by Kyle Becker
President Joe Biden refused to entirely fulfill the relief request that was issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in response to widespread energy failures that arose in the midst of a Texas “freeze” that has been attributed with the deaths of at least ten people.
“President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for 77 Texas counties, the White House said Saturday morning, two days after Gov. Greg Abbott had asked for a declaration that covered all 254 counties coping with the effects of a winter storm that knocked out power and heat across the state,” reported the Dallas Morning News.
Biden’s disaster declaration, issued last Friday, offers much less than what Texas officials had requested.
“The declaration covers much of the Texas population, including Dallas and neighboring counties, and the counties that include Houston, San Antonio and Austin, but falls far short of what Texas officials sought,” the Dallas Morning News continued.
“This partial approval is an important first step,” Abbott conceded on Saturday.
“I thank President Biden for his assistance as we respond to impacts of winter weather across our state,” Abbott said earlier in a statement. “Texas will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure all eligible Texans have access to the relief they need. The funds provided under the Major Disaster Declaration may provide crucial assistance to Texans as they begin to repair their homes and address property damage.”
Earlier on Friday, senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz had requested that Biden urgently approve the request for aid “for all 254 Texas counties as a result of severe winter weather that began on February 11, 2021.”
“We urge you to grant this request to secure the health and safety of all Texans affected by this disaster,” the wrote.
As pointed out by the Dallas Morning News, there was a bi-partisan call to get relief for all of the counties.
There was an urgent request made by “18 of 23 Texas Republicans in the U.S. House plus Houston Rep. Al Green, who also signed the Democrats’ letter.”
“Our home state has been battered by unprecedented winter weather that has affected all 254 counties in Texas, overwhelmed the power grid, and crippled our roadways,” they wrote. “The historic impacts of winter precipitation and arctic temperatures have left millions of Texans without power, potable water, and have strained the supply chain for food and other necessities.”
The Biden administration did not entirely fulfill that request. The aftermath…
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