Biden Says He Hopes to Visit Texas After Winter Storm

“If in fact it’s concluded that I can go without creating a burden for the folks on the ground while they’re dealing with this crisis, I plan on going,” Biden told reporters Friday at the White House. “But we’ll know that, make that decision, probably next week.”

Biden spoke with Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday, telling him that “the federal government will continue to work hand-in-hand with state and local authorities in Texas to bring relief and address the critical needs of the families affected” by a week of freezing temperatures, ice and snow that left millions without power and water.

The storm may cost the country $50 billion in damages and economic losses, AccuWeather estimated.

Biden noted that presidential travel places demands on local police forces and other resources, “and they’re working like the devil to take care of their folks.”