{"id":116509,"date":"2021-03-19T07:50:48","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T14:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=116509"},"modified":"2021-03-19T07:50:48","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T14:50:48","slug":"psaki-slips-refers-to-migrant-surge-as-border-crisis-in-briefing-with-hud-secretary-marcia-l-fudge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=116509","title":{"rendered":"Psaki Slips &#038; Refers to Migrant Surge as  &#8220;Border Crisis&#8221; in Briefing with HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;We have another great guest today.  Joining us today is Secretary \u2014 our new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge, who was confirmed just last week.  We wasted no time.  As you all know, Secretary Fudge served as U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio for more than 12 years.  She\u2019s a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and earned a reputation of tackling the unique challenges of her district by working across political ideologies.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jio7BTVURv4\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In 1999, Secretary Fudge was elected the first female and first African American mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio \u2014 a position she held for two terms.  As mayor of Warrensville Heights, she adopted one of the first vacant and abandoned property ordinances in the state.  Additionally, she brought new residential development to the city and addressed the city\u2019s growing foreclosure crisis through the formation of a long partnership that helped residents maintain the financial security needed to buy or keep a home.<\/p>\n<p>As Secretary Fudge has said, her first priority as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is to alleviate the housing crisis and get people the support they need to come back from the edge.<\/p>\n<p>She\u2019s happy to take a couple of questions after she gives some remarks.  Thank you again for joining us.  <\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Thank you.  Thank you very much, Jen.  Good afternoon. <\/p>\n<p>Good afternoon. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Good afternoon!<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Oh, thank you.  (Laughter.)  I was wondering if I was in this room by myself.  (Laughter.)  Jen, thanks for inviting me to \u2014 to speak about the importance of the American Rescue Plan as it relates to the urgent needs \u2014 housing needs facing our nation today.  What a way to complete my very first week as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.<\/p>\n<p>At HUD, we know firsthand the severe impact of COVID-19 on our nation\u2019s housing crisis.  HUD staff in every region of the country have worked tirelessly to assist grantees and recipients of HUD assistance in their response to the pandemic.  We\u2019ve helped nurs- \u2014 we\u2019ve helped housing owners, housing authorities, and communities provide additional rental assistance and support new efforts to eradicate homelessness.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve extended the Federal Housing Administration\u2019s foreclosure and eviction moratoriums until June 30th to support the immediate and ongoing needs of homeowners. <\/p>\n<p>Under the Biden-Harris administration, HUD is making greater efforts to keep Americans safe from COVID-19.  We\u2019re strengthening partnerships between recipients of HUD assistance and public health agencies and healthcare providers.  Many of the people living in \u2014 living in federally assisted housing have risk factors that make them particularly vulnerable to COVID.  These factors include disability, race, and low income \u2014 along with racial and ethnic disparities in access to response, care, and treatment. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re making sure that federal, state, and local efforts to reach those most at risk of COVID are linking those efforts to people living in housing HUD supports.<\/p>\n<p>The American Rescue Plan is critical to our success in these efforts.  Some of you may know that my last vote as a member of Congress was for the American Rescue Plan.  I was proud to vote for this historic legislation to get help to the American people during this moment of great challenge. <\/p>\n<p>I thank President Biden for the leadership that has gotten us to this point.  The American people can be confident that help is here. <\/p>\n<p>The President has described the American Rescue Plan as \u201cshots in arms and money in pockets.\u201d  I would add \u2014 it relates to housing \u2014 the American Rescue Plan keeps people housed and brings people home. <\/p>\n<p>And with that, I will take any questions that you would \u2014 that Jen is going to allow me to take.  So you all make \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Anytime.  You\u2019re invited \u2014<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Jen is in charge.  I\u2019m just here. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Go ahead. <\/p>\n<p>Q    If I can, Secretary Fudge, thank you for being here.  We appreciate your time today. <\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The head of the National Housing Conference said that \u201cHUD\u2019s ranks have been gutted, morale has never been lower, and the challenges to HUD\u2019s constituents have never been higher.\u201d  Just in simple terms, can you describe \u2014 describe the state of your department as you take it over today?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Well, I would say this to you \u2014 and I actually had the opportunity to talk to the President about it since I\u2019ve been here.  We are thousands of people short of where we ought to be.  Our staff is outstanding.  They are under-resourced, understaffed, and overworked.  But we are going to make some major changes and very quickly.<\/p>\n<p>The Rescue Plan is allowing us to do things that we may not have been able to do without it.  So I\u2019m especially pleased that the President had the foresight and the vision to give us a historic, maybe one-time opportunity to change what is going on in housing in this country.<\/p>\n<p>Q    You put out some new numbers today as they relate to homelessness in this country right now.  Obviously, it\u2019s a number that the whole country is dissatisfied by \u2014 thinks the number should be much lower. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll ask this in two different ways.  One, can you set a goal where you think that number should be?  And then what timeframe do you think you can meet such a goal to reduce homelessness in country \u2014 in this country? <\/p>\n<p>And specifically for some of the blue parts of the country that some Republicans have criticized \u2014 San Francisco, New York, where the homeless numbers have been high \u2014 what specific advice and what you can spe- \u2014 specifically do to target those communities to alleviate those \u2014 those high numbers?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Well, the first thing I\u2019d say is that the President gave us a charge early on as to what he wanted us to focus on, especially in the first 100 days.  Homelessness was at the top of the list.  One was expanding vouchers.  Thirdly, he wanted us to find ways to expand and put in the market new, affordable housing. <\/p>\n<p>So with the $40 billion that has come that we have now, what we expect is this: We have $5 billion set aside to do nothing but address homeless issues.  So we know that, with those resources, over the next probably 12 to 18 months, we know for a fact that we can get as many as 130,000 people off the streets. <\/p>\n<p>We also know that our local partners are going to assist us in finding other rental opportunities.  So we believe we can put a major dent in it. <\/p>\n<p>But if nothing else, what we will let them know is that there is an opportunity to find a way off the streets.  We are \u2014 we have more programs in place to assist people who are already in public housing to find a way to buy housing. <\/p>\n<p>We know that affordable housing is a problem all across this country.  I don\u2019t know where my Republican colleagues live that don\u2019t think that it \u2014 there is a problem, but there is.  So many of us just choose to ignore it. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Mary.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Madam Secretary, for being here.  The federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire at the end of this month.  Are there plans to extend that?  And if not, what do you say to families who are worried that they may be facing eviction?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Well, what I would say first is that the HUD moratorium expires on June 30th.  The CDC is in the process of trying to determine what is the appropriate way forward, and I would hope that you would ask them that question. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And just one more, if I can.  The experts tell us that that the December tranche of COVID relief is just now starting to come online.  People that we\u2019ve talked to are still seeing some big glitches, you know, when \u2014 when they try to apply.  Are you confident that states and localities now have the systems in place to get this, as well as the next round of funding?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  I\u2019m very confident.  I\u2019ve talked with Secretary Yellen.  The Treasury Department is up to the task.  I mean, certainly it is a different Treasury Department, so I\u2019m very confident that if they say that they can get it out in a certain period of time, they will. <\/p>\n<p>Our job at HUD is just to give the kind of guidance and assistance once those funds are received. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Zeke.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Secretary.  You mentioned earlier that housing prices are increasing.  Also the supply of new inventory on the market is decreasing at the same time.  What can the administration do to get more homes on the market or bring prices down?  How concerned are you about \u2014 about that dynamic?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  There are a couple of things that we know can happen out of this rescue package.  One is: If you look at places like a Los Angeles, where they have actually purchased hotels and motels, et cetera, to give people an immediate place to go, there\u2019s re- \u2014 there are resources in the plan to do that. <\/p>\n<p>The other thing that we find is that part of the problem with the market is that credit is not available and accessible to people who actually do qualify.  So, since FHA is certainly a part of what \u2014 what we do, we\u2019re going to ensure that we can talk about down payment assistance.  We\u2019re going to talk about maybe some restructuring.  We are going to make sure that people who qualify have access to credit. <\/p>\n<p>We all know that there have been problems across this country for many, many years.  That is why I\u2019m so pleased that President Biden talks about equity.  He talks about equality \u2014 closing the racial wealth gap, which is bigger today than it was 50 years ago. <\/p>\n<p>So we know that we have the tools.  I think it was just a matter of making sure that we have the will to use them.  We have the \u2014 we now have the will. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Ed.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Madam Secretary, thank you again.  Back to the homelessness report that you guys put out this morning.  The way that test is done, as you know, is you test over a few days in January of the previous year. <\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Correct.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So that was pre-pandemic, 2020.  Do you have any \u2014<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:   Five hundred and eighty thousand people on the streets pre- \u2014 I mean \u201chomeless\u201d \u2014 pre-pandemic.  Correct.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Exactly.  A 2.2 percent increase from the year before.  Do you have any sense of how much more homelessness may have increased once that pandemic began, say, April, May, into the summer?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  I can\u2019t give you numbers.  We know that it increased; we just don\u2019t know those numbers. <\/p>\n<p>Q    So really not until next January will we \u2014<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Correct.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 be able to get some sense of how it might have affected \u2014<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Correct.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Okay, Nancy and Alex.  And then we\u2019ll have to let the Secretary go back to work.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Nancy.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks so much for being here.  Appreciate it. <\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  My pleasure. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Two questions.  One, does the Biden administration have any plans to restore or tweak that Obama-era fair housing regulation, which the Trump administration weakened in the summer of 2020?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  We are looking at it.  Certainly we know that fair housing is, in fact, the law of the land, and we want to use every tool that we have.  I think that the prior administration did roll back some fair housing tools that we have.  So, we\u2019re looking at how we can go back and make those better and get them reimplemented, if possible.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And then, just a second question.  What are your thoughts on whether or not there is a housing bubble right now in the U.S.?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Well, I would say that that\u2019s a \u2014 kind of a tricky question.  There are those who would say \u201cyes.\u201d  I would say, at this point, that until I can get the kind of data that I need from the GSEs and from FHA, that\u2019s not a \u2014 that\u2019s not something that I could really give you an accurate answer on, but I know that there is a problem with the market today.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Alex.  Make it a good one, Alex.  No pressure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Well, I \u2014 I have two, so I\u2019m going to be just a little bit greedy.  One from our housing reporter, which is: Are there some parts of the COVID response, whether or not in ARP or generally, that are currently temporary that you would like to see permanent when the crisis eases?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Oh, I\u2019d like to see most of it permanent.  No question about it.  I think that when we talk about housing needs, we can\u2019t, at this point, come up with enough money to take care of all of the homeless people in this country.  We cannot, through this package alone, repair and restore 50-year-old housing authorities across this country which are crumbling every day.  We cannot abate lead in every single building we need to with these resources.  We need at least another $70- to $100 billion to do those things. <\/p>\n<p>So, yes, I\u2019d like to see a stream of resources available to do this \u2014 not just in this package, but ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And the second question is \u2014 you may have seen that former Congressman Richmond weighed in on the primary to succeed him in his congressional seat.<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Who?<\/p>\n<p>Q    Congressman Richmond.  (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Never heard of him.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I was wondering if you wanted to take the opportunity to weigh in on your race, and, you know, who you think can \u2014 should succeed you, and what you\u2019re looking for?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  No.  (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    How about the Senate race in your state?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  All right.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Is there a Democrat that should run?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Oh, absolutely. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Who?<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Well, I have two friends that are thinking about it.  Tim Ryan, of course, is thinking about it.  I understand that Nan Whaley is thinking about it.  I mean, I think we\u2019re going to put a good person in that race, no matter who we choose.  But they\u2019re both friends. <\/p>\n<p>I think we have a good shot at it.  I know people have written off Ohio.  I haven\u2019t written off Ohio.  I believe we can win the Senate race.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Thank you, Secretary Fudge.  Looking forward to having you back. <\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Madam Secretary.<\/p>\n<p>SECRETARY FUDGE:  Thanks, Jen.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Thank you. <\/p>\n<p>Okay, just have a \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    (Inaudible.)<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  What did you say?<\/p>\n<p>Q    We should have walk-off music for your guests. (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I mean, we can.  Wait until month three.  Wait until month three.  We\u2019ll be rolling it out with people\u2019s second visits.<\/p>\n<p>As we announced yesterday \u2014 I just wanted to give you a little bit more information on the schedule for next week.  We \u2014 you may have seen we confirmed that the President will be traveling to Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday \u2014 the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law.  The trip will be a part of our Help is Here tour and will highlight how the American Rescue Plan will lower healthcare costs for many American families.  And this is a component of the package that we\u2019ve talked about, but we\u2019re still working to ensure the American people understand how they can benefit from this particular piece.<\/p>\n<p>The Affordable Care Act has been an important lifeline for Ohio families for 11 years.  The law cut the state\u2019s uninsured rate by half, dropping from 12 percent to 6 percent.  It has also provided critical consumer protections for millions more by preventing insurance companies from discriminating based on preexisting conditions.  And the American Rescue Plan makes coverage under the ACA even more affordable for Ohio families: Over 90,000 currently uninsured Ohioans can get a better deal on health insurance because of the law and premiums for people who have coverage under the ACA.<\/p>\n<p>And the former Ohio governor was one of the first \u2014 if not the first Republican governor in the country to expand Medicaid access during that period of time, and that is certainly something we continue to note around here.<\/p>\n<p>Another update on the schedule is, in the wake \u2014 well, a couple of updates, I should say, part on the schedule and part on the steps we\u2019re taking as it relates to the horrific events in Atlanta earlier this week. <\/p>\n<p>In the wake of the horrific shootings in Atlanta on Tuesday, the President ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half staff as a mark of respect for the victims of these senseless acts of violence. <\/p>\n<p>The President and the Vice President will also meet with representatives from the Georgia Asian American and Pacific Islander community when they travel to Georgia on Friday.  They will meet with the state legislators and community advocates to hear about the impact of the incident on the community, and to get their perspective on the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents.  The President will offer \u2014 also offer his support for the AAPI community in Georgia and across the country and talk about his commitment to combating xenophobia, intolerance, and hate.<\/p>\n<p>As many of you may know \u2014 and I think we were \u2014 I\u2019ve been asked about this in here previously, but Senator Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Grace Meng have introduced legislation that calls for expanded DOJ review of COVID-19-related hate crimes, for guidance from DOJ to law enforcement for best practices in reporting hate crimes, and ensures that hate crimes information and reporting is more accessible to Asian American communities.  The President applauds this \u2014 their leadership on this issue, including \u2014 along with Chair Judy Chu\u2019s \u2014 and he strongly supports these crucial aims of this legislation.<\/p>\n<p>He issued a presidential memorandum his first week in office, directing the Attorney General to support state and local agencies and AAPI communities to prevent hate crimes and expand data collection and public reporting.  That is ongoing. The outreach and engagement from DOJ is already underway. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also a role for HHS to play, which we expect can pick up more once Secretary Becerra \u2014 future Secretary Becerra is sworn in. <\/p>\n<p>And as I noted yesterday, also from here, he\u2019s asked Cedric Richmond \u2014 who, of course, we\u2019ve all heard of; former congressman \u2014 and Susan Rice to lead an effort to engage with the community as well. <\/p>\n<p>Last piece: Today, the House will also be voting on the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.  President Biden and this administration support passage of both pieces of legislation.  These bills would provide a path to citizenship for DREAMers, individuals with temporary protected status, and farmworkers.  Both pieces of legislation passed the House last Congress with bipartisan support and have broad support from the American public. <\/p>\n<p>These bills, in his view and our view, are critical milestones toward much-needed relief for the millions of individuals who call the United States home, and an acknowledgement that a path to citizenship for these essential workers is critically important to our economy and our nation\u2019s food and agricultural sectors.<\/p>\n<p>We also urge Congress to reform other aspects of our immigration system by passing President Biden\u2019s Build the U.S. Citizenship Act \u2014 a package, a bill that he proposed on his first day in office \u2014 which would establish a new system to responsibly manage and secure our border, bring long-overdue visa reforms to keep families together and grow our economy, and address the root causes of migration from Central America.<\/p>\n<p>With that, Zeke, kick us off.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Jen.  Just following up on a scooplet from our colleague, Jeff, over here.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  A \u201cscooplet.\u201d  (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    If you could \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t know that Reuters calls it \u201cscooplets,\u201d but \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    If you could confirm that the U.S. plans to loan 4 million AstraZeneca vaccines to Mexico and Canada.  What\u2019s the timeline for when that transaction would take place?  And why only 4 million of a stockpile that is several times that when \u2014 for a vaccine that isn\u2019t authorized here?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Absolutely.  So, as I\u2019ve noted here before, but worth noting again: Our first priority remains vaccinating the U.S. population.  The reality is that \u2014 but the reality is the border knows no \u2014 the pandemic knows no borders.  And ensuring our neighbors can contain the virus is a mission-critical step \u2014 is mission critical to ending the pandemic. <\/p>\n<p>We have three vaccines approved, as you well know.  And, of course, there\u2019s a rigorous review process by the FDA.  There are other vaccines, of course, including AstraZeneca, that are going through the approval process now.  And we have been taking action here to get ready to get those vaccines to the American people if they are approved.<\/p>\n<p>As we await FDA approval here in the U.S., many countries, as you know, have already requested \u2014 have requested the \u2014 have already approved AstraZeneca and also have requested our doses from the United States.  That includes Canada and Mexico, but it\u2019s certainly not limited to Canada and Mexico. <\/p>\n<p>And balancing the need to let the approval process play out of the AstraZeneca vaccine as it\u2019s taking place in the U.S. with the importance of helping stop the spread of the \u2014 of \u2014 in other countries \u2014 we are assessing how we can loan doses.  It\u2019s not \u2014 it\u2019s \u2014 we are \u2014 that is our aim.  It is not fully finalized yet, but that is our aim and what we\u2019re working toward to Canada and Mexico.  This is a complex process, and our team is working with the companies to move it forward.<\/p>\n<p>And I want to \u2014 on your question about the number of doses: There have been a range of reports about the number of doses.  I can confirm that we have 7 million releasable doses available of AstraZeneca.  And as noted in Jeff\u2019s \u201cscooplet,\u201d which I\u2019m just going to keep calling it \u2014 (laughter) \u2014 2.5 million of those, we are working to finalize plans to lend those to Mexico and 1.5 million to Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And what\u2019s the nature of that transaction?  Would it just be for future AstraZeneca production?  Or would there be \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Meaning what\u2019s in the loan?<\/p>\n<p>Q    Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It could be for future AstraZeneca doses or other doses.  Yes.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And on a different topic, I was wondering if you\u2019ve seen \u2014 if you saw the comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin this morning responding to the President\u2019s comments in the interview on Tuesday night.  Is the President worried at all that he may have inadvertently started a little war of words, and that trading shots back and forth, that could get in the way of having \u2014 finding some common ground on various shared priorities?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, President Putin \u2014 President Biden and President Putin certainly have different perspectives on their respective countries and how to approach engagement in the world.  But where they agree is that we should continue to work for way \u2014 look for ways to work together, as was noted in part of President Putin\u2019s comments. <\/p>\n<p>And there are areas of mutual interest.  New START, which we just extended for five years is an example of that.  Obviously, Russia is also a member of the P5+1, as we look ahead to what\u2019s possible there as it relates to, you know, preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n<p>So we are confident that we can continue to look for ways where there\u2019s mutual interest \u2014 mutual national interest.  But the President is not going to hold back, clearly, when he has concerns, when he has \u2014 whether it is with words or actions. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.  I\u2019ll go to you next.  You have a scooplet.  You can go after a few other people. (Laughter.)  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.  On that same topic: You know, obviously, you say that you want to work together on Russia on areas of mutual agreement, but Russia has now decided to recall its ambassador.  I mean, is there a concern that the President agreeing that Russian President Putin is a killer could escalate tension even further?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, our ambassador, Sullivan, remains in Moscow.  We remain engaged and he remains engaged, as does our team on the ground, with the Russian people. <\/p>\n<p>We continue to believe that diplomacy is the first step and should always be the first step, and should be our objective as we pursue all relationships, even with our adversaries.  So, you know, we are hopeful that that will continue to be the case.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And just want to get your reaction to actually some of Putin\u2019s exact words here, because he responded with a bit of a euphemism that translates roughly to \u201cIt takes one to know one\u201d \u2014 pointing to slavery in America, treatment of Native Americans, the atomic bombing of Japan.  Does the President have any response to that kind of language? <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, the President believes that one of the greatest attributes of the United States is our honest self-reflection and our constant striving for progress.  And there\u2019s always more work to do, as he\u2019s stated himself.<\/p>\n<p>So, I can\u2019t \u2014 I\u2019ve been doing this long enough not to try to get in the mind of President Putin, but I can assure you that President Biden still believes there\u2019s more work we can do here in our own country.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Just to follow up quickly, does \u2014 you\u2019re talking about self-reflection \u2014 does President Biden regret calling Vladimir Putin a \u201ckiller\u201d?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  No.  The President gave a direct answer to a direct question.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So then how is that \u2014 how \u2014 you don\u2019t want to escalate tensions.  How is that constructive to the relationship when you talk about diplomacy being primary between the U.S. and Russia?  How is calling Vladimir Putin a killer constructive to that relationship? <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, President Biden has known President Putin for a long time.  They\u2019ve both been on the global stage for a long time, worked through many iterations of a relationship between the United States and Russia, and he believes we can continue to do that.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Does the President believe that the leaders of \u2014 Mohammed Bin Salman, the \u2014 one of the \u2014 the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia \u2014 does he view him as a killer?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t think I need to add more \u201ckiller\u201d names from the podium just today.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I won\u2019t ask you about other countries then as well.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Okay.<\/p>\n<p>Q    But let me ask about immigration \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 if I can quickly.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The President has made it very clear in his recent interview that the border is not open, effectively that it\u2019s closed, except for these unaccompanied minors right now, under humanitarian grounds \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 who are being welcomed into the U.S.  But as we speak, crews from multiple outlets, including those from NBC News, are at the border and they\u2019re seeing many migrant families being accepted \u2014 young families being accepted into the country right now. <\/p>\n<p>So can you square those two \u2014 when the message was that families and individuals were being sent home but unaccompanied minors were being kept \u2014 why young families are, in fact, being kept here in the U.S. and detained?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, we\u2019ve talked about this a little bit in here before, but \u2014 and we are still applying Section 42, which \u2014 and with \u2014 the exception is, of course, unaccompanied minors. <\/p>\n<p>We are \u2014 there are limited scenarios, limited circumstances where we are \u2014 very limited, I should say \u2014 where families are coming across, going through proper protocols at the border \u2014 being tested and then having their cases adjudicated. <\/p>\n<p>Part of this is that \u2014 part of the reasoning is that, of course, we\u2019ve closed Matamoros and some \u2014 there has been some less participation in keeping some of these families in Mexico than in the past.  And many of these policies we have supported. <\/p>\n<p>But the vast majority of people \u2014 vast, vast majority \u2014 who come to the border are turned away.  The border is not open.  These are very limited scenarios. <\/p>\n<p>Q    (Coughs.)  Sorry, I just swallowed some mask here, but \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It\u2019s okay.  We\u2019ve all been there.   <\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 how \u2014 how limited is \u201cvery limited\u201d?  How many are being allowed in as it relates to families?  And specifically, if the message that the President was sending this week is that the border is not open, what is the message to those families, given some are being allowed in right now?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  The message continues to be \u2014 I\u2019d be happy to provide you the numbers.  I think CBP has the most up-to-date numbers, so I\u2019d point you to them, and they provide those regularly.  We\u2019d certainly support that.  I don\u2019t have them in front of me right now.<\/p>\n<p>I would say the message continues to be, \u201cNow is not the time to come.\u201d  The vast majority of families, of individuals are sent back, are not welcomed across the border.  And that\u2019s a message we will continue to convey clearly.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And just to follow up, you talked about how the President saw those photos in one of the recent briefings, as it relates to these shelters, detention centers, decompression centers.  I\u2019m not sure what specific photos he saw.  We asked yesterday and we\u2019ll ask again today: Can you provide those?  Will you provide those to the American public to see what it looks like there right now?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, first, let me say that the White House and we all in the administration support finding a way to grant access to the media to the HHS ORR facilities or the shelters where these children are staying for a temporary period of time before they\u2019re placed with family members or with sponsored homes. <\/p>\n<p>The Office of Refugee Resettlement is \u2014 has not been hosting, as you\u2019ve noted, media tours of unaccompanied children facilities currently due to the COVID-19 pademic [sic] \u2013pandemic.  But we remain committed to transparency, and we\u2019re considering potential options, and we hope to have an update on that soon.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So even if we didn\u2019t get a tour, can you provide us the photos that the President was provided?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  They \u2014 there was a private briefing, an internal briefing from several weeks ago.  We typically don\u2019t provide those materials publicly, but we do want you to be able to \u2014 or a pool of media to be able to have your own visuals and get your own footage of these facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jen.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Two things.  Back to Russia for a second.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    There was the SolarWinds hack.  There was the reported bounties on the heads of U.S. troops.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yes.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The President said in this interview something on that is coming.  What is the holdup?  When is the response from the United States coming?  Because he inferred in the interview, you know, \u201cStay tuned.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Right.  Well, we also have already put forward sanctions on \u2014 in response to the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny.  There\u2019s already been a release of a report about their engagement in the 2020 Election.  And we will have responses to each of these malign actions that we have expressed concern about and the President has offered a review of. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWeeks, not months\u201d remains still the policy.  There\u2019s, of course, internal policy decision making about \u2014 to assess and take a look at the review, but also to make decisions about policy engagements.  Some of the responses may be seen; some may be unseen.  And, of course, the President reserves the right to respond in a manner and time of his choosing, as any President would.  But he did make clear that there \u2014 that the Russian government will pay a price.<\/p>\n<p>Q    On these vaccines going to Mexico: This comes, of course, as the United States is talking to Mexico about this border situation.  Were there any strings attached regarding the situation on the border with this decision to give AstraZeneca doses to Mexico?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  There are several diplomatic conversations, parallel conversations, many layers of conversations with any \u2014 every country \u2014 Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, around the world.  And certainly, being part of contributing to preventing the spread of a global pandemic is part of \u2014 one of our diplomatic objectives.  Another one of our diplomatic objectives is working to address the challenges at the border.  So it shouldn\u2019t be a surprise that those conversations are both ongoing and happening.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So if I\u2019m hearing you, the vaccine was given.  Were there expectations set with the Mexicans that they help deal with this situation on the border?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  The \u2014 we \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Was there a quid pro quo?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  There have been ex- \u2014 there have been expectations set outside of \u2014 unrelated \u2014 to any vaccine doses or request for them that they would be partners in dealing with the crisis on the border.  And there have been requests, unrelated, that they \u2014 for doses of these vaccines.  Every relationship has multiple layers of conversations that are happening at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So we shouldn\u2019t rule out \u2014 or the United States isn\u2019t ruling out using our vaccine stockpile in terms of, sort of, to effect diplomacy?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I\u2019m actually try- \u2014 I\u2019m actually trying to convey that with every country, there\u2019s rarely just one issue you\u2019re discussing with any country at one time.  Right?  Certainly that\u2019s not the case with Mexico; it\u2019s not the case with any country around the world. <\/p>\n<p>And so I wouldn\u2019t read into it more than our ability to provide, to lend vaccine doses of a vaccine that we have some available supply on to a neighboring country where there is a lot of traffic that goes back and forth between the countries. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Two other quick ones.  One related to the Atlanta shooting.  You\u2019ve been asked this before, but, in February of last year, then-candidate Biden said that on his first day of office, he\u2019d send a bill to Congress repealing the liability protection for gun manufacturers and closing the background check loophole.  I know you\u2019ve been asked about this. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s an Attorney General in place now.  When, if any \u2014 when might we hear more about the administration\u2019s plans regarding gun violence?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It remains a commitment \u2014 a personal commitment of the President to do more on gun safety, to put more measures in place, to use the power of the presidency to work with Congress.  And certainly there\u2019s an important role, as you noted, for the Attorney General and the Justice Department to play on \u2014 in this regard. <\/p>\n<p>I, unfortunately, don\u2019t have any updates for you today, but it is an issue he remains committed to.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And one quick local issue.  The House Oversight Committee on Monday is holding the hearing on D.C. statehood.  The President is a supporter of this.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yes. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Does he think it could \u2014 if it passes the House, does it have a chance in the Senate, given the filibuster situation right now?  And what would he or the White House say to the critics who suggest that this is designed to be a Democratic Party power grab just to get a few more seats in the House and the Senate?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I think he would say that the half a million people who live in D.C. \u2014 am I getting that number right? <\/p>\n<p>Q    A little more than that now.  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  A little more than \u2014 it\u2019s grown since I left and went to the suburbs.  Would \u2014 would argue with that point, and so would he.  I mean, he believes they deserve representation; that\u2019s why he supports D.C. statehood. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Has the administration made any effort \u2014 this is just a Putin-related question.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Has the administration made any effort to find out what was said during the previous President\u2019s two-hour-long one- on-one meeting with Putin in Helsinki?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It\u2019s a great question.  Obviously there\u2019s intelligence reports that may reflect that, but I\u2019m not aware of any specific deep dive into that.  I\u2019m happy to check if there\u2019s more on it. <\/p>\n<p>And just \u2014 I\u2019m sorry, one more question.  The Chinese government has indicated that it wanted \u2014 it wants to meet with President Biden virtually in April before that climate summit.  I\u2019m wondering if the Biden administration is open to that and if there have been any talks about setting that meeting up. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I know we\u2019ll have more on the climate summit, which is just over a month away now.  So it\u2019s coming closer.  And there are, of course, a range of international, global participants that we anticipate being a part of it, but we\u2019re not at the stage where we\u2019re discussing bilateral meetings at this point in time. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, David.  Oh, sorry, Jeff, I really \u2014 I\u2019ll come back to you next.  I\u2019m not trying to give you a hard time. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, David.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Maybe Mr. Scooplet should go first.  (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah, maybe.  (Laughs.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    Sorry to go back to the Russia question here \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 but the President now, by my count, has said that Russia would pay a price for SolarWinds. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Mm-hmm.<\/p>\n<p>Q    He has said that they would pay a price for Navalny \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 and as you pointed out, there have already been some sanctions there. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Yesterday, he seemed to suggest that they would pay a price, in addition, for the meddling in the 2020 elections.  And yet, at the same time, your own colleagues seem to have sanctions fatigue out here.  You\u2019ve been \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Who are my colleagues?  In the government?<\/p>\n<p>Q    You were \u2014 your colleagues in the State Department, the West Wing. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Oh.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I mean, you announced sanctions on Russia back when you were a State Department spokeswoman. <\/p>\n<p>Is there any evidence that the method that we\u2019re using so far \u2014 of sanctions \u2014 is actually affecting Putin\u2019s behavior?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t think we would rely, David, on sanctions alone.  We do think they have been effective modes.  I mean, history \u2014 you\u2019ve written many stories about it, about the role sanctions have played in moving global diplomacy forward, and we certainly are a believer in that. <\/p>\n<p>But as you also know, there are a range of tools at any \u2014 at the disposal of any President, seen and unseen.  And I\u2019m just not going to get ahead of the process of what considerations are underway.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  On China, obviously the meeting is yet to happen \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 today.  But at the end of this whole process, once Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Blinken come back, what does the President think is the next right step?  Is it further meetings at this level?  Is it more direct conversation, like the one he had for several hours last month with President Xi?  Is it a response to the Chinese-related hack that he\u2019s also trying to deal with?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I expect he\u2019ll make a determination about that when they return and he has a chance to talk to Secretary Blinken and National Security Advisor Sullivan, in part because he doesn\u2019t see this, nor do they, as a preset series of meetings like the traditional dialogues that we\u2019ve seen throughout other administrations, including ones that he has previously served in.<\/p>\n<p>You know, this meeting, we certainly anticipate, will have difficult components of the conversation.  We expect it to be frank.  They plan to cover areas where we have concerns, including human rights, Hong Kong.  Obviously, we\u2019ve \u2014 we\u2019ve put forward some sanctions related to the anti-democratic actions in Hong Kong over the last couple of days.  Technology, whether it relates to threft [sic] \u2014 the theft of IP or data protections.  Military tensions in the region.<\/p>\n<p>So it will cover, as will be no surprise to anyone here who follows China closely, a range of topics.  And I think the President is eager to hear from them on how the conversation goes and work with them to determine what the next right step is.<\/p>\n<p>I will say that, in his mind and in the minds of National Security Advisor Sullivan and Secretary of State Blinken, a big part of the strategy is approaching our relationship with China from a place of strength and strengthening our own economy at home, investing in the middle class, looking at it through the prism of competition, not conflict.  And that means there\u2019s also more work we have to do here.<\/p>\n<p>Q    From your answer, things like the economic and strategic dialogue which took place in the Obama administration and that continued some in the Trump administration \u2014 that\u2019s over for now?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I would simply say that this meeting is not a part of a series of meetings at this point in time. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    (Inaudible.)<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Oh, sorry, Jeff.  You\u2019re kind of getting hazed for your scooplet.  (Laughter.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    That\u2019s all right.  I can take it.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Right.  I know you can.  Okay.  He\u2019ll just sit on his scooplet, and he doesn\u2019t care. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Karen.<\/p>\n<p>Q    A couple questions on schools.  Last month, the CDC released school guidance urging six feet of distance between students and staff, and now the CDC Director says she\u2019s revisiting this.  We\u2019re reporting that this could come as early as tomorrow; that that will go from six feet to three feet.  What does the White House say to teachers who are concerned that the science hasn\u2019t changed in five weeks and that this is political, this change?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I would say that the CDC is full of health and medical experts \u2014 including Dr. Walensky, who would be the last person to characterize herself as political.  She is a medical health expert, and she has looked at this through the prism of how we can take steps to make it safe to reopen schools and is constantly evaluating how to ease some of the restrictions.  And there are, of course, more that often you all have asked about in here, which are good questions: What about travel?  What about masks?<\/p>\n<p>You know, they take an approach that is purely through the science.  So we\u2019ll let her speak more about it when they\u2019re ready to release those formal guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Will the White House direct states to do something with that guidance when it\u2019s released, similar to what we saw when the President made the direction on vaccine eligibility? <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  You mean, like, will we direct schools to \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Can you say, \u201cYou have to now to do this\u201d?  \u201cThe CDC has said this \u2014 six to three feet.  You now have to follow this to push for reopening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, social distancing is one of the mitigation measures \u2014 right? \u2014 in the CDC guidance.  And I don\u2019t know \u2014 I have not seen the CDC guidance, so I don\u2019t know how it will be characterized in there. <\/p>\n<p>But I would certainly say we\u2019d have Secretary Cardona, who was just here yesterday, work with schools and school districts to implement \u2014 and social distancing is one of the steps; masking, testing, vaccinations \u2014 and see how it can help reopen schools more quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And you want to see this, I mean, kind of, overnight go from six to three feet in the schools that are open right now, and possibly increase the number of students that can be in the classroom before the end of the year?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t have a timeline for it.  I don\u2019t anticipate we\u2019d ask any school to do something immediately overnight.  But it will just be additional guidance, which a lot of schools are looking for, from health and medical experts on how to safely reopen schools and ensure that the parents in the community, the teachers in the community, the students feel safe going to school. <\/p>\n<p>And this just \u2014 as they\u2019re considering options, this is one of the options that will \u2014 that \u2014 one of the mitigation steps a school can take. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Two quick questions, to continue with the scooplet theme. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Okay.  (Laughs.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    There was a report just about an hour ago that the President intends to nominate Bill Nelson as NASA chief.  Can you confirm that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I have seen those reports.  I don\u2019t have any personnel announcements to make today.  It seems like a cool job, though, that I\u2019m not currently on the path to.  But it\u2019s fine.<\/p>\n<p>Q    You\u2019re not auditioning right now?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I am certainly not.  I don\u2019t have any personnel announcements to make.  I\u2019ve certainly seen the reports.  As we have any updates, we\u2019ll provide them.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And the second question: You know, the President said yesterday that he intends to try to raise taxes on anyone that was making over $400,000 a year.  Does he think that that\u2019s \u2014 does he intend to wait until the economy is out of the pandemic recession, or does he feel confident that by making it only on higher earners that it will not affect the broader economy?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, the President is certainly focused on ensuring the economy is continuing to recover and that people are going back to work and able to put food on the table to feed their families. <\/p>\n<p>When we\u2019re talking about people \u2014 families making over $400,000 a year, that\u2019s about 2 percent of households in this country.  And this is a commitment that he talked about on the campaign trail.  And his interest is in ensuring that people pay their fair share, whether it\u2019s corporations or the highest income earners in our country.  And he believes that, you know, hard work should be rewarded and that this is one of the areas where there could \u2014 where there is an opportunity to rebalance how our policies are currently.<\/p>\n<p>But, you know, he would do this in coordination with, of course, members of Congress, members of his economic team.  And we obviously don\u2019t have a proposed plan at this point, but it is a \u2014 it is a policy that he talked about on the campaign trail, and he reiterated, as you noted, earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Did you have a second question, too, or no?<\/p>\n<p>Q    Those were the two.  The scooplet question.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Okay, okay.  Got it.  Okay. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Jeff.<\/p>\n<p>Q    All right.  Yay!<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  The man of the hour.<\/p>\n<p>Q    On AstraZeneca, you mentioned that the U.S. has 7 million doses \u2014 releasable doses \u2014 and the company itself \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yes.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 has said it expects to have up to 30 million in April.  Given that, will the U.S. consider lending, sharing more of these doses with the other countries that are asking, now that you\u2019ve confirmed that you\u2019re doing the same for Mexico and Canada?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  We don\u2019t have anything to preview, but we have a number of requests from a range of countries around the world, and certainly we\u2019ll continue those conversations.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  But no commitment at this point to share, specifically, the AstraZeneca vaccine with others?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I will say, broadly speaking, we also anticipate having additional doses of Moderna, of Pfizer, of a range of vaccines, even as we focus on vaccinating, ensuring every American \u2014 every adult American has access to the vaccine.  It\u2019s just a matter of timeline.  So I just don\u2019t have a \u2014 an update or a preview on that, but certainly we\u2019ll have those conversations, and we are open to receiving those requests and, obviously, making considerations.<\/p>\n<p>Q    All right.  And just on one other issue: Your new U.S. Trade Representative will be ceremonially sworn in later today.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yes.  Ninety-seven [Ninety-eight] to zero \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    That\u2019s a big number.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  \u2014 I think was her vote.  It\u2019s pretty solid.<\/p>\n<p>Q    What \u2014 how soon will she start leading trade talks with the UK?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t have anything to preview.  Obviously, that\u2019s driven by the policies and the agenda of the President and the overall economic team.  I\u2019m sure we will be integrating her into all of the policy discussions as soon as she\u2019s sworn in.<\/p>\n<p>Let me just go to the \u2014 get to the folks in the back.  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, ma\u2019am.  A couple of quick questions.  When you were talking, a moment ago, about diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Mexico, you said \u201ccrisis on the border.\u201d  Is \u2014 was that a \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Challenges on the border.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  But, so, that\u2019s not \u2014 that doesn\u2019t reflect any change in the administration\u2019s \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  No.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 view of things?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Nope.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  Well, another quick question then.  On Monday, the President said it\u2019s important to get the vaccine, and then, quote, \u201ceven after that, until everyone is, in fact, vaccinated, to wear this mask,\u201d unquote.  Was he speaking generally, or does he believe that we should all be wearing masks until everyone is, in fact, vaccinated?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I think what he\u2019s reflecting is the guidance from our health experts that, even if you\u2019re vaccinated \u2014 I am vaccinated; I still wear a mask because there hasn\u2019t been conclusive studies yet on the transferability of the pandemic \u2014 or of COVID from those who have been vaccinated.  He\u2019s \u2014 and it continues to be the advice of health and medical experts to continue to wear masks.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Right.  But every American?  Is that the standard, \u201cuntil every American has been vaccinated\u201d?  Or was he speaking generally?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I think he\u2019s speaking generally about the need to still observe measures like social distancing and wearing of masks so that, even when you\u2019re vaccinated, you\u2019re keeping your neighbors, your friends, your family members safe.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Good deal.  And then, back in January, you noted that the administration was reviewing how unmarried couples were handled under travel restrictions.  Have there been any developments on those restrictions \u2014 I know that there\u2019s a lot on the administration\u2019s plate \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 but in how unmarried, binational couples are treated?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t have any update for you.  The review is ongoing. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And can I ask you one more question?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.  You\u2019re very generous.  The Equality Act, as it\u2019s currently written, would eliminate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as a defense for religious organizations against discrimination claims.  Given that President Biden voted in favor of RFRA, does he support it being abolished now?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I would have to check on the specific components of the package.  I\u2019m happy to \u2014 I\u2019m happy to do that for you after the briefing.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, in the back.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you very much, Jen.  Two East Asia questions and one Asian American question, if I may.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Okay.<\/p>\n<p>Q    On U.S.-China talks, can we expect the joint statement after talks?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  A joint statement between them?  I don\u2019t have anything to preview.  I know that National Security Advisor Sullivan and Secretary Blinken will be speaking briefly after the talks conclude.  But I don\u2019t have anything to preview for you in terms of a joint statement.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  Another question is: According to Japanese media, Japanese Prime Minister Suga will meet President Biden on April 9th.  Can you confirm that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I know there have been reports about a future meeting, and the President is certainly looking forward to meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan.  I don\u2019t believe a final confirmation has been made here of what that meeting will look like and what the format would be.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  And one Asian American question on the unfortunate Atlanta shooting.  We already see the half-staff outside.  Yesterday, you blamed the prior administration about this, which some people agree.  But as what Axios reports, quote, \u201cThe United States rivalry with China had already created unease about Chinese Americans and Asian Americans,\u201d unquote.  And Axios states we are going to see a huge jump in hate crimes against Asian Americans this year. <\/p>\n<p>So it seems to be that President Biden is in this catch-22: On the one hand, he is trying to alleviate the hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans; on the other hand, he\u2019s, kind of, escalates the tension.  How can he really alleviate this situation?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I would just refute the notion of that question.  I would say that yesterday I was asked \u2014 which was a good question \u2014 if we thought that the former President\u2019s rhetoric had contributed to the actions or the \u2014 the discrimination against Asian Americans, and I said, \u201cWe do.\u201d Because rhetoric, certainly from the massive megaphone you have from the White House, is something that is heard across the country, and it\u2019s important to then be thoughtful about the words you use and how you convey opposition to discrimination of any kind.  That was the answer \u2014 the question I was answering.<\/p>\n<p>The President is \u2014 and the Vice President are meeting with leaders of the Asian American community tomorrow.  They \u2014 the President raised the rhetor- \u2014 the \u2014 his concerns about rhetoric, about attacks, about threats against the Asian American community in the country during his primetime address.  He signs an executive order.  He\u2019s asked his members of his administration to listen, hear, think about policy solutions. <\/p>\n<p>I would say his effort is to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  So I would just dispute your \u2014 your question.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, in the back.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jen.  A few questions for you.  The President mentioned in his ABC interview his thoughts on potential changes to the filibuster.  I wondered, does he support getting rid of the 60-vote threshold on the legislative filibuster?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I think what he said is that he\u2019d be open to hearing ideas about going back to the talking filibuster, which \u201cMr. Smith Goes to Washington\u201d is the best reference that anyone can make on that front.  Obviously that hasn\u2019t been the law in the Senate for \u2014 since before I was born.  So, many years. <\/p>\n<p>But he \u2014 that is a \u2014 that is a proposal that had been put forward by Senator Manchin.  And his whole point is that \u2014 and as he \u2014 as he said in his comments, you know, our democracy looks at moments like it\u2019s broken, and it shouldn\u2019t be so easy to block legislation. <\/p>\n<p>At the same time, his preference and his priority is working with Democrats and Republicans to find a pathway forward on a range of issues where there has been a history of bipartisan support, whether it\u2019s infrastructure, immigration, addressing \u2014 making our economy and our workers more competitive against \u2014 against the competition with China.  There are a lot of ways we can work together.  That\u2019s his preference.  And so he was just expressing an openness to hearing from members of the Senate on what their ideas are.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, though, as President, he doesn\u2019t get a \u2014 he doesn\u2019t vote here.  It\u2019s not a law he signs into law; it\u2019s a Senate rule.  So you\u2019ll have to talk to them about what their ideas are and what they have the votes for to move forward.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So he would defer to senators on whether they support scrapping (inaudible)?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It\u2019s not about deferring.  He\u2019s not in the Senate.  He doesn\u2019t decide what the Senate rules are.  They do.<\/p>\n<p>Q    (Inaudible) influence if he were to voice an opinion.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  He\u2019s going to have the senators decide what \u2014 what rules they want to abide by, moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Just a couple other quick ones.  I wonder, there are a few key agencies that have yet to have Senate-nominated or confirmed leaders that are certainly in the news now \u2014 CBP, ICE, the FDA \u2014 during the pandemic.  I wonder, does the administration have any plans or timetable for when it might put forward nominees to lead those agencies?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  All important agencies.  I don\u2019t have any update on the personnel process, but we\u2019re working our way through and ensuring we have the right people we can nominate for each of those important roles. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And then, lastly, I wonder: This week, there\u2019s a group of college basketball players, ahead of the NCAA Tournament, who started a protest on social media with the hashtag #NotNCAAProperty.  And they\u2019re looking for more financial freedom and personal protections from the NCAA. <\/p>\n<p>I wondered: One of the things they\u2019re asking for is a meeting with federal officials, and potentially the Biden administration, to talk about legislation on this.  So does the President support college athletes being able to profit off their name and likeness?  And would the administration be willing to meet with these players if they asked for a meeting?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I\u2019m happy to see if there\u2019s any plans for a meeting and if they\u2019ve received the request.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, in the back.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Jen.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Questions on U.S.-China meeting.  China has a poor record of keeping promises.  So how would you characterize the level of trust that the current administration has with regard to China?  And also, for the Chi- \u2014 for the bilateral meeting between President Biden and President Xi, what are the conditions that has to happen \u2014 what are the conditions for the meeting to happen?  Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t think I\u2019m here to set conditions today.  There are \u2014 we haven\u2019t even announced the specific details about the climate summit that\u2019s happening in April, which I think was what the bilateral question was around.  And we certainly haven\u2019t made a final decision about any bilateral meetings around that meeting.  As we do, I\u2019m sure we can discuss it further. <\/p>\n<p>And then, as it relates to the meeting today, I think one \u2014 or that starts today, I should say \u2014 it was important to our administration that the first meeting with Chinese officials be held on American soil and occur after we have met and consulted closely with partners and allies in both Asia and Europe.  This is an opportunity to address a wide variety of issues, including ones where we have deep disagreements. <\/p>\n<p>And so our focus is on having a frank discussion, raising issues where we have concerns, and of course, looking for ways and places where we can work together.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks.  While you\u2019ve been briefing, President Putin has just extended an invitation to President Biden to continue their conversation, but this time he wants to do it live.  He\u2019s asking for a livestreamed conversation, an open, direct dialogue.  Putin says he\u2019s available tomorrow or Monday.  Is this something that you would consider? <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I\u2019ll have to get back to you if that is something we are entertaining.  I would say that the President already had a conversation already with President Putin, even if \u2014 as there are more world leaders that he has not yet engaged with.  And we engage with Russian leaders, members of the government at all levels, but I don\u2019t have anything to report to you in terms of a future meeting.  The President will, of course, be in Georgia tomorrow and quite busy.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    One very quick, final question on the wall.  On day one in office, I think it was, the President signed a proclamation \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 that was effectively putting a pause or halting wall construction.  At the time, I think he directed federal agencies to formulate a plan within 60 days.  Depending who\u2019s counting, we\u2019re on 58, 59, or almost \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  We have two more days.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Do we have?  Okay.  Some said 59.  I thought it was one, but we\u2019ll go with two more days \u2014 to redirect border fund \u2014 border wall funds and, quote, \u201cresume, modify, or terminate\u201d segments of the structure that remain under construction.  Have those federal agencies provided you with their conclusions?  Have you come to a conclusion?  What is the status of that, with that remaining one or two days left?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I will check and see if there\u2019s an update.  We are \u2014 of course, there is funding that was appropriated previously that is still moving forward.  Money that has not been appropriated, as you noted, we\u2019ve, kind of, pulled back on.  But I will check and see.  We have two more days \u2014 which is a lifetime in this place \u2014 and see if we have an update for you on this. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Jen.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Thank you, everyone.<\/p>\n<p>(Audio interruption.)<\/p>\n<p>Q    (Inaudible.)<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It\u2019s okay.  Oh, it\u2019s your first day.  I\u2019m sorry.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I\u2019m sorry.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, welcome.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So, a lot of my colleagues in this room and outside this room have been asking for a while now about the possibility of visiting these facilities where unaccompanied children are being held after arriving and applying for asylum at the border.  And part of the pushback that we\u2019ve received from you and from DHS and HHS is that there are privacy concerns about reporters potentially, you know \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  And COVID. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And privacy concerns and COVID.  But specifically to privacy: Reporters have been allowed inside these facilities for years through multiple administrations, by multiple agencies, including by the last administration during the family separation crisis, where, I think, the risk of, like, further emotional damage to these kids is pretty acute. <\/p>\n<p>So has there been, to your knowledge, any incident in which a kid\u2019s privacy was violated by reporters who were there to cover the facilities in which they were being detained?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  During the last administration?<\/p>\n<p>Q    During, like, the long history of reporters being allowed to (inaudible).<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I would say, as I noted in response to a question \u2014 or two questions that were asked earlier that were very similar, our big concern has been the pandemic and COVID and safety.  Of course, there are privacy concerns that anyone takes into account \u2014 or, I would say, any administration should take into account, as it relates to members of the media visiting a facility where there are children, as I\u2019m sure you would certainly agree on. <\/p>\n<p>I can\u2019t speak to what the approach was of the prior administration who was ripping children from the arms of their parents.  So I can\u2019t speak to what their policies were.<\/p>\n<p>But we are working, and we are very committed here from the White House and from the government in finding a way soon \u2014 very soon \u2014 to ensure that there\u2019s access by the media \u2014 not by us providing you with what we see, but by the media to these shelter facilities.  We believe it\u2019s important and vital, and we\u2019re committed to it.<\/p>\n<p>And we\u2019re just working through \u2014 the pandemic is about the safety of staff, the safety of kids as well, and that\u2019s \u2014 so that\u2019s what we\u2019re working through at this point in time.  So hopefully I\u2019ll have an update soon. <\/p>\n<p>Thanks, everyone.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And one question from a colleague who can\u2019t be here because of social distancing \u2014 speaking of.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yep.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The President said in the interview when he was discussing \u2014 going back to, you know, the talking filibuster \u2014 that the filibuster is (inaudible) because, quote, we\u2019re almost \u201cgetting to a point where\u2026democracy is having a hard time functioning.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>But my colleague points out that that dynamic has been true, specifically in the Senate, for a very long time \u2014 years, even.  So was there anything specific to the current dynamic in the Senate that made President Biden, sort of, decide that, you know, now is a moment to change the filibuster rules?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.  Well, as I answered in response to the question just a few minutes ago, there are a number of ideas that members of the Senate have put forward.  There \u2014 they range.  Some are against changing the filibuster in the Democratic Party, some are for it.  Some are for going back to a talking filibuster, back to the days of \u201cMr. Smith Goes to Washington.\u201d  He\u2019s watching it closely.  He was in the Senate for 36 years.  He\u2019s happy to hear their ideas. <\/p>\n<p>His preference remains working with Democrats and Republicans to get business done for the American people.  So it\u2019s a conversation, as you well know, that\u2019s happening on Capitol Hill right now, and he\u2019s certainly watching it as most other people are as well.  Thank you, everyone.<\/p>\n<p>1:34 P.M. EDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;We have another great guest today. Joining us today is Secretary \u2014 our new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge, who was confirmed just last week. We wasted no time. As you all know, Secretary Fudge served as U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio for more than 12 years. 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