Anthony Stephen Fauci, Jennifer Rene Psaki, and Jeffrey Dunston Zients

“ No, because that’s to the science, and we want the science agencies to lead with science, and there’s no reason for us to be involved in any of the scientific decisions. We bring nothing to the table. That is the FDA’s role; that is the CDC’s roll. And they’re led by terrific leaders with great teams to do the science, and this administration will be led by science.And as to your first question, we believe there’s enough vaccination — there’s vaccine in the system, Moderna and Pfizer — for all Americans who want to get vaccinated by May 31st to do so. ”

“ Well, you know, if you look at the history of — take a look at what has gone on with the Moderna and the Pfizer, where you have, you know, literally tens and tens and tens of millions that’s watched as carefully — there have been no red flags.When you have a red flag of something that is as serious as thrombotic thrombocytopenia — particularly when you have an individual, one of whom died — you take that seriously. ”

“ There are people all across the country who are demonstrating and actively calling for reform. What expectations should they have for change in the Biden era? What — what is this President going to bring to bear if, for example, qualified immunity isn’t removed from the law — if you can’t get that in a bipartisan agreement? ”

“ We have plenty of supply and we have plenty of vehicles for delivering that supply — whether it’s through the federal pharmacy channel, whether it’s mobile units, community health centers — and all of those are equipped to deliver the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine. So we’ll make sure that those units continue to grow in number. Because you’re right, we need to reach people where they are. And the mobile units and the community health centers are particularly essential for those. And they have been receiving Moderna and Pfizer doses since we began both those programs. ”

“ The J&J vaccine makes up less than 5 percent of the more than 190 million recorded shots in arms in the United States to date.
The President has always said that this is a wartime effort. We’re at war against the virus. And as such, we’ve mobilized a wartime effort so that we’re prepared for a wide range of scenarios. And that’s why the President took action earlier this year, before the J&J vaccine was even authorized, to secure enough Pfizer and Moderna doses for 300 million Americans by the end of July. ”

“ The President’s view is that there are necessary, outdated reforms that should be put in place; that there is accountability that needs to happen; that the loss of life is far too high; that these families are suffering around the country; and that the Black community is exhausted from the ongoing threats they feel.But he also believes that there is a forum for putting in place legislation, the George Floyd Act, that can help put many of these necessary reforms in place, and that part of what needs to happen is rebuilding trust in communities in order to get to a better place. ”

“ I think what Americans — who are exhausted, who have suffered, who are worried about their kids and their family members — should know is that the President sees racial equity as a central focus of his presidency, and his actions bear that out.He has, obviously, signed a number of executive actions. He is a strong supporter of putting in place — working through legislation that can put in place permanent reforms. ”

“ Q On the President’s tax plans, he has said that individuals, households under $400,000 per year aren’t going to see their taxes go up. Does that also apply to indirect effects from the corporate tax changes that might not technically be tax increases? Look, if an average family of four, making under that amount, sees their heating bill go up because utility companies increased their rates to accommodate the 28 percent corporate tax rate, is that okay or acceptable to the President, you know, because it’s not technically a tax increase? ”

“ We’re now working with our state and federal partners to get anyone scheduled for a J&J vaccine quickly rescheduled for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. And we’re actually already seeing this happen today at sites across the country where J&J appointments are being adjusted, that were for today, to actually get Moderna and Pfizer today. So that’s happening in many places across the country.
The President has committed to the American people that his administration will always lead with science, tell the truth, and give Americans the facts as we know them. ”

“ We believe that the most important steps we can take is to rebuild and support our own economy here at home, and to also be candid about areas where we have concerns, whether it’s human rights abuses or technological abuses. ”

“ I also wanted to highlight that this week is Black Maternal Health Week, and in its honor, today the Vice President and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice are hosting a roundtable with women who will share their experiences with complications from pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum — the impact of postpartum — post — post-childbirth, as well as their work in advocacy and research highlighting the disparities that Black women face in maternal health. ”

“ And what we’ve seen through our data is that local messengers — whether that is elected officials, mayors, doctors, sometimes clergy, civic leaders — are the most effective messengers of anyone.And that’s why a large part of our $3 billion funding that we have — are focused on getting out into the country — is on working with community-based organizations to strengthen vaccine confidence in the highest-risk and hardest-hit communities. ”

“ You have tensions, obviously, with Russia over Ukraine and Crimea; there are a lot of concerns about what’s happening in China and the South China Sea and also in Taiwan. Are you confident — is the President confident that the U.S. military is postured correctly and prepared to deal with multiple crises occurring almost simultaneously at a time when you’re withdrawing troops from Afghanistan? ”

“ President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia’s actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference. And he also emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity. ”

“ First off, did the White House have any advance notice of the issues with the J&J vaccine, and was there involvement from the White House in deciding this? And how do you evaluate when to pause vaccines? Are we going to see more of these pauses in the future if more issues pop up? MR. ZIENTS: Why don’t you do the first part and I’ll do the second part. DR. FAUCI: This decision was made by the CDC and the FDA. And that’s one of the things that’s, I think, such a good thing about our system here, is that we’re ruled by the science, not by any other consideration. ”

“ My question is on LGBTQ rights. You told me, weeks ago, President Biden stands by his campaign promise to sign the legislation within 100 days. We are now on day 83 of the presidency, and it looks like that bill isn’t close to making it by that deadline and the President is facing cris- — multiple crises, as evidenced by the questions in this briefing. Does the President continue to stand by that campaign promise? MS. PSAKI: He does. He continues to work toward it. And as you know, in order to sign legislation, it needs to come to his desk. ”

“ So it really depends community to community, but we work with faith-based organizations, we work with community health workers, we work with disability organizations, we work with organizations across the board of all different backgrounds and affiliations so that they can get the message clearly out to communities. ”

“ Finally, the President will deliver remarks tomorrow at the White House on the way forward in Afghanistan, including his plans and timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops in close coordination with our partners and allies and the government of Afghanistan, and his commitment to focusing on the threats and opportunities we face around the world today. ”

“ Well, they play a tremendously important role in helping ensure, as you noted — in some cases, it is working with NGOs and local authorities and officials on testing. In other cases, there are — covering the cost of hotels and others for quarantining. So they play a really tremendous role in helping ensure we are working in a humane way with those who are coming to our border in a range of ways.Now, we continue to convey, which is our policy, that the border is not open; that we are turning away the majority of people, of adults who come to the border. ”

“ We also announced initial actions we are taking to address the maternal health crisis in the United States, including significant funding to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates; improve health equity and end race-based disparities nationwide ”

“ We’re not — we’re not looking for an establishment of trust as much as a predictability and stability because there are a range of threats, there are a range of opportunities in the world. And the President wants to have the bandwidth to focus on them, not on an adversarial relationship with Russia. Q On — you guys have had a little bit of a back-and-forth — the White House and the Michigan Governor’s Office. ”

“ We believe that the George Floyd Act has a lot of the components that will help rebuild the trust, help address — put in place many of the reforms that are, frankly, long overdue.So, we — but we also recognize that democracy in action means changes take place. ”

“ Back in 2017, when Republicans prioritized tax cuts for big corporations over investing in working people, there were many arguments made about what the impact would be: the benefits would be passed on to consumers, they would invest in R&D, there would be jobs created.None of that happened. ”

“ And there is — what is different now is that there is coordination on the international front, with the Europeans, with our partners.As I mentioned, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin are in Brussels now having a discussion about a range of issues, including the aggression at the border. And that pressure is different. Russia is an outlier in many ways, in that regard. ”

“ Q Just a few about the vaccine and one on Iran, if I can. Several times from the podium, you’ve acknowledged that the Biden administration may not be the best messenger for certain groups on the vaccines, such as white evangelicals, conservative white folks. Can you take us inside the process as to how you’re determining who the best messengers are for those communities? Are you reaching out specifically to targeted people? Are you relying on volunteers? ”

“ I have no personnel announcement to make today. The FDA has an extraordinary group of scientists and experts that lead these types of efforts. Q How helpful would a permanent director be in those efforts though? MR. ZIENTS: I think that the FDA does an extraordinary job, and the teams that are — that are addressing these issues are experienced teams. In fact, the acting director is a very experienced leader. ”

“ And he believes we have the best military men and women serving in the world, and so he has absolute confidence.He also believes that we should lead with diplomacy, and his actions, his leadership, his approach certainly bear that out. ”

“ So part of our effort here was to work with Mexico and Northern Triangle governments to implement collaborative migration measures.Of course, if these are effective, then there will be fewer people who are coming to our own borders. ”

“ So, the bottom line is the vaccines — Moderna and Pfizer — that are now being administered are clearly safe and are saving lives, and every American should get vaccinated when it’s their turn.
MS. PSAKI: Jordan. Q Thanks. Jeff, is the — is J&J production going to continue during this pause? And secondly, is the Biden administration considering ordering more doses of Pfizer/Moderna given — just in case this problem with J&J becomes prolonged? ”

“ I expect they will do a readout when those discussions conclude.Any approach or engagement with Russia or actions would be done in coordination.
Q And then, one more on Afghanistan. Republicans are already talking as though the announcement has happened of the withdrawal of all troops by September 11th. And so I wanted to get your reaction to something Mitch McConnell just said. He suggested that it would put our “NATO partners in a shared fight... that we have not yet won.” It would “abandon the women of Afghanistan, whose...freedoms and human rights will be imperiled.” ”

“ But we’re at the beginning of the discussions here, and ultimately, his only red line is investing in our infrastructure, making sure we are putting Americans back to work over the long term.
Go ahead.
Q Thanks, Jen. MS. PSAKI: Sorry, Mary, I’ll come back to you next. Q On Russia: The President proposing a summit with Vladimir Putin would suggest that he’s looking to deescalate some tensions there. So does that mean it’s unlikely the U.S. is going to enact harsher sanctions on Russia, like sanctioning their sovereign debt? ”