In a contentious exchange, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden have engaged in a dispute over the response to Hurricane Beryl. The disagreement centers around the distribution of federal aid and the timing of communication between state and federal officials.

According to reports, President Biden stated that he had to delay the distribution of federal emergency services to Texas because he was attempting to locate Governor Abbott in order to secure the necessary disaster declaration. However, Abbott's spokesperson vehemently denied these claims, stating that all necessary disaster declarations were in place well before the storm hit.

A White House spokesperson confirmed that federal officials had made multiple attempts to reach Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who was serving as acting governor in Abbott's absence. It was not until Tuesday afternoon that Biden was able to connect with Patrick.

Governor Abbott's spokesperson accused President Biden of lying, pointing out that federal agencies had been working with state officials before the storm and that proper disaster declarations had been made ahead of time. The governor, who was on an official trip to Asia, issued state disaster declarations for 121 counties by July 6. Upon surveying the damage, Patrick requested a federal disaster declaration, which was granted by President Biden.

Ernie Abbott, a former top FEMA lawyer, explained that a major disaster declaration allows the federal government to assist states in responding to catastrophic events. He clarified that it is the responsibility of the governor to make the request, which can then be approved by the president. The process involves evaluating the damage and determining if federal assistance is needed.

While President Biden and Governor Abbott have clashed on various political issues in the past, this recent dispute has added to their strained relationship. Lieutenant Governor Patrick criticized the president for turning Hurricane Beryl into a political issue and called his complaints "a load of malarkey."

Despite the disagreement, both federal and state officials have emphasized the importance of collaboration and teamwork in responding to natural disasters. State Emergency Management Agency head Nim Kidd highlighted the need for federal aid to cover debris removal and emergency protective measures, including generators.

Hurricane Beryl brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in the unfortunate loss of lives and injuries in the Houston region. Governor Abbott expressed condolences for those impacted and reiterated that the safety of Texans remains the top priority.

As the fallout from Hurricane Beryl continues, the dispute between President Biden and Governor Abbott underscores the need for effective coordination and swift response in times of crisis.