Social media users are sharing content online claiming that President Joe Biden took no action in response to the exceptionally low temperatures in Texas. Although Biden had not yet spoken publicly about Texas on February 18, 2021, he approved federal aid for the state.
Examples can be seen here and here.
One report here reads: “Texas Turbines & Solar Panels frozen, people freeze and die. And Biden said nothing about this emergency! WTH does he do? ”
The cold lightning fast in Texas also reached the northern part of neighboring Mexico, where authorities said 4.7 million users lost their power early on February 15, 2021. Around noon, the service was restored to nearly 2.6 million of them (here).
It is true that Biden did not speak during the speeches or via social media about the situation in Texas during the publication. However, he took steps to address the emergency.
President Biden on Monday announced a state of emergency by unlocking federal aid to Texas, where temperatures were between 28 and minus 8 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 2 to minus 22 degrees Celsius) (here).
The emergency statement can be found here.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki explained in a daily press briefing Wednesday (here, from 12:55 p.m.) what steps have been taken to help Texas.
Around 1:10 p.m., she says the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided Texas with generators, water and blankets. It is also moving diesel to Texas to ensure the availability of backup power for critical infrastructure.
VERDICT
Missing context. President Biden had not yet spoken about the situation in Texas on February 18, but the government has taken steps to help the state.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work here.