This week, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) met with President Joe Biden (D) regarding the tragic Surfside collapse. While the meeting provided an update on the federal response that will assist in the continued search for victims, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) thanked the President for approving an emergency declaration in Florida, disregarding DeSantis' collaboration in the federal disaster assistance.
The comments come after Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levin Cava thanked both the Governor and the President for their efforts during this time, calling those efforts "extraordinary."
At a command briefing near the site where the deadly collapse took place, both the Governor and the President discussed the role the federal government will play as efforts continue to look for survivors. Gov. DeSantis shared that President Biden had “recognized the severity of this tragedy from day one,” and he also called Biden “very supportive” in the process.
DeSantis also mentioned that there’s been cooperation between local, state, and federal partners to accurately respond to the collapse.
“You guys have not only been supportive at the federal level, but we’ve had no bureaucracy,” DeSantis said to Biden. In response, the President affirmed that “there will be none.”
News surfaced of the decision for President Biden to approve an emergency declaration that would allow FEMA to coordinate disaster relief for the tragedy on Friday.
Thank you @POTUS for approving historic, urgent federal disaster assistance to aid with the #Surfside building collapse. It was quick, comprehensive and will help devastated families and our community as we rescue, recover and move forward. https://t.co/6ORu2uVvXV
— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) June 25, 2021
In response to the decision, Rep. Wasserman Schultz thanked the President “for approving historic, urgent federal disaster assistance to aid with the Surfside building collapse.” Calling it “quick, comprehensive,” the Florida lawmaker expressed that it “will help devastated families and our community as we rescue, recover, and move forward.”
Moreover, Rep. Wasserman Schultz also championed the federal government, noting that it “is committed to the rescue and response efforts in Surfside.” Speaking of the President and First Lady’s visit to the families and survivors of the victims, she shared that the visit brought “hope and comfort” to the community devastated by this tragedy.
The federal government is committed to the rescue and response efforts in #Surfside. Thank you @POTUS and @FLOTUS for visiting the memorial site yesterday and bringing hope and comfort to families and survivors. pic.twitter.com/G9iuq1cBuK
— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) July 2, 2021
