AUGUSTA, Ga. — Vice President Harris paused her campaign activities to visit a community severely impacted by Hurricane Helene on Wednesday. Many residents remain without power and water, and during her visit, Harris comforted a grieving resident who had lost her husband.
“There is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this hurricane,” Harris remarked, emphasizing the urgency of support for affected residents.
President Biden, during a helicopter survey over Asheville, N.C., expressed the devastation witnessed, stating, “You can see homes that are moved, clearly, from one side of the river, down the river to another side. Communities are reduced to piles of wood and debris.”
Biden and Harris are aiming to assure victims that the federal government is committed to aiding recovery efforts, which is critical for the administration as they navigate an election year, especially in key states like North Carolina and Georgia.
Biden emphasized a unified national response, stating, “At a moment like this, we put politics aside. There are no Democrats, Republicans — only Americans — and our job is to help as many people as we can, as quickly as we can, and as thoroughly as we can.”
In North Carolina, Biden announced that the federal government would cover 100% of debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months, a request made by Governor Roy Cooper. Additionally, he authorized up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist the North Carolina National Guard in distributing food, water, and medicines to residents.
Harris echoed this commitment in Georgia, stating the federal government would provide the same level of support for three months, as requested by Governor Brian Kemp, who was absent during her tour.
The White House also declared that Biden authorized 100% federal funding for debris removal and emergency measures in Florida, where Biden is expected to visit soon.
As both Biden and Trump visit disaster-stricken areas, they both emphasize that, regardless of political affiliation, the focus must be on addressing the needs of citizens in crisis.
Trump, during his tour in Georgia, remarked, “As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election… But in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters. We have to all get together and solve this.”
However, Trump made claims that Georgia’s Governor had trouble reaching Biden, which Biden refuted later that day, asserting that he had been in contact with Kemp, and expressing frustration over misinformation that could undermine public trust amid ongoing recovery efforts.
