President Joe Biden visited Houston, Texas, on Friday to witness the aftermath of a series of winter storms that crippled the state for several days.
“Our prayers are with you in the aftermath of this winter storm,” Biden said, vowing that the federal government would act as “true partners” in their recovery.
Millions of people in the state lost power for days, and water pipes burst in the freezing temperatures.
“We’re in for the long haul,” Biden promised, citing the federal aid that he would make available.
Biden traveled to Houston with First Lady Jill Biden to visit with local leaders, Congressional Democrats, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn as well as volunteers in the recovery effort.
“We’re not here today as Democrats or Republicans, we’re here today as Americans,” he said.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visit a FEMA Covid-19 vaccination facility at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 26, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden received a recovery briefing from FEMA and government officials and visited a local food bank coordinating relief for Texans suffering the results of the storm.
US President Joe Biden elbow bumps a volunteer during a visit at the Houston Food Bank in Houston, Texas on February 26, 2021. – Biden is visiting Houston, Texas following severe winter storms which left much of the state without electricity for days. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
“We’re here to help, so put us to work!” Biden said as he arrived. He was spotted packing canned peaches into a box with volunteers.
Later Biden visited a FEMA coronavirus vaccination station at NRG stadium, promoting the ongoing fight to get Americans vaccinated.
He repeatedly urged Americans to wear their masks, socially distance, and get vaccinated when they had the chance.
“For God’s sake wear your mask. Wear your mask. It’s not a political statement, it’s the right thing to do,” Biden said.
He urged Texans to have hope about the future despite the storms, the coronavirus, and the economic decline.
“Everybody’s been so down the last number of years about what America, what can we do,” he said. “America can do anything.”
Biden spoke about the ongoing fight against coronavirus but also spoke about the fight to beat cancer and send a rover to Mars.
“Americans never give up, they never give in, they never cry uncle, they just struggle to innovate and they preserve and persevere,” he said. “We’re going to get through this, I promise you.”
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.