Transcript - Weekly Address: Joe Biden on 'A Weekly Conversation: On the Line' with Michele - February 6, 2021 | Factba.se

Note

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

[The following video was part of a 20-minute conversation between Joe Biden and Michele Voelkert. It was released edited by The White House. Any edits are as done by The White House.]

Michele Voelkert

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

Joe Biden

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

Michele Voelkert

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

Hi, Mr. President. I was laid off in July. My company had reorganized because of COVID. It's the first time I've been laid off in my life. On Facebook, I connect with others who are going through the same thing. I decided to write a letter to President Biden, to tell him how I felt. He read it, and then he called me.

Joe Biden

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

How are you Michele?

Michele Voelkert

00:00:24 - 00:00:35 ()

Well um -- I wrote to you because, you know, I was laid off in July, and it's it's just been a tough time as far as trying to find work.

Joe Biden

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

Working is -- is part of who you are. Like my dad used to say a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity, it's about your respect. It's about your place in the community. I've been saying a long time, the idea that we think we can keep businesses open and moving and thriving without dealing with this pandemic is just a non-starter.

Joe Biden

00:00:55 - 00:01:14 ()

We're putting together a plan that provides for emergency relief to people in desperate need now. Everything from mortgage payments, to unemployment insurance, to rental subsidies, to food security for children. It provides for some small, medium-sized businesses to be able to open.

Michele Voelkert

00:01:14 - 00:01:18 ()

We're so glad that you are -- we're so glad that we have you focusing on that.

Joe Biden

00:01:18 - 00:01:24 ()

Well, I think we're going to get a -- you know, 100 million shots in the next hundred days, in people's arms.

Michele Voelkert

00:01:24 - 00:01:28 ()

I finally got my parents an appointment. They're getting their vaccines today.

Joe Biden

00:01:28 - 00:01:37 ()

Oh great great great great. I admire your sense of responsibility and your desire to work.

Michele Voelkert

00:01:37 - 00:01:54 ()

What I related to you was when you talked about your father, and how he had felt like he lost his dignity when he lost his job, and I think more than an incom is that -- feeling needed and having a place to go. So I -- I can't tell you how appreciative I am that you called me. Can my daughter say hello to you?

Joe Biden

00:01:54 - 00:01:54 ()

Madison Voelkert

00:01:54 - 00:01:56 ()

Hi Mr. President.

Joe Biden

00:01:56 - 00:01:57 ()

Madison Voelkert

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

I'm good. How are you?

Joe Biden

00:01:58 - 00:02:12 ()

It's so nice to speak to you. You should be very, very proud of your mom. That's why I called when I read the letter. I admire her determination. Her commitment is pretty impressive, and so are you. So are you.

Madison Voelkert

00:02:12 - 00:02:13 ()

Joe Biden

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Keep the faith.

Michele Voelkert

00:02:15 - 00:02:16 ()

Thank you so much.

Joe Biden

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

All right. Bye bye.

Michele Voelkert

00:02:19 - 00:02:27 ()