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Proximity to Power: Inside Look at Biden's West Wing; White House Press Briefing. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired January 28, 2021 - 14:30   ET

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

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JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In this administration, the storied West Wing offices could hold even more value, considering many aides are still working remotely during a pandemic they're all trying to fight.

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ZELENY: Brianna, one of the biggest differences between this West Wing and other previous administrations. The fact so many people are still working virtually.

Certainly, it's changed how everyone works. There are much smaller meetings. Limited in the number of advisers who can be in the meetings.

Certainly not an open-door policy in the Oval Office. They're very careful, of course, with the coronavirus protocol.

That gives a bit of a sense who's doing what in this West Wing. And so far, it's been a very busy under week one of executive actions.

but now, of course, the tough work of legislating actually begins. But a very different way, because the pandemic is affecting who can come into meetings, do outside events. Certainly, unusual compared to that -- Brianna?

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: A fascinating look. Jeff, thanks for sharing with us.

ZELENY: You bet.

KEILAR: Just in, in the wake of the insurrection of the capitol, capitol police making demands. That's next as we await the White House briefing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Good after noon. Happy Thursday.

Before we get into question -- promise ample time -- I want to share a few updates with you.

First, today, President Biden signed two executive actions beginning to restore and strengthen Americans access to quality affordable health care.

Specifically, he directed agencies to re-examine rules and other policies that limit Americans' access to health care and consider additional actions to strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to continue to provide access to life-saving care for millions of Americans.

As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services will open healthcare.gov, special enrollment, February 15th to May 15th. Reminder, the prior administration only had it open six weeks. This double that length of time.

Starting February 15th, Americans without health insures can go to healthcare.gov and sign up for health coverage, often at little or no cost.

The president rescinded the global gag rule which bars international nonprofits that -- international funding -- sorry.

Say it again. Bars international nonprofits that provide abortion counseling or referrals from receiving U.S. funding and directed Department of Health and Human Services to take immediate action considering whether to rescind regulations under Title X family planning program.

Also, of course, billed on the actions the president has taken to put equity at the heart of his administration's response to COVID-19.

Second, I wanted to update you on the amendment made to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or Prep Act, declaration on the COVID-19 response.

HHS amending the current PREP Act declaration permitting recently retired doctors and nurses to administer COVID-19 vaccines, to permit anyone currently licensed to vaccinate within their home state and administer shots across state lines.

We've talked a lot in here about the need for not just vaccines but vaccinators and this is an effort to put more vaccinators in the field.

[14:35:08]

A number of states already have taken action to ease licensing requirements, expanding the vaccinator workforce. But this nationwide action will make that easier across the board. It will help in our vaccination efforts with continued goal of 100 million shots in 100 days.

Also, today, I just wanted to point you to, you may have all seen, the statement by National Economic Council director, Brian Deese, about the quarterly GDP and unemployment claims. Finally, a note on the vice president's schedule. Today, she is doing

local TV interviews and meeting with editorial boards in West Virginia and Arizona to discuss the American rescue plan.

With that, go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Two foreign, one domestic. Ask you about -- the man convicted of the killing of journalist, Daniel Pearl. Did the White House have a response and are there plans to ask for his extradition to the U.S. for a trial?

PSAKI: The United States is outraged by the Pakistani Supreme Court decision to affirm the acquittals of those responsible for Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl's kidnapping and brutal murder, which shocked the world's conscience in 2002.

This decision to exonerate and release the other suspects is an affront to terrorist victims everywhere, including in Pakistan.

We recognize past Pakistani actions to try to hold Mr. Pearl's murderers accountable. And we do note that, as of right now, Omar Sheikh remains in detention in Pakistan under national security authorities.

We call on the Pakistani government to review its legal options, including allowing the United States to prosecute Sheikh for the brutal murder of an American citizen and journalist.

And we're commit to securing justice for Daniel Pearl's family and holding terrorists anywhere accountable for heinous crimes.

The State Department, I know, also put out a statement.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: I want to ask about the flurry of executive orders we've seen. President Biden ran on a pledge to restore unity. He promised on immigration he'd be a president for all Americans.

Since he's gotten into office, he's been largely acting unilaterally. We saw a record number of executive orders. He has not yet met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. We're not quite sure who he's talking to on Capitol Hill.

What do up say to Americans watching all of these executive orders?

And does the White House think that this is the best way to make policy, considering an opposing president could come back in four years from now and erase all the work done?

PSAKI: Let me -- a lot to unpack there. Let me try my best.

First, the President put forward a large and bold COVID relief package, $1.9 trillion, meant to address challenges the American people are facing, the dual crises the country is facing from the pandemic to an economic recession as a result.

That package has the support of the majority of Americans, according to every poll we have seen publicly released.

So I would say, first, that part of unifying the country is addressing the problems that the American people are facing. Working to reach out to Democrats and Republicans to do exactly that.

That's exactly what he's doing. He is calling, had calls with Democratic and Republican members of Congress, many of them.

He's doing more calls today but doing calls regularly throughout the week and has done them back to when he was inaugurated, even before then.

And also calling Democratic and Republican mayors and governors to talk to them about what their needs are on the ground.

So his objective as president is to deliver on what he promised in his inaugural address.

To govern for all of the American people by focusing on addressing the issues that people are facing that aren't just hitting blue states or red states, aren't just hitting Democrats or Republicans but are crises that we are all facing.

I think the polls will tell you that people are responding to that.

In terms of executive actions, he also ran with a commitment to take steps immediately to address the pain and suffering that the American people were feeling.

That includes overturning some of the detrimental harmful and, at times, immoral policies and actions of the prior administration.

But he's the first to tell you, as he said many times publicly, he's not going to take executive action alone. That's why he's put forward a number of packages he's actively working with members of both parties to move forward on.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And the issue the -- work quickly unilaterally getting this done, then does he support the move towards reconciliation that Senate Democrats are talking a be now? Essentially, the same idea?

PSAKI: I didn't say that that was his point of view. Those are your words, not mine.

I would say his view is actually that these policies, policies in his COVID relief package, are policies that are not Democratic or Republican.

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Everybody wants their kids to go back to school. Everybody thinks that there should be more shots in arms of Americans. Everybody thinks that the American people should get more relief and a bridge in this period of time such a challenge. So what he's saying is, here's my proposal. Here's how I think. Here's

how economists, medical experts, held experts, think we can address these crises we agree are impacting all constituents across country. Let's have a conversation. What he's doing.

At the same time, he's not delaying action that would help bring relief to the public. And help bring access to affordable health care to the American people. Help ensure women have access to reproductive health as well.

So there are a lot of steps he's taken over the past couple weeks. He will not delay actions that require immediate, immediate action, that he can, he can bring that relief immediately but also working with Congress. Proposed multiple bills to do that.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Following up on that. Democratic leaders on the Hill appear to already be eyeing reconciliation. We heard Leader Chuck Schumer today saying they're moving ahead we our without Republicans.

Does this undermine bipartisanship and you urging them to give this more time?

PSAKI: We're all very close to this here. Reconciliation and terminology in Washington. Everybody watching may not be.

Reconciliation is a parliamentary process, a way to get legislation through. A way to get relief to the American people.

The president wants this to be a bipartisan package, regardless of the mechanisms. Republicans can still vote for a package, even if it goes through with reconciliation.

No blood oath anybody signs. They're able to support it regardless.

He wants this to be a bipartisan package. He is listening to Democrats and Republicans, we all are, ensuring that's what it looks like end of the day.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can get both the speed you want and bipartisanship at the same time. Which is the priority?

PSAKI: I don't think that's true. We refute that notion.

These challenges that the American public are facing are urgent. People don't know how to plan to have food on their table now. They're worried whether their kids can go back to school in a couple months now. They're worried about getting the vaccine now.

Those are issues that Republican elected officials are hearing, Democrat elected officials are hearing from constituents.

And we're confident that people are going to listen to them and come together to support a bipartisan bill.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: One other question on COVID. The South African variant is now discovered here in the U.S. You, of course, have taken steps to ban non-U.S. citizens from South Africa from traveling here.

The ban goes into effect Saturday. Why Saturday? Why not sooner?

PSAKI: Testing requirements put in place, that you noted, were put in place relative to -- they will be put into effect at 12:00, at noon, I guess, noon, January 26th.

So this actually goes to, into effect Friday night. Fair, to Saturday morning. Close.

Was put into place very quickly over the course of a week to stand up the necessary process.

It takes time to put these restrictions in place, to work with airlines, work with regulatory authorities to get them in place. We did it at quickly as possible.

And before a recorded case, of course. We've seen the reports and listen to health and medical experts.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: It's kind of indicated they'll move forward with bipartisan support. Would President Biden sign a bill that only Democrats voted for?

PSAKI: We're not quite there. That's getting a few steps ahead of where we are now.

He continues to believe this should be, can be, and will be a partisan bill receiving support from Democrats and Republicans and he's having conversations with and listening to leaders and members of both parties to assure that we get to exactly that place.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: If we got to that place, only Democrats had voted for it, is he OK with that?

PSAKI: We'll have a conversation at that point. Not there yet.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Second question, given all the volatility in Wall Street, what is the Biden administration going to do to protect the American investors if there's a potentially market correction coming?

PSAKI: The SEC put out a statement, today or in the last 24 hours. I would refer to that. We won't have an additional comment.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Beyond just monitoring it, has he had conversation with economic officials, talks what's going on?

PSAKI: He's briefed by his economic team frequently. But I don't have anything more to read out for you.

Go ahead?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: The SEC, broader administration specifically, looking at Robinhood and other platforms decisions to prevent retail investors from purchasing certain stocks like GameStop? PSAKI: No more on this aside from to point you to the SEC statement.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: One more question. Is the administration working with majority leader, Chuck Schumer, to push Gary Gentzler's nomination given the frenzy in the stock market?

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PSAKI: Well, I've not spoken with the team about Gary Gentzler's nomination specifically. Certainly, the president has spoken about the urgency of getting his team in place to address the range of issues we're facing. I don't think that would be any different for Mr. Gentzler.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Thank you so much.

First, COVID relief package. To cut a deal, would President Biden, would he be willing to entertain a smaller package?

PSAKI: Well, first, you didn't ask me this. But since there was reporting this morning, I want to take the opportunity to be crystal clear. We're not looking to split the package. That's not a probability from the White House.

I talked to the president about it this morning. That's not our focus on intention.

The reason is because we are not going to put ourselves in a place or anyone in a place we're choosing between helping families to put food on the table and making sure kids go back, or making sure kids get back to school and getting a vaccine in the arms of Americans.

Now, at the same time, what the president has conveyed to all of us and during his conversations with members of Congress is that he's put his proposal out there.

In was the Senate 36 years. He of all people appreciates the back and forth, engagement, the opportunity to hear from members of all sides on what they like, what they don't like, things they think should be smaller, some proposed things should be bigger. Of course, lots of ideas.

No member of Congress is a wallflower that are out there in public. And it certainly reflects the private conversations as well.

There are areas, for example, there's been some discussion of can this be more targeted?

The president believes that, that based on his recommendations of his -- of economists and health and economic experts, this is an overall package and proposal that is absolutely targeted to the people who need it most.

But he's happy to have a conversation about that. Happy to have a conversation about any component that people are coming at him with good ideas. But our focus is on making it better and improving the package as

people have good ideas.

We're open for business and open to hear from members of Congress on that. But we're not going to do this in a piecemeal way or break apart a big package that's meant to address the big crises we're facing.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: On COVID, can you confirm the Biden administration is actively expanding mandatory testing for domestic travelers here in the United States and what other domestic requirements can you detail that might be forthcoming?

PSAKI: Put out a couple days ago, talked about this earlier. Specific requirements on international travel as you know.

I don't have anything to preview for you or predict on domestic travel restrictions, our team is always evaluating and how to keep the American people safe.

Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Thanks, Jen.

Can you give the American people any hope that the vaccine supply is going to go much over 10 million doses a week in the next couple of months?

PSAKI: Well, as you know, but in case people watching don't know, we made, the president made an announcement just two days ago about increasing supply of vaccines to ensure that we are getting as much of the supply into the hands of governors and elected officials as we can, to get the vaccine into the arms of Americans.

We're going to continue to push. As he said, he's going to continue to push. We will all continue to push.

The issue is not just vaccine supply. A big issue is vaccinators and the capacity to have people who can put the vaccine into the arms of Americans, in communities, and in neighborhoods, to be able to do that.

Also vaccine locations. We increase, already made an announcement less than 48 hours ago about increasing the vaccine supply going to states.

He will continue to push. Our goal is, of course, to continue to increase in all of these areas.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) -- The supply, isn't it -- (INAUDIBLE) --

PSAKI: It's one of the issues. We will be in a place by this summer where we will have enough supply for the public.

But that doesn't ensure that everybody will have had a vaccine, because we need to ensure we have the materials to do, to distribute the vaccine. The vaccinators and qualified individuals to literally put the shots

in the arms of Americans. Places to do it.

This is why this is such a herculean task. It requires so many components.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And striking a deal with Pfizer producing 125 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine. All going to the E.U. and not until this summer.

Has the White House been talking to domestic pharmaceutical companies about doing something similar, more quickly?

PSAKI: Well, he did -- the president did invoke the Defense Production Act, you all know, last week. We're not, to quote Dr. Fauci, always a good place to be, not producing shoes here. We're producing vaccines.

And we are -- want to work very closely with the manufacturers and the companies that are the experts on producing these to ensure they can do exactly that.

It's not easy to start from scratch in a new facility. We're very mindful of that.

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And right now, we're certainly reviewing all options. But our focus is on continuing to work directly with the manufacturers and their facilities to get the vaccines out the door.

Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Thanks Jen.

One question on the health care E.O. today. How many people does the White House expect will sign up during their supplemental time period?

How many people are you expecting will sign up for these insurance programs through the federal exchange?

PSAKI: Well, we don't have the number to predict for you.

But the reason that the president signed the executive order today was because it felt essential at a time of a pandemic when millions of people are concerned about their health care, far too many still don't have access to open up an expanded window for American to apply.

We will have a robust public campaign, public paid media campaign to reach the American people. And we'll be pushing a lot of levers and resources toward that. I don't have a prediction for you in terms of the numbers.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Do we know estimates going in?

PSAKI: We're not going to do productions from here. Just as many American people who don't have access and currently are not on the exchange that we can reach will be our goal to reach.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And I had follow-up on the markets and everything that's happening with GameStop. You had mentioned, I believe yesterday, that the treasury secretary is monitoring the situation, and she's kind of on top of it.

There have been some kind of concerns about her previous engagements with Citadel and speaking fees that she has received from Citadel.

Are there any plans to have her recuse herself from advising the president on GameStop and the whole Robinhood situation?

PSAKI: Just to be clear, what I said is the treasury secretary is now confirmed. Obviously, we have a broad economic team.

The SEC put out a statement yesterday that I referred to. But I don't think I have any more for you on it.

Other than to say, separate from the GameStop issue, the secretary of the treasury is one of the world-renowned experts on markets, on the economy.

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone she was paid to give her perspective and advice before she came into office, being the treasury secretary.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: I have a couple of questions on policy issues on Taiwan.

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: Sure.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: A Chinese defense ministry spokesman said yesterday that the Chinese military activities is a necessary response to foreign intervention and that any efforts towards independence means war.

Does the administration believe that Beijing is testing the U.S. on the issue of Taiwan? And how would you respond?

PSAKI: Well, the good news is that my long-time friend, John Kirby, is giving a briefing today at the Department of Defense. And I would refer you to him and any comments he makes on the specific issue.

Do you have another question?

I'm following up Secretary Linkins' statement yesterday on the review of the sale of F-35s to the United Arab Emirates and the Saudis, what is the message from the administration in terms of the Abraham Accords.

I understand the president is open to having more countries join. How urgent is it for the administration? And what would be your strategy? Would it be, for example, continue the part and stick to the approach of the Trump administration?

PSAKI: Well, I know Secretary Blinken was just confirmed yesterday. I love having all these cabinet members and colleagues in places the in agencies because there's even more expertise out there.

But as you know, we've recently paused some arm sales to ensure they meet our strategic objectives, including how to end the conflict in Yemen.

But state will be able to speak to it in greater detail. And there's going to be an ongoing review of a range of policies, including what will be the Abraham Accords.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: How is urgent is it for the administration that more countries sign on.

PSAKI: Again, this is under the purview of the State Department. I'm sure they'll be speaking to it. And the secretary was just confirmed earlier this week, so we'll give him a minute to figure out where his pencils and pens are.

But certainly it's important -- an important issue and one that they will be reviewing soon, I'm sure.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: I have a question on Russia. Do you have anything else to add now that the Russian front has rejected the appeal of Alexei Navalny? Anything else you would like to add beyond what you've said?

PSAKI: As I noted the other day, and as was clear of the readout of the call with President Putin, he did not hold back in conveying his concern about the treatment of Alexei Navalny and the treatment of protesters.

And that is certainly something that we'll continue to communicate at many levels with the Russians.

Go ahead.

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UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Hi, two questions. Actually, I just wanted to follow-up on the Russian question. Is there anything at all you can give us in terms of the tone of that call or the length of the call?

The topics that you laid out, boom, boom, boom, were all pretty -- it seemed like a quite difficult conversation for the Russian president, perhaps.

I was wondering if you could give us any sense of color about how it went.

PSAKI: Well, I'm not in the business of reading out anything the Russians are doing. I know you're not exactly asking, but sort of.

I will say that President Biden had clear objectives that he wanted to get across during that call. He has never held back as it relates to President Putin or his concerns about the actions of the Russian government. And he certainly conveyed that clearly during the call.

As you know, there's also a review that's underway about a range of activities that is being overseen by his national security team. And he touched on a number of those issues during that call.

But I don't have anything more for you. I'm sure the Kremlin is happy to give you a readout of how well President Putin thinks the call went.

Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Another question on immigration. A federal judge in Texas has blocked a 100-day pause. I wanted to see how that's impacting the Biden agenda and if there's any way a reason for perhaps delay we've been expecting?

PSAKI: No. I will say I know we had a statement on the specific case you referenced, which I'm happy to circle back with you on it if you haven't received it.

In terms of our overarching agenda and approach to immigration, there was an early and draft version of the -- of what our executive order plan and schedule looked like. And that was early in the draft and was not accurate.

But I will tell you get some sleep this weekend. We'll have more to say next week on immigration. The president will. So, we'll have more to report out to you in the next couple of days.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: One final thing here. I was curious. Some of my colleagues have been asking you about reconciliation and the tension with meeting quickly with Biden's administrative agenda versus a longer period of negotiation.

And I do wonder in this last week, you did have Senator Leahy in the hospital, Senator Mark Warner quarantined because of COVID.

There's a pandemic going on. And you have the slim as possible majority in the Senate.

Is there any sort of -- when you look at the health situation, is there any sense that still having a majority might be the better view?

PSAKI: I watched Senator Leahy in action for quite some time, and he has been -- continues to be an advocate, as we know, for justice, for equality. And I -- you know, he's pretty wily and fierce.

So, we're pretty confident we're going to be working with him for a while. And as you know he's resting at home. We wish him our best.

I would say the president came into office knowing he was going to have a slim majority and that it would be essential to work with both Democrats and Republicans. And that it would be extremely challenging if challenging, if not

nearly impossible, to get big, bold work done on behalf of the American people without working with both parties.

And that's exactly why he has himself had a number of engagements and calls with members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, and why he has asked his team to do exactly that as well.

So, we've known, of course, even before the election in Georgia. We thought there wouldn't even be a slim majority, we would be in the minority. He's been planning for that and we've been planning for that through the course of the last several months.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Following up on immigration. I understand what you're saying about the document that's out there with executive orders and dates.

But the chief of staff also indicated that immigration would be coming by February 1st, which I believe is Monday. So, are the immigration executive orders coming on Monday?

And is this -- is there some desire to wait until the secretary is confirmed for the executive orders, or can you give us anymore -- shed only more light on this?

PSAKI: No, I would say as you guys may know from doing your own planning, with long-term enterprise stories, sometimes things change. And things change in communications planning and what day you're going to put information out. And there's a range of reasons for that. I will say, stay tuned. We'll have more to say next week.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Monday or not? Just sometime next week?

PSAKI: It will be next week.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: The executive orders we're talking about a plan for family reunification? That's one - obviously, there's many. But that's one a lot of people are waiting to hear what that plan is. Is that something we should expect?

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PSAKI: Well, the president talked about his commitment to putting together a commission for reunifying families. He remains committed to that. And we'll have more to share on that soon.