Trump at Harvey shelter: There's a lot of love, happiness
The president says he has signed documents to provide relief to Texas
President Trump spent Saturday touring areas heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey, saying he’s witnessed “a lot of love” from residents recovering from the devastation while warning it will likely take the affected communities years to rebuild.
Trump begun his day in Houston, where flooding has devastated Texas' most populous city.
The president, along with first lady Melania Trump and other officials, then traveled to Lake Charles, Louisiana, which was also hit by the storm.
“We have a long way to go, but the water is disappearing,” Trump told a crowd at a church in the Houston area.
The president, joined by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, acknowledged recovery efforts could take "two years, three years."
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stop to talk with residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey in a Houston neighborhood, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP)
But he then quipped: “I think because this is Texas you’ll probably do it in six months.”
The president on Saturday also visited NRG Stadium, the home of the Houston Texans, that has served as a recovery center for hurricane victims.
Trump, speaking to reporters, said he has been satisfied with the recovery efforts so far.
“Really, I think people appreciate what’s been done,” he said. “It’s been done very efficiently, very well, and that’s what we want. We’re very happy with the way everything is going."
He added: "A lot of love. There’s a lot of love.”
In Houston, the president handed out lunches of hot dogs, chips and apple sauce to people at the shelter. He was also seen giving hugs and playing with kids.
"What are you building?" the president asked one child at a table full of toys.
As the president toured the destruction, the White House said Trump had made additional disaster assistance available to Texas by authorizing an increase in federal funding for certain eligible costs.
'We have a long way to go, but the water is disappearing'
Trump authorized a 90 percent federal cost share for debris removal and a 100 percent federal cost share for emergency protective measures. The original disaster said the federal government would fund 75 percent of certain costs.
Before leaving Texas, the president stopped in a Houston neighborhood, where debris were piled outside ranch-style homes.
"These are people that have done a fantastic job holding it together," he said.
President Donald Trump helps load donated items for people impacted by Hurricane Harvey during a visit to First Church of Pearland in Pearland, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP)
At Ellington Field, where Air Force One awaited Trump to take him to Louisiana, the president greeted and praised members of the Coast Guard and Texas National Guard.
He was also seen briefly speaking on the tarmac with members of Texas’ congressional delegation, including Democratic Reps. Al Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, two Texas lawmakers who have previously called for Trump's removal from office.
In Lake Charles, the president was briefed on the storm response at a National Guard Armory and met with Democratic Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
President Donald Trump, right, talks with Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., center, and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., after arriving at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, La., to meet people at a county emergency operations center dealing with the impacted of Hurricane Harvey, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP)
This is the president's second trip to the storm affected area. Earlier in the week, the president met with local officials and emergency responders on Tuesday in Corpus Christi and Austin.
At the time, the White House suggested the president was keeping his distance from Houston so he wouldn’t interrupt local recovery efforts.
As for federal aid, the president has urged Congress for roughly $7.9 billion, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, which hit the Texas Gulf Coast on Aug. 25 as a Category 4 hurricane. However, he now plans to ask for as much as $14.5 billion, according to the New York Times.
Congress returns Tuesday from August recess, with assurances from Republican leaders of the GOP-controlled House and Senate that they will promptly start work on the president’s request.
“As families & communities begin long recovery from Hurricane Harvey, House will act quickly on @POTUS request for emergency relief funding,” House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., tweeted Friday evening.
And another top House Republican told Fox News within hours of Ryan's tweet that the chamber would begin such efforts when members return Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also vowed Friday to move fast on Trump’s request for federal assistance after Harvey, whose record 51-plus inches of rain flooded much of southwest Texas, including Corpus Christi, Houston and Beaumont.
“Working closely with the President and the House of Representatives, the Senate stands ready to act quickly to provide this much-needed assistance to those impacted communities, and support first responders and volunteers,” the Kentucky Republican said in a statement.
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump meet people before boarding Air Force One at Ellington Field after meeting people impacted by Hurricane Harvey and first responders during a visit to Houston, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP)
Congress didn’t approve funding for Hurricane Sandy until several months after the storm slammed the East Coast in October 2012, a delay that has been repeatedly revisited in the days after Harvey and one that Congress, particularly GOP members, appear eager to avoid this time.
At least 47 people have died from the storm, and an estimated 72,000 have been rescued, according to reports.
Trump’s initial funding request will be only a small part of the total amount likely needed from the federal government. Estimates of the amount needed exceed $50 billion, with flood evacuations continuing and cleanup expected to take years.
The destruction from Harvey could rival or exceed the damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which cost taxpayers $110 billion.
The congressional efforts would begin with a separate appropriations bill that would send roughly $7.4 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $450 million to finance disaster loans for small businesses.
Trump is scheduled to meet Tuesday with Ryan, McConnell and the Democratic leaders of the both congressional chambers -- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.
The Republican leaders are also making plans to use the aid package to win speedy approval of an increase in the federal borrowing limit.
Congress also has to approve a federal spending package by Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown. Trump appears to be easing off his vow to shut down the government if money is not included to fundi his U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Fox News’ Alex Pappas and Joseph Weber and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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