{"id":184427,"date":"2024-10-13T18:19:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T01:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=184427"},"modified":"2024-10-13T18:19:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T01:19:47","slug":"president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-on-the-federal-governments-response-to-hurricanes-milton-and-helene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=184427","title":{"rendered":"President Biden and Vice President Harris on the Federal Government\u2019s Response to Hurricanes Milton and Helene"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Well, folks, Kamala and I have just received a briefing from senior leaders across our administration from Hurricane Helene and \u2014 and Hurricane Milton.  And to state the obvious, I\u2019m sure you feel the same way, our heart goes out to all those folks who \u2014 who\u2019ve lost not only personal property but their homes and some lost lives \u2014 and grieving after the aftermath of the \u2014 the tornados, brutal winds, record downpours, and historic flooding. <\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p5zm2H0QQ9g\" title=\"President Biden Delivers Remarks in Response to Hurricane Milton\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I must have spoken in the last three days to 50 to 75 members of the \u2014 in Cali- \u2014 from North Carolina all the way down to Florida, talking to mayors and county executives and \u2014 anyway, it\u2019s just \u2014 it\u2019s amazing what\u2019s going on. <\/p>\n<p>And, you know, this is the third major storm \u2014 third major storm to hit California \u2014 I mean, excuse me, Florida, in three months.  And experts estimate that as \u2014 and it\u2019s early \u2014 early estimates \u2014 it could be more; it could be less \u2014 but estimates that it\u2019s caused damages around $50 billion from Hurricane Milton alone \u2014 just alone, $50 billion.<\/p>\n<p>And I want everyone in the impacted areas to know we\u2019re going to do everything we can to let you \u2014 help you pick back up the pieces and get back to where you were. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve been in constant contact, calling and reaching out to over 40 state and local officials, as I said, and they \u2014 they need \u2014 we have to give them a little bit of hope.  I mean, some of you have been through crises.  You know the one thing you wonder about when things are really bad is, is there hope?  Is \u2014 is anybody coming?  What\u2019s going to happen?  And that\u2019s what \u2014 that\u2019s what\u2019s happening right now.  State and local officials are \u2014 are doing everything they can to help these folks recover.<\/p>\n<p>At my request, the primary focus of today\u2019s briefing has been on the power restoration and debris removal, because there are urgent needs. <\/p>\n<p>Milton left over 3 million people without power, but with the dedication of 50,000 powerline workers \u2014 50,000 powerline workers from 43 states and the country of \u2014 and Canada have stepped up and come down to help and to restore \u2014 they\u2019ve already restored power to 1 million people so far. <\/p>\n<p>And, by the way, if you ever watch these guys and women climb these poles in the middle of nowhere, this is \u2014 anyway, they\u2019re \u2014 they\u2019re risking this while they\u2019re doing this work. <\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019ve \u2014 we just spoke to the CEOs of the public and private electric utilities to thank them for surging their \u2014 their restoration crews to people urgently needing power, even in the communities they don\u2019t serve.  That\u2019s one of the points: A lot of these folks are going into the communities they have \u2014 they don\u2019t serve at all and just volunteering.  And the energy sector is real. <\/p>\n<p>And, by the way, our secretary, Jennifer Granholm, of Energy, is \u2014 she calls it a \u201cmini NATO,\u201d a \u2014 a commitment to mutual assistance and another shining example of Americans \u2014 literally someone \u2014 when push comes to shove, they stand up and take care of one another.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re going to continue to prioritize this effort until everyone is reconnected and back online. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve been able to get this work done quicker because of critical infrastructure investments we\u2019ve made, but when I was vice president \u2014 both when I was vice president and since I\u2019ve been president to harden the grid \u2014 the grid \u2014 you all know it, but \u201cthe grid\u201d meaning, for your listeners, the electric power grid that transmits power \u2014 harden the grid by incorporating innovative technologies like burying transmission lines underground, replacing wood power poles with concrete power poles that don\u2019t snap in the wind. <\/p>\n<p>To reduce the impact of extreme weather and climate change, we have to continue making these investments.  We were just talking about it with the utility companies and with our team here and with \u2014 with the secretary. <\/p>\n<p>You know, over the years, the past several years, Florida has taken the money, back when we \u2014 I got when we were vice president \u2014 when I was vice president, to invest in putting these lines underground.  It costs a hell of a lot more to put the lines underground than it does up in the air, but \u2014 up to six times more or seven times more \u2014 but it makes sense, be- \u2013and anybody who says, \u201cWe don\u2019t want to spend the money,\u201d think of the three storms.  Ev- \u2014 after every damn storm, it\u2019ll wipe out the power grid; you\u2019ve got to rebuild it.  And so, if you can keep it so it\u2019s not wiped out, it makes a long-term savings.<\/p>\n<p>And the other thing that\u2019s a big deal is debris removal.  FEMA and the Corps of Engineers and the Florida National Guard are now on the ground helping the state clear debris \u2014 debris to reopen roads and critical ports as well. <\/p>\n<p>I mean, s- \u2014 you\u2019ve seen the pictures.  Some of you have been there.  You see wh- \u2014 for example, in North Carolina, where half a mountain comes down and the bridge rolls into the water, and you\u2019ve got \u2014 you\u2019ve got piles.  I mean, you \u2014 you see at the end of a \u2014 end of a river in a cul-de-sac.  I mean, piles are three, four, five feet high with all kinds of debris in there.  It\u2019s going to take a lot of time and money to remove it.<\/p>\n<p>But the Army Corps and the Florida National Guard in Florida are on the ground helping clear this debris and reopen the roads.  A- \u2014 and so, we can make \u2014 they have to do it for other reasons, to make critical deliveries of food, water, and tarps and lifesaving supplies.<\/p>\n<p>The Coast Guard is leading the effort to reopen the Port of Tampa, which you \u2014 as you all know, because we\u2019ve \u2014 everybody\u2019s been covering it and they\u2019ve done a good job of doing it \u2014 covering it because it\u2019s a port that delivers a lot of \u2014 a lot of fuel that goes into the region and goods that are necessary.  It\u2019s critical for the economy of the region.<\/p>\n<p>And \u2014 and, again, let me say that the misinformation out there is not only just disgusting, but it \u2014 it\u2019s dangerous and it\u2019s misleading.  And, again, the first thing it does \u2014 and I mean this sincerely.  I don\u2019t \u2014 a lot of you have been through these crises, some of you personally.  But people desperately want hope \u2014 \u201cTell me it\u2019s going to be okay.\u201d  \u201cTell me it\u2019s going to be okay.\u201d  And they\u2019re in real trouble, a lot of them.<\/p>\n<p>And to hear this malarkey you\u2019re hearing from some of the people we \u2014 I won\u2019t even get into, but \u2014 I\u2019ll lose my temper. <\/p>\n<p>But, anyway, the truth is we\u2019re providing all the resources that are needed.<\/p>\n<p>Let me close with this.  I want to thank you again to our brave first responders, powerline workers, state and local officials, and neighbors helping neighbors and so many more. <\/p>\n<p>Look, it\u2019s a team effort.  I know that sounds corny, but it really is a team effort and everybody in the game here.<\/p>\n<p>We \u2014 we\u2019re looking at it very seriously, and we\u2019re working together.  And it\u2019s made a big difference.  I think we\u2019ve saved lives \u2014 not me, but we, all of those folks out in the field have saved lives.   <\/p>\n<p>But there\u2019s more to do, and we\u2019re going to do everything in my power to get it done.  And the fact of the matter is that we\u2019re in a situation where \u2014 well \u2014<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY GRANHOLM:  She\u2019s (inaudible) \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  I \u2014 I know.  I\u2019m going to go to the vice president in a second. <\/p>\n<p>The \u2014 she \u2014 she\u2019s my boss here.  (Laughter.)  (Inaudible.)<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY GRANHOLM:  I wasn\u2019t sure if you saw it.  (Laughs.)<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  We\u2019re \u2014 we\u2019re going to be \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Mr. President \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Wa- \u2014 hang on one second, Madam Vice President.<\/p>\n<p>THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sure.  (Laughs.)<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  We\u2019re going to \u2014 we\u2019re going to be going to the Congress.  We\u2019re going to need a lot of help, going to need a lot more money as we \u2014 as we identify specifically how much is needed.<\/p>\n<p>So, I\u2019m just telling everybody now.  I don\u2019t want to hear the \u2014 this is going to be the end of it. <\/p>\n<p>So \u2014 and so, with that, I\u2019ll le- \u2014 I\u2019ll yield to the president \u2014 I mean, the vice president.  (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mr. President.  And thank you to all of the men and women represented at the agencies that are represented by the members of the president\u2019s Cabinet for the work that they\u2019ve been doing around the clock.<\/p>\n<p>In the wake of Hurricane Milton, we have, of course, witnessed widespread devastation.  Homes and neighborhoods have been severely damaged.  Millions of people are without power and thousands without clean water.<\/p>\n<p>To the people of Florida, and \u2014 you must know \u2014 and to the \u2014 all of those in the region, our nation is with you.  We see your incredible strength and resilience, and we are working around the clock to keep you safe.  We continue to coordinate resources with local and state authorities, including food, water, medical supplies, and generators, and we will continue to work with the teams on the ground to restore water and power as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n<p>In the coming days and weeks, President Biden and I will make sure that the communities that are there on the ground and have been affected will have the resources they need not only to respond to the storm but also to recover.  And we will continue to keep communities in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and across the Southeast \u2014 ensured that they will recover from Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, I will say once again, as Secretary Mayorkas and I have discussed, to any company or individual that is using this crisis to jack up prices through illegal fraud or price gouging, whether it be at the gas pump, the airport, or the hotel counter, we will be monitoring, and there will be a consequence.<\/p>\n<p>The bottom line is this.  We are in this for the long haul, and the support and the coordination between federal, state, and local authorities and leaders has been extraordinary and will continue for as long as it takes.<\/p>\n<p>I thank you all.<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>(Cross-talk.)<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Holler louder.  Holler louder.  I can\u2019t hear you. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, are you worried about \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    The misinformation that you\u2019ve been talking about that you\u2019re so worried about?  Do you \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Say again.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The misinformation that you\u2019ve been \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 talking about related to this hurricane and the recovery efforts.  Do you think it\u2019s temporary, or do you think and worry that this might be a permanent state of being for this country?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  I think it\u2019s a permanent state of being for some extreme people, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s what the country is about.  It\u2019s \u2014 we\u2019re \u2014 we\u2019re breaking through it.  We\u2019re breaking through with the truth. <\/p>\n<p>And if you\u2019ve noticed \u2014 and I\u2019ve really been proud of \u2014 I\u2019ve been on the phone, talking with a lot of Republican mayors and governors.  They\u2019re standing up saying this is \u2014 not \u2014 not Joe Biden, but conservative, hardcore Republican governors, hardcore Republican mayors standing up and saying, \u201cIt\u2019s got to stop.  It\u2019s got to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And \u2014 and I \u2014 I believe it\u2019s \u2014 there\u2019s nothing permanent about it.  I am pleased that more Americans are coming together in a purely voluntary way.  I mean, this is who the hell we are.  When America is in trouble, we all jump in and try to help, help your neighbor.  And that\u2019s ma- \u2014 bas- \u2014 basically what\u2019s happening. <\/p>\n<p>But what \u2014 the thing that bothers me the most is there\u2019s a lot of people who get caught in these crises who are basically alone \u2014 you know, widowers, wi- \u2014 widowers, people in hospitals, people who are all by themselves.  And they don\u2019t know \u2014 and they lose contact, and they get \u2014 and they just get scared to death \u2014 scared to death.  And \u2014 anyway.<\/p>\n<p>So, I think it\u2019s a \u2014 I think those who have been spreading these lies to try to undermine the opposition are going to pay a price for it.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, are you worried about this effect \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    But do you think Donald Trump is singularly to blame for all of this?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  No, he\u2019s not singularly \u2014 but he\u2019s just the biggest mouth.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, will you ask \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, have you spoken to Speaker Johnson \u2014<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  No, I haven\u2019t \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 on calling Congress back?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  \u2014 but we\u2019re going to \u2014 I\u2019ve spoken to Republicans who want to speak to Speaker Johnson.  And I think Speaker Johnson is going to get the message that he\u2019s got to step up, particularly for small businesses. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Do you plan to meet with DeSantis in Florida?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  I \u2014 I\u2019ve spoken to him.  If he\u2019s a- \u2014 if he\u2019s available, yeah.  He\u2019s been very cooperative.  I\u2019ve had no \u2014 we\u2019ve had \u2014 we got on very, very well. <\/p>\n<p>(Cross-talk.)<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Let me \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Are you as- \u2014 are you asking Israel to stop hitting U.N. peacekeepers?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  Absolutely, positively. <\/p>\n<p>Q    What \u2014 what about nuclear \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Mr. President, will you \u2014 will you approve Mr. Trump\u2019s request to use military aircraft in the final stages of the campaign?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  I\u2019m sorry?<\/p>\n<p>Q    Will you approve Mr. Trump\u2019s request to use military aircraft in the final stages of the campaign?<\/p>\n<p>THE PRESIDENT:  As long as he doesn\u2019t ask for F-15s.  No, I\u2019m being facetious. <\/p>\n<p>Look, I\u2019ve told the department to give him every \u2014 every single thing he needs for his \u2014 at any other \u2014 as \u2014 as he were a sitting president, give all that needs.  If it fits within that category, that\u2019s fine.  But if it doesn\u2019t, he shouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Well, folks, Kamala and I have just received a briefing from senior leaders across our administration from Hurricane Helene and \u2014 and Hurricane Milton. And to state the obvious, I\u2019m sure you feel the same way, our heart goes out to all those folks who \u2014 who\u2019ve lost not only personal property but their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-184427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","category-traffic-fire","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Fullscreen-capture-10132024-61821-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=184427"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":184429,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184427\/revisions\/184429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/184428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=184427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=184427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=184427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}