(PartiallyPolitics.com) – President Biden pointed to the absence of a formal request from Texas state officials as the reason for the federal government’s delay in disbursing aid following Hurricane Beryl. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Biden explained that he lacked the authority to release federal disaster aid without a direct appeal from the state’s governor. However, contacting Governor Greg Abbott proved challenging as he was abroad, leaving Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to act as governor.
Biden detailed his efforts to reach out to Patrick, emphasizing the necessity of a formal disaster declaration to activate federal resources. It was not until Tuesday that Biden and Patrick were able to connect, leading to the necessary declaration being made, which Biden immediately approved.
During a press conference, Lieutenant Governor Patrick highlighted the cooperation among federal, state, and local officials, denying any delays in response from the White House or Texas officials. He explained the procedural steps involved in requesting federal aid, noting that assessments in the impacted areas were necessary to determine the level of need before making a formal request.
Contradicting President Biden’s account, Andrew Mahaleris, the press secretary for Governor Abbott, issued a strong rebuttal. In a statement shared with The Hill, Mahaleris called Biden’s remarks a “complete lie,” arguing that the President and his administration were well aware of how to contact Governor Abbott directly. He pointed out that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell had spoken with Governor Abbott just the previous Friday, indicating ongoing communication and coordination.
Mahaleris further asserted that Texas had been working closely with FEMA and other federal partners well in advance of the storm, with all necessary disaster declarations firmly in place, contrary to what President Biden had suggested.
The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl was severe, with its path through eastern Texas causing widespread disruptions. Poweroutage.us reported that approximately 2.7 million residents were without electricity by Monday, and nearly 1.7 million remained powerless as of Wednesday morning. The storm also significantly impacted air travel, with more than 1,300 flights canceled and hundreds more delayed across the state earlier in the week.
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