In a letter to U.S. congressional leaders, the governor blamed previous border security policy for leaving Texas “defenseless,” forcing state officials to spend billions.

The Republican governor blamed the just-ended presidency of Democrat Joe Biden for the state having to step up to secure its border with Mexico.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott asked Congress to reimburse the state for billions of dollars in Texas taxpayer money spent on border security during former President Joe Biden’s administration. In letters Thursday to congressional leaders and the state delegation, Abbott requested more than $11 billion from Washington.

The new president said he would designate drug cartels terrorists and send troops to the southern border to repel an “invasion," even as crossings are at a low.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the federal government to reimburse his state for the more than $11 billion of taxpayer money it has spent on border security over the past four years.