President biden
Joe BidenBiden ‘disappointed’ by the Senate parliamentary decision, but ‘respects’ the decision Taylor Swift celebrates the passage of the Equality Act in the House Donald Trump Jr. calls Bruce Springsteen’s dropped charges a ‘liberal privilege’ MORE spent Friday in Texas receiving a briefing on the recent winter storm and researching a local food bank, promising to help the state recover from the effects of severe weather and power cuts.
“Our prayers are with you after this winter storm,” said Biden in comments at NRG Stadium in Houston. “We will be true partners to help them recover and rebuild from these storms, this pandemic and this economic crisis. We are on the right track.”
Biden spent most of the day with Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and was briefed on ongoing recovery efforts at the Harris County Emergency Operations Center. Biden was informed of ongoing efforts to repair water systems in Harris County, where 57,000 residents remain under boiling water warnings.
He and first lady Jill Biden
Jill BidenJill Biden: COVID-19 ‘exacerbated everything mothers have to deal with’ Jill Biden shares what she is looking forward to post-coronavirus. GOP refuses Biden relief plan MORE later, they visited the Houston Food Bank, where they met with local volunteers.
Biden also met with Sen. John Cornyn
John CornynSenators must know precisely what they are voting for. Medium tweets can topple Biden’s Senate candidate. The GOP works to prevent a 22-year war with Trump MORE (R-Texas), Reps. Democrats Sylvia Garcia
Sylvia GarciaK Street navigates the virtual week of the inauguration. House Judiciary Democrats ask Pence to invoke the 25th amendment to remove Trump., Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson LeeObama says the reparations ‘justify’ the House Judiciary is divided over how to deal with domestic extremism The Hill’s Morning Report – Democrats are preparing a huge relief bill for a 10-day race MORE, Al Green
Alexander (Al) N. Green LIVE COVERAGE: Senate opens Trump’s second impeachment trial Removing slander and prejudice from places on our maps paves the way to remove them from all aspects of our lives Protecting the US elections by sanctioning sovereign debt of Russia MORE and Lizzie Pannill Fletcher and Mayor of Houston Sylvester TurnerSylvester TurnerBiden shifts focus to winter storm with trip to Texas Mayor of Houston: Biden’s visit ‘would not be a distraction’ Preview of Sunday’s programs: CDC school reopening guidance stir up debate; Texas Freezing Winter Battles MORE (D) during the visit.
Biden used his comments to carry out his message of unity, describing those affected by both the cold climate attack and the coronavirus pandemic, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as “compatriots”.
“When a crisis hits one of our states, like the one that hit Texas, it’s not a Republican or Democrat who is suffering – it’s our countrymen who are suffering and it’s our job to help everyone in need, to care for each other, don’t leave anyone back, “said Biden.
Biden spoke at NRG Stadium, a mass vaccination site in the state of Texas. He quickly supported his government’s efforts to partner with states to vaccinate the US population, mentioning that the country had exceeded 50 million vaccines against coronavirus earlier this week.
Biden also welcomed the endorsement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel for the single-dose vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson. Still, he warned that it would be an arduous process to vaccinate the entire American population and encouraged individuals to continue to follow public health guidelines.
“Wear your masks. It’s not a political statement, it’s a patriotic thing you can do,” said Biden.
The president also called for bipartisan action to tackle the pandemic, noting his involvement with Cornyn and Abbott on Friday. His comments were made while House Democrats were preparing to approve Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion aid package, which is unlikely to win Republican support.
“We disagree on many things and there is nothing wrong with that, but there are many things we can work on together and one of them is represented here today: the effort to speed up vaccinations,” said Biden.
The trip was Biden’s third official visit to another state since he became president. Last week, he traveled to Wisconsin to attend a CNN town hall and visited a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine factory in Michigan.
Biden signed emergency declarations for Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma after the storm and also approved major disaster statements for Texas and Oklahoma to free up more federal resources for states and their residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent supplies, including water, blankets, generators, diesel oil and meals.