Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, September 26, 2022

September 27, 2022

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

1:27 P.M. EDT

Q    Hi there!

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:   Hello.  Oh, so pleasant.  Hello.  Good afternoon, everyone. 

Q    Good afternoon. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay, a pair issues on the high. 

We wish to announce that President Joe Biden and First Girl Dr. Biden will host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a state go to to the USA on December 1st, 2022. 

This would be the first state go to of the Biden-Harris administration.  It can underscore the deep and enduring relationship between the USA and France, our oldest ally. 

Our shut relationship with France is based on our shared democratic values, financial ties, and protection and safety cooperation.  The leaders will talk about our continued shut partnership on shared world challenges and areas of bilateral curiosity. 

This afternoon, the President will ship remarks on the third assembly of the Competitors Council.  The President will spotlight progress made on his competitors agenda within the final 12 months, which helps decrease costs for shoppers; increase — increase wages for staff; and promote innovation all through the financial system. 

At in the present day’s assembly, the President can even announce new motion to spur competitors amongst airways, expose and restrict airline charges, and most significantly, get monetary savings for American households. 

Add-on charges hit probably the most susceptible People the toughest.  The President will spotlight how firms sneak charges onto payments, forestall prospects from in search of the complete value of what they’re shopping for upfront, and the way they use termination charges to make it tougher for shoppers to change their service suppliers.  In reality, the median American family loses an estimated $5,000 a 12 months as a result of lack of competitors. 

The actions the President will announce in the present day are a part of his dedication to proceed tackling that and bringing down prices. 

Tomorrow, the President will proceed this focus with rem- — with remarks on the — on the White Home on how he’s reducing healthcare and pharmaceuticals acr- — prices for seniors and households throughout the nation, and dealing to strengthen Medicare and Social Safety. 

Final 12 months, a household of 4 saved a median of $2,400 on healthcare by the American Rescue Plan that President Biden signed into legislation. 

And now, because of the Inflation Discount Act, which President Biden signed into legislation about two weeks in the past, Medicare will lastly have the facility to barter decrease prescription drug costs.  Seniors will see their out-of-pocket prices for pharmaceuticals restricted to a $2,000 a 12 months. 

For many years, Massive Pharma and particular pursuits had blocked Medicare from negotiating decrease prescription drug costs.  President Biden and Democrats in Congress put an finish to that by the Inflation Discount Act, whereas each single Republican official voted towards it. 

Not solely that, Republicans in Congress proceed to advance laws to chop Social Safety and Medicare and put these applications on the chopping block. 

So, President Biden will communicate to all of that and extra tomorrow. 

I needed to additionally acknowledge the harmful and backwards court docket ruling in Arizona Friday night.  It is a full abortion ban, one which forces survivors of rape and incest to hold their pregnancies to time period, and ladies with medical situations might face dire well being dangers.  Healthcare suppliers would face imprisonment of as much as 5 years for fulfilling their obligation of care. 

This ban would take Arizona girls again to greater than 150 years and topic them to a legislation from 1864, a time earlier than Arizona was even a state. 

Arizona is now the sixteenth state the place Republicans official have stripped girls of their rights by excessive, unconscionable, statewide abortion bans.  And Republicans in Congress proceed to advance Senator Graham’s proposed nationwide abortion ban.

The President and the Vice President imagine that Congress should act urgently to codify Roe and shield girls’s entry to abortion and healthcare.  For tens of millions of girls enduring these each day assaults on our most basic rights, the dangers — too many dangers are at stake. 

Lastly, tomorrow we might be joined within the briefing room by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who’s in Miami in the present day to evaluate ongoing hurricane planning and preparedness efforts. 

Over the weekend, the President accepted Florida’s emer- — emergency help request as quickly as he obtained it and directed his staff to surge federal help to the area properly earlier than landfall.

FEMA has pro- — pre-positioned provides at strategic areas in Florida and in addition Alabama.  That features turbines, tens of millions of meals, and tens of millions of liters of water. 
FEMA additionally has employees on the bottom supporting, planning, and preparation efforts. 

Tomorrow, Administrator Criswell will present an replace on the efforts underway in Florida — Florida to arrange for Hurricane Ian, in addition to ongoing restoration efforts in Puerto Rico and in addition Alaska. 

We stay up for welcoming her, and he or she might be glad to provide the newest data and, in fact, take all your questions. 

Aamer, you need to kick us off?

Q    Sure, thanks.  First, does the administration have any response to former U.S. safety contractor Edward Snowden being granted, by Vladimir Putin, Russian citizenship?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, since I imagine there have been prison fees introduced towards him, we’d level you to — to the Division of Justice for any specifics on this. 

Q    I needed to additionally ask you about your, simply, announcement on the Macron state go to.  This comes — this announcement — a couple of 12 months after issues acquired a bit of bit bumpy for some time within the relationship with the AUKUS announcement.  And I assume my query is: Why France — getting this primary honor?  How a lot of that is — one, I assume, has the connection come first — full circle again to being in good stand?  And is a part of this about repairing the connection?

After which individually from that, it’s a bit of bit late in an administration for the primary state dinner, however clearly COVID was round.  What’s the calculation in how this administration considered now it’s time to really do certainly one of these state dinners?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, in your first query, we deeply worth our relationship with — with France, which is, as I discussed on the high, our oldest ally; with our bilateral relations based on shared democratic values, financial ties, and protection and safety cooperation.  We work intently with France on the complete vary of worldwide challenges, as you all know, together with the conflict in Ukraine. 

It’s for these causes that the President and First Girl thought it was vital to welcome this shut and valued accomplice to the White Home for his or her first — their first state go to. 

As you already know, President Macron and President Biden have had a number of conversations over the President’s first 19 months and have met a number of instances — most lately, as you all know, final week on the — at UNGA.  And so, once more, this can be a valued — deeply valued relationship and certainly one of our oldest allies. 

In your second query, you’re proper, COVID actually has delayed most of the in-person occasions a President historically hosts on the White Home.  However the President and the First Girl had been welcoming overseas leaders to the White Home, together with on working visits and official working — official working visits all through the administration. 

However as you said, COVID has delayed many — a few of this as properly. 

Go forward.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  One fast housekeeping be aware on Florida.  You talked about the FEMA plans.  Has the President spoken to Governor DeSantis forward of the storm?  Does he plan to?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have — we don’t have any calls to preview or that’s locked in to share at the moment. 

Q    Okay.  And I need to ask you in regards to the new ballot that was out this weekend — this ABC-Washington Publish ballot.  It exhibits 56 p.c of Democrats need the occasion to appoint somebody aside from Biden.  And for individuals below 40, 75 p.c need the occasion to choose somebody totally different.  Is the President involved by this?  How’s he digesting a quantity like that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as you already know, I’m — I’m very restricted on how I can talk about any type of elections.  I’ll reiterate what we have now stated many instances from right here, what the President has stated many instances, even lately — as lately because the “60 Minutes” interview — is that he intends to run.  I don’t have any extra bulletins on that. 

However, look, the President will — will say, as I’m saying proper now, is his focus will not be on himself; his focus is on persevering with to ship for the American individuals. 

After taking motion — we simply talked — I simply talked in regards to the Inflation Discount Act; how vital Medicare is now going to have the ability to negotiate, be capable to decrease prices for — for our seniors; and the way vital it’s — value goes to go down as properly, because it pertains to — to power payments. 

I imply, these are issues that the President has completed for the previous 19 months, ensuring that manufacturing is resurgent.  We noticed that within the New York Occasions article.  And we have now been in a position — within the first 19 months, about 700,000 jobs — manufacturing jobs have been created proper right here on this nation due to the work that this President has completed. 

And, you already know, we — I stated this on the high: We have now completed the whole lot that we will, each — the President has made reducing prices for the American individuals a precedence, has made the financial system a precedence for the American individuals. 

And you consider the American Rescue Plan: Republicans didn’t vote for that.  You consider the Inflation Discount Act: Republicans didn’t vote for that.  In reality, they put forth an agenda that desires to remove the good points that we have now made by preventing — by successful towards some of the highly effective particular curiosity teams.

However go forward.

Q    You simply ticked off this checklist right here, however the ballot truly exhibits that the President is deeply underwater with regards to the financial system.  Is there something the White Home plans to do in a different way?  Do you must do — the midterms are in 44 days.  Does there have to be a course correction?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Once more, I can’t discuss in regards to the midterms.

Q    However this isn’t about, like, a —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, no, no.  No.  I’m — no —

Q    — marketing campaign technique right here.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Properly, I’m about to reply your query.  Give me a second right here.

Once more, I’ve to say this — proper? — I can not discuss in regards to the midterms from right here, since you did point out the midterms.

What I can say is — and we talked about this in our August memo — we’re going to go on the market — not simply the President, the Vice President, the Cupboard Secretaries — you have got congressional members of their district, as properly — and we’re going to speak about how we have now delivered for the American individuals.

Right here’s the factor: When you consider Medicare, you consider Social Safety, you consider the items of laws that we have now handed, they’re very talked-about with the American individuals, with Republicans and Democrats.  And so, that can be vital to notice.

So, look, we’re going to maintain getting on the market.  The President loves going out to — you already know, to states throughout the nation, to communities throughout the nation, speaking on to the American individuals.  And that’s what we’re going to do.

I perceive what you’re saying in regards to the ballot.  I perceive what you’re saying in regards to the President’s numbers. 

However what we’re going to deal with is how we’re going to proceed to ship for the American individuals, particularly at a very powerful issues that matter to them: reducing prices, making inflation a precedence with regards to his financial agenda, ensuring we don’t go away anyone behind, construct an financial system from the underside up, center out.  And that’s going to be the President’s focus.

Q    Karine, do you — does the White Home have a response to the college taking pictures in Russia in the present day?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, in fact, we condemn any violence.  That’s one thing that the President at all times calls out.  Is vital that — he feels it’s vital that we communicate out, particularly if you hear about violence in colleges.  So, I’ll — I’ll go away it at there.

Q    I’d additionally prefer to return to a subject that we broached on final week within the briefing in regards to the British Prime Minister’s financial plan.  The British pound is falling considerably, partly additionally due to the Fed’s actions right here on the greenback, but additionally in response to her plan.

The President has usually and commonly criticized trickle-down economics.  Is he a fan of her plan?  And is there a priority in regards to the volatility within the forex markets?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’ll say the primary half is — and he or she stated this — I imagine Prime Minister Truss stated that, you already know, when she was requested on one of many Sunday exhibits yesterday, and he or she stated that the USA is certainly one of our — their closest allies.  And we’ll say the identical; the UK is certainly one of our closest allies.  And so, we’ll go away their coverage selections to themselves.

However to your query in regards to the pound: So, on Friday, as you all know, the President and the Vice President met with senior members of the financial staff and acquired an replace on the worldwide financial developments, as they commonly do.

Our financial staff reported that due to our financial technique, which is targeted on long-term progress and funding, elevated manufacturing and monetary self-discipline, we’re in a position to navigate these difficult world instances from the strongest doable place.

The Res- — the American Rescue Plan helped us get better from inside — with twin well being and financial crises we have been dealing with higher than most different financial — main economies.

Bear in mind, we’re all coping with world challenges, simply round — clearly, across the globe.  And because the President’s financial laws — together with the Infrastructure Legislation, the CHIPS Act, and the Inflation Discount Act — are encouraging funding proper right here in the USA. 

I simply talked about a second in the past how 700,000 manufacturing jobs have been created simply within the U.S. within the final 19 months.  Quite a lot of that’s as a result of — all of that, actually, is due to the work that this President has completed.  And that may make our financial system stronger and extra resilient to the years to come back.

So, once more, we really feel that we’re in a greater place to cope with the worldwide challenges.  And I’ll go away it there.

Go forward.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  With these ballot staff in Ukraine being taken round by armed escorts and forcing individuals to fill out ballots on the spot, ought to we anticipate the USA to difficulty new sanctions this week in response to those sham referendums which are being performed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, let me simply first say that we’ll by no means acknowledge — acknowledge this terr- — by no means acknowledge this territory that — this territory as something aside from as a part of Ukraine. 

This — with regards to the sham referendum, the sham votes that we’re seeing within the final couple days, we’ll proceed to work with our allies and companions to carry Russia accountable and assist Ukraine for so long as it takes.

So far as what we’re doing, we’re ready to impose further swift and extreme financial prices on Russia, together with our allies and companions, in response to those actions that we’re seeing presently in the event that they transfer ahead with annexation.  We’ve been very clear about that. 

As you all noticed on Friday — G7 Leaders’ Assertion — the USA won’t ever, ever, once more, acknowledge this territory as something than a part of Ukraine.  We stand with our companions around the globe in rejecting no matter fabricated outcomes Russia broadcasts.  And you’ll hear extra from us within the coming days on this.

Q    So, there could possibly be motion on that this week?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, we’ll hear extra from us within the coming days. 

Once more, these — these referendums are a flagrant violation of the worldwide legislation.  You heard that immediately from the President at UNGA final week.  And it’s an affront to the ideas of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin the worldwide system and are the inspiration of the United Nations Constitution.  You heard the President say that, particularly, just some — like, just some days in the past.

Q    And with the warnings that we noticed from Jake Sullivan, Tony Blinken, all of those figures yesterday, in regards to the catastrophic warnings that they are saying that they’ve communicated to Russia if Russia chooses to make use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, does the USA imagine that — even when it’s nonetheless low, does it imagine the probabilities of Russia utilizing nuclear weapons is increased now than it was in February, in March, given what’s occurred on the battlefield?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, so far as any proof or the possibilities — look, we haven’t seen that at the moment.  We take these threats, although, very severely.  However we have now not seen any purpose to regulate our personal nuclear posture at the moment.

So, once more, haven’t seen any proof of it.  However we take this extremely severely.

Q    On the difficulty of the President talking with Governor DeSantis, we noticed them side-by-side a bit of over a 12 months in the past after they have been along with the Surfside incident and so forth.  Does the President suppose it’s vital, when you have got this nature of menace to tens of millions and tens of millions of People, to have a dialog with a governor? 

I do know, there’s numerous administrative and bureaucratic steps which are in place to supply assets.  However does the President imagine it’s vital to talk to a governor in these circumstances?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, what the President believes is that it’s vital that federal assets is supplied for the individuals of Florida.  That’s a very powerful factor — to guarantee that we’re there for them on this time of want.  And that’s why the President reacted immediately to guarantee that the — that we’re in a position to surge assets earlier than.  And he did this earlier than landfall.  And so that’s a very powerful factor.

It’s in regards to the individuals of Florida; it’s not about public officers, particularly on this time.  And so, once more, the President, as President of the USA, as President for people in pink states and blue states, he’s going to maintain that dedication. 

And you’ve got seen him do this over the course of the 19 months when there was excessive, excessive occasions, excessive climate that has occurred, once more, in blue states and pink states.  And he has completed his job as President to guarantee that we’re there for the individuals within the state.

Q    Is there any concern, if there was a notion that there is likely to be politics or personalities or disagreements amongst people that might get in the way in which — not a lot of the movement of the knowledge, but when persons are questioning, is there something that would stand in the way in which of the response if a President and a governor may not communicate? 

He didn’t communicate to the governor of Mississippi through the water disaster with Jackson.  Up to now, he has not spoken to Governor DeSantis.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And so — and that’s an ideal instance, Kelly O.  Whenever you talked about the governor of Mississippi, they — you have been proper, they didn’t communicate, and we nonetheless have been in a position to ship for the oldsters in Jackson and for the oldsters of Mississippi.  You had our EPA Administrator on the bottom.  You had FEMA Administrator on the bottom.  And never simply them, but additionally of us who work for these — for these two businesses.  And also you had the Military Corps of Engineers.

And so we put the complete — the complete energy of the administration.  We surged assets on the bottom to guarantee that we did the whole lot that we will to assist the individuals of Mississippi.  This is similar; there’s no distinction right here.  We’re going to do the identical in Florida as we’ve completed in different — in different states.

As I discussed, Administrator Criswell might be right here tomorrow.  She is in Miami, as we communicate, present — as I communicate presently.  And she or he’ll be right here, and she is going to lay out what we, as an administration, is doing for Florida and different — and different — and different states, like Alaska and any others that want our help at the moment.  And — and he or she’ll lay that out and reply any questions that you simply all could have.

Go forward.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  I’ve a pair questions.  One is that, final week, you have been requested about Puerto Rico and any plans that the President could need to make a visit right down to Puerto Rico.  Is he planning to go?  Are you able to present us any steering on that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sorry, I’m having a bit of little bit of a tough time listening to you.

Q    Yeah.  Puerto Rico.  I do know you have been requested final week in regards to the President — doable journey plans.  You didn’t have something to say final week.  Do we have now an replace on whether or not the President does intend to journey to Puerto Rico?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We don’t have any- — something to preview at the moment.  We proceed to intently monitor the impression of Hurricane Fiona is having on Puerto Rico.  I’ll simply reiterate simply a few issues for people who could have missed this. 

However as you all know, when he was in New York, the President introduced the federal authorities is overlaying 100% of the price of particles elimination, emergency protecting measures for the subsequent month on this restoration.

The President additionally elevated important wants help from $500 to $700 to assist people and households with instant or important want because of being displaced from their major dwelling.

And as of in the present day, there are a whole bunch of federal response staff on the bottom in Puerto Rico supporting operations, planning, energy restorations, particles elimination, and concrete search and rescue.

So far as journey, we don’t have something to share at the moment.

Q    After which, additionally, on Iran, we noticed continued protests in Iran over the weekend.  I do know that, final week, we did get indications from the State Division that there have been efforts the USA was taking to make sure Web entry remained out there.  Are there some other measures, steps the U.S. authorities is desiring to take to assist protesters in Iran?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, I’ll lay down the steps for a second.  However I simply need to make very, very clear right here — and we have now been very clear, the U.S., on our place with what we’re presently seeing in Iran: The President said at UNGA, “[W]e stand with the courageous residents and courageous girls of Iran who proper now are demonstrating to safe their fundamental rights.”

Girls in Iran ought to have the precise to put on what they need, free from violence or harassment.  Iran should finish its use of violence towards girls for exercising their basic freedoms.  There should be accountability for Mahsa’s loss of life.

What we’re doing — I’ll lay out a few actions that we have now taken because it pertains to the Web.

On September twenty first, the Iranian authorities lower off, as you already know, entry to the Web for many of its 80 million residents as — as brave Iranians take to the streets to protest the loss of life of Mahsa Amini.

America is taking motion to assist the free movement of knowledge to the Iranian girls — sorry, the Iranian individuals, particularly — extra broadly.

On September twenty third, which was this previous Friday, the Division of Treasury issued an up to date common license that may enhance assist for Web freedom in Iran and authorize know-how firms to supply the Iranian individuals extra choices of safe exterior platforms and companies.

With these modifications, we’re serving to the Iranian individuals entry instruments which are higher geared up to counter the Iranian authorities’s effort to surveil and censor — and censor them as properly.

If we have now any extra data, we’ll share that with all of you.

Go forward.

Q    Simply to comply with up in your reply in regards to the UK pound: So are you saying that the administration doesn’t suppose that forex volatility is so severe proper now that the U.S. authorities might want to take motion proper now?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we proceed — we’re going to proceed to observe the worldwide markets.  What we’re laying out is what — the assembly that the President had along with his financial staff, how severely we’re taking this, how intently that we’re, you already know, having conversations with our staff.

And what we will communicate to is what we’re doing right here within the U.S.  Our U.S. technique — financial technique is targeted on the long-term progress and funding, elevated manufacturing, and monetary self-discipline — has positioned our nation to navigate difficult world instances from the strongest place doable.

Once more, we’re going to proceed to observe all of — all — as we at all times say, we cont- — we monitor the indic- — all indicators.  We’ll additionally monitor the worldwide markets as properly.

However what I can communicate to is what we’re doing right here to — to tackle these world challenges, as we have now been for the final 19 months.

Q    Thanks.  After which, on the President internet hosting the Atlanta Braves in the present day, I’m questioning for those who or the President has any ideas about among the controversial — in regards to the staff title — the Braves title, the so-called tomahawk chop, any ideas on that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we — we imagine that it’s vital to have this dialog.  You realize, and — and Native American and Indigenous voices, they need to be on the heart of this dialog.

That’s one thing that the President believes.  That’s one thing that this administration believes.  And he has persistently emphasised that each one individuals need to be handled with dignity and respect.  You hear that usually from this President.

The identical is true right here.  And we must always hearken to Native American and Indigenous people who find themselves probably the most impacted by this.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Two questions.  One on Italy.  How do you foresee future cooperation with the right-wing coalition that gained the election in Italy yesterday?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, on the election particularly, I — you already know, I’m not going to go and have interaction in any hypotheticals — proper? — as a result of we nonetheless have a while right here.  It’s a — it’s a NATO Ally, as you already know; a G7 accomplice; and member of the EU.

So we’ll — we’ll work with the brand new Italian authorities on the complete vary of shared world challenges, together with supporting Ukraine as they defend themselves towards Russia’s aggression.

However — however, once more, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals.  Once more, they’re a NATO Ally, a G7 accomplice, and a member of the EU.

Q    Another on Russia.  As mobilization in Russia continues, many Russian males attempt — 1000’s of Russian males attempt to go away the nation, and Europe is break up on that.  Some European nations, together with Baltics and Poland, flip them again.  Others argue that Europe ought to welcome them and provides them refugee standing.

What’s your place?  What President — what’s President Biden’s place on that?  And is the U.S. prepared to grant these males refugee standing right here within the U.S.?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I would depart different nation — I might let different nations communicate to their very own insurance policies.  I’m not going to talk to the — to different nations’ insurance policies from right here. 

However what I can say, for our half, for the U.S.: We have now been clear to tell apart between the actions of the Russian authorities and its armed forces in Ukraine and the Russian individuals, lots of whom have spoken out towards this unjust conflict.

We see that simply within the final couple of days, as we see the protests persevering with in Russia.  So, anybody in search of refuge for persecution, regas- — no matter their nationality, could apply for asylum in the USA and have their declare adjucated [adjudicated] on a case-by-case foundation.

That’s the place — that’s how we see our function right here and our half on this.

Go forward.

Q    Yeah, thanks.  Does President Biden shares Zelenskyy’s evaluation that Putin will not be, quote, “bluffing” with regards to his threats about nuclear weapons?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I imply, we’ve been very clear on this: that Putin’s nuclear menace towards Europe are irresponsible, and it’s reckless. We — you’ve heard the President say this.  You’ve heard the Nationwide Safety Advisor, Jake Sullivan; he was most lately on a number of Sunday exhibits.  And the results of nuclear use could be disastrous for Russia and the world, and Russia could be a pariah on the world stage.

So this isn’t new rhetoric.  We have now heard this earlier than from Russia.  We have now heard this earlier than from Mr. Putin.  They’ve made these threats earlier than, over the course of the — this battle this previous six months or extra.

We, in fact, take it severely.  Once more, we take this very, very severely.  Although I might add that Russia itself has stated many instances {that a} nuclear conflict can’t be gained and may by no means be fought.  That is one thing that they’ve stated, together with earlier this 12 months within the P5 joint assertion.

Because the President made clear, any use of nuclear weapons on any scale must be dis- — could be — must be and could be — could be disastrous for the world and would entail extreme penalties.

Q    Properly, and concerning these catastrophic penalties that Blinken, Sullivan, your self have stated would happen if there are nuclear weapons used, I imply, can we assume that these could be penalties past sanctions, that there could be some type of army response?  What extra are you able to say of what “catastrophic penalties” imply right here?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look — and Jake Sullivan stated this — stated this yesterday as properly — is that we have now had non-public conversations.  He — the NSC and his staff has had non-public conversations and communicated privately, on to the Russians, they usually perceive that.  They perceive precisely what — what these penalties could be.

We aren’t going to put that out within the public.  We aren’t going to have these negotiations or share these conversations in public.

However once more, to reit- — reiterate what our nationwide safety advisor stated simply yesterday, is that they’ve made that very clear and spoken on to the Russians, they usually perceive.

Q    Are there any plans for President Biden to relay that on to Putin indirectly?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We don’t have any calls to preview at the moment.

Welcome again. 

Q    Thanks.  So, it’s been a couple of month because the President unveiled his plan for the $10- to $20,000 of scholar mortgage forgiveness.  I do know that there was going to be an utility out there in early October.  I’m simply questioning for those who can provide any updates on whether or not or not that’s nonetheless going to be the case.pl

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’ll have one thing to share on that very, very quickly on the applying course of and the subsequent steps.  I don’t — as soon as we have now that, we’ll share with all of you.

Q    And a number of other state attorneys generals are planning, you already know, court docket challenges as soon as that is unveiled.  What — are you able to discuss in any respect about what’s, type of, occurring contained in the administration to bolster towards this or —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I go away that to the Division of Justice.  I do know that after we introduced the scholar mortgage aid, they put out on their web site type of a authorized — type of a authorized structure of how they got here to creating their authorized dedication.  So once more, I’ll go away it to them.

However look, you already know, there’s at all times numerous noise across the scholar mortgage debt aid.  And at — the underside line is, that is going to provide us some respiratory room to many People — tens of tens of millions of People. 

That is going to be an vital — an vital step ahead in giving individuals a possibility to avoid wasting cash and put cash down on a home — proper? — to begin their household.  Ninety p.c of People who’re going to have the ability to profit from the scholar debt aid are making lower than $75,000 a 12 months. 

So, this is a crucial — we predict — we imagine it’s vital for working households.  It’s important for people who find themselves simply in search of a bit of bit extra of — you already know, a bit of bit extra of assist in their on a regular basis lives.

Q    After which, my second query is on this framework Home Republicans unveiled final week ought to they take the Home
after the midterms.  I do know that senior Republican leaders have been touting numerous these totally different bullet factors: investigation, energy, hiring extra law enforcement officials, a mother and father’ invoice of rights.  Like what — what are you all pondering as they preserve enjoying up their framework and giving interviews about it?  I imply, what’s the —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Particularly in regards to the GOP agenda, or — are you able to —

Q    Yeah.  I believe — I believe the subpoena energy and the facility to analyze might be, I might think about, a priority contained in the White Home.  However I’m questioning, you already know, as you watch these kinds of those Republicans speak about it, what’s the pondering right here?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, our pondering is we’re going to deal with the right here and now.  We’re going to deal with the wins that we have now been in a position to make for the American individuals.  You all noticed it.  You all reported on it.  When you consider the CHIPS Act.  You heard me discuss a pair instances already in regards to the Inflation Discount Act.  You’ve heard me discuss in regards to the American Rescue Plan, how that acquired that acquired our financial system turned again on.  I simply talked in regards to the scholar debt aid.

That’s the — what the President goes to be centered on.  Whether or not, you already know, the GOP take the Home or not, once more, I’ve to watch out what I say from right here, from the rostrum.  That’s a hypothetical that we’re simply not going to entertain at this level.

At this level, we’re going to guarantee that we’re doing the whole lot that we will to decrease — to decrease prices.  And, you already know, I’ll say this: Republicans are doing the exact opposite.  They’re not eager to decrease prices for the American individuals.  Once more, voted towards the American Rescue Plan, voted towards Inflation Discount Act that helps decrease prices for the American individuals.

However, once more, we’re going to remain steadfast in ensuring that we proceed the work.

Q    You might have a two o’clock out.  Can you’re taking a number of extra?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  I’ll take a number of extra.

Q    Karine?  It’s been two months, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go forward.  Go forward.

Q    Is the White Home assured {that a} authorities shutdown might be averted on the finish of this week?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look — and I’ve spoken to this a few instances — we’re — we imagine that this could possibly be averted.  This isn’t the primary time that we’re ready the place, you already know, we’re speaking in regards to the C.R.  It was completed final 12 months, and it could — it could possibly be completed once more this 12 months.  So, we — we encourage Congress to get it completed.

Q    Is the President going to be speaking to lawmakers this week to try to (inaudible)?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have something so that you can preview at the moment on any conversations that the President is having.  I can say this — and I’ve stated this many instances earlier than — our — we have now our groups right here within the numerous departments who’re having common conversations with members of Congress and their employees in a bipartisan approach.  As a result of this thi- — we predict that is one thing that ought to occur and must occur.

Go forward.

Q    Are you able to give us an replace on U.S. support to Pakistan?  And might you additionally inform us to what extent the U.S. is anxious that catastrophic flooding within the nation — a rustic that’s nuclear armed with a historical past of army coups might result in political instability and insecurity in Pakistan? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we’d have to return to the staff to get any extra specifics on what we have now talked about already in regards to the support that we have now supplied for Pakistan.  We have now been in shut communications with of us and ensuring that as they’re coping with the flood — because the individuals of Pakistan are coping with the flood, that they’ve, you already know, support, particularly from us. 

I don’t have any specifics on anything that — past what we have now already shared.  However I’m completely happy to examine with the staff and lay out and get some extra updates for you.

Q    Is there something you may say on the, type of, considerations that this humanitarian difficulty might result in a safety —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I imply, we at all times have that concern.  That’s one thing that we monitor very intently.  I simply don’t have something extra to share on what you’ve already laid out.

Go forward.

Q    Senator Rick Scott has a invoice that he’s proposing that, basically, is meant to require universities with excessive endowments to pay among the monetary support with regards to tuition.  Does the administration — have they seen the invoice?  We have been instructed by Rick Scott’s staff that they despatched a letter to the administration.  Have you ever seen the invoice?  And does the administration imagine that universities do have some sort of duty with regards to reducing the price of increased ed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’ve not seen this invoice.  I must discuss to our workplace of Leg Affairs on this explicit piece of laws by Rick Scott.

Look, we have now been very clear and so — so has the Division of Schooling.  The Secretary there has stated, you already know, has put into — insurance policies and processes in place to guarantee that universities are enjoying their function and never elevating prices on college students and universities.

However I’ve not seen this piece of laws, so I can’t touch upon it from at this level.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Does President Biden suppose America’s large cities are protected?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Are you able to say extra?

Q    Properly, we all know that thefts and robberies are up about 20 p.c within the first half of this 12 months.  So, I’m questioning if he thinks People large cities are protected.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Are you speaking in regards to the New York Occasions story particularly?  Or is that what you’re referring to?

Q    Yeah, they’d some stats.  The homicide charge nonetheless 30 p.c above its 2019 stage.  They’re all from the Council on Prison Justice. 

So, we’ve seen some high-profile examples of this.  The Washington Commander’s operating again was being mugged.  He acquired shot.  Karen Bass, member of Congress, had her home robbed.  These are high-profile individuals. 

So ought to on a regular basis People who are usually not within the public eye really feel protected in America’s cities?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So I’ll say this: That very same story additionally said that the crime is difficult and multifaceted. 

Look, this can be a President who has secured historic funding to guarantee that legislation enforcement has what it wants — is very — and he was in a position to do that within the face of opposition from Republicans. 

Throughout a time the place — the place he inherited a rising crime charge from the earlier administration, the President put forth the American Rescue Plan.  And in that very — in that very plan, there was greater than $300 billion to go to native — native states and native cities to guarantee that they have been in a position to rent legislation enforcement — legislation officers.  They have been in a position to rent, you already know, firefighters.  They have been in a position to rent people who have been important to their wants as they have been coping with a pandemic.  Republicans voted towards that.

Q    So, I assume — simply the unique query: Does President Biden suppose America’s large cities are protected?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It isn’t — it isn’t a — it isn’t a “sure” or a “no” query; it is extremely a lot a query of what has he completed.  That’s how we see the query is: What has he completed to guarantee that cities — and it doesn’t matter if it’s a giant metropolis or a small metropolis, it doesn’t matter if it’s in a pink state or a blue state — what issues is that we have now the funding and we have now completed the work, put the coverage ahead to guarantee that the cities, whether or not it’s large or small, have what they should shield their neighborhood. 

And that’s what this President has completed — once more, with out the assistance of Republicans.

Q    And my final one on this.  Jen Psaki says that crime is a “large vulnerability” for Democrats.  Why would she say that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, you already know, once more, I can’t do electoral politics from right here, as you already know.  However I type of — I don’t agree along with your characterization of what she truly stated. 

However I’ll say this, and I’ve already I’ve already stated this already: The previous few months, what we’ve been in a position to do is create a just about clear break up display of what we’re doing to ship for the American individuals and what Republicans refuse to do.

We’re ensuring that — that we have now Medicare and Social Safety, and we guarantee that the Massive Pharma will not be upping prices for our seniors — proper? — and ensuring that we give them a bit of little bit of respiratory room. 

And, you already know, you have got Republicans who need to lower Medicare.  They need to sundown Medicare.  They need to set sundown Social Safety.  You might have this GOP agenda that was put out by the Home the place they need to go after the Inflation Discount Act, which can have an impact that may truly harm People. 

And so, I believe there’s a stark distinction right here that we’ve seen previously a number of months — I might argue the previous 19 months. 

And that is the final query.  I do know we have now to — at two o’clock, we have now to go. 

Go forward, Steve.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Simply needed to ask you about this beautiful extraordinary open letter despatched to the President by the workforce of the Workplace of Inspector Normal at DHS, basically saying that the Inspector Normal Joseph Cuffari must be eliminated, that he — that the workforce can not full their mission with Cuffari in his place. 

They are saying that he now not has the assist of the workforce, has completely broken the fame of the workplace.  That is apparently the workplace that, for months, sat on the information of the January sixth — the textual content messages from the Secret Service and, in accordance with stories this summer season, blocked deeper investigations into these textual content messages.

Has the President seen this letter?  Does the White Home have a response?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So we have now heard about among the points with this explicit inspector common, and we’re — we’re going to check out these.  That’s what I can share with you at the moment.

However so far as any private — personnel bulletins, I don’t have something to share. 

Once more, we have now heard of a few of these points, and I can say to you from right here that we’re going to check out them.

All proper, we’ll see you guys tomorrow.  Thanks, everyone.

2:08 P.M. EDT

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