The White House said it will not invite Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Air Force One when President Joe Biden visits the state to survey damage caused by last week's snow and ice storm, breaking the usual protocol of traveling with the local officials on such trips.
Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki attributed the snub to Biden's wife, Jill Biden, accompanying him on the trip and capacity restrictions on the presidential aircraft.
"Dr. Biden is traveling, of course, with us to Texas," Psaki said at her press briefing Thursday, using the courtesy title of Biden's wife, who has a doctorate in education. "There are some limitations on space available.
"There are not members of any party traveling with the president to Texas. But again, he's going to be spending the day traveling with Gov. [Greg] Abbott and surveying the damage on the ground."
Dozens of deaths have been attributed to the storm that struck Texas and several other states last week. The storm knocked out power, heat and other utilities to millions as temperatures plunged below freezing.
The winter storm spawned at least four tornadoes, according to Atlanta-based weather.com, including one in coastal North Carolina late Monday that killed at least three people and injured 10 more.
Most people in Texas have had their power restored, although 7.5 million reportedly remain under orders to boil their water before drinking.
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