A Texas congressman said on Sunday that homeowners in his state who are facing shockingly high electricity payments and damage to their homes resulting from the recent winter weather would be eligible for federal government assistance.
Speaking of CNN’s “State of the Union”, the representative Michael McCaul
Michael Thomas McCaulTexas Republican Party Congressman: Federal aid in case of disaster will help homeowners with high utility bills preview Sunday programs: CDC school reopening guidance sparks debate; Texas freezing winter battles Iran represents initial test for Biden’s diplomacy approach MORE (R-Texas) thanked President biden
Joe BidenBiden will maintain a moment of silence for 500,000 COVID-19 deaths Publix offers employees who receive the COVID-19 vaccine a gift card from 5 stores Schumer says he is working to find votes to confirm Biden’s OMB choice MORE to approve an emergency disaster declaration for the state, and pointed to that statement when questioned by the host Dana Bash
Dana Bash President of the progressive caucus: I think the minimum wage will be included in the COVID-19 aid package. The Republican governor of Arkansas says he would not support the Trump 2024 candidacy for Republican governor of Arkansas: Give control of vaccine distribution to states MORE about reports of Texans facing huge utility bills after days of blackouts and water cuts across Texas.
“Yes, this is the current plan, is that federal assistance will help homeowners, both with the repair … and with the cost of public services,” McCaul told CNN.
His comments were in response to reports from Texans facing electricity bills of up to $ 17,000, resulting from massive demand and low supplies last week.
McCaul on Sunday added that it was an interesting “paradox” to see Texas, which provides much of the US’s annual energy production, unable to power its own grid.
The Republican also agreed with Bash that the storm was a telling example of how man-made climate change could seriously affect Texas, adding that he called for a “Manhattan-style project” focusing on technology to deal with climate change.
“I think it’s real,” said Republican Party representative Michael McCaul of the humans who play a role in climate change. “I think the question is how to deal with it and I think that innovation, technology, a Manhattan-type project to deal with clean energy, is the way to go.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/mSGcNZIfwe
– State of the Union (@CNNSotu) February 21, 2021
Much of Texas was covered with snow and ice early last week in a devastating winter storm that froze machinery at natural gas plants and other power facilities in the state, leaving millions without electricity or running water while freezing temperatures persisted for days.
About 50 people died as a result of the winter storm and Texas officials now face an investigation into why the state was not better prepared for the disaster.