WATCH: White House Holds Press Briefing After Spain, Ireland And Norway Recognize Palestinian State
On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a press briefing with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
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NewsTranscript
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00:52,
01:19 Hi, good afternoon, everyone.
01:23 All right, OK.
01:24 I have a couple of things at the top,
01:25 and then I'll hand it over to our guest.
01:28 Today, we announced that the Biden-Harris administration
01:30 canceled student debt for an additional 160,000 people,
01:34 meaning 4.75 million Americans have now
01:37 benefited from our debt relief actions,
01:40 receiving, on average, $35,000 in debt relief each.
01:45 One of those individuals is Tiffany from Oregon.
01:48 She's the youngest of four children
01:50 and was raised by a single mom.
01:52 Tiffany had been repaying her loans since 1994,
01:56 but thanks to President Biden's leadership,
01:58 her debt was canceled, and she is now excited
02:01 about what her future holds.
02:04 The president will never stop working
02:06 to provide some more breathing room for Americans,
02:09 like Tiffany, no matter how many times
02:11 Republican elected officials try to stop him.
02:15 As you know, one of the biggest priority of the president
02:20 is nominating and confirming extraordinarily qualified men
02:25 and women who are dedicated to our Constitution
02:28 and who represent the diversity of America.
02:31 Thanks to his hard work and our partnership with the Senate,
02:35 we are at 200 judicial confirmation,
02:37 which is monumental news for the rule of law
02:40 and the American people.
02:42 These highly qualified individuals
02:44 have diverse professional backgrounds.
02:46 They are labor lawyers, civil rights lawyers,
02:51 public defendants, served in the US military, and much more.
02:55 Over 60% of our nominees are women,
02:57 and over 60% are people of color.
02:59 They include Justice Contagio Brown-Jackson,
03:02 the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
03:05 We've confirmed more Hispanic judges to circuit courts
03:09 than any previous administration.
03:11 We've confirmed more black women to circuit courts
03:14 than all previous presidents combined.
03:18 And let's remember, these judges will
03:20 rule on issues critical to fundamental freedoms--
03:24 reproductive health care, the freedom to cast ballots,
03:27 whether workers have the freedom to unionize,
03:29 whether children have the freedom to breathe clean air
03:32 and drink clean water.
03:34 And while these milestones is great news,
03:37 we know there is much more work to be done.
03:40 Next, we are praying for those who tragically
03:43 lost their lives as deadly tornadoes that
03:46 ripped through Iowa.
03:48 We are also wishing a speedy recovery
03:50 to those who were injured.
03:52 The administration is deeply grateful for first responders
03:55 who jumped into action to save lives.
03:57 We're in touch with state and local officials
03:59 and stand ready to offer support.
04:02 Tomorrow, the FEMA administrator will travel to Iowa
04:05 to meet with local officials and affected residents
04:08 and survey the damage.
04:10 In the meantime, residents in affected areas
04:12 should remain vigilant and heed the advice
04:14 of state and local officials.
04:16 And finally, tomorrow, as you all know,
04:18 Senate Republicans will have another opportunity
04:21 to decide whether they want to support the toughest, fairest
04:25 border security agreement in decades
04:27 or continue putting their partisan political interests
04:31 ahead of the nation's security.
04:34 Let's not forget, after months of negotiations,
04:36 we reach a bipartisan agreement that
04:38 would have delivered the significant policy changes,
04:42 resources, and personnel needed to secure our border
04:46 and make our country safer.
04:48 That included thousands of additional Border Patrol
04:51 agents and Customs and Border Protection personnel,
04:54 technology to catch fentanyl, and personnel
04:58 to go after drug traffickers, asylum officers,
05:01 and immigration judges to improve
05:04 the processing of asylum cases so they are resolved
05:07 in a few months and not years, a temporary emergency authority
05:11 to shut down the border when the system is overwhelmed,
05:15 and access to lawful immigration pathways
05:18 while expediting access to work authorization
05:21 for those who are eligible.
05:22 The president is clear about where he stands.
05:25 He believes we are a nation of immigrants
05:28 and a nation of laws.
05:30 We can expand lawful immigration pathways,
05:33 and we can ensure our border is secure
05:35 and that those who do not have a legal basis to remain
05:39 are removed.
05:41 Time and time again, the American people
05:43 have shown that they do not want mass raids, family separation,
05:48 or kids in cages.
05:49 They want a secure border and lawful immigration opportunities
05:53 for those seeking to come to America to enrich our country.
05:58 That is why President Biden is pushing for it,
06:00 and that is what this bipartisan agreement would move us
06:04 towards.
06:05 It's now up to Republicans in Congress.
06:07 Do you actually want to do something to solve the problem,
06:11 or would you rather use it as a political issue?
06:14 With that, I will hand it over to Jake Sullivan,
06:17 our national security advisor, who would give us
06:20 an update on the visit tomorrow with the Kenyan president,
06:23 or today.
06:24 Do you remember what you wanted to say, Jake?
06:26 I'm not sure what that was in reference to,
06:31 but good afternoon, everybody.
06:33 Thank you.
06:34 The President and the First Lady will welcome President William
06:37 Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto to the White House
06:40 for a state visit and dinner tomorrow.
06:43 The official program will actually begin later today
06:46 with President Biden and President Ruto
06:47 sharing some informal private time together
06:50 and then participating together in a technology
06:53 and investment roundtable with U.S. and Kenyan CEOs
06:57 and other business leaders in the East Room.
06:59 President Biden is really looking forward
07:01 to celebrating and deepening our 60-year-old friendship
07:04 with Kenya as it grows from a regional partnership
07:07 to a global one.
07:09 This is the first state visit by an African head of state
07:13 in nearly 20 years.
07:15 It is long overdue, and it's emblematic of the priority
07:18 that President Biden has placed on our commitment
07:20 to the people of Africa and to elevating their voices
07:24 in global governance and global problem-solving.
07:27 In December of 2022, the President hosted leaders
07:29 from across the African continent
07:31 for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.,
07:34 where, in fact, he first met President Ruto.
07:37 President Biden called for the African Union
07:39 to be able to join the G20 as a permanent member.
07:43 And in September of last year, the G20, in fact,
07:46 welcomed the African Union as a permanent member.
07:50 We've also had a historic number of senior U.S.
07:53 government leaders travel to the continent.
07:55 Since 2022, 24 senior officials have traveled to Africa,
08:00 including the Vice President, the First Lady,
08:02 and seven members of the President's Cabinet.
08:06 Now, as one of our closest strategic partners in Africa,
08:08 Kenya has worked side-by-side with the United States
08:11 to tackle some of the most significant challenges
08:13 of our time.
08:15 And over the next few days, you'll see President Biden
08:17 and President Ruto commit to deepening our partnership
08:20 on critical and emerging technologies,
08:22 on improving health, on fighting climate change,
08:25 on supporting civil society,
08:27 on enhancing peace and security,
08:29 and of course, on enriching the people-to-people ties
08:31 between the United States and Kenya.
08:34 Their statements and their substantive announcements
08:36 will showcase that our ties,
08:38 which are founded on shared democratic values,
08:41 economic aspiration, and global interests,
08:44 deliver in a tangible way for Americans and Kenyans.
08:48 Kenya is an emerging technology hub,
08:50 and so you can expect announcements
08:52 about new investments and partnership
08:54 in digital technologies and emerging technologies.
08:57 President Ruto has been a leading voice on the challenges
09:00 that debt poses to developing countries,
09:02 so you can expect he and President Biden
09:04 will announce their shared vision
09:06 on how the international community can step up
09:08 to mitigate the mounting burden of debt
09:11 and unleash inclusive growth.
09:13 This visit will also highlight Kenya's important role
09:16 in global peace and security.
09:18 The U.S.-Kenya partnership, for example,
09:20 plays a central role in international efforts
09:22 to defeat al-Shabaab and other terrorist organizations.
09:26 And you can expect further announcements
09:27 over the course of the visit
09:29 that enhance our security partnership.
09:32 The United States is also firmly committed to supporting Haiti --
09:35 excuse me, Kenya -- in its deployment
09:36 to lead the multinational security support mission
09:39 to Haiti, which will provide much-needed security assistance
09:43 to the Haitian people.
09:44 And we appreciate, of course, the strong, principled,
09:48 consistent stance that Kenya has taken
09:50 in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty
09:52 and territorial integrity.
09:54 Through this visit, which will unfold through a series
09:57 of events and culminate in a state dinner tomorrow night,
10:00 we are demonstrating how, as President Biden has said
10:03 himself, the United States is all in on Africa
10:07 and all in with Africa.
10:09 Most importantly, we are recognizing our rich history
10:12 of partnership, friendship, and support for Kenya
10:17 and focusing on our shared future.
10:19 This year marks 60 years of partnership with Kenya.
10:22 We're looking forward to the next 60 and the 60 after that.
10:25 That's what will be on display in this important
10:28 and historic state visit.
10:30 And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions.
10:32 Yes.
10:33 The Press: Thanks, Jay.
10:34 Two-hundredth trip over the weekend to Israel
10:35 and Saudi Arabia.
10:36 A senior administration official said yesterday
10:38 that Israel has addressed many of the U.S. concerns
10:41 regarding its operations in Raqqa --
10:44 900,000-plus civilians have fled Raqqa in recent weeks.
10:48 Has Israel addressed all of the administration's concerns?
10:52 Does the U.S. support what Israel is doing
10:53 in Raqqa right now?
10:54 Mr. Duvall: We had detailed discussions on Raqqa
10:57 during my visit to Israel.
10:58 These have built on weeks now, as I've discussed with you
11:01 from this podium, of discussions on a professional basis
11:05 about Raqqa and about how Israel can achieve
11:08 the defeat of Hamas everywhere in Gaza,
11:09 including in Raqqa, while minimizing civilian harm.
11:13 I explained to the Prime Minister
11:14 and other senior Israeli officials
11:16 the President's clear position.
11:18 I reiterated that position.
11:20 I was briefed by Israeli officials
11:22 and by Israeli professionals on refinements
11:24 that Israel has made to its plans
11:26 to achieve its military objectives
11:28 while taking account of civilian harm.
11:31 What we have seen so far in terms of Israel's
11:33 military operations in that area
11:35 has been more targeted and limited,
11:37 has not involved major military operations
11:40 into the heart of dense urban areas.
11:42 We now have to see what unfolds from here.
11:44 We will watch that. We will consider that.
11:46 And we will see whether what Israel has briefed us
11:51 and what they have laid out continues
11:52 or something else happens.
11:54 And one of you asked me the last time
11:56 I was standing at this podium,
11:57 "How are you going to judge this?"
11:58 And I said that there's no mathematical formula.
12:00 What we're going to be looking at is whether there is a lot
12:03 of death and destruction from this operation
12:05 or if it is more precise and proportional.
12:08 And we will see that unfold.
12:10 And we will obviously remain closely engaged
12:12 with the Israeli government as we go.
12:13 That's how we see the situation right now.
12:15 Yeah.
12:16 >> Thank you, Jake.
12:18 Did you, in your meetings, provide any U.S.
12:20 intelligence about Sinwar's whereabouts?
12:22 >> So I think at the root of this question
12:25 is a story that is just completely wrong,
12:28 that somehow we were withholding information
12:30 from the Israeli government relating to Sinwar
12:33 or any other Hamas terrorist
12:35 who was responsible for October 7th.
12:38 The fact is that the United States
12:40 has provided an intense range of assets
12:43 and capabilities and expertise,
12:45 which I got briefed on while I was in Israel,
12:48 to help hunt down and deliver justice to Sinwar
12:51 and everyone else who brought about October 7th.
12:53 We have been doing that day in and day out
12:55 for as long as this conflict has been going on,
12:58 and we will do it until the job is done.
13:00 It's not tied or conditioned on anything else.
13:03 It is not limited. We are not holding anything back.
13:05 We are providing every asset, every tool, every capability.
13:08 And frankly, we have some of the best
13:10 there is in the business on this.
13:12 And they are hard at work with the Israeli government
13:14 to help them try to achieve their ultimate objective here.
13:17 So I didn't have anything myself to come at
13:20 because we've already flowed and supplied everything
13:23 on a perpetual, ongoing basis through the work
13:26 that we're doing on the ground right there in Israel,
13:28 and we'll continue to do that.
13:29 >> Can I ask, because the senior administration official
13:30 has suggested,
13:32 which I believe is the administration's view,
13:34 that until Hamas is fully held to account,
13:37 that the peace process and any two-state solution
13:40 could not go forward.
13:42 Do you see Israel being able to deliver on that?
13:44 And then do you see Israel accepting a two-state solution?
13:48 >> So, you know, I'd have to refer you
13:49 to the Israeli government about their position
13:52 with respect to the future
13:53 of a Palestinian state of the Palestinian question.
13:56 I can just state to you what the U.S. position is.
13:58 It has been longstanding.
13:59 President Biden believes that a two-state solution
14:02 that guarantees Israel's security
14:04 and also a future of dignity and security
14:07 for the Palestinian people
14:08 is the best way to bring about long-term security
14:11 and stability for everyone in the region,
14:13 Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs.
14:15 And he has talked about a regional vision
14:17 of Israel actually being integrated
14:19 with all of the moderate Arab states
14:21 in an architecture that can deliver regional stability.
14:24 And I was in Saudi Arabia talking to the Crown Prince
14:26 about that exact vision this weekend,
14:29 and you saw public statements from him
14:30 about what is possible if Israel moves down that path.
14:33 So that's a conversation we'll continue to have
14:35 with the Israeli government.
14:36 In the meantime, what we will do is work
14:39 to ensure the enduring defeat of Hamas,
14:40 and a day after in Gaza that involves governance and security
14:45 not provided by Hamas but by an alternative
14:48 that ultimately gets us on a credible pathway
14:50 to that two-state solution
14:51 that President Biden has talked about.
14:53 Yeah.
14:53 >> About the three nations, European nations,
14:55 recognizing a Palestinian state,
14:57 is the U.S. concerned that this is just the tip of the iceberg,
15:02 that we're now at a point
15:04 where other nations over U.S. objections
15:07 will recognize Palestine?
15:10 >> Each country is entitled to make its own determinations,
15:13 but the U.S. position on this is clear.
15:15 President Biden, as I just said, has been on the record
15:17 supporting a two-state solution.
15:19 He has been equally emphatic on the record
15:21 that that two-state solution should be brought about
15:23 through direct negotiations through the parties,
15:25 not through unilateral recognition.
15:27 That's a principled position
15:29 that we have held on a consistent basis.
15:30 We'll communicate that to our partners around the world,
15:33 and we'll see what unfolds.
15:34 Yeah.
15:36 >> Just a sort of quick follow-up on that.
15:37 How concerned are you about Israel's growing
15:40 sort of diplomatic isolation? And do you view it that way?
15:43 And what does this also mean for,
15:45 you know, any deal --
15:47 any Saudi deal to recognize Israel going forward?
15:50 I mean, does this diminish the chances of that?
15:52 >> I think it's a fair question.
15:53 As a country that stands strong in defense of Israel,
15:56 in international forums like the United Nations,
15:58 we certainly have seen a growing chorus of voices,
16:01 including voices that had previously been
16:03 in support of Israel, drift in another direction.
16:06 That is of concern to us because we do not believe
16:08 that that contributes to Israel's long-term security
16:11 or vitality.
16:12 And so that's something that we discussed
16:14 with the Israeli government and something that we believe
16:17 that a strategic approach to defeating Hamas,
16:20 protecting civilians, surging humanitarian assistance,
16:23 and then pursuing that vision of regional integration
16:26 I just talked about will put Israel in the best stead
16:29 to engage countries around the world
16:32 and revitalize a lot of the partnerships and friendships
16:34 that have been a source of great strength for Israel
16:37 over time and can be again.
16:39 Yeah.
16:40 >> You just said that there's no mathematical formula
16:43 as you evaluate Israel's offense of Rafa.
16:47 But the administration repeatedly has said
16:49 that the U.S. will not support a large-scale ground invasion.
16:53 So how do you define large-scale ground invasion?
16:56 And then secondly, has the President's broken promise
17:00 to visit Africa created any challenges
17:03 as you try to deepen relationships
17:04 with the countries there?
17:06 >> The President would really look forward
17:08 to visiting Africa. He intends to do so.
17:10 As President of the United States,
17:12 I obviously don't have anything to announce today.
17:14 But if you look at the breadth of his personal engagement
17:16 on this issue, including being a President the first in 20 years
17:19 to actually host an African leader for a state visit here,
17:23 I think it shows, along with the specific,
17:25 tangible policy actions that he has taken,
17:28 including most recently, by the way,
17:30 an overlooked part of the national security supplemental
17:34 was funding actually to help emerging economies,
17:37 including in Africa.
17:39 You know, his record will stand for himself.
17:41 And we believe that what today will showcase
17:43 is not questions about the U.S. commitment,
17:46 but answers that the U.S.
17:48 is actually delivering for Africa,
17:50 for the African people,
17:51 in this case for the country of Kenya,
17:53 but also with Kenya for the broader continent.
17:57 In terms of how we look at Rafa, as I've said before,
18:00 the key concern that we have is major maneuvers
18:03 into dense urban areas,
18:05 and that continues to be something that we will look at.
18:07 What we have seen so far has not been that.
18:10 What unfolds in the coming days is something
18:12 that we will review closely day by day,
18:14 and we'll continue to take briefings from Israel
18:17 about how they are refining their approach,
18:20 in part based on concerns that we have expressed to them.
18:23 So this is something that will be a continuing source
18:26 of engagement and conversation between the two of us,
18:29 and I'll keep you posted as we assess
18:31 how things are unfolding.
18:32 Yeah.
18:33 >> The Press: Israel is responding to the move
18:34 to recognize Palestinian statehood
18:36 by withholding funds from the Palestinian Authority.
18:38 What do you make of this decision
18:40 and the economic impact that it could have?
18:41 >> Mr. Barron: I think it's wrong.
18:42 I think it's wrong on a strategic basis,
18:48 because withholding funds destabilizes the West Bank.
18:53 It undermines the search for security and prosperity
18:56 for the Palestinian people, which is in Israel's interests.
19:00 And I think it's wrong to withhold funds
19:01 that provide basic goods and services to innocent people.
19:05 So, from our perspective, those funds should continue to go
19:08 with all of the necessary safeguards,
19:11 but they should continue to flow.
19:12 >> The Press: And also, Leader Schumer is in talks
19:14 with the Speaker to invite Netanyahu
19:16 to come and address Congress.
19:17 Does the President support the Prime Minister
19:18 delivering an address like this at this time?
19:21 >> Mr. Barron: So, we have not, at this point,
19:22 heard from the Prime Minister on a joint address to the Congress.
19:25 The President talks to the Prime Minister.
19:27 In fact, he just talked to him not too long ago.
19:30 Senior administration officials engage with him.
19:32 I just did so over the weekend.
19:33 So, we'll stay in touch with the Prime Minister,
19:35 and obviously we'll stay in touch with the Congress
19:37 and see what happens.
19:38 Yeah.
19:39 >> The Press: Japan hosts the largest number
19:41 of U.S. forces overseas.
19:43 And the Prime Minister was just here --
19:45 the previous Prime Minister was just here.
19:47 And with all these wars breaking out,
19:49 there's great concern on what China is doing in the region.
19:52 And there's been reports that there are U.S. military
19:56 in Taiwan for the first time since 1979.
19:58 Can you confirm that at all?
20:00 >> Mr. Barron: I don't know what that report is.
20:02 I know nothing about it, so I can't speak to it.
20:04 >> The Press: Also, I've been waiting for an interview
20:07 with Japanese media, so if that was possible.
20:10 >> Mr. Barron: An interview with Japanese media?
20:13 >> The Press: There hasn't been an interview
20:14 with any of the Japanese media yet.
20:16 >> Mr. Barron: The President has given a press conference
20:17 in Tokyo and answered questions from the Japanese media.
20:20 Yeah.
20:21 >> The Press: Thanks, Jake. Two questions.
20:22 One, does the administration support the Republican push
20:26 of sanctioning the ICC
20:28 after there was an arrest warrant application?
20:30 And if so, what would that mean?
20:31 And then also, I wanted to ask you,
20:33 after your trip to Israel this weekend, do you feel --
20:36 I guess, could you characterize how you feel
20:39 about the Israeli exit strategy for ending the war in totality?
20:43 >> Mr. Barron: So, on the question related to the ICC,
20:45 we're in consultations on a bipartisan,
20:48 bicameral basis with the Hill on all of the options
20:50 for how to respond to what the ICC has just done.
20:53 We haven't made any determinations.
20:54 When we do, we'll be sure to let you know.
20:56 And then your second question was?
20:58 >> The Press: Well, after the trip to Israel this weekend,
21:00 do you feel like the Israeli government
21:02 has a path towards ending the war?
21:05 And what do you see as their exit strategy?
21:07 >> Mr. Barron: Look, I'm going to let them speak
21:08 to their exit strategy.
21:09 What I will say is what I've said from this podium before.
21:11 We believe the only way to defeat Hamas
21:14 and lead to Israel's long-term security
21:15 is connect the military effort
21:17 to a holistic, integrated strategy for defeat of Hamas
21:22 and securing all of the other objectives that we've discussed.
21:26 That's something that we think Israel
21:28 could be clearer about publicly as well as privately,
21:31 and we'll continue to work on that.
21:33 But the most important thing is not really what I think;
21:35 it's that you're hearing senior voices
21:38 inside the Israeli system speak to these issues.
21:42 And that debate, we think, is a healthy debate
21:45 because at the end of the day, we know from our own experience
21:48 that military force alone is not going to get the job done.
21:50 It needs to be a holistic strategy.
21:52 Yeah.
21:53 >> Jake, you talked about one of the key objectives,
21:54 of course, is the provision of humanitarian aid
21:56 and food to the people of Gaza.
21:57 The Pentagon, within the last 24 hours,
21:59 said that they did not believe that any of the aid
22:01 from the pier where the construction was led
22:03 by the United States military
22:04 has been received by the people of Gaza to this point.
22:08 Your thoughts on that, given this --
22:11 has this been a failure?
22:13 How do we fix this situation?
22:17 And was the U.S. insufficiently prepared to utilize
22:20 this as a means by which to deliver aid?
22:22 >> First, just to level set, since Saturday,
22:23 the U.N. has, in fact, distributed humanitarian supplies
22:27 from the pier to Palestinian civilians in Deir al-Bala,
22:30 in al-Mawassi, and in Khan Younis.
22:32 >> So aid from the pier has now gone specifically
22:35 to the Palestinians who need it?
22:36 >> That's correct.
22:36 And there's been about 695 metric tons of food
22:41 that has come off the pier so far.
22:43 About two-thirds of that either has gone
22:45 or is on its way to going to Palestinian civilians.
22:48 The issue is not actually getting food
22:50 to the pier or off the pier.
22:51 It's being able to ensure that we have necessary
22:54 security arrangements in place to deliver it.
22:56 We have had modalities to get some of that aid distributed.
23:00 We are in the process of building out
23:02 to get more of it distributed.
23:04 So the answer to your initial question is no,
23:06 it's not a failure of planning.
23:08 Yes, it is an indication this is a dynamic environment
23:11 and we need to continue to refine.
23:13 But aid is flowing.
23:15 It is not flowing at the rate that any of us
23:17 would be happy with because we always want more.
23:19 But we are actually seeing good cooperation
23:22 between the U.S., the IDF, the U.N.,
23:25 and other humanitarian organizations
23:27 to ensure that aid goes from that pier
23:29 to innocent people in need,
23:31 and we'll continue to do that as we go forward.
23:33 - Can I just follow up quickly on the situation in Iran?
23:34 Obviously, we're within the five days of mourning
23:36 after the loss of two of the key leaders
23:38 in that country right now,
23:39 the mourning led by the Ayatollah there.
23:41 Obviously, there were initially concerns
23:43 that the U.S. may somehow be blamed,
23:45 or the U.S. claims no responsibility, obviously,
23:47 for the crash of this helicopter.
23:50 Can you give us any better understanding
23:52 of if there are concerns that the U.S. is facing,
23:54 or you've been satisfied with the way Iran
23:57 has sort of characterized things in the days since then?
24:01 Is there any reason for concern right now?
24:03 - All I can say is we had nothing to do with it,
24:05 and if at any point Iran tries to accuse us
24:08 of having anything to do with it,
24:09 we will push back extremely strongly,
24:11 directly, and vociferously.
24:13 Yeah.
24:14 - The U.K.'s defense minister said today
24:16 that the U.S. and the U.K. has evidence
24:18 that China could be providing lethal aid to Russia.
24:21 Can you speak to that at all?
24:23 - Well, going back to 2022,
24:25 I've actually stood at this podium
24:26 and warned about my concern
24:28 that China might provide weapons,
24:29 direct lethal assistance to Russia.
24:32 We didn't see that in 2022.
24:34 We didn't see that in 2023.
24:35 We have not seen that to date.
24:37 I look forward to speaking with the U.K.
24:41 to make sure that we have a common operating picture.
24:44 We have had one.
24:44 We've been on the same page.
24:45 So I just want to understand better
24:46 what exactly that comment was referring to.
24:49 What I would point out is that just recently,
24:53 we have been articulating in quite urgent terms
24:57 our concern about what China's doing
24:59 to fuel Russia's war machine,
25:01 not giving weapons directly,
25:03 but providing inputs to Russia's defense industrial base.
25:06 That is happening.
25:07 That is something we're concerned about.
25:09 We've taken action to deal with that in a concerted way
25:12 with our allies and partners,
25:13 and you can expect more of that action in the period ahead.
25:15 - Will the President go to the peace summit
25:17 next month in Switzerland?
25:18 He would be the only G7 leader
25:20 who has not accepted that invitation.
25:22 - I don't have any announcements on that today.
25:24 What I will say is that I personally engaged
25:26 in preparations for that summit,
25:28 as have others in our government,
25:30 and we've been a key player in helping drive forward
25:34 a vision of peace that includes Ukraine's sovereignty
25:37 and territorial integrity
25:38 and the principles of the UN Charter.
25:40 But I can't make any announcements today
25:41 about the President's travel.
25:43 Yeah.
25:43 - Can I go back to Africa for two questions?
25:45 - Yes, you may.
25:47 - There you go.
25:48 On President Routteau, there has been a,
25:51 he has a kind of checkered past.
25:53 If you look back a decade or so,
25:55 he was a defendant at the International Criminal Court
25:58 over actions taken after an election there.
26:02 And then, more recently, there are folks
26:04 who expressed concerns
26:05 about some authoritarian moves in the country.
26:08 Is that something that the President will raise with --
26:12 that President Biden will raise with his counterpart
26:15 during this visit, or something that causes any concern
26:19 on the part of the administration?
26:21 - We've seen robust and vigorous democracy
26:23 in Kenya in recent years.
26:25 But, of course, we will continue to express our view
26:28 about the ongoing need to nurture democratic institutions
26:32 across the board, an independent judiciary,
26:34 a non-corrupt economy,
26:36 credible free and fair elections.
26:39 And these kinds of principles
26:40 are things the President will share,
26:41 but he's not here to lecture President Routteau.
26:44 President Routteau, in fact,
26:45 is somebody who just was in Atlanta
26:49 speaking about these issues.
26:50 And we will invest in Kenya's democratic institutions,
26:54 in its civil society, in all walks of Kenyan life,
26:57 to help make sure that the basic foundations
26:59 of Kenyan democracy remain strong.
27:01 - And then, just one follow-up on today.
27:03 You mentioned that there might be some announcements
27:05 on investment and the like during the visit.
27:08 Do you anticipate any announcements being made today
27:11 after the discussion --
27:13 before or after or during the discussion with the CEOs?
27:16 - I would just say, stay tuned.
27:18 If they're not made later today,
27:19 they'll be made tomorrow morning.
27:21 So, it'll be one of the two,
27:22 and you'll have them soon enough.
27:23 Yeah. -Thank you.
27:25 Spain, Ireland, and Norway,
27:27 they have said that their decision
27:28 to recognize a Palestinian state
27:30 is because they want to contribute to the peace process,
27:32 to cease fire.
27:33 So, what is your view on that?
27:35 Does this contribute to the process?
27:37 And also, will this affect the bilateral relationship
27:39 of the United States with these countries?
27:41 - I have not heard the logic for how it contributes.
27:44 What I can tell you is we believe the only way
27:46 that you are going to achieve a two-state solution
27:48 that delivers for both Israelis and Palestinians
27:50 is through direct negotiations between the parties.
27:53 That's what we've been focused on.
27:54 That's what we've been driving towards.
27:56 And that's what a larger regional strategy,
27:58 engaging Arab states to try to generate momentum
28:01 in that direction,
28:03 that's why it's been such a focus of President Biden
28:05 from the beginning, not just post-October 7th.
28:07 But you'd have to ask them how they connect
28:11 the unilateral recognition to actual progress
28:13 on a peace process or a ceasefire,
28:15 because I've not seen how that logic actually plays out.
28:18 Yeah. - Thank you, Jake.
28:19 Israel National Security Minister went today
28:23 to the ground of the Aqsa Mosque,
28:25 which is a remnant of what Sharon did in 2000.
28:27 I'm sure you remember that.
28:29 Do you see this as provocation?
28:31 Do you condemn this as a way to cause unrest in East Jerusalem
28:36 and in the West Bank?
28:37 I have another question.
28:38 - So I have not seen what he did,
28:39 and therefore do not want to comment on it prematurely.
28:42 What I'll do is go check out what exactly unfolded today,
28:46 and then we'll have comment for you as a result of that.
28:48 - Allow me to press you on what you said about the --
28:50 you refer us to the Israelis on the two-state solution.
28:53 With your respect, this sounds like an easy answer,
28:56 because the President's vision
28:58 is dependent on the two-state solution.
29:00 The President's vision is --
29:02 and the leverage is all on the Israelis
29:04 to make them closer to what he wants to achieve.
29:07 American national security is dependent on that,
29:10 whether it's with the Houthis in Yemen,
29:12 the militias in Iraq, or the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
29:15 So it is vital for you to use all the leverage
29:17 to convince the Israelis.
29:19 So how can you tell us -- well, go and ask the Israelis,
29:21 because if they said no, then that's no,
29:23 but this is our vision.
29:24 How can you see the two sides --
29:27 their vision and your vision as not contradictory?
29:30 - The two sides' vision?
29:32 - The Israeli vision of complete denial
29:35 and rejection of a Palestinian state,
29:37 and your vision, the President's vision,
29:40 of, like, the only way that you have to secure Israel
29:43 is to have a two-state solution.
29:45 And hence, you have all these countries unilaterally
29:47 recognizing the state of Palestine.
29:49 - So, look, I think I said at this podium not too long ago
29:52 that diplomacy is 1,000 days of failure and one day of success.
29:56 Maybe in the case of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
30:00 it's even more than 1,000 days,
30:02 since across multiple administrations,
30:04 multiple decades.
30:05 By the way, this is not just a U.S. issue.
30:07 Arab states believe in the two-state solution.
30:09 European states believe in the two-state solution.
30:11 The world believes in it.
30:12 So this is not a bilateral issue between the U.S. and Israel.
30:15 And, of course, we make our views known,
30:17 and, of course, we press on the diplomatic front on this.
30:20 But at the end of the day, what the United States can do,
30:23 through hard, gumshoe diplomacy, led by the President,
30:29 the Secretary of State, myself, others,
30:32 is try to put the pieces in place for a vision
30:35 of an integrated region, of a secure Israel,
30:38 of a two-state solution, put all those pieces in place,
30:41 and show that for the long-term strength
30:44 and vitality of the Jewish, democratic state of Israel,
30:47 this is what's required.
30:48 Israel is a sovereign nation.
30:49 It will ultimately have to decide what it does.
30:52 What we can do as a friend is try to put the pieces in place
30:56 to drive down that road.
30:57 That's what the President has done throughout his career.
30:59 It's what he's done as President,
31:00 and it's what we'll continue to do.
31:02 Yeah.
31:04 -We reported this morning that the Kenyan government
31:07 has yet to submit paperwork,
31:09 necessary documentation to the UN Security Council on the MSS,
31:15 with details on the sequencing of a deployment,
31:21 details on the intended end state of the mission,
31:25 and rules of engagement as well.
31:29 Are you confident that Kenya is prepared
31:31 to answer those questions,
31:33 and specifically on rules of engagement,
31:35 what do you want to see of the mission
31:38 and specifically of Kenya?
31:40 -I am confident that Israel -- too many countries --
31:43 that Kenya is prepared to carry out what it has set forth
31:48 with respect to this multinational
31:50 security support mission.
31:51 And it's not just going to be Kenya.
31:52 It's going to be Kenya leading,
31:54 with a range of other countries, with the United States
31:56 providing a considerable amount of financial
31:58 and logistical support
32:00 and a certain backbone to all of it.
32:03 Obviously, this is not something that,
32:07 you know, is a completely straight line.
32:09 It is a dynamic operating environment,
32:12 to say the least, in Haiti.
32:14 And this is going to require an adaptive, flexible approach,
32:17 but one guided by certain core functions and operations.
32:23 Kenya has laid that out.
32:24 It's worked that out in close collaboration
32:26 with the United States.
32:27 And it has consulted closely with the UN
32:29 on this along the way.
32:31 So, with respect to whatever particular report
32:33 or forms are necessary to file, that's one thing.
32:36 In terms of whether the substance of the operation
32:39 is well understood by Kenya,
32:40 the partners in the United States, I believe it is.
32:43 And we expect the deployments to unfold
32:46 in the not-too-distant future.
32:48 In terms of rules of engagement, the key thing here
32:51 is that this multinational security support mission
32:54 is exactly that -- a support mission.
32:56 A support mission of the institutions
32:59 of the Haitian state, not a replacement for it.
33:01 That is the core proposition behind it,
33:03 and that's what it's going to carry out.
33:05 Yeah.
33:06 -Do you have a reaction to the British Prime Minister
33:07 calling a general election for July 4th?
33:09 Were you surprised to see that today?
33:12 -I confess that I was surprised to see it today
33:14 because I think it was not an expected announcement.
33:17 But I don't have any real comment on it
33:19 because I'll leave it to the UK to deal with their politics
33:22 while, of course, the United States deals with its politics.
33:25 We have a very strong --
33:27 maybe that's an understatement --
33:29 partnership and alliance with the UK,
33:30 regardless of elections, regardless of prime ministers.
33:34 So we wish them luck in the conduct of their election,
33:38 and we'll be here as the United States
33:40 standing with the UK through it all.
33:41 -Are they going to meet with the Prime Minister at the G7?
33:44 And does this change anything,
33:45 given that the election will be two weeks later?
33:47 -Honestly, I heard about this two hours ago,
33:49 so I'm not sure exactly what it's going to mean
33:51 from the point of view of the UK at the G7 summit.
33:55 What I can tell you is that we didn't have
33:56 a specific bilateral plan,
33:57 but, of course, he's going to sit around that roundtable
34:01 with that small group of G7 leaders.
34:03 And I assume the UK Prime Minister will be there,
34:05 and they'll be talking about substance, not politics.
34:08 So that's not going to change anything
34:09 in terms of the agenda of the summit.
34:10 Take one more question. Yeah.
34:12 -I have a China-related question.
34:13 So Secretary Yellen in Europe encouraged European allies
34:17 to work with the United States
34:19 to counter China's overcapacity and the trade practice.
34:23 What is the objective and the action plan for that?
34:26 And also, China just announced a sanction
34:29 against former Congressman Mike Gallagher,
34:32 who just resigned last month,
34:34 and he had been a critic to the Communist Party,
34:36 also a supporter of Taiwan.
34:38 Also today, China announced another sanction
34:40 against 12 U.S. defense companies
34:44 and its employees for selling weapons to Taiwan.
34:47 What is the administration's position on China
34:49 sanctioning U.S. congressional members,
34:52 companies, and citizens?
34:54 -We oppose all of those sanctions,
34:55 full stop, four square.
34:57 Simple as that.
34:58 With respect to the overcapacity issue,
35:01 we've been very clear, and the President has been clear,
35:04 as well as Secretary Yellen,
35:05 Lael Brainard, and others, and Dalip Singh
35:07 have all spoken articulately to this challenge
35:10 being not a challenge that's bilateral
35:12 between the U.S. and China.
35:13 It is a global challenge.
35:15 China's distortive practices, non-market economic practices,
35:20 subsidizing at dramatic scale industries
35:24 where they are going to produce so much quantity of good
35:30 and then flood the global markets with it
35:32 threatens to create global imbalances
35:34 that are not stabilizing.
35:36 That's why it's not surprising
35:37 that you've seen countries in Latin America,
35:39 countries in Europe, countries in Asia,
35:40 and, of course, the United States,
35:42 step up and say,
35:43 "We've got to look at this and take countermeasures to this."
35:46 And I think what the Secretary is hoping to do at the G7,
35:50 building up to the summit in Italy,
35:52 is to get a common picture
35:56 of what the nature of the challenge is,
35:58 get a common understanding
36:00 of what the tools to deal with it are,
36:01 and also a common understanding of how we engage with China
36:05 in a dialogue on these questions to express our concerns
36:08 and indicate that we need to take steps to defend ourselves.
36:11 That's what the intent is. That's what we hope to do.
36:14 Thank you all very much, and I'll talk to you soon.
36:16 Thank you, guys.
36:18 -Thank you, Jake.
36:19 -Last three rows, send their regards.
36:23 -Okay. Thank you so much, Jake.
36:26 So I know we don't have too much time
36:28 because I know the First Lady's office
36:29 is holding a press event,
36:30 and we promised her that -- we promised their office
36:33 that it would be done before then
36:34 so all of you can have an opportunity to attend that.
36:37 But, Zeke, so we have a couple minutes.
36:39 -A couple of thoughts on Jake.
36:41 -Sure. -The President intends to visit Africa
36:43 while he is President.
36:44 They're less than eight months into the Immigration Day,
36:46 so should we expect a visit from the President
36:48 to the African continent between now and January 25th?
36:51 -And as Jake also said in his answers,
36:54 we don't have anything to announce at this time,
36:55 but the President, obviously, while he's President,
37:02 he would like to keep that commitment
37:04 and, indeed, make a visit to Africa.
37:07 I just don't have anything to announce at this time.
37:09 -And then on one of your favorite topics,
37:10 the Hatch Act, the African Special Council
37:13 indicated that they would begin working
37:15 to enforce the Hatch Act on White House employees.
37:19 Is that something that this White House is supportive of?
37:22 -So, I'll say this.
37:22 We are reviewing the opinion, obviously, that just occurred.
37:28 I do want to note a couple of things that,
37:30 as recently as November 2021,
37:33 the Office of Special Counsel stated that,
37:35 and I quote, "significant constitutional concerns
37:38 would be raised by referring White House-commissioned
37:41 officers to the Merit System Protection Board" --
37:44 this is the MSPB -- "for discipline."
37:47 And for decades -- we have to remember this, as well --
37:49 OSC's practice with respect to Hatch Act matters
37:52 involving White House-commissioned officers
37:54 has been to refer those matters to the President
37:57 for discipline.
37:57 That's what's been going on for decades now.
38:00 So, and that is also what OSC has said
38:02 was legally required in 2021.
38:06 So, we're not aware of any changes in the law
38:10 eliminating that requirement,
38:12 but obviously we're going to review that opinion.
38:14 Just don't have anything to share at this time.
38:17 I'm going to leave it to my White House
38:19 Counsel's Office colleagues.
38:21 -We're free to talk about all sorts of political matters.
38:24 -I wish. I wish.
38:27 I just don't have anything to share at this time,
38:30 but obviously we're going to review the opinion.
38:32 I wish. I wish I could.
38:33 I wish I could. Go ahead.
38:35 -Has the President spoken to any of the governors in the Midwest
38:37 who are dealing with a lot of this severe weather?
38:39 And can you just discuss a bit any of the coordination
38:41 that's going on between the White House
38:43 and these states in terms of cleanup and recovery?
38:45 -So, look, you heard me at the top mention how,
38:49 you know, how we are --
38:50 obviously folks are in our thoughts
38:51 and how devastating it's been with these extreme weather
38:55 and what it's led to.
38:56 And obviously people have lost their lives.
38:58 And so it's devastating to hear.
38:59 The President continues to be kept updated
39:04 on what's happening in different states.
39:06 Obviously, I just talked about Iowa at the top.
39:09 And he has been --
39:10 I know he has had conversations with leadership on the ground.
39:15 I know that, obviously, the FEMA administrator
39:17 has been all hands on deck,
39:19 Deanne Criswell, and talking to folks on the ground, as well.
39:22 I don't have anything to read out on specific calls,
39:26 but we are here to help, as we have done over the past
39:29 three years when these types of disasters occur.
39:32 And we'll continue to be here to help in any way that is needed.
39:37 So I just don't have anything in detail or specifics to share.
39:40 But obviously, our hearts go out to folks who are recovering
39:43 and folks who have lost loved ones.
39:45 It is devastating to see.
39:46 Peter.
39:47 The Press: The RNC headquarters is reporting
39:49 that it received blood vials today.
39:52 Right now, obviously, that's under investigation.
39:54 But this White House has been very clear in the past
39:56 about aggressively condemning political violence,
39:59 intimidation of any kind.
40:00 Will you do the same given the circumstances?
40:01 Ambassador Rice I will do the same,
40:02 as I have done many times before.
40:04 As you just stated, the Capitol Police is looking into this,
40:09 so I would leave it to them to investigate what's going on.
40:13 It is concerning.
40:14 We have obviously seen the report.
40:16 And we are going to do what we consistently have done from
40:19 here, is condemn any political violence,
40:20 threats, or intimidation that has no place in any community
40:25 and certainly in our political discourse.
40:27 And it is important that we continue to repeat that,
40:30 that that has no place in our politics, no place anywhere.
40:34 And so we certainly condemn any form of threats.
40:38 The Press: You opened today's briefing by talking about
40:40 the latest student loan cancellations for,
40:43 I think we said -- what did we say --
40:44 a total of 4.75 million Americans.
40:46 Now I think it's 160,000.
40:47 This latest run by Johnson, the Republican House Speaker,
40:50 today described this as a massive wealth transfer
40:53 for Americans who did not attend college to those who did.
40:57 And he described it as a shameful play
40:59 to buy more votes six months before an election.
41:02 Ambassador Rice: I will say to the congressional member,
41:05 Mike Johnson, obviously the Speaker,
41:07 is that what is shameful is that Republicans continue to get
41:09 in a way of helping us deliver a little bit of breathing room
41:12 for Americans who deserve that opportunity, who deserve --
41:15 you heard me talk about Tiffany, the young woman, who --
41:22 one of the things that people should know,
41:23 and if you don't, is that when folks are receiving these
41:28 debt relief announcements from the President,
41:32 they have an opportunity to tell their story.
41:34 They have an opportunity to say why this matters to them.
41:38 And we're talking about millions of Americans
41:41 who now have an opportunity to start a life,
41:44 have an opportunity to move forward in a way
41:47 where they can reach that American dream,
41:50 or reach whatever it is that they wanted to do,
41:52 not just for themselves, but for their families.
41:55 So, we believe -- and the President's not going
41:58 to walk away from doing that.
42:01 He believes it's an important commitment
42:03 that he made to Americans.
42:05 It is a broken system. It is a broken system.
42:07 The Press: I guess the question, though, is what, then,
42:09 is the White House's message to those Americans
42:12 who did not attend college for a variety of reasons,
42:15 perhaps including perhaps that they didn't want to take
42:17 on all the debt that went with it right now,
42:19 that they feel like in some form they are responsible
42:22 for allowing those who did not to pay their fair share?
42:25 Ms. Browner: So, look, here's the thing.
42:26 This is a President who has been very clear
42:28 about making sure that he's building an economy
42:31 that leaves no one behind, right?
42:33 Making sure that --
42:34 The Press: So, he's leaving behind the ones
42:35 who didn't get support because they didn't go to college?
42:37 Ms. Browner: No, I hear your question, but this is --
42:38 if you look at what the President has done
42:40 more holistically over the past three and a half years,
42:42 he has tried to build an economy for everyone.
42:45 This is one part of his economic policy.
42:48 When you think about creating 15 million jobs,
42:51 many of those jobs, if you think about the different --
42:54 different legislation that he's obviously passed into law,
42:58 whether it's the bipartisan infrastructure legislation,
43:00 CHIPS and Science Act, it's creating jobs
43:02 that are good union-paying jobs,
43:04 where you don't need a college education, right?
43:06 Where you can make six figures
43:08 and actually have that opportunity
43:09 to start your family.
43:11 He is creating an economy from the bottom up, middle out,
43:13 making sure that the millionaires,
43:16 the billionaires and corporations
43:18 are paying their fair share, right?
43:20 Not like Republicans in Congress
43:21 who want to give them a tax giveaway.
43:24 So, he's trying to make sure --
43:25 this is one part of his economic policy,
43:27 but as he's thinking forward,
43:29 as he's looking at all Americans, all communities,
43:32 he wants to make sure that there is an economy
43:34 that doesn't leave --
43:36 again, doesn't leave anybody behind.
43:37 And as historically,
43:39 that trickle-down economics does not work,
43:42 and he does not want to see that.
43:44 So, we have given opportunities,
43:46 and we want to continue to give opportunities
43:48 for folks who feel like they need a little bit more help.
43:51 >> And I guess, just to put a fine point on it right now,
43:53 for the 4.7 million Americans
43:54 who have received this debt relief,
43:57 the average, as you said at the start of this visit,
43:59 was $35,000 their relief has been for.
44:02 So, I guess, why don't those individuals
44:04 who didn't receive $35,000 in debt cancellation
44:06 deserve a $35,000 check from other Americans
44:09 for what other means they would want to use it?
44:12 >> You're talking about the --
44:13 >> Those people who didn't go to college,
44:14 so they're not getting debt relief,
44:15 the $35,000 that they don't get because they didn't go.
44:18 >> We're talking about folks who are in debt
44:20 who are literally being crushed,
44:22 literally being crushed because they took --
44:25 >> They're not literally being crushed, but --
44:29 >> Financially. Okay? Is that okay with you?
44:32 Okay. I know. But crushed financially.
44:35 And so, they're trying to get their lives back on track.
44:42 Right? They're trying to get into a place
44:44 because they took a bet on themselves in a different way.
44:48 Right? A bet of themselves in going to college.
44:52 And some of them, it is difficult to do that.
44:54 Right? And they did that.
44:56 Financially, it's hurt them,
44:57 and we want to give them that breathing room.
44:59 But it's not just folks who have debt because of colleges.
45:04 We're trying to help people in different communities as well.
45:08 Folks who don't have to get that college degree
45:12 and can make six-figure salary.
45:15 That is one of the things that the President was very proud of
45:17 when he passed the bipartisan infrastructure legislation,
45:20 when he signed the Chips and Signs Act.
45:22 Those are really important components
45:24 of what he's trying to do as well.
45:26 Let's -- if you think about making sure healthcare --
45:30 healthcare is more affordable, getting that prescription drugs,
45:32 many for diabetes, for cancer,
45:35 making sure that those costs are lower, insulin.
45:38 So, there are many ways that the President has made sure
45:41 that Americans have what they need
45:45 to move forward with their lives,
45:47 create and build a family where they feel like
45:50 they're going after their dreams as well.
45:52 And so, look, you know, we want to make sure that, again,
45:57 the student loan piece is one part,
45:59 one part of the President's economic policy,
46:01 and the President's not going to step away from it.
46:04 He's not going to back down
46:05 because he believes it's the right thing to do.
46:08 >> Thank you. >> Great.
46:09 I know we have to wrap up. Go ahead, Michael.
46:11 >> Thanks, Karine.
46:12 Just -- I'm not sure -- forgive me if we've addressed this
46:14 already, but the five Americans who are being held
46:17 in Tercekegos on charges related to allegedly
46:24 bringing shell casings in their luggage,
46:27 they're facing 12 years in prison.
46:30 Do you have a comment and do you have a message for them?
46:34 >> I want to be super mindful that's an ongoing case here,
46:38 so I don't want to comment from here,
46:39 so I don't have anything to add
46:41 beyond what's being reported out there.
46:43 Go ahead, Jared.
46:44 >> On the border vote that's expected in the Senate tomorrow,
46:47 I guess two questions related to that.
46:48 One, can you kind of explain the timing
46:50 of how this came together?
46:51 I mean, are there developments that you are more optimistic
46:53 this will be more successful than it was last time?
46:56 And if it is not, does the President intend to try
47:00 and reengage Republicans and Democrats
47:02 to come up with a new agreement before November's election?
47:05 >> Look, it's up to Republicans in Congress
47:09 if this is going to be successful or not.
47:11 As I stated, it took several months
47:13 to come to this bipartisan agreement,
47:15 obviously coming out of the Senate.
47:17 It is -- we have said over and over again,
47:19 we believe if the President has an opportunity
47:21 to sign this into law,
47:22 it will be the toughest and the fairest legislation
47:25 to deal with a broken immigration system
47:27 that's been broken for decades.
47:29 And we have not seen a legislation like this
47:31 in some time.
47:32 And so, we believe it's important to move that forward.
47:35 On day one, the President put forth
47:36 a comprehensive immigration legislation.
47:38 Nothing happened for three and a half years.
47:40 And so, we got to work,
47:43 and at the beginning of this year,
47:44 we were able to make something happen.
47:47 And we want it to see moving. We want it to see happening.
47:50 Majority of Americans care about this issue.
47:53 They care about what's going on at the border.
47:55 They care about fixing immigration.
47:57 And they have to do their jobs, right?
47:59 This is something -- an opportunity for legislators,
48:03 for Congress to do something that Americans care about.
48:06 So, we're going to let that process play out.
48:08 The vote happens tomorrow. We've been very clear.
48:10 We could not be more clear
48:12 on how we want this to be moved forward.
48:15 We could not be more clear how important it was to us
48:18 that the President and his team worked on this for months.
48:22 >> But does the President want to see a new deal?
48:24 If this doesn't -- >> There's a deal right there.
48:26 >> But if it fails, then it doesn't move forward.
48:27 >> I mean, look, I'm not going to get ahead.
48:29 I'm not going to speculate on what's going to happen tomorrow.
48:31 But there is literally a bipartisan deal
48:34 that was worked on for months
48:35 that can start dealing with this issue.
48:37 There is. And why do we need a new deal
48:41 when there's one right there that they negotiated on?
48:44 With our help, obviously, we were part of that.
48:47 But there's one. There's a deal that could deal
48:49 with a broken immigration system
48:51 and the challenges at the border.
48:52 They should move forward on it.
48:54 Go ahead.
48:56 >> Just wanted to follow up on the student loan debt forgiveness.
48:58 In the announcement, the Undersecretary of Education
49:01 said, "We congratulate those borrowers
49:04 on their due forgiveness."
49:06 I'm just wondering why people who take out a loan
49:09 to go to school then go to school,
49:11 why are they due forgiveness?
49:13 >> Everybody has a different story
49:15 as to why they need student loans.
49:17 Everybody has a different reasoning
49:19 as to why they want to go to college.
49:21 I cannot speak for everyone.
49:22 >> But what does forgiveness do to them?
49:24 >> What we have been very clear about is the system,
49:29 the student loan system needs to be fixed.
49:31 The President is trying to do that and fix it in a way
49:34 where people are not feeling that crushing financial burden
49:38 that they have to deal with when they leave college.
49:42 And that is something that they shouldn't have to.
49:44 They should be given a little bit of breathing room.
49:47 That is something that, by the way,
49:48 that's something that majority of Americans agree on,
49:51 to be given a little bit of breathing room
49:53 so that they could --
49:54 >> More than half disagree with using tax dollars.
49:57 >> That's one poll.
49:58 >> A follow-up question.
49:59 >> Yeah, sure.
50:00 >> Does the administration think that student loan debt
50:03 cancellation contributes to inflation?
50:06 >> What we believe is student debt cancellation
50:09 gives an opportunity for Americans to start a life,
50:12 to buy a house, to start a family.
50:14 That adds to the economy.
50:16 That is also important to the economy.
50:18 And it gives, again, a little bit of breathing room
50:22 so that they can actually take action
50:24 and do things that they've wanted to do,
50:28 whether it's going after a dream,
50:30 whether, again, it's starting a family,
50:32 whether it's buying a house.
50:34 That matters. That matters to many, many Americans.
50:37 Go ahead, Jackie.
50:40 >> On the border bill,
50:41 Schumer isn't even allowing amendments,
50:43 and this exact text failed before.
50:45 So how can this be seen as anything
50:48 other than a cynical attempt to try to show Americans
50:51 that Democrats care about the border?
50:53 >> I mean, I don't know how cynical --
50:55 I don't understand how that would be cynical
50:57 when it sounds like Senator Schumer
50:59 is trying to do his job
51:01 and move forward a piece of legislation
51:03 that had bipartisan support,
51:05 that was negotiated in a bipartisan way
51:08 that a majority of Americans care about.
51:10 He's trying to move that forward on behalf of not just --
51:14 obviously not just of what the negotiators
51:18 wanted to get done in that bipartisan way,
51:20 but also this is something that the American people want to see.
51:23 They want Congress to take action on this particular issue.
51:26 I'm not sure how cynical -- why that would be cynical.
51:29 >> Well, because this exact text failed,
51:30 and he's not allowing for any changes.
51:32 >> Look, I'm going to let Senator Schumer do the work
51:36 and move that forward.
51:37 It is his decision to make that decision.
51:39 We support it, obviously.
51:41 We've been very clear about supporting that,
51:42 about wanting to see that negotiation,
51:45 that plan move forward.
51:46 We want to see that happen. We want to see that happen.
51:49 Now it's up to Republicans to decide,
51:52 to decide if they want to deal with this issue that matters,
51:56 again, to a majority of Americans.
51:58 >> You opened the briefing by saying it's up to Republicans
52:00 to do something to solve the problem
52:02 or continue to use it as a political issue.
52:05 The President has the authority
52:07 to do something about this unilaterally.
52:09 Congress is in a divided government right now.
52:12 Why isn't he doing anything?
52:14 >> Why should he have to do it unilaterally?
52:15 Why should we do it in a legislative way?
52:19 And let's not forget, that negotiated --
52:21 >> He took unilateral action before to undo some of it.
52:23 >> Wait. So you're right.
52:26 He took many executive actions before.
52:28 But in order to deal with what's happening at the border,
52:31 in order to deal with a broken immigration system,
52:33 you need law, you need legislation,
52:36 you need it to happen in a bipartisan way.
52:39 And there was negotiate -- it was negotiated.
52:42 There was an agreement in the Senate.
52:44 Republicans and Democrats came together.
52:46 You just said it's a broken -- it's broken,
52:49 it's divided, to be more clear.
52:50 And they came and they did that. And so that matters.
52:54 We've been able, during this past three and a half years,
52:57 to move forward in a bipartisan way on many legislation.
53:00 So this one is important. Why can't we do that here?
53:03 >> Well, just because in the framework
53:05 through which it's coming up again, again,
53:07 not allowing for any changes,
53:08 no indication this vote's going to be any different.
53:10 And it looks like, if anything, bringing up this vote again
53:15 and setting it up to fail again is really just an indication
53:19 that Democrats know that they're vulnerable on this issue.
53:22 >> So here's what I'll say,
53:24 is that I'm going to leave it to Senator Schumer.
53:26 I'm going to leave it to Senate leadership
53:29 to speak to the votes, to speak to the process,
53:31 and how they're going to move forward.
53:32 That is literally something for them to talk about.
53:35 What I will say is, it is long past time to get this done,
53:39 to get this moving.
53:40 We were able to get a bipartisan negotiation,
53:43 a plan forward on an issue that many Americans care about,
53:48 on an issue that matters for our immigration system,
53:50 for what's happening at the border.
53:52 And that's a good thing. And so, Senator Schumer --
53:54 and we support this -- wants to move this forward.
53:57 We want to see this move forward as well.
53:59 >> Thank you. >> The Senator is very good at this.
54:02 He's very good at dealing with big legislation,
54:06 obviously, as we've been able to move important legislation
54:09 through over the past three and a half years.
54:11 So I'm going to let him speak to that.
54:13 >> One last minute. >> Sure.
54:14 >> A different topic on the ICC.
54:16 You said that the administration's working
54:18 with Congress in a bipartisan way
54:19 on this ICC arrest warrant issue.
54:22 Is the administration willing to implement any visa bans
54:25 or place sanctions on ICC officials?
54:27 >> I'll say this, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
54:29 literally was just asked a question about this.
54:32 I don't have anything else to add.
54:34 We are in conversations on the Hill.
54:36 He said this in a bicameral way, in a bipartisan way.
54:39 Don't have anything to announce.
54:40 We've been very clear on where we stand on ICC.
54:43 Thank you so much, guys.
54:45 Thank you.
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