{"id":148062,"date":"2022-09-26T15:39:55","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T22:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=148062"},"modified":"2022-09-26T15:39:55","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T22:39:55","slug":"briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-september-26-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=148062","title":{"rendered":"Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, September 26, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Hello!  MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0\u00a0 Hi.\u00a0 Oh, so friendly.\u00a0 Hi.\u00a0 Good afternoon, everybody.  Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Good afternoon.  MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Okay, a couple things at the top.  We would like to announce that President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden will host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a state visit to the United States on December 1st, 2022.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4swcEE9lDwo\" title=\"09\/26\/22: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>This will be the first state visit of the Biden-Harris administration.\u00a0 It will underscore the deep and enduring relationship between the United States and France, our oldest ally.<\/p>\n<p>Our close relationship with France is founded on our shared democratic values, economic ties, and defense and security cooperation.\u00a0 The leaders will discuss our continued close partnership on shared global challenges and areas of bilateral interest.<\/p>\n<p>This afternoon, the President will deliver remarks at the third meeting of the Competition Council.\u00a0 The President will highlight progress made on his competition agenda in the last year, which is helping lower prices for consumers; raise \u2014 raise wages for workers; and promote innovation throughout the economy.<\/p>\n<p>At today\u2019s meeting, the President will also announce new action to spur competition among airlines, expose and limit airline fees, and most importantly, save money for American families.<\/p>\n<p>Add-on fees hit the most vulnerable Americans the hardest.\u00a0 The President will highlight how companies sneak fees onto bills, prevent customers from seeking the full price of what they\u2019re buying upfront, and how they use termination fees to make it harder for consumers to switch their service providers.\u00a0 In fact, the median American household loses an estimated $5,000 a year due to lack of competition.<\/p>\n<p>The actions the President will announce today are part of his commitment to continue tackling that and bringing down costs.<\/p>\n<p>Tomorrow, the President will continue this focus with rem- \u2014 with remarks at the \u2014 at the White House on how he is lowering healthcare and prescription drugs acr- \u2014 costs for seniors and families across the country, and working to strengthen Medicare and Social Security.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, a family of four saved an average of $2,400 on healthcare through the American Rescue Plan that President Biden signed into law.<\/p>\n<p>And now, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed into law about two weeks ago, Medicare will finally have the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.\u00a0 Seniors will see their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs limited to a $2,000 a year.<\/p>\n<p>For decades, Big Pharma and special interests had blocked Medicare from negotiating lower prescription drug prices.\u00a0 President Biden and Democrats in Congress put an end to that through the Inflation Reduction Act, while every single Republican official voted against it.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, Republicans in Congress continue to advance legislation to cut Social Security and Medicare and put these programs on the chopping block.<\/p>\n<p>So, President Biden will speak to all of that and more tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>I wanted to also acknowledge the dangerous and backwards court ruling in Arizona Friday evening.\u00a0 This is a complete abortion ban, one that forces survivors of rape and incest to carry their pregnancies to term, and women with medical conditions could face dire health risks.\u00a0 Healthcare providers would face imprisonment of up to five years for fulfilling their duty of care.<\/p>\n<p>This ban would take Arizona women back to more than 150 years and subject them to a law from 1864, a time before Arizona was even a state.<\/p>\n<p>Arizona is now the 16th state where Republicans official have stripped women of their rights through extreme, unconscionable, statewide abortion bans.\u00a0 And Republicans in Congress continue to advance Senator Graham\u2019s proposed national abortion ban.<\/p>\n<p>The President and the Vice President believe that Congress must act urgently to codify Roe and protect women\u2019s access to abortion and healthcare.\u00a0 For millions of women enduring these daily attacks on our most fundamental rights, the risks \u2014 too many risks are at stake.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, tomorrow we will be joined in the briefing room by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who is in Miami today to assess ongoing hurricane planning and preparedness efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Over the weekend, the President approved Florida\u2019s emer- \u2014 emergency assistance request as soon as he received it and directed his team to surge federal assistance to the region well before landfall.<\/p>\n<p>FEMA has pro- \u2014 pre-positioned supplies at strategic locations in Florida and also Alabama.\u00a0 That includes generators, millions of meals, and millions of liters of water.<br \/>\nFEMA also has staff on the ground supporting, planning, and preparation efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Tomorrow, Administrator Criswell will provide an update on the efforts underway in Florida \u2014 Florida to prepare for Hurricane Ian, as well as ongoing recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and also Alaska.<\/p>\n<p>We look forward to welcoming her, and she will be glad to give you the latest information and, of course, take all of your questions.<\/p>\n<p>Aamer, you want to kick us off?<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, thank you.\u00a0 First, does the administration have any reaction to former U.S. security contractor Edward Snowden being granted, by Vladimir Putin, Russian citizenship?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, since I believe there have been criminal charges brought against him, we would point you to \u2014 to the Department of Justice for any specifics on this.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I wanted to also ask you about your, just, announcement on the Macron state visit.\u00a0 This comes \u2014 this announcement \u2014 about a year after things got a little bit bumpy for a while in the relationship with the AUKUS announcement.\u00a0 And I guess my question is: Why France \u2014 getting this first honor?\u00a0 How much of this is \u2014 one, I guess, has the relationship come first \u2014 full circle back to being in good stand?\u00a0 And is part of this about repairing the relationship?<\/p>\n<p>And then separately from that, it\u2019s a little bit late in an administration for the first state dinner, but obviously COVID was around.\u00a0 What\u2019s the calculation in how this administration thought about now it\u2019s time to actually do one of these state dinners?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, on your first question, we deeply value our relationship with \u2014 with France, which is, as I mentioned at the top, our oldest ally; with our bilateral relations founded on shared democratic values, economic ties, and defense and security cooperation.\u00a0 We work closely with France on the full range of global challenges, as you all know, including the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>It is for these reasons that the President and First Lady thought it was important to welcome this close and valued partner to the White House for their first \u2014 their first state visit.<\/p>\n<p>As you know, President Macron and President Biden have had multiple conversations over the President\u2019s first 19 months and have met a few times \u2014 most recently, as you all know, last week at the \u2014 at UNGA.\u00a0 And so, again, this is a valued \u2014 deeply valued relationship and one of our oldest allies.<\/p>\n<p>On your second question, you\u2019re right, COVID certainly has delayed many of the in-person events a President traditionally hosts at the White House.\u00a0 But the President and the First Lady had been welcoming foreign leaders to the White House, including on working visits and official working \u2014 official working visits throughout the administration.<\/p>\n<p>But as you stated, COVID has delayed many \u2014 some of this as well.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks, Karine.\u00a0 One quick housekeeping note on Florida.\u00a0 You mentioned the FEMA plans.\u00a0 Has the President spoken to Governor DeSantis ahead of the storm?\u00a0 Does he plan to?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 I don\u2019t have \u2014 we don\u2019t have any calls to preview or that\u2019s locked in to share at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 And I want to ask you about the new poll that was out this weekend \u2014 this ABC-Washington Post poll.\u00a0 It shows 56 percent of Democrats want the party to nominate someone other than Biden.\u00a0 And for people under 40, 75 percent want the party to pick someone different.\u00a0 Is the President concerned by this?\u00a0 How\u2019s he digesting a number like that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, as you know, I\u2019m \u2014 I\u2019m very limited on how I can discuss any kind of elections.\u00a0 I will reiterate what we have said many times from here, what the President has said many times, even recently \u2014 as recently as the \u201c60 Minutes\u201d interview \u2014 is that he intends to run.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have any more announcements on that.<\/p>\n<p>But, look, the President will \u2014 will say, as I\u2019m saying right now, is his focus is not on himself; his focus is on continuing to deliver for the American people.<\/p>\n<p>After taking action \u2014 we just talked \u2014 I just talked about the Inflation Reduction Act; how important Medicare is now going to be able to negotiate, be able to lower costs for \u2014 for our seniors; and how important it is \u2014 cost is going to go down as well, as it relates to \u2014 to energy bills.<\/p>\n<p>I mean, these are things that the President has done for the past 19 months, making sure that manufacturing is resurgent.\u00a0 We saw that in the New York Times article.\u00a0 And we have been able \u2014 in the first 19 months, about 700,000 jobs \u2014 manufacturing jobs have been created right here in this country because of the work that this President has done.<\/p>\n<p>And, you know, we \u2014 I said this at the top: We have done everything that we can, every \u2014 the President has made lowering costs for the American people a priority, has made the economy a priority for the American people.<\/p>\n<p>And you think about the American Rescue Plan: Republicans didn\u2019t vote for that.\u00a0 You think about the Inflation Reduction Act: Republicans didn\u2019t vote for that.\u00a0 In fact, they put forth an agenda that wants to take away the gains that we have made by fighting \u2014 by winning against one of the most powerful special interest groups.<\/p>\n<p>But go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You just ticked off this list here, but the poll actually shows that the President is deeply underwater when it comes to the economy.\u00a0 Is there anything the White House plans to do differently?\u00a0 Do you need to do \u2014 the midterms are in 44 days.\u00a0 Does there need to be a course correction?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Again, I can\u2019t talk about the midterms.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But this isn\u2019t about, like, a \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 No, no, no.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 I\u2019m \u2014 no \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2014 campaign strategy here.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Well, I\u2019m about to answer your question.\u00a0 Give me a second here.<\/p>\n<p>Again, I have to say this \u2014 right? \u2014 I cannot talk about the midterms from here, because you did mention the midterms.<\/p>\n<p>What I can say is \u2014 and we talked about this in our August memo \u2014 we are going to go out there \u2014 not just the President, the Vice President, the Cabinet Secretaries \u2014 you have congressional members in their district, as well \u2014 and we\u2019re going to talk about how we have delivered for the American people.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the thing: When you think about Medicare, you think about Social Security, you think about the pieces of legislation that we have passed, they are very popular with the American people, with Republicans and Democrats.\u00a0 And so, that is also important to note.<\/p>\n<p>So, look, we\u2019re going to keep getting out there.\u00a0 The President loves going out to \u2014 you know, to states across the country, to communities across the country, talking directly to the American people.\u00a0 And that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do.<\/p>\n<p>I understand what you\u2019re saying about the poll.\u00a0 I understand what you\u2019re saying about the President\u2019s numbers.<\/p>\n<p>But what we are going to focus on is how we are going to continue to deliver for the American people, especially at the most important things that matter to them: lowering costs, making inflation a priority when it comes to his economic agenda, making sure we don\u2019t leave anybody behind, build an economy from the bottom up, middle out.\u00a0 And that\u2019s going to be the President\u2019s focus.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karine, do you \u2014 does the White House have a reaction to the school shooting in Russia today?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, of course, we condemn any violence.\u00a0 That\u2019s something that the President always calls out.\u00a0 Is important that \u2014 he feels it\u2019s important that we speak out, especially when you hear about violence in schools.\u00a0 So, I will \u2014 I\u2019ll leave it at there.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d also like to return to a topic that we broached on last week in the briefing about the British Prime Minister\u2019s economic plan.\u00a0 The British pound is falling significantly, in part also because of the Fed\u2019s actions here on the dollar, but also in reaction to her plan.<\/p>\n<p>The President has often and regularly criticized trickle-down economics.\u00a0 Is he a fan of her plan?\u00a0 And is there a concern about the volatility in the currency markets?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, I\u2019ll say the first part is \u2014 and she said this \u2014 I believe Prime Minister Truss said that, you know, when she was asked on one of the Sunday shows yesterday, and she said that the United States is one of our \u2014 their closest allies.\u00a0 And we will say the same; the UK is one of our closest allies.\u00a0 And so, we will leave their policy decisions to themselves.<\/p>\n<p>But to your question about the pound: So, on Friday, as you all know, the President and the Vice President met with senior members of the economic team and got an update on the global economic developments, as they regularly do.<\/p>\n<p>Our economic team reported that because of our economic strategy, which is focused on long-term growth and investment, increased manufacturing and fiscal discipline, we are able to navigate these challenging global times from the strongest possible position.<\/p>\n<p>The Res- \u2014 the American Rescue Plan helped us recover from within \u2014 with twin health and economic crises we were facing better than most other economic \u2014 major economies.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, we are all dealing with global challenges, just around \u2014 clearly, around the globe.\u00a0 And as the President\u2019s economic legislation \u2014 including the Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act \u2014 are encouraging investment right here in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>I just mentioned a moment ago how 700,000 manufacturing jobs were created just in the U.S. in the last 19 months.\u00a0 A lot of that is because \u2014 all of that, really, is because of the work that this President has done.\u00a0 And that will make our economy stronger and more resilient to the years to come.<\/p>\n<p>So, again, we feel that we\u2019re in a better position to deal with the global challenges.\u00a0 And I\u2019ll leave it there.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks, Karine.\u00a0 With these poll workers in Ukraine being taken around by armed escorts and forcing people to fill out ballots on the spot, should we expect the United States to issue new sanctions this week in response to these sham referendums that are being conducted?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, let me just first say that we will never recognize \u2014 recognize this terr- \u2014 never recognize this territory that \u2014 this territory as anything other than as part of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>This \u2014 when it comes to the sham referendum, the sham votes that we\u2019re seeing in the last couple days, we will continue to work with our allies and partners to hold Russia accountable and support Ukraine for as long as it takes.<\/p>\n<p>As far as what we are doing, we are prepared to impose additional swift and severe economic costs on Russia, along with our allies and partners, in response to these actions that we\u2019re seeing currently if they move forward with annexation.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been very clear about that.<\/p>\n<p>As you all saw on Friday \u2014 G7 Leaders\u2019 Statement \u2014 the United States will never, ever, again, recognize this territory as anything than part of Ukraine.\u00a0 We stand with our partners around the world in rejecting whatever fabricated outcomes Russia announces.\u00a0 And you will hear more from us in the coming days on this.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So, there could be action on that this week?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Look, we\u2019ll hear more from us in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>Again, these \u2014 these referendums are a flagrant violation of the international law.\u00a0 You heard that directly from the President at UNGA last week.\u00a0 And it\u2019s an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin the international system and are the foundation of the United Nations Charter.\u00a0 You heard the President say that, specifically, just a few \u2014 like, just a few days ago.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And with the warnings that we saw from Jake Sullivan, Tony Blinken, all of these figures yesterday, about the catastrophic warnings that they say that they\u2019ve communicated to Russia if Russia chooses to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, does the United States believe that \u2014 even if it\u2019s still low, does it believe the chances of Russia using nuclear weapons is higher now than it was in February, in March, given what\u2019s happened on the battlefield?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, as far as any evidence or the chances \u2014 look, we haven\u2019t seen that at this time.\u00a0 We take these threats, though, very seriously.\u00a0 But we have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture at this time.<\/p>\n<p>So, again, haven\u2019t seen any evidence of it.\u00a0 But we take this incredibly seriously.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the issue of the President speaking with Governor DeSantis, we saw them side-by-side a little over a year ago when they were together with the Surfside incident and so forth.\u00a0 Does the President think it\u2019s important, when you have this nature of threat to millions and millions of Americans, to have a conversation with a governor?<\/p>\n<p>I know, there\u2019s a lot of administrative and bureaucratic steps that are in place to provide resources.\u00a0 But does the President believe it\u2019s important to speak to a governor in these circumstances?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, look, what the President believes is that it\u2019s important that federal resources is provided for the people of Florida.\u00a0 That is the most important thing \u2014 to make sure that we are there for them in this time of need.\u00a0 And that\u2019s why the President reacted right away to make sure that the \u2014 that we are able to surge resources before.\u00a0 And he did this before landfall.\u00a0 And so that is the most important thing.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about the people of Florida; it\u2019s not about public officials, especially in this time.\u00a0 And so, again, the President, as President of the United States, as President for folks in red states and blue states, he\u2019s going to keep that commitment.<\/p>\n<p>And you have seen him do that over the course of the 19 months when there has been extreme, extreme events, extreme weather that has happened, again, in blue states and red states.\u00a0 And he has done his job as President to make sure that we are there for the people in the state.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is there any concern, if there was a perception that there might be politics or personalities or disagreements among individuals that would get in the way \u2014 not so much of the flow of the information, but if people are wondering, is there anything that could stand in the way of the response if a President and a governor might not speak?<\/p>\n<p>He didn\u2019t speak to the governor of Mississippi during the water crisis with Jackson.\u00a0 Thus far, he has not spoken to Governor DeSantis.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 And so \u2014 and that\u2019s a perfect example, Kelly O.\u00a0 When you mentioned the governor of Mississippi, they \u2014 you were right, they didn\u2019t speak, and we still were able to deliver for the folks in Jackson and for the folks of Mississippi.\u00a0 You had our EPA Administrator on the ground.\u00a0 You had FEMA Administrator on the ground.\u00a0 And not just them, but also folks who work for those \u2014 for those two agencies.\u00a0 And you had the Army Corps of Engineers.<\/p>\n<p>And so we put the full \u2014 the full power of the administration.\u00a0 We surged resources on the ground to make sure that we did everything that we can to help the people of Mississippi.\u00a0 This is the same; there\u2019s no difference here.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to do the same in Florida as we\u2019ve done in other \u2014 in other states.<\/p>\n<p>As I mentioned, Administrator Criswell will be here tomorrow.\u00a0 She is in Miami, as we speak, current \u2014 as I speak currently.\u00a0 And she\u2019ll be here, and she will lay out what we, as an administration, is doing for Florida and other \u2014 and other \u2014 and other states, like Alaska and any others that need our assistance at this time.\u00a0 And \u2014 and she\u2019ll lay that out and answer any questions that you all may have.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you, Karine.\u00a0 I have a couple questions.\u00a0 One is that, last week, you were asked about Puerto Rico and any plans that the President may have to make a trip down to Puerto Rico.\u00a0 Is he planning to go?\u00a0 Can you provide us any guidance on that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Sorry, I\u2019m having a little bit of a hard time hearing you.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 Puerto Rico.\u00a0 I know you were asked last week about the President \u2014 possible travel plans.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t have anything to say last week.\u00a0 Do we have an update on whether the President does intend to travel to Puerto Rico?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 We don\u2019t have any- \u2014 anything to preview at this time.\u00a0 We continue to closely monitor the impact of Hurricane Fiona is having on Puerto Rico.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just reiterate just a couple of things for folks who may have missed this.<\/p>\n<p>But as you all know, when he was in New York, the President announced the federal government is covering 100 percent of the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures for the next month in this recovery.<\/p>\n<p>The President also increased critical needs assistance from $500 to $700 to support individuals and families with immediate or critical need as a result of being displaced from their primary dwelling.<\/p>\n<p>And as of today, there are hundreds of federal response workers on the ground in Puerto Rico supporting operations, planning, power restorations, debris removal, and urban search and rescue.<\/p>\n<p>As far as travel, we don\u2019t have anything to share at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And then, also, on Iran, we saw continued protests in Iran over the weekend. \u00a0I know that, last week, we did get indications from the State Department that there were efforts the United States was taking to ensure Internet access remained available.\u00a0 Are there any other measures, steps the U.S. government is intending to take to support protesters in Iran?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Yeah, I\u2019ll lay down the steps for a second.\u00a0 But I just want to make very, very clear here \u2014 and we have been very clear, the U.S., on our position with what we\u2019re currently seeing in Iran: The President stated at UNGA, \u201c[W]e stand with the brave citizens and brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Women in Iran should have the right to wear what they want, free from violence or harassment.\u00a0 Iran must end its use of violence against women for exercising their fundamental freedoms.\u00a0 There must be accountability for Mahsa\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<p>What we are doing \u2014 I\u2019ll lay out a couple of actions that we have taken as it relates to the Internet.<\/p>\n<p>On September 21st, the Iranian government cut off, as you know, access to the Internet for most of its 80 million citizens as \u2014 as courageous Iranians take to the streets to protest the death of Mahsa Amini.<\/p>\n<p>The United States is taking action to support the free flow of information to the Iranian women \u2014 sorry, the Iranian people, specifically \u2014 more broadly.<\/p>\n<p>On September 23rd, which was this past Friday, the Department of Treasury issued an updated general license that will increase support for Internet freedom in Iran and authorize technology companies to offer the Iranian people more options of secure outside platforms and services.<\/p>\n<p>With these changes, we are helping the Iranian people access tools that are better equipped to counter the Iranian government\u2019s effort to surveil and censor \u2014 and censor them as well.<\/p>\n<p>If we have any more information, we will share that with all of you.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Just to follow up on your answer about the UK pound: So are you saying that the administration doesn\u2019t think that currency volatility is so serious right now that the U.S. government will need to take action right now?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, look, we continue \u2014 we\u2019re going to continue to monitor the global markets.\u00a0 What we are laying out is what \u2014 the meeting that the President had with his economic team, how seriously we\u2019re taking this, how closely that we are, you know, having conversations with our team.<\/p>\n<p>And what we can speak to is what we\u2019re doing here in the U.S.\u00a0 Our U.S. strategy \u2014 economic strategy is focused on the long-term growth and investment, increased manufacturing, and fiscal discipline \u2014 has positioned our country to navigate challenging global times from the strongest position possible.<\/p>\n<p>Again, we\u2019re going to continue to monitor all of \u2014 all \u2014 as we always say, we cont- \u2014 we monitor the indic- \u2014 all indicators.\u00a0 We\u2019ll also monitor the global markets as well.<\/p>\n<p>But what I can speak to is what we are doing here to \u2014 to take on these global challenges, as we have been for the last 19 months.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks.\u00a0 And then, on the President hosting the Atlanta Braves today, I\u2019m wondering if you or the President has any thoughts about some of the controversial \u2014 about the team name \u2014 the Braves name, the so-called tomahawk chop, any thoughts on that.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, look, we \u2014 we believe that it\u2019s important to have this conversation.\u00a0 You know, and \u2014 and Native American and Indigenous voices, they should be at the center of this conversation.<\/p>\n<p>That is something that the President believes.\u00a0 That is something that this administration believes.\u00a0 And he has consistently emphasized that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.\u00a0 You hear that often from this President.<\/p>\n<p>The same is true here.\u00a0 And we should listen to Native American and Indigenous people who are the most impacted by this.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you, Karine.\u00a0 Two questions.\u00a0 One on Italy.\u00a0 How do you foresee future cooperation with the right-wing coalition that won the election in Italy yesterday?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, on the election specifically, I \u2014 you know, I\u2019m not going to go and engage in any hypotheticals \u2014 right? \u2014 because we still have some time here.\u00a0 It\u2019s a \u2014 it\u2019s a NATO Ally, as you know; a G7 partner; and member of the EU.<\/p>\n<p>So we will \u2014 we will work with the new Italian government on the full range of shared global challenges, including supporting Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia\u2019s aggression.<\/p>\n<p>But \u2014 but, again, I\u2019m not going to get into hypotheticals.\u00a0 Again, they are a NATO Ally, a G7 partner, and a member of the EU.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One more on Russia.\u00a0 As mobilization in Russia continues, many Russian men try \u2014 thousands of Russian men try to leave the country, and Europe is split on that.\u00a0 Some European countries, including Baltics and Poland, turn them back.\u00a0 Others argue that Europe should welcome them and give them refugee status.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s your position?\u00a0 What President \u2014 what\u2019s President Biden\u2019s position on that?\u00a0 And is the U.S. willing to grant those men refugee status here in the U.S.?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, I would leave other country \u2014 I would let other countries speak to their own policies.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to speak to the \u2014 to other countries\u2019 policies from here.<\/p>\n<p>But what I can say, for our part, for the U.S.: We have been clear to distinguish between the actions of the Russian government and its armed forces in Ukraine and the Russian people, many of whom have spoken out against this unjust war.<\/p>\n<p>We see that just in the last couple of days, as we see the protests continuing in Russia.\u00a0 So, anyone seeking refuge for persecution, regas- \u2014 regardless of their nationality, may apply for asylum in the United States and have their claim\u00a0<s>adjucated<\/s>\u00a0[adjudicated] on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where \u2014 that\u2019s how we see our role here and our part in this.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah, thank you.\u00a0 Does President Biden shares Zelenskyy\u2019s assessment that Putin is not, quote, \u201cbluffing\u201d when it comes to his threats about nuclear weapons?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, I mean, we\u2019ve been very clear on this: that Putin\u2019s nuclear threat against Europe are irresponsible, and it\u2019s reckless. We \u2014 you\u2019ve heard the President say this.\u00a0 You\u2019ve heard the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan; he was most recently on a few Sunday shows.\u00a0 And the consequences of nuclear use would be disastrous for Russia and the world, and Russia would be a pariah on the world stage.<\/p>\n<p>So this is not new rhetoric.\u00a0 We have heard this before from Russia.\u00a0 We have heard this before from Mr. Putin.\u00a0 They have made these threats before, over the course of the \u2014 this conflict this past six months or more.<\/p>\n<p>We, of course, take it seriously.\u00a0 Again, we take this very, very seriously.\u00a0 Though I would add that Russia itself has said many times that a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought.\u00a0 This is something that they have said, including earlier this year in the P5 joint statement.<\/p>\n<p>As the President made clear, any use of nuclear weapons on any scale should be dis- \u2014 would be \u2014 should be and would be \u2014 would be disastrous for the world and would entail severe consequences.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, and regarding these catastrophic consequences that Blinken, Sullivan, yourself have said would occur if there are nuclear weapons used, I mean, can we assume that these would be consequences beyond sanctions, that there would be some sort of military response?\u00a0 What more can you say of what \u201ccatastrophic consequences\u201d mean here?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, look \u2014 and Jake Sullivan said this \u2014 said this yesterday as well \u2014 is that we have had private conversations.\u00a0 He \u2014 the NSC and his team has had private conversations and communicated privately, directly to the Russians, and they understand that.\u00a0 They understand exactly what \u2014 what those consequences would be.<\/p>\n<p>We are not going to lay that out in the public.\u00a0 We are not going to have these negotiations or share these conversations in public.<\/p>\n<p>But again, to reit- \u2014 reiterate what our national security advisor said just yesterday, is that they have made that very clear and spoken directly to the Russians, and they understand.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are there any plans for President Biden to relay that directly to Putin in some way?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 We don\u2019t have any calls to preview at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Welcome back.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you.\u00a0 So, it\u2019s been about a month since the President unveiled his plan for the $10- to $20,000 of student loan forgiveness.\u00a0 I know that there was going to be an application available in early October.\u00a0 I\u2019m just wondering if you can give any updates on whether or not that\u2019s still going to be the case.pl<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 We\u2019ll have something to share on that very, very soon on the application process and the next steps.\u00a0 I don\u2019t \u2014 once we have that, we\u2019ll share with all of you.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And several state attorneys generals are planning, you know, court challenges once this is unveiled.\u00a0 What \u2014 can you talk at all about what is, sort of, going on inside the administration to bolster against this or \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, I leave that to the Department of Justice.\u00a0 I know that when we announced the student loan relief, they put out on their website kind of a legal \u2014 kind of a legal layout of how they came to making their legal determination.\u00a0 So again, I\u2019ll leave it to them.<\/p>\n<p>But look, you know, there\u2019s always a lot of noise around the student loan debt relief.\u00a0 And at \u2014 the bottom line is, this is going to give us some breathing room to many Americans \u2014 tens of millions of Americans.<\/p>\n<p>This is going to be an important \u2014 an important step forward in giving people an opportunity to save some money and put money down on a house \u2014 right? \u2014 to start their family.\u00a0 Ninety percent of Americans who are going to be able to benefit from the student debt relief are making less than $75,000 a year.<\/p>\n<p>So, this is an important \u2014 we think \u2014 we believe it\u2019s important for working families.\u00a0 It is important for people who are just looking for a little bit more of \u2014 you know, a little bit more of help in their everyday lives.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And then, my second question is on this framework House Republicans unveiled last week should they take the House<br \/>\nafter the midterms.\u00a0 I know that senior Republican leaders have been touting a lot of these different bullet points: investigation, power, hiring more police officers, a parents\u2019 bill of rights.\u00a0 Like what \u2014 what are you all thinking as they keep playing up their framework and giving interviews about it?\u00a0 I mean, what is the \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Specifically about the GOP agenda, or \u2014 can you \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 I think \u2014 I think the subpoena power and the power to investigate is probably, I would imagine, a concern inside the White House.\u00a0 But I\u2019m wondering, you know, as you watch these sorts of these Republicans talk about it, what is the thinking here?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Look, our thinking is we are going to focus on the here and now.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to focus on the wins that we have been able to make for the American people.\u00a0 You all saw it.\u00a0 You all reported on it.\u00a0 When you think about the CHIPS Act.\u00a0 You heard me talk a couple times already about the Inflation Reduction Act.\u00a0 You\u2019ve heard me talk about the American Rescue Plan, how that got that got our economy turned back on.\u00a0 I just talked about the student debt relief.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the \u2014 what the President is going to be focused on.\u00a0 Whether, you know, the GOP take the House or not, again, I have to be careful what I say from here, from the podium.\u00a0 That\u2019s a hypothetical that we\u2019re just not going to entertain at this point.<\/p>\n<p>At this point, we\u2019re going to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to lower \u2014 to lower costs.\u00a0 And, you know, I will say this: Republicans are doing the complete opposite.\u00a0 They\u2019re not wanting to lower costs for the American people.\u00a0 Again, voted against the American Rescue Plan, voted against Inflation Reduction Act that helps lower costs for the American people.<\/p>\n<p>But, again, we\u2019re going to stay steadfast in making sure that we continue the work.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You have a two o\u2019clock out.\u00a0 Can you take a few more?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take a few more.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karine?\u00a0 It\u2019s been two months, Karine.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Go ahead.\u00a0 Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is the White House confident that a government shutdown will be averted at the end of this week?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, look \u2014 and I\u2019ve spoken to this a couple of times \u2014 we are \u2014 we believe that this could be averted.\u00a0 This is not the first time that we are in a position where, you know, we\u2019re talking about the C.R.\u00a0 It was done last year, and it would \u2014 it could be done again this year.\u00a0 So, we \u2014 we encourage Congress to get it done.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is the President going to be talking to lawmakers this week to try and (inaudible)?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 I don\u2019t have anything for you to preview at this time on any conversations that the President is having.\u00a0 I can say this \u2014 and I\u2019ve said this many times before \u2014 our \u2014 we have our teams here in the various departments who are having regular conversations with members of Congress and their staff in a bipartisan way.\u00a0 Because this thi- \u2014 we think this is something that should happen and needs to happen.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can you give us an update on U.S. aid to Pakistan?\u00a0 And can you also tell us to what extent the U.S. is worried that catastrophic flooding in the country \u2014 a country that\u2019s nuclear armed with a history of military coups could lead to political instability and insecurity in Pakistan?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, we\u2019d have to go back to the team to get any more specifics on what we have talked about already about the aid that we have provided for Pakistan.\u00a0 We have been in close communications with folks and making sure that as they\u2019re dealing with the flood \u2014 as the people of Pakistan are dealing with the flood, that they have, you know, aid, especially from us.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t have any specifics on anything else that \u2014 beyond what we have already shared.\u00a0 But I\u2019m happy to check with the team and lay out and get some more updates for you.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is there anything you can say on the, kind of, concerns that this humanitarian issue could lead to a security \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 I mean, we always have that concern.\u00a0 That\u2019s something that we monitor very closely.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t have anything more to share on what you\u2019ve already laid out.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Senator Rick Scott has a bill that he\u2019s proposing that, essentially, is supposed to require universities with high endowments to pay some of the financial aid when it comes to tuition.\u00a0 Does the administration \u2014 have they seen the bill?\u00a0 We were told by Rick Scott\u2019s team that they sent a letter to the administration.\u00a0 Have you seen the bill?\u00a0 And does the administration believe that universities do have some type of responsibility when it comes to lowering the cost of higher ed?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, I have not seen this bill.\u00a0 I would have to talk to our office of Leg Affairs on this particular piece of legislation by Rick Scott.<\/p>\n<p>Look, we have been very clear and so \u2014 so has the Department of Education.\u00a0 The Secretary there has said, you know, has put into \u2014 policies and processes in place to make sure that universities are playing their role and not raising costs on students and universities.<\/p>\n<p>But I have not seen this piece of legislation, so I can\u2019t comment on it from at this point.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you, Karine.\u00a0 Does President Biden think America\u2019s big cities are safe?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Can you say more?<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well, we know that thefts and robberies are up about 20 percent in the first half of this year.\u00a0 So, I\u2019m wondering if he thinks Americans big cities are safe.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Are you talking about the New York Times story specifically?\u00a0 Or is that what you\u2019re referring to?<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah, they had some stats.\u00a0 The murder rate still 30 percent above its 2019 level.\u00a0 They\u2019re all from the Council on Criminal Justice.<\/p>\n<p>So, we\u2019ve seen some high-profile examples of this.\u00a0 The Washington Commander\u2019s running back was being mugged.\u00a0 He got shot.\u00a0 Karen Bass, member of Congress, had her house robbed.\u00a0 These are high-profile people.<\/p>\n<p>So should everyday Americans who are not in the public eye feel safe in America\u2019s cities?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So I\u2019ll say this: That same story also stated that the crime is complicated and multifaceted.<\/p>\n<p>Look, this is a President who has secured historic funding to make sure that law enforcement has what it needs \u2014 is especially \u2014 and he was able to do this in the face of opposition from Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>During a time where \u2014 where he inherited a rising crime rate from the previous administration, the President put forth the American Rescue Plan.\u00a0 And in that very \u2014 in that very plan, there was more than $300 billion to go to local \u2014 local states and local cities to make sure that they were able to hire law enforcement \u2014 law officers.\u00a0 They were able to hire, you know, firefighters.\u00a0 They were able to hire people that were critical to their needs as they were dealing with a pandemic.\u00a0 Republicans voted against that.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So, I guess \u2014 just the original question: Does President Biden think America\u2019s big cities are safe?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 It is not \u2014 it is not a \u2014 it is not a \u201cyes\u201d or a \u201cno\u201d question; it is very much a question of what has he done.\u00a0 That\u2019s how we see the question is: What has he done to make sure that cities \u2014 and it doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a big city or a small city, it doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s in a red state or a blue state \u2014 what matters is that we have the funding and we have done the work, put the policy forward to make sure that the cities, whether it\u2019s big or small, have what they need to protect their community.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s what this President has done \u2014 again, without the help of Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And my last one on this.\u00a0 Jen Psaki says that crime is a \u201chuge vulnerability\u201d for Democrats.\u00a0 Why would she say that?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So, you know, again, I can\u2019t do electoral politics from here, as you know.\u00a0 But I kind of \u2014 I don\u2019t agree with your characterization of what she actually said.<\/p>\n<p>But I\u2019ll say this, and I\u2019ve already I\u2019ve already said this already: The past few months, what we\u2019ve been able to do is create a pretty much clear split screen of what we are doing to deliver for the American people and what Republicans refuse to do.<\/p>\n<p>We are making sure that \u2014 that we have Medicare and Social Security, and we make sure that the Big Pharma is not upping costs for our seniors \u2014 right? \u2014 and making sure that we give them a little bit of breathing room.<\/p>\n<p>And, you know, you have Republicans who want to cut Medicare.\u00a0 They want to sunset Medicare.\u00a0 They want to set sunset Social Security.\u00a0 You have this GOP agenda that was put out by the House where they want to go after the Inflation Reduction Act, which will have an effect that will actually hurt Americans.<\/p>\n<p>And so, I think there is a stark contrast here that we\u2019ve seen in the past several months \u2014 I would argue the past 19 months.<\/p>\n<p>And this is the last question.\u00a0 I know we have to \u2014 at two o\u2019clock, we have to go.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Steve.<\/p>\n<p>Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks, Karine.\u00a0 Just wanted to ask you about this pretty extraordinary open letter sent to the President by the workforce of the Office of Inspector General at DHS, essentially saying that the Inspector General Joseph Cuffari should be removed, that he \u2014 that the workforce cannot complete their mission with Cuffari in his position.<\/p>\n<p>They say that he no longer has the support of the workforce, has permanently damaged the reputation of the office.\u00a0 This is apparently the office that, for months, sat on the news of the January 6th \u2014 the text messages from the Secret Service and, according to reports this summer, blocked deeper investigations into those text messages.<\/p>\n<p>Has the President seen this letter?\u00a0 Does the White House have a response?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 So we have heard about some of the issues with this particular inspector general, and we\u2019re \u2014 we\u2019re going to take a look at those.\u00a0 That\u2019s what I can share with you at this time.<\/p>\n<p>But as far as any personal \u2014 personnel announcements, I don\u2019t have anything to share.<\/p>\n<p>Again, we have heard of some of these issues, and I can say to you from here that we\u2019re going to take a look at them.<\/p>\n<p>All right, we\u2019ll see you guys tomorrow.\u00a0 Thanks, everybody.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Hello! MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0\u00a0 Hi.\u00a0 Oh, so friendly.\u00a0 Hi.\u00a0 Good afternoon, everybody. Q\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Good afternoon. MS. JEAN-PIERRE:\u00a0 Okay, a couple things at the top. We would like to announce that President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden will host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a state visit to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":148063,"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-148062","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\/2022\/09\/Fullscreen-capture-9262022-33810-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148062","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=148062"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148064,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148062\/revisions\/148064"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/148063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=148062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=148062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=148062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}