Aboard Air Pressure One
En Route Brunswick, Maine
1:35 P.M. EDT
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hello, all people. Okay. I’ve a — bear with me. I’ve a couple of issues on the prime.
Okay. So, good afternoon, everybody. At the moment, in Lewis- — Lewiston, Maine, the President and the First Girl can pay their respects to the victims of the horrific taking pictures assault final week. They may spend time with households and neighborhood members grieving after this mindless act of violence and categorical heartfelt gratitude to the brave first responders, devoted nurses, and everybody else on the frontlines of this response.
The President additionally — can even ship remarks honoring this neighborhood whereas calling on lawmakers to do extra to stop such tragedy from ever occurring once more.
Senator Co- — Senators Collins and King and Consultant Pingree are touring with us into Lewiston. The President and First Girl can be greeted by Governor Mills, the Lewiston mayor, and Auburn mayor as effectively.
Final Sunday, on the — on the President’s route, Greg Ja- — Greg Jackson, Deputy Director of the White Home Workplace of Gun Violence Prevention, traveled to Maine.
He has been on the bottom all week to make sure the whole federal authorities is coordinated in our response. He has been working to streamline federal assets and determine any unmet wants and intently coordinating with the governor’s group all through.
The President has taken historic motion during the last two and a half years to finish the gun violence epidemic tearing our nation aside.
Congress has a accountability too. They need to go on assault — an assault weapons ban. They need to enact common background checks, require secure storage, and finish immunity from legal responsibility for producers.
Congress has the ability to make sure an occasion like this doesn’t occur once more. The time is now to behave.
And immediately, persevering with our 10 days of 10 drug sequence, we’re highlighting Novo- — NovoLog and Fiasp, an insulin product chosen for Medicare value negotiation as a part of President Biden’s Inflation Discount Act.
Greater than 1 / 4 of Medicare beneficiaries have diabetes, they usually might — they — they usually want insulin. Final 12 months, almost 800,000 seniors spent lots of of {dollars} a month for li- — lifesaving medicine whereas Huge Pharma ra- — raked in file income and spent $400 million on lobbyists to maintain costs excessive for Individuals.
A kind of seniors is Daybreak, from New York, who takes NovoLog to deal with her diabetes, who — and who has been pressured to resolve which invoice to pay late in order that she will be able to afford her lifesaving drugs.
For years, politicians talked about taking over Huge Pharma to decrease drug costs for seniors. President Biden and congressional Democrats lastly bought that completed by passing the Inflation Discount Act and not using a single Republican vote.
As — in consequence, for the primary time ever, as an alternative of drug firms charging Individuals no matter they wish to — for lifesaving medicine, Medicare will be capable of negotiate decrease costs and the out-of-pocket prices for insulin is capped at 35 bucks for seniors like Daybreak.
And eventually, immediately, the Departments of State and Protection introduced a brand new package deal of weapons and tools for Ukraine to satisfy their crucial battle- — battlefield wants. The package deal is partially drawn from current U.S. army shares utilizing presidential drawdown authorities that Congress has beforehand given — given us, together with extra munitions for Ukraine’s air protection, ammunition for U.S.-provided rocket system, artillery rounds, javelins, and anti-tank methods to assist Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and independence in opposition to Russia — Russian brutality.
We’re additionally sending Ukraine tools to strengthen its air defenses in opposition to Russia’s use of u- — Iranians’ UAVs utilizing the Ukrainian Safety Help Initiative — USAI — via which DOD contracts out new tools to be constructed for Ukraine.
At the moment’s bulletins exhaust the remaining USAI funds at the moment accessible to help Ukraine. And why [while] we do have remaining PDA authorities to proceed to meet Ukraine’s instant battlefield wants, we’re starting to offer Ukraine with smaller PDA packages with a view to stretch out our capability to help Ukraine for so long as doable.
The folks of Ukraine are on the frontlines within the battle for freedom and democracy as we head into what is going to possible be one other brutal winter stuffed with Russian assaults.
It’s crucial that Congress ship the world an necessary message about America’s resolve and take motion to go the President’s nationwide safety supplemental request and present Vladimir Putin and the remainder of the world that the US continues to face strongly with Ukraine.
And with that, you wish to kick us off?
Q Thanks, Karine. I’ve three questions: two on the Center East and one on Lewiston.
The primary: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netana- –Netanyahu rejected requires a ceasefire until hostage are — hostages are launched. And Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has mentioned his group is ready for something primarily based on a continuation of Gaza bombardments. Does the administration consider that escalation on this battle has already occurred?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, let me simply say — the very first thing on the Prime — Prime Minister of Israel and what — and the assertion that he made.
Look, that is one thing that we’re going to proceed to debate with Israel. We’ve been clear about our place. You’ve heard that from Secretary Blinken immediately, even, and why it may very well be worthwhile to have a pause to get support in and — and hostages — hostages out. And so, I’ll depart it at that. Not going to get into personal diplomatic conversations.
However we’ve been very clear. Once more, as you noticed, the Secretary of State — Secretary Blinken is in Israel proper now. He’s within the Center East. And he spoke — you recognize, he’s been very clear — very clear about this. So, I’ll depart it that. I’m not going to get into diplomatic dialog.
Because it pertains to the Hezbollah chief, so, we clearly are conscious of — of Hezbollah’s chief’s speech immediately. So, we won’t have interaction in a confrontation. That’s not what we’re going to do from right here on Air Pressure One and even on the podium.
The USA doesn’t search escalation — we’ve been clear about that — a widening of the battle that Hamas introduced on to Israel.
And so, what I’ll say is that this — is that we and our companions have been clear: Hezbollah and different actors, state or non-state, mustn’t benefit from the continuing battle. This has the potential of changing into a bloodier struggle between Israel and Lebanon than in 2006.
So, the US doesn’t wish to see this battle develop onto — into Lebanon. The possible devas- — devastation for Lebanon and her folks can be unimaginable and — unimaginable and is avoidable.
And so, once more, we’ve been very, very clear about that half, as — as effectively. Like, you heard from the Secretary — Secretary of State on the — on these two — on this — on these two issues that I simply laid out yesterday and once more immediately.
Q Karine, a observe up —
Q Karine, a fast query on — on Israel. Simply — the President’s feedback this morning, when requested about bringing American hostages residence, he mentioned, “They’re coming residence.” And we have been simply questioning if he was actually placing an optimistic tone or if there’s some type of mass launch being deliberate.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, we’ve been very clear that getting Individuals residence who’re being held hostage is a precedence, and it has been a precedence since — since these horrific occasions — since Hamas attacked Israel again on October sixth — pardon me, October 7. And so that could be a precedence.
Clearly, this can be a president who’s optimistic. These necessary diplomatic conversations are persevering with to occur.
As I discussed, you see the Secretary himself — Secretary of State that i- — who’s — is in Israel immediately and can be going to be going to Jordan this weekend. So, they’ll — we’re going to proceed to be optimistic. We’re going to make — proceed to make this a precedence.
We wish to get the Individuals and — and others who’re being held hostage — we wish to get them residence to their households.
Q Any plans of a mass launch being deliberate? I imply, any — any — something you could share about that?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m not going to get into diplomatic conversations. As you recognize, we have been in a position to get the 2 Individuals residence, they usually’re now with their household. And so, that was — that was as a result of diplomatic conversations. Simply not going to get into any — I’m not going to learn out or lay out any — any of those personal conversations which might be ongoing. However we’ve been very clear about this being a precedence.
Q And I’ve one on — on the Hezbollah chief’s speech immediately. I imply, he — positive, he warned of, you recognize, a wider battle. However one technique to view his speech can be that Hezbollah is maybe not planning an instantaneous, full-scale battle and full-scale battle. Is — does the White Home view it that manner?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — I imply, look, that’s one thing to ask the — the chief. That’s not some- — I’m not going to get into the chief’s thoughts right here.
We’ve been very clear on our finish that we — we — that isn’t one thing we wish to see within the area. We’ve been very, very clear.
Once more, I’ll simply refer you again to what the Secretary mentioned immediately and yesterday about this. And we’ve been very constant on that.
Q Karine, what’s the White Home’s view on a “laddered CR,” because the Speaker Mike Johnson has described it, the place, I assume, totally different areas of the appropriations can be expiring at totally different dates. Like, is the White Home prepared to contemplate that or is that one thing that you’d reject out of hand?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, we’ve been actually very, very clear about — so, clearly, because it pertains to the nationwide safety invoice that the Home — that — on Israel that the — the GOP Home invoice, clearly, the President has been very clear. We put out a SAP. We mentioned that the President would veto it. And so, we’ve been very clear about that.
Because it pertains to the — the broader nationwide safety package deal and home package deal — as we discuss Israel, Ukraine, and the opposite home items of the supplemental — we consider, you recognize, there’s bipartisan help. These are — these are — these are emergency requests which have bipartisan help.
And so, actually, we wish to see that shifting ahead. Because it pertains to anything — I do know you’re asking concerning the CR to keep away from a shutdown; I consider that’s —
Q Yeah.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: — what you’re asking about — that’s for them to resolve, proper? That’s — they must do their job. They’ve lower than two weeks to get this completed, to maintain the — preserve the federal government open. That’s what Congress is — like, considered one of their principal duties is to maintain the federal government open. That’s as much as them to — to determine that out. We’re not going to get into what that’s going to appear to be.
When the President mentioned — when he — once we nearly bought near shutdown the final time — this isn’t — this may very well be prevented. We shouldn’t be seeing a, you recognize, GOP Home main us to this potential disaster.
Q Karine, Senator Dick Durbin grew to become the primary U.S. senator, yesterday, to name for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In the meantime, a gaggle of progressive senators despatched the President a letter asking about his humanitarian support request. And amongst their questions have been, “What political authority would administer Gaza after an Israeli operation?”
What’s the White Home’s message to members of the Democratic Occasion who maybe don’t share the President’s view on this struggle?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, you recognize, we’ve been very, very clear on this. And, once more, Secretary Blinken really spoke to this in his opening remarks earlier than he took questions with the press corps that’s touring with him, which is: Now shouldn’t be the time for a everlasting ceasefire.
We’ve been very clear. It could — it could profit Hamas, given th- — giving them time to regroup and plot a brand new assault or new assaults, and help — we help humanitarian pauses — we’ve been clear about that — within the combating — non permanent, localized stoppage. And that will — that’s totally different. That could be very a lot totally different than a everlasting ceasefire.
A pause to get hostages out and — and — out and in to permit — to — so — so humanitarian support may be allowed out and in, clearly, and a pause to save lots of harmless lives. That’s what we’ve been clear about. That’s the distinction for us. And that’s what we’ve been calling on. And people are the — you recognize, these diplomatic conversations that we’re having.
Q Karine, there’s —
Q Are you completed, Francesca? Sorry. I didn’t —
Q Go forward.
Q — imply to interrupt. Sorry. (Laughter.) Didn’t imply to interrupt.
Karine, there’s been —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So good. (Laughter.)
Q I’m making an attempt my greatest. We’re all one huge completely satisfied household.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: What a gentleman.
Q I needed to ask concerning the reporting, I feel, in Politico that Democrats are type of being instructed to be ready to simply accept some immigration and asylum proposals within the supplemental that perhaps unsavory, that they could not like. Does the White Home have a place on how far you’re prepared to go on a few of these immigration proposals?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I imply, I’ve to be very clear right here. These stories are simply not correct. As we’ve mentioned repeatedly, Congress must take motion to help Ukraine and to offer ample assets to the border. I talked a little bit bit about this on the podium yesterday.
Our immigration system is damaged. We’ve — we’ve mentioned that. It’s not — we’re not the one president that has to — that has been coping with a damaged system. Republican presidents have too. Demo- — and the opposite Democratic presidents have too.
And solely Congress — and that is the fact — solely Congress has the ability to comprehensively handle it.
And so, that’s the reason, on the primary day of his administration, the primary piece of laws the President put out was a immigration — immigration reform invoice to Congress — a complete immigration reform invoice.
So, Republicans say they’re critical about this, about — about coping with the border. This is a chance for them to try this. Now’s the time for them to get to pro- — to — them to show it by getting critical and offering assets the federal authorities wants to completely help DHS southwest border operation and put money into our immigration company to expedite and enhance processing capability.
What we have now seen from them up to now, you recognize, is payments that really take away key legislation enforcement to be on the — on the — on the border.
Whereas the President is including and has added CBP and legislation enforcement on the border, they put payments making an attempt to take that away.
And so, we are able to’t politicize this. We bought to take this very significantly. And now’s the chance for them to indicate that they’re critical.
Q Karine, only one fast housekeeping observe. Yesterday, it was 74 Individuals and their households. Do you will have an up to date quantity on that?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I do. I do. Give me one second. I do have some numbers for you right here.
So, once more, we discuss diplomatic efforts and diplomatic dialog. That’s one thing that the President believes in. And due to these efforts, ano- — one other giant group of Individuals are anticipated to depart Gaza immediately by way of the Rafah Crossing. Offering rolling numbers of Individuals and members of the family is difficult.
And — however I can verify yesterday Embassy Cairo assisted greater than 100 U.S. residents and members of the family who had departed Gaza. We all know extra U.S. residents and members of the family departed Gaza yesterday who didn’t search help from our embassy group. However we proceed to be targeted on getting as many Individuals out as shortly as doable, and we anticipate extra Individuals to depart over the following a number of days.
However, after all, this can be a fluid state of affairs. Intense diplomacy — once more, intense diplomacy has been underway to open the Gaza facet of the border for overseas nationals and a few wounded Palestinians as effectively.
And, once more, that is a part of the diplomacy that we’ve been saying has been so crucial to getting this completed.
Q We’ve additionally seen the President have a number of meet- –conferences with Jewish leaders. When he had the assembly with Muslim leaders, he did that behind closed doorways. Why hasn’t he been extra public along with his conferences with Muslim leaders?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We now have been — look, we have now mentioned — I feel I’ll have mentioned this someday this week that the President and his administration has had direct outreach to — to the Muslim neighborhood, to the Arab and Palestin- — and Palestinian Individuals. We’ve been doing that. And we’re going to proceed to try this with that neighborhood and likewise the Jewish neighborhood as effectively.
We all know a number of — many — many individuals are hurting proper now, and the President understands that and desires to listen to from — from these communities.
And so, as you — as you heard us this week, we introduced one other — one other technique to cope with antisemitism, extra particularly in — in faculty — on faculty campuses. We talked about that earlier this week. We talked about our — our technique to mix — fight — pardon me — Islamophobia.
So, we’ve been — we’ve been very clear about that. And that — and once we take into consideration hatred in these communities, that’s one thing that the President and this administration has been (inaudible) placing out coverage to fight that since final 12 months, December.
And so, that is necessary to the President. And so, we’ll proceed to talk to that.
Q Might you be extra particular? You mentioned a “giant group” is anticipated immediately. Does that imply dozens?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I imply, I additionally mentioned that it’s — it’s — it’s actually onerous. It’s difficult — proper? — to present actual numbers. And so, we are going to do our greatest, clearly, to — to offer as — numbers as they arrive in. However that is additionally a really fluid — fluid state of affairs. The — the — you recognize, the — what’s occurring on the bottom could be very dynamic.
However, once more, these are intense diplomatic conversations which might be occurring that has led to — by the President’s route, to get — to get the Rafah Crossing open in order that Americans and different overseas nationals can — can depart Gaza in the event that they select.
Q Thanks. First — two questions, one worldwide and one home. In relation to Gaza, your messaging has been very clear concerning the ceasefire, concerning the human- — the necessity for a humanitarian pause. However whilst you and the White Home have been placing out this message, we’ve seen growing numbers of Democrats calling for a ceasefire.
So, is there a priority that your message shouldn’t be getting via? Simply immediately, we noticed 50 members of the DNC write a letter to the President calling for a ceasefire. So, is there any concern that the messaging, particularly to members of your individual social gathering, concerning the ceasefire shouldn’t be working?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I imply, look, we’re going to proceed to be clear, proper? We’re going to proceed to talk in — in — with full readability right here.
And, you recognize, I — let me simply take a step again a little bit bit. You realize, Israel has a proper to defend itself in opposition to Hamas, which has mentioned — it mentioned that it’ll — it would repeat October seventh till Israel is eradicated. That’s what Hamas mentioned. We heard them — we heard from them immediately.
Israel has an added burden as a result of Hamas has taken civilians as human shields for its terrorist in- — infrastructure however doesn’t reduce the accountability for Israel to behave per the legal guidelines of struggle.
It’s crucial to tell apart between terrorists and civilians. Each civilian loss of life is a tragedy — Palestinian, Israeli. Each lack of life — it’s heartbreaking. And the President believes within the sanctity and dignity of each harmless life.
So, the folks of Gaza didn’t ask for this. Hamas doesn’t communicate for them and as an alternative locations them in larger hazard.
So, we all know there — there was monumental loss there and that too many households are grieving, too many have been misplaced, and too many have been harm, and too many are lacking. And we are going to proceed to do every thing that we are able to to get lifesaving help to those that want it. And — and we simply been very — very clear about that.
I do know you mentioned you had a home — you had a domest- —
Q One home. So, we do have elections subsequent week in Ohio, Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky. We’ve heard the previous president, President Obama, doing robocalls in Virginia. Is President Biden going to be concerned in any of these elections?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: As a result of it’s an upcoming election, don’t wish to communicate to — don’t wish to communicate to — to the election on Tuesday. I’d refer you to the — to the DNC to ask — you recognize, to refer your inquiries to them and ask something particular about what the President is perhaps doing. So, refer that — I refer you to them.
Q Karine, I’ve one on the roles report. The Wall Road tackle the numbers immediately is that development is slowing and that sooner or later the Fed will take its foot off the brakes, probably resulting in extra inflation. Why is the White Home view on this out of consensus?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, not going to — I’m undoubtedly not going to touch upon the Fed and no matter financial coverage or actions that they’re taking. They’re unbiased. And we’re going to — I’m simply going to depart it there and — and simply not going to touch upon the Fed.
Q And any — any touch upon the expansion piece of it?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, that I can touch upon. And so, look, Bidenomics — what you’re seeing — what we consider you’re seeing from this information, the roles report immediately is that Bidenomics in motion. And, you recognize, 150 [thousand] jobs have been created. All through the President’s administration, we’ve seen greater than 14 million jobs created beneath this President. Unemployment continues to be at beneath 4 %. That’s for twenty-four months now — for the longest stretch for over 50 years.
Keep in mind, we all the time say you bought to take a look at the development. You hear that from Jared. You hear that from Lael. It’s necessary to take a look at the development. Share of working-age Individuals with jobs is greater than earlier than the pandemic and file share of working- — working-age girls have jobs. And that’s necessary.
And what we’re seeing on the opposite facet is that they wish to proceed to push MAGAnomics, which is failing the center class. The President cares concerning the center class and desires to construct out — construct that up from the center up — the — the center out, backside up.
And also you’re persevering with to see Republicans speaking about chopping Social Safety, Medicare and Medicaid; elevating prices for hardworking households.
There’s a distinction between us. The President sees this very, very otherwise. And so, that’s going to be our focug- — a spotlight and guarantee that we have now an economic system that works for us.
Q Simply shortly, the administration is assured that — that develop goes to proceed and that, you recognize, what Wall Road is speaking about when it comes to there being a slowdown in what we’re seeing —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Properly, we have now mentioned — and — and you recognize this, Nandita, you — we have now mentioned that we’re — we’re — we’re in a transition — proper? — to a slower and regular development. And that’s what we’re seeing.
But it surely doesn’t — it doesn’t negate the developments that we’re seeing, proper? Doesn’t negate the truth that unemployment is beneath 4 %, which is — which is one thing that we’ve seen, once more, for 21 months. Doesn’t take away the truth that this president, beneath his presidency, has created 14 million jobs.
And so, it’s gradual and regular development as we s- — as we’re going into this transition.
Q Karine, do you will have every week forward?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Sorry?
Q Do you will have every week forward?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I don’t have every week forward. We’ll get that to you all.
Q Okay. Okay.
Q Two questions on Maine, Karine. One, once you learn off the — the oldsters who have been touring with the President immediately, it gave the impression of the whole Maine congressional delegation aside from Jared Golden is on the aircraft. Does he plan to satisfy the President on the bottom?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I don’t have any — any replace on his — on his involvement for immediately. We are able to actually — I can double again to ensure — perhaps we left him off. If not — if he’s not right here immediately, I’d simply refer you to his workplace.
Q Positive. And does the President have any plans to push Congress to go a nationwide purple flag legislation following the Maine taking pictures?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I imply, look, we’ve been very clear concerning the purple flag legal guidelines and the way necessary that’s. I used to be speaking about it in our topper. You realize, he’s d- — he’s — he’s directed the administration to enhance public consciousness of purple flags in states which have them.
There may be greater than $100 million in federal funding accessible proper now for the — for this goal because of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to help that implementation. So, that was one of many, clearly, necessary items of that — of that act.
The — the Justice Division additionally issued mannequin purple flag laws to encourage extra states to undertake these legal guidelines. And because the mannequin laws was launched, Michigan, Minnesota have enacted purple flag legal guidelines.
So, we just lately convened a dozen states to encourage them to make use of federal funding to implement their purple flag legislation. So, there’s federal funding proper now — proper? — so, for — for states to do that. It’s, once more, greater than $100 million.
We’re going to proceed to work with states to get this completed, encourage them to maneuver ahead with the purple flags legislation. Clearly, that is one thing that the President thinks it’s actually necessary. He signed — he signed the act that had that provision in it. And so, we’re going to proceed to working (inaudible).
Q However that’s totally different than pushing Congress —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — no, I —
Q — to take action.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, we’re — we’ve been very clear what we predict Congress ought to do, proper? We — an assault weapons ban, proper? You’ll hear that from the President immediately as he addresses the neighborhood that’s mourning, misplaced manner too many lives. One — one life is just too many.
And so, we’ve been clear on what we consider: common- — commonsense gun — gun reform; clearly, the ban on assault — assault weap- — legislation on assault weapons ban.
And so, these items are extremely necessary, in order that’s going to — what — that’s what we’re going to concentrate on.
Because it pertains to purple fla- — -flag legal guidelines, there — there’s funding proper now for states to take that on. We’re going to work with states to — to guarantee that they enact that and encourage them to enact that of their — in their very own states, clearly.
And so, that’s going to be our focus for that.
Q Karine, that is the primary mass taking pictures because the Workplace of Gun Violence Prevention has been stood up. What tangibly have you ever been in a position to do otherwise this time that you just couldn’t earlier than?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I imply, it’s simply been current — proper? — as you simply said, that we simply — simply introduced that offi- — workplace very, very just lately.
And what I’d say is — I — I’ve talked about how Greg is on the bottom and has been on the bottom this complete complete week — I talked about this a little bit bit yesterday — him being on the bottom, having the workplace there really helps — helps — helps them coordinate with the FBI and, actually, DOJ to vic- — sufferer providers. That’s actually necessary as a result of when one thing like this horrific, horrific occasion occurs in a neighborhood, there’s a number of help that households and other people want on the bottom.
So, labored with HHS to deploy behavioral well being and public well being employees help; coordinated the college reopening technique with the Division of Schooling — as you recognize, the colleges needed to be shut down after they have been looking out — looking for the shooter; labored with native leaders to help community-wide engagement and memorial occasions occurring within the wake of this tragedy.
So, look, there are issues that we have now been, I feel, concretely in a position to do on the bottom due to this workplace. The workplace has, clearly, a broader type of — a broader motion, which is making an attempt to guarantee that we’re accelerating the — the greater than two dozen government actions that the President has signed. And in addition — additionally, the — the primary in 30 years vi- — gun violence prevention legislation that the President signed final 12 months.
So, there’s nonetheless a number of work to be completed. However with a view to — to save lots of lives, Congress must do much more. And the President goes to name that out, too, as effectively.
Q Do you suppose Congress has the urge for food for an assault weapons ban, given the Safer Communities Act’s passage?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I imply, there are too many lives being misplaced — too many lives being misplaced. And we’re going to see that. We’re going to see a neighborhood that’s in mourning immediately.
And, you recognize — and the President — clearly, the First Girl goes to be with him as we’re there for this neighborhood, going to supply no matter assets are wanted. And we’re going to be with them so long as they want us.
However we shouldn’t — this shouldn’t be a dialog. The — the dialog — “if they’ve an urge for food” shouldn’t be a query. Actually, it mustn’t. They need to be — they need to be taking motion. “They” which means Republicans in Congress. They need to have the urge for food to try to save a life.
Q What’s going to the President’s message be to those households immediately?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, you’ll hear immediately from them — from him, pardon me. So, actually not going to get forward of his message. I talked a little bit bit about it on the prime.
Actually, he’s going to be there for them, sh- — allow them to know that the federal authorities, that the Biden-Harris administration is there for them so long as it takes, have — you recognize, be that Consoler- — Consoler-in-Chief that he has been.
And so, you recognize, I’ll let the President communicate on to what he’ll say to the neighborhood. You’ll hear from him.
Q Thanks, Karine.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thanks, all people.
2:03 P.M. EDT