Biden points to Texas leaders over delay in Beryl aid
![Biden points to Texas leaders over delay in Beryl aid](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/AP24189580709908-e1720624659490.jpg?w=900)
President Biden blamed the federal government's delay in releasing aid to Texas in response to Hurricane Beryl on state leaders, saying they did not make a formal request for a major former disaster declaration.
“I've been trying to track down the governor to see — I don't have any authority to do that without a specific request from the governor,” Biden said Tuesday in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) is serving as acting governor of the Lone Star State while Gov. Greg Abbott (R) remains abroad. Biden told the Chronicle that he “kept tracking the lieutenant governor” and had to reach out to the governor’s office to trigger the formal request.
Biden and Patrick ultimately did connect Tuesday, and Patrick made the formal declaration, which the president then approved.
The lieutenant governor said during a Tuesday press conference that there was “total teamwork” between federal, state and local officials. He added that there was “no delay from the White House, no delay from us.”
“The truth is, before you can ask for a declaration you have to go meet with people in the impacted areas to see what’s needed and the level of need,” Patrick said, per the Chronicle.
Abbott’s press secretary responded to Biden’s remarks, telling the Chronicle Tuesday, “This is a complete lie from President Biden, and frankly doesn't make any sense.”
“The president and his administration know exactly how to get in contact with the governor and have on numerous occasions in the past,” the spokesperson added.
The Hill has reached out to the White House and the Texas governor’s office for comment.
Hurricane Beryl pummeled through eastern Texas, causing millions of residents in Houston and nearby areas to lose power and experience flooding. On Monday, poweroutage.us tracked 2.7 million residents without power. As of Wednesday morning, nearly 1.7 million customers still remain without power.
More than 1,300 flights were canceled and hundreds more delayed earlier this week as the storm crossed Texas.
Date: | |
Tag: | Joe Biden |
-
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Canada Soccer have appeal over points deduction dismissed
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad hoc division for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has dismissed Canada Soccer’s appeal against a six-point deduction handed to its women’s team. if(typeof(j...17 hr ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
Meta Reaches $1.4 Billion Settlement With Texas Over Privacy Violations
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram faced allegations that it had collected facial identification information on millions of users in violation of a state law.11 hr ago - Meta -
ABC News - Tech
Meta agrees to $1.4B settlement with Texas in privacy lawsuit over facial recognition
Officials say Meta has agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas in a privacy lawsuit over allegations that the tech giant used biometric data of users without their permission11 hr ago -
ABC News - Top stories
Meta agrees to $1.4B settlement with Texas in privacy lawsuit over facial recognition
Officials say Meta has agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas in a privacy lawsuit over allegations that the tech giant used biometric data of users without their permission11 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Texas, Meta reach $1.4 billion settlement over facial recognition suit
Meta has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to Texas to settle a lawsuit alleging Facebook previously captured biometric data from users without their consent, the state attorney general’s office announced Tuesday. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) ...13 hr ago -
The New York Times - World
After Biden’s Withdrawal, Some Want Their Aged Leaders to Follow His Lead
Most of the world’s oldest leaders — in their 80s and even one in his 90s — are in Africa, which happens to have the youngest population of any continent.11 hr ago - Joe Biden -
ABC News - Sports
Chad archer Madaye scores just 1 point on shot in loss to South Korea's Kim but wins fans over
Chad archer Israel Madaye nearly missed the scoring rings completely on an errant shot but he hit a bullseye with South Korea’s passionate fans14 hr ago -
CNBC - Business
Meta agrees to $1.4 billion settlement in Texas biometric data lawsuit over Facebook images
The lawsuit by Texas against Meta involved the Facebook owner's capture and use of biometric data from photos and videos without authorization.12 hr ago - Meta -
NBC News - Top stories
Texas AG wins $1.4B settlement from Facebook-parent Meta over facial-capture charges
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won a $1.4 billion settlement from Facebook-parent Meta over charges that it captured users' facial and biometric data without properly informing them it was doing so.11 hr ago -
Yahoo News - World
Israel’s military starts drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews – but the battle over serving ‘the army of God’ vs. the army of the state isn’t over, and points to key questions for the country’s future
16 hr ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Gen X, Millennials face higher risk of cancer than previous generations, study shows
Generation X and millennials face a higher risk of getting certain types of cancer when compared to earlier generations, according to a large new study published Wednesday. In the study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, researchers ...1 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Effort to patch VA budget shortfall sees conservative resistance
Senate conservatives are showing early resistance to expediting legislation to address a roughly $3 billion budget shortfall for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as officials warn millions of veterans’ benefits are at risk in the coming ...3 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Speculation rises over Russia prison swap including Paul Whelan
Online trackers watching prisoner movements in Russia have sounded the alarm over a possible prisoner swap with the West, with the whereabouts of multiple high-profile prisoners unknown, including those of American prisoner Paul Whelan. At least ...3 hr ago - Russia -
The Hill - Politics
Kelly says Trump's comments at NABJ are of a 'desperate' and 'scared old man'
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said former President Trump's attack on Vice President Harris's heritage at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention on Wednesday revealed Trump to be a "desperate, scared old man." “I think those ...3 hr ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Vance calls reaction to Trump’s attacks on Harris’s heritage ‘hysterical’
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the GOP nominee for vice president, defended his running mate’s attacks Wednesday on Vice President Harris’s biracial heritage, calling the reaction “hysterical” and comparing Harris to a “chameleon.” Vance was asked by ...4 hr ago - Donald Trump