Several North Texas congressional members are calling on President Barack Obama to help secure the Texas-Mexico border by sending more troops.

They are echoing a call by Gov. Rick Perry, who first asked the president for 1,000 National Guard troops in February 2009. And while members of Congress are glad that 250 Guard troops were sent to the border Aug. 1, they say it's not enough.

"Although the response was appreciated, it is woefully inadequate," said the letter to Obama, which includes the signatures of Republican U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess of Lewisville, Joe Barton of Arlington, Kay Granger of Fort Worth and Kenny Marchant of Coppell. "Violence along the border is on the rise and we must face this problem head-on with the proper equipment and manpower needed to protect American citizens.

"We would appreciate your timely response in justifying your initial offer of 250 troops, and urge you to expeditiously authorize the remaining 750 troops necessary to patrol the largest border of any southern state."

Obama's administration sent 1,200 Guard troops to the four states bordering Mexico. Perry has repeatedly asked for more and gave Obama staffers a letter repeating his request when the president attended fundraisers this month in Texas.

When asked about the congressional letter, federal officials referred to an Aug. 4 letter to Perry from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

"Over the past year and a half, DHS has dedicated historic levels of personnel, technology, and resources to the Southwest border," the letter said.

"Today, the Border Patrol is better staffed than at any time in its 86-year history, having nearly doubled the number of agents from approximately 10,000 in 2004 to more than 20,000 today."


To view the original article, click here.