN BORDER
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 6, 2024) – Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, presented Senate Resolution 123 on Monday, which was adopted by voice vote and affirmed the Kentucky state Senate’s support of Texas’ border efforts and calls on Governor Andy Beshear to join 24 other governors in doing the same.
“The failure to secure our southern border has created a humanitarian crisis,” said Turner. “These reckless policies are contributing to suffering not just for border state residents, but now throughout our nation and right here in Kentucky where we continue to face a drug epidemic.”
This special resolution, in conjunction with a similar House resolution, sends a message that even in Governor Beshear’s refusal to express support for Texas, Kentuckians, through their duly elected representatives in the Kentucky General Assembly, support the rule of law and will stand with Texas as it takes reasonable measures to secure the border.
“The Kentucky General Assembly supports Governor Greg Abbott and the state of Texas in using every tool at their disposal to secure our southern border, especially since the Biden administration is failing to do so,” Turner said. “Today, we’re demanding Governor Beshear stand up for common sense and not cower in the shadow of his political party’s reckless immigration policies by publicly issuing his support for Operation Lone Star and solidarity for the state of Texas.”
Since taking office three years ago, the Biden administration and radical left have repeatedly refused to enforce current immigration laws, endorsed dangerous open border policies exploited by the cartels, and are illegally allowing caravans of migrants who entered our country illegally to roam free. As a result, an estimated 10 million illegal migrants have crossed our southern border, leaving our country vulnerable to deadly drugs such as fentanyl, rampant crime, violence, and potential terrorism.
The special resolution highlights concern with the Biden administration’s failure to honor its constitutional responsibilities and affirms support for Texas’ efforts to fill the gap ignored by the federal government.
Governors supporting Abbott rightly concluded that the United States Constitution makes clear states have a right of self-defense under Article 4, Section 4 and Article 1, Section 10, Clause. Because the Biden administration has abdicated its constitutional compact duties to the states, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation.
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Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, represents the 29th Senate District, including Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, and Letcher Counties. Turner is the Senate Natural Resources and Energy vice chair. He also serves as a member of the Senate committees on Banking and Insurance, Judiciary, and Transportation.
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=129 for a high-resolution .jpeg of Turner.