NEW: Texas Democrats Call Upon Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick to Skip Republican National Convention Amidst Hurricane Beryl Aftermath
AUSTIN, Texas – Over 1 million Texans are still without power and struggling to access food, gas, and basic medical care because of the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Beryl. But Texas Republicans are ignoring the cries of their own constituents and gearing up to flee the state and attend the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week. This is yet another prime example of the gross incompetence of the top leaders in the Texas government – especially in times of disaster.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa released the following statement:
“Hurricane Beryl’s aftermath has resulted in death, boil water notices, makeshift hospitals and devastating property damage – leaving millions without power during an extreme heat advisory. Our state’s leaders should not be jetting off to applaud Donald Trump while Texans are still suffering. The Texas Democratic Party calls on Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Ted Cruz to skip the Republican National Convention, and prioritize mitigating Beryl’s aftermath.”
Background:
Greg “Governor Absent” Abbott is expected to return to Texas from a weeklong economic development tour of Asia – where he drew criticism for leaving state agencies unprepared for Beryl.
While the Governor was enjoying ritzy dinners and hotels alongside CenterPoint Energy VP Jason Ryan, Dan Patrick notably spent his time as acting-governor scrambling to correct President Biden’s criticism of the Texas leaders.
Abbott’s publicized absence was quickly compared to Ted Cruz’s vacation to Cancún during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Cruz is speculated to keynote during the RNC speaking program – proving that he is once again willing to abandon suffering Texans for personal gain.
Next week, Abbott will join Dan Patrick at a Texas Public Policy Foundation reception in Milwaukee alongside Dr. Ben Carson, Lara Trump and Greg Sindelar.
In 2008, former Texas Governor Rick Perry opted out of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota to monitor Hurricane Gustav. The hurricane changed course and made landfall in neighboring Louisiana. Even then – Perry did not make the mistake of abandoning Texas for self-important press coverage.
Texas Republicans butchered Hurricane Beryl preparation and response:
Houston Chronicle: Texas leaders were slower to request federal Beryl aid than in past hurricanes
“Abbott’s office has not said whether it started working on a federal disaster declaration request ahead of Beryl. The governor left the country on a pre-planned trip Friday, when Beryl was still over the Yucatán Peninsula and its Texas trajectory was uncertain.”
Fox 4: Hurricane Beryl: 10 killed, more than 2 million without power
“Beryl is gone, but across Houston, the floodwaters are slow to recede.”
“At least 10 people were killed in the storm, including nine in the greater Houston area and one in Louisiana.”
“Wind gusts of up to 94 miles per hour brought storm surge, knocked over trees and ripped roofs off of homes.”
CNN: Houston area residents struggle without power and water as excruciating heat continues
“Half a million Houston-area homes and businesses may not have their power restored until next week amid sweltering summer heat, even as many in the region struggle to access fresh food, air conditioning and safe drinking water.”
“More than 1 million power customers in southeast Texas – mainly between Galveston and north of Houston – are still without power after Hurricane Beryl hurtled into the Gulf Coast on Monday, leaving at least 10 people dead in Texas, two dead in Vermont, and one dead in Louisiana.”
ABC 13: NRG Park to house 250 hospital beds amid backup after Beryl
“Beryl's aftermath is straining our healthcare system, so state leaders are turning NRG Park into a transition facility.”
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