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.

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.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants Congress to reimburse Texas for more than $11 billion spent on border security during the Biden administration. The governor said his Operation Lone Star initiatives are behind the money spent.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent letters on Thursday to U.S. congressional leaders requesting the federal government reimburse Texas for the $11.1 billion the state has spent on border security. In the letters,

Gov. Greg Abbott wants the federal government to reimburse Texas $11 billion the state has poured into his border security crackdown over the last three years — including costs Texas racked up busing migrants to Democratic-led cities across the country.

Texas wants its money back. Governor Greg Abbott sent letters to US congressional leaders Thursday requesting the federal government reimburse his state for the more than $11 billion it has spent on border security operations since 2021.