US President Joe Biden can visit Texas this week, which has been heavily damaged by a winter storm, White House spokesman Jen Saki said on the 21st (local time).
According to the US media, Saki said in an interview with ABC’s’This Week’, “He (President Biden) is eager to go down to Texas and show his support.”
“But we also keep in mind that the president’s visit to the disaster area is not a casual move,” said Saki. “He does not want to take away resources or attention.”
The intention is to carefully review the timing of the visit, keeping in mind that if the President moves, it will interfere with the state’s recovery efforts or the state will be compelled to pay attention to.
More than 20 people were killed in the cold wave following the recent winter storm in Texas, a massive power outage occurred, and water supply was cut off.
President Biden approved the declaration of a major disaster in Texas the day before.
As a result, the federal government’s budget can be expedited for damage recovery, such as setting up temporary shelters for the displaced, home repairs, and low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses.
According to ABC, federal funding has been approved for 77 of Texas’ 254 counties.
Initially, Texas requested statewide assistance, but partial approval was granted.
Immediately after approval, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said it was an “important first step.”
In this regard, Saki said the White House is in close contact with Governor Abbott, and that the approval of the major disaster is “to help those in the most affected areas.”
He instructed President Biden to expedite the Governor’s request. “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined which counties suffered the most damage and where resources should be focused.” He stressed that it was a decision.
Saki said the distribution of the Corona 19 vaccine was disrupted in states affected by bad weather across the United States, delaying the supply of 6 million doses, but is expected to catch up quickly this week, saying that 2 million doses have been distributed. Said that.
(Yonhap News/Photo = Getty Image Korea)
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