Posted by Kate Sullivan and Allie Malloy | CNN
President Joe Biden said Friday that he plans to travel to Texas but does not want a presidential tour to add extra strain to a state grappling with an extreme weather crisis.
“The answer is yes,” said Biden when asked if he would travel to Texas after addressing the Munich Security Conference.
“If it actually comes to the conclusion that I can do it without incriminating the local people while they deal with this crisis, I plan to move on,” said Biden. He said the decision will likely be made early next week.
The announcement comes after a devastating week of freezing temperatures and winter storms in Texas that resulted in widespread power outages. The state has begun restoring power, but almost half of the state’s population continues to be under the boiling water hint due to the ongoing water shortage.
Biden said he spoke to Republican Greg Abbott of Texas Thursday night. The president said he would ask acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Bob Fenton Friday afternoon to expedite his response to Abbott’s request for a statement about a major disaster.
“We’ll sign this statement as soon as it is in front of me, and God willing, it will bring a lot of relief to many Texans,” said Biden.
Biden approved an emergency statement to the state over the weekend, but the statement of the major disaster would allow FEMA to provide more resources and assistance, including additional insurance, to help individuals with uncovered costs or other costs keep homes habitable do.
The president said FEMA is providing assistance in the form of generators, diesel fuel, water, blankets and other supplies. Biden said he had directed the US departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Defense “to identify other resources that can meet the growing needs of the people of Texas.”
The White House said Friday that it had been in contact with mayors and county officials across Texas throughout the week to ensure they were connected to FEMA for immediate needs.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that more than once a day, Biden received information about Texas and the surrounding states that were hit by the bad weather.
“He’s found frequently over the past few days that the people of Texas and the people in the surrounding states have the resources they need,” Psaki said at the meeting.
She said the president has directed his team “to make quick decisions and respond to the specific needs of states as they arise during this difficult time”.
