austin texas among certainties current u.s. political environment immigration flashpoint abortion remain divisive texas sue administration president barack obama since obama democrat take office january 2009 populous republican-controlled state file suit administration 39 time tuesday u.s. supreme court agree take one notable case decide legality obama unilateral 2014 action shield deportation million immigrants country illegally texas politicians sue obama badge honor attorney general office annual budget 600 million five time high major republican strongholds arizona current governor greg abbott sue obama administration 31 time attorney general current attorney general ken paxton succeed abbott last year sue eight time enjoy governor texas one thing miss long get wake go office sue federal government abbott tell conservative forum month austin republican state come close number file often join texas-led suit happen immigration file attract 25 state texas whose 1.6 trillion year economy big many countries include u.s. ally south korea spend suit federal government comparatively miniscule around 5.1 million december 2014 texas tribune report base disclosures receive office office powerful machine million legal hours bill litigation counsel accord budget report attorney general office solicitor general boast nearly 20 lawyers specialize appellate work venues like u.s. supreme court supreme court texas new orleans-based 5th u.s. circuit court appeal also litigation division 30 lawyers solicitor general team present case one obama executive action immigration texas lose often win great deal litigation still pending judge may outlast obama presidency end january 2017. paxton texas sue federal government issue include u.s. environmental protection agency regulations tax obama signature healthcare law block resettlement syrian refugees state texas lead party two big case u.s. supreme court current term end june addition immigration case texas defend state law challenge abortion providers contend republican-backed statute aim shut clinics perform procedure high court due hear arguments abortion case march expect hear immigration arguments follow month texas economically demographically important state natural take leadership role challenge federal power lot state want make say matthew wilson political science professor southern methodist university dallas lawsuits often follow similar philosophical idea challenge texas republican-governed state see overreach federal power expense state right add represent texas call red state america tea party america texas voice lot people nationally say chip roy top official attorney general office serve chief staff texas senator ted cruz lead candidate republican presidential nomination november election cruz former u.s. supreme court clerk help bolster political career serve texas solicitor general 2003 2008. ramp office republican former governor rick perry help forge challenge state saw federal overreach proud texas lead charge defend rule law cruz say tuesday supreme court announce would hear immigration case roy say interview state leaders majority citizens want protect ideal govern part roy say actually influence significantly willingness drive push back washington believe overstep constitutional authority obama push agenda texas lead legal push-back