Transcript - Press Conference: Jen Psaki Holds a Social Media Briefing at The White House - June 4, 2021

Jen Psaki

00:00:00 - 00:00:16 ()

Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I apologize for being late. That's completely my fault. I know a lot of you are working parents and have very busy jobs, so I apologize. But I'm really looking forward to having conversation with you and hearing what's on your minds.

Jen Psaki

00:00:00 - 00:00:16 ()

Hi, everyone. Happy Friday. We have a special guest with us today, on Jobs Day -- Brian Deese, our Director of the National Economic Council -- who will give some brief remarks on the jobs numbers and take a few questions, and then we'll proceed with the briefing.

Jen Psaki

00:00:16 - 00:00:34 ()

I also want to thank you for everything you do on your platforms to communicate with the American public about everything, somewhat that we're doing, but everything that's going on out there. It's really important platforms, so thank you. Hannah, I think we're starting with you.

Brian Deese

00:00:16 - 00:00:43 ()

Great. Hi, everybody. Glad to be with you today. So you all heard from the President early today -- earlier today with his perspective on the May employment report. So I won't repeat what he said, but I just did want to provide a couple of contextual points and a little bit more looking under the hood of that report from an economic perspective.

Hannah Bronfman

00:00:34 - 00:00:35 ()

Hi, Jen. How are you?

Brian Deese

00:00:43 - 00:01:26 ()

So a couple of things that I think were notable from our perspective: First, beyond the topline -- strong job gains and the now consistent pace of over 500,000 jobs a month for the last four months -- we saw in May the largest one-month decline in long-term unemployment -- the long-term unemployment rate since 2011, so in about a decade. That measure is measuring people who have been out of work for at least 27 weeks, so for more than half a year. And that number fell by 431,000 this month.

Jen Psaki

00:00:35 - 00:00:36 ()

I'm great. How are you?

Brian Deese

00:01:26 - 00:01:50 ()

This is a really important indicator, certainly for those of us who have been watching and tracking the economy closely over the course of the last several years and into and through the pandemic. Because we know the economic evidence that those who are long-term unemployed tend to have the hardest time getting back into the labor force and eventually find new employment.

Hannah Bronfman

00:00:36 - 00:00:52 ()

Good. Thank you so much for having us here. Really appreciate it. I'm Hannah Bronfman and I am a wellness entrepreneur. I'm the founder of HBFIT and I wrote a book called Do What Feels Good. And I'm just going to hop right into my first question here.

Brian Deese

00:01:50 - 00:02:04 ()

And so, this substantial reduction is an important indicator of the -- that the health of the labor market and something that is obviously very good news for those people and also, I think, for the economy writ large.

Hannah Bronfman

00:00:52 - 00:01:17 ()

So research shows that there are many benefits of high quality preschool associated with the development of children, such as improved reading and math skills. In addition to the benefits for children, preschool increases labor force participation among women which boosts family earnings. In President Biden's American Family Plan, he calls for free universal high quality preschool to all three and four-year-olds.

Brian Deese

00:02:04 - 00:02:23 ()

Second is on wages. And the President touched on this, but we saw average weekly earnings rise a half a percent this month, which -- consistent with the wage growth that we saw last month. We saw analogous data on aggregate compensation come out earlier this week.

Hannah Bronfman

00:01:17 - 00:01:32 ()

While this universal access to preschool for all families can be beneficial to low income families, what are the strategies the Biden administration is thinking about implementing that will ensure that lower socioeconomic communities will have access to these resources?

Brian Deese

00:02:23 - 00:02:52 ()

And this again is -- it's good news -- good news for the American worker, and also consistent with what the President was talking about when he went to Cleveland last week, around looking at the broader goals of our economic recovery to drive toward full employment and to put our economy in a situation where we see sustained job gains but also wage gains for American workers.

Jen Psaki

00:01:32 - 00:01:51 ()

Well, Hannah, thank you so much for your question. This is such a hugely important issue. And while I'm excited about a lot of the things we're doing in the Biden-Harris administration, I will say the American Families Plan and a lot of the potential benefits for childcare, for early childhood education, as you mentioned, are very close to my heart and I'm very excited about.

Brian Deese

00:02:52 - 00:03:36 ()

Third point is just how we see in this jobs report some of the impact of the American Rescue Plan and the specific elements of that work that were designed to try to address challenges that we face. Obviously, beyond the direct vaccination effort, two of the key elements of the American Jobs Plan were around trying to provide the support necessary to get schools open, and then, in particular, to provide the support for childcares and childcare centers to actually get more childcare centers open, because we know that the more centers that are open, the more slots there are, the safe -- safe childcare environment is a key element of how families and parents think about how to sustain work in the post-COVID environment.

Jen Psaki

00:01:51 - 00:02:08 ()

And just to add to the important point you just made, statistics show that kids who go to preschool, universal preschool as opposed to daycare, are more than 50% more likely to graduate from high school. And if that doesn't tell you how important this is to invest in I don't know what does.

Brian Deese

00:03:36 - 00:03:54 ()

In May, we saw employment increase by 103,000 in state and local education. That is a direct result of seeing more schools open, more educator jobs. Good news for those people who are getting back to work but also for the broader economic recovery.

Jen Psaki

00:02:08 - 00:02:26 ()

But your childcare question is a really important one because as you know and I know, a lot of families need wraparound care. They want to send their kids to universal preschool, but they also may need childcare after that. Or maybe they have kids who aren't three or four, as you said, and they still don't have enough money to make ends meet.

Brian Deese

00:03:54 - 00:04:07 ()

We saw 18,000 jobs added in child and daycare services. Again, you draw a direct line between the resources that were provided in the Rescue Plan for those purposes and the results we're seeing now.

Jen Psaki

00:02:26 - 00:02:54 ()

So what's proposed in the President's American Families Plan is that for families making up to 1.5% of the state median income, they will pay no more than 7% of their income for all children under five for childcare. That's what's proposed. It's something that we know, as you said, Hannah, which is such an important point, to get more women in the workforce to ensure we have a more diverse workforce, we need to make childcare easier and more affordable.

Brian Deese

00:04:07 - 00:04:55 ()

I would also provide the context on that: You know, despite that progress, we're still down 800,000 state and local education jobs since February of 2020. And we're still down 135,000 jobs in childcare. And I think that that's a reminder of the depth of the crisis of this pandemic, the ways that we have to go, but also, I think, importantly, a reminder of why it is that we focused on passing a Rescue Plan that would sustain support over the course of this year -- that the Rescue Plan was designed to not just provide support for a day or for a month, but over the course of the year, as we understood -- and the need to continue to provide support, to continue to build back to a stronger foundation.

Jen Psaki

00:02:54 - 00:02:57 ()

So that's definitely a key component of the plan.

Brian Deese

00:04:55 - 00:05:05 ()

Fourth, I think that, you know, we're looking at this employment report in the context of -- of a number of contemporaneous economic data points.

Hannah Bronfman

00:02:57 - 00:03:09 ()

Love that. Thank you for that answer, Jen. I'm a new mom and I know that you are a mom of two young children and you're a total boss lady so --

Brian Deese

00:05:05 - 00:05:43 ()

The first -- probably the most important that provides, I think, additional reason for economic optimism -- is that this report was a snapshot of what -- of where we were on May -- May 12th. And perhaps most evocatively, and just how quickly things are changing, were we -- were we to have been doing this briefing on the day that this -- you know, on a day in that week, we all still would have been masked. Things are changing very quickly. And, in fact, since that period, an additional 21 million adult-age Americans have gotten fully vaccinated. And so we're making progress even -- even since this snapshot in time.

Jen Psaki

00:03:09 - 00:03:11 ()

So are you. How old is your son?

Brian Deese

00:05:43 - 00:05:53 ()

And secondly, we're looking at, you know, this job growth in the context of the overall health and growth of the economy. And we saw earlier this week the OECD significantly increase its economic growth forecast to 6.9 percent for 2021.

Hannah Bronfman

00:03:11 - 00:03:12 ()

Six months.

Brian Deese

00:05:53 - 00:06:20 ()

In that report, citing that the American Rescue Plan and the United States fiscal response likely adding 3 to 4 percentage points to GDP this year and positioning the U.S., as the President heads to his first G7, as the only G7 country, the only OECD country in a position where our future growth prospects are actually stronger today than they were pre-pandemic in January 2020. That's the -- that's only true of the United States, not any other developed country.

Jen Psaki

00:03:12 - 00:03:16 ()

Six months? Oh my goodness. Are you sleeping at all?

Brian Deese

00:06:20 - 00:06:37 ()

The final point that I will make is a point that you will hear me repeat is -- if and when I come back and we talk more about jobs numbers in the future -- is that we are in an unprecedented situation; there's a lot of uncertainty in our economy; and we never put too much weight on any individual data point, be it a jobs report or any other report.

Hannah Bronfman

00:03:16 - 00:03:18 ()

Miraculously, I am. He's a very --

Brian Deese

00:06:37 - 00:06:54 ()

We expect there to be ups and downs. We expect there to be bottlenecks as we turn this economy back on. And our focus, the President's focus, is on executing an economic strategy that is working -- we see that in the data from today -- but to be patient and think to the long term about what the American economy needs and the American workers need as well.

Jen Psaki

00:03:18 - 00:03:22 ()

Wow. You have a miracle baby. Miracle baby.

Brian Deese

00:06:54 - 00:06:55 ()

So with that --

Hannah Bronfman

00:03:22 - 00:03:41 ()

So I've heard. So I just want to ask you, you're in an extreme high stress position but you do it with such great, so I just wanted to ask if you have any sort of work balance tips that you can share with the new mom community.

Jen Psaki

00:06:55 - 00:06:55 ()

Yeah. Just take a few --

Jen Psaki

00:03:41 - 00:04:03 ()

Sure. Well, first, I would say, and I've learned this over time not that I'm an expert, but I have a five-and-a-half-year-old, or she would say five and three quarters or something like that, and a three-year-old, and what I've learned over time is to be gentle with myself, to give myself space and not to allow myself to be judged by what the expectations are of others.

Brian Deese

00:06:55 - 00:06:58 ()

-- happy to open it up and take some questions.

Jen Psaki

00:04:03 - 00:04:25 ()

When I took this job, one of the things that I was very mindful of, and I'm sure this is a challenge for you as you're dealing with your busy life and having a child, is how do I get that quality time with them? I'm not going to be home at 5 o'clock or 5:15 so I'm not going to have that time where you're reading books and you're getting ready for dinner, and I just realized I had to make my own path for it.

Jen Psaki

00:06:58 - 00:06:59 ()

-- a few today.

Jen Psaki

00:04:25 - 00:04:45 ()

I spend time with my kids. My daughter is a self-designated early riser so sometimes she's up in my room at 5:30 in the morning or 5:45 in the morning. I spend time with them early in the morning. We get quality time. This morning, we read Lady and the Tramp before I came to work. I have a whole life sometimes before I come to work.

Jen Psaki

00:06:59 - 00:07:00 ()

But go ahead, Zeke.

Jen Psaki

00:04:45 - 00:05:12 ()

But that 45 minutes of time is my time. It's quality time for me. It doesn't have to look like what it looks like for everybody else, but that's one of the lessons I guess I've learned over time. And I hope other moms who are close followers of yours or other parents, dads too, they're also important, be gentle on themselves and don't let the expectations of others on what your work-life balance needs to look like determine what your path forward is.

Question

00:07:00 - 00:07:22 ()

Thanks, Brian. You mentioned just now, and the President mentioned in his remarks earlier, the administration is going to look to efforts to address some of the supply bottlenecks. Industry experts say semiconductors -- that's a multi-year process to fix that. So what is the administration going to do to fix some of those bottlenecks that are raising prices right now?

Hannah Bronfman

00:05:12 - 00:05:22 ()

Amazing. Thank you so much. I just really, again, thank you for having us all here today because this is a very [Inaudible] moment for all of us, I think. So thank you.

Brian Deese

00:07:22 - 00:07:39 ()

Yeah, it's a great question. So, first of all, I would say this is an issue that the President has been focused on from the campaign and early on in -- upon taking office; that one of the things that the pandemic has exposed is the degree of vulnerability in supply chains and the need to have a deliberate strategy to try to build resilience in our supply chains.

Jen Psaki

00:05:22 - 00:05:28 ()

Thank you and thanks for chatting. You have a miracle baby, and keep rocking it as a working mom.

Brian Deese

00:07:39 - 00:08:02 ()

So that's why the President actually, on February 25th, signed an executive order tasking an all-of-government approach to try to look at supply chain challenges across a set of four critical areas -- one of them being semiconductors -- but also to launch a longer-term effort to look at supply chain vulnerabilities and opportunities across sectors of the economy.

Hannah Bronfman

00:05:28 - 00:05:31 ()

Thank you so much.

Brian Deese

00:08:02 - 00:08:15 ()

So, that -- that executive order had a 100-day timeframe associated with it, which is -- which is coming due at the end of this week. So you can expect to hear more from us on this topic early next week.

Jen Psaki

00:05:31 - 00:05:47 ()

All right. So Drew and Jonathan, I think you're next. Can I just say first that my daughter… I don't know if this is your TV demographic, but my five-and-a-half-year old is obsessed with your show. She loves home shows. That is her ask more than Disney movies --

Brian Deese

00:08:15 - 00:09:00 ()

But, in short, what I would say is, look: On a lot of these issues, there is no immediate short-term, you know, magic-bullet fix. We have been at this issue of semiconductors now for some time. We've been spending an enormous amount of time with industry participants up and down the semiconductor supply chain. We've identified some very concrete solutions that we need to take, and thinking about a long-term strategy to actually build resilience so that we're not left vulnerable, the way that we have been, to supply chain challenges in the future. Some of that is working on bipartisan legislation to actually fund a dedicated strategy to build out a domestic -- domestic semiconductor industry in the United States. We're making a lot of progress on that front and are optimistic there.

Drew Scott

00:05:47 - 00:05:52 ()

Amazing. We're looking for a property sister so [Inaudible] handy and she can swing the sledgehammer, great.

Brian Deese

00:09:00 - 00:09:20 ()

The other thing that we will be looking at is: Some areas where we have seen, over the course the last 100 days, bottlenecks emerge that are more short-term in nature, that may not connect to a longer-term geostrategic or -- or -- or strategic supply chain issue, but are blockages, in part because we're seeing demand come back in some areas faster than people anticipated.

Jen Psaki

00:05:52 - 00:05:58 ()

She's in. She's in. She's in. She gives lots of critiques. She has points of view. So great to meet you.

Brian Deese

00:09:20 - 00:09:42 ()

So whether that's in, you know, housing and construction materials, or in transportation and logistics, those are areas we're building on the all-of-government approach that we have in place, we're going to intend to really zero in on: Are there pragmatic issues that we can help facilitate? And some of that is bringing the right industry actors around the table to really understand where those bottlenecks are and whether there are ways to unstick them.

Drew Scott

00:05:58 - 00:05:59 ()

Great to meet you.

Brian Deese

00:09:42 - 00:10:01 ()

At the end of the day, a lot of that issues are transitory, associated with turning an economy back on, and supply and demand mismatches that the market will work through. But we want to be doing everything that we can to try to help facilitate practical solutions where they exist.

Jonathan Scott

00:05:59 - 00:06:18 ()

Yeah. And I just want to say as well, a huge opportunity for us as well to talk to you about what the families we work with are looking for. We've renovated over 470 homes with our shows, helped 470 families, so we've really, over the years, learned what's important to families and so this is a great way to discuss that.

Brian Deese

00:10:01 - 00:10:09 ()

So, we'll have a lot more to say about the specifics of that, but I think that hopefully gives you the context.

Drew Scott

00:06:18 - 00:06:31 ()

And also for years… I mean, we've worked with Habitat for Humanity building safe and affordable housing in the U.S. and around the world so that everyone has a decent place to live, so my question focuses on how this administration is working on the housing challenge.

Jen Psaki

00:10:09 - 00:10:10 ()

Monica.

Drew Scott

00:06:31 - 00:06:51 ()

So throughout the pandemic, we were told that staying in our homes was the first line of defense to keep our families and communities safe and healthy, but what about those who didn't have safe or decent housing or were in overcrowded living spaces? What have you learned through the pandemic about the importance of housing and what could be done to support it?

Question

00:10:10 - 00:10:36 ()

So, last month, President Biden assessed that federal unemployment benefits had not contributed -- or he didn't see much evidence -- to the more lackluster numbers. Is that still his assessment for this month? And given how many states are now going to end them through the month of June, with the President's comments earlier today about them expiring in 90 days, should other states consider ending them sooner? Or could that money be used elsewhere?

Jen Psaki

00:06:51 - 00:07:23 ()

It's been a huge issue during the pandemic as you both well know given all of the important work that you do. There's a number of steps we've taken as an administration. We've, of course, supported and put in place an eviction moratorium that has allowed many people to stay in their homes. At the end of April, there were over six million renters who had not paid back rent according to the U.S. census, making them more at risk of eviction, which really tells you how widespread this challenge was, as you both know, but across the country.

Brian Deese

00:10:36 - 00:10:50 ()

So, I'd say a couple things about that. I mean, the first thing that -- the first takeaway from this report is that we're seeing really robust job growth. And we're seeing, in fact, historic job growth in the context of historic economic growth.

Jen Psaki

00:07:23 - 00:07:40 ()

In the pandemic, we focused a lot on the health component of this, but this is a dual crisis. There's also an economic crisis, and one that was impacting people who were having a challenging time staying in their houses, of course, being able to buy houses, but even stay in their homes they were renting.

Brian Deese

00:10:50 - 00:11:01 ()

So, we find ourselves -- the American economy now -- the economy is growing faster than any other major economy, jobs are growing faster than any other major economy. So, that's the -- that's the -- that's the immediate context.

Jen Psaki

00:07:40 - 00:07:56 ()

So that's an area we supported. A total of $45 billion in rental assistance has been made available to Americans, including 21.5 billion in the American Rescue Plan. So that's something that we have gotten out there into communities just even over the last couple of months.

Brian Deese

00:11:01 - 00:11:23 ()

With respect to the UI benefits -- you heard the President earlier today -- this -- that program was designed as a temporary lifeline. The UI program itself provides a critical support network to the American people and the American economy. And those temporary -- the temporary boost is slated to now expire in 90 days. And as the President said, that's appropriate.

Jen Psaki

00:07:56 - 00:08:21 ()

But what you also know is that we also need to think about how we are addressing additional challenges like supply chain issues. That's one of the areas we've been focused on because as you all know, there are shortages of lumber and construction tools, and that's impacting the number of new homes that communities are able to build, which is impacting the prices of homes that have been around for a while.

Brian Deese

00:11:23 - 00:11:42 ()

With respect to some of the state changes, I just -- just the important context -- which I think is implicit in your question, but just to be clear -- is that none of the state -- none of the states have actually eliminated any benefits yet. Some states will initiate that process over the course of the next several weeks.

Jen Psaki

00:08:21 - 00:08:30 ()

So we also have a supply chain review that's been underway, and we want to use many levers in the federal government to help address those shortages and see what we can do to address it.

Brian Deese

00:11:42 - 00:11:54 ()

But, in many cases, what we're talking about is states making changes to benefits for four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks before the expiration that is -- that will happen under current law.

Jen Psaki

00:08:30 - 00:08:50 ()

And then the third thing I would say is we really want to think about the opportunity we have moving forward to invest in industries, invest in retrofitting homes, invest in ways that we can modernize how we think about construction and housing and opportunities in the future. So it's definitely on our minds.

Brian Deese

00:11:54 - 00:12:12 ()

So, as we look at where we are in the economy, we see strong job growth -- 500,000 jobs a month on average the last four months, the U.S. outpacing every other major economy in the world -- and we see reason to really focus on what are -- what are actually going to be the drivers to accelerate this recovery and then sustain it for the long term.

Jen Psaki

00:08:50 - 00:09:05 ()

And making sure we are enabling families to put food on the table, to stay in their homes during this still difficult time, good jobs number, still seven million people are out of work is very front and center for the president and this entire administration.

Brian Deese

00:12:12 - 00:12:31 ()

And that's where you'll see the President's continued focus is on finishing the job on vaccinations, delivering benefits to get schools open, to get childcare available, and focusing now -- now is the right time to focus on what are those investments that are actually going to sustain us, not just through a rapid recovery, but into full employment and the kind of productive investments that you see in the Jobs Plan and the Families Plan.

Jonathan Scott

00:09:05 - 00:09:14 ()

Amazing. Thank you. I guess I'll jump in with my little mini separate bio for myself. I'm Jonathan, I'm the better-looking Property Brother.

Jen Psaki

00:12:31 - 00:12:33 ()

Nancy, did you --

Jen Psaki

00:09:14 - 00:09:16 ()

Clearly. I can confirm that.

Question

00:12:33 - 00:12:35 ()

I didn't -- oh, yeah. I --

Jonathan Scott

00:09:16 - 00:09:41 ()

Everyone else says it. Last year we put a documentary out on PBS, and it was really a three-year deep dive in my life into the secret war that was being waged against the renewable energy industry by fossil fuel utilities. It was mind blowing to me, and I'm in the home space, to learn about a lot of this stuff and so some of that research that came back is sort of directing the question I have for you.

Jen Psaki

00:12:35 - 00:12:40 ()

It's got to be the last one, though, because he's got to go to a meeting.

Jonathan Scott

00:09:41 - 00:09:50 ()

According to Rewiring America, which is a nonprofit I'm a part of that's committed to electrifying the economy as a path to addressing the climate crisis, there were at least 65 million --

Question

00:12:40 - 00:12:50 ()

My question was similar to Monica's, so I'll ask another one. How do you explain the drop in construction jobs last month? Wasn't this a sector that was actually revving up?

Jonathan Scott

00:09:50 - 00:10:14 ()

… path to addressing the climate crisis. There are at least 65 million homes that would save a little over 27 billion on their energy bills every single year if we leveled the cost between efficient electric space and water heaters in comparison to the appliances they replace. Our households are responsible for 42% of our energy-related emissions, so the only way to hit the president's climate targets would be to electrify every home in America.

Brian Deese

00:12:50 - 00:13:01 ()

Yeah, so it's a great question. I think if you look under the hood in employment, in the establishment survey, what you see in May is job gains very broad-based across almost all sectors -- job gains.

Jonathan Scott

00:10:14 - 00:10:33 ()

My audience, I know it's very important to them to save money on their bills, and if they can help the planet along the way, all the better. So my question is how will the American Jobs Plan catalyze the market so that we can make these electric appliances the least expensive and the most convenient alternative at the time of replacement?

Brian Deese

00:13:01 - 00:13:23 ()

We did see, you know -- we did see a reduction in construction. I think that, you know, the first thing I would say to that is that in any given month, you see some movements up and down, and so you never want to read too much into one month. But you saw construction jobs increase in the prior month. We saw manufacturing jobs decline in the prior month and up this month.

Jen Psaki

00:10:33 - 00:10:52 ()

Well, I love this question. I love every question, but I love this question because people shorthand the American Jobs Plan as an infrastructure plan, and it absolutely is, but it is also a green jobs plan and a plan that will help our climate, that will put millions of people back to work and also make homes more energy-efficient for so many families, saving costs for them.

Brian Deese

00:13:23 - 00:13:42 ()

I think -- but -- so, you don't want to read too much into one individual month. But I do think that some of this is connected to the prior question where we are -- as we -- as this economy recovers, we're seeing some supply chain bottlenecks, we're seeing some mismatches between supply and demand.

Jen Psaki

00:10:52 - 00:11:21 ()

There's a win-win-win-win-win there. There's so many benefits. So I would say what the president's proposed in the American Jobs Plan is funding to build, rehabilitate, and retrofit more than 2 million homes across the country. That includes an effort that will create new domestic manufacturing opportunities for electric heating and cooling technology that you referenced, help making those appliances more efficient as you're building more homes and as others around the country are building more homes.

Brian Deese

00:13:42 - 00:13:55 ()

And as we anticipate those to be short term, they are still -- you know, they're still causing bottlenecks. And we're seeing that in different sectors of the economy. I think some of that may be what's going on in the -- in the construction sector as well.

Jen Psaki

00:11:21 - 00:11:46 ()

It's so exciting, because it's multiple benefits, right? These homes are going to cost less because they'll be more efficient. People will be able to spend less money on it. It's better for the environment, for Mother Earth, as my daughter and I call it. It's a lot of benefits. I will also tell you, though, there's another piece that our Department of Energy is working on, the advanced water heating initiative.

Brian Deese

00:13:55 - 00:14:21 ()

So -- so I think, you know, bottom line, we saw broad-based job growth over the course of May. And I think that that's the most important takeaway. And, at the same time, you can expect the administration to be really laser-focused on those places where we are seeing those bottlenecks, trying to make sure that we're doing everything that we can, in a practical level, to try to help unstick those temporary issues.

Jen Psaki

00:11:46 - 00:12:08 ()

This initiative is going to increase the use of high-efficiency grid-connected heat pump water heaters in residential and commercial buildings, which are two to four times, as I'm sure you know, more efficient than conventional water heaters. So we're getting that initiative going even as we're working to get this funding to retrofit 2 million homes, because this is a huge priority to this administration.

Jen Psaki

00:14:21 - 00:14:22 ()

We can do one more.

Jonathan Scott

00:12:08 - 00:12:18 ()

I think that's the exciting thing, too, because we're in a time where I've seen that the technology is now here. It's not an either-or situation. It's good for jobs, good for investment, good for the economy.

Question

00:14:22 - 00:14:34 ()

I just want to clarify really quickly, because you didn't say yes or no: Does the President still feel that these enhanced jobless benefits are not discouraging people from finding jobs?

Drew Scott

00:12:18 - 00:12:21 ()

Yeah. You can't pretend it's not good for jobs and everything. So thank you so much.

Brian Deese

00:14:34 - 00:14:53 ()

The President -- I'll just, you know, restate what the President said today: The President believes that the temporary unemployment benefits and the temporary boost to those benefits has provided a critical lifeline, that that lifeline was designed to be temporary and to expire in about 90 days. And that's -- that's appropriate.

Jen Psaki

00:12:21 - 00:12:35 ()

No, absolutely not. It absolutely is. Rebuilding lead pipes so kids have clean drinking water, that creates jobs. Making sure our infrastructure is weatherized, that creates jobs, and we can do it in a way that's beneficial to everyone. Thank you so much.

Brian Deese

00:14:53 - 00:15:12 ()

And I would, you know, also just put that in the context of that is a -- that is a very short-term issue, where most states you're talking about a set of weeks. And, really, as we look forward and are focused on what are the things that are really going to drive the durability of this economy going forward, you're going to see the President continue focus like a laser on the vaccination program.

Drew Scott

00:12:35 - 00:12:37 ()

Thank you so much for your time.

Brian Deese

00:15:12 - 00:15:33 ()

The President identified and recognized, before coming into office, that there would be no economic recovery if there wasn't a viable eco- -- vaccination strategy. We're seeing the progress in the vaccination strategy help to -- help to drive economic gains, help to make it possible for more people to feel comfortable and capable to go back to work.

Jen Psaki

00:12:37 - 00:12:41 ()

That's very nice to meet you both. All right. Let's see here.

Brian Deese

00:15:33 - 00:15:45 ()

And we anticipate that as we continue to succeed on that front, we continue to make investments in things like school opening and childcare and otherwise, we're going to be able to sustain this progress going forward.

Drew Scott

00:12:41 - 00:12:45 ()

Say hi to your daughter, by the way. Tell her we'll send her a little --

Jen Psaki

00:15:45 - 00:15:47 ()

Thank you, Brian, very much.

Jen Psaki

00:12:45 - 00:12:52 ()

She'll be very excited. She'll be very excited. Okay. So Amelie, I think you're next. Oh, yes. You're next on the screen.

Question

00:15:47 - 00:15:51 ()

Do you have a status report on infrastructure? The infrastructure talks?

Amelie Zilber

00:12:52 - 00:12:52 ()

Hi.

Jen Psaki

00:15:51 - 00:15:52 ()

We'll have more this afternoon.

Jen Psaki

00:12:52 - 00:12:54 ()

Very nice to meet you.

Brian Deese

00:15:52 - 00:15:56 ()

We will have a status report on that later this afternoon --

Amelie Zilber

00:12:54 - 00:13:03 ()

You, too. My name is Amelie Zilber. I just finished my freshman year at Georgetown University. So I'm very, very, very honored to be here.

Jen Psaki

00:15:56 - 00:15:57 ()

Yes.

Jen Psaki

00:13:03 - 00:13:05 ()

Go, Hoyas.

Brian Deese

00:15:57 - 00:15:58 ()

-- so, stay tuned.

Amelie Zilber

00:13:05 - 00:13:22 ()

Yes. Go, Hoyas. I use my platform mainly to spread awareness about social justice issues and to inform young people in specific about domestic and international current affairs. So, again, what an honor. Thank you so much. I'm so very grateful. I'm just going to jump straight into my question.

Jen Psaki

00:15:58 - 00:16:00 ()

More to come.

Jen Psaki

00:13:22 - 00:13:23 ()

Please do.

Brian Deese

00:16:00 - 00:16:01 ()

Thanks, guys.

Amelie Zilber

00:13:23 - 00:13:46 ()

The American Families Plan includes an initiative granting everyone two free years of college. However, a significant number of working class American families suffer from broader problems beyond that, of just having the resources to access affordable education. They work on week-to-week paychecks and simply cannot afford the time off to attend college.

Jen Psaki

00:16:01 - 00:16:25 ()

Okay, thank you so much, Brian. Let's do this again next month. Okay, a couple of items for all of you: Starting this weekend, as we noted the other day, we will -- and with collaboration and support -- we will be launching our National Month of Action, so that is exciting. We've outlined a lot of those specific details, but it's starting this weekend, so wanted to note that.

Amelie Zilber

00:13:46 - 00:13:52 ()

So how will the American Families Plan accommodate families to help them escape structural poverty?

Jen Psaki

00:16:25 - 00:16:38 ()

I also wanted to give you all an update that, today, the U.S. government delivered 1 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the Republic of Korea. The friendship and alliance between our two countries run deep, especially in times of great need and hardship.

Jen Psaki

00:13:52 - 00:14:13 ()

Such a great question. Well, first, the American Families Plan is a key component of it for a number of reasons. One is that it's going to invest 109 billion, as you said, into the economy, or that's what we're proposing, to help make community college free for so many people around the country who wouldn't otherwise have that opportunity.

Jen Psaki

00:16:38 - 00:16:53 ()

As was noted when the President hosted -- hosted the South Koreans here just a few weeks ago, this was done in order to ensure the safety and readiness of U.S. and ROK military forces. And today, thanks to a whole-of-government effort, we are delivering on that promise.

Jen Psaki

00:14:13 - 00:14:28 ()

But we also know that some people who might be taking the opportunity to go back to college, my mom didn't go to college until after I was born and she was, I think, in her late … She must've been in her thirties. She was in her thirties. Some people have kids when they go back to college, and we need to plan for that, too.

Jen Psaki

00:16:53 - 00:17:07 ()

And I would just note, again, that our plan -- our commitment to deliver 80 million doses is five times more than any other country and 13 percent of the U.S. supply. And we're committed to doing that by the end of June.

Jen Psaki

00:14:28 - 00:14:52 ()

That's also why there's an opportunity in the American Families Plan or there's funding that we're proposing, I should say, to help make childcare more affordable and more accessible for so many families across the country, because we know that that can be a huge factor that's preventing sometimes moms or working moms from being able to take those college classes, whether they're at night or on the weekends or whenever they may be convenient.

Jen Psaki

00:17:07 - 00:17:14 ()

Also would note the Vice President is traveling to Mexico and Guatemala next week in her role overseeing diplomacy toward the Northern Triangle and Mexico.

Jen Psaki

00:14:52 - 00:15:17 ()

I think we are really trying to, through this proposal, but also through all of our initiatives, Amelie, make investing in education something that's from the start, right? This community college initiative will help people now, but what we've seen through statistics is that people who attend universal pre-K, who attend preschool as opposed to daycare, they're much more likely to graduate from high school and want to go to college.

Jen Psaki

00:17:14 - 00:17:39 ()

She lands in Guatemala on the evening of June 6th. She'll be on the ground there until the evening of June 7th before flying to Mexico. Then she'll be in Mexico until the evening of June 8th. She'll meet with the President of Guatemala, the President of Mexico, and -- as well as community leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and U.S. embassy personnel. And I'm sure they'll do many readouts from there.

Jen Psaki

00:15:17 - 00:15:27 ()

So this is also something we want to invest in from the beginning and make kids from an early age believe that this can be a part of their future and it's not out of reach.

Jen Psaki

00:17:39 - 00:17:59 ()

The week ahead: On Monday, the President will meet with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the White House. The President and Secretary General will discuss the June 14th NATO Summit in Brussels and many issues on the NATO agenda, including reinforcing transatlantic security in the face of challenges from Russia and China.

Amelie Zilber

00:15:27 - 00:15:29 ()

I love that. It's building from the ground up.

Jen Psaki

00:17:59 - 00:18:09 ()

They will also discuss adapting NATO to address threats like cyberattacks and climate change, while continuing to ensure a more equitable sharing of responsibility among Allies.

Jen Psaki

00:15:29 - 00:15:29 ()

Exactly.

Jen Psaki

00:18:09 - 00:18:16 ()

As we've said, revitalizing our alliances is a priority for this administration, and our Alliance with NATO is a big part of that.

Amelie Zilber

00:15:29 - 00:15:30 ()

What a beautiful answer.

Jen Psaki

00:18:16 - 00:18:33 ()

As you all know, on Wednesday, the President and First Lady will also be traveling to the United Kingdom for their first stop for their first overseas trip. And we'll have one of the members of the national security team, hopefully at the highest level -- we're working on schedules -- on Monday to do a full preview of the trip for all of you.

Jen Psaki

00:15:30 - 00:15:33 ()

Better said.

Jen Psaki

00:18:33 - 00:18:36 ()

Last thing I would note -- I think that was it, actually.

Amelie Zilber

00:15:33 - 00:15:33 ()

Thank you.

Jen Psaki

00:18:36 - 00:18:37 ()

Zeke, go ahead.

Jen Psaki

00:15:33 - 00:15:47 ()

Thank you. It was great. Congratulations. I can't believe you're a college freshman. Very impressive, everything you're doing, and thanks for using your platform to talk about all these issues. My sister also went to Georgetown, too, so that's how I know about the Hoya piece.

Question

00:18:37 - 00:18:40 ()

Thanks, Jen. Looking ahead to that trip, the backend --

Amelie Zilber

00:15:47 - 00:15:49 ()

Go, Hoyas. Thank you.

Jen Psaki

00:18:40 - 00:18:40 ()

Yeah.

Jen Psaki

00:15:49 - 00:15:57 ()

Okay. Let's see. Curly, you're next. Hi there. Oh, I can't hear you. Make sure you're not on mute. Okay.

Question

00:18:40 - 00:19:09 ()

-- the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin: He had some comments today where he was suggesting that he was not expecting any concrete breakthroughs. I was hoping you could describe what the President hopes to get out of that meeting. And is the President going to commit to raising issues, like the imprisonment of Navalny, the imprisonment of American citizens in Russia, directly with President Putin, face to face?

Curly Velasquez

00:15:57 - 00:16:01 ()

I literally was like, "Woo-hoo. Hello."

Jen Psaki

00:19:09 - 00:19:27 ()

Well, first, I would say that the President never holds back in raising human rights issues, the detainment of activists, with the Russian President. And, certainly, as our -- as our readout made clear when he spoke with him directly, he didn't hold back in that conversation. I don't expect he will when they meet in two weeks at the summit.

Jen Psaki

00:16:01 - 00:16:03 ()

Oh. Oh, see? Woo-hoo. All right. Good.

Jen Psaki

00:19:27 - 00:19:46 ()

In terms of the focus of the summit: You know, I think the -- we'll have more to preview on Monday. But as I've noted in here previously, I think the President expects to raise a number of issues, including Ukraine and what we've seen as aggressive behavior at the border by the Russians.

Curly Velasquez

00:16:03 - 00:16:11 ()

My name is Curly Velasquez. I'm from Los Angeles. I'm part of BuzzFeed's Latinx vertical called Pero Like. I actually started in the kitchen and worked my way up into this channel.

Jen Psaki

00:19:46 - 00:20:10 ()

He also will raise cyber activity, malign activity, problematic activity, harmful activity we've seen take place. Of course, there is the SolarWinds hack, but also the ransomware hacks. As we've talked about, the actions of criminal groups within a country -- there's a responsibility of the leaders of that country to take action. And there's no doubt President Biden will be raising that directly in that conversation.

Jen Psaki

00:16:11 - 00:16:12 ()

Wow.

Jen Psaki

00:20:10 - 00:20:37 ()

I don't think we're setting this up to be a meeting where there is going to be, you know, an outcome that resolves every issue or every challenge in our relationship. We expect there still to be challenging conversations moving forward. But it's an opportunity to discuss areas where we -- where we have mutual interest, like nuclear -- nuclear security and stability, and also to raise issues where we have concern. And we expect that -- this to be a forum for that, face to face.

Curly Velasquez

00:16:12 - 00:16:35 ()

I come from a Salvadorian family that came over undocumented in the eighties, and it's actually something that I'm super, super, super proud of. So I was really happy to see that Dreamers were included in the American Families Plan. It's something that I really hold close to me. I was wondering, are there any other benefits for Dreamers, and will there be other opportunities for people who are looking to go back?

Question

00:20:37 - 00:21:09 ()

Separately, the President just got back from a couple days at the beach. Heading into the summer travel season, should we expect to hear from the President -- you know, encouraging Americans to travel, particularly domestically, as a way to stimulate the economy, to spend their money here at home? As sort of -- as the pandemic seems to be waning and travel does seem to be picking up, is that -- is there going to be a pivot from -- on the part of the President, going forward, to encourage Americans to, sort of, get out there and spend the money?

Jen Psaki

00:16:35 - 00:16:52 ()

Yeah. Well, one, this is such an important question. I'm just going to repeat what you conveyed, just to give everybody all of the information. So the American Families Plan, which the president has proposed and we want to get through Congress, includes two years of free community college. We've talked about that a little bit, and that's going to apply to Dreamers as well.

Jen Psaki

00:21:09 - 00:21:45 ()

Well, I think the President will continue to encourage Americans to safely get out there into their communities, especially vaccinated Americans, who are safer to travel, to go to restaurants, to not wear masks. And certainly, we abide by CDC guidelines, as you know. But the President went to a restaurant just last weekend with the Vice President -- last weekend? -- on Monday with the Vice President. They had a meal -- something he hasn't done a lot of; most Americans haven't done a lot of over the last year and a half.

Jen Psaki

00:16:52 - 00:16:55 ()

So that's an important component everybody should know.

Jen Psaki

00:21:45 - 00:22:01 ()

So certainly, he will -- he will lead by action and continue to encourage Americans to take advantage of the benefits of being vaccinated; and for those who are not vaccinated, to get a shot so they can take advantage of those benefits themselves.

Jen Psaki

00:16:55 - 00:17:11 ()

The other piece that's in the American Families Plan, because we know cost can be an issue even as you continue into college, right? As you maybe move past community college, is an increase in Pell Grant awards. We know there needs to be more funding for people to be able to afford to continue their education.

Question

00:22:01 - 00:22:15 ()

And just one last one for me, since it's Friday: Has the President been briefed on the unidentified aerial phenomena report? And is he satisfied with the conclusions? Does he want additional work in that space?

Jen Psaki

00:17:11 - 00:17:34 ()

So that's a component as well. But overall, I think the president has been a long supporter of Dreamers, as I think you well know, and he believes that a path to citizenship should be possible and should be something that Congress can work together on in order to bring people out of the shadows and make sure that people don't have a fear about what their future looks like.

Jen Psaki

00:22:15 - 00:22:30 ()

Because it's Friday -- it's always a little wacky on Friday. So, let me first say that we know there have been press reports about the status of this report. This is a DOD report, and so I would certainly refer to them on the status of the report. Their work with ODNI is ongoing.

Jen Psaki

00:17:34 - 00:17:43 ()

College and education is a part of that, but also we want to move forward on legislation to make sure Dreamers feel protected across the country even beyond that.

Jen Psaki

00:22:30 - 00:22:39 ()

We -- the team is actively working on it, but it's not at a conclusion phase, as I understand, and as I think they've commented from their building.

Curly Velasquez

00:17:43 - 00:17:53 ()

Absolutely. Thank you so much for that. I mean, we are all watching. The community is so eager to see what's going to happen. Thank you for answering that question, and yes, we are here. We are definitely watching.

Jen Psaki

00:22:39 - 00:22:58 ()

I will say that we take reports of incurgion [sic] -- incursions into our airspace by any aircraft, identified or unidentified, very seriously and investigate each one. Safety and security of our personnel, of our operations are of paramount concern. There's a requirement to put out this report, and certainly our appropriate teams are working on finalizing it.

Jen Psaki

00:17:53 - 00:18:00 ()

Great. You should be. Keep holding everybody accountable, and thanks for using your platform to communicate with so many people.

Question

00:22:58 - 00:23:01 ()

But was the President briefed on it? Or has he been briefed on it?

Curly Velasquez

00:18:00 - 00:18:03 ()

Thank you. Oh, trust we will. Thank you so much.

Jen Psaki

00:23:01 - 00:23:03 ()

I don't have any update on internal briefings, no.

Jen Psaki

00:18:03 - 00:18:04 ()

All right. Benito, hello.

Jen Psaki

00:23:03 - 00:23:04 ()

Go ahead.

Benito Skinner

00:18:04 - 00:18:05 ()

Hi, Jen.

Question

00:23:04 - 00:23:35 ()

Thanks, Jen. There seems to be a bit of a shift in tone here because, last month, the President was pretty adamant that he did not believe that these enhanced unemployment benefits were playing a role or factoring into people's decisions not to get back into the jobs market. Today, though, he's underscoring that these benefits are simply temporary, set to expire in 90 days. So, which is it? Yes or no: Does the President believe that these unemployment benefits are playing a role here?

Jen Psaki

00:18:05 - 00:18:07 ()

Hi. How are you?

Jen Psaki

00:23:35 - 00:23:59 ()

Well, I think we shouldn't lose sight of some basic facts here, which is that those governors who have made the decision, as they have every right to do, to pull back on unemployment benefits -- or not accept them, I should say, accurately -- that hasn't even taken effect in any state across the country. So in terms of how we're evaluating the impact, we haven't even seen the impact yet; that takes effect in June.

Benito Skinner

00:18:07 - 00:18:09 ()

I'm good. How are you?

Jen Psaki

00:23:59 - 00:24:12 ()

It is important for people to understand, factually, that the President, no one from the administration has ever proposed making these permanent or doing it over the long term. And sometimes I think that was just an effort to make that clear in the public.

Jen Psaki

00:18:09 - 00:18:13 ()

I'm great. I love your yellow. It's very happy for a Friday afternoon.

Jen Psaki

00:24:12 - 00:24:17 ()

So we understand there's politics at play here. That's okay. Every governor is going to make their own decision.

Benito Skinner

00:18:13 - 00:18:16 ()

Thank you. I'm trying. I'm trying to bring you sunshine.

Jen Psaki

00:24:17 - 00:24:40 ()

At the end of the day, what we see as the biggest driving factor is vaccines and individuals being vaccinated feeling safe to go back to workplaces. The fact that childcare centers have rehired, that teachers have gone back to work -- those are all positive signs. And at the end of the day, we've created -- the President and this administration has created more jobs than any President and any administration in modern American history.

Jen Psaki

00:18:16 - 00:18:17 ()

Great. You're bringing it.

Jen Psaki

00:24:40 - 00:24:43 ()

So that's, kind of, how we see the jobs data.

Benito Skinner

00:18:17 - 00:18:41 ()

Good. Okay. So my name is Benito Skinner. I'm a writer, actor, and content creator. My question for you is I come from a family of teachers, both my parents and sister, and growing up, I would often watch them work late into the night, even spending their own money on school supplies for their classes. I think a school is only as good as its teachers.

Question

00:24:43 - 00:24:50 ()

But based on the data, do you believe that these benefits are having any kind of impact in people deciding not to maybe reenter the job force right now?

Benito Skinner

00:18:41 - 00:18:47 ()

So after an insanely hard a year, what does this plan do to support them?

Jen Psaki

00:24:50 - 00:25:04 ()

Well, again, I think that's a really difficult thing to analyze, given we have created a historic number of jobs in the last four months -- more than any President in modern American history. So -- and the jobs -- the UI benefits haven't even been pulled back in any state.

Jen Psaki

00:18:47 - 00:18:51 ()

Well, first, thank you to your family. You said your mother and your sister?

Jen Psaki

00:25:04 - 00:25:26 ()

So it's a question I'm sure we can have a discussion about in the next couple of months as we see what the impact is on different states, or if that's a factor. But we think the biggest factors overall are more people getting vaccinated, more people being comfortable and feeling safe going out into the workforce, and that's where we feel there's going to be an encouraging upward trend.

Benito Skinner

00:18:51 - 00:18:56 ()

So my mom, dad, aunt, sister. Yeah, a lot of teachers.

Question

00:25:26 - 00:25:36 ()

I guess I'm trying to understand what happened in the last month though. Because last month, you said you didn't see any indication of that, when looking through the data.

Jen Psaki

00:18:56 - 00:19:15 ()

Wow. You're a family of educators. One, thank you to all of them. Teachers are hugely unsung heroes, heroes who don't wear capes. I think as a mom and so many millions of moms across the country, we have an even greater value for teachers after the last year and seeing what they do. My mother-in-law is a retired teacher, too, so I have some in my family as well.

Jen Psaki

00:25:36 - 00:25:58 ()

I don't think we can evaluate the data that hasn't been applied in states across the country yet. And what we're really talking about from state to state is governors making a decision to pull back on accepting unemployment benefits for six weeks or eight weeks. That's it. It hasn't even started yet.

Jen Psaki

00:19:15 - 00:19:19 ()

Yeah, amazing. She taught my daughter how to read over Zoom. It's incredible.

Jen Psaki

00:25:58 - 00:26:08 ()

So I would leave it to all of you and your outside analysts to decide whether that is a big factor in terms of economy and data, or whether that is a political discussion we're having.

Jen Psaki

00:19:19 - 00:19:41 ()

One, I would say first, teachers need more funding, and they need more funding so that they don't have to do exactly what you said. We need to incentivize getting people into teaching. You have a family of teachers, but we want it to be an industry and a career path that people are excited about. They're shaping future generations and young people who will be leaders in our country, moving forward.

Jen Psaki

00:26:08 - 00:26:08 ()

Go ahead.

Jen Psaki

00:19:41 - 00:19:51 ()

The American Families Plan, which we're working to move forward, invests $9 billion in teachers, and that could cover things like reducing the cost of education for people who want to become --

Question

00:26:08 - 00:26:18 ()

Thanks, Jen. Does the White House have any reaction to Facebook's decision to suspend President Trump for two years? Was this a reasonable consequence for what he said?

Jen Psaki

00:19:51 - 00:20:11 ()

Could cover things like reducing the cost of education for people who want to become teachers, making that pathway easier, helping current teachers get additional certifications in high-demand areas, paying teachers for taking on additional leadership roles in the school, like mentoring new teachers. And it's also funding to help recruit, develop, and retain more teachers of color who can have a particularly impactful role on communities out there.

Jen Psaki

00:26:18 - 00:26:28 ()

Well, as always, it's a decision for the company to make and any platform to make. And clearly, they've come out and made their decision.

Jen Psaki

00:20:11 - 00:20:24 ()

We want to invest in teachers and teaching. We want them to feel as valued as they should feel out there. And just thank you again to you and your family and the incredible role they've played in shaping so many minds.

Jen Psaki

00:26:28 - 00:26:49 ()

Our view continues to be, though, that every platform -- whether it's Facebook, Twitter, any other platform that is disseminating information to millions of Americans -- has a responsibility to crack down on disinformation; to crack down on false information, whether it's about the election or even about the vaccine, as we're trying to keep the American public safe and get more people -- or return to normal out in society.

Benito Skinner

00:20:24 - 00:20:29 ()

Amazing. Thank you so much. And shout out all teachers, we're love, we're obsessed.

Jen Psaki

00:26:49 - 00:27:06 ()

And I think, as we look at it, we learned a lot from President Trump -- the former president -- over the last couple of years about his behavior and how he uses these platforms. It feels pretty unlikely that the zebra is going to change his stripes over the next two years. We'll see.

Jen Psaki

00:20:29 - 00:20:31 ()

We love teachers. Love teachers.

Question

00:27:06 - 00:27:15 ()

So does this decision validate what President Biden has repeatedly said about Mr. Trump, which is that words matter?

Benito Skinner

00:20:31 - 00:20:33 ()

Yes. I have one more question.

Jen Psaki

00:27:15 - 00:27:37 ()

Well, I don't know that it's a validation. I think the President isn't the only one who thinks that. Words do matter. Words do have an impact. We saw the impact, on January 6th, of words on social media platforms, and we've seen the impact of words as it relates to disinformation, traveling, around the vaccine, around election integrity.

Jen Psaki

00:20:33 - 00:20:33 ()

Sure.

Jen Psaki

00:27:37 - 00:27:49 ()

So, of course, we think words matter. This is a decision by a private-sector company. We'll see what their evaluation is a couple of years from now and what other steps they can take, most importantly.

Benito Skinner

00:20:33 - 00:20:41 ()

It's not as serious, but I know you were at the inauguration. I need to know if you came in contact with Lady Gaga.

Jen Psaki

00:27:49 - 00:27:50 ()

Go ahead.

Jen Psaki

00:20:41 - 00:21:02 ()

I wish I did. I will tell you, and this is not a very fancy story, but during Lady Gaga's performance, I was actually on a bus coming to the White House because we had to come and work that day. And I did a briefing on the first day, so I had to come to work and get ready for the briefing. So I was on a bus.

Question

00:27:50 - 00:28:13 ()

Jen, our reporting indicates that the Biden administration is considering counter cyberattacks to stop the ransomware criminals in Russia. How big a factor is the upcoming summit in that decision making? Is there a concern that if you did that before the meeting in Geneva, it could derail the talks? And if it doesn't happen before then, what message does it send to Russia after these multiple cyber intrusions?

Jen Psaki

00:21:02 - 00:21:23 ()

I did tell you… One I will tell you, my children love Lady Gaga. I love Lady Gaga. I love the documentary. We could keep talking Lady Gaga, and we blast Bad Romance in the car sometimes, but I was in the car… not in the car. I was in a bus with some colleagues. We did all put it up on our phones so we could hear and play.

Jen Psaki

00:28:13 - 00:28:27 ()

Well, let me first say that we always reserve the option of responding to behavior or actions that are unacceptable and are harmful. And some of those responses are seen and some of them are unseen, and we typically don't give a timeline on that in a public capacity.

Jen Psaki

00:21:23 - 00:21:27 ()

She was amazing. So no, I wish I had a Lady Gaga story for you.

Jen Psaki

00:28:27 - 00:28:44 ()

But I will also note to you that when the President -- when we announced the invitation to have this discussion, it was also in the same time period where we announced the sanctions that we were putting in place in response to harmful actions by the Russian government -- right? -- in response to SolarWinds, in response to their engagement in our own election.

Benito Skinner

00:21:27 - 00:21:28 ()

Okay.

Jen Psaki

00:28:44 - 00:28:57 ()

So we expect -- this is -- this is diplomacy in action here, right? We will take action when warranted -- sometimes seen, sometimes unseen. We typically don't predict that ahead of time. And we also will look for areas of opportunity to have a discussion.

Jen Psaki

00:21:28 - 00:21:30 ()

One day. It's the dream right there.

Jen Psaki

00:28:57 - 00:29:05 ()

But we are not having this summit as a reward. We're not having the summit because we expect to only talk about areas where we agree or disagree.

Benito Skinner

00:21:30 - 00:21:32 ()

We'll bring her back to the White House. I love it.

Question

00:29:05 - 00:29:28 ()

And in the President's budget blueprint, there's only about $1.3 billion dedicated to bolstering cybersecurity. Given what we've seen over the last few weeks, is that enough? Are there talks that more resources need to be dedicated to this? Or are you thinking more to leave this to the private sector for those companies that we've seen that have been impacted?

Jen Psaki

00:21:32 - 00:21:34 ()

Yeah, she has an open invitation.

Jen Psaki

00:29:28 - 00:29:44 ()

Yeah, it's a really good question. I mean, I will say that we know that the ransomware threat is urgent, it's complex, and it's been increasing over the last several years. And, you know, it feels new to us over the last couple of weeks, but it has been increasing rapidly around the world over the last several years.

Benito Skinner

00:21:34 - 00:21:35 ()

Okay. Perfect.

Jen Psaki

00:29:44 - 00:30:35 ()

One of the reasons that we have initiated a rapid review internally is because we recognize that threat. And we will assess, based on that review, what additional needs there are, both from the federal government -- in coordination with Congress -- or from the private sector. And that review is focused on the disruption of ransomware infrastructure and actors working closely with the private sector; building an international coalition, of course -- which will be a focus of the President -- will be a topic of discussion, I should say, of the President's foreign trip; expanding cryptocurrency analysis, which we know is a factor, given so many of these ransomware attacks are -- you know, if ransom is paid, which, of course, we don't recommend and don't advise from the FBI, but it's often done through cryptocurrency channels; and reviewing our own policy.

Jen Psaki

00:21:35 - 00:21:40 ()

Talking with you. Thank you so much for everything you do and for lifting up all these important issues.

Jen Psaki

00:30:35 - 00:30:40 ()

So that review is ongoing internally with our national security team, and we'll assess what additional needs might be needed.

Jen Psaki

00:21:40 - 00:21:41 ()

Hi Jordan.

Question

00:30:40 - 00:30:56 ()

And one last bit of housekeeping. Last month, you said you didn't have an update but that you maybe expected the President to get his first physical soon. Do you have anything -- any update to provide on that? Should we expect that to happen this summer, or is there anything else you can give us [inaudible]?

Jordan Stratton

00:21:41 - 00:21:43 ()

Hey there. How are you, Jen?

Jen Psaki

00:30:56 - 00:31:03 ()

It will definitely happen this year. And when he has his next physical, we will provide that information transparently to all of you, but I don't have a date for you.

Jen Psaki

00:21:43 - 00:21:49 ()

Great. Thanks for doing this and for taking the time. And I'm going to keep apologizing for being late. I know you guys are busy people.

Jen Psaki

00:31:03 - 00:31:04 ()

Go ahead.

Jordan Stratton

00:21:49 - 00:21:56 ()

No sweat. No sweat. I appreciate it. Well, first off, condolences on missing out on Lady Gaga. I'm so sorry about that. [crosstalk 00:22:10]

Question

00:31:04 - 00:31:12 ()

Thank you, Jen. Would the President support a commission to investigate the initial U.S. response to COVID-19?

Jen Psaki

00:21:56 - 00:22:06 ()

I'm going to keep the dream alive. And Benito would come with [Inaudible] or no, it wasn't… who just asked? I'm sorry. It wasn't Benito. Oh, yes, it was, right. Who was excited about that, yes. [Inaudible] He's coming. He's coming.

Jen Psaki

00:31:12 - 00:31:13 ()

A commission in Congress?

Jordan Stratton

00:22:06 - 00:22:25 ()

That's right. Okay. And first off, I just want to say thank you so much for being a part of this conversation. I think it's a really innovative approach, and I think it's a really important conversation. So thanks so much. I'm Jordan Stratton. I'm with The Dad. We're a media brand and community of parents specifically about celebrating modern fatherhood and everything that it looks like.

Question

00:31:13 - 00:31:16 ()

Or a presidential commission.

Jordan Stratton

00:22:25 - 00:22:44 ()

So obviously, this is right up our alley, talking about this American Family Plan and the Jobs Plan. And there are obviously a lot of great things in both of them, but my big question is who's going to pay for it? Are you saving me a few hundred dollars a month, only for me to pay a few thousand dollars in taxes at the end of the year?

Jen Psaki

00:31:16 - 00:31:42 ()

I would say, if members of Congress have a discussion and want to have a discussion about that, we're happy to hear from them. But our focus right now, as you know, Peter, is on our own internal investigation -- our own internal process, I should say -- using all of the resources of government, tapping into our data and science experts to see what more we can determine over the next 90 days, or less than 90 days, about the origins of the pandemic.

Jen Psaki

00:22:44 - 00:22:47 ()

Are you a CEO of a major corporation? I don't… You're not.

Question

00:31:42 - 00:32:03 ()

Mike Pompeo is now saying that when he was the Secretary of State and he was trying to investigate the origins of COVID-19 there, the NIH folks were trying to suppress what he was doing. So is there any concern from the White House that there may have been people at the NIH who were making policy decisions based not in science, but based on their personal political beliefs or preferences?

Jordan Stratton

00:22:47 - 00:22:49 ()

Not yet. Not yet.

Jen Psaki

00:32:03 - 00:32:08 ()

Well, I really don't have any analysis of the last administration's inter-working.

Jen Psaki

00:22:49 - 00:23:08 ()

You may be in the future. If you are one day, I wish you luck in doing that, but then you may have to pay more in taxes. But what I will tell you is that President's proposed a way to pay for these proposals. His bottom line is no American making less than $400,000 a year will pay a penny more in taxes.

Question

00:32:08 - 00:32:12 ()

Well, a lot of these people are still over there, and you see how they operate.

Jen Psaki

00:23:08 - 00:23:20 ()

And that's actually why he's been opposed to some of the proposals that have been out there, like taxing user fees or gas mileage. That would be a tax on dads and working parents and people who were just trying to make ends meet.

Jen Psaki

00:32:12 - 00:32:38 ()

Here's what we know, Peter: We know that Dr. Fauci and many members of the NIH team -- medical and science experts -- because of their work over the last 10 years, we have developed a focus, an effort, an apparatus to fight this pandemic, and we are grateful to them for their work. Everybody wants to get to the bottom of the origin: former Secretary Pompeo, President Biden, Democrats and Republicans across the board.

Jen Psaki

00:23:20 - 00:23:41 ()

So what he's proposed is raising the corporate rate, I should say, back to what it was in the first year of the George W. Bush administration, having individual Americans, highest income earners, the top 1%, pay a little bit more to pay for his range of proposals. He's also proposed the IRS having the ability to make sure people are paying their taxes.

Jen Psaki

00:32:38 - 00:32:50 ()

We all share a concern about the challenge -- and that is the intransigence, at times, by the Chinese in providing data and providing information. We share agreement on that. We all want to get to the bottom of what happened here.

Jen Psaki

00:23:41 - 00:23:51 ()

That actually could raise a bunch of money. And making sure that some of these companies that paid $0 in taxes over the last few years has to pay a minimum of 15%.

Question

00:32:50 - 00:33:15 ()

And you mentioned Dr. Fauci. There have been these emails that have come out through a FOIA request that make it seem like -- we knew that he had his hands full at the time, trying to figure out what to do, but it seems like there were times that he was saying one thing in email and then coming to this microphone and saying something else. If that is the case and if that affected the U.S. policy posture at the time, should he be held accountable?

Jen Psaki

00:23:51 - 00:24:11 ()

So I bet you, you are not going to be hurt by this in any way. You'll benefit because future kids… As a member of the dad community, you'll be able to help tell your dad community that universal pre-K could be a real thing. Community college in the future could be a real thing. We'll have a better road to take our kids on to preschool.

Jen Psaki

00:33:15 - 00:33:25 ()

Well, I've talked a little bit about Dr. Fauci, and Dr. Fauci has been out doing several interviews himself and answering questions on these emails and questions that you all may have.

Jen Psaki

00:24:11 - 00:24:19 ()

So there's a lot of benefits, and we've proposed ways to pay for it that won't break the backs of working parents, dads, moms, either way.

Jen Psaki

00:33:25 - 00:33:38 ()

Dr. Fauci is a renowned public servant -- civil servant, I should say -- career civil servant. He's overseen management of multiple global health crises. And attacks -- and attacks launched on him are certainly something we wouldn't stand by.

Jen Psaki

00:24:19 - 00:24:44 ()

I'll also say, since you gave me opportunity, I would not be able to do this job without my husband. And he's a dad, he's an amazing dad. I'm getting emotional. He's an amazing dad. I don't know why. He's an amazing dad. And I am so fortunate, as many working moms have, and as many working women have out there, to have a partner who does the childcare, who does the wake-up, who does the to bed stuff.

Jen Psaki

00:33:38 - 00:33:45 ()

I understand there's interest in the emails. He's answered a lot of questions on the emails. I don't think I'm going to have much more to add on them from here.

Jen Psaki

00:24:44 - 00:24:51 ()

And I'm hugely lucky. So a shout out to all the dads out there for doing that. It's hugely important. And thank you.

Question

00:33:45 - 00:33:49 ()

Do you think the attacks are political against Dr. Fauci?

Jordan Stratton

00:24:51 - 00:25:02 ()

It definitely is. And it is a team effort. We just need more dads, it sounds like your husband, and fewer ones that consider watching their kids babysitting, because come on. We're not at all about that.

Jen Psaki

00:33:49 - 00:33:56 ()

I'm going to let Dr. Fauci speak to his own defense of his emails from 17 months ago, before this President even took office.

Jen Psaki

00:25:02 - 00:25:08 ()

Watching your kids is not babysitting. We can [Inaudible] that's a tee shirt we can wear together. Okay, good.

Question

00:33:56 - 00:34:03 ()

Okay. And then, finally, does President Biden have a position on gain-of-function research?

Jordan Stratton

00:25:08 - 00:25:12 ()

Thank you. So speaking of parenthood, I'm going to pivot just a little bit.

Jen Psaki

00:34:03 - 00:34:29 ()

Well, we have not -- as Dr. Fauci has actually said repeatedly, we've never approved any funding for gain-of-function research in Wuhan. I know that's, I think, why you're asking the question. I believe some may have been approved, or there was funding approved during the prior administration. There's a framework, I should say. This is not meant to be a criticism of funding and how it's approved through different NIH programs, but I would send you to them to give more of an explanation of the funding mechanisms.

Jen Psaki

00:25:12 - 00:25:12 ()

Sure.

Question

00:34:29 - 00:34:35 ()

And just -- since you mentioned Dr. Fauci again, can you imagine any circumstance where President Biden would ever fire him?

Jordan Stratton

00:25:12 - 00:25:33 ()

So, kids constantly ask for expensive toys. And even when the answer is a definite no, parents often respond with a maybe, in order to avoid a nuclear meltdown in the middle of Target. But then they have to deal with the relentless followup questions. Why not now? When will it be happening, that kind of thing.

Jen Psaki

00:34:35 - 00:34:35 ()

No.

Jordan Stratton

00:25:33 - 00:25:41 ()

And I feel like this is a relatable situation for press secretary. Any advice on how to shut that down effectively?

Jen Psaki

00:34:35 - 00:34:37 ()

Go ahead.

Jen Psaki

00:25:41 - 00:25:54 ()

Well, I think parents could try with their kids, and we'll see if it works. I'm not going to be able to get you that toy now. I'm happy to discuss this next week, when we have an opportunity to have this conversation again.

Question

00:34:37 - 00:35:10 ()

Just to follow up a little bit on Russia: I know you've said repeatedly that this is not a reward to Vladimir Putin, but what can you do in terms of stage management to make sure that it doesn't become that. I mean, become a platform for him to offer alternate facts, alternate analysis of history, of what's going on, and also provide, you know, a way for him to damage the opposition within his own country. Are you thinking through that issue? Are you -- how will you address that?

Jordan Stratton

00:25:54 - 00:25:57 ()

So we should tell toddlers we can circle back. That's what you're saying.

Jen Psaki

00:35:10 - 00:35:17 ()

Well, one thing is we're going to bring all of you with us to report on what he says and doesn't say, and factcheck what he says or doesn't say.

Jen Psaki

00:25:57 - 00:25:58 ()

Yeah. Some version of that. Absolutely.

Jen Psaki

00:35:17 - 00:35:41 ()

The other piece is: President Biden, as you've heard him talk about, has known, has engaged with President Putin in the past throughout his career, and he is never one to hold back on areas where he has concern, areas where he feels the actions of the Russian government or Russian leadership are hurting the United States. And he certainly has no intention of holding back during this meeting, publicly or privately.

Jordan Stratton

00:25:58 - 00:25:59 ()

I like that. I'll take that.

Jen Psaki

00:35:41 - 00:36:00 ()

But at the end of the day, our job, or our focus, is on moving toward a more stable and predictable relationship with Russia. There are areas where we can work together. We've talked a little bit about -- you know, we renewed START -- New START, early on in the administration, for five years. That's an area we can work together.

Jen Psaki

00:25:59 - 00:26:06 ()

And we'll see what's possible. Punt it to the birthday. That's my shorthand advice. Something you could ask for, for your birthday.

Jen Psaki

00:36:00 - 00:36:11 ()

There are ongoing negotiations for the Iran nuclear deal. They just finished their fifth round of discussions. Russia is a member of the P5+1. We can have a discussion there.

Jordan Stratton

00:26:06 - 00:26:08 ()

I love it. Add it to the list. That's great.

Jen Psaki

00:36:11 - 00:36:25 ()

At the same time, we also feel that no country should be, you know, harboring -- has responsibility not to harbor criminal individuals who are launching ransomware attacks, and that will certainly be a part of the discussion as well.

Jen Psaki

00:26:08 - 00:26:09 ()

Add it to the list.

Jen Psaki

00:36:25 - 00:36:47 ()

So, you're right: When we have conversations with leaders we disagree with, where we have some adversarial components of our relationship, it is important to send the message that we're not validating their actions. In fact, we're calling them out on it. But it is also an opportunity, face to face, to raise those issues and also to hopefully move toward a more stable and predictable relationship moving forward.

Jordan Stratton

00:26:09 - 00:26:11 ()

Thank you so much.

Question

00:36:47 - 00:37:01 ()

And on infrastructure -- you know, is the corporate tax hike that was originally proposed, is that pretty much dead now? Can we expect to see it in reconciliation? And is there anything else that President Biden plans to offer when he speaks with the senator today?

Jen Psaki

00:26:11 - 00:26:14 ()

All right, Chriselle, how are you? Thanks so much for joining us and for your patience.

Jen Psaki

00:37:01 - 00:37:25 ()

Well, since you gave the opportunity, Trevor, I think there's an important note here. One is that we didn't talk a lot about the book line taxes that the President talked about yesterday -- that we've talked about a little bit yesterday -- the 15 percent tax that these companies -- we're asking these companies -- or we think these companies should pay -- that pay no tax -- no tax.

Chriselle Lim

00:26:14 - 00:26:35 ()

Thank you for having me. I am so excited to be here. I'm Chriselle Lim. And first and foremost, I am a mother of two girls, a six-year-old and a two-year-old. I am the co-founder of BumoWork, which is re-imagining the future of family, bringing childcare solutions to the workplace so parents can continue to thrive in their careers, so they don't have to choose one or the other.

Jen Psaki

00:37:25 - 00:37:31 ()

That was in his original American Jobs Plan proposal. It was in the lengthy factsheet. I'm sure Reuters wrote many stories about.

Chriselle Lim

00:26:35 - 00:26:55 ()

So the American Family Plan is just something that I feel so strongly about. So my very first question is the American Family Plan will guarantee 12 weeks of paid parental family and personal illness and sick leave by year 10 of the program, and then create free pre-K for children for three to four years old.

Jen Psaki

00:37:31 - 00:37:41 ()

So, that was a component that we didn't get -- we didn't have a lot of a public debate about, but it has been something he talked about on the campaign. It's in our budget. It was in his American Jobs Plan proposal.

Chriselle Lim

00:26:55 - 00:27:08 ()

Are there any plans to support working families and parents with children that are younger than three? Because there are so many working parents and moms, especially, that have to go back to work immediately.

Jen Psaki

00:37:41 - 00:37:54 ()

In terms of the corporate tax increases that was also proposed and certainly has been more of a public component of our discussion, you know, that's something he continues to believe corporations can pay more money; that that's a way to fund his bold ideas.

Jen Psaki

00:27:08 - 00:27:24 ()

Yeah, absolutely. And you're right. This is an important piece because one, a lot of people have kids who are under the age of three and four. I have now my youngest is three, but you do. And I know many people who follow you and pay close attention to what you have to say, as well do as well.

Jen Psaki

00:37:54 - 00:38:10 ()

There are a lot of ideas that he wants to move forward on, whether it's extending the Child Tax Credit, universal pre-K -- proposals that he has put forward in the American Families Plan, which we are looking forward to having a continued discussion about. And there are also a range of payfors he has proposed.

Jen Psaki

00:27:24 - 00:27:48 ()

The American Family Plan proposes $225 billion to make childcare more affordable. And the way that we're approaching that is to ensure that families that are making just 1.5% over the state median income range will only have to pay 7%. The max, I should say, of 7% in order to have affordable high-quality childcare.

Question

00:38:10 - 00:38:18 ()

And that 15 percent minimum that you just brought up, is that -- did you bring that up because that's something that Yellen is pursuing on the international stage as well?

Jen Psaki

00:27:48 - 00:28:02 ()

Because we know if we're going to get more women back in the workforce, if we're going to make sure we have a more diverse workforce, if we're going to make it possible for a lot of families to engage in the workforce, we need to make childcare accessible and affordable.

Jen Psaki

00:38:18 - 00:38:29 ()

No. Separate. I'm glad you asked that question. Separate issue. I know it's confusing because the 15/15. Separate issue. There is a discussion, as you noted, on the global stage about a global minimum tax.

Jen Psaki

00:28:02 - 00:28:15 ()

So, that's a piece of the proposal I'm really excited about. It also extends the child tax credit by five years, which is something that will give a working families and parents a little extra money in their pockets and hopefully help make ends meet as well.

Jen Psaki

00:38:29 - 00:38:44 ()

But this is a -- this is a proposal the President talked about on the campaign trail, he proposed in his American Jobs Plan, and also in our budget that would eve- -- would require -- you know, would have companies that didn't pay any tax, wouldn't allow them to pay zero tax.

Chriselle Lim

00:28:15 - 00:28:34 ()

That's incredible. I think working parents need the support more than ever, coming out of COVID. So this is really, really exciting for myself and the community. And a personal question I have for you. As a mother of two and serving as a White House, press secretary, I'm sure you come across a lot of challenges.

Jen Psaki

00:38:44 - 00:38:52 ()

And so we see it as a separate entity. We still believe the tax rate should be higher than that, as the President has proposed, on a corp- -- for a corporate rate.

Chriselle Lim

00:28:34 - 00:28:41 ()

How do you face holding such a prominent position while balancing the demands of motherhood?

Jen Psaki

00:38:52 - 00:38:53 ()

Go ahead, Josh.

Jen Psaki

00:28:41 - 00:28:54 ()

Well, thank you for that question and thank you for what you do as a role model, as a working mom with two little kids, and you know it's a balance. Some days it's messy. The sausage making is a little messy behind the scenes.

Question

00:38:53 - 00:39:01 ()

Can you give us a sense of what your expectations are for their discussion? Like, is it by phone, for instance, with Senator Capito [inaudible]?

Jen Psaki

00:28:54 - 00:29:14 ()

What I will say is that my kids have made me better at what I do. They're grounding. They bring me down to earth. They have no idea what I do at the White House every day, nor do they care. And they're a reminder of what's important. And some days, that is the most valuable, best thing that happens in my day.

Jen Psaki

00:39:01 - 00:39:01 ()

Oh, sure, sure.

Jen Psaki

00:29:14 - 00:29:27 ()

My three-year-old son calls himself the hug machine. I don't know if he'll do this forever, but a hug from him, which he has a lot of pride in, it makes any stressful day go away. And so, that's first and foremost.

Question

00:39:01 - 00:39:06 ()

Is this -- are we any near a decisional process or a point for the President?

Jen Psaki

00:29:27 - 00:29:46 ()

But I also will say what I've learned over time, and you've probably learned, is not to be too hard on yourself. Some days are imperfect. Some days I forget to buy a birthday present for the birthday party. Some days I forget to send the permission slip or to make sure we have a babysitter for the weekend or whatever it may be.

Jen Psaki

00:39:06 - 00:39:21 ()

Sure. So they will be talking by phone -- President and Senator Capito -- this afternoon. He'll also be talking with Congressman DeFazio. And we will be doing readouts of those conversations that are happening this afternoon -- as we speak, perhaps. But we will provide readouts.

Jen Psaki

00:29:46 - 00:29:50 ()

Sometimes my kids eat Cheetos. It's okay. And I try not to be too --

Jen Psaki

00:39:21 - 00:39:48 ()

You know, I'm not going to obviously prejudge conversations, but I would say, for the conversation with Senator Capito, they've had good-faith discussions. There are areas where, of course, you know, the President has priorities, where he'd like to see more, including more investments, but also areas including electric vehicle investments, rebuilding veterans hospitals. And that's part of the discussion -- as well as payfors.

Jen Psaki

00:29:50 - 00:29:59 ()

Kids eat Cheetos. It's okay. And I try not to be too hard on myself or harsh on myself and just stay grounded in what's important, which is probably those hugs from the hug machine.

Jen Psaki

00:39:48 - 00:40:07 ()

And as Trevor just asked about, but as we talked about a bit yesterday, what the President put forward -- he looked at all of his tax proposals, and what he put forward are ways to pay for an infrastructure proposal that he -- that shouldn't cross any bar or line for Republicans in the Senate who say they won't touch the 2017 tax plan.

Chriselle Lim

00:29:59 - 00:30:02 ()

I love that. My kids had McDonald's for dinner last night.

Jen Psaki

00:40:07 - 00:40:18 ()

So, I think the question, really, on that front is: Do you think these companies should pay no tax at all or 15 percent, which is very viable, supported by 85 per- -- 84 percent of Republicans in the country?

Jen Psaki

00:30:02 - 00:30:08 ()

It's okay. And you know what? They got up this morning and they're probably absolutely fine. So there you go. Be gentle on yourself.

Question

00:40:18 - 00:40:23 ()

Does the President believe he's running out of time to try to reach a deal, or is there runway left?

Chriselle Lim

00:30:08 - 00:30:10 ()

Thank you.

Jen Psaki

00:40:23 - 00:40:59 ()

There's runway left. He's going to have these discussions. There are Democrats and Republicans who are talking with each other. We're going to engage with them as well and continue to have a discussion with a range of interested leaders in Congress about how we can come together to make a historic investment in infrastructure. There are some realities of timelines, including the fact that Congressman DeFazio is leading the markup of key components of the American Jobs Plan next week -- key infrastructure components -- where there is a big overlap. There is a lot of interest and excitement by many Democrats in Congress about that.

Jen Psaki

00:30:10 - 00:30:16 ()

Great talking with you. Okay. Brittany. Hi, Brittany. How are you doing?

Jen Psaki

00:40:59 - 00:41:10 ()

So it's not unlimited, but we have an opportunity. He's going to talk to Senator Capito this afternoon. We're going to see how those conversations go. We're going to keep a range of pathways open to move these bold ideas forward.

Brittany Xavier

00:30:16 - 00:30:28 ()

Hi. Thank you for having this conversation with us today. This is really exciting. I am a digital content creator. I'm also a mom to a 14 year old, and I am currently pregnant, expecting one.

Question

00:41:10 - 00:41:28 ()

And just briefly, Brian Deese talked about the supply shortage issue. Can you talk about any particular types of supplies that we're talking about, the -- you know, with regards, for instance, to the construction job gains that were pretty sluggish? What are we talking about here? Lumber? Like, what are the powers the government has to try to address those?

Jen Psaki

00:30:28 - 00:30:29 ()

Congratulations. You look amazing.

Jen Psaki

00:41:28 - 00:41:50 ()

Well, you -- I know you've covered this closely, as have others. Lumber is certainly one of the areas, and we've seen an impact on the housing market in part because of a shortage of some of these supplies that's having an impact on new builds, that's then having an impact on the pricing for homes that have been around a longer period of time. I know you know this, but just to catch everybody else up. So --

Brittany Xavier

00:30:29 - 00:30:31 ()

Oh, thank you.

Question

00:41:50 - 00:41:50 ()

[Inaudible] [Laughter]

Jen Psaki

00:30:31 - 00:30:33 ()

Yeah, congratulations.

Jen Psaki

00:41:50 - 00:42:08 ()

Okay. So -- so we've seen that impact, and we have been doing this 100-day review. Certainly, looking at how we can address those challenges and issues through the role of the federal government is what we'll talk about when we have more details to share, and hopefully that will be next week.

Brittany Xavier

00:30:33 - 00:30:54 ()

So I wanted to ask you an issue that became especially apparent during the pandemic is just how many children rely on daily meals provided from the public schools? And I wanted to ask, how will the AFP help families who are worried about making sure their kids get enough to eat when school is out in the summer and during holiday breaks?

Question

00:42:08 - 00:42:10 ()

Are tariffs a way that you can address the supply shortages?

Jen Psaki

00:30:54 - 00:31:20 ()

This is such an important question, and one I will say, on a personal level, breaks my heart. I live in a suburb of DC and there are still many, many people who don't have enough food to put on the table. And you wouldn't think of that necessarily of the community I live in. I will tell you that one of the first things we did in passing the American Rescue Plan is we sent out checks to tens of millions of Americans.

Jen Psaki

00:42:10 - 00:42:11 ()

I'm just not going to --

Jen Psaki

00:31:20 - 00:31:39 ()

And what we saw the impact of just that alone is we're going to cut child poverty in half by the end of the year. That will have a huge impact. But we need to do more than that, and one of the things we've proposed in the American Families Plan… And so there's more that's actually going out in terms of a debit cards to families and kids around the country that will go out over the summer.

Question

00:42:11 - 00:42:12 ()

Or changing tariffs?

Jen Psaki

00:31:39 - 00:32:15 ()

Because as you know from talking about this issue, one of the challenges is also, as you said, when kids are not in school and they don't have those free meals and free lunches. So debit cards are going to be going out, thanks to some of the plans we've already passed, to kids this summer. But the American Families Plan also proposes additional funding to ensure that we're helping these kids get those meals, ensure families can make ends meet, and ensure that the nutritional value that they get from these benefits from schools is fully funded in the schools, but they're also getting that additional benefit in the summer.

Jen Psaki

00:42:12 - 00:42:20 ()

I'm not going to get too ahead or ahead at all of where we will come down in our final rollouts of our supply chain review process.

Jen Psaki

00:32:15 - 00:32:37 ()

So this is a really important issue. I'm really grateful to you for elevating it, because I think we don't talk about it enough and the impact of poverty on childhood nutrition and kids getting access to basic meals. And it's something that's front and center to the Family's Plan and something we've already worked to pass funding for, so we can ensure we're helping kids make ends meet even in the upcoming months while we're trying to pass that legislation into law.

Question

00:42:20 - 00:42:21 ()

Thank you.

Brittany Xavier

00:32:37 - 00:32:41 ()

Amazing. Thank you so much.

Jen Psaki

00:42:21 - 00:42:22 ()

Go ahead, Kaitlan.

Jen Psaki

00:32:41 - 00:32:44 ()

Thank you, Brittany. It was really a pleasure talking to you, and congratulations again.

Question

00:42:22 - 00:42:27 ()

Is the President expecting a counteroffer during this conversation with Senator Capito today?

Brittany Xavier

00:32:44 - 00:32:45 ()

Oh, thank you.

Jen Psaki

00:42:27 - 00:42:44 ()

I think the President is expecting they're going to have a discussion. Part of negotiation is seeing how you can come closer to each other. He's obviously come down quite a bit in what he originally proposed, and hopefully they'll have more they can add to their proposal, but we'll see. But it's a discussion, not an exchange of paper.

Jen Psaki

00:32:45 - 00:32:55 ()

All right, Clea and Joanna you're so patient. You do amazing work. I want you to come to my house. Everyone does. I don't even know. Thank you for being here and for everything you do.

Question

00:42:44 - 00:42:50 ()

Well, you described Wednesday as a discussion too, but President Biden made a counteroffer, kind of, to them on Wednesday.

Joanna Teplin

00:32:55 - 00:33:08 ()

Oh, we are so grateful, Jen. Thank you so much for having us. And we are obviously working moms and we both have two kids each, and we just want to say thank you to all the teachers.

Jen Psaki

00:42:50 - 00:43:03 ()

I think that might be over-formalizing the discussion. There's a discussion about where there might be areas of agreement, then, obviously, she'll -- she may have to take things back; he may have to discuss on our end with Democratic leadership.

Clea Shearer

00:33:08 - 00:33:28 ()

We could not have the business that we have if it wasn't for teachers. So we currently could not make anything work without them. And much like our new friend, Benito, we had a very similar question about how the American Families Plan helps support teachers, specifically maybe around mentorship or anything else you can maybe elaborate on.

Jen Psaki

00:43:03 - 00:43:15 ()

So, it's more of a discussion and where we can find common ground, hear each other out. And we'll see, you know, if this continues to be a viable path forward, and we'll continue to pursue a range of paths.

Clea Shearer

00:33:28 - 00:33:30 ()

Again, very near and dear to our hearts.

Question

00:43:15 - 00:43:21 ()

Thank you. And on these ransomware attacks, does the President view those as a national security threat?

Jen Psaki

00:33:30 - 00:33:54 ()

Absolutely. I could not agree with you more. I think all of us, probably you guys too, have an even greater value for teachers after living through the last year and a half and the role they play and what they've done to teach remotely during the pandemic and make it safe to return to schools. And I even think, my daughter's going to kindergarten, God bless these teachers who are going to be welcoming kindergartners and who haven't really been around kids.

Jen Psaki

00:43:21 - 00:43:41 ()

I certainly think the President views those as a rising national concern -- security concern and an area where we need to continue to keep our focus, keep our assets, focus on energy and brainpower on what we can do to address it.

Jen Psaki

00:33:54 - 00:34:17 ()

So I'm going to be forever grateful to teachers. What's interesting, and I've learned a lot about this too given the impact on schools of the pandemic, is that even before the pandemic, schools needed an estimated 100,000 additional certified teachers. It's an area there's a huge shortage of around the country, and a huge shortage of diversity among teachers as well, which has a huge impact on kids and their futures.

Jen Psaki

00:43:41 - 00:43:59 ()

That's why we launched this rapid review to take a look at these four areas of focus, including our approach through the U.S. government, including how we work with the private sector, including cryptocurrency, and also including what role we can have on the global stage.

Jen Psaki

00:34:17 - 00:34:38 ()

Benito, I think, goes up by Benny. I'm not sure. We're going to have to ask him. His question, we are proposing to invest $9 billion in teachers. And some of that is paying for certification, paying for schooling, paying for recruitment, paying for supplies. My mother-in-law's a teacher. I've watched her.

Jen Psaki

00:43:59 - 00:44:06 ()

So, certainly this is a priority to him and an area where we will be spending a significant amount of time in the coming months.

Jen Psaki

00:34:38 - 00:34:58 ()

She's retired now, so she's been able to help my daughter, which is amazing. But I've watched her over the years, grading papers till midnight, getting supplies. We see so many teachers who aren't paid nearly enough, doing this out of their own pockets. That shouldn't be the case. But we also need to recruit more teachers and make sure school systems can pay for that.

Question

00:44:06 - 00:44:26 ()

Okay. And my last question, just on the -- on the enhanced unemployment benefits, you said that you can't really make a determination because no states have actually cut them off yet -- the states that are pulling out of the program early. But if nothing has changed, shouldn't you be able to maintain the President's pretty unequivocal position, last month, that they are not encouraging people to stay home?

Jen Psaki

00:34:58 - 00:35:03 ()

So that's part of what we've proposed. Unsung heroes, all heroes don't wear capes, and teachers are certainly examples.

Jen Psaki

00:44:26 - 00:44:37 ()

Well, if we had that concern, we would be ending them. We're not. I mean, we -- there's still 7 million people out of work -- right? -- and we're talking about $300 benefits for three more months.

Joanna Teplin

00:35:03 - 00:35:04 ()

They should wear capes every day.

Jen Psaki

00:44:37 - 00:44:51 ()

I think the point I was trying to make, and I think Brian was trying to make, is that the governors who have made the decision -- which they have every right to do -- to pull back on these benefits are really talking about having them for six weeks or eight weeks less than we would already intend to have them.

Jen Psaki

00:35:04 - 00:35:08 ()

They should. Who doesn't want to wear a cape? I want to wear a cape.

Jen Psaki

00:44:51 - 00:45:17 ()

So I think the question is: Do you think Americans -- given 7 million are still out of work, or more than that -- could benefit from eight more weeks or 10 more weeks of these $300 unemployment benefits? Our view is they can, and they should. And that's an extra helping hand we can give to millions of people across this country. Some governors disagree. That's okay. At the end of the day, in early September, these -- these benefits will no longer be a part of the plan.

Clea Shearer

00:35:08 - 00:35:09 ()

I would.

Question

00:45:17 - 00:45:18 ()

Thank you.

Joanna Teplin

00:35:09 - 00:35:09 ()

I would too.

Jen Psaki

00:45:18 - 00:45:19 ()

Go ahead.

Jen Psaki

00:35:09 - 00:35:13 ()

Yeah. Bring back capes.

Question

00:45:19 - 00:45:23 ()

One quick thing -- housekeeping on Russia, and then I have something on Israel.

Clea Shearer

00:35:13 - 00:35:16 ()

[Inaudible] Amanda Gorman's. You look fabulous.

Jen Psaki

00:45:23 - 00:45:24 ()

Sure.

Jen Psaki

00:35:16 - 00:35:21 ()

I don't know that everyone can pull off Amanda Gorman's amazing style, but yes.

Question

00:45:24 - 00:45:39 ()

You mentioned a few moments ago that the press will be with the President when he attends the summit in Geneva. Can you commit that he will have a press conference, a side-by-side with President Putin, as previous U.S. presidents have done?

Clea Shearer

00:35:21 - 00:35:30 ()

I know. Don't even get me started. If I could pivot just a little bit, we had the just unbelievable good fortune to interview former President Barack Obama.

Jen Psaki

00:45:39 - 00:45:47 ()

I don't know what the format will look like at this point in time. I can certainly commit that he will communicate and speak to all of you, but I don't know what the format looks like yet.

Jen Psaki

00:35:30 - 00:35:31 ()

Oh, yeah. [Crosstalk]

Question

00:45:47 - 00:45:51 ()

I mean, obviously, a press conference would be preferable, but I think --

Joanna Teplin

00:35:31 - 00:35:34 ()

No we don't. We'll never get over it our whole life, but yeah.

Jen Psaki

00:45:51 - 00:45:56 ()

He will answer questions. I don't know what the format will look like at this point.

Clea Shearer

00:35:34 - 00:35:40 ()

So we did a rapid fire with him and I want to see if the rapid fire with you could be a possibility.

Question

00:45:56 - 00:46:20 ()

Yeah. But, I mean, the -- given the history of the -- fairly recent history of side-by-side press conferences between the U.S. president and the Russian president, it would make certainly a -- it would be an opportunity for us to ask the kind of questions of both presidents that I think our President might want to answer.

Jen Psaki

00:35:40 - 00:35:43 ()

Great. Sure. Let's do it right.

Jen Psaki

00:46:20 - 00:46:30 ()

Well, I know that we will make President Biden available to all of you, and I certainly hope my Russian counterpart makes President Putin available to all of you as well. I don't know what the format will look like at this point.

Clea Shearer

00:35:43 - 00:35:46 ()

All right. It's very hard hitting.

Question

00:46:30 - 00:46:44 ()

On Israel: We're a couple of clicks closer to the formation of the new government. Have there been any developments here in President Biden's interaction with either the existing government or the new government in formation?

Jen Psaki

00:35:46 - 00:35:48 ()

Okay. I'm ready.

Jen Psaki

00:46:44 - 00:46:53 ()

No, not at this point. I think we're going to allow for that process to move forward. And as you know, it may be a little bit more time before the final formation is completed.

Clea Shearer

00:35:48 - 00:35:49 ()

Candy or champagne.

Question

00:46:53 - 00:46:57 ()

What is the plan for his interaction with the new government, should it be formed?

Jen Psaki

00:35:49 - 00:35:59 ()

It depends on the time of day. I would say candy for the majority of the day. I am like Elf. I would eat candy for every meal, if that were an option. I'm an adult, I could, but it wouldn't be very healthy.

Jen Psaki

00:46:57 - 00:47:05 ()

Well, we have a long and abiding relationship, strategic relationship with Israel, and that will continue to be the case no matter who is leading the country.

Joanna Teplin

00:35:59 - 00:35:59 ()

I do.

Question

00:47:05 - 00:47:09 ()

But would he call Prime Minister Bennett upon the formation of that government?

Jen Psaki

00:35:59 - 00:36:02 ()

I'm with you. I'm a candy spirit animal.

Jen Psaki

00:47:09 - 00:47:16 ()

I don't have any calls to predict for you, but certainly he will continue to engage with his counterparts in Israel and many countries around the world.

Joanna Teplin

00:36:02 - 00:36:05 ()

I see you, Jen. All right. Digital or paper.

Question

00:47:16 - 00:47:22 ()

And then, lastly, were you able to nail down whether or not he had actually ever met Naftali Bennett before?

Jen Psaki

00:36:05 - 00:36:21 ()

Primarily digital, even books. But I have a little old school illness to me and I still subscribe to the Sunday New York Times, which when I see it on my driveway, I get excited. And I like older books too. I'm a little of both.

Jen Psaki

00:47:22 - 00:47:28 ()

You did ask that question. I'm sorry, I did not ask him. I will follow up and see if I can find that out.

Clea Shearer

00:36:21 - 00:36:24 ()

All right. Next one, queso or guac.

Jen Psaki

00:47:28 - 00:47:34 ()

He, I know -- well, Naftali Bennett -- you would remember the years he was the chief of staff to Prime Minister Netanyahu. We'll have to do a little data tracing here.

Jen Psaki

00:36:24 - 00:36:25 ()

Guac.

Question

00:47:34 - 00:47:35 ()

Yeah, [inaudible] jobs. But -- [inaudible].

Joanna Teplin

00:36:25 - 00:36:29 ()

Mm-hmm Same thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Jen Psaki

00:47:35 - 00:47:37 ()

Yeah. Yeah.

Jen Psaki

00:36:29 - 00:36:35 ()

Oh. Uh oh, this is a key rapid fire question.

Jen Psaki

00:47:37 - 00:47:38 ()

Okay. Go ahead.

Joanna Teplin

00:36:35 - 00:36:41 ()

[Inaudible] it could make headlines. Who's more organized, POTUS or FLOTUS?

Question

00:47:38 - 00:47:41 ()

Thanks, Jen. On the vaccine announcement from yesterday --

Jen Psaki

00:36:41 - 00:37:05 ()

FLOTUS. I don't know why I whispered it. She is a teacher. Of course she's more organized. I think if the President were sitting here, he would also acknowledge that. I have not done a rapid fire analysis of their organization line by line. And the President obviously is pretty organized, given he's the president, but she's on it.

Jen Psaki

00:47:41 - 00:47:41 ()

Yep.

Jen Psaki

00:37:05 - 00:37:10 ()

She's a teacher. I would follow her organizational methods.

Question

00:47:41 - 00:47:54 ()

-- can you give an idea at all of how many doses we can expect? Are there going to be monthly surplus shipments going out to other countries? And will they follow the same 25 percent, 75 percent, sort of, breakdown? Are there any discussions about that?

Clea Shearer

00:37:10 - 00:37:15 ()

Yeah, we see you. Well, thank you so much for this incredible opportunity.

Jen Psaki

00:47:54 - 00:47:56 ()

Eighty million doses by the end of June.

Jen Psaki

00:37:15 - 00:37:17 ()

Thank you. It was great talking to you. Thanks for everything we do.

Question

00:47:56 - 00:47:59 ()

But in future months. I mean, it was said yesterday there -- we can expect more this summer. So [inaudible].

Clea Shearer

00:37:17 - 00:37:18 ()

Thank you.

Jen Psaki

00:47:59 - 00:48:06 ()

That's right. And we're going to continue to provide part of our supply to the global community. But I don't have anything to predict for you beyond that.

Jen Psaki

00:37:18 - 00:37:40 ()

Well, thank you all so much for joining me, and thanks for everything you do to elevate so many important issues to your audiences. And hopefully we'll do this again, maybe at the White House. We'll have to bring you guys all here sometime. Thank you so much.

Question

00:48:06 - 00:48:16 ()

And, on infrastructure, can we expect the President to meet with Senators Romney and Manchin at all as one of the pathways that the White House is exploring?

Jen Psaki

00:48:16 - 00:48:33 ()

Look, I think, as I -- as I alluded to a little bit earlier, the President is certainly open to and interested in continuing to engage with a range of members who have an interest in making a historic investment in our nation's infrastructure; modernizing our roads, rails, and bridges; and preparing us to compete over the long term.

Jen Psaki

00:48:33 - 00:48:38 ()

I know those are two of the members who have expressed that publicly, so we will see what the future days hold.

Question

00:48:38 - 00:48:46 ()

And just on the President's trip: Can we expect him to meet with the Pope at all? There's been some reporting out there that he might be meeting with the Pope.

Jen Psaki

00:48:46 - 00:48:49 ()

That's surprising. I don't think you can expect that on this trip.

Jen Psaki

00:48:49 - 00:48:51 ()

Go ahead.

Question

00:48:51 - 00:48:59 ()

Thanks, Jen. Again, on the issue of the COVID vaccines: Can you talk a little bit about the timing? I know you said by the end of June, I think.

Jen Psaki

00:48:59 - 00:49:00 ()

Yeah.

Question

00:49:00 - 00:49:07 ()

But how soon can the other countries start expecting to receive these vaccines? And also, how are you prioritizing which countries will get them first?

Jen Psaki

00:49:07 - 00:49:22 ()

Sure. Well, first, let me say -- I mentioned, a little bit earlier, 80 million by the end of June. Obviously, 25 percent of those are coming -- are going bilaterally to countries. We're going to get those doses out -- those 25 million as quickly as we can, and we'll provide you updates as those doses go out.

Jen Psaki

00:49:22 - 00:49:31 ()

So I had an update this morning about the dose -- or this afternoon about the doses that went out to the ROK, and we'll continue to have more updates on that, on those doses.

Jen Psaki

00:49:31 - 00:49:55 ()

The additional doses -- the 75 percent, which are going through COVAX -- we've put out, kind of, our prioritization of the regions that those will be going to. And part of our focus right now is on the herculean logistical challenge of getting these vaccines out to the right places. This is one of the reasons that we're doing a large percentage of them through COVAX: because of their capability to do exactly that.

Jen Psaki

00:49:55 - 00:50:14 ()

But just to step back, and as a reminder: This is not just, kind of, shipping these doses overseas. This is also ensuring that we can get them to the right places, that they have the ability to put them in arms, that they are at the right temperature. And so, these are all factors we're considering as we're determining how to get them out and the pace in the weeks ahead.

Question

00:50:14 - 00:50:28 ()

One more. The U.S. and the EU have begun discussions on lifting tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. I'm just wondering if you have an update on what kind of progress, if any, has been made in those talks and if you expect this issue to come up during the G7.

Jen Psaki

00:50:28 - 00:50:41 ()

Well, we certainly expect that our G7 partners will range -- will raise a range of issues of concern to them and a focus. And, certainly, I'd let them to speak to what those are, but the tariffs could be one of them. I don't have anything to predict for you or preview for you.

Jen Psaki

00:50:41 - 00:50:46 ()

I have to wrap this up in a minute, but, Jerry, I'm just going to go to you because I -- you haven't been here since I've been here.

Question

00:50:46 - 00:50:47 ()

I have not.

Jen Psaki

00:50:47 - 00:50:48 ()

Okay. Good to see you.

Question

00:50:48 - 00:50:52 ()

Good to see you. Kind of a parochial Buffalo question.

Jen Psaki

00:50:52 - 00:50:53 ()

Okay.

Question

00:50:53 - 00:50:55 ()

The Canadian border has been closed for a very long time.

Jen Psaki

00:50:55 - 00:50:56 ()

Yeah.

Question

00:50:56 - 00:51:09 ()

There's a lot of concern about that in all the northern tier states right now. And Prime Minister Trudeau has said that he has to get 75 percent of the people in his country vaccinated before the border reopens.

Question

00:51:09 - 00:51:21 ()

That being the case, would the United States consider opening the American side of the border first, before Prime Minister Trudeau would do that? Or does there have to be a binational agreement?

Jen Psaki

00:51:21 - 00:51:38 ()

Well, I'll first say that, as it relates to borders -- Canada or Mexico -- we really rely on the guidance of the CDC and our health and medical experts. So, in terms of how they look at the data and information, I would point you to them and whether they would do that in a preliminary fashion or not.

Jen Psaki

00:51:38 - 00:51:51 ()

Certainly, any discussion about reopening a border would be done through -- in part through diplomatic channels. But we really are relying and waiting on the guidance of the CDC before we make any next decision there on the border.

Question

00:51:51 - 00:52:06 ()

And how much concern is there in the White House about the fact that here we are -- it's summer travel season, there's a lot of concern in those northern border states about the economic impact, as well as the personal impact on people who've may -- you know, couples that may be separated by the border?

Jen Psaki

00:52:06 - 00:52:37 ()

Yeah, we're very sensitive to that, Jerry. And we certainly know that many people want to not just get back to normal, but be able to travel; be able to see loved ones, some living on different sides of the border; be able to go to restaurants and shop and even do things along those lines. And we're eager to get back to normal, whatever that means, including reopening the border. But we have a responsibility during a global pandemic, which we're still fighting every day, to rely on the advice and guidance of our medical experts.

Jen Psaki

00:52:37 - 00:52:39 ()

Okay, I think we have one more question here.

Question

00:52:39 - 00:52:51 ()

Jen, does the administration remain committed to waiving vaccine patents at the WTO? Today, the EU submitted a counterproposal, saying that they don't want to do that. And will the President be pushing for this issue at the G7?

Jen Psaki

00:52:51 - 00:52:52 ()

Our position hasn't changed on that.

Jen Psaki

00:52:52 - 00:53:01 ()

I think we have one question. Okay. Hello to our virtual Melissa. Hi, Melissa. Thanks for joining us.

Question

00:53:01 - 00:53:26 ()

Hi, thank you. Right now, approximately 16 million public school students in the U.S. live at home that lack Internet -- high-speed Internet. The President released a plan to ensure that people in rural areas will have Internet access, but reports show that 13.6 million urban households also do not have Internet; many can't afford it. What does the administration plan to do to increase home Internet service for families in low-income urban neighborhoods?

Jen Psaki

00:53:26 - 00:53:31 ()

Well, it's a great question. And, Melissa, thanks for joining us, and hopefully you weren't waiting too long.

Jen Psaki

00:53:31 - 00:54:04 ()

I will say that in the pa- -- in the President's American Jobs Plan he's proposed, we're proposing to expand universal broadband access across the country to urban and rural areas to level exactly that playing field: to ensure that kids in cities, as well as in more rural communities where there isn't as expansive broadband access, have -- have access. And we've seen over the last year and a half, during the pandemic, what a disparity it creates, both economically, but for kids who are just trying to get an education.

Jen Psaki

00:54:04 - 00:54:17 ()

The Vice President, as the President announced in his joint session address, is leading this effort. It's an important part of the negotiation, and fortunately one where Democrats and Republicans have a lot of agreement about the need to move forward on expanding access to broadband.

Jen Psaki

00:54:17 - 00:54:30 ()

Thank you so much. I apologize for this being short today. I have to go do some regional TV. And anyone who has follow-up questions, come up or email me and we'll talk more. Thanks, everyone.

Press Conference: Jen Psaki Holds a Social Media Briefing at The White House - June 4, 2021

Jen Psaki Holds a Social Media Briefing at The White House [2021-06-04]