Recognizing that article I, section 10 of the United States Constitution explicitly reserves to the States the sovereign power to repel an invasion and defend their citizenry from the overwhelming and "imminent danger" posed by paramilitary, narco-terrorist cartels, terrorists and criminal actors who seized control of our southern border.

Summary of HRES 50

Bill Number: HRES 50

Title: Recognizing that article I, section 10 of the United States Constitution explicitly reserves to the States the sovereign power to repel an invasion and defend their citizenry from the overwhelming and "imminent danger" posed by paramilitary, narco-terrorist cartels, terrorists and criminal actors who seized control of our southern border.

Status: Submitted in House

Introduced: January 16, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HRES 50 aims to affirm the rights of individual states, particularly those along the southern border of the United States, to take unilateral action in response to what the resolution describes as an "invasion" or "imminent danger" posed by various criminal entities. The resolution invokes Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants states the authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to do so.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes several declarations:

1. Sovereign Right to Exclude: States have the inherent right to exclude individuals from their territory if those individuals do not have the legal right to be there.

2. Recognition of Imminent Danger: It asserts that from 2021 to 2024, states such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California faced an invasion or imminent danger from paramilitary groups, narco-terrorist cartels, and other criminal actors. The resolution claims these states have the authority to defend themselves under the Constitution.

3. Federal Government's Failure: The resolution states that the federal government, particularly during the Biden administration, failed to protect these states from invasion and did not uphold its constitutional responsibilities to ensure domestic tranquility and provide for common defense.

4. Call for State Action: It emphasizes that states have the right to take necessary actions to defend their citizens against these threats.

Who Would Be Affected

• States Involved: The resolution specifically mentions Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, indicating that these states would be directly impacted by the provisions outlined in the resolution.

• Federal Government: The resolution critiques the federal government's actions (or lack thereof) regarding border security and law enforcement, suggesting a shift in responsibility to the states.

• Criminal Entities: The resolution targets paramilitary groups, narco-terrorist cartels, and other criminal actors, framing them as the primary threats to state sovereignty and safety.

Procedural Aspects

• Committee Referral: Upon introduction on January 16, 2025, HRES 50 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.

• Legislative Timeline: The resolution was submitted and referred on the same day, indicating a prompt legislative process.

Conclusion

HRES 50 seeks to empower states along the southern border to take decisive action against perceived threats from criminal organizations, asserting their constitutional rights to defend their territories. The resolution reflects ongoing debates about state versus federal authority in matters of border security and public safety.