President Joe Biden to visit Houston on Friday after winter storm

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden plans visit Texas on Friday in the wake of extensive winter storm damage in the state.

The president and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Houston, according to a White House announcement. Biden has engaged from afar with state and local officials but stated a reluctance to come to Texas too soon because he didn’t want his traveling entourage to pull resources from the crisis at hand.

“When the president lands in a city in America, it has a long tail,” he told reporters Friday.

At a briefing soon after the announcement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Biden would “meet with local leaders to discuss the winter storm, relief efforts, progress toward recovery and the incredible resilience shown by the people of Houston and Texas.”

“While in Texas, the president will also visit a COVID health center where vaccines are being distributed,” she said.

Psaki said more details of the trip are coming together and that the White House will have further information soon.

Over the weekend, Biden approved a major disaster declaration for more than 100 Texas counties. A declaration, requested by Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, allows for a wide range of federal assistance to support repairs for individuals and infrastructure. (Read how Texans can apply for federal assistance here.)

Last week’s winter storm caused billions of dollars in damage across the state. Millions of Texans experienced prolonged periods without power or clean water amid freezing temperatures. Dozens of deaths have been reported, though state officials say it could be weeks or months before an official death toll is known.

Patrick Svitek contributed reporting.