Biden blames Texas officials for delayed federal response to Beryl

BY JASPER SCHERER
JULY 9, 2024

Texas is receiving federal aid for Hurricane Beryl later than needed because state leaders were slow to request an official disaster declaration from the White House, President Joe Biden told the Houston Chronicle Tuesday.

With Gov. Greg Abbott out of the country on an economic development trip in Asia, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has served as acting governor amid the storm, making him responsible for putting in the state’s request for aid. A White House spokesperson told the Chronicle that officials had tried multiple times to reach Abbott and Patrick, and Biden said he only connected with Patrick Tuesday, after which he issued the disaster declaration.

Patrick denied Biden's account, writing on social media that the president was "falsely accusing" him of being unreachable.

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In a statement early Tuesday evening, Biden noted that FEMA resources had been on the ground in Texas “since well before the storm,” including “pre-positioned generators” aimed at mitigating power outages.

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Why am I not surprised. We were fortunate after Ike, National Guard assisted FEMA with ice, water, and MRE distribution after Ike’s arrival. It was a bit less than 72 hours.

Right now Texans are suffering because it is sooo humid after a storm. The heat index is high and the mosquito nation is on the march.