Republicans and Democrats Call on Disaster Declaration for All 254 Counties

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Congressman Van Taylor (TX-03), alongside a bipartisan group of 26 Members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, today urged President Biden to immediately authorize federal disaster assistance for all 254 Texas counties in Texas.

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott requested a Major Disaster Declaration for all 254 counties in Texas. The following day, President Biden approved the request for 77 of the 254 counties.

Congressman Van Taylor (TX-03) stated, "While I am grateful President Biden approved the Disaster Declaration for Collin County, this unprecedented winter storm brought suffering for millions of individuals and families across our great state. As we assess the damage and begin the process of rebuilding, Texans cannot afford to wait on crucial federal assistance. I will continue working on a bipartisan basis at the federal level to ensure all Texans receive the assistance they desperately need to recover from this disaster."

The letter reads, "The continued delay of FEMA Individual Assistance to all 254 counties, in the State of Texas, will only prolong the suffering of millions of Americans. Therefore, we respectfully request that you expeditiously approve this federal assistance for all Texas counties."

In addition to Congressman Taylor, Representatives Louie Gohmert (R-TX-01), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), Pat Fallon (R-TX-04), Lance Gooden (R-TX-05), Kevin Brady (R-TX-08), Al Green (D-TX-09), Michael T. McCaul (R-TX-10), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Kay Granger (R-TX-12), Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13), Randy K. Weber (R-TX-14), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-15), Pete Sessions (R-TX-17), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX-19), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24), Roger Williams (R-TX-25), Michael C. Burgess (R-TX-26), Michael Cloud (R-TX-27), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30), John R. Carter (R-TX-31), Colin Z. Allred (D-TX-32), and Brian Babin (R-TX-36) signed the letter.

The complete text of the letter can be found here https://vantaylor.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Delegation_Assistance_Approval_Letter.pdf.

Individuals and business owners with damages not covered by insurance in Collin County can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Read this original document at: https://vantaylor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2816