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President Biden announced on Friday that he plans to visit Texas as the state grapples with a weather crisis that has left hundreds of thousands of residents without power, prompting him to declare a statement of ’emergency.
Biden told reporters on Friday that he would be traveling to Texas, but the timing of his visit was unclear.
BIDEN REITERATES ITS SUPPORT FOR TEXAS IN APPEAL WITH THE GOV. ABBOTT ON THE WINTER STORM CRISIS, SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE
“It depends – the answer is yes,” Biden said. “The question is, I had planned to be in Texas early next week, but I don’t want to be a burden. When the president comes to a city in America, he has a long tail.”
Biden said: “If in fact it is concluded that I can do it without creating a burden, I plan to continue.”
He added: “We will make that decision probably early next week.”
This week’s temperatures plunged to dangerous record highs in Texas and overwhelmed power grids, leaving millions of people without power. At least 30 people have died across the United States due to extreme winter weather, according to the Associated Press.
About 7 million people in Texas had been urged to boil their water or stop using it entirely as homeowners, hospitals and businesses struggling with broken water pipes and shattered pipes, many in areas unaccustomed to dealing with sustained freezing temperatures.
The president spoke with Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday after approving a federal declaration of emergency in the state, moving resources and supplies to Texas amid the storm.
TEXAS NOW GRAPPLES WITH WATER CRISIS AS ELECTRICITY RETURNS TO NEARLY 2 MILLION HOUSES
During the phone call, the president reiterated that the federal government will continue to work with authorities in Texas “to provide relief and meet the critical needs of affected families,” a reading of the call read at the House. White.
Biden “also shared his intention to task other federal agencies to review any immediate steps that could be taken to support Texans at this time,” the White House said, adding that the administration was prepared to provide an additional assistance to Texas and other states affected by the winter storm.
Biden wrote in a tweet after the call that he told Abbott he would “work tirelessly” to get the Texans help they need.
In a previous tweet Thursday, he wrote, “Jill and I keep Texas, Oklahoma and other affected states in our prayers. I have declared a state of emergency, authorized FEMA to provide generators and supplies, and am ready to respond to additional demands. Please follow the instructions of local authorities and stay safe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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