Republican leaders in the Arizona Legislature are seeking reimbursement from the federal government for funds spent on border security during the Biden Administration. Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro have sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, requesting compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
The letter details that Arizona allocated $599 million through the Border Security Fund in 2021 and 2022, along with an additional $145 million over five years for law enforcement and related border efforts. These funds supported securing the southern border, aiding sheriffs and the Department of Public Safety, and advancing former President Trump’s border wall initiatives.
Earlier this year, President Petersen joined attorneys general from other states on a tour of the border to observe current federal and state measures. The group reviewed policies implemented during Trump’s presidency, which they described as effective in securing the border without requiring new legislation.
“For four years, the Biden Administration failed to defend our border, leaving Arizona to shoulder the burden,” said President Petersen. “Our Republican-led Legislature invested more than half a billion dollars to keep our citizens safe, and it is only right that those costs now be reimbursed. We didn’t need new laws – we just needed a new President. President Trump and Secretary Noem have already proven that border security is once again a top priority.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill authorizes $10 billion for Secretary Noem to reimburse states for expenses incurred during Biden’s term. Republican leaders in Arizona stated that any reimbursement will be placed into the state’s General Fund under legislative oversight.
“Unlike Governor Hobbs, House and Senate Republicans have stood firm on border security from the start,” said Speaker Montenegro. “Arizona voters made their voices clear when they overwhelmingly passed the Secure the Border Act that Democrats tried to block. Our citizens know they can trust the Republican Legislature to safeguard and wisely direct any funds Arizona receives through the One Big Beautiful Bill. Thanks to President Trump and his administration, Washington is finally treating border security as a priority again, and Arizona taxpayers deserve to be reimbursed for the work we had to do during Biden’s dereliction of duty.”
Warren Petersen was elected as a Republican senator representing Arizona’s 14th District in 2023, succeeding David Gowan.
