“Texas Flood Deaths Were Preventable — But the GOP Chose Tax Cuts Over Lives”

 

🌊 Rep. Gene Wu Calls Out GOP for Texas Flood Deaths: “You’re Not Supposed to Have 500-Year Storms Every Single Year”

As Texas reels from catastrophic flash floods that have claimed at least 120 lives, State Representative Gene Wu is speaking out — and he’s not holding back.

In a CNN interview with Jake Tapper, Wu delivered a scathing critique of the Republican-led Texas legislature, blaming them directly for the devastation. Wu’s message was clear: while working-class Texans are drowning — literally and figuratively — GOP lawmakers are slashing taxes for the wealthy and ignoring the realities of climate change.

💸 Billions for Tax Cuts, Pennies for Flood Protection

Jake Tapper highlighted a staggering statistic:

“The New York Times reported this year the Texas legislature funded only a very small portion of a $54 billion backlog in flood management projects.”

Instead of investing in critical infrastructure that could save lives, the Texas legislature prioritized $51 billion in property tax cuts — the vast majority of which benefit wealthier Texans and large property owners.

Tapper framed it as the contradiction it is:

“Flooding in this area and other parts of Texas is a constant threat to lives... And yet, the flood management funding remains largely unfunded.”

🧱 A Pattern of Neglect and Denial

Rep. Wu pointed to a larger problem — a Republican pattern of blocking life-saving legislation while pretending that extreme weather is just a freak accident.

“Democrats in this House, whether this session or previous sessions, continuously offer bills to help prepare for disasters,” said Wu.

He listed several examples:

A bill by Rep. Martinez to help locate flood victims faster

A proposal from Rep. Anchía to study preparedness for extreme storms

Legislation by Rep. Reynolds to speed aid to communities after disasters

Wu continued:

“Every single one of these bills — and a dozen others — were all killed by Republicans. For no reason at all.”

🌍 Climate Change Denial Has Deadly Consequences

While Donald Trump called the Texas flood a "hundred-year catastrophe," scientists and residents alike know better. These kinds of storms aren’t rare anymore — they’re becoming routine.

“We’re saying there’s something wrong with that,” Wu emphasized.

“You’re not supposed to have 500-year events every single year.”

Yet Republicans at both the state and federal level continue to reject climate science, block proactive legislation, and funnel public wealth into tax cuts and corporate subsidies — leaving regular Americans exposed, unprotected, and in danger.

⚠️ A Dangerous Ideology with Real Human Costs

What’s happening in Texas is not just a natural disaster. It’s a political choice.

As Wu and others have made clear, Democrats have repeatedly tried to pass legislation that could have lessened the damage, saved lives, and helped communities prepare for climate emergencies. But Republican lawmakers have consistently voted against those efforts.

This isn’t just about bad policy — it’s about a governing philosophy that prioritizes tax relief for the wealthy over the safety and survival of ordinary people.

🗳️ A Choice with Life-or-Death Consequences

We are facing an existential crisis. Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it’s here. And the leaders we elect determine whether we confront it or allow it to consume us.

At this point, ignoring the stakes is no longer an option. Every vote counts, not just for values — but for survival.

We must vote as if lives depend on it — because they do.