WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Houston on Friday to assess the damage from the recent historic winter storm in Texas, the president’s first trip as commander-in-chief to a state after a natural disaster.
Biden is expected to spend most of the day with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, according to the White House. Several Democrats criticized the governor’s response to the storm, which left millions without power, heating and water for days.
The president is expected to visit an emergency operations center in Harris County, as well as a Houston food bank, where he will meet with volunteers. The First Lady is also expected to help pack food and water for people still struggling to recover from the disaster.
Before leaving the state on Friday night, Biden will comment at a Covid-19 vaccination unit at NRG Stadium.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday that the purpose of the trip is to work to bring relief to people as quickly as possible, instead of holding any political discussions stemming from the storm.
“The president does not see the crisis and the millions of people who have been affected by it as a Democratic or Republican issue,” said Psaki at his daily news conference. all the resources of the federal government, to ensure that the people of Texas know that we are thinking about them, we are fighting for them and we will continue to work on it while they are recovering. “
“There is a long time to have a political discussion about better climate, better preparations, and I am sure it will be done,” she added. “But now, we are focused on bringing relief to people in the state, obtaining updated briefings, taking advantage of all the levers of the federal government. “
The government has declared a major disaster in more than 100 counties, she said.
At least 40 people died in Texas as a result of the storm, according to the Associated Press.
