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.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for the federal government to pay back $11.1 billion that was spent on Operation Lone Star, Texas' border security effort, during the Biden Administration.

The governor said that Texas incurred costs for border walls, military support and transportation that should have been covered by the U.S.