President Biden on Friday toured damage from Hurricane Ida in Louisiana as the state struggles to restore power and rebuild after the Category 4 storm.
Biden was greeted by local officials after stepping off Air Force One in New Orleans.
The tarmac welcome party included Democratic Gov. John Edwards and Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a Democrat, also welcomed Biden.
Biden walked to the Marine One helicopter with a cheat-sheet of officials’ names and photos, along with what appeared to be a script of remarks, sticking out of his pants pocket.
The cheat sheet included the names and photos of Cantrell and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng.
At a briefing with officials on recovery progress, Biden said “there’s a heck of a lot more work to do and that’s why we’re here today.”
“My message today is, I think what we’re all seeing — and I’m getting the same response from my Republican friends here that are in the Congress — is there’s nothing political about this. This is simply about saving lives, getting people back up and running. And we’re in this together,” he said.
“I promise we’re gonna have your back until this thing gets done. And so, I’m mainly here to listen to see what’s on your mind.”
The storm came ashore Sunday in Louisiana, but killed more people in the New York area on Wednesday when its remnants triggered flash flooding, drowning at least 13 people in New York City and killing at least 25 in New Jersey.
Biden will spend the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Del. He has not yet announced plans to tour flood damage in New York.
Biden tours Louisiana Hurricane Ida damage — cheat sheets ready to go
Source: Political Updates PH
