Pence assures Texas federal govt. "in for long haul"

In this Aug. 10, 2017, photo, President Donald Trump, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, speaks to reporters before a security briefing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. Pence departs Sunday for Latin America, a trip that comes on the heels of yet another provocative statement fromTrump that Pence is sure to have to answer for: this time TrumpÂs sudden declaration that he would not rule out a Âmilitary optionÂ in Venezuela, where president Nicolas Maduro has been consolidating power, plunging the country into chaos. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) less In this Aug. 10, 2017, photo, President Donald Trump, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, speaks to reporters before a security briefing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. Pence departs ... more Photo: Evan Vucci, STF Photo: Evan Vucci, STF Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Pence assures Texas federal govt. "in for long haul" 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Vice President Mike Pence assured Texans Monday morning the federal government was "in for the long haul" in helping rebuild after Hurricane Harvey.

"President Trump has directed the full resources of the federal government to support the people of Texas," he said during an appearance on San Antonio radio station KTSA's The Trey Ware Morning Show. "Just know all of our hearts are in Texas."

Since Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast late Friday, the federal government has put more than 8,000 federal employees "on the ground" in Texas and Louisiana, to aid state and local officials in rescue efforts and distribute more than 1 million meals, as well as water, cots and blankets, Pence said.

And while the vice president assured federal financial assistance would be made available those who lost homes and businesses, he said for now their efforts are "100 percent focused on rescue efforts."

"There will be plenty of time once the floodwaters begin to recede," he said. "We'll get through this and the federal government will be there for the long haul to help rebuild Texas."

Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Tuesday to tour those areas impacted by Harvey and meet with local officials. Pence said the details of that visit would be made public at a later time.

"The president wants to be there and make sure the families and all of those affected and our first responders know, 'we're with you,'" he said.