Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday headed to Augusta, GA, alongside Sen. Jon Ossoff, Democrat of Georgia, to survey the damage from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that hit Southeastern states — Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. At least 600 people are unaccounted for.
Harris gave an update late Wednesday about ongoing federal efforts in the recovery.
“I’ve been reading and hearing about the work you’ve been doing over the last few days, and I think it really does represent some of the best of what we each know can be done, especially when we coordinate around local, state, federal resources to meet the needs of people who must be seen, who must be heard,” she said during her visit to the Augusta Emergency Operations Center, according to White House pool reports.
Harris is also planning to make a trip to North Carolina in the coming days. The hurricane severely hit western North Carolina.
President Joe Biden was scheduled to visit North Carolina Wednesday and survey the damage in Asheville via a helicopter to avoid disturbing recovery efforts on the ground.
Trump on Monday visited a damaged furniture store in Valdosta, GA, where he delivered remarks.
“We’re here today to stand in complete solidarity with the people of Georgia, with all of those suffering in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” Trump said.
Longshoremen’s strike
Harris issued a statement Wednesday in support of a strike of unionized dockworkers, part of the International Longshoremen’s Association, which has 85,000 members.
“This strike is about fairness,” she said. “Foreign-owned shipping companies have made record profits and executive compensation has grown. The Longshoremen, who play a vital role transporting essential goods across America, deserve a fair share of these record profits.”
They are striking for higher wages, more health care benefits, and a ban on automation of port operations.
The Trump campaign also issued a statement and said if Trump were president, the strike would have never happened.
“This is only happening because of the inflation brought on by Kamala Harris’ two votes for massive, out-of-control spending, and her decision to cut off energy exploration,” he said. “Americans who thrived under President Trump can’t even get by because of Kamala Harris – this strike is a direct result of her actions.”
For more coverage of Hurricane Helene, click here.
