Moving forward

The governor’s trip to Washington comes just weeks after he accused House lawmakers of “lacking a stiff spine” in negotiations over the $36.5 billion disaster relief package -- a dispute that led to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Republican leaders phoning the governor.

At the time, a few Texas Republicans shot back that in order for them to sell the request to fellow House members, Abbott should make a detailed case in Washington.

That tension wasn’t on display Tuesday, as several House members, both Republican and Democrat, emerged from a late meeting with Abbott.

Lubbock Rep. Jodey Arrington -- a Republican who said he worked on projects to help the Gulf Coast rebuild after Katrina for the George W. Bush administration -- said it means a great deal to House members for Abbott to provide them with a detailed proposal.

The Texas delegation needs “the information to back up what we’re asking our colleagues to support,” he said. “We would ask them for the same if it was California and it was an earthquake.”

Competing requests

It’s unclear whether Texas will see the more than $60 billion Abbott wants amid competing requests and initiatives, such as the GOP’s bid to rewrite the nation’s tax code.

Cornyn, the majority whip, said lawmakers are still "working on a number” but are “certainly not giving up, by any means.”

He said he’s working on additional spending requests with lawmakers who represent other storm-ravaged states and territories, such as Florida and Puerto Rico, "to make sure we're united" and "make sure we don't get forgotten in this process."

Earlier this month, Cornyn said he received assurances from the White House that a Harvey measure could come up as soon as November. But he's worried that a relief measure could be rolled into a politically fraught omnibus appropriations bill in December, instead of a standalone measure. That, he said, imperils its chances.