Texas Response to President Biden on Hurricane Beryl

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick on the response to Hurricane BerylPhoto byX (Twitter)

As Hurricane Beryl struck Texas this week, Governor Greg Abbott was in Asia improving relations with the countries. Beryl knocked out power to millions of homes in Houston. 

Before Governor Abbott left, he initiated an order for the Texas Department of Emergency Management to provide hurricane support according to this press release.

On Monday, July 8, 2.7 million homes were without power. Then on Wednesday, 1.7 million homes still had no power.  

Governor Abbott said according to a press release:

“Our hearts grieve for all Texans impacted by Hurricane Beryl, including our fellow Texans who tragically lost their lives or were injured.” 

“I remain in regular contact with Acting Governor Dan Patrick and Chief Nim Kidd regarding the state’s ongoing response to Hurricane Beryl and recovery efforts in impacted parts of Texas. We also will continue to stay in contact with electrical providers about the necessity to quickly restore power. The safety of Texans remains our No. 1 priority, and I urge everyone across the state to continue to heed the guidance of local officials as severe weather threats persist in the coming days. We will remain engaged around the clock until every Texan recovers.”

President Biden gave a different response to the support to Texas and said according to The Hill on Tuesday:

“I’ve been trying to track down the governor to see — I don’t have any authority to do that without a specific request from the governor.”  

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick later spoke to President Biden about the effects of Hurricane Beryl.  

Patrick wrote on X:

Last night, the @HoustonChron reporter, who wrote the story with Biden’s lie, that he couldn’t find me or Gov. Abbott, asked for the state call log of my conversation with the president. We sent them the log.

The log showed only a 3 minute call from President Biden to @TDEM @ChiefKidd. Chief Kidd was sitting next to me as we waited for the president’s call. I spoke to the president from 11:49 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. on Chief Kidd’s phone.

Photo byX (Twitter)

He added on X:

The @HoustonChron reporter, who wrote the story with Biden’s lie, that he couldn’t find Acting Gov. Patrick or Gov. Abbott, asked for the state call log of my conversation with the president. 

Here is the call log from President Biden to @TDEM @ChiefKidd phone, who was sitting with Acting Gov. Patrick. There was only 1 call. 11:49 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. today. #txlege

Photo byX (Twitter)

Governor Abbott’s press secretary said according to The Hill:

“This is a complete lie from President Biden, and frankly doesn’t make any sense.”

“The president and his administration know exactly how to get in contact with the governor and have on numerous occasions in the past.”

You can hear more from Governor Abbott on the current situation:

How do you think Texas is handling the hurricane?