Texas Governor Abbott renews border emergency declaration

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has renewed a border security disaster proclamation, a move he has repeated at least 69 times since 2021. The declaration allows the governor to shift funds, suspend regulations, and award no-bid contracts without legislative approval. Since January 2025, agencies such as the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department have awarded over $5 million in noncompetitive contracts for items including rifles and vehicles, citing the emergency.

Abbott’s continued emergency status stands in contrast to reports from the Trump administration, which indicates that migrant crossings have reached historic lows since January 2025. As Abbott enters a competitive re-election campaign, he has also announced endorsements from 12 Democratic sheriffs from border counties, including Webb, Presidio, and Val Verde. These endorsements come from regions that are largely Hispanic, a demographic Democrats are attempting to re-engage during this election cycle.