AUSTIN – I fully support Governor Abbott’s decision to extend the deployment of National Guard troops along the border. When considering fast changing world events and the threats they potentially bring Texas cannot, and will not, sit idly by when it comes to protecting our citizens and our border.

That is why I sent a letter to President Obama last week urging him to take action now. The federal government during his administration has failed to protect our border and Texans have unfairly had to shoulder the burden as a matter of national security.

This is also why the Texas Senate, and I, insisted and passed a budget that added more than $800-million for border security to the state budget to allow the Governor to respond with the Department of Public Safety and National Guard resources, as appropriate.