More than a dozen members of the Texas congressional delegation wrote to President Biden on Friday urging him to approve additional federal aid for Texans affected by Hurricane Beryl.
“Many residents in the greater Houston area have been without power for days, and the heat index has exceeded 100 degrees every day.” letter “They are in urgent need of the resources FEMA can provide,” the letter from the 19 lawmakers said.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) is urging the White House to approve funding for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to uninsured or underinsured households who incur costs after a disaster.
The administration has already approved two forms of federal assistance through the Disaster Mitigation Assistance Program, which will fund disaster prevention, and public assistance to state and local governments.
“But more immediately, the vast majority of our constituents are in need of Individualized Assistance (IA),” the councilors wrote, “because while the community focuses on city-wide recovery and reconstruction, our constituents are far more vulnerable individually in their own homes.”
Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, on Monday, causing widespread flooding and high winds in parts of the state. Federal aid for the state was not approved until Tuesday because Texas officials had not formally requested a major disaster declaration, Biden said.
“I’ve been trying to follow up with governors and confirm that, but I don’t have the authority to do so without a specific request from them,” Biden said Tuesday. Houston Chronicle interview.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (Republican) became acting governor, and Governor Greg Abbott (Republican) became acting governor. abroad The aid was approved after Biden and Patrick met on Tuesday.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter the lawmakers sent Friday.
