Cruz, Cornyn Urge Biden Administration to Promptly Evaluate Requests for Disaster Relief Following Severe Texas Storms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter urging President Biden to promptly approve federal disaster aid for counties severely impacted by the recent storms. Those counties pending Individual Assistance include Austin, Bell, Coryell, Ellis, Henderson, Kaufman, Leon, Navarro, Newton, and Tyler. Counties with pending Public Assistance include Austin, Bosque, Collin, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Eastland, Falls, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hardin, Hill, Houston, Kaufman, Lampasas, Leon, Limestone, Madison, McCulloch, Milam, Mills, Montague, Newton, San Saba, and Waller. Sen. Cruz will continue to assist local, state, and federal officials to ensure Texans receive the necessary disaster assistance.

In the letter, the senators wrote, “The Governor and local officials have informed us that the severity and magnitude of the storm are beyond the State and local government's response capabilities. The response efforts from the State of Texas have been extensive, with various agencies mobilizing swiftly to assist affected communities.

…

“Given the magnitude of the flooding and its ongoing effects on the region, we respectfully urge you to expedite the review process for Governor Abbott's request and provide the necessary federal assistance for all counties declared.”

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Mr. President:

Thank you for granting the disaster declaration for certain counties in the State of Texas. It has come to our attention that several additional counties affected by the recent storms are still in need of being approved as a part of the federal disaster declaration in order to receive Individual Assistance or Public Assistance. Those counties pending Individual Assistance include Austin, Bell, Coryell, Ellis, Henderson, Kaufman, Leon, Navarro, Newton, and Tyler. Counties with pending Public Assistance include Austin, Bosque, Collin, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Eastland, Falls, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hardin, Hill, Houston, Kaufman, Lampasas, Leon, Limestone, Madison, McCulloch, Milam, Mills, Montague, Newton, San Saba, and Waller.

The severe weather conditions, including flooding, large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes, have impacted the State's critical infrastructure and are a continued threat to the health and security of Texans.

The Governor and local officials have informed us that the severity and magnitude of the storm are beyond the State and local government's response capabilities. The response efforts from the State of Texas have been extensive, with various agencies mobilizing swiftly to assist affected communities. Efforts have included conducting water rescues, search missions, supporting livestock owners, and evaluating infrastructure damage.

Despite these efforts, the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources, necessitating federal assistance. Given the magnitude of the flooding and its ongoing effects on the region, we respectfully urge you to expedite the review process for Governor Abbott's request and provide the necessary federal assistance for all counties declared.

We are prepared to assist you in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.

Sincerely,

/x/

###