Jennifer Rene Psaki

“ What are we focused on next? And the answer is the President is going to continue working on getting the American Rescue Plan passed. That is his top priority. He is traveling to Wisconsin later this evening, as you know, to have a conversation, engage with the American people about his plans to get the pandemic under control, to put people back to work. And Congress is continuing to do their job. Over the course of the coming weeks, we’re looking forward to making progress. ”

“ There are a range of options under consideration, and their focus is on taking the steps that are the most effective and efficient, and prioritizing those in the order through which they would help the American people. Q Now, on the situation in Texas, beyond disaster relief, is the administration considering any actions to address not only Texas’s power grid, but the power grid in the central United States that seemed to really struggle with the winter weather, in addition to some other issues? I know Texas is not really part of the national power grid. ”

“ I don’t have any update for you, other than to convey that our team is always considering a range of options to make information more accessible, ensure more people — more of the American public know how they can get a vaccine, when they can get a vaccine, where they can go to get a vaccine. ”

“ We’re also announcing that we’re doubling the supply to our pharmacy program. When we announced that, we said it would be — it would be building over time. So this — today’s announcement amounts to 2 million doses going to local pharmacies this week, and this program will expand access in neighborhoods across the country so that people can call and make an appointment and get their shot conveniently and quickly.
Eventually, as supply increases, more than 40,000 pharmacy locations nationwide will be providing COVID-19 vaccines through this program. This is a critical, critical part of our plan. ”

“ Donald Trump was guilty of a ‘disgraceful dereliction of duty’ and ‘practically and morally responsible for provoking’ the violence unleashed on the Capitol.”So, if he wasn’t convicted through an impeachment trial via Congress, via the Senate, how should a President who commits acts that President Biden says are not in dispute be punished? ”

“ Well, we haven’t proposed a package at this point, so it’s hard for me to make a prediction about its likelihood of passing. But I will say that the President is somebody, throughout his career, who has advocated for smart gun — smart gun safety measures. He has — not afraid of standing up to the NRA — he’s done it multiple times and won — on background checks and a range of issues. And it is a priority to him on a personal level.But I don’t have a prediction for you or a preview for you on a timeline of a package, and certainly not what it will look like and how it would go through Congress. ”

“ Q So, regarding the American Rescue Plan, groups like — pro-life groups, including the Susan B. Anthony List are very concerned that millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars will go to the abortion industry, in violation of the Hyde Amendment. We know where President Biden stands on Hyde Amendment, but that being said, can this administration right now guarantee, if the American Rescue Plan is passed, that no taxpayer dollars will go to the abortion industry? ”

“ No, his objective is really to make sure he is engaging directly with the people who are impacted by the pandemic, who are impacted by the economic downturn, who are worried about whether they’re going to get a shot, who are — don’t know where — where to get information, who are worried about whether they’re going to be able to put food on the table. That’s the focus of this trip.Obviously, Republicans in Congress will have to make their own choice about whether they support the final package. It’s still working its way through Congress. ”

“ He also believes that community health centers are a key part of addressing the pandemic, of ensuring that people in communities have access to vaccines, have access to treatment and information about — about making sure they’re healthy and their loved ones are healthy.So that remains a priority to the President. ”

“ To follow up on it though, can he guarantee Americans who don’t want their tax dollars — pro-life Americans who don’t want their tax dollars funding abortion, can he — MS. PSAKI: Well — Q Can the administration guarantee those tax dollars won’t be used for abortions? MS. PSAKI: Well, I think, Owen, as I’ve just noted, three quarters of the public supports the components of the package, wants to see the pandemic get under control, wants to see people put back to work, vaccines in arms. ”

“ You can meet over video, as we all know. I don’t have any timeline of a meeting to convey or to confirm for you, though I would anticipate for all of you that it will be a couple of months before the President has an in-person or an — has an — invites a foreign leader to meet in person here at the White House. ”

“ The COVID crisis has triggered a housing affordability crisis, with more than 10 million homeowners behind on mortgage payments and communities of color at even greater risk of eviction and foreclosure. ”

“ Importantly, sanctions are only one among many important tools to ensure energy security. And we’ll — of course, we’ll do this all in partnership with our allies and partners, but our position has not changed on the — on the deal.
Go ahead.
Q The President is changing gears this week, obviously, looking beyond the Hill to get out and sell this plan to the American people. Is this a sign that he recognizes that he’s not likely to get Republicans in Washington on board? MS. PSAKI: He certainly wouldn’t agree with that. ”

“ The President has a range of actions at his disposal. I think you were asking, Steve, about a legislative package, which I know. But he hasn’t ruled out either of those options, of course, but I don’t have anything to announce for you in terms of what the next steps would look like. Q If I can just follow up on Texas. Is there anything else the White House can do to administer immediate relief to the residents of Texas right now? MS. PSAKI: Well, I think we are — our team — our national security team, in part led by Dr. ”

“ And if we have calls that he’s making himself, we will provide that information to all of you.In terms of what he’s spending his day doing, he’s continuing to have meetings with his policy teams and experts about his plans to bring relief to the American people and public. And, you know, he’s remained — he’s remained focused on that today behind the scenes before he travels to Wisconsin for a town hall later this evening.
Q And then, just on this vaccine announcement: Is there any discussion of this winter weather affecting the vaccine distribution? ”

“ It exists in the National Archives, so they would have access, and you’d have to go to them for access to archives of their visitor logs from their period of time when the — President Trump was there. Q Okay. And then, just — you said a gun package, TBD on timing; it’s not in the works yet. In terms of what’s next after the relief package, is the plan to still do a big Build Back Better bill next or a more narrow infrastructure bill next? Do we know what’s coming next? MS. PSAKI: We’re focused right now on getting the American Rescue Plan passed. ”