Residents in southern states, especially in Texas, are currently experiencing a snowstorm unlike any other that has resulted in many losing heat and electricity. With the Biden administration’s approval of a declaration of emergency in the state, Vice President Kamala Harris assured Texas residents that federal relief is coming.
Appearing on the Today show on NBC Wednesday, Harris assured Americans residing in Texas that federal relief is on the way. Harris reiterated Joe Biden’s approval to declare a statewide emergency in Texas, authorizing federal agencies in charge to attend to the state. Aside from the assurance of federal emergency aid, Harris also echoed Biden’s pledge to increase vaccine production and distribution by July.
“I just want to mention all of those folks in Texas and the mid-Atlantic,” said the Vice President. “I know they can’t see us right now because they’re without electricity, but the president and I are thinking of them, and really hope we can do everything that is possible through the signing of the emergency orders to get federal relief to support them.”
When it came to the COVID-19 vaccines, Harris touted the speed of the federal government delivering vaccines to the states at a rate the White House has pegged at 13.5 million doses a week. This has increased by 57 percent since the inauguration. When pressed on the guideline by the CDC saying that teachers may be able to return to work even without getting the jab, Harris said that the White House felt that teachers should be among those ahead of the line for COVID-19 vaccine doses. Teachers’ unions have already expressed concerns regarding Biden’s plan for schools in the coming months that it may expose them to the coronavirus.
This week, Harris also reached out to another world leader, French President Emmanuel Macron. The White House released the readout of her phone conversation with the French leader, with Harris expressing the commitment the US has with its allies and towards reviving the transatlantic alliance. Prior to Macron, Harris spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In the phone conversation, Harris and Macron agreed on the need for global cooperation towards fighting the ongoing pandemic, addressing climate change, and fighting for democracy all over the world.