Jennifer Rene Psaki

“ That’s why the President laid out a set of initial actions last week that the administration can take now, that we can take now to address gun violence: stopping the proliferation of ghost guns and better regulating stabilizing braces, making it easier for states to implement red flag laws, increasing investments in proven community violence intervention programs.
There’s more we can do and must do. The Senate should take up and pass the three bills strengthening background checks that passed the House with bipartisan majorities and have the overwhelming support of the American people. ”

“ I can say that we understand the careful considerations that the Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee are weighing as they prepare for the Tokyo Olympics this summer.The Government of Japan has stressed that public health remains the central priority as they plan to host the games. Tokyo has assured us they will keep in close contact with Washington as their plans develop.
But I don’t have any more beyond that. I’m sure it will be discussed today. And you all may ask them during the press conference later this afternoon. ”

“ He — the President wanted to convene this summit early in his presidency to ensure close coordination with key players in the international community and at the highest levels of government.
Obviously, the United States is one of the world’s largest emitters, but so are a number of countries who will be represented by leaders next week. It’s aimed at setting the world up for success on multiple fronts as we work to address the climate crisis, including emissions reductions, finance, innovation and job creation, resilience, and adaptation. ”

“ Here’s what the Jobs Plan means for veterans and their families: $18 billion to modernize VA health facilities; quality job creation for veterans and their spouses — it outlines steps the federal government can take; expanding opportunities for small, veteran-owned businesses. ”

“ Congress should act to pass the priorities laid out in the American Jobs Plan, including providing $5 billion in funding for community violence prevention programs — something that is of great interest in — to a number of the groups that work hard on this issue. ”

“ So I would say that just as we are working with states directly — we are working with local communities, we have our own federal programs, pharmacy programs, and other programs — we will work directly with Indian Country to ensure that they have the resources, the funding, the vaccine supply needed in order to get the pandemic under control. ”

“ It’s actually the third mass shooting in Indianapolis this year, just to give you all a sense. Today is also the 14th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting, when 33 [32] people lost their lives.
So, in the President’s view, this is an issue that is not partisan. It should not be political, despite the efforts of the NRA over time. This is an issue that Democrats, Republicans, independents across the country believe universal background checks should happen, and that certainly is the message that he will continue to send publicly and privately in conversations. ”

“ Veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans.
I also wanted to let you know — I’m jamming through this because we have a time- — we have a timeframe on the end — or a time limit on the end. I also wanted to let you know that the President was tested for COVID-19 this morning, and COVID-19 was not detected.
Finally, for the week ahead: On Monday, the President will meet with a bipartisan group of members of Congress to discuss the historic investments in the American Jobs Plan, including in highways, drinking water systems, broadband, and the care economy. ”

“ He has described this as an “epidemic” — gun violence in this country. And we’ve seen, in terms of the response to COVID-19, what an all-of-government response from this administration looks like to a pandemic.Why not the same level of response to this ongoing issue of gun violence than appointing of the senior czar, for instance — beyond just the efforts that are being made on legislation? ”

“ Is the President going to remove an African American woman with decades of experience in the Foreign Service who is widely respected around the world from her position as ambassador to the U.N.? He is not.He will — he is proud to have her in that position. He — she is not only qualified ”

“ But it also will require Congress moving forward, and sometimes that is a process. It can be unsatisfying. It can take longer than we all think it should. But in order to get enough members together to support police reforms, we feel that the George Floyd Act is the right step forward.
So I would dispute the notion. I would say that, in this building, the legislative team, senior members of the White House staff — we are working on multiple fronts at the same time, even as we have introduced a major piece of legislation. ”

“ During the summit, leaders will also discuss mobilizing public- and private-sector financing to drive the net-zero transition and to help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts. The economic benefits of climate action, with a strong emphasis on cred- — job creation and the importance of ensuring all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a new clean energy economy will be central to the discussions, will be part of what the President will be focused on. ”

“ Q Another question about a key campaign promise of President Biden to Tribal leaders, which was to immediately reinstate the White House Tribal Nations Conference. When can we expect to learn more about when that conference will happen, whether it would be virtually or in-person? And how much of a priority is it to President Biden to make this happen in his first year in office? MS. PSAKI: It is certainly a big priority. ”

“ So we — let’s see here.The recently passed legislation from Congress — we announced additional funding, additional resources that will be made available. And so, today, we announced $4 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support COVID-19 response and healthcare in Indian Country. And we will continue to partner and we will work directly with Tribal nations in distributing critical resources and ensuring that funds meet the needs of Indian Country. ”

“ The summit will convene the world’s major economies and other key voices — as we’ve noted, 40 leaders have been invited — to galvanize efforts to keep the vital goal of limiting global warming. And we know that objective is within reach. ”

“ MS. PSAKI: Sure. Well, first, I — we do expect that President Biden and the Prime Minister will discuss COVID and efforts to address and get the pandemic under control. They’ve also discussed — as a part of the Quad, of course, there’s been a discussion about increasing cooperation and support through COVAX. But we expect they will discuss that and that will be a part of the readout following the meeting.As it relates to North Korea, as you know, there has been an ongoing review, which we’re nearing the end of that review. ”

“ Has the White House been informed about what their response is going to be? MS. PSAKI: Not as of earlier this morning, but I can check with our national security team if there are more details. Q Okay. On infrastructure, is there anything that you can update us on about the negotiations? Any serious negotiations happening with the GOP on payfors? Anything you can share on infrastructure? MS. PSAKI: Well, I would say that what we’re — what we’re waiting for is a counterproposal from Republicans in Congress. ”

“ And this is a constant discussion and issue around this White House.
So it’s not going to require a czar. It is ultimately a priority to the President of the United States, which is the most important factor.
Q On legislation, just a few weeks ago, I asked the President if he was going to be making phone calls to Republicans, in particular in the Senate, to try to advance the background check legislation there. He said he would be willing to. I know the jobs bill has been the priority. Is there more you can say about the kind of outreach he’s been doing on background checks specifically? ”

“ And also, it, of course, impacts the limited number of reporters that we will have there for the press conference.
So there are a number of steps we take. It doesn’t look exactly like the bilateral in-person meetings that many of you have attended in the past. And, you know, we look forward to returning to normal on many fronts, but certainly this one as well.
Q And one more thing. I know that you said President Moon of South Korea will be coming to Washington in — I think you said late May. MS. PSAKI: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Q What other visits can we expect by foreign leaders? ”