President Obama plans trip to Louisiana next week
BY ELIZABETH CRISP | ecrisp@theadvocate.com Published Aug 19, 2016 at 2:45 pm | Updated Aug 19, 2016 at 3:01 pm (8)
President Barack Obama is scheduled to travel to Baton Rouge on Tuesday to view damage from flooding that has left 13 people dead and thousands more displaced from their homes.
“The President is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts,” the White House said in announcing the trip. “He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods, hear from more officials about the response, including how the federal government can assist and tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever.”
Obama has come under fire in recent days for not visiting flood-ravaged Louisiana. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump visited on Friday.
Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat has defended Obama’s delay, saying it would be a drain on resources needed in the response and recovery period.
“I would just as soon he wait a week or two,” Edwards said on Thursday.
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