President Biden
Joe BidenHouse Democrats Pass Major .9T COVID-19 Relief Act With Minimum Wage Increase Biden Holds Virtual Bilateral Meeting With Mexican President Over 300 Indicted In Connection With Capitol Riot MORE spent Friday in Texas receiving a briefing on the recent winter storm and investigating a local food bank, pledging to help the state recover from the effects of harsh weather and power outages.
“Our prayers are with you in the aftermath of this winter storm,” Biden said in a comment at NRG Stadium in Houston. “We will be true partners to help you recover and rebuild from these storms and this pandemic and this economic crisis. We are on the long run.”
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 told of ongoing efforts to fix water systems in Harris County, where 57,000 residents remain under boiling water reports.
He and first lady Jill Biden
Jill BidenBiden pledges support for Texas amid recovery from winter storm The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by The AIDS Institute – Senate ref ashes minimum wage, House votes emergency today Biden targets winter storm with Texas trip MORE later toured the Houston Food Bank, where they met with local volunteers.
Biden also met with Sen. John Cornyn
John CornynBiden pledges support for Texas amid winter storm recovery Partisan headwinds threatens Capitol riot committee Biden targets winter storm with trip to Texas MORE (R-Texas), Democratic Representatives. Sylvia Garcia
Sylvia Garcia K Street Navigates Virtual Opening Week House Judiciary Democrats Asking Pence To Invoke 25th Amendment To Remove Trump Lawmakers Share New Year Messages: ‘Cheers To Better Days Ahead’ MORE Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson LeeBiden pledges support for Texas amid winter storm recovery Biden focuses on winter storm with Texas trip Obama says reparations are ‘justified’ MORE Al Green
Alexander (Al) N. GreenBiden pledges support for Texas amid winter storm recovery Biden focuses on winter storm with trip to Texas LIVE COVERAGE: Senate opens Trump’s second impeachment trial MORE and Lizzie Pannill Fletcher and Mayor of Houston Sylvester TurnerSylvester TurnerBiden Focuses on Winter Storm with Texas Trip Mayor of Houston: Biden Visit “Wouldn’t Be a Distraction” Sunday Show Preview: CDC School Reopening Guidance Raises Discussion; Texas fights winter freeze MORE (D) about the visit.
Biden used his comments to deliver his message of unity, describing those affected by both the cold weather and the coronavirus pandemic as not Republicans or Democrats, but as “ fellow Americans. ”
“When a crisis hits one of our states, like the one that hits Texas, it’s not a Republican or Democrat that is in pain – it’s our fellow Americans that are in pain, and our job is to help everyone in need, on each other Don’t leave anyone behind, ”Biden said.
Biden spoke at NRG Stadium, a massive vaccination site in the state of Texas. He quickly turned to his government’s efforts to partner with states to vaccinate the U.S. population, citing that the country had surpassed the 50 millionth vaccinations against the coronavirus earlier this week.
Biden also celebrated the approval of the Johnson & Johnson-manufactured single-dose vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel. Still, he warned that vaccinating the entire American population would be a painstaking process 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, ”Biden said.
The president also called for two-pronged action to address the pandemic, noting his engagement with Cornyn and Abbott on Friday. His comments came as House Democrats prepared to approve Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion aid package, which is not expected to receive Republican backing.
“We disagree on a lot of things and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there are plenty of things we can work on together and one of them is represented here today: the effort to speed up vaccinations,” Biden said.
The trip was Biden’s third official out-of-state visit since he became president. Last week, he traveled to Wisconsin to attend a CNN town hall and tour a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine plant in Michigan.
Biden signed emergency declarations for Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma after the storm and also approved major disaster declarations for Texas and Oklahoma to release more federal resources for the states and their residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent supplies including water, blankets, generators, diesel fuel and meals.