{"id":124918,"date":"2021-07-12T22:42:53","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T05:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=124918"},"modified":"2021-07-12T22:42:53","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T05:42:53","slug":"briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-july-12-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=124918","title":{"rendered":"Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 12, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Hi, everyone.  Happy Monday.  Okay, just two items for all of you at the top.  This afternoon, the President will be joined by Attorney General Garland, as well as law enforcement leaders, elected officials, and a community violence intervention expert to discuss his comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence and violent crime.  During the meeting, the President will discuss his crime reduction stragedy [sic] \u2014 strategy, which gives cities and states historic funding through the American Rescue Plan and a range of tools they can use to improve public safety in co- \u2014 their communities, including support for community violence intervention programs, summer employment opportunities, and other proven methods to reduce crime.  <\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tYHCyHh_iKE\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The President will also highlight his strong support for and partnership with local leaders to work to reduce gun crime in their communities, like the ones joining him today, and he\u2019ll underscore his commitment to ensuring their state and law enfor- \u2014 local law enforcement have the resources and support they need to hire more police officers and invest in effective and accountable community policing.  <\/p>\n<p>And the President will discuss the work the federal government is doing to stem the flow of guns used in crimes, including the administration\u2019s zero-tolerance policy for dealers who willfully sell guns illegally; the Department of Justice\u2019s gun trafficking strike forces; as well as previous steps the White House has announced, like cracking down on \u201cghost guns,\u201d which are increasingly used in violent crimes.  <\/p>\n<p>One other update: In COVID news, we want to make sure we are lifting up some of the innowative [sic] \u2014 innovative ways that Americans across the country are meeting their communities where they are with the vaccine.  We all have a duty to continue making the case for the vaccine to our friends and family.  Companies, media, and individuals all can play a special role as trusted messengers to an unvaccinated person by sharing the facts that the vaccines are safe, effective, accessible, and free.  Across the country we\u2019re seeing Americans step up.<\/p>\n<p>So I want to create some updates \u2014 I\u2019ll give you some updates and lift up some of the innovative ways we are working with \u2014 to reach Americans with the shot.  <\/p>\n<p>So, today, I\u2019m starting with the first example: truck stops.  In the last few months, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Iowa all set up vaccine sites for truckers, with the goal of literally meeting these Americans where they are at, in their trucks or out of their trucks.  Since then, more than 9,000 truckers have received a vaccine at these pop-up sites.  We\u2019ll provide more updates in the days and weeks ahead.  <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Jonathan.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jen.  Two matters, both overseas.  A couple of questions on Haiti first.  The delegation that was sent down there \u2014 has anyone remained in Haiti to continue to oversee what\u2019s happening?  Or have \u2014 has there been any commitment to provide security forces to Haiti?  And has the U.S. taken any steps to organize, perhaps, emissaries or troops from other countries to help safeguard the situation?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  So, as we announced last week, an interagency delegation, as you noted, was on the ground in Port-au-Prince yesterday and returned home.  I\u2019m not aware of anyone staying from that delegation on the ground.  I will check that important detail for you after the briefing.  <\/p>\n<p>But while they were there, as we announced in our readout, they worked to get a better understanding of their request for assistance and to offer assistance to law enforcement forces \u2014 the law enforcement process, I should say, on the ground.  They met with both the acting prime minister and prime minister-designate, as \u2014 both of those individuals.  And they did receive requests while they were there on the ground for additional assistance.  <\/p>\n<p>They did also brief the President this morning.  He will receive regular briefings, as he does from his national security team, on the events in Haiti, the requests coming in, and how we can help.  <\/p>\n<p>What was clear from their visit, also, what that was \u2014 I should say, \u201cwhat was not clear\u201d is what the future of political leadership looks like in the country.  And it was a reminder how vital it is for Haiti\u2019s leaders to come together to chart a united path forward.  <\/p>\n<p>So, while we will continue to \u2014 this is just the beginning of our conversations.  And we will remain in close touch with law enforcement, with individuals in Haiti, with a range of leaders in Haiti about how we can assist and provide assistance moving forward.  I don\u2019t have any announcements to portray \u2014 to convey to all of you about assistance \u2014 additional assistance today.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So, just to clarify, as of right now, the U.S. is not committing to having any sort of presence on the ground in Haiti?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, that\u2019s not what I conveyed.  We had a delegation that went down yesterday; they came back yesterday.  They briefed the President this morning, as \u2014 as was \u2014 as we committed to.  But I don\u2019t have any \u2014 what was clear from their trip is that there is a lack of clarity about the future of political leadership.  That\u2019s an important step that the people of Haiti, the different governing leaders of Haiti need to work together to determine a united path forward.  And we will remain deeply engaged, as we have been for months prior to the assassination, with individuals in Haiti to provide assistance moving forward.  But I don\u2019t have any new assistance to announce for you at this point in time. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And the other matter for me is on Cuba.  The President \u2014 we saw the President\u2019s statement today about the demonstrations there on the island yesterday.  Two questions on that.  But why hasn\u2019t President Biden taken steps to undo some of the things that his predecessor, Donald Trump, did to overturn the overtures made by President Obama?  <\/p>\n<p>And then, secondly, we heard there\u2019s a \u2014 obviously, a great cry yesterday \u2014 or during these protests for vaccines.  Has Cuba \u2014 on the list to get vaccines from the United States?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, first, let me say that we have actually provided, over the course of the last several months, a great deal of assistance to Cuba.  I just want to note this because I think it\u2019s important for people to understand.  Since, FY- \u2014 since 2009, which is quite some time ago, Congress has directed $20 million in democracy assistance annually.  <\/p>\n<p>But even if you look at last year: Last year alone, the U.S. exported $176 million of goods to Cuba.  In the first six months of 2021, Cuba imported $123 million worth of chicken from the United States \u2014 just as an example.  Obviously, one of the issues that the ind- \u2014 that protesters are justifiably out there in the streets protesting about is hunger, is lack of access to vaccines, et cetera.  But we are continuing to provide a range of assistance, which we will continue to do.  <\/p>\n<p>I will say, on vaccines, one of the challenges, Jonathan, which you may be familiar with, is that Cuba has not joined COVAX and has indicated they intend to vaccinate their population using the Abdala vaccine, which they\u2019re \u2014 the Pan American Health Organization has been out there urging Cuban scientists to publish their \u2014 their results in the peer-reviewed literature on this vaccine.  <\/p>\n<p>So, in terms of \u2014 COVAX would be a mechanism that we have provided, as you all know, vaccines to a range of countries in the world.  We certainly recognize and understand that access to vaccines is one of the issues that a number of individuals in the streets is voicing concern about, but we have to determine what the mechanism would be to work with the Cuban people to get vaccines to them.  That\u2019s something we\u2019re working through.<\/p>\n<p>Okay.  Go ahead, Jeff. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Jen, just to follow up on Cuba: Can you give us a sense of where the President\u2019s policy review on Cuba is right now?  Do you anticipate making any changes, as Jonathan asked?  And where do you see it going from here?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I will say first \u2014 and I meant to say this in response to Jonathan \u2014 but there\u2019s every indication that yesterday\u2019s protests were spontaneous expressions of people who are exhausted with the Cuban government\u2019s economic mismanagement and repression.  And those \u2014 these are protests inspired by the harsh reality of everyday life in Cuba, not people in another country.  I\u2019m saying that because I think there have been a range of accusations out there, as you well know, Jeff.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of our assessment of a future \u2014 our current pol- \u2014 our policy, I should say, it continues to be \u2014 our approach continues to be governed by two principles: First, support for democracy and human rights \u2014 which is going to continue to be at the core of our efforts \u2014 through empowering the Cuban people to determine their own future.  Second, Americans, especially Cuban Americans, are the best ambassadors for freedom and prosperity in Cuba.  <\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t have anything to predict for you in terms of any policy shift.  Obviously, given the protests were just happening over the last 24 to 48 hours, we\u2019re assessing how we can be helpful directly to the people of Cuba in these circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Q    You hinted at this, but the President of Cuba did directly accuse the United States of basically fomenting these protests because of the embargo and that leading to a lack of medicine and the other things.  Do you have a specific response to him?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I\u2019d first say that the U.S. embargo allows humanitarian goods to reach Cuba.  We exidite [sic] \u2014 expedite any request to export humanitarian or med- \u2014 medical supplies to Cuba.  That continues to be the case.  <\/p>\n<p>And the United States regularly authorizes the export of agricultural products, medicine, medical equipment, and humanitarian goods to Cuba \u2014 and, since 1992, has authorized the export of billions of dollars of those goods to Cuba.  <\/p>\n<p>So that\u2019s simply inaccurate in terms of the facts that are stated.  But, again, I would restate what I said a little bit earlier in response, which is that there\u2019s every indication that yesterday\u2019s protests were reactions of the people in Cuba to exhaustion of the governance of the \u2014 of the leaders in the state, the economic mismanagement, and the repression that we\u2019re seeing take place against the people of the country.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Lastly, there seems to be a disagreement between Pfizer and the U.S. government on the need for booster shots.  Do you anticipate getting any clarity on that in this afternoon\u2019s meeting?  And can you just give us a sense of what is at the crux of that disagreement?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, first, this meeting is a meeting that HHS is overseeing, and certainly I would refer you to them for a specific readout of the meeting.  But I would say that we don\u2019t see it as a disagreement per se, but we provide public health information and make determinations based on a large swath of data, and that relates to boosters \u2014 booster shots as well.  And some of that information that the FDA and the CDC look at \u2014 and this was in their statement last week \u2014 does include some private-sector data, and that can be part of how they assess what recommendations will be, but it\u2019s a much broader swath of information and data than that.  <\/p>\n<p>Now, data \u2014 we continue to analyze.  Science evolves.  And we\u2019ve long said that we will reserve options \u2014 optionality, including how we\u2019re purchasing doses of sa- \u2014 vaccines to ensure we have maximum optionality for our own \u2014 the American public.  But any assessment would be made by the CDC and the FDA.  And we made clear, last week, that wasn\u2019t a recommendation being made at this time.  <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d also point to something that Dr.  Fauci said yesterday \u2014 when he was out there on some of your networks \u2014 when he conveyed that there could be assessments made about certain swaths of the population as well.  <\/p>\n<p>It may not be all or nothing, but that\u2019s something that our scientists will continue to assess.  And if they make a conclusion that booster shots are recommended, they will provide that information publicly and it would be based on a large range of data and information.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Karen.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jen.  I just want to point out that HHS is not commenting on that meeting that\u2019s taking place today with Pfizer.  There\u2019s nothing else you could share ahead of that of how seriously the administration is considering the possibility of booster shots?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, not to minimize the meeting, but I would say that we regularly meet with and engage with health and medical \u2014 our health and medical experts do, I should say \u2014 regularly work and meet with companies to understand the latest data, and that would certainly be a part of an assessment of recommendations moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>The point I was making, in response to Jeff\u2019s question, was that it\u2019s not based on, solely, the information or data from one company, which hasn\u2019t been concluded or hasn\u2019t been fully published publicly either.  So, you know \u2014 but our health and medical experts will look at the data around the vaccine holistically, will use any further data as a consideration moving forward.  <\/p>\n<p>But I wouldn\u2019t see this meeting today \u2014 I\u2019m not surprised that there\u2019s not a big readout from HHS, I should say.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    And you mentioned other companies.  Has the administration heard from any of the other vaccine producers about the possibility of a booster shot and what they\u2019re pushing for? <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Again, I would leave that to any company to provide any information publicly about what they\u2019re assessing.  We are in touch with leaders of these companies regularly.  We do look at our own data.  We welcome their data as a part of that assessment, but we\u2019ll make \u2014 the CDC and the FDA will make a recommendation based on their own assessment.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And just one more quick one.  If there is a third shot recommended, would the government cover the cost of that shot as well?  And what considerations would have to take place to get funding for that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, we have, in our \u2014 in our contingency planning, led by Jeff Zients and the COVID team \u2014 I think we\u2019ve indicated from here that we have purchased the number of doses we have and indicated we want to increase manufacturing in these facilities around the country because we want to have maximum optionality, including \u2014 depending on what is most effective with children under the age of 12 \u2014 including if there is a booster shot needed.  <\/p>\n<p>So that is certainly \u2014 has long been in our planning, even \u2014 even in advance of knowing whether that will be a recommendation made by our health experts.  <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jen.  What can you tell us about the President\u2019s message in his voting rights speech tomorrow?  Is going to be pushing more for congressional action?  Is he going to be talking about state action?  And what is his strategy to tackle this issue beyond the speech tomorrow?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.  Well, first \u2014 well, thank you for the question, because he\u2019s very focused on this speech tomorrow \u2014 one that he himself wanted to deliver.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019ll lay out the moral case for why denying the right to vote is a form of suppression and a form of silencing.  And how he will use \u2014 he will redouble his commitment to using every tool at his disposal to continue to fight to protect the fundamental right of Americans to vote against the onslaught of voter suppression laws, based on a dangerous and discredited conspiracy theory that culminated in an assault on our Capitol.  <\/p>\n<p>He\u2019ll call out \u2014 the greatest irony of the Big Lie is that no election in our history has met such a high standard, with over 80 judges, including those appointed by his predecessor, throwing out all challenges.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019ll also decry efforts to strip the right to vote as authoritarian and anti-American, as a \u2014 and stand up against the notion that politicians should be allowed to choose their voters or to subvert our system by replacing independent election authorities with partisan ones.<\/p>\n<p>And he will highlight the work of the administration against this, the necessity of passing the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and how we need to work together with civil rights organizations to build as broad a turnout and voter education system to overcome the worst challenge to our democracy since the Civil War. <\/p>\n<p>So, this is an opportunity for him to make the case to the American people about how this is a fundamental right, what he will continue to do from the federal government.  I would remind you, he signed a historic executive order on the 56th anniversary of Selma, which put in place funding measures and a priority from the federal government.  <\/p>\n<p>The Department of Justice has already used tools to fight against these laws in states.  They will continue to.  He\u2019ll talk about that as well.  <\/p>\n<p>But the last piece is he will talk about, also, the importance of empowering, engaging, and supporting efforts around the country to make sure people know their rights and understand how to participate in the process.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So it sounds like this is the first of what might be a series of speeches around the country?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I think he\u2019s been clear and I think he\u2019s told all of you that expanding the right to vote, the ac- \u2014 access of people across the country to vote is going to be a fight of his presidency.  He\u2019s asked his Vice President to play a leading role in that effort.  He\u2019ll talk about that as well tomorrow.  And he\u2019ll certainly continue to talk about it out around the country, but I don\u2019t have anything to preview for you in terms of additional comments or remarks.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And then you\u2019ve said that there\u2019s going to be a meeting at some point this week between U.S. officials and Russian officials about cybercrimes.  When is that meeting taking place?  Is it in person or virtual?  Who\u2019s participating?  And what\u2019s the message going to be from White House officials?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, first, there have been ongoing meetings at an expert level and discussions with Russian officials.  And the most important thing we can do is preserve a space for those conversations to happen and, hopefully, progress to be made.  <\/p>\n<p>So, we\u2019re not going to be reading out the agenda of these meetings or providing lists of participants.  I think it\u2019s safe to assume that high-level cybersecurity experts and members of our national security team are the appropriate points of contact with their Russian counterparts.  But these meetings have been ongoing, as have the discussions, and this is a part of that process. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Jen.  Does President Biden agree with Dr. Fauci that, at the local level, there should be more vaccine mandates?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I don\u2019t have the full context of Dr. Fauci\u2019s comments in front of me.  But I will say that \u2014 <\/p>\n<p>Q    I do have it if you want.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Oh, go ahead.  Let\u2019s hear it.<\/p>\n<p>Q    He said: \u201cI\u2019ve been of this opinion and I remain of that opinion that I do believe, at the local level, Jake, there should be more mandates.  There really should be.  We\u2019re talking about [a] life-and-death situation.  We\u2019ve lost 600,000 Americans already, and we\u2019re still losing more people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I would say first, from the federal government, I \u2014 if I remember the context of the question, it was about federal mandates, I believe \u2014 correct me if I\u2019m wrong.  That\u2019s not a decision that we are making.  That\u2019s not a \u2014 that is not our intention from the federal government.  <\/p>\n<p>There will be decisions made by private-sector entities, by universities, by educational institutions, and even perhaps by local leaders, should they decide that is how to keep their community safe.  If they decide to make that decision, we certainly support them in that step.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The President said, on March 11th, \u201cMy message to you is this: Listen to Dr. Fauci.\u201d  Is he now saying, \u201cDon\u2019t listen to Dr. Fauci\u201d if he doesn\u2019t agree?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Welcome back. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I would say that what the \u2014 what Dr. Fauci was conveying is that there will be decisions made by local leaders, just like there will be decisions made by business leaders, by institutional leaders on how they can keep their communities safe, and we support their right to make those decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.  And then on Cuba: You\u2019re talking today about how some of these protests are inspired by people exhausted with the government.  Why is it that yesterday the State Department was saying that this was all happening out of concern about rising COVID cases?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I would say first that the protests were just happening yesterday.  We\u2019re still assessing what is motivating and, of course, is driving all of the individuals who came to the streets.  <\/p>\n<p>But we know that when I \u2014 we say \u201cexhaustion,\u201d the \u2014 the manner by which the people of Cuba are governed, that can cover a range of issues, whether it\u2019s economic suppression; media suppression; lack of access to health and medical supplies, including vaccines.  There are a range of reasons and voices we\u2019re hearing from people on the ground who are protesting.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So when these protesters are yelling \u201cfreedom\u201d and \u201cenough,\u201d there are people within the administration who think they\u2019re saying, \u201cfreedom from rising COVID cases\u201d?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Again, I would say that when people are out there in the streets protesting and complaining about the lack of access \u2014 to economic prosperity, to the medical supplies they need, to a life they deserve to live \u2014 that can take on a range of meanings.  <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a global pandemic right now.  Most people in that country don\u2019t have access to vaccines.  That certainly is something we\u2019d love to help with.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    A few months ago, when asked about Cuba policy, you said it was not a priority for the President to review U.S. policy toward Cuba.  Do the events of this weekend change that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I would say, Kelly, that we, of course, are monitoring closely.  You saw the \u2014 the statement the President \u2014 we put out in the President\u2019s name this morning from \u2014 in his voice, of course, conveying his support for the people of Cuba; making clear that he doesn\u2019t support the approach of the government of Cuba, which he\u2019s \u2014 he has never held \u2014 he has never been \u2014 held back on.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of where it ranks in a priority order, I\u2019m not in a position to offer that, but I can tell you that we will be closely engaged.  We will be looking to provide support to the people of Cuba.  We certainly, you know, support the freedom of speech, the freedom of press, the freedom of \u2014 when we believe they deserve to have access to the economic support and medical support, health supplies that many of them are asking for.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And on voting rights: Texas Democrats, who have been working through their process, some of them plan to leave the state, come here.  Is there any plan for the President or the political arm of the White House to meet with them?  What can you update us on that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I don\u2019t have any \u2014 let me check on that for you, Kelly.  It\u2019s \u2014 and certainly it\u2019s possible there are people here who plan to meet with them as we have in the past when oth- \u2014 other legislators have come to Washington.  So, let me see if there\u2019s a planned meeting with anyone from our team. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Back on Haiti for a second \u2014 and sort of honing in on the question that Jonathan was asking: What\u2019s the status of the formal request that the U.S. send troops to Haiti?  Is that still under analysis here?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  That\u2019s correct.  It\u2019s still under review.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So it\u2019s not been ruled out?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  No.<\/p>\n<p>Q    What is the current assessment here as to how Haiti ranks in terms of American interests \u2014 safety and security there?  How important is safety and security to American interests in the President\u2019s mind?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, certainly, the safety and security of the people of Haiti is of great interest to the President and to the administration.  <\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t think it\u2019s particularly constructive to rank order issues happening around the world.  They\u2019re all important.  That\u2019s why we have a big government and why we are focused on doing what we can to support the people of Haiti, support the people of Cuba, continue to address the range of challenges we have around the world. <\/p>\n<p>Oh, go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    One more question.  The President, later today, is going to meeting, as you mentioned, with the officials to talk about gun violence and crime.  He did something similar less than three weeks ago.  Are we \u2014 should we expect to hear something different today than he has so far said about this issue?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I would say, first, that rise in crime has been an issue in communities across from the country for 18 months, if not more.  It\u2019s cost lives, shattered communities.  And our focus is on addressing that head on, saving lives.  And he feels it\u2019s important enough to communities around the country to continue to voice what his approach is going to be here: advocating for more police with better training and accountability, then \u2014 advocating for the need to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals, making sure people understand we need to use every tool at our disposal. <\/p>\n<p>So, certainly, today is an opportunity to meet with a number of individuals who have played a role in law enforcement, who have been leaders in their communities \u2014 and certainly should be an indication of his ongoing commitment to this important issue.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    I wanted to just check in on what the President\u2019s legislative priority is right now.  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The first: For the reconciliation bill, they need to pass a budget resolution.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Seem to be, still, pretty stark divides between, you know, Bernie Sanders, who\u2019s running the Budget Committee in the Senate, and some of the more moderate senators.  So, I\u2019m wondering: Has the White House decided on a number that they want for that bill?  And if not or if you can\u2019t express one right now, how confident are you \u2014 since we\u2019re continuing to see this divide as we get later into July \u2014 that you\u2019re going to be able to bridge that gap by Leader Schumer\u2019s schedule for this?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, first, you know, back in April, when the President said we would move forward on two tracks \u2014 that we would seek a bipartisan agreement on infrastructure and that we would work with Democrats on a budget reconciliation process that included key components of the American Families Plan \u2014 there was some skepticism about the possibility of that moving forward.  And that\u2019s a diplomatic definition of how the \u2014 the broad reaction was.  <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s exactly what is happening now.  And in our view, this is how the legislative process works.  Our policy-making muscles have atrophied over the last few years.  This is exactly what it looks like; it\u2019s messy at times.  And we fully expect that these negotiations will have ups and downs.  <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re prepared for that.  We\u2019re going to be closely engaged.  The President will be talking with, engaging with, inviting down members to have discussions as needed through this process.  But we\u2019ve already seen speculation that our agenda was dead be disproved over the last several days.  And we\u2019re going to continue to work in close coordination with members moving forward.  <\/p>\n<p>Now, I will say that, as it relates to the budget reconciliation process: That, of course, is for members of the Senate to work through what they can all collectively support together to get enough votes.  <\/p>\n<p>The President will continue to advocate for components of his Build Back Better agenda, the American Families Plan \u2014 components he\u2019s laid out in his budget \u2014 and pieces of his American Jobs Plan that were not included in the bipartisan package.  Those will be his priorities as he\u2019s having these discussions with Chairman Sanders and others who are leading this process.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    And speaking of the bipartisan bill and maybe some of the messiness, there\u2019s a meeting tomorrow to sort of hammer out the final details now the Senate is coming back.  Is the White House going to be involved in that meeting at all?  And what\u2019s your level of confidence at this point that \u2014 you know, obviously, there were some missteps after the deal was announced that threw it into a bit of peril.  How confident are you that this is going to move forward in the next couple days?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  We expect there to be some significant ups and downs, but we are ready for it.  We\u2019re bracing for it; we\u2019re also ready for it.  And we\u2019re going to remain very closely engaged at every level in these discussions.  <\/p>\n<p>In terms of this specific meeting, I believe we\u2019ll be directly involved in some level, but I can check and see if there\u2019s more specificity.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Are there any meetings between the President and lawmakers this week that you can preview, specifically on this? <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  There will be, but I don\u2019t have anything I can preview in this moment.  But we\u2019ll see if there\u2019s more we can provide. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Kaitlan.<\/p>\n<p>Q    In his meeting with civil rights leaders last week on voting rights, did the President make any assurances to them?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  The President reiterated to them what you\u2019ve heard him say many times, which is that he is absolutely committed to signing voting rights legislation into law; that he will work side-by-side with them to advocate not just here in Washington, but around the country for moving this forward; and that it is a top priority for him.  <\/p>\n<p>And you heard them go out and speak in front of the White House and convey how constructive they felt the meeting was as well.  But there\u2019s no question that these leaders and their organizations are key partners for the President in our efforts to move this legislation forward. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And, on Cuba, in this White House statement today you note the, quote, \u201ctragic grip of the pandemic.\u201d  But under current U.S. sanctions that were put in place by the last administration but have not been changed by this administration, Cuban exiles cannot send remittances to their family that lives in Cuba.  So why is the Biden administration continuing that policy?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well I would say, again, even under the embargo, there are a number of exemptions, I should say \u2014 humanitarian assistance, medical supplies that we\u2019ve continued to provide assistance to the people of Cuba, even with that in place.  <\/p>\n<p>But I have nothing to preview for you in terms of a change of policy. <\/p>\n<p>Q    But even though the President said he was going to reverse the policy, you can\u2019t say when he plans to reverse the policy?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Again, these protests happened yesterday, I think, or over the last two days.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    But he made the promise in September. <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I certainly understand, Kaitlan, but there\u2019s nothing I can preview for you.  But to be accurate, there are exemptions that we can send hed- \u2014 medical supplies, we can send humanitarian supplies.  That\u2019s something we\u2019ve been doing for some time from the U.S. government.  <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.  Go ahead, Shelby.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Yeah, I just had two quick ones.  So, first, on Cuba: Recently, the New York Times described the American flag as \u201calienating to some.\u201d  We\u2019ve seen these Cuban protesters flying the American flag as a symbol for freedom.  We saw it in Hong Kong as well.  So, does the administration support international protesters flying the American flag?  And what message do you have to Americans who are wary of flying it here in the U.S.?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I would say, first, the President certainly values and respects the \u2014 the symbol- \u2014 symbol of the American flag.  He\u2019s someone who certainly waves it outside of his house, or does in Delaware and \u2014 and other places where he\u2019s lived throughout his time.  But he also believes that people have the right to peaceful protest, and he thinks both can be true.  <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s see.  Go ahead.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    So the President\u2019s meeting today \u2014 I know that the White House has promoted using American Rescue Plan money for hiring more police officers.  I\u2019m curious if there\u2019s going to be some sort of effort to track whether an increase in police officers leads to a reduction in crime in those communities.  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.  Well, there are a number of places \u2014 and we noted this; we put out a memo that outlines some of the places where there has been an increase in funding.  And certainly, there\u2019s available data.  And we will also look closely at where we\u2019re seeing an impact.  <\/p>\n<p>So, Tu- \u2014 in Tucson, Arizona, they announced a plan to invest at least $7 million in community safety, health, and wellness from the American Rescue Plan.  In Walla Walla, Washington, they announced they plan to use funding for help in \u2014 for new police hires.  In Utica, New York, they announced plans to support gun violence prevention and law enforcement career recruiting efforts.  In Albuquerque, New Mexico \u2014 announced plans to invest $3 million to expand a gunshot detection system, $5 million to refurbish stationhouses. <\/p>\n<p>So, obviously, there are a range of factors that lead to a reduction in crime, and different communities have different challenges, even if guns are \u2014 gun violence is a big driver in many communities across the country.  But we\u2019ll certainly be working closely with them.  <\/p>\n<p>We also have these strike forces that we are working \u2014 engaging with about a half a dozen cities around the country to also engage \u2014 to also reduce illegal guns from being on the streets as well.  <\/p>\n<p>And all of these measures \u2014 our hope is that they will lead to a reduction in gun violence and crime in these \u2014 in these cities, of course. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And on voting rights: What is, I guess, the goal here in terms of giving these speeches, given that there\u2019s still Republican opposition in the Senate?  What does the President hope to accomplish in reaching out and talking to the American people about this issue?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I think the President is a big believer that, you know, as someone who has fought against the odds to get hard things done before, that part of what you need to do is build a grassroots army across the country to engage with, to empower, to inform about what their rights are and what the challenges are.  <\/p>\n<p>And one of the reasons he\u2019s going to speak to how stark this issue is \u2014 how, in \u2014 in dozens of states across the country, there are efforts to put in place restrictive voting measures \u2014 is because he wants people across the country to not just look ahead to 2024, but be prepared and eyes wide open about 2022, and also understand and know their rights and understand what the efforts are to silence them around the country.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Jen, a follow-up on voting rights?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Go ahead.  Go ahead, April.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Following that and looking historically, you\u2019re talking about an army \u2014 pulling together an army in support of voting rights.  Is this akin to what LBJ told Dr. King \u2014 \u201cGo make me do it\u201d \u2014 when he talked to him about voting rights, when they went to Selma?  Is this an effort to get the coalitions to go out and force Republicans to change their minds?  Is that what you\u2019re talking about?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, as you well know and you alluded to, April, this is not a new struggle; it\u2019s a 60-year struggle.  And the President has been at the forefront of this fight throughout his career, from his work leading the effort to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act, to even the steps he\u2019s taken as President.  <\/p>\n<p>So, obviously, this is a new moment that certainly builds on the challenges over the last 60 years with new challenges, including the swath of restrictive laws that \u2014 that many legislatures \u2014 Republican legislatures \u2014 are attempting to put into law across the country.  <\/p>\n<p>So, yes, he is going to be calling on Americans to make sure they are informed, make sure they are informing their neighbors, and make sure they are fighting efforts to pass restrictive laws in their states. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And on the history piece about Haiti: What is this administration doing, when it goes back to the historic nature with administrations in Haiti?  Bill Clinton helped Jean-Bertrand Aristide go back into power.  Condi Rice went there during the Bush administration under blue-helmet support from the U.N. to talk about democracy.  Is this administration looking at the historic nature of what administrations have done as it relates to Haiti in how you are dealing with Haiti today?  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, certainly, history is always a part of how you \u2014 any leader approaches governing and approaches engagement with foreign governments, or \u2014 or the people of other countries because sometimes that\u2019s embedded in how they understand or how they think of the United States.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s important to know and understand is that we are \u2014 have provided $75 million for a wide range of issues, including democratic governance, health, education, agricultural development, and strengthening of pre-election activities even before, of course, last week \u2014 that was as of January \u2014 and that we\u2019ve long been working with \u2014 directly with \u2014 in lifting up, empowering, and training Haiti\u2019s law enforcement \u2014 improving, I should say \u2014 Haiti\u2019s law enforcement capacity.<\/p>\n<p>There \u2014 this is a situation, though, in Haiti where the determination of what the next steps are, what the path forward is going to be up to the people of Haiti.  Who is going to be leading the country moving forward?  When is it safe to have elections?  How will they work together to figure out what their needs are?  And how can we work with them to assess what those needs are and how we can help meet them here from the government.  So, obviously, there \u2014 from the United States, I should say.  <\/p>\n<p>So, obviously, there\u2019s a great deal of uncertainty.  There\u2019s a lot more information we need.  Yesterday was just the beginning \u2014 not the beginning, but an important step in our engagement that will certainly continue from a range of entities in the federal government moving forward.  <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Jen, over the weekend, House Whip James Clyburn, an ally of the President\u2019s, called for a filibuster exemption on voting rights as a potential pathway forward for the Senate to pass that legislation.  Does the President agree?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, first, I would say that Congressman Clyburn is a good friend of the President and certainly of the administration \u2014 an important partner as we work to get our agenda moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>I will say, though, in terms of how this works, the filibuster is a legislative process tool \u2014 an important one \u2014 that warrants debate, but determination about making changes will be made by members of the Senate, not by this President or any President, frankly, moving forward.  And it requires every single Democrat supporting changes.  <\/p>\n<p>Now, I\u2019m not here to provide a Whip count for all of you, but that\u2019s not where support currently stands.  So, the President\u2019s view continues to be aligned with what he has said in the past, which that he has not supported the elimination of the filibuster because it has been used, as often, the other way around.  <\/p>\n<p>I understand you\u2019re asking me about an exemption.  We don\u2019t have any new position on that either.  <\/p>\n<p>I would note that there are a lot of issues out there \u2014 and I think activists and advocates will tell you this \u2014 where you could argue that there should be an exemption, and this is certainly one of them.  But that is what a lot of advocates \u2014 there are advocates for a range of issues, whether it\u2019s gun rights, climate, who are out there advocating for this.<\/p>\n<p>So he\u2019s talked about his support for returning to the talking filibuster; he continues to support that.  But he, again, believes that, as somebody who was in the Senate for 36 years, we need to continue to work to find a path forward to do hard things, even when they seem challenging.  And that\u2019s what he will do in this case.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So, with no pathway, really, forward, and the legislation languishing, is there a plan B?  Is there \u2014 like, is he rallying \u2014 I mean, as he is tomorrow \u2014 public support to hopefully change the complexion of the Senate and then try and pass legislation?  It just seems like there\u2019s no, kind of, obvious path forward for legislation that he says that he wants to pass if he\u2019s not going to change the filibuster rules or advocate for that.  <\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Well, I think \u2014 you know, if you look at even the Supreme Court ruling just a few weeks ago, his view is that \u2014 and he\u2019ll talk about this tomorrow \u2014 is that that sends the focus back to Congress.  And we don\u2019t accept the notion \u2014 and he\u2019s an optimist by nature; otherwise, he wouldn\u2019t be sitting in the Oval Office right now \u2014 that it\u2019s dead.  We don\u2019t accept that.  <\/p>\n<p>We believe there needs to be a path forward.  He\u2019s going to ask the Vice President to help play an important role in determining what that looks like.  And we\u2019re going to continue to advocate, to fight for moving forward on voting rights legislation.  And he\u2019ll certainly elevate the need for the American people to be engaged in that effort moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Jen, we have an out in a minute, if you want to do, like, one more maybe.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Oh, okay.  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Jen.<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Oh, well, I was going to go to you, if that\u2019s okay, only because she hasn\u2019t been here in a while.  Go ahead.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay, thanks.  Just to follow up on Matt \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  Sure.  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Clyburn was saying that he would like Biden to endorse the carveout either publicly or privately.  Like, get on the phone with Machin \u2014 just call him, say that you\u2019d like to do this.<\/p>\n<p>To bring up LBJ again, as April said, does the President see no role for himself in trying to press these lawmakers, given you say he\u2019s going to talk about the authoritarian danger of these voting rights?  Does he not see that role for himself?<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  I think the President sees his role as somebody who can speak from the bully pulpit to elevate and advocate for the need to move forward on voting rights legislation, of course, but also to use every lever in the federal government to protect the rights of the American people to \u2014 to vote around the country.  <\/p>\n<p>That is one lever \u2014 is legislation.  There are other levers that are at his disposal that we\u2019ve already started to implement and rely on.  And I would just go back to what I said a little bit earlier is that, you know, if it were that \u2014 if it were waving a magic wand to get voting rights legislation on his desk through ever- \u2014 any means, he would do that.  But it requires the majority of members in the Senate to support changes to the filibuster.  It requires \u2014 <\/p>\n<p>Q    But what about arm-twisting?  I mean, you say a magic wand, but \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. PSAKI:  It requires \u2014 again, I\u2019ll leave it to \u2014 I\u2019ll leave it to all of you to do a Whip count out there about the support.  This is a Senate procedural process.  It requires the majority of them to support it.<\/p>\n<p>What he can do as President is to continue to lift up, elevate, advocate, engage, empower people across the country; make sure they understand that this is based on the Big Lie;  make sure they are as outraged as he is about efforts around the country to suppress and silence people across the country.  That\u2019s the most instructive role he can play.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m sorry, you \u2014 I\u2019ve got to go because we\u2019ve got to \u2014 you\u2019ve got to gather.  Thanks, everyone.  We\u2019ll see you all tomorrow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Hi, everyone. Happy Monday. Okay, just two items for all of you at the top. This afternoon, the President will be joined by Attorney General Garland, as well as law enforcement leaders, elected officials, and a community violence intervention expert to discuss his comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence and violent crime. During the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":124919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Fullscreen-capture-7122021-103554-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=124918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124918\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/124919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=124918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=124918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=124918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}