President Biden Approves Additional Disaster Relief For Texans

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden on Saturday approved a major disaster declaration for Texas, a move that allows the federal government to send additional relief money to help Texans affected by this week's winter weather.

The declaration provides individual assistance in 77 Texas counties and provides funding for things like providing grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

The president signed a separate emergency declaration earlier this week, which had a monetary cap on the amount of assistance the federal government could provide, according to a Politico report.

In a statement released Saturday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott thanked Biden for the "partial" approval of the declaration.

"I thank President Biden for his assistance as we respond to impacts of winter weather across our state," Abbott said in the statement. "While this partial approval is an important first step, Texas will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure all eligible Texans have access to the relief they need. The funds provided under the Major Disaster Declaration may provide crucial assistance to Texans as they begin to repair their homes and address property damage.”

On Friday, Biden said he plans to visit Texas next week as millions of residents struggle to access clean water and others recover from days without power.

Biden said he would travel to the Lone Star State by the middle of next week, according to multiple report. However, he also said that "I don't want to be a burden."

"If I can do it without creating a burden for folks, I plan on going," Biden told reporters on Friday.