Biden pledges support for Georgia storm victims, challenges Congress

(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden said the federal government would stay "until you're restored" and challenged Congress to act during a Georgia visit to areas hit by Hurricane Helene on Thursday.

Biden was flanked by U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and two farmers who were affected by the storm.

"Decades of progress list on a single incident," Biden said.

The president reiterated that the federal government will pay 100% of the cost of debris removal over the next three months.

Biden said Congress has an obligation to ensure the states have the resources they need.

Twelve U.S. senators from the states affected by Hurricane Helene sent a letter to Senate leadership on Wednesday saying Congress must act, even if it means returning to Washington.

"Even preliminary damage assessments indicate that, at a minimum, the total damage and economic loss will be in the tens of billions of dollars," the senators said. "This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear. Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents."

Vilsack said the losses are extensive, but it would be some time before the full impact of the losses is known.

"The ag economy was not good before the storm and it's worse now," Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news conference Thursday morning.

Kemp did not appear with Biden but said in a social media post he thanked the president earlier in the day for visiting Georgia.

"I also pushed for more counties to be added and for additional support as we work day and night to recover from the devastating impacts of Helene," the governor said.

Kemp said the storm claimed 33 lives.