Vice President JD Vance visited Virginia on Monday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and pledged the federal government’s unwavering commitment to expediting recovery efforts. Addressing residents and local leaders, Vance promised to cut through bureaucracy and deliver much-needed resources to help communities rebuild.
“We need to get back to Washington, figure out what the holdup is, and power through it,” Vance said during his remarks. “Every single day of delay is too long for people who have already been waiting for four months since this storm. Folks can’t wait.”
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The vice president highlighted the administration’s focus on eliminating red tape and working closely with state and local governments to accelerate funding distribution. He emphasized the need for swift action, announcing a $127 million budget amendment to supplement federal appropriations already allocated for disaster recovery.
“We heard from business leaders today who’ve seen more movement in the past week than they’ve seen in months,” Vance said. “This is an opportunity for us to cut through the bureaucracy and ensure that people can rebuild their lives and their communities.”
When asked about the inclusion of East Tennessee in recovery efforts, Vance assured residents that no region would be overlooked. “We recognize that while most of the attention has been focused on North Carolina, there is significant devastation here in Virginia and in East Tennessee,” he said. “Our promise and focus are to leave no American behind.”
Vance also met with a congresswoman from East Tennessee earlier in the day, reiterating the administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of affected communities across state lines.
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As recovery efforts continue, Vance’s visit to Virginia marked his second trip to areas affected by Hurricane Helene since taking office just a week ago. The administration has pledged to prioritize disaster relief and recovery as a cornerstone of its domestic agenda.
Residents and business leaders expressed gratitude for the federal government’s attention and the vice president’s presence in the region. However, they also underscored the urgency of getting funding and resources to the ground.
With the administration’s promise to “power through the bureaucracy” and focus on rebuilding, communities devastated by Hurricane Helene are hopeful that relief is finally on its way.
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