President Joe Biden landed in a battered Louisiana Friday afternoon to meet with officials, speak with residents and survey the damage after Category Four Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on the state.
During his meeting at the St. Johns Parish Emergency Operation Centerwith leaders, including Gov. John Bel Edwards, Biden stressed his "Build Back Better" agenda.
“It seems to me we can save a whole lot of money, a whole lot of pain for our constituents, if we build back, rebuild it back in a better way,” Biden said.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards sits to the right of US President Joe Biden as he speaks during a briefing with local leaders on the impact of Hurricane Ida at the St. John Parish's Emergency Operations Center in LaPlace, Louisiana on September 3, 2021. - President Joe Biden, who has made threats from climate change a priority, arrived in New Orleans to tour damage from Hurricane Ida, which pounded the Gulf Coast before bringing havoc to New York.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
Ahead of Biden's meeting with other leaders, the president shook hands with Edwards once he arrived in New Orleans.
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, House Republican whip Steve Scalise and other Louisiana officials greeted him on the tarmac as well.
US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards after upon arrival at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana on September 3, 2021. - President Joe Biden, who has made threats from climate change a priority, arrived in New Orleans to tour damage from Hurricane Ida, which pounded the Gulf Coast before bringing havoc to New York.MANDEL NGAN / AFP
Biden also met with local residents in the Cambridge neighborhood of LaPlace, telling them he felt their pain and that his administration was going to "have their backs."
US President Joe Biden visits the Cambridge neighborhood affected by Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, Louisiana, on September 3, 2021.MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US President Joe Biden visits the Cambridge neighborhood affected by Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, Louisiana, on September 3, 2021.MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US President Joe Biden walks by a tree uprooted during hurricane Ida as he visits the Cambridge neighbourhood of LaPlace, Louisiana on September 3, 2021.MANDEL NGAN/AFP
US President Joe Biden speaks with residents during his visit to the Cambridge neighborhood affected by Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, Louisiana, on September 3, 2021.MANDEL NGAN/AFP
US President Joe Biden visits the Cambridge neighbourhood affected by Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, Louisiana on September 3, 2021.MANDEL NGAN/AFP
