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.

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.