Transcript - Press Gaggle: Joe Biden Speaks to Reporters After Air Force One Arrival - July 20, 2022 | Factba.se

Joe Biden

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

Thanks for coming up. That's going to be a cool plant.

Question

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

Mr. President, you talked a lot about climate being an emergency today. Why not just declare it an emergency?

Joe Biden

00:00:13 - 00:00:21 ()

Because I'm running into traps on the totality of the authority I have. I will make that decision soon.

Question

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

And what would be the ramifications of doing it? Do you think you'd be able to do more?

Joe Biden

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

Well, I think I can do more, unless the Congress acts. In the meantime, I can do more, because not enough is being done now. And so, there's still discussions going on about whether or not there will be some action on my climate plan. And that's -- I'm told that's in play. And we'll see. We'll see what happens.

Question

00:00:45 - 00:00:50 ()

Do you still have hopes for a legislative agreement with Senator Manchin on climate?

Joe Biden

00:00:50 - 00:00:52 ()

I've not spoken to Senator Manchin.

Question

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

So, no? No hopes for one?

Joe Biden

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

I do not have an agreement with Senator Manchin.

Question

00:00:58 - 00:01:03 ()

Mr. President, do you think it's a good idea for Speaker Pelosi to travel to Taiwan this summer?

Joe Biden

00:01:03 - 00:01:15 ()

Well, I -- I think that -- the military thinks it's not a good idea right now, but I don't know what the status of it is.

Question

00:01:15 - 00:01:19 ()

And what about declaring a public health emergency for abortion, sir? Where does that stand?

Joe Biden

00:01:19 - 00:01:22 ()

Well, that's in consideration as well.

Question

00:01:22 - 00:01:24 ()

Still? That's still under consideration?

Joe Biden

00:01:24 - 00:01:25 ()

Question

00:01:25 - 00:01:32 ()

Sir, are you pleased with your administration's response to monkeypox? Senator Patty Murray today expressed concern to the HHS.

Joe Biden

00:01:32 - 00:01:40 ()

Well, I've -- I think we should be doing all that we possibly can. And I'm getting a report on that on Friday.

Joe Biden

00:01:40 - 00:01:40 ()

Question

00:01:40 - 00:01:46 ()

Do you expect to talk to President Xi soon, sir?

Joe Biden

00:01:46 - 00:01:49 ()

I think I'll be talking to President Xi within the next 10 days.

Question

00:01:49 - 00:01:57 ()

What's your take on the next steps for COVID, Mr. President? Cases are going up. What should the country be doing right now?

Joe Biden

00:01:57 - 00:01:58 ()

Getting vaccinated.

Question

00:01:58 - 00:02:00 ()

And for those who aren't?

Joe Biden

00:02:00 - 00:02:11 ()

They've got a problem. It's not -- it's not in their interest or the public's interest not to get vaccinated. We have the capacity to control it. They should get vaccinated now.

Question

00:02:11 - 00:02:13 ()

And you said you're going to speak to President Xi in the next 10 days.

Joe Biden

00:02:13 - 00:02:16 ()

I didn't say that. I said I expect to.

Question

00:02:16 - 00:02:19 ()

Expect to. What will you tell him about tariffs?

Joe Biden

00:02:19 - 00:02:21 ()

I'll tell him to have a good day. No. [Laughs]

Question

00:02:21 - 00:02:30 ()

[Laughs] What about the student loan decision, sir? People have said that you're going to make that decision by the end of August. Where does that stand at this point?

Joe Biden

00:02:30 - 00:02:32 ()

By the end of August.

Joe Biden

00:02:32 - 00:02:34 ()

Thank you so much.