Latest news with #McCaul
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
McCaul touts money in Trump tax bill to pay Texas back for fighting Biden border policies
There's a provision tucked into President Donald Trump's broadly ranging "big, beautiful bill" that could see Texas get billions of dollars in funds that it spent on the state's border security under the Biden administration. The legislation earmarked $12 billion for a grant program allowing states to be reimbursed for costs they incurred trying to stem the flow of illegal immigration during the Democratic administration. The measure was added to the bill hours before the final vote – but Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the former chairman of the House Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees, told Fox News Digital it was a product of months of negotiation. "Early on, [Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., and I were discussing reconciliation going through the Homeland Security Committee. And, you know, there was about $70 billion for the border," McCaul said. "Texas bore the brunt of the federal mission the last four years and deserves to be reimbursed. And so he agreed, had a conversation with Governor Abbott, and he agreed." House Gop Targets Another Dem Official Accused Of Blocking Ice Amid Delaney Hall Fallout While the text does not name Texas specifically, Fox News Digital was told that the measure's inclusion was primarily sought by the Lone Star state's congressional delegation. Read On The Fox News App The state of Texas, Fox News Digital was told, had incurred just over $11 billion in costs from Gov. Greg Abbott's efforts to keep the border in his state secure. "The fact of the matter is, when you look at the costs that were borne, Texas had the lion's share of [the burden] carrying out the federal mission when the Biden administration completely failed to deliver on border security," McCaul said. "My state built the border wall and built detention facilities. We bore a lot of costs." Operation Lone Star alone cost Texas $11.1 billion, according to The Texas Tribune. Rather than add it to the initial text of the bill, McCaul said, leaders opted to include it in a "managers amendment" that was added on Wednesday night along with several other issues that lawmakers needed more time to negotiate. "The legislative process, it's something I've gotten to know over my 20 years and how to get things done up here. And I thought, you know, the way we worked it was strategically very smart," McCaul said. "It's going to the Senate now. And Senator Cornyn is going to take it up, be the champion in the Senate." The Texas Republican first met with Abbott and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on the matter in early February, Fox News Digital was told. McCaul said he also worked closely on the push with Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, who told Fox News Digital that "no state" carried more financial burden from the border crisis than Texas. "Texas spent $11.1 billion on border security, including $5.87 billion on personnel costs and $4.75 billion on border wall and barriers. When the federal government failed to secure our border and protect our communities, Texans stepped up," Pfluger said. Johnson, for his part, thanked McCaul for his efforts in a public written statement. "Thanks to Rep. McCaul, states that stepped up to protect Americans in the face of Biden's border catastrophe will be reimbursed for doing the work the Biden Administration refused to do," the speaker said. "Had those patriotic governors not taken action and used the resources of their state, the devastation from Biden's wide-open border would have been significantly worse." Meet The Trump-picked Lawmakers Giving Speaker Johnson A Full House Gop Conference Green said of the need for the measure, "In the absence of help from the Biden-Harris administration, states were forced to take extraordinary measures to mitigate the crisis and protect their communities by building barrier systems and increasing law enforcement activity." And while McCaul and his colleagues' efforts in the House do not guarantee that Texas will ultimately see those funds, it puts them one step closer to success. The measure is one aspect in a multi-trillion-dollar bill that Republicans are working to pass via the budget reconciliation process. By lowering the Senate's threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51, reconciliation enables the party in power to pass certain fiscal legislation while completely sidelining the minority – in this case, Democrats. Trump directed Republicans to use reconciliation to advance his policies on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the national debt. The Senate and House must pass identical versions of the bill before it gets to Trump's desk. McCaul told Fox News Digital that he was confident the measure would stay in the Senate bill after conversations with the Trump administration on the matter. "I anticipate it will go forward," McCaul said. "I'm, just proud that we were able to get this done. I'm very proud of what my state did to stop the flow of illegals and dangerous actors coming into the country." When reached for comment, Abbott told Fox News Digital, "This is a national issue that Texas was proud to address, and we are grateful for the allocation that reduces the financial burden that Texas incurred."Original article source: McCaul touts money in Trump tax bill to pay Texas back for fighting Biden border policies
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP rep: Threat to arrest Democratic colleagues ‘very drastic'
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on Sunday called threats to arrest Democratic colleagues over an incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility 'very drastic' and only appropriate if anyone actually broke the law. In an interview on CBS News's 'Face the Nation,' McCaul was asked about ICE arresting the mayor of Newark, N.J., outside a federal detention center Friday and about new threats of arrest against three members of Congress who similarly tried to access the detention center. 'Should ICE be arresting or even threatening to arrest members of Congress?' host Ed O'Keefe asked McCaul in the interview. 'I mean, that's obviously a very drastic move. I would only do that if they were complicit with a crime,' McCaul responded. 'I don't know all the facts behind this.' McCaul noted members of Congress have the right to access federal detention facilities, adding that he did not know if the three members of Congress — New Jersey Democrats Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver — were otherwise disrupting law enforcement. 'If they were just visiting a detention center, that's — I've done that many times. If they're disrupting law enforcement, that's another question,' McCaul said. 'So, you know, we can peacefully protest in this country, but you cannot be complicit with gang violence against our law enforcement. And I think perhaps that's what it comes down to,' he added. After Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was arrested at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a CNN interview that more arrests could be coming. She did not rule out arresting the three Democratic members, who ICE officials said were pushing and shoving among the people in the crowd outside the facility — a characterization the Democrats reject. 'This is an ongoing investigation, and that is definitely on the table,' McLaughlin said when pressed on whether the members of Congress could be arrested. 'We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting our ICE enforcement officers, including body-slamming a female ICE officer, so we will be showing that to viewers very shortly,' McLaughlin said about the members. Watson Coleman rejected these claims. 'Since DHS has been lying about this, allow me to correct the record. This scuffle, during which an ICE agent physically shoved me, occurred AFTER we had entered the Delaney Hall premises. We entered the facility, came BACK OUT to speak to the Mayor, and then ICE agents began shoving us,' Watson Coleman wrote Friday in a post on X. 'This is not how we entered the facility. We were escorted in by guards, because we have lawful oversight authority to be there,' she added. The New Jersey representative said members of Congress have the legal right to conduct oversight at DHS facilities without prior notice and noted she's conducted visits twice this year. 'The notion that I or any of my colleagues 'body slammed' armed federal officers is absurd. DHS is lying because they know their agents were out of line,' Watson Coleman said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
GOP rep: Threat to arrest Democratic colleagues ‘very drastic'
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on Sunday called threats to arrest Democratic colleagues over an incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility 'very drastic' and only appropriate if anyone actually broke the law. In an interview on CBS News's 'Face the Nation,' McCaul was asked about ICE arresting the mayor of Newark, N.J. outside a federal detention center on Friday and about new threats of arrest against three members of Congress who similarly tried to access the detention center. 'Should ICE be arresting or even threatening to arrest members of Congress?' host Ed O'Keefe asked McCaul in the interview. 'I mean, that's obviously a very drastic move. I would only do that if they were complicit with a crime,' McCaul responded. 'I don't know all the facts behind this.' McCaul noted that members of Congress have the right to access federal detention facilities, adding that he did not know if the three members of Congress — New Jersey Democrats Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver — were otherwise disrupting law enforcement. 'If they were just visiting a detention center, that's- I've done that many times. If they're disrupting law enforcement, that's another question,' McCaul said. 'So, you know, we can peacefully protest in this country, but you cannot be complicit with gang violence against our law enforcement. And I think perhaps that's what it comes down to,' he added. After Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was arrested at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a CNN interview that more arrests could be coming. She did not rule out arresting the three Democratic members, who ICE officials said were pushing and shoving among the people in the crowd outside the facility — a characterization the Democrats reject. 'This is an ongoing investigation and that is definitely on the table,' McLaughlin said in the CNN interview, when pressed on whether the members of Congress could be arrested. 'We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting our ICE enforcement officers, including body slamming a female ICE officer, so we will be showing that to viewers very shortly,' McLaughlin said about the members. Watson Coleman rejected these claims. 'Since DHS has been lying about this, allow me to correct the record. This scuffle, during which an ICE agent physically shoved me, occurred AFTER we had entered the Delaney Hall premises. We entered the facility, came BACK OUT to speak to the Mayor, and then ICE agents began shoving us,' Watson Coleman wrote in a Friday post on X. 'This is not how we entered the facility. We were escorted in by guards, because we have lawful oversight authority to be there,' she added. The New Jersey representative said members of Congress have the legal right to conduct oversight at DHS facilities without prior notice and noted she's conducted visits twice this year. 'The notion that I or any of my colleagues 'body slammed' armed federal officers is absurd. DHS is lying because they know their agents were out of line,' Watson Coleman said in a statement.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Lawmakers Announce Bipartisan Task Force on Enhancing National Security for Major US Events
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) announced on May 6 a bipartisan task force to enhance national security for a few major events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in the United States over the next few years. In addition to the soccer tournament, the Task Force on Securing the Homeland Amidst Special Events will also focus on next year's 250th anniversary of America's independence, the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2027 NFL Draft, and the 2028 Olympics, which will be in Los Angeles. The draft will be held in Washington, while the golf tournament will be in Farmingdale, New York, in September. Green and McCaul did not release the names of who will be on the task force, which will oversee the federal government's security measures for the events. In statements, McCaul and Green talked about the importance of the task force. 'As the U.S. prepares to host high-profile events like the Olympics and the World Cup, it's imperative that we make robust security preparations to ensure Americans—and millions of international guests—can safely enjoy their experience,' McCaul said. 'While these events provide a unique opportunity to showcase the United States' global leadership and commitment to excellence, they can also attract increased threats as our adversaries and other malign actors seek to exploit and sabotage them.' Green noted that there have been major events in America where there were mass casualties. These included the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, where Related Stories 3/7/2025 3/30/2025 'While this is an important opportunity to showcase American exceptionalism, we have seen time and time again that mass-spectator events can present unique challenges for law enforcement and prime opportunities for America's adversaries,' Green said, adding that 'it is of the utmost importance that we learn from the past and ensure the federal government leads robust and coordinated security efforts alongside state and local officials, emergency managers, and all levels of law enforcement to stay ahead of threats in the coming months.' McCaul and Green's announcement of the task force comes the same day as President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Trump said during the meeting, which was held at the White House, that his administration 'will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. and China locked in trade war
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – U.S. foreign policy, seemingly, centers around the growing threat from China as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping remain locked in a trade war. 'China doesn't play by the rules,' said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas.). 'We've got to stand up to them, and nobody does that better and leads the charge better than President Trump.' President Trump imposed 145% tariffs. China retaliated with a 125% tax on U.S.-made goods. 'Ideally, we'd get to a position where there are no tariffs at all and there are no non-tariff barriers to trade,' Cornyn said. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.) said he sees tariffs as a short-term tool, not a long-term policy. 'I think a long-term tariff would have a negative impact,' McCaul said. He noted the pork producers and soybean farmers in his district. The trade war also threw a wrench into the negotiations for a TikTok sale. Congress passed a law to force the Chinese parent company that owns TikTok to divest from the app, or get off the app stores in the U.S. 'I just don't think China's going to be a willing seller,' McCaul said. Mccaul also talked about the impact of the loss of USAID on U.S. foreign policy toward China. 'If we're going to cut all of that soft power, which is only 1% of our federal budget, then, as General Mattis said, and I think he's correct, we're going to have to buy more bullets,' McCaul said. 'Our prestige, our power overseas, our diplomatic skills, I always say, when diplomats fail, you have war.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
