Texas governor: White House disaster aid bill ‘inadequate’

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FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2017 file photo, Interstate 69 is covered by floodwaters from Harvey, in Humble, Texas. Just two weeks ago, President Donald Trump rolled back an order by his predecessor that would have made it easier for storm-ravaged communities to use federal emergency aid to rebuild bridges, roads and other construction so they can better withstand future disasters. That decision is now being questioned with the Texas Gulf Coast and much of Houston under water in the wake of Harvey. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is criticizing as “completely inadequate” the Trump administration’s $44 billion disaster aid request to Congress.

Speaking at a Texas Capitol news conference Friday, Abbott said the request “does not live up to what the president wants to achieve” even though it came from Trump’s administration.

Speaking alongside Abbott, Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the chamber’s Majority Whip, said he isn’t satisfied.

The request includes funding for hurricane recovery, not just in Texas but also in storm-ravaged Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. And it’s not even close to what Abbott wanted just for his state.

The governor has visited Washington repeatedly, lobbying for $61 billion in Texas disaster relief he says is needed just for infrastructure, including efforts to combat future floods.