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President Joe Biden traveled to New Jersey and New York City Tuesday to survey damage in parts of the northeast that suffered catastrophic flash flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
Biden declared climate change “everybody’s crisis” after touring the neighborhoods severely damaged by Ida. He said it’s time for America to get serious about the danger or face even worse loss of life and property.
While there, he called for federal spending to fortify infrastructure so it can better withstand such powerful storms, with his plan calling for $1 trillion in infrastructure spending nationwide currently pending in Congress.
The president walked down through streets and alleys to view damage with New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul were also there to survey the damage with Biden.
“I wish every American could walk down this alley with me to see and talk the people who are devastated, just talk to them,” Biden said. “This is America, where I am standing right now.”
“It’s about time we step up, they are always the first ones that are hurt and the last ones that are helped, but that’s not going to happen this time,” Biden said.
Biden warned that the storms would worsen, and people need to listen to the scientists and the economics who say it’s a code red.
He said when he thinks about climate change, he thinks of “jobs, good-paying jobs,” with a wage of $45 to $50 per hour “plus health care. That’s what is needed.
Administration officials said the White House plans to ask Congress for at least $24 billion in additional federal aid to respond to hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and natural disasters dating back to early last year.
“Given the scale and scope of these natural disasters, everyone must work together to get Americans the help they desperately need,” said Senator Schumer.
