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Live Coverage of White House Press Briefing; Jen Psaki Reiterated Biden's Support for the Space Force; Negotiations on COVID Relief Bill Continue. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired February 03, 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]

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The desire for the Department of Defense to focus greater attention and resources on the growing security challenges in space, has long been a bipartisan issue, informed by numerous independent commissions and studies conducted across multiple administrations.

And thousands of men and women proudly serve in the Space Force. As you know, it was established by Congress and any other steps would actually have to be taken by Congress, not by the administration.

QUESTION: One more space question. NASA's Artemis program, which was the Trump-era program to return American astronauts to the moon by 2024, what is the president's plan? What is he going to do with that program? Is he going to keep it intact?

PSAKI: I am personally interested in space. I think it's a fascinating area of study. But I have not spoken with our team about this particular program. So let me see if we can get you a more informed overview of that.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) OK, one more -- one more question if I could -- sorry -- about the president's comments last night as he was paying his respects to the FBI agents that lost their lives or were injured.

He said, "By and large, the vast majority of these men and women are decent, honorable people." What did he mean by that, the vast majority part?

PSAKI: That's exactly what he meant.

Go ahead, Kristen (ph).

QUESTION: Thank you, Jen. President Biden's been very clear that one of his core promises to the American people is to try to unify his country. How can he steps to unify the country while the impeachment trial is going on next week?

PSAKI: Well, he can focus his efforts -- which is exactly what he's doing -- on delivering necessary relief to the American public and using his forum to talk about how he's going to reopen schools, how he's going to get shots in the arms of Americans, how he's going to ensure that the one-in-seven American families who are concerned they can't put food on the table can do exactly that. That's how he's spending his time as -- as we started this briefing and how he will continue to spend it moving forward.

QUESTION: What's his message to Republicans who say that the very trial itself undercuts any efforts at unity?

PSAKI: He -- he invites Republicans to work with him on bringing relief to the American public. And that's why he invited them here -- many of them here on Monday and why he will continue to engage with them moving forward.

QUESTION: Can you (ph) talk about his agenda? President Biden has been signing executive orders, speaking to the American people almost on a daily basis. Obviously the focus is going to shift to the Senate next week. How concerned is he that the Senate trial will undercut his momentum?

PSAKI: I think the president has been clear there's an urgency to delivering relief to the American people. And it's important and vital that the House and Senate work quickly to get this bill packet -- passed.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) Do you see it wrapped up within the week when you say (inaudible)?

PSAKI: I'm not giving a deadline. I'm just conveying what he has stated many times publicly. And we are confident they have the ability to walk and chew gum at the same time.

QUESTION: And if I could (ph) -- one more question -- there's discussion on the Hill about stripping Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments. Does President Biden believe that she should be stripped of those assignments?

PSAKI: We've resisted speaking of her in this briefing room and I'm not going to do that today.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) Why not weigh in on her assignments though, Jen?

PSAKI: Because it's up to the Hill to make that determination.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you, Jen. I'm Nadia (ph) with Reuters. President Biden has always expressed support for unions and in fact has distributed a plan to kind of strengthen worker organizing around the country.

There are thousands of workers at an Amazon facility in Alabama that are currently gearing up to cast a vote and potentially form a union inside the company. This will be the first of its kind inside Amazon. Does the White House and President Biden support their efforts to organize and form a union?

PSAKI: As you've noted, the president is a strong long-time believer and supporter of the efforts of labor unions and workers. I have not spoken with him or our economic team about this particular report nor had I seen it before I came out here. If there's anything more to provide you, we're happy to follow-up with you direct.

QUESTION: And -- and I did have another...

PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: ... question on -- on Secretary Yellen calling for a meeting with top financial regulators on GameStop. And we understand the meeting is likely to happen this week. Will the meeting be held on Thursday and will the focus really be on whether Robinhood treated retail investors unfairly over large institutional investors?

PSAKI: Well, I would send you to the Treasury Department for any specifics on the timing of the meeting or the focus of the meeting.

For any of you who have not seen this report, Secretary Yellen has called a meeting with the SEC, FRB, FRBNY, and CFTC. She believes the integrity of markets is important and has asked for a discussion of recent volatility in financial markets and whether recent activities are consistent with investor protection and fair and efficient markets. That'll be the focus of the meeting, but for more details I would certainly send you to the Treasury team.

Go ahead, Jennifer (ph).

QUESTION: Any update on the release of the White House visitor logs, either -- were you able to figure out if you can technically access the Trump administration visitor logs?

PSAKI: I was. We cannot. That is under the purview of the National Archives, so I'd certainly point you to there. And in terms of the -- our plans to release the visitor logs, we do plan do that on a quarterly basis, just as the Obama-Biden administration did as well.

[14:05:00]

QUESTION: And then one other thing also on unions. Mitch McConnell was critical today of giving generous funding to school districts where they're -- the unions are not allowing the schools to open. Do you have any reaction to that?

PSAKI: I would say that the -- the purpose of giving funding or supporting funding and getting it to school districts is to ensure that teachers are safe, that kids are safe, that there is necessary PPE, that there is ventilation in the school, that -- that there is the -- the environment that allows for children to return safely. And that is the president's focus. That's why he also wants to reopen schools and wants them not to just reopen but wants them to stay open, which as a mom that is pivotal. And that's -- that's -- but he knows it's essential that it's done in a safe way.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) Anything on the unions not allowing some school districts to reopen?

PSAKI: There's discussions in different districts, as you well know, between school districts or -- and -- and elected officials and the unions. And we certainly hope and encourage progress on that front. But the president's focus is on the schools reopening safely and then staying open.

Go ahead, Simone (ph).

QUESTION: I have couple questions -- thanks, Jen. So like, during the Georgia runoff President Biden campaigned specifically on $2,000 stimulus checks. And obviously as we've discussed, the payment is $1,400. There doesn't seem to be an active discussion on actually raising that amount. So is that a broken promise to voters who may have been expecting $2,000 checks if Democrats won? And would the administration be open to raising that amount?

PSAKI: Well, you're right that the president is very focused on ensuring millions of Americans receive those checks and that pivotal relief at this point in time. There were $600 payments, as you know, in the $900 billion package that passed in December. This is $1,400. Together, that's $2,000. So it would be delivering on the promise he made and it's something that he is firmly sticking by.

QUESTION: And I have another question on immigration. The Biden administration has -- like, has extended Temporary Protected Status for Syrian nationals. Obviously the Trump administration cut off TPS protections for many other countries such as El Salvador, Nicaragua and Haiti. So does the administration plan to reinstate those TPS protections for those countries?

PSAKI: It is all under review at this point in time and obviously the president has talked about his own commitment to reinstating TPS in certain cases. But it has not -- the review has not been completed at this point in time. Go ahead.

QUESTION: So early today on the call with House Democrats the president talked about better targeting the stimulus checks. I'm wondering if you could just explain what he meant by that and what might be under consideration.

PSAKI: Sure. Well, as we've said in here a few times, but -- but I know this is an ongoing process; the president having served in the Senate for 36 years fully recognizes that the bill he proposed that he did write (ph) a Primetime address on two weeks ago.

That may not look exactly like the bill that comes out. And he knows that. That's part of the legislative process. So further targeting means not the size of the check, it means the -- the -- the income level of people who receive the check and that's something that has been under discussion, has been a conclusion but certainly he's open to having that discussion.

QUESTION: And I also wanted to ask, in the previous administration often when coronavirus cases came up in the White House, people tested positive, it came out in the news media. I was wondering if -- if this White House has a policy on releasing information about people who test positive in the White House or in the administration who have contact with White House officials. PSAKI: Sure. Well, if -- for anybody who covered the campaign and I was not on the campaign but what they tried to do was be very transparent about anyone who had any contact with -- would have been in close proximity to the president or vice president and released if they had a COVID positive test.

And so we will certainly model that transparency if and when that occurs here and venture to provide accurate and up to date information as quickly as possible to all of you. Not through the media outlet but directly. I mean you are the media but you know what I mean. Go ahead.

QUESTION: All right. Thanks, Jen. I have one question and then for my college who can't be here (inaudible) --

PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: The CDC director is saying that the vaccination of teachers is not a pre-requisite for safe reopening of schools. Does the White House agree with this and should safety prioritizing teachers over other essential workers in the vaccine line.

PSAKI: Well, I saw the comments of Dr. Walensky. But I will say that even she would say if she were standing here, she's welcome to come anytime but she's in Atlanta, that they have no released their official guidance yet form the CDC on the vaccination of teachers and what would be needed to insure the safe reopening of schools.

And so we'd certainly differed to that, which we hope to see soon. The president himself has talked about the importance and the priority of vaccinating teachers and in most states they're in the 1B category of vaccination. And -- but it is up to states to determine prioritization.

Obviously there's federal guidelines. But -- and we work closely with governors. But we leave it to them but certainly insuring teachers are vaccinated. Prioritizing teachers is -- is important to the president.

QUESTION: And this is from a colleague.

PSAKI: Sorry, go ahead.

QUESTION: Yes, following the 2020 election, 28 states have brought forward 106 different bills related to voting access (ph) according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Is President Biden keeping track of those efforts and will he talk with states to ensure Americans aren't restricted from voting on future elections?

PSAKI: Well, the president's priority is certainly insuring and the vice president's priority is certainly insuring more people, not fewer people have access to voting and that it is easier, not harder to do that.

We saw some examples of voting by mail or early voting, given COVID that could be models for the future. It's certainly an issue he's following and his team keeps him abreast (ph) on. I don't think there's been an update in -- in -- since he was inaugurated to him. But it's certainly issue he cares personally about as does the vice president. Go ahead in the back.

[14:10:00]

QUESTION: Yes, good afternoon. Owen Jensen with EWTN Global Catholic Network. President Biden has stated he wanted to unite the country and the first two weeks he's been in office however, and much to the great disappointment of Pro-Life Americans he has revoked the Mexico City policy, he has ordered a review of Title 10 and issued a statement strongly supporting Roe v. Wade.

Is the president going to make any effort to reach out to Pro-Life Americans in his administration?

PSAKI: Well, those have long been the president's positions and he certainly was just restating them and delivering on promises he made on the campaign trail. But the president will reach out to all Americans and that is how he's govern to govern what he talked about in his inaugural address and he has every intention of delivering on that promise.

QUESTION: OK. Follow up on that. Will he -- you described him as a devout Catholic, will he use his faith to guide him in any policy decision making?

PSAKI: He does attend church nearly every weekend. And that's something that's important to him personally and to his family. And he's talked about the impact of his faith on healing and everything he's been through as a human being.

So certainly it's a guide to him as a human being. Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thanks. Earlier you mentioned a number of topics that President Biden and Putin had discussed. One that you didn't mention is the two marines who are imprisoned; Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan. Trevor Reed from Texas had an appeal today in Moscow, the U.S. ambassador called his conviction a mockery of justice.

What is the U.S. doing to secure their release and do you consider these two marines to be hostages?

PSAKI: Well, Ambassador Sullivan, who I think you were referring to today called Trevor Reed's trial a mockery of justice and we certainly agree. And as you know, we have a range of means of communications with the Russians at several levels.

We have a secretary of state who's now confirmed. We have a national security adviser and we have a number of officials in the State Department but I'll use this as an opportunity once again called on Russia to swiftly release both Mr. Reed and Paul Whelan, in doing so on the heels of extending New START would demonstrate that Russia is ready to move past intractable (ph) issues within the bipartisan -- the bilateral, excuse me, lots of bipartisan talk in here today -- bilateral relationship but that's our view and we certainly raised this at every opportunity.

QUESTION: Are sanctions or any other consequences under consideration? PSAKI: Well, there's also a review we've announced here, of course, and I talked about a little bit at the beginning of our relationship and certainly a number of issues that are being looked into by the national security team. And once that review is concluded we'll have more to say on our policy moving forward.

QUESTION: Do you -- do you think -- does the administration consider them to be hostages?

PSAKI: I don't think I'm going to add a new category or categorization from here today. Go ahead.

QUESTION: Jen, I was to follow up on ventilation in the schools in terms of re-opening them safely. How exactly does the White House see that playing out? Is the president saying that no school should be reopened unless they get a brand new or renovated ventilation system?

PSAKI: I think the president is saying that and the CDC, I should say more important, and our health and medical experts are saying that ventilation and proper ventilation in schools and especially schools -- public schools that have -- don't have often the benefit of tuition and things along those lines need to have proper ventilation we've seen from health and medical experts that that is something that contributes to insuring the safety of people indoors, which is part of what school is.

So they're just conveying that that's an important component of looking at school safety and how we can reopen schools.

QUESTION: So it's not a prerequisite yet.

PSAKI: Well, there haven't been prerequisites set. There have been -- there have been broad objectives that have been set by the CDC and others. They have also not put out their specific detailed guidelines yet and we'll look -- look forward to seeing those and -- and abiding by them, and communicating about them from here.

Go ahead, Josh (ph).

QUESTION: The president has said he really wants to protect the middle class, and I'm wondering, when it comes to things like direct payments, what's the income range by which you define the middle class? Like, how much does someone who's middle class -- how much do they earn? What -- what's the range?

PSAKI: Well, there are ranges in the bill, as you know, that are what the President proposed and what he outlined during his prime time address. I don't know that he looked at the bill as his own personal definition of the middle class as much as a definition of the people who need help the most.

QUESTION: So that's the -- that -- that bill is the rough range on how you're thinking about it, or...?

PSAKI: I -- I don't -- I think I just said, it's not the definition. He -- he wasn't looking to answer the question for economists around the world on how to define the middle class; he was defining who needs help the most now, and that's how the bill is defined and why he's so focused on ensuring those checks get out to the American people.

Go ahead.

[14:15:00]

QUESTION: Two quick follow-ups, one on the -- the voting question, the Voting Rights Act update, or the John Lewis Voting Rights bill. You guys have majorities in the House and the Senate, and he talked about it on the campaign trail that given (inaudible) and the change of preclearance, is that a priority? And -- and if it's a priority, when -- I understand you're going to (inaudible) two weeks. But with the majorities, when do you push forward on that priority?

PSAKI: It remains a priority, of course. The president's number one focus, though, remains getting the American Rescue Plan through. He's also going to talk more about a Build Back Better plan as we get into the early spring -- or late winter, I guess, and that will be another priority, is an immigration package that has proposed to the Hill, as well. So ensuring that it is easier to vote; that more people have access to voting; that we are making it, you know, a part of the right of being an American is a -- is a priority to the president. But I don't have a timeline or a date for you on when we would push for that bill to move forward.

QUESTION: And then one other quick one on Burma. Leader McConnell, after he spoke with the president yesterday, said he expects quickly -- he expects the administration to quickly sanction the military leaders. I know we talked about the changes in foreign aid. What is the timeline on sanctions? Is Leader McConnell right, that sanctions will be coming quickly?

PSAKI: Well, one, I will note that the State Department very rapidly completed their review, designating -- or naming the military coup in Burma in a very short period of time, which I think is something -- this is bipartisanship in action, that lead -- Senator McConnell agreed on. And obviously, the detention continue -- detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, other civilian officials and the declaration of a national state of emergency are a direct assault on Burma's transition to democracy and the room -- rule of law. We're continuing to review sanction -- or, sanctions authorities and other options. It is certainly a priority to this administration. I can tell you, Jake Sullivan called me on Sunday night to tell me we had to put a statement out because it was so important we had our votes -- our -- voice out there, and the -- we obviously put out a statement from the president, acted quickly. I don't have an exact timeline for you, but it is a -- it is a priority, and certain -- certainly, reviewing our sanctions authorities and seeing where there's action to take there is something the team is focused on.

Go ahead, Jennifer (ph).

QUESTION: Have you guys been talking at all about the Iowa caucuses or the lineup for the -- the next presidential...

PSAKI: Too soon, Jennifer (ph). Too soon.

QUESTION: I have another question about Nevada wanting to go first (inaudible)...

PSAKI: I -- don't -- we -- we are certainly not focused on -- on the next political campaign here quite yet, and we don't have any -- any point of view to share on the order of the...

QUESTION: (inaudible)...

PSAKI: ... presidential nominating contest, though Nevada's a little warmer, but you know. All great states.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Yes, Jen. You're checking -- you will be checking with the NSC and this president about the Summer Olympics, I believe. Can you tell us, does he think at this point that it is safe for the U.S. team to go to Tokyo?

PSAKI: Well, I know there's been some reporting on this. We're not currently talking about changing our posture or our plans, as it relates to the Beijing Olympics. We consult, of course, closely with allies and partners at all levels to define our common concerns and establish a shared approach. But this is -- there's no discussion underway of a change in our plans from the United States at this point in time.

Go ahead, (inaudible).

QUESTION: Thanks. One -- one of the law enforcement gaps that was identified after the riot January 6th was that President Trump had insisted on this focus on Antifa, and I'm wondering what President Biden had done to redirect an emphasis on right-wing extremism.

PSAKI: Well, we have launched an entire review on domestic violent extremism that would cover that across the board -- activity across the board, concerning activity across the board. It's not a political review; It's a review of domestic violent extremism. And our plan is to look at that -- have our team look at that, again, not through a political lens, but through the lens of our national security experts and teams who have expertise in this area. And when that review is concluded we will have more to say on it.

QUESTION: But can I just follow up very quickly on the Olympics?

PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: You said Beijing. I'm asking about Tokyo.

PSAKI: Oh, sorry. There's a lot of Olympics questions going on.

QUESTION: (inaudible) Does the president think that it is safe for U.S. athletes to appear?

PSAKI: There's -- again, nothing has changed about our plans, and I would just send you to the USOC to discuss anything further on plans for athletes.

Kristen (ph), go ahead. Thank you for that clarification, too. Lots of Olympics.

QUESTION: Can I follow up with a previous question and just circle back to President Biden's comments yesterday in the Oval Office, when he said the vast, vast majority of the U.S. law enforcement officers were decent, honorable people? Why did he want to -- why did he think it was important to stress it's a vast majority who are...?

PSAKI: Because I think he believes that the men and women who have been serving our country in a variety of capacities have, you know, been criticized, been -- some have been threatened. Their -- the roles they're playing have been questioned over the last several years, and he wanted to reiterate his support for the important work they do. It's also why he's visiting the State Department tomorrow.

QUESTION: But not to say that all of them are. I mean, he -- he made that delineation.

PSAKI: Well, I think the point he's making is that despite reports of, you know, individuals in -- in different areas who may have done things that are problematic, that the vast majority of men and women serving our -- in our law enforcement roles, serving in civil service roles, serving in roles across government do vital and essential work for the American people.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thanks. Sebastian Smith (ph), (inaudible)...

PSAKI: I know. I remember your mask. It -- it stands out. It has flamingos on it, in case anyone's wondering.

QUESTION: I'm known (ph) as the flamingo guy. I'm...

(LAUGHTER)

[14:20:00]

PSAKI: Uh-oh! Sorry about that. I'm going to -- I'm going to owe you a drink later.

QUESTION: Sebastian Smith (ph), flamingo guy. There you go.

PSAKI: OK.

QUESTION: On -- again, on sanctions, this time Russia, is there any discussion of (inaudible) people close to Putin over what's happening with Navalny and the opposition there? And has the president talked to E.U. allies about this?

PSAKI: The president has certainly spoken with a number of European allies about a range of issues of mutual interest, of course, including Russia. In terms of what sanctions options may exist, or what options in terms of a response may exist, the president, of course, reserves the right to respond in the manner and -- and course of his choosing at any point in time. But we're going to let this review complete, and then our policy teams will make decisions about any specific steps they'll take in response.

QUESTION: OK, just a -- a little -- a little one related, but not exactly the same. Does the president have any position on the -- the activity, the presence of -- of outlets like Russia's (inaudible) Sputnik, which I believe maybe even come here sometimes (ph). I don't know. Does he have a position on that? Because in some countries, they're seen as out-and-out propaganda tools of the Kremlin. Given things are fairly frosty with Putin right now, what's the position on...

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: I think it's -- I have not spoken with the president about R.T. or Sputnik. I think it's pretty factual to say they are tools of propaganda who work on behalf of the Russian government. I don't know that anyone would question that -- or, raise your hand, I'm happy to discuss.

But I have not discussed that with him specifically. I do know that when I was at the State Department, they attended the briefing. I had a little fun with them from time to time, but they attended the briefing, they asked questions.

But I think there's no question, as we're trying to decipher information that's accurate and inaccurate, it's important for the American people to know that there are outlets working on behalf of foreign governments who have an agenda. And they're not playing the role of free press and free media, as you all are.

QUESTION: Are you OK with them working in the White House (inaudible)?

PSAKI: I haven't seen them around here. I'm not sure if they're in the White House Correspondents Association, you'd have to ask them that question. But all I'm conveying is it's important for people to understand and know that there's an agenda and that they are not the same as A.P., ABC, other outlets -- BBC -- around the world.

Go ahead, (inaudible).

QUESTION: Can you clarify what President Biden's goal is for the number of vaccines? I -- I thought he had raised it to 150, but Zients on today's call said that it was 100 million.

PSAKI: The president is always going to push his team to go as -- as big on vaccine distribution as possible, but our goal remains 100 million shots in the arms of Americans in 100 days. And that was a goal that was set in the fall, before a single vaccine had been put in the arm of an American, and it was seen as bold and ambitious at the time.

But we're not going to stop at 100 million, we're not declaring victory. We wanted to set markers for ourselves, so that's the marker we set and we're working to achieve it.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Senators Coons and Carper earlier today said that cabinet confirmations came up during their meeting. I was wondering if the president's been frustrated by the pace on the Senate side and whether he (inaudible) what his message is to them (inaudible).

PSAKI: Well, presidents always want it to move faster, that's what I can confirm, having been here twice. But, you know, there certainly was a delay in the confirmation of a number of our cabinet nominees over the course of weeks. Some of them were slower paced than they should have been early on, and there are people we would like to see in place.

Obviously, Ale (ph) Mayorkas was fortunately confirmed yesterday to secretary of Homeland Security. We'd of course love for the Senate to move forward with the confirmation of Attorney General Merrick Garland -- future attorney general, I guess I should say -- Merrick Garland in order to deliver on the president's promise of an independent Justice Department that's not influenced by politics. That would certainly be a break from (ph) the past.

So there are still key positions that have not moved through the confirmation process that we are eager to see move forward. We have seen, though, some progress in the last week or so, and a number who have moved forward.

Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, of course, yesterday, just confirmed as the first LGBTQ secretary in a cabinet. He's going to play a pivotal role on our economic planning. But there's more to be done. It's something that the president and his team will continue to push on, to get his full team in place.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Do you know on the cloud (ph) contract that the Pentagon awarded to Microsoft, do you know if the Biden White House is going to review that at all? Because, I mean, you know that during the Trump administration, it was awarded to Microsoft instead of (ph) Amazon. President Trump had some feelings about Amazon, and...

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: I heard that, saw that.

QUESTION: ... do you think (inaudible) review?

PSAKI: I would certainly send you to the Pentagon on that, Jennifer (ph), and I'll -- if there's more to report from here, I will let you know. But I would certainly send you to the Pentagon.

Go ahead, all the way in the back.

QUESTION: Would President Biden be open to having mandatory year-round schooling to get kids caught up? So many kids who are falling behind, would he be open to something like that? Or having full-time summer school, whatever it takes?

PSAKI: I have not discussed full-time or year-round schooling with the president. Of course, as you know, that requires often state funding, and that often is up to governors to know if they can provide that funding. But I don't think I have anything further for you on that.

[14:27:55]

PSAKI: All right, did anyone not get a question? OK, thank you, everyone.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: All right, some headlines there out of the White House briefing today. the White House actually -- let's listen and see -- no, OK, no other questions.

So what we learned. The White House, not bending -- and again we knew this, but just reiterating that they're not bending on this price tag that Biden wants for the COVID relief package, $1.9 trillion, which includes $1,400 checks.

And also, we learned, Psaki there saying the Space Force has the full support of the Biden administration, which was some clean-up on her part after being dismissive of Space Force, which is of course a branch of the military created by President Trump. So on a little bit of clean-up duty there.

And also the White House, again, refusing to comment on the conspiracy congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who of course her fate is being discussed today by House Republicans here in just a couple of hours.

I want to talk now with our CNN chief White House reporter -- correspondent, I should say -- Kaitlan Collins, and CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger.

Kaitlan, takeaway is for you.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think, of course, top of mind for so many people in Washington and throughout the country, really, right now, is what is happening with this pandemic relief package, and what it's ultimately going to look like.

And of course, Republicans are wanting to know if they're going to sign onto it. Because right now, no congressional Republicans have voiced support for this bill. And earlier, before Jen Psaki came out there, we saw President Biden meeting with Senate Democrats in the Oval Office.

And two things that she noted there. One, she shot down this idea that there are White House staffers who are holding President Biden back from negotiating with Republicans. You saw that implication from some Republicans on Capitol Hill yesterday, saying that President Biden seemed more willing to negotiate than his staff did, as they were maintaining a lot of those toplines in his proposal.

But she said there that that is ludicrous. She said no one is holding him back and -- or telling him what to do. And of course, that comes as, remember, those questions about what the topline is going to look like. And he said, earlier, he did not agree with that $600 billion Republican proposal, that he wants it to be a lot closer to the $1.9 trillion, that topline that he has proposed.

[14:30:08]