Jennifer Rene Psaki

“ To begin, I know many of you and the American people are interested in the news coming from Johnson & Johnson’s trial data. The President is encouraged by positive data on a potential new vaccine. He also knows that this is just new data, and now is the time for the FDA to do its job of evaluating the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. In the meantime, he continues to urge all Americans to mask up and follow public health guidelines until it’s their turn to get vaccinated. ”

“ Hence, he is also meeting this morning with his economic — members of his economic team with Vice — the Vice President and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for a briefing on the cost of inaction and the impact of a delay in moving forward with a relief package. Millions of Americans don’t have enough food to eat, and millions more have lost their jobs, but interest rates are at historic lows, and that means it’s the right time to make smart investments. ”

“ And the American Rescue Plan is pivotal for a number of reasons, including ensuring that Americans have food on the table; including that we can get shots into the arms of people across the country; but also that school districts, especially public schools, have the funding they need to take steps on everything from ventilation, to PPE, to testing. ”

“ It’s the White House’s policy that the President’s name should not be used in connection with any commercial activities to suggest or in any way — in any way they could reasonably be understood to imply his endorsement or support. ”

“ You know, obviously there’s been a lot of focus on your efforts to get Republicans on board. Are you concerned that budget reconciliation, even — you know, may not be realistic, or that you may lose some Democrats? Is that why Vice President Harris was making those calls, to shore up Democratic support? MS. PSAKI: Vice President Harris was making those calls because we want to make the case to the American people across the country. ”

“ Q But as a candidate, President Biden did travel a fair amount, especially in the final weeks of the campaign. He’s now received both doses of the vaccine, and a number of safety precautions are in place and could be in place for his travel. So why wouldn’t he be traveling? Or is that something you — MS. PSAKI: Well, it’s also about keeping the public safe. And, you know, we’re not going to do an event — a rally with 20,000 people; that wouldn’t be a recommendation made by our health and medical experts. ”

“ Well, the national security team, the newly confirmed Secretary of State, President Biden are all reviewing all aspects of our national security approach, including certainly our relationship with China. You know, we are focused on approaching that relationship from a position of strength, and that means coordinating and communicating with our allies and partners about how we’re going to work with China. It means strengthening our ec- — economy at home. ”

“ Can he get vaccinating — vaccinations to — and testing to governors, specifically for the purpose of providing some health safeguards to these soldiers? MS. PSAKI: Well, as you noted at the beginning of your question but I would just reiterate, the role of the National Guard — and I’ve spoken to the President about this directly — and the incredible sacrifices they make is something that is personal to him, given his family connection to the National Guard. ”

“ Would President Biden consider bringing that fence down so people can take photos in front of the White House again? MS. PSAKI: Well, I think we’d all like that, including members of my family and people in Washington. But I will talk to our security team and see if there’s any further — anything further to convey to all of you.Go ahead.
Q As you guys are thinking about the task force to reunite the parents and the separated children, what are you sort of learning about the scope of that challenge? It’s something that groups have tried to do in the past and failed. ”

“ The New York Attorney General released a report yesterday saying that the state had undercounted the number of COVID deaths by as much as 50 percent in nursing homes. Would President Biden support a federal investigation into what happened in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s role? MS. PSAKI: I’ve seen those reports. I would say, any investigation, I would point into the Department of Justice. They’re — Q But does the White House think that it should be looked into further? MS. PSAKI: Again, any investigation would be led by the Department of Justice. We’re in a new age ”

“ Well, the good news is you get to hear from our Director of the CDC — I believe, in about 45 minutes — and our medical and health experts, and you can certainly ask them if there’s going to be any updated guidance.Go ahead.
Q Dr. Fauci says the U.S. may not be able to meet that goal of reopening most K-8 schools in 100 days because of the trajectory of the pandemic. Given that, is the President going to adjust his goal of trying to get all these schools reopened in 100 days? ”

“ Now, he’s also talked about — and, thematically, we’ve talked about — how working with our partners and allies, including the Europeans, members of the P5+1, is pivotal to any engagement moving forward, of course including on what the future of the Iran nuclear deal is.
Q Okay. Thank you. MS. PSAKI: Go ahead. Q Thank you, Jen. Just a follow-up on Iran. Would the President consider meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, and, maybe following President Obama’s example for a starter, have a telephone conversation with him? ”

“ And the President always reserves the right to respond in the manner of his choosing and at the time of his choosing.
Q Does he hold President Putin responsible for the attempted assassination of Alexei Navalny? MS. PSAKI: We’re going to let the review carry forward, and then I’m sure we’ll have more to say about it at that point in time.Go ahead. ”