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W.H. Briefing as Dems Move Ahead Without GOP on COVID Relief; Task Force Announces Direct Vaccine Shipments to Pharmacies. Aired 2- 2:30p ET

Aired February 02, 2021 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:00]

QUESTION: You all are still hopeful that you can get bipartisan support, but you've also made it clear that you're not going to slim down this bill significantly. So where right now is the greatest potential for compromise to try to achieve that bipartisanship?

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Well, you're right, Mary (ph), that I think -- and this was evident in the discussion last night, it was, as we said in our readout and I think as Senator Collins also said, it was civil, it was constructive. This is how democracy should work.

We should be engaging, Democrats and Republicans should be engaging with each other. But there certainly is a gap between where we are and where the proposal, the Republican proposal that was discussed last night, was. There are some, you know, bottom lines I think the president has, which he has conveyed in the meeting last night and reiterated to us this morning.

Which is, you know, to put it simply or accessibly for people, you know, he believes a married couple -- let's say they're in Scranton, just for the sake of argument -- one is working as a nurse, the other as a teacher, making $120,000 a year, should get a check. That's in his plan.

In the plan presented by Republicans, they would not get a check. And his view is that at this point in our country, when one in seven American families don't have enough food to eat, we need to make sure people get the relief they need and are not left behind.

As was also a part of our readout last night, there was a discussion of some technical follow-up, where there's opportunity to discuss issues like small business, issues like COVID relief -- not -- I'm not suggesting a reduction, I'm suggesting how to do it effectively. And those technical discussions at a staff level will be part of what's ongoing over the next couple of days.

But his bottom -- the president's bottom line is that this is a package. The risk here, as he has said many times, is not going too big, it is going too small. That continues to be his belief, and that's why he supports the efforts by Senator Schumer, Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi, to move this package forward. QUESTION: Can I ask a question on impeachment? The impeachment managers have now laid out their case. Trump's team is leaving open the door, it seems, to arguing election fraud in the trial, to repeating the false claims that somehow Trump won the election, those same false claims that fueled the riot. Is this administration concerned that the former president's defense could incite further violence?

PSAKI: Well, certainly watching reactions in the country, watching the potential for violence is something that we will do closely from the White House, across the country, no matter what prompts it. And that's something we will certainly keep an eye on.

But, you know, I think in this case, as you know, there have been dozens and dozens of court cases that have been debunked. The president of the United States is sitting in the Oval Office, engaging in governing the country. And obviously, we have moved forward even more than we were prior to the inauguration in proceeding -- in delivering on what the American people decided on in November.

QUESTION: And just one quick one on immigration. You know, some reform advocates have criticized these actions for being reviews of certain programs, like the Remain in Mexico program, rather than cancellations. Why review and not reverse some of these programs?

PSAKI: Sure. Well, part of our effort, Mary (ph), is to assess the damage that has been done by the policies that were put in place by the prior administration. We want to act swiftly, we want to act promptly but we also need to make sure we are doing that through a strategic policy process.

And the president's commitment to immigration is indicative in the fact that he announced the Immigration Bill his first day in office and that he has signed and after this afternoon a number of -- of bills to overturn the immoral actions of the prior administration.

But we want to ensure that our team led by the new, hopefully newly confirmed soon, maybe right now, secretary of Homeland Security has the ability to review the process and policies and make sure he's putting the right ones in place.

QUESTION: Do you have a timing for these reviews? When the task force for reunification may actually put out their first report (ph)?

PSAKI: We do and it's important to us that there are markers to give updates to the American people on this and many other issues. So, there will be a report issued within 120 days and then every 60 days thereafter on the progress being made.

As I think you all know from covering this issue, this is very difficult, it's emotional for a lot of people for understandable reasons, and we need to find out first where all these kids are, and figure out where their parents are, and so we are starting at you know square one here but our team wants to ensure that we are providing an update on what progress was (ph) being made, how it's going to be approached, and what the task force will be able to -- to get done.

Go ahead.

[14:05:00]

QUESTION: On the same subject and this is going to be really big news across Latin America, especially in the countries where people have come from. What is the Biden administrations message to people who may see this in the news over the next few days and think, oh they're changing the policy, now might be a good time to go north?

PSAKI: Well, the -- the message continues to be what it has -- what it has been and I appreciate you asking these questions because it is confusing as we take a lot of these steps forward. One is that this is not the time -- we want to put in place an immigration process here that can -- that is humane, that is moral, that considers applications for refugees, applications for people to come to -- into this country at the border in a -- in a -- in a way that treats people as human beings.

That's going to take some time, it's not going to happen overnight, obviously, we have a bill that we are hoping will be able to move through Congress. But we also feel -- I don't think any parent can look at what's happened to those kids over the last couple of years and not feel that we should do everything in our power to get those kids back with their parents. So, we are trying to repair the damage and the horrific actions of the prior administration by trying to do everything we can to reunite these kids with their families.

But it remains a dangerous trip, it remains a time -- this is not the time to come to the United States, we need the time to put in place an immigration process so people can be treated humanely.

QUESTION: One of the other things that immigration groups have been talking about, some Democrats as well, is the idea of potentially some kind of executive action that would shield immigrant workers who are considered essential workers...

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: ...from the threat of deportation. Is that being considered? Is that being worked on?

PSAKI: This will not be the end of our immigration actions or actions or efforts to work on these issues. I don't have anything on that policy consideration for you though.

QUESTION: That was my next question; this is still being worked on.

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: Can you give us a sense of what else may still be coming?

PSAKI: Well, then I would be -- I would be getting ahead of a policy process which I can't do from here, Ed, but this is a priority to the President to -- to do everything he can, obviously, putting forward the bill but also taking the executive actions he -- he had in his power to take to overturn the immoral steps of the last administration. So, that's why he's doing all of these -- taking all of these steps within the first two weeks of being inaugurated.

QUESTION: I suspect the answer to this one might be similar but I want to ask it anyway.

PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: One of the things that was not addressed by these was the so-called Title 42, the CDC thing, expelling migrants and asylum seekers without due (ph) process during the pandemic, the idea that they could be sent back right away because of the pandemic. Is that for review? And why was that not, perhaps, addressed right away, since it's been a concern for a lot of advocates of immigrants who are trying to come across (inaudible)?

PSAKI: Certainly. I -- I know it has been. I would just say that continuing to take policy steps to address the plight of immigrant -- of migrant families; to do so in a inhumane and moral way is a priority of this administration. We obviously are going to continue to work on the immigration bill that we have proposed to Congress. These executive actions are just part of our strategy, and if there's more to report to you on that, I'm -- I'm happy to get to you directly.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Can I follow up on the immigration question? The executive orders that have been described so far don't actually change or raise the refugee cap, which, as you know, President Trump reduced substantially; doesn't also order the immediate release of children from ICE detention. The president has said that that's something that should be done immediately. Why didn't he do it today?

PSAKI: I think we're going to have more, again, soon, in the coming days and weeks on more steps and actions that the president is interested in taking, so I'm just not going to get ahead of that right now.

QUESTION: So you're saying he might still do it, but he isn't doing it immediately?

PSAKI: Again, I was saying that there are additional steps the president will take, our policy teams will take, our experts will take to address immigration in a humane and moral way. There are also a number of steps that are under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Mayorkas, who of course, as you know, his confirmation was a bit delayed. Some of those are going to be under his purview, and so I'd point you to them to also engage with on some of those questions. But there is more the president will have to share on refugees and other issues soon.

QUESTION: (inaudible) may ask whether the president has made a decision on keeping -- or keeping the scope of Space Force.

PSAKI: Wow, Space Force. It's the plane (ph) of today.

QUESTION: No, it's an (inaudible) question.

PSAKI: It is an interesting question. I am happy to check with our Space Force point of contact. I'm not sure who that is. I will find out, and see if we have any update on that.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Jen, a couple -- the status of COVID relief. Senator Manchin (inaudible) stating, saying he was going to vote for the budget proposal, but made clear that his final vote is on -- needs to be on a bill that's very targeted. He is opposed to the $15 minimum wage. Is the $15 minimum wage a must-have for this White House in any final package?

[14:10:00]

PSAKI: Well, Phil, I should have also brought you up here to just talk about how a bill becomes a law, because I think you know.

QUESTION: (inaudible) 17-part reconciliation instructions question. (inaudible)...

PSAKI: Oh, good. I can't wait. We'll all tune in for it. You know, Phil, I think there are a lot of points of view, as should not be a surprise to anyone, of different members of Congress. We respect all of them. We're happy to hear them. Hence, the president met with 10 Republican senators last night. But we're not going to negotiate from here or, frankly, in public about what is going to be in that (ph) of the package. We want that to work through the legislative practice -- practice -- process, sorry, that is -- that is ongoing now.

QUESTION: And then on the -- the meeting with the Republican senators, you said the word "reiterate", I think, and the statement last night had the word "reiterate" three separate times. It was very clear where you guys...

PSAKI: You like that word. It's a good word. It's a solid word.

QUESTION: (inaudible) But it underscores that where -- your guys' position is firm. And so I guess my question is, you're talking about staff talks on technical details. Is that basically the ballgame right now, in terms of the bipartisan talks? Like, they can put (ph) things on the technical side. There are pieces, if they want amendments. But broadly, this is what it is, and it's moving.

PSAKI: Well, I think the president's commitment is to urgently deliver relief to the American people, and that is what he has conveyed in every meeting he's had or engagement he's had with Democrats and Republicans. And as we just talked about, there's a process that's just in the early stages -- that's beginning on Capitol Hill -- to do exactly that. But there are also steps that can be taken -- or changes that can be made through negotiations that also, through the legislative process, have to happen between the House and Senate. There are amendments that can be proposed and voted on, and we're going to see that process through, or allow that process to go through.

As that's happening, the president will be -- continue to be engaged. He'll continue to have more discussions with a variety of members of Congress from both parties to see if there's places to come to consensus and agreement on how to approach some of the issues and challenges the American people are facing.

QUESTION: Last one, on COVID relief. You guys have made very clear, the $130 billion for K through 12 is crucial for reopening schools. The -- I think there's something along the lines of $60- to $65 billion in past proposals that have been obligated, but is mostly unspent right now on the public school front. What are you guys doing to ensure that gets out the door, given the priority it is, in your next package?

PSAKI: Sure, well, my understanding from talking to our economic team is that the funding with -- that was in the $900 billion package, I think, if -- if that's what you're referring to, will be spent in the next couple of weeks. And so what we're trying to look ahead to is, what are the needs, as we're looking to public schools across the country, that many of them need funding. Many of them need PPE. Many of them need testing. Many of them need, you know, better ventilation in their schools to ensure we had adequate funded (sic) needed to open the majority of schools within 100 days, which remains the president's goal.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Yeah, today, there was new data on the Sputnik V vaccine, showing that it's quite effective, and I'm wondering if the administration is concerned at all that Russia could use this vaccine to exert geopolitical power with nations in need perhaps in Latin America.

PSAKI: I -- that is not a concern I've discussed with our national security team. Obviously, our focus is on our own FDA approval process here, and ensuring that we make as much of the vaccine available to the American public. And we just rejoined, as you know, the World Health Organization because we believe that the more people who are vaccinated around the world, the safer we all are. But I'm happy to speak with them about it and see if that's a concern they have.

QUESTION: One -- one other question on the COVID travel ban that is in place. Is that a temporary thing while the CDC and -- and the Biden administration figure out a safe way for international travel to occur, or is that seen as more long-term, especially given that the variants are already here?

PSAKI: Well, these were steps taken, as you know, by our team in order to increase the safety of the American public, and certainly, we don't want them to be forever because we want to get the pandemic under control. But they will be in place as long as our health and medical experts believe they're necessary or essential in order to keep the public safe. So the impact of variants, which is a very good question, is something, you know, they assess, and I would certainly encourage you to ask them that question on our next COVID call. Go ahead.

QUESTION: There have been calls for some kind of boycott of the -- the -- China's 2022 Olympics. Given the -- the administration's recent support of the -- the genocide designation there, does -- does President Biden support -- support those calls, or perhaps, find a new host country, and not be engaged with other allies in (inaudible)?

PSAKI: Well, I've seen some reports of that, and I don't have any update for you or preview for you or change of our approach to the Beijing Olympics, no.

[14:15:00]

QUESTION: President Biden has promised to make these (inaudible) public, in a -- in that (inaudible) tradition, as you guys not having a lot of visitors due to the pandemic. To the extent that these -- these calls are taking on virtually, is -- is there any talk about a virtual visitor (inaudible), or some kind of transparency on -- on how those virtual meetings are being disclosed to the public?

PSAKI: Well, our pledge is to be -- venture to be a -- hope -- hope to be the most ethical -- ethically-stringent government in -- in history, and we've put in place -- he's put in place a number of steps and policies to deliver on exactly that.

You're right that they are not -- are not currently many visitors. At some point, hopefully, there will be and we will be returning to the release of those visitor logs. That was not the case during the prior administration. At this point there is not a discussion of making virtual meetings a part of what is released.

Go ahead, Jeff (ph).

QUESTION: I actually have more visitor log questions.

PSAKI: OK.

QUESTION: The first one is, has anybody in the administration looked at the logs from the weeks before or leading up to the January 6th riot to see if anyone connected with the riot had been in the building?

PSAKI: You're not the first person to ask this question. It's a very interesting one or a newsworthy, I guess I should say. I have not had a chance to talk to our team on whether we even have access to those logs. I mean, we obviously know what information is put in from visits, people who come to visit. And we have the ability to release that over the coming months.

I'm not aware of an assessment of that. But I will also ask our team if we have access to them or if there is a plan to look at them.

QUESTION: When you get back to releasing -- I know under Obama they came out on like a monthly basis, a few months after the date of effect (ph). If it's possible, would you release them for the prior administration? Because there are a lot of people coming in and out of here where the public would only learn through we had a (INAUDIBLE) order of (INAUDIBLE).

PSAKI: I'm not even sure if it is technically possible. That feels like the first question. So let me talk to our technical gurus and see what I can find out.

QUESTION: And one more technical thing, if you don't mind. The first impeachment, there was a lot dealing with a foreign leader call by the president to Ukraine. Is that system still intact where there's notes and records of foreign leader calls? And is anybody on NSC or anybody else looking at those?

PSAKI: From the prior administration?

QUESTION: Yes, prior or past one, leader calls by the president (INAUDIBLE).

PSAKI: I am not aware of an assessment of those, Jeff. I think our focus is on our foreign leader calls the president -- the current president of the United States is making to global leaders in an effort to rebuild our place in the world and work on some diplomacy.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Hi. I just have quick question on immigration. On the Family Reunification Task Force, can you talk (INAUDIBLE) but can you talk a little bit more about the work ahead in finding some of these kids? I think the current number might be higher, you can correct me, but 600 or some.

I was also wondering if you can talk a little bit about how officials are going to evaluate cases to determine whether the family will be reunited in their home countries or if they will be allowed to stay here.

PSAKI: It's a great question, Katie. And some of that is what Secretary Mayorkas, newly confirmed Secretary Mayorkas and the task force will have to assess is -- and it will be case by case. There are estimates of between 600 and 700 kids, but part of what we need to do in the early stages, or I should say what the task force needs to do is determine what the accurate number is and where these kids are, and then determine case by case what the best process and approach is for reuniting them with their family members.

So this is -- there is a great deal of work ahead. There is a team that is very committed to that work. And part of what I am sure will be in the report around 120 days is what progress they have made on that effort.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Does the president think cutting off aid to Myanmar's government goes far enough or are you all looking at additional steps and what might those be? PSAKI: Well, I think the State Department may have put a statement out, if I am correct here, on the assessment made in the legal review that is calling the events in Burma a coup. So, and as you also know and we talked a little bit here yesterday, but there was a releasing of some -- there was some sanctions relief over the last several years because of steps that the government had taken toward democracy, there are -- there has been a rollback of those.

And obviously looking at sanctions is a big tool that would certainly be assessed. And I think that would be the one I would focus on at this point in time.

QUESTION: Have we even heard The President, we haven't seen a read out of the President talking to President Xi and I was wondering if there's something scheduled or when that might be? It's been a couple weeks?

PSAKI: Less than two weeks, actually, may seem longer to you. You know the -- our -- our -- our approach to China and our approach to our relationship in China, with China, you know is strategic, obviously, and we are working to ensure that we are approaching that relationship from a position of strength.

[14:20:00]

And that includes engagement with our allies and partners, a lot of those calls have happened over the last ten weeks -- ten weeks, ten days, maybe that was a little forty (ph) in there, ten weeks -- ten days. They will continue and also engagements with Democrats and Republicans in Congress about the path forward.

I don't have any call to predict for you at this point in time, obviously, with Secretary of State Tony Blinken now confirmed there are additional layers to engage with the Chinese but we'll let you know when a call is -- is happening and certainly have a read out for all of you as well.

QUESTION: That sounds a lot like the strategy is not to talk to him at this time because you're talking about speaking to allies and making other calls first. Is -- have they requested a call?

PSAKI: I don't have anything more for you. I think -- I don't appreciate the like putting words in my mouth, that wasn't what my effort was. What I was conveying is what our strategy is here from the United States which is to work with our partners and allies and determine what the right time is.

Of course the relationship with China is going to be multi-layered. We'll deal with climate, we'll deal with -- we'll deal with the economy, we'll deal with security, and that is of course a priority to President Biden, he's spoken about it during the transition. He's spoken about it, obviously, he's had engagements with his national security team about a range of issues including China, we've been here less than two weeks and when we have a call to read out I'll make sure you know.

Go ahead in the back.

QUESTION: Thanks Jen. I want to ask you a few on the rescue plan talks and I want to follow up on a question that (inaudible) asked you. You had acknowledged that the -- the gap between the administration and Republicans is wide but the talk last night was constructive...

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: ...so, after the discussion in the oval office last night, is the number from -- from the White House still $1.9 trillion?

PSAKI: It is.

QUESTION: On the issue of the minimum wage.

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: You had said that the President believes that a nurse and a teacher, a couple who makes $120,000 should get a check. So, that's clearly a -- a cornicle (ph) red line, I don't know if you want to describe it as that but something that the President wants? But when you ask about...

PSAKI: Red line is an old term; we're not going to use it again.

QUESTION: OK, that's right. But when you were asked about the minimum wage you said you're not going to negotiate from here and you want to work through that. So, it seems as if the President might be open to dropping the minimum wage from the bill, is that a -- a fair assessment?

PSAKI: I know there's a lot of appetite for what is going to be negotiated in and out of the bill. I totally get it, this is a big topic of interest but what I was just conveying as an example is that ensuring those checks are in the hands of Americans is a top priority for the President, I wasn't taking in and out things in the bill.

That will be a negotiation that will happen through Democrats and Republicans in Congress, obviously, the reconciliation process has just started. There are many opportunities for Republicans to offer amendments, there's a whole negotiation that's going to take place and we'll -- the President will continue to be engaged with members of both parties through that process.

QUESTION: On the issue of Senator Manchin and his statement today he talked about how he would like to see something targeted, he said that "I'm going to be clear and those are the words I shared with President Biden, our focus must be targeted on the COVID-19 crisis and Americans who have been most impacted by the pandemic", his quote. Does the White House believe that $1.9 trillion is a targeted package?

PSAKI: Well, the size of the package was determined not for shock value but to address the dual crises that we're facing and that includes ensuring that millions of Americans can put food on the table. One in seven Americans -- American families don't -- are concerned about food security right now. It ensures that we have funding that we can re-open schools so that kids can go back to school, mothers and fathers cannot worry about their kids and ensures that -- that people can apply for unemployment insurance.

These --the -- the size of package was determined, of course, in consultation with members on The Hill but also based on the recommendations of economists, on health experts, and that's how we came up with that number.

QUESTION: Lastly, there's going to be a jobs report on Friday.

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: Depending on how that jobs report looks might that change how the White House views what needs to be in the package or not or do you kind of believe that this is the best framework now and that's what you're going with?

PSAKI: I mean, if there was a jobs report that there were 10 million jobs created that would be great news but I don't suspect that will be what the outcome of the jobs numbers will be. So, no it will not change. I -- as we saw from the CBO numbers where there -- which predict -- projected I should say that there would be growth this year.

That's obviously positive but we're digging out of a massive hole and the challenge right now is that it's going to take years to return to the pace of job growth -- of economic growth that the country needs to be at. So, no I wouldn't suspect it would change things.

Go ahead in the back.

QUESTION: Thank you, Jen. A couple of follow-ups.

PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: First, a term-wise (ph) question. Governor Hogan...

[14:25:00]

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: ...said that there has been two new -- two more cases of this South African variant in Montgomery County and is in Maryland and people were coming back from abroad. I mean, is it -- is it not an opportunity -- are you worried -- isn't that opportunity to eventually widen the travel restrictions?

PSAKI: Well, I think what our team -- our health and medical teams do, so the CDC and others who are actual doctors is make assessments about what steps need to be taken. Whether it's masking, that as you know is now required on planes, or travel restrictions from certain countries in order to keep the American people safe and certainly the...

QUESTION: It hasn't work in Maryland, obviously.

PSAKI: Well, I don't know that it hasn't worked because we also have prevented a number of people from coming into the country and tried to take steps to reduce the spread of COVID and also the spread of some of these variants but they will assess steps that need to be taken based on variants, obviously, that's something that they review on a daily basis.

QUESTION: Follow-up to Anita's (ph) question.

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: Correct me if I'm wrong but the President hasn't spoken yet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, he's a neigh (ph), isn't that surprising?

PSAKI: I don't know that it's surprising less than two weeks into an administration, he hasn't called every foreign leader yet. He certainly would love to spend more time talking to foreign leaders, that's you know his first love is foreign policy but I expect he'll continue to have additional engagements in the weeks ahead and, obviously, we have a long and abiding relationship with Israel, important security relationship, I'm sure they'll discuss that and a range of issues when they do connect.

QUESTION: Last question, Jen.

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: Since Bill Clinton -- President Clinton and President Obama made Canada the destination of his first trip (ph)...

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: Can we expect the same thing from...

PSAKI: I was a -- that was a very creative way of asking the first foreign trip question. I don't have anything to preview for you in terms of which -- where the President will travel on his first foreign trip, I'm as eager as you all are -- I'm as eager as you all are, I love foreign travel. I will remind you that you know his first call was of course to the Prime Minister of Canada so that is certainly affirmation of the importance of the relationship.

Go ahead in the back.

QUESTION: Yes, thanks Jen. One on immigration and one on jobs if that's OK.

PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: So the president's third Executive Order, as I'm reading it, restoring faith in our legal immigration system and promoting integration of new Americans. Should these applicants is the K-1, student, E-2, Visa program; should they take this as a sign that they'll be granted travel waivers to return to the United States. I know you were asked about that last week.

PSAKI: Yes, I was. And it is still under review. Obviously, as we talked about a little bit about last week or I don't remember if you were here that day but -- but it was a question someone else asked.

And married couples, as you know, are able to travel. There was a review of students and of couples who were not married. That review hasn't concluded yet.

QUESTION: And then on jobs given that Mayor -- I guess now Secretary Buttigieg has been confirmed, when can we expect to see a detailed infrastructure plan giving the potential or new job creation there?

PSAKI: Well, we're going to officially invite Secretary Buttigieg to come to this briefing room and talk to you all about it whenever he has that discuss or even before then. He has been, obviously, working on getting confirms but I know he's eager to get work and we'll see when he has more specifics to lay out. But --

QUESTION: (Inaudible) announcement today with respect to the vaccine, equity is a big part that.

PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: You've been (ph) rolling (ph) with that previously. What extent is international equity factoring in? Right now the orders you have add up -- if they all come through, which admittedly a big if -- to quite a bit more than the U.S. would need. What would you do with all that and are you concerned that you might be boxing out less wealthy countries from getting earlier access to the vaccine?

PSAKI: Well, that's certainly not our objective. The president's objective is to have as many vaccines -- as you said, there's a lot of factors that could happen here -- that would prevent this from happening exactly as we planned it.

Freezers can break, trucks can break, snow storms as we've seen this week; we're fully aware of that. May our problem be that we have too many vaccines to put in the arms of the American people. That is not the current problem we're tracking, so that's what our first focus is going to be at this point in time.

QUESTION: So if that happens, will you distribute them to allies first on the needs basis?

PSAKI: I certainly hope that's our challenge and our problem and I'm sure we will be happy to discuss that if that is our issue. But as you know, we've also rejoined the World Health Organization. We want to have a seat at the table. It's important that are global community is healthy, not just our community in the United States but we're going to focus first on insuring the American people are vaccinated. Go ahead.

QUESTION: Another vaccine question. You guys have -- you mentioned you ramped up 16 percent distribution last week. I know 5 percent (inaudible) million doses going out to the pharmacies as well. Jeff (ph) was talking about how this is a ramp up of Moderna and Pfizer.

What kind of visibility are you getting into what's coming. Did you know the 15 percent was -- or 16 percent last week was coming? Did you know the -- how long in advance did you know --

PSAKI: Did we know we could plan to announce the new --

QUESTION: That you could actually announce things and kick them into gear?

[14:30:00]