September 23, 2023

US President Joe Biden comments on a virtual event of the Munich Security Conference on February 19, 2021 in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Kevin Lamarque | Reuters

President Joe Biden said Friday he plans to visit Texas next week as millions of residents there continue to struggle with power outages after a major winter storm.

Biden also said he would ask the administration of the Federal Emergent Management Agency to expedite a major disaster declaration application in Texas, which would free up federal funds to support relief efforts there.

“As I said, I’m going to be president of all Americans,” said Biden, who was defeated by then-President Donald Trump in the Texas presidential election last fall.

“I will sign [that] Declaration, as soon as it is in front of me, “that” God willing will bring relief to many Texans, “said the president.

Biden said he planned to travel to Texas by the middle of next week but warned, “I don’t want to be a burden.”

He said, “If I can do it without bothering people, I plan to go.”

“I’ll make that decision early next week,” said Biden.