President Joe Biden has postponed a planned trip to Germany and Angola to remain at the White House to oversee the response to Hurricane Milton as well as keeping an eye on the recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.
“I just don’t think I can be out of the country at this time,” the President said at the White House on Tuesday.
President Biden warned that Milton “could be one of the worst storms in 100 years,” and he’s working “to increase the size and presence” of the federal government’s response.
The President warned that people in the storm’s path should listen to local officials and evacuate.“Kamala and I are keeping all of you in our prayers,” President Biden said.
Vice President Harris, who visited Helene-ravaged areas of North Carolina on Sunday, was in New York on Tuesday and spoke to the White House's tireless efforts to get aid to those most in need.
The President has already sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson asking him to recall the House back from its pre-election recess to vote on an increased aid package, but Johnson said on Monday that he had no intention of bringing the caucus back until after the election.
Both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have visited areas impacted by Helene, while Republicans have been pushing lies about a lack of a White House response and politicized a hurricane while refusing to vote to increase FEMA aid.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis refused a call from the Vice President to discuss more aid for the state as it faced potential devastation from Helene.