(The Center Square) – Tennessee’ Gov. Bill Lee, Congressmen David Kustoff and several members of the Tennessee Legislature met over the weekend with 50 Tennessee National Guard members who will soon be deployed to Texas as part of Operation Loan Star.
The National Guard members are part of two waves of forces Lee promised to send to Texas.
“America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis, and people across the nation are experiencing the devastating consequences of rising crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking,” Lee said in a statement. “Governors are working together, taking immediate action to do what the federal government won’t do, and that is secure our border. I commend Tennessee’s National Guard troops for answering this important call to service and providing critical support.”
Lee and Kustoff were joined by Sens. Ed Jackson, R-Crockett, and Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, along with Reps. Chris Hurt, R-Halls, Debra Moody, R-Covington, and Chris Todd, R-Madison County.
The deployment comes as the Tennessee Legislature is set to consider legislation that would allow Lee to deploy 3,000 to 5,000 National Guard members to Texas for up to a year at a cost up to $1.4 million without further approval.
House Bill 2190 will be considered in the House State Government Committee on Wednesday.
