Donald Trump visits flooded areas, promises quick relief for victims

HOUSTON: President Donald Trump travelled parts of Texas and Louisiana on Saturday to view the damage from Hurricane Harvey and comfort victims displaced by the epic flooding, vowing that the federal government will act quickly to help the region rebuild.

Trump shook hands and posed for pictures while visiting Houston’s NRG Center, which is being used as an emergency shelter, a day after sending Congress a request for almost $8 billion in initial relief for victims of the catastrophic storm.

The storm victims “are really happy with what’s going on,” Trump said, in reference to the disaster response. “It’s something that’s been very well received.” Trump said he hoped it would be a “quick process” to get the first sum of relief money to the areas affected.

It’s unclear if House Republicans will go along with White House suggestions that the aid measure be tied to raising the federal debt ceiling.

It’s his second visit to storm-ravaged Texas within the last week, after he met with state and local officials in Rockport and Austin on August 29. Trump also visited Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds with hats and signs in support of the president and the first family.