White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds Press Briefing - VoiceTube: Learn English through videos!

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>>> HAPPY TAX DAY FOR THOSE WHO
CELEBRATE, WHICH WE HOPE IS
EVERYONE IN THE ROOM, AS PART
OF TAX DAY WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING,
PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS A SIMPLE
PHILOSOPHY, THE MIDDLE CLASS
DESERVES SOME FINANCIAL
BREATHING ROOM, WHICH IS WHY
THE ECONOMIC PLAN WOULD GIVE
RELIEF TO TENS OF MILLIONS OF
FAMILIES, FAMILIES THAT WORK
HARD AND DESERVE A LITTLE EXTRA
CUSHION EACH MONTH.
>> PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE TO CUT
THE DEFICIT, CALLING ON THE TOP
1% OF THE TOP 1% TO PAY A
MINIMUM TAX OF 20%.
WHEN RIGHT NOW THE WEALTHIEST
FAMILIES CAN PAY A LOWER
AVERAGE LATE THAN TEACHERS, THE
PRESIDENT WILL NOT RAISE TAXES
FOR ANYONE MAKING UNDER
$400,000, THE CONGRESSIONAL
REPUBLICAN PLAN AS RICK SCOTT
OUTLINED COULDN'T BE MORE
DIFFERENT.
REPUBLICANS ON CAPITOL HILL ARE
HAPPY TO PASS A $2 TRILLION TAX
GIVE AWAY UNDER THE WEALTHY,
THEY WERE, UNDER THE PREVIOUS
ADMINISTRATION, NOW LED MY
SENATOR SCOTT, REPUBLICANS WANT
TO RAISE TAXES ON THE MIDDLE
CLASS, HIKE TAXES OF AVERAGE OF
$1,500 EACH YEAR ON 75 MILLION
AMERICAN FAMILIES, 96% OF WHOM
MAKE $100,000, TAX, PRESIDENT
BIDEN DISAGREES, TOMORROW, AS
YOU MAY KNOW, THE PRESIDENT IS
TRAVELING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO
HIGHLIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENTS TO MODERNIZE OUR
NATION PORTS AND WATER WAYS, TO
DISCUSS HOW THEY WILL
STRENGTHEN OUR SUPPLY CHAIN,
ECONOMIES, HELP CUT COSTS FOR
AMERICAN FAMILIES, AMERICAN
PORTS ARE A CORNERSTONE OF THE
ECONOMY, OUTDATED STRUCTURE AND
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE
STRAINED THEIR CAPACITY AND
STRATEGIZED GLOBAL SUPPLY
CHAINS WITH DELAYS AND PASS
COSTS DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS, WE
NOW HAVE $17 BILLION TO UPGRADE
FOR PAYOR AND MAINTAIN OUR
NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE, AS THE
NATIONCONTINUES TO USE EVERY
TOOL TO BRING PRICES DOWN FOR
AMERICAN, MOVE GOODS FASTER AND
MORE EFFICIENTLY, DURING HIS
TRIP TOMORROW HE'LL VISIT
PORTSMOUTH HARBOR, 3 MILLION-
TONS AND $2 BILLION OF CARGO A
YEAR OF MATERIALS TO SUPPORT
THE LOCAL ECONOMY, CLEAN ENERGY
AND PRODUCTION.
THE PORT RECENTLY COMPLETED A
PROJECT TO WIDEN THE HARBOR'S
TURNING BASIN, WILL RECEIVE
FUNDING FROM THE BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE LAW TO MAINTAIN
ALONG THE CHANNEL TO
ACCOMMODATE SHIPS AND HEAVIER
LOADS OF CARGO, ALSO WANTED TO
NOTE OF SCHEDULING, TODAY WE
ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WE WILL
CO-HOST THE GLOBAL 19 SUMMIT ON
MAY 12 ALONGSIDE BELIZE,
GERMANY,, AND OTHER HEALTH
THREATS, COHOSTING THIS SUMMIT
CONTINUES TO HIGHLIGHT AMERICAN
LEADERSHIP AND THE GLOBAL COVID
RESPONSE WITH OUR PROVISIONS TO
DATE, MORE THAN $19 MILLION IN
HEALTH, HUMANITARIAN, ECONOMIC
ASSISTANCE, OUR COMMITMENT TO
PROVIDING 1.2 BILLION VACCINE
DOSES TO THE WORLD FOR FREE, OF
WHICH WE'VE ALREADY DELIVERED
500 MILLION DOSES, WHILE WE
HAVE DEDICATING TO LEAD THE
GLOBAL COVID RESPONSE, WE ALSO
NEED CONGRESS TO URGENTLY DO
ITS PART TO FUND THE GLOBAL
COVID RESPONSE, WE HAVE
REQUESTED A SUPPLEMENTAL
PACKAGE TO GET SHOTS IN
THEARMS, WE WILL OBVIOUSLY
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CONGRESS
ON GETTING THAT FUNDING WHEN
THEY RETURN, FINALLY, I WANTED
TO, LAST THING, IS WE ALSO
ANNOUNCE ON MARCH 12 AND 13,
THE PRESIDENT WILL HOST THE
LEADERS OF IN WASHINGTON D.C.,
BUILD ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE U.S.
SUMMIT, ANNOUNCE INITIATIVES
PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
MORE AND THIS WILL, OF COURSE,
WE'LL HAVE MORE TO PREVIEW AS
WE GET CLOSER TO THAT TRIP.
JOSH, WHY DON'T YOU KICK US
OFF.
>> HAPPY MONDAY, NEXT SUBJECT
AREAS FIRST A FEDERAL JUDGE IN
FLORIDA SAYS THE CDC EXCEEDS
AUTHORITY.
>> CDC RECOMMENDED CONTINUING
THE ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL TIME,
TWO WEEKS, TO BE ABLE TO ASSESS
THE LATEST SCIENCE IN KEEPING
WITH ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A
DISAPPOINTING DECISION, THE CDC
CONTINUES RECOMMENDING WEARING
A MASK IN PUBLIC TRANSIT, THIS
JUST CAME OUT THIS AFTERNOON,
RIGHT NOW THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY WHO WOULD BE
IMPLEMENTING AND THE CDC, ARE
REVIEWING THE DECISION, OF
COURSE THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE WOULD MAKE ANY
DETERMINATIONS ABOUT
LITIGATION.
>> SECONDLY, RUSSIA IS EXPECTED
TO VIRTUALLY ATTEND MEETINGS IN
THE WORLD BANK, IS THAT
APPROPRIATE WITH ACTIONS IN
UKRAINE, HOW SHOULD
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
TREAT RUSSIA.
>> THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE CLEAR
THAT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE WE
SHOULD BE OPERATING AS BUSINESS
AS USUAL, HE HAS MADE CLEAR
ABOUT HIS CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR
PARTICIPATION IN THE G20.
I'D ALSO NOTE THAT OUR
REPRESENTATIVE THERE, THE
SECRETARY OF TREASURY, MADE
CLEAR SHE ISN'T PLANNING TO
ATTEND EVENTS OR MEETINGS THAT
THE RUSSIANS ARE PARTICIPATING
IN, IN TERMS OF
OTHERPARTICIPATIONS BEYOND
THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER
COMMENT.
ON THIS MOVE TO DRILLING ON
PUBLIC LAND, HOW LONG DO YOU
THINK IT WILL TAKE FOR THESE
NEW LEASES TO START PRODUCING,
WHAT IMPACT MAY THIS HAVE.
>> LET ME FIRST SAY, TODAY'S
ACTION, AS YOU KNOW, FOR
EVERYBODY, WAS A RESULT OF THE
COURT INJUNCTION THAT WE
CONTINUE TO APPEAL, IT IS NOT
IN LINE WITH THE PRESIDENT'S
POLICY, WHICH WAS TO BAN
ADDITIONAL LEASING, BECAUSE
ONE, WE NEED TO MOVE TOWARDS A
MORE CLEAR ENERGY ECONOMY, ALSO
BECAUSE THERE ARE 9,000 PERMITS
UNUSED ON LANDS THAT COULD BE
TAPPED INTO BY OIL COMPANIES,
WE DON'T FEEL THEY ARE NEEDED.
IN TERMS OF HOW LONG IT WILL
TAKE TO GET UP DRILLING BECAUSE
OF THE COURT ACTION, I DON'T
HAVE ANY ASSESSMENT ON THAT
FROM HERE, I WOULD JUST NOTE
THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE
TO FIGHT THIS COURT INJUNCTION,
FORCING OUR HAND IN ALLOWING
THIS TO PROCEED, EVEN AS WE
HAVE TAKEN ACTIONS TO REDUCE
80% THE AREAS TO LEASE AND
IMPOSE ENVIRONMENTAL STRINGENT
STANDARDS.
>> NOW YOU ARE HAVING TO EXPAND
PRODUCTION OF FOSSIL FUELS,
CONGRESS AS WE KNOW HAS YET TO
ACCLIMATE CLIMATE PROPOSAL, IS
THE AGENDA STILL ATTAINABLE,
ARE THESE NEW LEASES GOING TO
UNDER CUT THAT PLEDGE.
>> THESE LEASES ARE NOT IN LINE
WITH OUR POLICY, OR THE
PRESIDENT'S VIEW, YOU KNOW,
POLICY OR NOT, THIS IS THE
SITUATION YOU ARE IN.
>> IT IS, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY
GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THIS
LEGAL ACTION, I WOULD SAY THAT,
THE PRESIDENT REMAINS COMMITTED
ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS
AS ONE OF THE FOUR PILLARS HE
CAME IN, HE RAN ON AS
PRESIDENT, HE WILL CONTINUE TO
FIGHT FOR, ONE OF THE REASONS
THIS WAS SO TROUBLING TO HIM IS
BECAUSE HE IS SO COMMITTED TO
THAT OBJECTIVE AS PRESIDENT, WE
CONTINUE TO PROPOSE, CONTINUE
TO PROPOSE A HISTORIC
INVESTMENT IN ADDRESSING THE
CLIMATE CRISIS, SOMETHING THAT
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS
WITH CONGRESS, THERE ARE A LOT
OF WAYS TO GET THERE THAT WE
WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION, HE HAS
YET TO TAKE ACTION HIMSELF
THROUGH HIS OWN AUTHORITIES TO
TAKE ACTIONS TO HELP OUR
CLIMATE.
>> ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT THAT
GOAL IS ACHIEVABLE.
>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO
PURSUE IT AND CONTINUE TO REACH
IT.
>> HOUSE MINORITY LEADER SAYING
PRESIDENT PUTIN WOULD HAVE
BACKED OFF FROM INVADING
UKRAINE IF PRESIDENT BIDEN
SHIPPED WEAPONS TO UKRAINE
SOONER.
>> FIRST JUST FOR FACT'S SAKE,
WE SENT A RECORD OF SECURITY
ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE TO
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FIRST YEAR IN
OFFICE MORE THAN ANY IN
HISTORY, SHARED A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF INTELLIGENCE ABOUT
RUSSIA'S INTENTIONS AND
MILITARY MOVEMENTS AS WE ALL
KNOW, 3.2 BILLION TOTAL, 2.6
BILLION SINCE THIS CONFLICT
STARTED, THAT'S IN DIRECT
CONTRAST WITH OUR PREDECESSOR,
WITHHELD HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS FROM UKRAINE, MR.
MCCARTHY, WHO WAS CRITICAL OF
US AT THE MOMENT, DEFENDED, HE
CLAIMED PEOPLE BELIEVED THERE
WAS CORRUPTION IN THE ZELENSKYY
ADMINISTRATION, WHAT HAS
CHANGED IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME.
>> ARE YOU PLANNING MORE
SANCTIONS THIS WEEK ON RUSSIA,
OLIGARCHS, WHAT CAN YOU TELL
US.
>> WE ARE PLANNING TO CONTINUE
AND REVIEW ADDITIONAL
SANCTIONS, ITS BEEN AN ONGOING
PROCESS, RIGHT NOW, YOU WILL
SEE US CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR
SANCTION TARGETS AND CONTINUE
TO TAKE STEPS TO FURTHER
TIGHTEN OUR SANCTIONS, TO
PREVENT EVASION AND PUT IN
PLACE ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS.
I ALSO WANTED TO KNOW A COUPLE
OF COMMENTS FOR ANYONE WITH
QUESTIONS, WHICH PROBABLY ISN'T
ANYONE IN THIS ROOM, BUT MAYBE,
WHETHER THESE SANCTIONS ARE
HAVING AN IMPACT, ONE IS BY THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL BANK
WHO SAID THESE SANCTIONS ARE
QUOTE, WILL NOW BEGIN TO
INCREASINGLY AFFECT THE REAL
SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY,
PRACTICALLY EVERY PRODUCT, ALSO
SAID THAT QUOTE THAT SANCTIONS
ARE BEING TIGHTENED ALMOST
EVERY DAY, THE PERIODS IN WHICH
THE ECONOMY CAN LIVE ON
RESERVES IS FINITE, MEANING
THESE ARE WAYS THE PRESIDENT,
SECRETARY OF STATE, SECRETARY
OF TREASURY, OTHERS HAVE
CONVEYED, WE ARE CONTINUING TO
REVIEW AND I EXPECT WE'LL HAVE
MORE IN THE COMING DAYS.
>> JUST A QUICK LOOK ON THE
MASK MANDATE BEING REPORTED BY
THIS JUDGE, WHAT IS THE WHITE
HOUSE'S ASSESSMENT WHAT THAT
MEANS FOR TRAVELERS TODAY.
>> IT JUST HAPPENED THIS
AFTERNOON, THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY IS OBVIOUSLY
OVERSEAS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS, THEY ARE REVIEWING IT AS
WE SPEAK.
>> IT IS STILL IN PLACE RIGHT
NOW.
>> THEY ARE DOING IT AS WE
SPEAK, IT JUST CAME OUT THIS
AFTERNOON, IF THERE ARE ANY
UPDATES WHILE I'M OUT THERE,
I'M SURE WE CAN PROVIDE THEM TO
ALL OF YOU.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY SAYS HE
WANTS TO VISIT UKRAINE AND HE
WILL, YESTERDAY YOU SAID THERE
ARE NO PLANS FOR PRESIDENT
BIDEN TO GO.
>> THAT HAS NOT CHANGED OUR
FOCUS TO PROVIDE UKRAINE,
UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT, LEADERS,
ASSISTANCE THAT'S BEEN ADAPTED
BASED UPON THEIR NEEDS, THEIR
SUCCESSES ON THE GROUNDS,
OBVIOUSLY THAT CAN BE
ATTRIBUTED LARGELY TO THE
COURAGE AND THE BRAVERY OF
UKRAINIAN LEADERS, BECAUSE OF
THE MILITARY ASSISTANCE WE'VE
PROVIDED.
I WOULD NOTE, BECAUSE I KNOW
THIS IS AN UNDERSTANDABLE
QUESTION YOU ALL HAVE ASKED, IF
ANYONE WERE TO GO, THERE IS NO
PLANS FOR THE PRESIDENT TO GO,
WE WOULD NOT OUTLINE FROM HERE,
IF AND WHEN FOR SECURITY
REASONS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY
DETAILS TO PREVIEW REGARDLESS.
>> IS THE PRESIDENT CONTINUING
GRANTING PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY'S
REQUEST TO MAKE RUSSIA A --
>> IT IS AN AUTHORITY THAT
OBVIOUSLY EXISTS WHEN THE
GOVERNMENT AT THE STATE
DEPARTMENT, IN ORDER, BROADLY
SPEAKING, FOR ANY COUNTRY TO BE
DESIGNATED A STATE SPONSOR OF
TERROR, THERE IS ONLY THREE,
NORTH KOREA, SUDAN, AND IRAN AT
THIS POINT IN TIME, JUST FOR
YOUR FULL PERSPECTIVE, THE
SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD NEED
TO DETERMINE THE GOVERNMENT OF
THIS COUNTRY REPEATEDLY
PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR ACTS OF
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, OF
COURSE DESIGNATIONS ARE MADE
AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW.
WHILE WE HAVE THOSE
AUTHORITIES, I DON'T HAVE ANY
UPDATE OR PREDICTION OF THAT,
THAT WOULD BE MADE BY THE STATE
DEPARTMENT, WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS
FOR THE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE
BEEN DESIGNATED STATE SPONSORS
OF TERRORISM, MEANS A COUPLE OF
THEM FOR YOU, THAT THE FORMING
CATEGORIES OF SANCTIONS THAT
RESULT FROM DESIGNATION UNDER
THESE AUTHORITIES INCLUDE
RESTRICTIONS ON U.S. FOREIGN
ASSISTANCE, A BAN ON EXPORT AND
SALES, CERTAIN CONTROLS OVER
EXPORTS OF DUAL USE ITEMS AND
OTHER FINANCIAL RESTRICTIONS,
WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DONE, TO
DATE, IS OF COURSE, IMPOSE
SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL
SANCTIONS, EXPORT CONTROLS,
CURTAILED RESTRICTIONS ON
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, WHEN YOU
ARE THINKING ABOUT THE IMPACT,
THESE ARE ALREADY A LOT OF
STEPS THAT WE'VE TAKEN, I HAVE
NOTHING TO PREDICT ON THAT
FRONT, THAT'S A PROCESS
REVIEWED BY THE STATE
DEPARTMENT.
>>> RUSSIA WARNED THE UNITED
STATES LAST WEEK TO STOP ARMING
UKRAINE, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE
THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE.
>> I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE
ON EMPTY THREATS OR THREATS BY
PRESIDENT PUTIN OR RUSSIAN
LEADERSHIP, WHAT WE HAVE DONE
HERE IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
WE WOULD DO FROM THE BEGINNING,
IF THEY INVADED, WE WOULD BE
PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT SECURITY
ASSISTANCE, ECONOMIC
ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT TO THE
UKRAINIAN PEOPLE, WE'RE GOING
TO CONTINUE TO EXACTLY DO THAT.
>> I BELIEVE IT IS ONLY BECAUSE
WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE
AIRLINES, AIRPORT PASSENGERS,
THERE MAY BE PEOPLE SITTING AT
AN AIRPORT WONDERING IF THEY
ARE BOARDING TONIGHT, IS THE
MASK MANDATE STILL IN PLACE.
>> WE ARE CONTINUING TO
RECOMMEND PEOPLE STILL WEAR
MASKS, I DON'T HAVE AN UPDATE,
THIS CAME OUT THROUGHOUT THE
COURTS THIS AFTERNOON, AS SOON
AS THERE IS AN UPDATE WE WILL
PROVIDE THAT.
>> IS THE WHITE HOUSE
ANTICIPATING AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY
HOMELAND SECURITY TONIGHT.
>> THEY ARE ASSESSING IT RIGHT
NOW, AS SOON AS THEY HAVE AN
ASSESSMENT, UPDATES THEY'LL
MAKE THAT AVAILABLE.
>> THE DOJ FIRST THING TOMORROW
MORNING, OUR PASSENGERS --
>> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE
ASKING, NO ONE IS TRYING TO
PROVOKE UNCERTAINTY WITH
PASSENGERS, WE THINK THE MASK
MANDATE, IT IS SAFER FOR
INDIVIDUALS FLYING TO CONTINUE
TO WEAR MASKS, WE WOULD
RECOMMEND YOU WEAR MASKS ON AN
AIRPLANE, AS SOON AS WE PROVIDE
AN UPDATE HERE WE'LL PROVIDE
THAT FOR YOU.
>> TWO CDC THINGS IN THE RULING
THE JUDGE SAID, IF SHE ACCEPTS
THE CDC'S ARGUMENT THAT MASKS
LIMIT COVID SPREAD, COULD THAT
ALONE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO OVER
COME WHAT SHE CONCLUDES IS A
RULE THAT EXCEEDS THE AGENCY'S
AUTHORITY TO PUT IT IN PLACE,
THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES
OTHERWISE, RIGHT.
>> OTHERWISE WE WOULDN'T HAVE
PUT IT IN PLACE TO BEGIN WITH.
>> THAT'S POTENTIALLY THE CRUX
OF AN APPEAL.
>> I WOULD LEAVE THAT TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WHAT WE
ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK WAS JUST A
TWO-WEEK EXTENSION IN ORDER TO
HAVE TIME TO ASSESS WHAT WE
HAVE ALL SEEN IS RISE IN CASES,
AND MAKE AN ASSESSMENT AND
RECOMMENDATION WITH THAT IN
MIND, OF COURSE IT IS
DISAPPOINTING.
>> THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE
THAT'S TROUBLING SOME
DEMOCRATS, THE IMPENDING END OF
TITLE 42, GARY PETERS, WHO
CHAIRS THE HOMELAND SECURITY,
ANOTHER SENATOR SUGGESTING HE
HAS DOUBTS ABOUT ENDING,
SECRETARY MYORCHAS, WHAT MORE
IS THIS ADMINISTRATION SHARING
WITH THESE DEMOCRATS AND
REPUBLICANS, A HANDFUL OF
DEMOCRATS THAT DON'T SEE A FIRM
PLAN, THEY WANT MORE DETAILS,
THE ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO BE
RUSSIAN IN TO THIS WITH NO
SENSE OF WHAT REPERCUSSIONS
COULD BE.
>> THIS IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION
AUTHORITY FOR ANYONE CONCERNED
ABOUT IT, OR AN IMMIGRATION
PLAN, IT IS A HEALTH AUTHORITY
THAT CONGRESS GAVE THE CDC
AUTHORITY TO MAKE A
DETERMINATION ABOUT, ABOUT
WHETHER IT NEEDS TO STAY IN
PLACE OR NOT, THERE IS NO
QUESTION, WE HAVE A BROKEN
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, THERE IS
MORE WE NEED TO DO, WE'VE BEEN
SAYING THAT FOR THE FIRST DAY
THE PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE,
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO WORK ON
THAT, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS,
ANYONE HOW WE CAN PUT SMARTER
SECURITY IN PLACE, HOW WE CAN
HAVE AB ASYLUM PROCESS THAT
WORKS, WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT
NOW, THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY
HOLDING HOSTAGE, FUNDING FOR
COVID, WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT
OF FUNDING FOR KEY PROGRAMS,
OUR ISSUE HERE IS LET'S MOVE
FORWARD WITH THE COVID FUNDING,
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE A
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BROKEN
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, WE AGREE
ITS BROKEN, LET'S WORK TOGETHER
ON ADDRESSING THAT.
>> YOU SAY THAT, BECAUSE THERE
IS THIS AMENDMENT TO THE COVID
PLAN.
>> THAT'S THE ROOT ISSUE HERE,
ANYONE WHO IS RAISING CONCERNS,
THEY ARE TYING IT TO, TYING IT
TO THE COVID FUNDING.
>> REPUBLICANS ARE, WE HAVE A
HANDFUL OF DEMOCRATS --
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT, WE'RE
ALSO HAPPY TO WORK WITH ANYONE
ON IMMIGRATION REFORM, ANY
CONCERNS THEY HAVE.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ANSWER IS
YOU'VE GOT CONCERNS, YOU
CONGRESS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT,
HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS ON MAY 25.
>> IT IS NOT YOU DO SOMETHING
ABOUT IT, LET'S WORK TOGETHER,
YOU HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS, WANT
TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO MOVE THIS
FORWARD, LET'S DO THAT, AT THE
SAME TIME WHAT'S HAPPENING IS
THIS COVID FUNDING WHICH MEANS
PEOPLE UNINSURES ARE NOT GOING
TO BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO
TREATMENTS, TO VACCINES, WE'RE
NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THE
FOURTH BOOSTER SHOT, TO
EVERYBODY, GOING TO BE ABLE TO
GET TREATMENTS FOR
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, THAT'S WHERE
WE'RE AT, THAT'S WHY IT IS
IMPORTANT TO MOVE THAT FUNDING
FORWARD, YES, OUR SYSTEM IS
BROKEN, LET'S ADDRESS IT, THIS
IS A HEALTH AUTHORITY NOT AN
IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY.
>> THANK YOU.
YOU SAID ABOUT THIS MASK RULING
OUT OF A FEDERAL COURT IN
FLORIDA, IT IS A DISAPPOINTING
DECISION, SAY THAT YOU CONTINUE
TO RECOMMEND PEOPLE WEAR MASKS,
WHY IS IT WE CAN SIT HERE IN
THE WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM
WITH NO MASKS, BUT PEOPLE CAN'T
SIT IN AN AIRPLANE CABIN WITH
NO MASKS?
>> PETER, I'M NOT A DOCTOR, YOU
ARE NOT A DOCTOR, IF YOU ARE,
NOT A DOCTOR, JUST MAKING SURE,
I DON'T KNOW.
NOR DO I PLAY ONE ON TV THERE
YOU GO.
THOSE DETERMINATIONS, THE
MASKING GUIDANCE, IS GREEN,
YELLOW AND RED, WE ARE
CURRENTLY IN A GREEN ZONE IN
WASHINGTON D.C., THEY ARE NOT
RECOMMENDING IT.
SOME PEOPLE CAN STILL WEAR MASK
IF THEY WANT TO, MANY PEOPLE
DO, OR WEAR THEM IN MEETINGS,
WEAR THEM AT CERTAIN TIMES,
CLOSE TO PEOPLE, MAYBE YOU
HAVEIMMUNOCOMPROMISED PARENT OR
FRIEND, PEOPLE MAKE THAT
DECISION.
THIS IS BASED UPON HEALTH
CONSIDERATIONS AND DATA THAT
THE CDC LOOKS AT, AS
TRANSMISSIBILITY AS WE HAVE
SEEN WITH INCREASING PLACES ON
AIRPLANES.
>> IF A FLIGHT IS LEAVING FROM
AN AIRPORT IN A GREEN ZONE,
THOSE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WEAR
MASKS.
>> THERE HAS BEEN A LONG
DIFFERENCE FROM THE BEGINNING,
PEOPLE ON AN AIRPLANE, PEOPLE
IN VEHICLES, IN LOCATIONS, HERE
IN WASHINGTON D.C. A GREEN
ZONE.
WHAT WE ASK FOR IS A TWO-WEEK
EXTENSION, OR NOT ASK FOR, WE
HAD ANNOUNCED WAS A TWO WEEK
EXTENSION TO LOOK AT THE DATA,
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED UPON
THE DATA AND SCIENCE WHETHER TO
BE CONTINUED OR NOT.
>> WE HAVE A REPORTING THAT 23
PEOPLE APPREHENDED AT THE
BORDER IN 2021 ARE ON THE
TERROR WATCH LIST.
WHY DO YOU GUYS THINK IT IS
SOMEONE ON A TERROR WATCH LIST
WOULD WANT TO GET IN THE UNITED
STATES UNDETECTED?
>> I CAN'T MAKE AN ASSESSMENT
OF THAT, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU,
IS YOUR DATA MEANS THE BORDER
PATROL WAS DOING THEIR JOB.
THEY APPREHENDED PEOPLE AT THE
BORDER.
>> 2,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS GOT
AWAY, YOU CAN SAY WITH
CERTAINTY NONE OF THEM ARE ON A
TERROR WATCH LIST.
>> HERE IS A SUSPECTED
TERRORIST, TALKING ABOUT A FEW
DOZEN ENCOUNTERS AT MOST, THESE
REPRESENT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS,
BUT I'D NOTE, THESE
INDIVIDUALS, THESE 23 PEOPLE,
THEY STOP THEM, THEY PREVENTED
THEM FROM GETTING TO THE
COUNTRY.
>> THE PRESIDENT IS NOT WORRIED
ABOUT HOLES IN THE SOUTHERN
BORDER BEING EXPLOITED BY
PEOPLE COMING IN.
>> TO STOP THESE PEOPLE FROM
GETTING INTO THE COUNTRY.
>> ONE ADDITIONAL QUESTION
ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED,
WE'VE BEEN TOLD THE MOUNTED
BORDER PATROL OFFICERS WITH
MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED
THEY WILL NOT FACE CRIMINAL
CHARGES, WHEN IS THE PRESIDENT
GOING TO APOLOGIZE TO THEM.
>> THERE IS A PROCESS, AND AN
INVESTIGATION THAT'S GONE
THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY, I DON'T HAVE
ANY UPDATE ON THAT.
>> THE PRESIDENT SAID THAT THEY
WERE WHIPPING PEOPLE, WHICH
WOULD BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE,
AND THEY'VE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE
NOT GOING TO BE CRIMINALLY
CHARGED --
>> THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION
AND I'LL LET THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY CONCLUDE THE
INVESTIGATION.
>> YOU ACCUSED THESE OFFICERS
OF BRUTAL AND INAPPROPRIATE
MEASURES, NOW THEY HAVE BEEN
TOLD --
>> THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION
IN TO THEIR BEHAVIOR, WHENEVER
IT IS GOING TO BE ANNOUNCED THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
WILL ANNOUNCE THAT, I'M SURE
WE'LL HAVE A COMMENT ON THAT.
>> AS THE DEBATE IS GOING ON
ABOUT NEXT STEPS IS THERE ANY
CONCERNS AT THE WHITE HOUSE,
THAT THIS ISSUE, NOW THAT THERE
ARE SOME AMERICANS AWARE ABOUT
THIS RULE ABOUT A FLORIDA
JUDGE, IT COULD PROMPT TENSIONS
WE SEE ON AIRPLANES IN RECENT
MONTHS UNTIL THERE IS A
RESOLUTION.
>> WE ENCOURAGE CALM IN ALL
PLACES, BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS
RULING CAME OUT THIS AFTERNOON,
I KNOW THE OBJECTIVE OF
EVERYBODY INVOLVED, AUTHORITIES
IN GOVERNMENT IS TO MAKE THE
NEXT STEPS AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE, THAT'S CERTAINLY OUR
HOPE, WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING
WE CAN TO PREVENT THAT.
>> ON THE OIL LEASES, DOES THE
PRESIDENT SEE TO A FACT EVEN
THOUGH THIS ISN'T POLICY
OBJECTIVE, COULD THERE BE
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION GIVEN THE
FACT THAT GAS PRICES ARE HIGH,
THERE ARE PUSH TO HAVE
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION BECAUSE
OF THE WAR ON UKRAINE, EVEN
THOUGH IT IS NOT HIS POLICY
OBJECTIVE.
>> I CAN TELL YOU FROM TALKING
ABOUT IT THIS MORNING, HE HAS
NOT.
HE REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE BAN
HE CALLED FOR ON THE EXPANSION
OF LEASING OF FEDERAL LANDS IN
PART BECAUSE HE WANTS TO MOVE
TOWARDS A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY,
HE IS COMMITTED TO THAT,
ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE, THERE
IS 9,000 UNUSED LEASES THAT CAN
BE TAPPED INTO AND USED,
ENCOURAGED OIL COMPANIES TO DO
THAT, TO HELP ADDRESS EXACTLY
AS YOU SAID, THE NEED TO GET
MORE SUPPLY IN THE MARKETPLACE.
>> DOES HE SEE THIS MOVE BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AS GOING
AGAINST HIS CAMPAIGN PLEDGE.
>> HE KNOWS THAT IT WAS THE
RESULT OF A COURT INJUNCTION AS
YOU HEARD, SECRETARY HOLLAND
SAY, SO HER HANDS WERE TIED IN
MANY WAYS AS THEY CAN BE BY
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS BUT WHAT
THEY DID, WHICH HE CERTAINLY
SUPPORTED WAS TAKING STEPS TO
REDUCE BY 80% THE AREAS TO
LEASE, ALSO IMPOSED STRINGENT
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS IN
ORDER TO TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS,
EVEN AS THE CORE INJUNCTION
MADE THEM TAKE THESE STEPS.
>> YOU DID NOT MENTION CUBA AS
A STATE SPONSOR --
>> I DID NOT MEAN TO NOT
MENTION THEM, I WANTED TO CITE
EXAMPLES OF HOW FEW THERE ARE,
I'M NOT ANNOUNCING NEW POLICY,
I WANTED TO GIVE AN INDICATION
WHAT THAT IS HOW LIMITED, GO
AHEAD.
>> THIS IS A QUESTION THAT
COMES FROM ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES
REPORTING IN UKRAINE RIGHT NOW,
HE IS WONDERING, AS CONDITIONS
IN MARIUPOL CONTINUE TO
DISINTEGRATE, IS THE UNITED
STATES CONSIDERING ANY CREATIVE
WAYS FOR UNDER SIEGE, SENDING
IN THIRD COUNTRY PLANES OR A
NEUTRAL ORGANIZATION LIKE THE
RED CROSS TO GET RELIEF IN
THERE.
>> FROM THE HUMANITARIAN
RELIEF.
WE ARE ENGAGED WITH SURROUNDING
COUNTRIES, WITH 8 ORGANIZATIONS
ABOUT A RANGE OF WAYS TO GET
AIDE AND ASSISTANCE, OBVIOUSLY
FROM THE START OF THIS, IF
THERE WAS AN ALLOWANCE OR
IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMANITARIAN
CORRIDORS, IT WOULD HAVE HELPED
ENABLE, WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT A
LOT OF THOSE THINGS FROM HERE,
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO
TAKE STEPS TO PROVIDE
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN
EVERY WAY WE CAN, I WOULD NOTE
YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS QUESTION,
ONE OTHER LITTLE UPDATE, THERE
WERE FOUR PLANES THAT ARRIVED
WITH MILITARY ASSISTANCE OVER
THE COURSE OF THE WEEKEND,
ANOTHER ONE IS SUPPOSED TO
ARRIVE TODAY IF IT HASN'T
ALREADY, FROM THE 800, THE
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED TO GIVE A
SENSE OF EFFORTS TO CONTINUE TO
GET MORE ASSISTANCE IN.
>> COMPLETELY UNRELATED, TODAY
ON BACKGROUND CALL ABOUT
CLIMATE POLICY, ADMINISTRATION
OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE WHITE
HOUSE IS IN TOUCH WITH A WIDE
RANGE OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
ABOUT A RECONCILIATION PACKAGE.
ARE NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING FOR
BUILD BACK BETTER, OR BUILDING
A BETTER AMERICA, WHATEVER YOU
ARE CALLING IT NOW, ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT IT?
>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT,
WHATEVER YOU CALL IT, A
RECONCILIATION PACKAGE
INCLUDING GETTING HISTORIC
INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE,
INCLUDING LOWERING THE COST OF
CHILD CARE, ELDER CARE, HEALTH
CARE, TAKING ALL THESE STEPS
THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN
COMMITTED TO, THESE
CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN ON
GOING OVER THE COURSE OF THE
LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
>> WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO.
>> WE'RE TALKING TO EVERYBODY
ACROSS THE BOARD, I'M NOT GOING
TO NAME ALL NAMES, DEMOCRATS
ACROSS THE BOARD WHO WANT TO
GET THIS DONE.
>> ARE THEY ANY CLOSER TO
REINVESTING --
>> CERTAINLY THAT'S OUR
OBJECTIVE IS TO OPEN IT, WHAT
WE ARE EVALUATING IS SECURITY
CONSIDERATIONS, WHEN THE STATE
DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO DO
THAT, WHEN WE LOOK AT WHO
SHOULD GO FIRST, HOW MANY, HOW
MANY PEOPLE AND WHEN, IT IS ALL
DONE THROUGH THE STATE
DEPARTMENT AND THEY MAKE THOSE
INITIALRECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT
WHEN TO RETURN, THAT CERTAINLY
IS OUR OBJECTIVE, OBVIOUSLY
HAVING A DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE ON
THE GROUND IS IMPORTANT.
>> THE PRESIDENT SAYS THEY HAVE
BEGAN TO TAKE OFFENSE IN
EASTERN UKRAINE, WHAT'S THE
ASSESSMENT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING
THERE NOW.
>> I KNOW THAT MY DEFENSE
COLLEAGUE DID A BRIEFING, I
WOULD POINT YOU TO A COLLEAGUE
OF DEFENSE FOR ANY ON THE
GROUND UPDATES.
>> YESTERDAY SENATOR SAID
QUOTE, I DEEPLY WORRY THAT WE
WILL SEE UKRAINE TURN INTO
SYRIA, DOES THE PRESIDENT SHARE
THAT CONCERN?
>> THAT'S NOT WORDS OR PHRASE
THE PRESIDENT WOULD USE OR USE
FROM THE UNITED STATES,
OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE'VE SEEN TO
DATE IS TO UKRAINIANS BRAVELY
FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE RUSSIANS
AND THE BATTLE OF KYIV,
CONTINUE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST
THEIR EFFORTS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, WE HAVE KNOWN AND
PREDICTED THEY WOULD MOVE THEIR
GROUND GAME TO EASTERN UKRAINE,
WHICH IS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE,
KNOWN AND PREDICTED WHEN JAKE
SULLIVAN WAS HERE JUST A WEEK
OR TWO AGO, HE CONVEYED THAT
MOSCOW WAS LIKELY TO LAUNCH AIR
AND MISSILE STRIKES TO CAUSE
ECONOMIC DAMAGE, THAT'S WHAT
WE'RE SEEING AT THIS POINT IN
TIME.
WHAT WE'VE SEEN, I THINK, IS
THEM BEHAVE BRAVELY WITH HUGE
COURAGE, THEY HAVE HAD THE
SUCCESS IN PUSHING BACK INTO
THE RUSSIANS BECAUSE OF THAT,
ALSO BECAUSE OF THE MILITARY
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE
UNITED STATES, NO, WE WOULD NOT
SHARE THAT ASSESSMENT.
IS THE ADMINISTRATION ANY
CLOSER TO NAMING THE AMBASSADOR
UKRAINE?
>> CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE
QUESTION, I DON'T HAVE ANY
UPDATE ON THAT AT THIS POINT
FROM HERE.
>> SOME ALLIES OF FORMER
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN
PRESSING FOR STATEHOUSES TO
PASS RESOLUTIONS WITH SENDING
ELECTORAL COLLEGES FROM
PRESIDENT BIDEN AND LAWSUITS OF
LARGE SCALE VOTER FRAUD.
LEGAL EXPERTS HAVE CALLED THIS
EFFORT PREPOSTEROUS, SOMETHING
THIS ADMINISTRATION IS
MONITORING OR CONCERNED ABOUT.
>> I WOULD SAY THERE HAVE BEEN
DOZENS OF COURT CASES THAT HAVE
NOT BEEN WON BY OUR
PREDECESSOR, PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT
THEM, IN AN EFFORT TO OVER TURN
THE OUTCOME OF THE LAST
ELECTION, OUR FOCUS IS ON
GOVERNING FOR THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE, DELIVERING FOR THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, LESS FOCUS ON
WHAT HE AND HIS PEOPLE ARE UP
TO.
>> I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON THE
QUESTION REGARDING THE
SENATOR'S COMMENTS, ONE OF THE
REPORTS HE WAS MAKING THE U.S.
HAS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION
ABOUT SENDING TROOPS TO
UKRAINE, QUOTE THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE FROM THIS TRAGEDY IN
UKRAINE, HOW FIERCELY WE DEFEND
FREEDOM IN UKRAINE, PUTIN WILL
ONLY STOP WHEN WE STOP HIM.
WHAT'S THE WHITE HOUSE'S
RESPONSE FOR THIS SUGGESTION
THAT THE SENATOR NEEDS TO HAVE
A CONVERSATION ABOUT SENDING
TROOPS TO UKRAINE, DOES THE
PRESIDENT AGREE THAT PUTIN WILL
STOP WHEN WE, THE U.S., ONLY
WHEN WE, THE U.S. STOP HIM?
>> WHAT I WOULD SAY IS ONE,
SENATOR IS A CLOSE FRIEND OF
THE PRESIDENT, WE RESPECTFULLY
DISAGREE WITH HIS PROPOSAL, THE
PRESIDENT CONTINUES, HAS NO
PLANS TO SEND TROOPS TO FIGHT A
WAR WITH RUSSIA, HE DOESN'T
THINK THAT'S IN OUR NATIONAL
SECURITY INTEREST, IN THE
INTEREST OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
SO WHAT OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN ON,
HAS BEEN OBVIOUSLY PROVIDING
THIS HISTORIC AMOUNT OF
SECURITY ASSISTANCE, MILITARY
ASSISTANCE, WEAPONS TO THE
UKRAINIANS THAT HAS HELPED THEM
EFFECTIVELY FIGHT THIS WAR, AND
ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE AS WELL.
THIS IS ALSO STRENGTHENING
THEIR HAND AT THE NEGOTIATING
TABLE EVEN WHILE WE ARE PUTTING
IN PLACE HISTORIC PACKAGE OF
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, AS I
NOTEDEARLIER, NOTING THE
DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THESE
SANCTIONS ON THE RUSSIAN
ECONOMY.
THAT HAS BEEN OUR STRATEGIC
FOCUS, OF COURSE WE SUPPORT THE
UKRAINIANS IN EVERY WAY
POSSIBLE, THE PRESIDENT IS NOT
GOING TO FIGHT A WAR WITH
RUSSIA.
>> THE PRESIDENT WILL DO A LOT
OF TRAVEL OVER THE DAYS HOUSE
FRONTLINERS, RUNNING FOR
REELECTION, HOW YOU CAN TALK
ABOUT HOW CRITICAL
CONSIDERATIONS ARE MADE AND
ALSO WHAT KIND OF AN IMPACT YOU
THINK IF ANY WILL HAVE
DISCUSSION AND PROMOTION WILL
HAVE.
>> I'M ALWAYS CAREFUL ABOUT
WHAT I GET INTO POLITICS, WHAT
I WILL SAY THE PRESIDENT IS
PROUD TO GO OUT IN THE COUNTRY,
BLUE STATES,PURPLE STATES, RED
STATES, BOTH ACHIEVED THROUGH
THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE
LAW, REBUILDING ROADS, RAILS
AND PRISONS, REPLACING LED
PIPES AROUND THE COUNTRY,
EXPANDING BROAD BAND ACCESS, NO
MATTER WHAT YOUR POLITICAL
PARTY IS, PROUD TO GO OUT AND
TALK ABOUT HIS ECONOMIC AGENDA
HE IS STILL FIGHTING TO GET
PASSED WHICH INCLUDES CHILD
CARE, HEALTH CARE, ELDER CARE,
REDUCING COSTS, HIS VIEW IS
THAT FOR ANYONE OUT THERE WHEN
THEY ARE OUT THERE, SENATORS OR
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO ARE
GOING TO BE TALKING TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES STANDING UP FOR HIS
AGENDA TO MAKE THE AMERICAN
LIVES BETTER IS A WINNING
ARGUMENT.
I WOULD SAY, I AM NOT GOING TO
OVERLY NOTE THE POLITICAL SWAY
OF DISTRICTS OR STATES, HE HAS
ALWAYS SAID HE WANTS TO BE THE
PRESIDENT FOR ALL PEOPLE,
GOVERNED FOR ALL PEOPLE,
TALKING ABOUT HIS AGENDA IN RED
BLUE AND PURPLE STATES.
>> GOING BACK TO THE
CORONAVIRUS, SOME HAVE BEEN
TAKING HOME TESTS TO DIAGNOSIS
OURSELVES, WHEN THOSE COME UP
POSITIVE, SOMETIMES THEY CAN'T
BE, SOMETIMES THEY WON'T ACCEPT
THAT, DO YOU BELIEVE WE HAVE AN
ACCURATE SENSE OF THE SPREAD OF
THE CORONAVIRUS RIGHT NOW I
THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER IS THAT HOW CDC
CONTINUES TO TRACK COVID CASES
THAT ARE REPORTED, THEY DO IT
REALLY THROUGH HOSPITALIZATIONS
AND DEATH THOSE NUMBERS AROUND
SEVERE DISEASE COME DIRECTLY
FROM HOSPITALS AND STATES, WHAT
WE'RE SEEING THROUGH THOSE IS
THAT WE'RE AT THE LOWEST LEVEL
OF HOSPITALIZATION, I BELIEVE
WE'RE STILL AT THAT POINT IN
TIME, WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO
SHARE TEST RESULTS, CONTACT
THEIR DOCTOR, THEY MAY BE
ELIGIBLE, OR ANY OTHER
THERAPEUTICS, BEYOND THAT, AS I
THINK I WOULD NOTE THE
PRESIDENT'S 100 PAGE PLAN WE
NOTED OUR FOCUS WAS ON
HOSPITALIZATIONS, DEATH AND
SEVERE CASES, EVEN AS WE'RE
ENCOURAGING TESTING FOR WHEN
THEY TEST POSITIVE.
>> THERE IS A GROUP OF
SENATORS, SOME WHO ARE AT RISK,
INCLUDING SENATOR KELLY WHO ARE
PROPOSING THE IDEA OF LETTING
THE SURGEON GENERAL CERTIFY
WHEN THE HEALTH EMERGENCY HAS
ENDED.
IS THAT SOMETHING THE PRESIDENT
WOULD CONSIDER, WHY OR WHY NOT?
>> THE CONGRESS GAVE THE CDC
THE AUTHORITY --
>> THERE COULD BE A CHANGE IN
THAT, I WONDER IF YOU ARE OPEN
TO THAT IDEA.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY PREDICTION,
THE CDC IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH
AUTHORITY FOR THE COUNTRY.
I DON'T HAVE ANYMORE
PREDICTIONS.
>> JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER
ANNOUNCED JAPAN TAKING IN A
GROUP OF REFUGEES WHICH IS
REALLY A BIG DEAL FOR JAPAN.
FOREIGN MINISTER FLEW BACK A
GROUP OF REFUGEES FROM POLAND
TO JAPAN, IS THE ADMINISTRATION
AWARE OF THAT, ALSO WITH THE
TRIP TO JAPAN NEXT MONTH, ANY
UPDATE ON WHETHER AN INTERVIEW
WITH THE PRESIDENT --
>> ALWAYS AN INTERVIEW PITCH.
OH, I LIKE YOUR STYLE.
WE CERTAINLY WELCOME AND
APPLAUD THE ACTIONS OF JAPAN,
THE JAPANESE LEADERSHIP, ARE
GRATEFUL TO THEIR STEPS IN
TAKING IN REFUGEES,
HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT THROUGH
THIS CONFLICT, THEY ARE AN
IMPORTANT PARTNER, AS YOU KNOW,
HAVE BEEN APART OF IMPORTANT
MEETINGS ON THE CONFLICT IN
UKRAINE IN RECENT MONTHS
INCLUDING ON THE PRESIDENT'S
LAST TRIP TO EUROPE.
I WILL CERTAINLY TAKE UNDER
ADVISEMENT YOUR REQUEST, GO
AHEAD EUGENE.
>> THERE HAVE BEEN KIND OF A
GRUMBLING OF ECONOMISTS ABOUT
OUR WORD, RECESSION.
>> THE R-WORD, I WAS LIKE,
WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS.
>> I AM JUST CURIOUS, HOW THE
ADMINISTRATION IS WITH THE
POSSIBILITY OF THAT, WHAT
CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING
RIGHT NOW.
>> WELL, WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE
OUR ECONOMIST, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, THE UNITED STATES
ECONOMY WILL DEAL WITH
CHALLENGES AHEAD FROM A
POSITION OF STRENGTH BECAUSE OF
THE PRESIDENT'S ECONOMIC PLAN,
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WE
HAVE CREATED MORE JOBS LAST
YEAR THAN ANY OTHER YEAR IN
HISTORY, WE HAVE A VERY LOW
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, GO UP IN A
NUMBER OF AREAS, I WOULD NOTE
THERE IS THE GOLDMAN SACHS
ANALYSIS, EVEN IN THEIR
ANALYSIS, THEY SAID, QUOTE, WE
STILL DO NOT SEE A RECESSION AS
INEVITABLE, WILL BE HELD BY
POST COVID NORMALIZATIONS IN
LABOR SUPPLY, DURABLE GOODS
PRICES, OUR VIEW IS WE'RE IN A
PERIOD OF HISTORIC JOB GROWTH,
STRONG CONSUMER AND BUSINESS
BALANCE SHEETS, NORMALIZING
SUPPLY CHAINS, THOSE ARE GOOD
FOR THE ECONOMY, OBVIOUSLY
WE'LL MONITOR WHERE THINGS ARE
HEADED.
>> IF INFLATION CONTINUES TO
RISE, WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS.
>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE WILL
MODERATE BY THE END OF THE
YEAR, OBVIOUSLY SUPPORT STEPS
ANNOUNCED TO RECALIBRATE, WE'VE
ALREADY SEEN THOSE ACTIONS
TAKEN BUT REALLY IT IS UNDER
THEIR PER VIEW, WE WOULD POINT
TO THEIR PROJECTIONS.
>> THE ISSUE TO DEAL WITH
ADVICE AND MIGRANTS OF THE
BORDER DOES THE WHITE HOUSE
FEEL CONFIDENT, OPERATIONAL
PLAN IN PLACE TO PROCESS, HOUSE
AND TRANSPORT MIGRANTS.
>> I WOULD POINT TO THE FACT
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY PUT OUT A PLAN THAT
THEY BRIEFED MEMBERS ON, WITH
THE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD, AT
THE TIME SURGING RESOURCES,
MAKING SURE WE HAD THE TYPE OF
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MEET ANY
NEEDS, THEY DID PUT OUT A
PREPAREDNESS PLAN AT THE TIME,
WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE ANY
ENGAGEMENT TO DO THAT, MORE IS
HOOKING IT WITH COVID FUNDING
BECAUSE OF THE DEVASTATING
IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
>> JUST ANOTHER QUESTION ON THE
TIMES THAT SENATOR WARREN WROTE
TODAY SAYING THAT DEMOCRATS
NEED TO DELIVER ON MORE OF
THEIR AGENDA, TO KEEP THE
MAJORITY IN CONGRESS, DO YOU
BELIEVE WITH THAT PREMISE, MADE
A FEW OF THE LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES IN THE BRIEFING, ARE
THERE TOP THREE PRIORITIES THAT
THE WHITE HOUSE FEELS THEY CAN
ACTUALLY GET DONE BEFORE THE
MIDTERMS.
>> WE LOVE ALL OF OUR CHILDREN
IN THE LEGISLATURE AROUND HERE
SENATOR WARREN STRONGLY
SUPPORTS FOR CHILD CARE ALSO
MAKING THE TAX SYSTEM MORE
FAIR, THESE ARE ALL ISSUES THAT
DEMOCRATS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE
AROUND THE COUNTRY WOULD LOVE
FOR US TO DO MORE ON AND TALK
ABOUT MORE.
ONCE WE GET COVID FUNDING,
INCLUDING FOR THE UNINSURED
BOOSTERS WHENEVER PEOPLE ARE
ELIGIBLE, INCLUDING THE
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, THAT'S
HUGELY IMPORTANT TO US, THEN OF
COURSE, WE WANT TO GET THE
INNOVATION ACT PASSED, WE
BELIEVE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING
THAT SHOULD HAVE BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
WE HAVE MANUFACTURING HERE IN
THE UNITED STATES, SOMETHING
THAT CAN MAKE US STRONGER OVER
THE LONG TERM.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS, I
WOULD SAY THOSE ARE THE THINGS
THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
>> THAT'S THE PREMISE THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO HAVE IN
ORDER TO HAVE A SHOT AT
MAJORITY.
>> I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE
POLITICAL PREDICTIONS FROM
HERE, I WOULD SAY EVERYBODY
LOOKS AT A CHOICE, WHAT EACH
PARTY IS FIGHTING FOR,
ADVOCATING FOR, WHAT A VISION
IS FOR THE FUTURE, WE'RE PROUD
OF OUR VISION.
>> GO BACK TO THE VIRTUAL COVID
SUMMIT, AS MENTIONED AGAIN,
COVID FUNDING, DOES THE WHITE
HOUSE SEE THAT DATE MAY 12 IN
THE SUMMIT AS A DEADLINE FOR
CONGRESS TO GET THAT FUNDING
APPROVED?
>> WE DON'T, BUT WE JUST SEE IT
AS A REMINDER HOW IMPORTANT IT
IS TO CONTINUE TO TAKE STEPS TO
BE THE PROVIDER, ARSENAL
VACCINES TO THE WORLD,
SOMETHING WE HAVE ALREADY DONE
SINCE THE LAST SUMMIT WHILE THE
WORLD HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT
PROGRESS IN SCALING UP
VACCINATION EFFORTS AND COVAX
PROVIDED 1.2 VACCINES TO MORE
THAN 140 COUNTRIES WITH 88% OF
THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS GOING TO
LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME
COUNTRIES, WE'RE NOT AT THE
GLOBAL VACCINATION RATE THAT WE
NEED TO BE, OR HEALTH EXPERTS
PROJECT, WE WANT TO BE AT, IT
IS A 70% VACCINATION TARGET,
THAT'S SET BY THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION, WHILE VACCINATION
RATES ARE RISING ONLY 20% OF
COUNTRIES ARE FULLY VACCINATED,
AT LEAST 70% OF THEIR
POPULATION, THIS IS AN
OPPORTUNITY, OBVIOUSLY WE'LL
FIGHT FOR OUR FUNDING HERE,
CONTINUE TO PRESS OTHER
COUNTRIES TO CONTINUE TO DO
MORE TO HELP THE WORLD MAKE
PROGRESS AS WELL.
>> ALONG THOSE LINES, WE HEARD
EARLIER THIS MONTH, IF THERE IS
GLOBAL COVID FUNDING THE U.S.
WOULD TURN ITS BACK ON THE
COUNTRIES THAT NEED URGENT HELP
TO BOOST VACCINATION RATES.
>> WE ARE FAR AND AWAY THE
LEADER IN THE WORLD REGARDLESS
OF FUNDING, HOWEVER, WE WANT TO
CONTINUE TO BE, AND CONTINUE TO
BE PROVIDING NOT JUST VACCINE
DOSES, ALSO THE KNOW-HOW, AND
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES THE
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
NEED.
>> MORE MASS SHOOTINGS THIS
PAST WEEKEND, TWO TEENAGE BOYS
DEAD, DOZENS INJURED, WHAT DOES
THE PRESIDENT BELIEVE IS
CAUSING SUCH A CALLOUS
DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE IN
THIS COUNTRY.
>> LET ME FIRST SAY, THANK YOU
FOR THE QUESTION, THOSE
SHOOTINGS ARE HORRIFIC, MUST
STOP, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE
SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES,
OBVIOUSLY THIS HAPPENED OVER
THE WEEKEND, THE REASONING,
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT IT
IS A REMINDER OF THE NEED TO
TAKE MORE STEPS TO STOP GUN
CRIME, SOMETHING THE PRESIDENT
HAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED AND
ADVOCATED FOR FOR DECADES IN
PUBLIC OFFICE, CRACKING DOWN
GUN TRAFFICKERS, PUTTING COPS
ON THE BEAT, INVESTING IN ANTI-
CRIME PROGRAMS, CONFIRMING A
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL TO LEAD
THE ATF.
>> WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE
IN MIND IF ANYTHING PLANNED TO
IMPROVE TO GET PEOPLE TO
RESPECT LIFE MORE, TO RESPECT
OTHER HUMAN BEINGS, LAWS ASIDE.
>> I THINK EVERY TIME YOU'VE
SEEN THE PRESIDENT TALK ABOUT
SHOOTINGS, THE IMPACT ON
FAMILIES, ON HUMAN BEINGS, ON
LOVED ONES, ON COMMUNITIES, HE
TALKS ABOUT THAT HUMAN IMPACT,
BUT IT ALSO IS TRUE THAT IN
ORDER TO REDUCE AND CHANGE THE
DIRECTION OF CRIME AND GUN
CRIME WHICH IS THE MAJORITY OF
CRIME, WE NEED TO HAVE MORE
LAWS IN PLACE.
>> THANK YOU, TEXAS GOVERNOR
ABBOTT SAID THAT QUOTE
FINANCIAL PAIN WAS NECESSARY TO
TAKE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION, IS
THERE ANY SENSE THOSE SECTIONS
DID CAUSE FINANCIAL PAIN WITH
THE SUPPLY CHAIN OR ANYTHING
LIKE THAT, THAT YOU ARE
TRACKING.
>> WHILE I DON'T HAVE AN
EXTENDED SUMMARY ANALYSIS, WHAT
I DO KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO
LOOK FURTHER THAN THE COMMENTS
MADE BY BUSINESS LEADERS, TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS, ALL POLITICAL
STRIPES AND PARTIES, THEIR
OPPOSITION TO THE UNNECESSARY
ADDITIONAL STEPS THAT THE
GOVERNOR WAS IMPLEMENTING,
THERE IS $1 MILLION IN TRADE
CROSSING OVER THE U.S./MEXICO
BORDER EVERY MINUTE, THERE IS
NO QUESTION THAT PUTTING THESE
UNNECESSARY INSPECTIONS IN
PLACE, WHICH RESULTED AT THE
TIME IN THE DROP IN COMMERCIAL
TRAFFIC OF UP TO 60% TO 70% IN
SOME PORTS WAS HAVING A HUGE
IMPACT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY,
ON BUSINESSES, THAT'S WHY SO
MANY PEOPLE WERE SO OUTSPOKEN
ABOUT IT.
>> DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON
UKRAINE, REFUGEES, WILL IT BE A
PROGRAM FOR AFGHANS OR
ANYTHING.
>> I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE
QUESTION.
I DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATE AT THIS
MOMENT, EXACTLY THERE ARE A LOT
OF CONSIDERATIONS, HOPEFULLY
WE'LL HAVE MORE SOON.
>> DOES PRESIDENT BIDEN HAVE
CONFIDENCE IN SENATOR DIANE
FEINSTEIN.
>> YES SHE IS A LONG TIME
FRIEND, PROUD PUBLIC SERVANT,
SOMEONE HE ENJOYED WORKING
WITH.
>> HAS THE PRESIDENT REACHED
OUT TO HER AT ALL.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATES ON
PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS, THANKS,
EVERYONE.