Biden on Maui and Idalia: 'I Welcome a Federal Response' and 'Half the House Almost Collapsed' (August 30, 2023)

President Joe Biden’s remarks on Hurricane Idalia and the Maui wildfires were on the schedule for “1:45 PM.” “POTUS entered the Roosevelt Room at 2:44 p.m.,” the White House pool reported [2].

At the end, a reporter asked about a new Republican probe. “And what is your reaction to House Republicans who say that they’re launching a investigation into the Federal response in Maui?” Biden answered: “Well, I’m—I welcome a Federal response in Maui” [1].

The video above shows that exchange from the Aug. 30, 2023, remarks. Quotes are from the official transcript and pool reports published by the American Presidency Project [1][2].

”Category 3”

Biden opened with the storm. Idalia “made landfall at 7:45 this morning as a category 3 hurricane,” he said, and he had approved an emergency declaration for Florida early. “And early Monday morning, long before the storm made landfall, I spoke with Governor DeSantis and approved an early request for emergency declaration,” Biden said [1].

”I Welcome a Federal Response in Maui”

Biden went on to describe what he wanted investigators to do. “I think that they should go out and talk to every elected official, from the mayors to the Governors to the United States Senators to the Congresspersons. I welcome—and once they go out and see it, then I’m sure they’ll provide the money. Thank you all very much,” he said [1].

”Half the House Almost Collapsed”

Earlier, Biden tried to relate to families who had lost their homes. “I didn’t know anything like that, but I—lightning struck my house. We had to be out of that house for about 7 months while it was repaired because so much damage was done to the house and half the house almost collapsed,” he said [1].

Fox News quoted a Check Your Fact report on an earlier version of the story: “The fire, which was caused by lightning, was contained to the kitchen and was under control within 20 minutes, according to a 2004 Associated Press report” [3].

Nine days earlier in Lahaina, Biden had told the story with his wife, his Corvette and his cat in it [3]. For that version, see HYGO News’ page on the Maui briefing.

On Maui, he gave one figure: “We’ve already dedicated $400 million to pay for the debris removal once we get the toxic stuff out” [1].

”I’m Getting Beyond My Expertise Here”

A reporter asked whether power companies should shut off electricity in high winds. “I am not expert enough to know when it makes appropriate—it’s appropriate to shut down that line,” Biden said. “So I can picture—I’m getting beyond my expertise here” [1].

He then made a comparison. “More forest has been burned to the ground since I’ve become the—in the time I’ve been doing this than the entire square miles of the State of Maryland. Imagine the entire State of Maryland burning to the ground,” Biden said [1].

”He Trusts My Judgment”

A reporter asked about Florida’s governor. “Mr. President, Governor DeSantis is also running for president. You are running for reelection. Do you sense any politics in your conversations with him about this issue?” [1]

“No. Believe it or not. I know that sounds strange, especially how—looking at the nature of politics today,” Biden said. “I think he trusts my judgment and my desire to help” [1].

”If I Can’t Do That, I’m Going to Point Out Why”

“Mr. President, can you assure Americans that the Federal Government is going to have the emergency funding that they need to get through this hurricane season?” a reporter asked [1].

“The answer is, if I can’t do that, I’m going to point out why. How can we not respond? My God,” Biden said [1].

He also brought up climate change. “I don’t think anybody can deny the impact of the climate crisis anymore,” Biden said [1].

”Are You Running?”

Another question was about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Any concerns about Mitch McConnell’s health, sir?” a reporter asked. “And Mitch is a friend, as you know—not a joke,” Biden said [1].

Asked whether McConnell should run for reelection, Biden turned the question around: “Are you running?” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas answered: “I am not, sir” [1].

By the Numbers

1:45 p.m.: when the remarks were scheduled to start [2].
2:44 p.m.: when Biden walked in, per the pool [2].
7 months: how long Biden said his family was out of the house [1].
$400 million: the debris-removal money Biden said had been dedicated for Maui [1].
20 minutes: how long the 2004 kitchen fire took to bring under control, per the AP report Check Your Fact cited [3].
$16 billion: Biden’s disaster relief request, up from $12 billion, per Fox News [4].

What Happened Next

DeSantis skipped the meeting. “Gov. Ron DeSantis does not plan to meet with President Biden during his visit to regions affected by Hurricane Idalia,” Fox News reported on Sept. 2. “In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts,” DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern said [4].

Congress passed the money. With Republicans running the House, the Sept. 30 stopgap law provided an additional “$16,000,000,000” for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund for fiscal 2024 [5]. For that law, see HYGO News’ page on Biden’s Largo speech.