Update 1:25 p.m. ET Feb. 19: President Joe Biden said Friday that he plans to visit Texas after winter storms battered the state, causing widespread power outages, water pressure issues and dozens of deaths.

"I had planned on visiting Texas in the middle of next week but I don’t want to be a burden," Biden said, adding that he plans to decide when to take the trip early next week. "When the president lands in a city in America it has a long tail."

The president, who spoke to reporters in the White House's East Room on Friday morning, said he plans to sign a major disaster declaration requested for the state.

"FEMA is already there and providing support," he said. Biden has also directed officials with several other federal agencies to determine whether they have resources that can help people in the state.

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