English subtitles for clip: File:1-29-15- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.

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I apologize for the long delay
in starting today's briefing.

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Let's just do a couple
of things at the top

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and then we'll get
to your questions.

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As you know, the President is
looking very much forward

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to speaking at the House
Democratic Issues Conference

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this evening in
Philadelphia.

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You can expect him to discuss
advancing the middle-class

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economic proposals from his
State of the Union address.

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As we noted this morning, the
President will announce that

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his budget will reverse
harmful sequestration cuts,

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and instead show how we can
invest in his vision for

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middle-class economics by
making paychecks go further,

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creating good jobs here
in the United States,

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and preparing hardworking
Americans to earn higher wages.

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The President will also make it
clear that Congress needs

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to pass a full year of funding
for the Department of Homeland

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Security, and expressed his
support for the Democrats'

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firm position in holding
Republicans responsible

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for fixing this problem
of their own making.

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Republicans have shirked
their responsibility to fund

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one of the government's most
critical agencies charged

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with protecting our homeland,
securing our borders

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and enforcing our
immigration laws, in favor

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of a political stunt.

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And it's now time for them
to put their games aside

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so the men and women of this
agency can focus on their

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important mission, which is
keeping the country safe.

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As Secretary Johnson
noted this morning,

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the Homeland Security
budget should not

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be a political football.

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As all three former
DHS Secretaries,

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two of whom are Republican,
have also written in a letter

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to lawmakers today, they
said, "We cannot emphasize

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enough that the DHS's
responsibilities are

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much broader than its
responsibility to oversee

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the federal immigration
agencies and to protect

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our borders.

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And funding for the entire
agency should not be put in

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jeopardy by the debate
about immigration."

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So it should be a lively
session with the President

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and House Democrats today.

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One other note about an
event later this week.

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In his State of the
Union address last week,

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the President said, "I want the
country that eliminated polio

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and mapped the human genome to
lead a new era of medicine,

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one that delivers the right
treatment at the right time."

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And that's why, tomorrow, the
President will host an event

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here at the White House
that will include patients,

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researchers, clinicians,
and leaders in government

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and industry to
announce details of his

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new precision
medicine initiative.

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At the event, the President
will highlight key

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investments in his 2016 budget
aimed at improving health

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and treating disease
through precision medicine.

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We'll have more information
about the President's

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announcement following
today's briefing.

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So that will be something to
look forward to tomorrow.

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So, with all that, Jim, do
you want to get started

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with questions today?

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The Press: Thanks, Josh.

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A couple subjects.

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I wanted to start
with the budget.

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Mr. Earnest: Okay.

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The Press: As you noted,
the President is asking for

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restoring money that had
been sequestered to the tune

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of $74 billion, equally divided
between domestic and defense.

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He says -- the White House says
that this will be accomplished

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by closing loopholes and
ending wasteful programs.

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I wonder if you could
give us some examples.

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It seems that closing
loopholes has been part

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of different programs
offered by the White House,

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from tax reform to paying for
some of your initiatives.

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So can you tell us which
loopholes you're isolating for

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this purpose, what wasteful
spending you're isolating?

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And if there is
wasteful spending,

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why not just end wasteful
spending, period,

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and not use it in this
particular matter.

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Mr. Earnest: Well,
Jim, we certainly

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welcome your questions.

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It will be much easier to
announce on Monday once

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the President has
presented his budget.

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And in fact, you may not have
questions anymore because

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you'll be able to look
at tables themselves.

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But you are right, the
President has put forward

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a variety of ideas about
ways that we can make

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our tax code more
fair and more simple,

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by closing loopholes
that only benefit

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the wealthy and
well-connected.

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The best example of this is
a proposal that we rolled

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out just before the State of
the Union, so a little over

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a week ago, where the
President proposed closing

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the trust fund loophole.

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This is something that
would save the U.S.

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government more than $200
billion over the next 10 years.

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So we're talking about a
sizable recovery of revenue.

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The Press: But that goes to the
$320 billion that you want

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to use for both
middle-class tax relief,

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community colleges, and -- so
is that all part of that mix?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, the point is
that -- what we have been clear

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about, though, is that closing
the trust fund loophole and some

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of the other tax reform
proposals that were rolled out

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before the State of the Union
would certainly pay for all

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of the middle-class tax
cuts that the President

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proposed that would make
it easier to save for

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a college education, that
would offer a tax cut

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to two-earner families
to make their --

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to make it easier for
them to stretch their paycheck

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-- that all of those proposals
would be paid for by the tax

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reform proposals the President
put forward and then some,

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that there is revenue left over
that can go to other priorities.

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And what you will see in the
budget when the President

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presents it on Monday is
a series of important

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investments that will benefit
middle-class families,

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a restructuring of the tax code
without deviating from the path

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of declining deficits that
the President has also made

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a priority -- that over
the course of the last

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five years, we have
succeeded in actually

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reducing the deficit
by two-thirds.

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This is the fastest
sustained deficit reduction

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since World War II.

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And the President believes that
it's possible -- and, in fact,

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I think that he's proved that
it's possible -- for us to make

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smart decisions with the
budget to make our tax code

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fairer and more simple,
and do it all in a way

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that's fiscally responsible.

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And you have some very good
detailed questions that we'll

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be able to answer on Monday
when we present the budget.

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The Press: As you also
noted, this is one for one,

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half of the spending would be
domestic, half would be defense.

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Assuming that this is kind of
the beginning of a negotiating

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process with Congress, is it
fair to assume that -- and

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knowing that Republicans want
to increase defense spending --

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that the President will not
veto that unless it's

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matched equally dollar
for dollar for increased

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domestic spending whatever
the final number is?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, that
certainly is consistent with

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the kind of agreement that's
been reached in previous

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budget negotiations over
the last several years,

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and that certainly
seems a principled --

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it seems worthwhile.

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The Press: And factor in those
budget negotiations -- and,

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as you know, the deficit has
been going down -- but part

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of the reason for that is, in
addition to perhaps a better

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economy generating more
revenue, tax increases

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on the wealthiest, but
it's also partly because

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of sequestration, cut spending.

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You argue that at the
height of -- or during

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the recovery, that was not
a good policy to have.

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Now you're arguing that it's
not a good policy to have even

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though you're saying that
the economy is strong.

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When is cutting spending a
good policy in order to lead

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to lower deficits, if
not then and if not now?

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Mr. Earnest: What
we have said, Jim,

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is that certainly cutting
spending makes sense when

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it's in the context of
not undermining the kinds

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of programs that are so
critical to the success

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of middle-class families.

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And the reason for that is
simple: The President's

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philosophy is that our economy
is going to be strongest

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when it's growing
from the middle out,

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which is why we shouldn't be
cutting funding for programs

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that we know benefit
middle-class families.

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And in fact, what we have
said is that there

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is a better way -- and the
truth is, even looking back,

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we believe that there is a
better way that we could have

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succeeded in reducing the
deficit that would have asked

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those at the top of the income
scale to pay a little bit more,

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for us to ask the big banks
on Wall Street and the large

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financial firms on Wall Street
to pay a little bit more,

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that that would have
been a fairer way for

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us to reduce the deficit.

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But Republicans had the majority
in the House of Representatives

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and it required us
striking some compromises.

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And even as difficult as
it has been to work with

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Republicans to find
agreements on these issues,

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that reducing spending and the
President succeeding over

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Republican objections to
win -- or at least over

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the objections of the vast
majority of Republicans --

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to raise taxes on the
wealthiest Americans,

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a campaign promise that the
President made back in 2007,

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that all of that is a strategy
that while it's not exactly

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the way that we would
have scripted up,

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it's a strategy that has
succeeded in reducing our

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deficit and, as you point out,
over the last couple of years

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we've actually seen some
pretty strong economic growth.

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Now, what you would also
hear me say is that had

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we followed the strategy that
the President advocated,

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that our economic growth would
have been even stronger.

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But in some ways, those
are debates for the past.

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What we want to talk
about now is the future.

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And I do think that the
strategy that the President

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has laid out -- focusing on
middle-class families --

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is one that certainly deserves
strong bipartisan support

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in the Congress.

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It does have strong bipartisan
support across the country.

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And I think it's also
clear that the President

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has some credibility
around these issues now;

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that he inherited a terrible
financial crisis -- the worst

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financial crisis that our
economy has sustained since

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the Great Depression --
and because of some

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of the -- because of many
of the policies that this

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President put in place, even
some policies that were

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politically unpopular,
our economy has come

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roaring back.

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And the President is
determined to make sure that

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now that we have laid a strong
foundation that we can now

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ensure the longer-term
economic success of this

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country now that we have
bounced back from this crisis.

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The Press: On another subject
-- the deadline that Islamic

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terrorists had set for
Jordan releasing a prisoner

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in exchange for the
Jordanian pilot has passed.

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Do you guys have any
information as to, one,

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the status of the Jordanian
pilot and the circumstances --

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current circumstances
in that faceoff?

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Mr. Earnest: I don't, Jim.

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I know that the Jordanians have
indicated that they are engaged

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in some conversations with
ISIL to try to secure

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the Jordanian pilot.

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But for any questions about
the status of the pilot or the

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status of those negotiations,
I'd refer you to the Jordanian

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government and the Japanese
government -- the two

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governments that are involved
in trying to recover their

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citizens who are being
held hostage by ISIL.

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The Press: And the Banking
Committee today passed

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the Menendez-Kirk bill by a
big bipartisan vote, 18-4.

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Are you guys
supporting that bill?

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I know you realize that --
concede that it's better

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than what you had before, but
are you supporting it?

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And what does it mean about
what happens on March 24th?

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If circumstances are such, will
the President request another

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delay if negotiations seem to
be perceived in a way that

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you thought was positive,
like you have in the past?

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Or is March 24th a hard
and fast bright-line

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deadline for you?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, I can
just say as a general matter

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that we are pleased that
Democrats have put forward

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a statement indicating that
they would hold off their

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support for legislation that
would impose additional

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00:11:06,899 --> 00:11:10,399
sanctions on Iran until
the end of March.

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00:11:10,403 --> 00:11:12,373
And that is a
positive development,

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00:11:12,371 --> 00:11:16,241
because the President has made
the case -- as is evidenced

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00:11:16,242 --> 00:11:20,042
by the letter sent by Democrats
-- pretty persuasively that

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00:11:20,046 --> 00:11:22,686
additional sanctions being
put in place against Iran

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00:11:22,681 --> 00:11:25,921
right now, in the midst
of ongoing negotiations,

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00:11:25,918 --> 00:11:27,918
could threaten
the overall deal.

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And this is a deal that has
brought the Iranians to the

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table, that has caused them to
voluntarily take the verified

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00:11:33,726 --> 00:11:36,826
steps to roll back their nuclear
program in a substantial way --

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00:11:36,829 --> 00:11:42,269
or at least in a meaningful way,
and to present a diplomatic

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00:11:42,268 --> 00:11:45,038
opening that could resolve
the broader international

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00:11:45,037 --> 00:11:47,437
community's concerns about
their nuclear program.

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The Press: But how different
is this than what they were

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00:11:50,643 --> 00:11:51,873
proposing in the first place?

255
00:11:51,877 --> 00:11:53,477
Those would have been
sanctions that kicked

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00:11:53,479 --> 00:11:55,919
in once negotiations failed.

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00:11:55,915 --> 00:11:59,255
They weren't going to be
imposing new sanctions now.

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00:11:59,251 --> 00:12:00,951
And all they're saying now
is that they'll impose

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00:12:00,953 --> 00:12:03,123
new sanctions once that
deadline passes.

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00:12:03,122 --> 00:12:04,862
Mr. Earnest: And I
guess the point is,

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00:12:04,857 --> 00:12:06,857
is that the way that this
legislation would have been

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00:12:06,859 --> 00:12:09,859
interpreted by the Iranians,
but, frankly, more importantly,

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00:12:09,862 --> 00:12:13,132
by the international community,
I think could reasonably be

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00:12:13,132 --> 00:12:16,972
construed as the United States
moving forward with putting in

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00:12:16,969 --> 00:12:20,109
place additional sanctions
while the talks are ongoing.

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00:12:20,106 --> 00:12:22,106
I recognize that the
legislation stipulated

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00:12:22,108 --> 00:12:24,748
that the sanctions wouldn't
kick in until the end.

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00:12:24,743 --> 00:12:29,853
But I think a reasonable
observer to this process,

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00:12:29,849 --> 00:12:32,789
particularly an observer to this
process that has worked closely

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00:12:32,785 --> 00:12:35,885
with the United States to put in
place the sanctions regime

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and, in some situations, at
significant economic cost to

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00:12:40,326 --> 00:12:44,896
their country, would say, why
are you doing that right now?

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00:12:44,897 --> 00:12:47,767
Right now we have an agreement
with the Iranians that they're

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00:12:47,766 --> 00:12:49,736
going to roll back certain
aspects of their program

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00:12:49,735 --> 00:12:51,705
and engage in good-faith
negotiations with the

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00:12:51,704 --> 00:12:52,774
international community.

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00:12:52,771 --> 00:12:56,541
Why would we move forward
with additional sanctions

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00:12:56,542 --> 00:12:58,442
at this point in time?

279
00:12:58,444 --> 00:13:01,444
What the President has said is
that if the Iranians make it

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00:13:01,447 --> 00:13:04,717
clear that they will not agree
with the international community

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00:13:04,717 --> 00:13:09,787
to come into compliance with
international expectations

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00:13:09,788 --> 00:13:11,588
of their nuclear program,
then the President

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00:13:11,590 --> 00:13:13,890
will be the first person
to go to Congress.

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00:13:13,893 --> 00:13:16,463
And I think that we are
optimistic about our success

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00:13:16,462 --> 00:13:18,102
in getting Congress to
move quickly to put

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00:13:18,097 --> 00:13:20,567
in place additional
sanctions on Iran.

287
00:13:20,566 --> 00:13:22,066
And then we can go
to our partners,

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00:13:22,067 --> 00:13:24,567
who have been so critical to
the success of the strategy,

289
00:13:24,570 --> 00:13:27,210
to implement the sanctions
regime in a coordinated,

290
00:13:27,206 --> 00:13:31,376
comprehensive way that will
only apply additional

291
00:13:31,377 --> 00:13:32,507
pressure on Iran.

292
00:13:32,511 --> 00:13:35,451
But we can do all of
that if it's necessary

293
00:13:35,447 --> 00:13:37,147
and if the talks
break down.

294
00:13:37,149 --> 00:13:39,189
Right now there are
ongoing negotiations,

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00:13:39,185 --> 00:13:41,855
and it's not necessary
right now to put

296
00:13:41,854 --> 00:13:43,694
in place additional
sanctions.

297
00:13:43,689 --> 00:13:45,929
The Press: So the President
is supportive of this

298
00:13:45,925 --> 00:13:49,625
particular language as it
passed the committee today?

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00:13:49,628 --> 00:13:53,868
Mr. Earnest: Well, the President
believes that we should

300
00:13:53,866 --> 00:13:56,136
not be a position of
putting in place additional

301
00:13:56,135 --> 00:13:58,635
sanctions while there
are ongoing talks.

302
00:13:58,637 --> 00:14:03,677
And it is now clear that there
are a significant number

303
00:14:03,676 --> 00:14:05,846
of Democrats in the Senate
who share that view,

304
00:14:05,844 --> 00:14:08,444
and we are pleased to have them
onboard with our strategy.

305
00:14:08,447 --> 00:14:12,417
And it is clear that Congress
will not pass additional

306
00:14:12,418 --> 00:14:16,188
sanctions at this point in
time, and that is a good thing

307
00:14:16,188 --> 00:14:17,188
for the negotiations.

308
00:14:17,189 --> 00:14:21,329
It improves the possibility of
success for those negotiations.

309
00:14:21,327 --> 00:14:24,667
And the reason I say that is
not because our assessment

310
00:14:24,663 --> 00:14:26,763
of the likelihood of
success has changed;

311
00:14:26,765 --> 00:14:29,465
the President has said on many
occasions that it's at best

312
00:14:29,468 --> 00:14:33,068
a 50/50 proposition that those
negotiations will bear fruit.

313
00:14:33,072 --> 00:14:35,672
It's just that the likelihood
of the success of those

314
00:14:35,674 --> 00:14:38,814
negotiations would have been
diminished significantly

315
00:14:38,811 --> 00:14:41,911
had additional sanctions
been put in place.

316
00:14:41,914 --> 00:14:42,914
Jeff.

317
00:14:42,915 --> 00:14:44,285
The Press: Josh,
back on the budget.

318
00:14:44,283 --> 00:14:48,753
What do you see as the
likelihood that this will pass?

319
00:14:48,754 --> 00:14:52,324
Mr. Earnest: Well, there is a
Republican majority in Congress.

320
00:14:52,324 --> 00:14:54,524
They will have an opportunity
to put forward their own ideas.

321
00:14:54,526 --> 00:14:57,926
And what we have been clear
about is that for significant

322
00:14:57,930 --> 00:15:00,500
pieces of legislation to pass
the Congress and be signed into

323
00:15:00,499 --> 00:15:04,599
law, they are, by definition,
going to have to be bipartisan.

324
00:15:04,603 --> 00:15:08,103
So this is, I think
anybody would acknowledge,

325
00:15:08,107 --> 00:15:10,747
and anybody who's sort of
observed this process even for

326
00:15:10,743 --> 00:15:12,583
a short period of time would
acknowledge that this is the

327
00:15:12,578 --> 00:15:15,678
beginning of a negotiation,
but it's important.

328
00:15:15,681 --> 00:15:17,681
Budgets are important
because they're a way

329
00:15:17,683 --> 00:15:20,423
that we can codify our
values and our priorities.

330
00:15:20,419 --> 00:15:22,789
And what the President has
codified in his budget that

331
00:15:22,788 --> 00:15:26,258
he'll release on Monday is that
we need to be making investments

332
00:15:26,258 --> 00:15:29,298
in middle-class families; that
now that we have laid a solid

333
00:15:29,295 --> 00:15:31,395
foundation for our economy,
we've bounced back from the

334
00:15:31,397 --> 00:15:33,637
worst economic crisis
since the Great Depression,

335
00:15:33,632 --> 00:15:36,832
we now have an opportunity to
get back to the fundamentals

336
00:15:36,835 --> 00:15:39,175
and to make sure that we're
putting in place policies

337
00:15:39,171 --> 00:15:42,241
that are focused on the
middle class because

338
00:15:42,241 --> 00:15:45,111
our economy is going to be
stronger over the long term

339
00:15:45,110 --> 00:15:48,280
if it's growing from
the middle out.

340
00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,020
The Press: And the
sequester is unpopular

341
00:15:50,015 --> 00:15:51,785
on both sides, but --

342
00:15:51,784 --> 00:15:52,884
Mr. Earnest: So you'd
think we'd be able to find

343
00:15:52,885 --> 00:15:54,885
some bipartisan agreement
around ending it, right?

344
00:15:54,887 --> 00:15:56,887
The Press: Well, that's
actually my question for you.

345
00:15:56,889 --> 00:16:00,259
Is there a way of proposing
something that would end the

346
00:16:00,259 --> 00:16:03,329
sequester that doesn't include
tax hikes -- which is the way

347
00:16:03,329 --> 00:16:05,529
the Republicans view it, and
which they have rejected

348
00:16:05,531 --> 00:16:08,831
consistently and have
done also to the comments

349
00:16:08,834 --> 00:16:11,674
and the announcement that
came out this morning.

350
00:16:11,670 --> 00:16:12,470
Mr. Earnest: There could be.

351
00:16:12,471 --> 00:16:14,411
We're certainly open to
ideas that Republicans have.

352
00:16:14,406 --> 00:16:15,076
But here's the --

353
00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:16,104
The Press: Why not
propose it from here?

354
00:16:16,108 --> 00:16:17,448
Mr. Earnest: Well, because
what the President has put

355
00:16:17,443 --> 00:16:19,043
forward is what he believes
is the best way for

356
00:16:19,044 --> 00:16:20,514
us to move forward.

357
00:16:20,512 --> 00:16:21,782
And that's what his
budget reflects.

358
00:16:21,780 --> 00:16:24,420
It reflects the President's
view that we can make important

359
00:16:24,416 --> 00:16:27,456
investments in policies that
benefit middle-class families.

360
00:16:27,453 --> 00:16:30,793
A tax cut for a family with
a mom and dad who are

361
00:16:30,789 --> 00:16:32,559
both working, that giving
them a $500 tax cut

362
00:16:32,558 --> 00:16:34,198
is a way that we can
stretch their paycheck.

363
00:16:34,193 --> 00:16:36,463
That's just one example of
the kinds of investments

364
00:16:36,462 --> 00:16:38,262
in middle-class families
that we would like to make.

365
00:16:38,263 --> 00:16:40,503
We can do this in a
fiscally responsible way.

366
00:16:40,499 --> 00:16:42,769
And we can make our tax code a
little bit more fair by closing

367
00:16:42,768 --> 00:16:44,768
loopholes that only benefit the
wealthy and well-connected.

368
00:16:44,770 --> 00:16:46,740
And those are the
principles the President

369
00:16:46,739 --> 00:16:49,539
has been following, and
I think over the course

370
00:16:49,541 --> 00:16:51,581
of the last five years,
the President has --

371
00:16:51,577 --> 00:16:53,177
there is a proven
track record here

372
00:16:53,178 --> 00:16:55,478
that indicates this actually
is in the best interest

373
00:16:55,481 --> 00:16:58,381
of the country and
of our economy.

374
00:16:58,384 --> 00:17:01,054
But Republicans will have an
opportunity to make clear what

375
00:17:01,053 --> 00:17:04,623
their vision is, and then we'll
have a robust debate about it.

376
00:17:04,623 --> 00:17:08,463
And nobody is sitting here --
no President has ever put

377
00:17:08,460 --> 00:17:10,960
forward a budget with the
expectation that Congress

378
00:17:10,963 --> 00:17:15,103
is going to pass it in
its current form.

379
00:17:15,100 --> 00:17:17,770
That was even true when there
was a President whose

380
00:17:17,770 --> 00:17:21,070
party controlled both
Houses of Congress.

381
00:17:21,073 --> 00:17:24,013
Congress is a branch of
government -- in fact,

382
00:17:24,009 --> 00:17:27,179
the founders of our country made
it clear in the Constitution

383
00:17:27,179 --> 00:17:29,519
that the Congress would actually
have the responsibility

384
00:17:29,515 --> 00:17:32,685
of maintaining the budget of
the United States government.

385
00:17:32,684 --> 00:17:35,784
So this is an important
announcement because it codifies

386
00:17:35,788 --> 00:17:38,358
the President's values and
vision for the country.

387
00:17:38,357 --> 00:17:40,557
But Republicans in Congress
will certainly have their

388
00:17:40,559 --> 00:17:42,699
say and we look forward to
seeing what they put forward.

389
00:17:42,694 --> 00:17:42,894
The Press: Okay.

390
00:17:42,895 --> 00:17:46,095
And following up on Iran,
can you clarify your

391
00:17:46,098 --> 00:17:48,098
position on the
Corker-Graham bill as well?

392
00:17:48,100 --> 00:17:51,440
Is there a reason why the White
House wouldn't support giving

393
00:17:51,437 --> 00:17:55,837
Congress a say in the Iran
sanctions once they've --

394
00:17:55,841 --> 00:17:58,281
if a deal is reached?

395
00:17:58,277 --> 00:18:00,817
Mr. Earnest: Well, let me say
a couple things about that.

396
00:18:00,813 --> 00:18:04,383
The first is that
Congress has had a say,

397
00:18:04,383 --> 00:18:10,093
and this is actually -- for all
of the talk that, admittedly,

398
00:18:10,088 --> 00:18:12,288
that you even hear from me,
about how difficult it is to

399
00:18:12,291 --> 00:18:15,831
deal with Congress, this would
be one area -- our efforts

400
00:18:15,828 --> 00:18:18,128
to put in place a sanctions
regime against Iran --

401
00:18:18,130 --> 00:18:20,200
where the administration
and Republicans in Congress

402
00:18:20,199 --> 00:18:24,069
have worked
effectively, together.

403
00:18:24,069 --> 00:18:28,839
And it's only because of the
legislation that Congress put

404
00:18:28,841 --> 00:18:31,811
in place and the success that
this administration has had

405
00:18:31,810 --> 00:18:34,880
in implementing those sanctions
and working diplomatically

406
00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,380
with our partners around the
globe that we have succeeded

407
00:18:37,382 --> 00:18:40,952
in putting significant
pressure on the Iranian regime

408
00:18:40,953 --> 00:18:43,923
and forcing them to
the negotiation table.

409
00:18:43,922 --> 00:18:46,162
And throughout
those negotiations,

410
00:18:46,158 --> 00:18:49,498
the administration has
kept members of Congress

411
00:18:49,495 --> 00:18:51,865
in the loop on the status
of those negotiations.

412
00:18:51,864 --> 00:18:54,564
And so my point is,
Congress has had a say.

413
00:18:54,566 --> 00:18:56,566
And we welcome their input
and their contribution

414
00:18:56,568 --> 00:18:59,138
to this broader effort.

415
00:18:59,137 --> 00:19:01,637
But as it relates to the
Corker-Graham legislation,

416
00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:05,180
this is legislation that the
President would veto simply

417
00:19:05,177 --> 00:19:09,217
because it would -- much like
the Kirk-Menendez bill --

418
00:19:09,214 --> 00:19:12,184
negatively impact our ability to
reach a diplomatic solution to

419
00:19:12,184 --> 00:19:16,184
the Iranian nuclear program and
to implement a future deal.

420
00:19:16,188 --> 00:19:19,928
The Corker-Graham legislation
would set a harmful precedent.

421
00:19:19,925 --> 00:19:21,925
This administration,
as I mentioned,

422
00:19:21,927 --> 00:19:25,197
is committed to being in close
touch with the Congress,

423
00:19:25,197 --> 00:19:26,767
whatever the outcome.

424
00:19:26,765 --> 00:19:30,735
But a congressional vote on a
nonbinding instrument is not

425
00:19:30,736 --> 00:19:34,506
required by law and could set an
unhelpful precedent for other

426
00:19:34,506 --> 00:19:38,976
negotiations that result in
other nonbinding instruments.

427
00:19:38,977 --> 00:19:41,147
As we've said all along,
if we reach a deal,

428
00:19:41,146 --> 00:19:43,146
its strength will stem
from the enforcement

429
00:19:43,148 --> 00:19:44,148
and verification measures.

430
00:19:44,149 --> 00:19:46,249
We're not going to be in a
situation where we're taking

431
00:19:46,251 --> 00:19:48,221
Iran's word for it.

432
00:19:48,220 --> 00:19:50,620
This President, this country,
and the international community

433
00:19:50,622 --> 00:19:55,592
will insist that Iran agree to
verifying its compliance with

434
00:19:55,594 --> 00:19:57,964
the broader agreement.

435
00:19:57,963 --> 00:20:00,203
And these are verification
measures that can

436
00:20:00,198 --> 00:20:03,698
be implemented by the IAEA,
by an independent body

437
00:20:03,702 --> 00:20:06,242
of experts who can verify
that Iran is living

438
00:20:06,238 --> 00:20:07,808
up to its commitments.

439
00:20:07,806 --> 00:20:10,206
And the President has also
been clear that if Iran

440
00:20:10,208 --> 00:20:12,808
does fail to live up to those
commitments, that we'll

441
00:20:12,811 --> 00:20:15,681
be in a place where we can
snap sanctions back into

442
00:20:15,681 --> 00:20:18,481
place very quickly to
continue to ramp

443
00:20:18,483 --> 00:20:20,483
up the pressure on Iran
if they don't live

444
00:20:20,485 --> 00:20:22,485
up to the terms of the
agreement that they reach.

445
00:20:22,487 --> 00:20:25,487
And Congress will have a role
to play in lifting sanctions,

446
00:20:25,490 --> 00:20:28,290
but only after Iran has
clearly demonstrated that

447
00:20:28,293 --> 00:20:30,433
it is following through on
its commitments to roll back

448
00:20:30,429 --> 00:20:32,429
key parts of its
nuclear infrastructure.

449
00:20:32,431 --> 00:20:37,301
The Press: Just lastly, the
Keystone bill passed through

450
00:20:37,302 --> 00:20:40,272
its last major hurdle in
Senate committee today.

451
00:20:40,272 --> 00:20:42,912
Does the White House
have a reaction to that?

452
00:20:42,908 --> 00:20:45,178
Mr. Earnest: Well, our position
on the Keystone legislation

453
00:20:45,177 --> 00:20:46,847
is well known.

454
00:20:46,845 --> 00:20:50,615
And if in fact, the legislation
that passed the House also

455
00:20:50,616 --> 00:20:53,816
passes the Senate, then the
President won't sign it.

456
00:20:53,819 --> 00:20:54,219
Jim.

457
00:20:54,219 --> 00:20:55,219
The Press: The
President won't?

458
00:20:55,220 --> 00:20:56,460
Mr. Earnest: Will
not sign it.

459
00:20:56,455 --> 00:20:57,225
The Press: Will veto it?

460
00:20:57,222 --> 00:20:57,722
The Press: Will veto it?

461
00:20:57,723 --> 00:20:58,493
Mr. Earnest: That's correct.

462
00:20:58,490 --> 00:20:59,020
The Press: Oh.

463
00:20:59,024 --> 00:21:01,264
The Press: And, Josh, getting
back to the other issue

464
00:21:01,259 --> 00:21:05,299
that you mentioned, the
Homeland Security budget,

465
00:21:05,297 --> 00:21:07,397
the continuing resolution
that is going to expire

466
00:21:07,399 --> 00:21:10,399
by the end of February.

467
00:21:10,402 --> 00:21:13,302
Obviously Republicans
insisted on that as a form

468
00:21:13,305 --> 00:21:15,405
of leverage in the hopes
that the President might

469
00:21:15,407 --> 00:21:19,777
alter his executive
action on immigration.

470
00:21:19,778 --> 00:21:23,218
Will the President change
that executive action

471
00:21:23,215 --> 00:21:25,655
in any way in order
to secure funding for

472
00:21:25,651 --> 00:21:27,551
the Department of
Homeland Security?

473
00:21:27,552 --> 00:21:29,422
Mr. Earnest: No.

474
00:21:29,421 --> 00:21:30,251
The Press: That's
not going to happen.

475
00:21:30,255 --> 00:21:31,155
Mr. Earnest: That's
not going to happen.

476
00:21:31,156 --> 00:21:34,156
The funding for the Department
of Homeland Security

477
00:21:34,159 --> 00:21:36,099
is not a political football,
and the Republicans shouldn't

478
00:21:36,094 --> 00:21:37,394
treat it as one.

479
00:21:37,396 --> 00:21:41,766
The fact is -- and I know that
my colleague may have mentioned

480
00:21:41,767 --> 00:21:45,837
this yesterday -- that
Republicans for the last six

481
00:21:45,837 --> 00:21:49,907
years aggressively campaigned
all across the country

482
00:21:49,908 --> 00:21:51,908
to the American people about
why they should be put

483
00:21:51,910 --> 00:21:53,980
in charge of the United
States Congress.

484
00:21:53,979 --> 00:21:56,819
And we have seen now
that they're in charge

485
00:21:56,815 --> 00:21:58,885
of the United States
Congress, and less than

486
00:21:58,884 --> 00:22:00,884
a month later, they're
threatening to shut

487
00:22:00,886 --> 00:22:02,886
down the Department
of Homeland Security.

488
00:22:02,888 --> 00:22:04,888
They're threatening to say,
we're going to withhold

489
00:22:04,890 --> 00:22:06,890
paychecks from the people
who are on the front lines

490
00:22:06,892 --> 00:22:08,292
keeping America safe.

491
00:22:08,293 --> 00:22:10,833
These are transportation
security officers,

492
00:22:10,829 --> 00:22:13,529
Border Patrol officials,
and others who have

493
00:22:13,532 --> 00:22:16,272
an important role in enforcing
our immigration laws

494
00:22:16,268 --> 00:22:18,268
and doing the other kinds
of things that are critical

495
00:22:18,270 --> 00:22:19,570
to our homeland security.

496
00:22:19,571 --> 00:22:20,101
Now --

497
00:22:20,105 --> 00:22:21,445
The Press: So what happens
to the Department as --

498
00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:22,810
Mr. Earnest: But let me say
one other thing about this,

499
00:22:22,808 --> 00:22:24,808
which is there was a lot of
coverage at the very end

500
00:22:24,810 --> 00:22:27,010
of last year and the
beginning of this year,

501
00:22:27,012 --> 00:22:29,912
particularly from Republicans,
who were talking about how

502
00:22:29,915 --> 00:22:33,615
important it was for political
leaders to stand up for law

503
00:22:33,618 --> 00:22:37,058
enforcement; particularly in
the aftermath of the terrible,

504
00:22:37,055 --> 00:22:39,595
tragic shooting of those two
police officers in New York

505
00:22:39,591 --> 00:22:43,361
City, that we saw some very
aggressive rhetoric from

506
00:22:43,361 --> 00:22:46,261
Republicans suggesting that it's
important for our men and women

507
00:22:46,264 --> 00:22:50,774
in uniform to know that
their political leaders

508
00:22:50,769 --> 00:22:53,039
have their back.

509
00:22:53,038 --> 00:22:57,238
I'm not sure what you could
do to more undermine the

510
00:22:57,242 --> 00:23:01,682
relationship between political
leaders and law enforcement

511
00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,680
than to threaten to withhold
their paychecks even while

512
00:23:03,682 --> 00:23:05,012
they're doing their job.

513
00:23:05,016 --> 00:23:07,216
That's not the proper way to
show their support for them.

514
00:23:07,219 --> 00:23:09,859
And we're hopeful that
before the end of February,

515
00:23:09,855 --> 00:23:11,895
Republicans are going
to come to their senses,

516
00:23:11,890 --> 00:23:15,060
show some responsibility,
and actually fully fund

517
00:23:15,060 --> 00:23:16,130
the Department of
Homeland Security.

518
00:23:16,128 --> 00:23:16,998
The Press: And let
me turn to Cuba.

519
00:23:16,995 --> 00:23:20,695
Yesterday in Costa Rica,
the conference down there,

520
00:23:20,699 --> 00:23:22,739
the Cuban President,
Raul Castro,

521
00:23:22,734 --> 00:23:26,204
laid out some demands that
he would like to see before

522
00:23:26,204 --> 00:23:29,374
normalizing relations
with the United States.

523
00:23:29,374 --> 00:23:32,474
He called for a return of
Guantanamo Bay to Cuba.

524
00:23:32,477 --> 00:23:33,917
He called for an
end of the embargo.

525
00:23:33,912 --> 00:23:37,312
He called for an end to
Radio, TV Marti broadcasts,

526
00:23:37,315 --> 00:23:40,415
and compensation for what he
described as economic damages

527
00:23:40,418 --> 00:23:43,118
caused by the embargo.

528
00:23:43,121 --> 00:23:45,491
Is the United States willing
to do any of those things?

529
00:23:45,490 --> 00:23:49,030
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think, Jim,
what his comments highlight

530
00:23:49,027 --> 00:23:52,767
is that there is a pretty
clear difference between

531
00:23:52,764 --> 00:23:56,464
reestablishing diplomatic
relations and carrying out

532
00:23:56,468 --> 00:23:58,838
the longer process of
normalizing relations.

533
00:23:58,837 --> 00:24:01,477
It's clear that there are a
wide variety of disagreements

534
00:24:01,473 --> 00:24:03,673
between the United States and
Cuba, and, more directly,

535
00:24:03,675 --> 00:24:06,415
between the U.S.
government and our values

536
00:24:06,411 --> 00:24:12,451
and the Cuban government
and the values that they

537
00:24:12,450 --> 00:24:17,960
so often fail to codify
-- that there are a variety

538
00:24:17,956 --> 00:24:20,026
of concerns that
we have with the way that

539
00:24:20,025 --> 00:24:23,795
the Castro regime treats
political dissidents,

540
00:24:23,795 --> 00:24:25,795
the way that they treat
individuals who are trying

541
00:24:25,797 --> 00:24:28,137
to freely express their views,
even the way that they

542
00:24:28,133 --> 00:24:29,463
treat some reporters.

543
00:24:29,467 --> 00:24:31,807
So this is not consistent with
the kinds of values of this

544
00:24:31,803 --> 00:24:35,343
country, and so it's clear
that we have a large number

545
00:24:35,340 --> 00:24:37,840
of disagreements with
the Castro regime.

546
00:24:37,843 --> 00:24:39,443
The Press: Are there any
second thoughts about what

547
00:24:39,444 --> 00:24:40,514
the President laid out?

548
00:24:40,512 --> 00:24:41,382
Mr. Earnest: No, not at all.

549
00:24:41,379 --> 00:24:43,819
And the reason for that is
simply the disagreement

550
00:24:43,815 --> 00:24:45,655
that we have with some
people on Capitol Hill

551
00:24:45,650 --> 00:24:48,790
is about the strategy
for confronting Cuba

552
00:24:48,787 --> 00:24:50,987
about those significant
disagreements.

553
00:24:50,989 --> 00:24:54,189
And the strategy that has been
employed for the last five

554
00:24:54,192 --> 00:24:58,532
decades of trying to isolate
Cuba is one that has not

555
00:24:58,530 --> 00:25:01,530
resulted in any of the kinds of
changes that we'd like to see.

556
00:25:01,533 --> 00:25:04,973
And the fact is that after the
President reached this agreement

557
00:25:04,970 --> 00:25:08,770
with the Castro regime to begin
the process of normalizing

558
00:25:08,773 --> 00:25:12,773
relations, we actually did start
to see some small progress

559
00:25:12,777 --> 00:25:16,277
with the release of 50 or
55 political prisoners that

560
00:25:16,281 --> 00:25:17,781
were being held in Cuba.

561
00:25:17,782 --> 00:25:20,252
That's a small step,
and only the first step,

562
00:25:20,252 --> 00:25:23,422
in a much longer journey,
but it does reflect progress.

563
00:25:23,421 --> 00:25:28,691
And the President continues to
be optimistic that by engaging

564
00:25:28,693 --> 00:25:34,763
Cuba and by removing this
distraction from our broader

565
00:25:34,766 --> 00:25:36,866
relations with other
countries in the hemisphere,

566
00:25:36,868 --> 00:25:41,208
that we can actually focus more
attention on the failure of the

567
00:25:41,206 --> 00:25:44,806
Castro regime to live up to
the expectations that we have

568
00:25:44,809 --> 00:25:47,179
of governments, particularly
when it comes to respecting

569
00:25:47,178 --> 00:25:48,318
basic human rights.

570
00:25:48,313 --> 00:25:51,213
And there's some evidence to
indicate already that we're

571
00:25:51,216 --> 00:25:53,216
making some preliminary
progress on that measure.

572
00:25:53,218 --> 00:25:55,318
The Press: And is Loretta Lynch
going to be an independent

573
00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:56,320
Attorney General?

574
00:25:56,321 --> 00:25:58,321
Mr. Earnest: Well, that
certainly was the --

575
00:25:58,323 --> 00:26:00,323
The Press: Or was there
concern up on Capitol Hill

576
00:26:00,325 --> 00:26:02,425
that -- they kept asking
her, are you going

577
00:26:02,427 --> 00:26:03,627
to be another Eric
Holder, and so forth,

578
00:26:03,628 --> 00:26:06,028
and I think the criticism
that's implicit

579
00:26:06,031 --> 00:26:07,671
in those questions is
that Eric Holder was not

580
00:26:07,666 --> 00:26:10,366
sufficiently independent.

581
00:26:10,368 --> 00:26:13,008
Is the President's expectation
that Loretta Lynch

582
00:26:13,004 --> 00:26:14,944
will be an independent
Attorney General?

583
00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:16,310
Mr. Earnest: Well, let me say
a couple things about this.

584
00:26:16,308 --> 00:26:19,348
The first is, I
think that yesterday,

585
00:26:19,344 --> 00:26:24,884
Ms. Lynch demonstrated to the
members of the Senate Judiciary

586
00:26:24,883 --> 00:26:28,083
Committee and to the people
of the country exactly

587
00:26:28,086 --> 00:26:30,056
why the President nominated
her to be the next

588
00:26:30,055 --> 00:26:32,055
Attorney General of
the United States.

589
00:26:32,057 --> 00:26:34,057
She performed extraordinarily
well in a hearing

590
00:26:34,059 --> 00:26:36,059
that stretched for
seven or eight hours.

591
00:26:36,061 --> 00:26:38,901
She handled a wide variety
of legal questions,

592
00:26:38,897 --> 00:26:42,237
some of them that could
be described, I think

593
00:26:42,233 --> 00:26:43,333
fairly, as esoteric.

594
00:26:43,335 --> 00:26:48,875
But what we saw is somebody
who is more than

595
00:26:48,873 --> 00:26:52,273
qualified to take on the
responsibilities of being

596
00:26:52,277 --> 00:26:54,477
the nation's top law
enforcement officer.

597
00:26:54,479 --> 00:26:58,479
Fortunately, I wasn't the only
person that was impressed.

598
00:26:58,483 --> 00:27:00,483
People who actually have
a say in the matter

599
00:27:00,485 --> 00:27:02,455
seemed to be
particularly impressed.

600
00:27:02,454 --> 00:27:04,454
I noticed that Senator
Grassley said that

601
00:27:04,456 --> 00:27:07,156
there's no question about
her competence.

602
00:27:07,158 --> 00:27:09,528
I noticed that Senator Graham
said that he thought she was

603
00:27:09,527 --> 00:27:12,527
"very impressive," and that
he's inclined to support her.

604
00:27:12,530 --> 00:27:14,970
Even Senator Hatch said that
he was going to be a strong

605
00:27:14,966 --> 00:27:17,266
supporter for nomination.

606
00:27:17,268 --> 00:27:20,838
And Senator Perdue from Georgia
said that he was very impressed

607
00:27:20,839 --> 00:27:23,479
with her career and wanted to
thank her for upholding

608
00:27:23,475 --> 00:27:24,805
the law in her career.

609
00:27:24,809 --> 00:27:26,809
The thing that all these
gentlemen have in common is not

610
00:27:26,811 --> 00:27:28,811
just that they serve on the
Senate Judiciary Committee,

611
00:27:28,813 --> 00:27:30,813
but that they're
all Republicans.

612
00:27:30,815 --> 00:27:34,415
So what we hope is that
the committee will act

613
00:27:34,419 --> 00:27:36,789
quickly to schedule a
vote for her so that she

614
00:27:36,788 --> 00:27:38,758
can be passed from the
committee and she can move

615
00:27:38,757 --> 00:27:39,927
to the floor of
the United States Senate

616
00:27:39,924 --> 00:27:42,564
and be confirmed before
they go on the next recess.

617
00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:43,530
Jon.

618
00:27:43,528 --> 00:27:46,268
The Press: Just a clarification
on -- try to get an answer

619
00:27:46,264 --> 00:27:48,034
to what Jim asked you.

620
00:27:48,033 --> 00:27:52,573
I believe he asked you if the
March 24th deadline to get

621
00:27:52,570 --> 00:27:57,910
a framework deal with Iran
is a bright-line deadline.

622
00:27:57,909 --> 00:28:00,609
You know the complaint by
many that are critical

623
00:28:00,612 --> 00:28:03,082
of this negotiation process
that it will drag

624
00:28:03,081 --> 00:28:05,881
on, the Iranians will
use this to buy time.

625
00:28:05,884 --> 00:28:09,024
So it's already been
extended before.

626
00:28:09,020 --> 00:28:10,420
Are we through
with extensions?

627
00:28:10,422 --> 00:28:12,422
Is this a real
deadline, March 24th?

628
00:28:12,424 --> 00:28:15,024
Mr. Earnest: Well, first of
all, that argument is bogus.

629
00:28:15,026 --> 00:28:18,296
And the reason that argument
is bogus is that in previous

630
00:28:18,296 --> 00:28:21,796
negotiations, Iran has
succeeded in using the cover

631
00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:24,140
of diplomatic negotiations
to try to advance

632
00:28:24,135 --> 00:28:25,575
their nuclear program.

633
00:28:25,570 --> 00:28:27,670
But in this case, in the
context of these negotiations,

634
00:28:27,672 --> 00:28:30,472
Iran has taken steps to
actually roll back elements

635
00:28:30,475 --> 00:28:31,975
of their nuclear program.

636
00:28:31,976 --> 00:28:34,046
And their steps to roll back
elements of their program have

637
00:28:34,045 --> 00:28:36,045
actually been verified by
the international community.

638
00:28:36,047 --> 00:28:38,347
The Press: They continue
to enrich uranium now,

639
00:28:38,349 --> 00:28:42,249
right -- the enrichment in
Iran continues to go on.

640
00:28:42,253 --> 00:28:45,693
Mr. Earnest: But at a very low
level that does not advance

641
00:28:45,690 --> 00:28:48,890
their efforts to build
a nuclear weapon.

642
00:28:48,893 --> 00:28:50,833
And that's what's important.

643
00:28:50,829 --> 00:28:54,869
And that's why I don't think
that anybody who takes a look

644
00:28:54,866 --> 00:28:57,806
at this with an impartial view
is particularly persuaded

645
00:28:57,802 --> 00:28:59,802
by this notion that the
Iranians somehow benefit

646
00:28:59,804 --> 00:29:01,044
from continuing negotiations.

647
00:29:01,039 --> 00:29:02,039
They don't.

648
00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:04,980
They're still subject to a
withering sanctions regime that

649
00:29:04,976 --> 00:29:07,046
has had a terrible toll on
their economy and they're

650
00:29:07,045 --> 00:29:09,045
not advancing their
nuclear program.

651
00:29:09,047 --> 00:29:11,047
So if they're trying
to strain negotiations,

652
00:29:11,049 --> 00:29:13,049
I don't know why
they would do that.

653
00:29:13,051 --> 00:29:15,051
The Press: Well, isn't it
true -- isn't there's

654
00:29:15,053 --> 00:29:16,053
a financial *incentive?

655
00:29:16,054 --> 00:29:18,054
Don't they get about -- what is
it -- $4 billion a month for

656
00:29:18,056 --> 00:29:20,056
every month that this goes
on, in assets that have been

657
00:29:20,058 --> 00:29:22,698
frozen in the United
States they get unfrozen?

658
00:29:22,694 --> 00:29:25,464
They're getting billions of
dollars every month these

659
00:29:25,463 --> 00:29:26,463
negotiations go on.

660
00:29:26,464 --> 00:29:29,134
Mr. Earnest: First of all, that
is money that they've already

661
00:29:29,134 --> 00:29:31,374
earned but don't have access to
because of the sanctions regime.

662
00:29:31,369 --> 00:29:33,369
The Press: For very
good reasons, right?

663
00:29:33,371 --> 00:29:35,371
Mr. Earnest: That's right,
for very good reasons.

664
00:29:35,373 --> 00:29:38,073
And that represents a
miniscule percentage

665
00:29:38,076 --> 00:29:40,676
of the overall impact of
the sanctions regime.

666
00:29:40,678 --> 00:29:44,148
So there is no benefit to
the Iranians from stretching

667
00:29:44,149 --> 00:29:45,449
out these diplomatic
negotiations.

668
00:29:45,450 --> 00:29:47,720
But let me get to your
question, because it's

669
00:29:47,719 --> 00:29:51,319
a fair one, which is
what's going to happen

670
00:29:51,322 --> 00:29:53,522
if there's no deal
by March 24th.

671
00:29:53,525 --> 00:29:55,765
And all I'd say
is, we'll see.

672
00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:56,590
If the Iranians --

673
00:29:56,594 --> 00:29:57,594
The Press: You're
open to an extension.

674
00:29:57,595 --> 00:29:59,965
You're open to extending
this process on past

675
00:29:59,964 --> 00:30:01,404
March 24th, even
if they don't --

676
00:30:01,399 --> 00:30:03,939
Mr. Earnest: Well, what I'm
saying is I'm not willing

677
00:30:03,935 --> 00:30:05,935
to prejudge the
outcome at this point.

678
00:30:05,937 --> 00:30:09,607
We've made clear why there is
some reason to be at least

679
00:30:09,607 --> 00:30:11,747
a little pessimistic about
being able to reach a deal,

680
00:30:11,743 --> 00:30:14,413
because these negotiations have
been going on for some time

681
00:30:14,412 --> 00:30:16,412
and we haven't seen the
kind of breakthrough that

682
00:30:16,414 --> 00:30:17,414
we would like to see.

683
00:30:17,415 --> 00:30:19,685
But there's no question that
the pressure on the Iranians

684
00:30:19,684 --> 00:30:21,854
is only increasing.

685
00:30:21,853 --> 00:30:26,253
And that's why we believe --
we're going to pursue this

686
00:30:26,257 --> 00:30:30,997
diplomatic opening that
exists and we'll see where

687
00:30:30,995 --> 00:30:32,365
things stand in March.

688
00:30:32,363 --> 00:30:36,233
But let me say one other thing,
which is that I am confident

689
00:30:36,234 --> 00:30:38,904
that if the Iranians have
made clear that they're not

690
00:30:38,903 --> 00:30:41,643
serious about these
negotiations, the President,

691
00:30:41,639 --> 00:30:43,809
as he himself has
said many times,

692
00:30:43,808 --> 00:30:46,278
will be the first person to
stand up with Congress and say

693
00:30:46,277 --> 00:30:49,247
let's move on additional
sanctions against Iran.

694
00:30:49,247 --> 00:30:49,477
The Press: Okay.

695
00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:53,420
And then yesterday I had asked
about the Jordanian effort

696
00:30:53,418 --> 00:30:56,858
to exchange -- make a
prisoner exchange,

697
00:30:56,854 --> 00:31:00,354
hostage exchange with ISIS.

698
00:31:00,358 --> 00:31:05,598
One of the questions was whether
or not the review that you

699
00:31:05,597 --> 00:31:08,937
announced back in November
I believe of our policy

700
00:31:08,933 --> 00:31:11,833
on dealing with hostage
situations like this

701
00:31:11,836 --> 00:31:13,836
has been done, or when
it will be done.

702
00:31:13,838 --> 00:31:15,838
Is there a status
update on that?

703
00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:17,610
Can you tell us roughly when
you think that review

704
00:31:17,609 --> 00:31:18,909
will be completed?

705
00:31:18,910 --> 00:31:19,880
Mr. Earnest: I don't
know when that review

706
00:31:19,877 --> 00:31:20,477
will be completed, Jon.

707
00:31:20,478 --> 00:31:23,118
But let me see if we can get
you a status update on that.

708
00:31:23,114 --> 00:31:24,144
The Press: And then
the other question.

709
00:31:24,148 --> 00:31:29,218
I asked for verification,
yesterday -- it was said that

710
00:31:29,220 --> 00:31:31,720
the United States government,
that the White House does not

711
00:31:31,723 --> 00:31:35,423
consider the Taliban to be
a terrorist organization.

712
00:31:35,426 --> 00:31:38,596
I'm just wondering how that's
consistent with what I believe

713
00:31:38,596 --> 00:31:41,436
is the designation that the
Treasury Department has

714
00:31:41,432 --> 00:31:44,902
on its list of specially
designated terrorist groups,

715
00:31:44,902 --> 00:31:46,902
which clearly list
the Taliban.

716
00:31:46,904 --> 00:31:49,704
So does the administration
consider the Taliban

717
00:31:49,707 --> 00:31:51,777
a terrorist
organization or not?

718
00:31:51,776 --> 00:31:54,916
Mr. Earnest: Jon, the reason
that the Taliban is listed

719
00:31:54,912 --> 00:31:58,452
on the -- this
description that you have

720
00:31:58,449 --> 00:32:00,819
put forward here is
for two reasons.

721
00:32:00,818 --> 00:32:06,188
One is they do carry out tactics
that are akin to terrorism.

722
00:32:06,190 --> 00:32:08,890
They do pursue terror
attacks in an effort

723
00:32:08,893 --> 00:32:10,633
to try to advance
their agenda.

724
00:32:10,628 --> 00:32:14,968
And by designating them in the
way that you have described does

725
00:32:14,966 --> 00:32:19,406
allow the United States to
put in place some financial

726
00:32:19,404 --> 00:32:23,044
sanctions against the
leaders of that organization

727
00:32:23,041 --> 00:32:26,011
in a way that's been
beneficial to our ongoing

728
00:32:26,010 --> 00:32:28,780
efforts against
the Taliban.

729
00:32:28,780 --> 00:32:31,120
Now, what's also
true, though, Jon,

730
00:32:31,115 --> 00:32:33,115
is that it's important to
draw a distinction between

731
00:32:33,117 --> 00:32:35,087
the Taliban and al Qaeda.

732
00:32:35,086 --> 00:32:38,256
The Taliban has resorted
to terror tactics,

733
00:32:38,256 --> 00:32:40,696
but those terror tactics
have principally been

734
00:32:40,692 --> 00:32:41,992
focused on Afghanistan.

735
00:32:41,993 --> 00:32:43,993
Now, the reason that we're
concerned about that is there

736
00:32:43,995 --> 00:32:46,465
obviously are a significant
number of American personnel,

737
00:32:46,464 --> 00:32:49,464
including American military
personnel in Afghanistan,

738
00:32:49,467 --> 00:32:51,437
that are in harm's way.

739
00:32:51,436 --> 00:32:54,136
The Taliban is a very
dangerous organization.

740
00:32:54,138 --> 00:32:58,548
And what the President has
pursued is a clear strategy

741
00:32:58,543 --> 00:33:01,283
for building up the central
government of Afghanistan

742
00:33:01,279 --> 00:33:03,149
and the Afghan Security
Forces so that they

743
00:33:03,147 --> 00:33:05,147
could be responsible for
security in their own

744
00:33:05,149 --> 00:33:07,749
country and take the
fight to the Taliban.

745
00:33:07,752 --> 00:33:11,822
That, however, is different
than the strategy that we have

746
00:33:11,823 --> 00:33:12,953
pursued against al Qaeda.

747
00:33:12,957 --> 00:33:15,227
Al Qaeda is a terrorist
organization that has

748
00:33:15,226 --> 00:33:18,066
aspirations that extend beyond
just the border between

749
00:33:18,062 --> 00:33:19,702
Afghanistan and Pakistan.

750
00:33:19,697 --> 00:33:21,967
Al Qaeda and their affiliates
around the globe have

751
00:33:21,966 --> 00:33:24,636
sought to carry out terror
attacks against Americans

752
00:33:24,635 --> 00:33:27,335
and American interests
all around the globe.

753
00:33:27,338 --> 00:33:30,508
And that explains the
difference in classification.

754
00:33:30,508 --> 00:33:35,318
But there is no doubt that both
of these organizations are

755
00:33:35,313 --> 00:33:38,353
dangerous and have
drawn our attention.

756
00:33:38,349 --> 00:33:40,889
After all, there are a large
number of Taliban fighters

757
00:33:40,885 --> 00:33:42,885
that have been taken off
the battlefield thanks

758
00:33:42,887 --> 00:33:44,887
to U.S. efforts and thanks
to the courage and bravery

759
00:33:44,889 --> 00:33:46,129
of our servicemen and women.

760
00:33:46,124 --> 00:33:49,664
The Press: So if I'm
hearing you correctly,

761
00:33:49,660 --> 00:33:54,100
you're saying that the Taliban
engages in "tactics akin

762
00:33:54,098 --> 00:33:57,138
to terrorism," but you
don't actually consider

763
00:33:57,135 --> 00:33:58,705
them a terrorist group.

764
00:33:58,703 --> 00:34:00,743
Mr. Earnest: They have a
different classification.

765
00:34:00,738 --> 00:34:02,338
They have a classification
that does allow

766
00:34:02,340 --> 00:34:04,640
us to pursue financial
sanctions against them,

767
00:34:04,642 --> 00:34:07,682
that has succeeded in
limiting their capability

768
00:34:07,678 --> 00:34:09,018
that have been effective.

769
00:34:09,013 --> 00:34:09,583
And it's --

770
00:34:09,580 --> 00:34:10,380
The Press: And
you don't call them

771
00:34:10,381 --> 00:34:10,881
a terrorist group?

772
00:34:10,882 --> 00:34:11,612
Mr. Earnest: And that
is different than

773
00:34:11,616 --> 00:34:13,856
an organization like al
Qaeda that has much broader,

774
00:34:13,851 --> 00:34:17,321
global aspiration to carry out
acts of violence and acts

775
00:34:17,321 --> 00:34:20,091
of terror against Americans
and American interests

776
00:34:20,091 --> 00:34:20,921
all around the globe.

777
00:34:20,925 --> 00:34:22,995
The Press: Okay, and
just one last thing.

778
00:34:22,994 --> 00:34:25,734
The New York Times has a story
about a senior administration

779
00:34:25,730 --> 00:34:29,430
official calling the Times to
complain about the Israeli

780
00:34:29,434 --> 00:34:33,204
ambassador to the United States,
Mr. Dermer, Ambassador Dermer.

781
00:34:33,204 --> 00:34:36,144
Does the White House publicly
make this argument, as well?

782
00:34:36,140 --> 00:34:38,280
Do you think that
Ambassador Dermer has acted

783
00:34:38,276 --> 00:34:42,946
inappropriately, specifically
with the action of inviting --

784
00:34:42,947 --> 00:34:45,847
of arranging for Prime
Minister Netanyahu to come

785
00:34:45,850 --> 00:34:47,190
to the United States?

786
00:34:47,185 --> 00:34:48,925
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jon, I did
see the story that you're

787
00:34:48,920 --> 00:34:52,790
talking about and I think I've
said on a number of occasions

788
00:34:52,790 --> 00:34:57,430
that that invitation to the
Prime Minister that was

789
00:34:57,428 --> 00:35:00,268
conceived of and executed by
the Speaker of the House

790
00:35:00,264 --> 00:35:04,204
and the Israeli Ambassador was
a departure from protocol.

791
00:35:04,202 --> 00:35:06,942
But what we have said on many
occasions is that the United

792
00:35:06,938 --> 00:35:08,938
States commitment to
our strongest ally

793
00:35:08,940 --> 00:35:12,510
in the Middle East, Israel,
transcends partisan politics.

794
00:35:12,510 --> 00:35:15,010
And I think people on both
sides of that relationship

795
00:35:15,012 --> 00:35:17,582
understand this and understand
why it's important.

796
00:35:17,582 --> 00:35:20,622
And I think it's even consistent
with the sentiment that's been

797
00:35:20,618 --> 00:35:24,158
expressed by people like Shimon
Peres and Ambassador Dermer's

798
00:35:24,155 --> 00:35:26,795
predecessor, Michael Oren,
both of whom have been

799
00:35:26,791 --> 00:35:30,561
pretty critical of the
Prime Minister accepting

800
00:35:30,561 --> 00:35:32,161
the Speaker's invitation.

801
00:35:32,163 --> 00:35:34,503
But the point is that this
relationship between the United

802
00:35:34,499 --> 00:35:37,669
States and Israel is bigger
than any single diplomat.

803
00:35:37,668 --> 00:35:40,138
In fact, it's an alliance that
shouldn't be turned into

804
00:35:40,137 --> 00:35:42,137
a relationship between
two political parties.

805
00:35:42,139 --> 00:35:43,979
It's bigger than that.

806
00:35:43,975 --> 00:35:46,215
It's about the strong bond
between the United States

807
00:35:46,210 --> 00:35:49,380
and Israel and our people,
and our firm commitment

808
00:35:49,380 --> 00:35:51,680
to common interests and
common values are the basis

809
00:35:51,682 --> 00:35:53,282
of that alliance.

810
00:35:53,284 --> 00:35:54,484
And it's important to
the national security

811
00:35:54,485 --> 00:35:55,885
of both our countries.

812
00:35:55,887 --> 00:35:58,657
And all of this certainly
reflects the President's

813
00:35:58,656 --> 00:36:00,726
approach to this
relationship and our policy

814
00:36:00,725 --> 00:36:01,595
in the Middle East.

815
00:36:01,592 --> 00:36:03,132
The Press: Do you believe
Ambassador Dermer has been

816
00:36:03,127 --> 00:36:04,667
acting like a political
operative in this?

817
00:36:04,662 --> 00:36:05,662
Is that the implication?

818
00:36:05,663 --> 00:36:06,733
You said it's not a
relationship between

819
00:36:06,731 --> 00:36:08,131
two political parties.

820
00:36:08,132 --> 00:36:10,632
I mean, this was the
complaint that this, again,

821
00:36:10,635 --> 00:36:13,505
unnamed administration official
who apparently contacted

822
00:36:13,504 --> 00:36:16,144
The New York Times to
make this case was that

823
00:36:16,140 --> 00:36:18,910
Ambassador Dermer is
acting inappropriately.

824
00:36:18,910 --> 00:36:21,080
You've obviously made your
point about the invitation

825
00:36:21,078 --> 00:36:24,048
being a departure from
protocol, but do you believe

826
00:36:24,048 --> 00:36:27,088
Ambassador Dermer is acting
in a way that is more

827
00:36:27,084 --> 00:36:29,784
political than in his traditional diplomatic role?

828
00:36:29,787 --> 00:36:31,687
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jon, the
reason that we have made clear

829
00:36:31,689 --> 00:36:34,189
that the President will not
meet with the Prime Minister

830
00:36:34,191 --> 00:36:35,761
when he travels to the
U.S. just two weeks

831
00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:37,600
before the Israeli
elections is that it would

832
00:36:37,595 --> 00:36:40,765
leave I think reasonable
people with the appearance

833
00:36:40,765 --> 00:36:43,105
that the United States is
attempting to interfere

834
00:36:43,100 --> 00:36:46,500
or meddle in an ongoing
political process in Israel;

835
00:36:46,504 --> 00:36:48,904
that to meet with him just two
weeks before an election

836
00:36:48,906 --> 00:36:51,346
could leave some people
with the impression

837
00:36:51,342 --> 00:36:53,342
that we're interfering
in those elections.

838
00:36:53,344 --> 00:36:55,344
And that's something that
the President wants

839
00:36:55,346 --> 00:36:58,986
to avoid, principally
because this is not about --

840
00:36:58,983 --> 00:37:01,253
this is more important
than partisan politics.

841
00:37:01,252 --> 00:37:04,822
This is about the foundation
of an alliance that

842
00:37:04,822 --> 00:37:08,522
reflects our strong
commitment to common values.

843
00:37:08,526 --> 00:37:09,526
Mara.

844
00:37:09,527 --> 00:37:11,797
The Press: Just to clarify
something that Jon

845
00:37:11,796 --> 00:37:12,696
asked you about.

846
00:37:12,697 --> 00:37:16,797
The attack on the Pakistani
school that killed 140 kids --

847
00:37:16,801 --> 00:37:18,371
was that a
terrorist attack?

848
00:37:18,369 --> 00:37:19,269
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
think we're -- yes,

849
00:37:19,270 --> 00:37:20,770
it was a terrorist attack.

850
00:37:20,771 --> 00:37:21,501
The Press: And that
was the Taliban.

851
00:37:21,505 --> 00:37:23,305
Mr. Earnest: Well, I believe
that was actually the Pakistani

852
00:37:23,307 --> 00:37:26,547
Taliban, and that is an
organization that is classified

853
00:37:26,544 --> 00:37:29,444
as a terrorist organization,
and these are two

854
00:37:29,447 --> 00:37:31,417
different groups that
we're talking about here.

855
00:37:31,415 --> 00:37:31,845
The Press: Okay.

856
00:37:31,849 --> 00:37:35,019
The other question
about Corker-Graham --

857
00:37:35,019 --> 00:37:36,089
Mr. Earnest: Let me just say
one thing about that,

858
00:37:36,087 --> 00:37:39,827
which is I think that the
Pakistanis are still trying

859
00:37:39,824 --> 00:37:41,894
to determine precisely who is
responsible for carrying out

860
00:37:41,892 --> 00:37:44,492
that terrorist attack, so I
don't want to prejudge whatever

861
00:37:44,495 --> 00:37:46,895
investigation or conclusion
they may arrive at.

862
00:37:46,897 --> 00:37:49,537
If they conclude that it was the
Pakistani Taliban that would

863
00:37:49,533 --> 00:37:51,903
certainly be consistent
with their classification

864
00:37:51,902 --> 00:37:53,102
as a terrorist organization.

865
00:37:53,104 --> 00:37:53,404
The Press: Okay.

866
00:37:53,404 --> 00:37:57,044
And when you say that
Corker-Graham would set

867
00:37:57,041 --> 00:37:59,281
a harmful precedent, the
President would veto

868
00:37:59,276 --> 00:38:04,246
it because it has to do with
a non-binding instrument,

869
00:38:04,248 --> 00:38:06,018
do you mean something
that's not a treaty?

870
00:38:06,017 --> 00:38:07,247
Is that how that translates?

871
00:38:07,251 --> 00:38:08,891
That Congress shouldn't
be in the business

872
00:38:08,886 --> 00:38:12,686
of approving or
disapproving negotiations?

873
00:38:12,690 --> 00:38:13,190
Mr. Earnest: That's right.

874
00:38:13,190 --> 00:38:13,660
That's right.

875
00:38:13,658 --> 00:38:13,988
The Press: Okay.

876
00:38:13,991 --> 00:38:15,761
So this is an
executive power issue.

877
00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:17,400
Is that the principle
at stake here?

878
00:38:17,395 --> 00:38:18,525
Mr. Earnest: Well, no,
it's just a different --

879
00:38:18,529 --> 00:38:19,359
not necessarily.

880
00:38:19,363 --> 00:38:20,863
I hadn't really thought
about it that way.

881
00:38:20,865 --> 00:38:22,705
Maybe you could
describe it that way.

882
00:38:22,700 --> 00:38:26,840
But this is simply something
that -- this is an agreement

883
00:38:26,837 --> 00:38:31,547
between not just the United
States and Iran but basically

884
00:38:31,542 --> 00:38:33,512
Iran and the broader
international community

885
00:38:33,511 --> 00:38:35,351
in negotiations that
are essentially led

886
00:38:35,346 --> 00:38:37,346
by the United States and
our P5-plus-1 partners.

887
00:38:37,348 --> 00:38:42,788
The Press: It doesn't
blow up the talks.

888
00:38:42,787 --> 00:38:48,397
It's not like your
objection to Menendez.

889
00:38:48,392 --> 00:38:50,392
You're objecting to this
on different grounds.

890
00:38:50,394 --> 00:38:52,394
Mr. Earnest: Well, no,
we've been pretty clear

891
00:38:52,396 --> 00:38:54,696
that this also has the
potential to undermine

892
00:38:54,699 --> 00:38:55,799
the ongoing negotiations.

893
00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:58,140
The Press: Just
Congress asking for

894
00:38:58,135 --> 00:38:58,735
a chance to approve
or disapprove it?

895
00:38:58,736 --> 00:39:01,806
Mr. Earnest: Yes, because
we'd be in a situation

896
00:39:01,806 --> 00:39:03,806
where the United States
would agree to something

897
00:39:03,808 --> 00:39:05,808
at the negotiating table
that would be conditional.

898
00:39:05,810 --> 00:39:07,810
We certainly wouldn't tolerate
a situation where the Iranians

899
00:39:07,812 --> 00:39:10,612
were to say, we totally --
we'll sign onto this agreement

900
00:39:10,614 --> 00:39:14,284
pending confirmation by some
politicians back home in Iran.

901
00:39:14,285 --> 00:39:16,255
That's not something that
we would be a party to.

902
00:39:16,253 --> 00:39:18,253
We wouldn't have confidence
that that's an agreement

903
00:39:18,255 --> 00:39:20,255
that would eventually
go into effect.

904
00:39:22,426 --> 00:39:24,426
And I think people make
reasonable assumptions --

905
00:39:24,428 --> 00:39:26,428
and when I say "people,"
I mean not just

906
00:39:26,430 --> 00:39:29,230
the Iranians but the broader international community --

907
00:39:29,233 --> 00:39:32,573
would have questions at
least about whether

908
00:39:32,570 --> 00:39:34,570
the United States could
back up their commitment

909
00:39:34,572 --> 00:39:37,012
if they knew that it would
be subject to congressional

910
00:39:37,007 --> 00:39:39,847
confirmation, particularly
from a Congress that has

911
00:39:39,844 --> 00:39:42,384
not been one that's been
particularly willing

912
00:39:42,379 --> 00:39:44,019
to work with the
administration.

913
00:39:44,014 --> 00:39:44,214
The Press: Okay.

914
00:39:44,215 --> 00:39:45,315
And a question about Cuba.

915
00:39:45,316 --> 00:39:48,216
Is it the President's
intention when he finally does

916
00:39:48,219 --> 00:39:52,959
close the Guantanamo facility
to give back the actual

917
00:39:52,957 --> 00:39:54,287
territory to Cuba?

918
00:39:54,291 --> 00:39:55,361
Mr. Earnest: No.

919
00:39:55,359 --> 00:39:55,759
The Press: No.

920
00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:58,800
He wants to hang on to
Guantanamo even after

921
00:39:58,796 --> 00:39:59,796
he empties the prison.

922
00:39:59,797 --> 00:40:01,797
Mr. Earnest: The President
does believe that the prison

923
00:40:01,799 --> 00:40:03,839
at Guantanamo Bay
should be closed down.

924
00:40:03,834 --> 00:40:07,334
And the reason for that is, is
that only -- that serving --

925
00:40:07,338 --> 00:40:11,438
that continuing to operate that
prison there only serves

926
00:40:11,442 --> 00:40:13,612
as a recruiting tool for
al Qaeda and other

927
00:40:13,611 --> 00:40:15,611
extremist organizations
around the world.

928
00:40:15,613 --> 00:40:17,613
And it's in the view of the
President and the previous

929
00:40:17,615 --> 00:40:19,455
administration clearly in the
best interests of American

930
00:40:19,450 --> 00:40:22,120
national security
to close the prison.

931
00:40:22,119 --> 00:40:23,659
The Press: But the
naval base itself --

932
00:40:23,654 --> 00:40:25,924
Mr. Earnest: But the naval
base is not something that

933
00:40:25,923 --> 00:40:26,953
we believe should be closed.

934
00:40:26,957 --> 00:40:29,297
The Press: And that's not part
of -- because Raul Castro's

935
00:40:29,293 --> 00:40:31,663
comments suggested
that there's not going

936
00:40:31,662 --> 00:40:33,532
to be any normalization of
relations with the U.S.

937
00:40:33,531 --> 00:40:36,371
unless you give that back.

938
00:40:36,367 --> 00:40:39,607
So that has not been
part of the President's

939
00:40:39,603 --> 00:40:41,473
discussions with Cuba?

940
00:40:41,472 --> 00:40:42,402
Mr. Earnest: No.

941
00:40:42,406 --> 00:40:42,806
The Press: Okay.

942
00:40:42,807 --> 00:40:43,837
So you want to hang on to that.

943
00:40:43,841 --> 00:40:44,971
Mr. Earnest: That's correct.

944
00:40:44,975 --> 00:40:45,745
Margaret.

945
00:40:45,743 --> 00:40:46,243
The Press: Hi.

946
00:40:46,243 --> 00:40:46,943
Mr. Earnest: Hi there.

947
00:40:46,944 --> 00:40:49,684
The Press: So it sounds like
the President, in Philadelphia,

948
00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:53,850
will rally Democrats
around this -- lifting

949
00:40:53,851 --> 00:40:57,051
the sequestration spending.

950
00:40:57,054 --> 00:40:59,494
But what about some of
the tougher subjects?

951
00:40:59,490 --> 00:41:02,660
And trade specifically
comes to mind.

952
00:41:02,660 --> 00:41:05,300
Do you anticipate that he is
going to make sort of full-on

953
00:41:05,296 --> 00:41:09,296
case there for Democrats to
get behind the trade strategy?

954
00:41:09,300 --> 00:41:11,170
And is that going to be
like a tough-love talk,

955
00:41:11,168 --> 00:41:12,338
or kind of a sweet talk?

956
00:41:12,336 --> 00:41:14,206
And what's the case
he's going to make,

957
00:41:14,205 --> 00:41:16,605
and how hard does he
push today on that?

958
00:41:16,607 --> 00:41:18,407
Mr. Earnest: Well, Margaret, I
would not anticipate that the

959
00:41:18,409 --> 00:41:21,279
President's opening remarks will
include a robust discussion

960
00:41:21,278 --> 00:41:28,018
of his view that our economy
is stronger when we put

961
00:41:28,018 --> 00:41:31,318
in place agreements that
open up fair access

962
00:41:31,322 --> 00:41:34,562
to overseas markets for
American businesses.

963
00:41:34,558 --> 00:41:38,628
But I would not be surprised
if a member of the Democratic

964
00:41:38,629 --> 00:41:41,099
caucus decides to ask the
President about that,

965
00:41:41,098 --> 00:41:43,098
and I would anticipate that
the President will give them

966
00:41:43,100 --> 00:41:45,300
an answer that's, frankly,
pretty consistent with

967
00:41:45,302 --> 00:41:47,902
the answer that the President
has talked about publicly.

968
00:41:47,905 --> 00:41:49,005
The Press: Will we be
able to hear that part?

969
00:41:49,006 --> 00:41:49,876
Mr. Earnest: You may
not hear it in person,

970
00:41:49,874 --> 00:41:52,214
but I do think that there's
probably a way we can get

971
00:41:52,209 --> 00:41:55,009
you a good sense of how
the exchange goes down,

972
00:41:55,012 --> 00:41:55,742
if you will.

973
00:41:55,746 --> 00:41:56,886
The Press: So if
I can just recap,

974
00:41:56,881 --> 00:41:59,851
what you're saying is he's
not going to say that in his

975
00:41:59,850 --> 00:42:02,290
great-to-see-you remarks,
but it's likely to come

976
00:42:02,286 --> 00:42:03,416
up behind closed doors?

977
00:42:03,420 --> 00:42:04,220
Mr. Earnest: Well, his
great-to-see-you remarks,

978
00:42:04,221 --> 00:42:05,521
and let's work
together to make sure

979
00:42:05,522 --> 00:42:07,062
the Department of Homeland
Security is fully funded.

980
00:42:07,057 --> 00:42:08,027
(laughter)

981
00:42:08,025 --> 00:42:08,855
But after those
two things --

982
00:42:08,859 --> 00:42:09,959
The Press: So even
though it will not

983
00:42:09,960 --> 00:42:12,230
be in the part for
public consumption,

984
00:42:12,229 --> 00:42:15,329
but he is going to -- but you do
anticipate that this is going

985
00:42:15,332 --> 00:42:17,572
to come up, and that when
it does he'll be pretty

986
00:42:17,568 --> 00:42:20,038
forceful about what he
wants and when he wants it?

987
00:42:20,037 --> 00:42:20,807
Mr. Earnest: Yes.

988
00:42:20,804 --> 00:42:22,774
The Press: Do you have any
better read now -- it's been

989
00:42:22,773 --> 00:42:24,943
a little bit of time since
the State of the Union --

990
00:42:24,942 --> 00:42:29,142
about how to get there
on trade and how --

991
00:42:29,146 --> 00:42:30,586
really how big the
opposition is?

992
00:42:30,581 --> 00:42:31,811
Like, what are
you working with?

993
00:42:31,815 --> 00:42:33,685
What are your chances in
terms of the Democratic

994
00:42:33,684 --> 00:42:34,714
caucus and so forth?

995
00:42:34,718 --> 00:42:36,058
Mr. Earnest: There are
probably people that have

996
00:42:36,053 --> 00:42:38,153
a better understanding
of how the politics

997
00:42:38,155 --> 00:42:41,925
of this break down
on Capitol Hill.

998
00:42:41,926 --> 00:42:49,166
What's clear to me is that it's
going to require supporters

999
00:42:49,166 --> 00:42:52,106
of this policy to overcome
objections from both

1000
00:42:52,102 --> 00:42:54,002
Democrats and Republicans,
that there are people

1001
00:42:54,004 --> 00:42:57,604
in both parties who have
some reservations.

1002
00:42:57,608 --> 00:42:58,838
The Press: Harry Reid will.

1003
00:42:58,842 --> 00:42:59,782
(laughter)

1004
00:42:59,777 --> 00:43:01,377
Mr. Earnest: Well,
I think there are well-known

1005
00:43:01,378 --> 00:43:03,078
Republicans who have
articulated their opposition

1006
00:43:03,080 --> 00:43:05,720
to some of these
policy ideas as well.

1007
00:43:05,716 --> 00:43:08,986
And the President
will make a case,

1008
00:43:08,986 --> 00:43:12,656
and he will make this case to
both Democrats and Republicans,

1009
00:43:12,656 --> 00:43:14,956
and we're going to be relying
on Democrats and Republicans

1010
00:43:14,959 --> 00:43:17,559
on Capitol Hill in leadership
positions to carry some

1011
00:43:17,561 --> 00:43:18,931
of this water, too.

1012
00:43:18,929 --> 00:43:21,829
But the President will
make a firm commitment

1013
00:43:21,832 --> 00:43:24,332
to Democrats and Republicans
that he will not present

1014
00:43:24,335 --> 00:43:28,875
a deal to Congress for
approval that does not clearly

1015
00:43:28,872 --> 00:43:31,442
represent the best interests
of the American middle class,

1016
00:43:31,442 --> 00:43:34,682
American workers or
American business owners.

1017
00:43:34,678 --> 00:43:38,548
And the whole point of entering
into negotiations and striking

1018
00:43:38,549 --> 00:43:41,489
agreements like this is to
benefit the American economy.

1019
00:43:41,485 --> 00:43:43,485
Now, the President believes that
we can strike an agreement

1020
00:43:43,487 --> 00:43:45,487
like this that's good for
the American economy,

1021
00:43:45,489 --> 00:43:47,489
that also happens to be
good the economy of some

1022
00:43:47,491 --> 00:43:48,491
other countries, too.

1023
00:43:48,492 --> 00:43:50,492
That's the reason they
would sign on to the deal.

1024
00:43:50,494 --> 00:43:53,634
But where it starts with
the President is reaching

1025
00:43:53,630 --> 00:43:55,770
an agreement that's
in the best interest

1026
00:43:55,766 --> 00:43:56,766
of the American economy.

1027
00:43:56,767 --> 00:43:58,767
Now, the other part of this --
and this is part of the case

1028
00:43:58,769 --> 00:44:00,769
that the President made
in the State of the Union,

1029
00:44:00,771 --> 00:44:02,741
and for those who are fortunate
enough to be in the room when

1030
00:44:02,740 --> 00:44:04,640
the President answers
the question today,

1031
00:44:04,641 --> 00:44:06,381
they'll hear a little bit
more on this -- which is,

1032
00:44:06,377 --> 00:44:10,477
specifically, the President does
not believe it's in our best

1033
00:44:10,481 --> 00:44:13,951
interest to not engage
with other Asian countries

1034
00:44:13,951 --> 00:44:16,221
as it relates to
international commerce.

1035
00:44:16,220 --> 00:44:20,760
That if we essentially cede
that ground to the Chinese,

1036
00:44:20,758 --> 00:44:22,858
that they will enter into
broader agreements with other

1037
00:44:22,860 --> 00:44:25,400
countries in the Asia Pacific
region that actually lower

1038
00:44:25,396 --> 00:44:27,766
labor standards, that lower
environmental standards,

1039
00:44:27,765 --> 00:44:29,835
and actually make it harder
for American businesses

1040
00:44:29,833 --> 00:44:33,233
to compete and to get access
to those overseas markets.

1041
00:44:33,237 --> 00:44:36,407
So it's not just that we're
going to reach an agreement

1042
00:44:36,407 --> 00:44:38,747
that is in the best interest
of American workers.

1043
00:44:38,742 --> 00:44:41,182
It's that failing to reach an
agreement and essentially sort

1044
00:44:41,178 --> 00:44:44,718
of withdrawing from the region
would have a negative impact

1045
00:44:44,715 --> 00:44:46,785
on the American middle class
and on American workers

1046
00:44:46,784 --> 00:44:47,854
and on American businesses.

1047
00:44:47,851 --> 00:44:50,791
And that will certainly be
part of the case that you've

1048
00:44:50,788 --> 00:44:52,788
already heard the President
make, but that will be part

1049
00:44:52,790 --> 00:44:54,790
of the answer that he
delivers today as well.

1050
00:44:54,792 --> 00:44:56,462
Justin.

1051
00:44:56,460 --> 00:45:00,100
The Press: I wanted to ask
about sanctions about Ukraine.

1052
00:45:00,097 --> 00:45:02,137
The EU has indicated that
they're going to move forward

1053
00:45:02,132 --> 00:45:07,642
to extend and expand
their sanctions against

1054
00:45:07,638 --> 00:45:10,978
Russia over what's been
going on in Ukraine.

1055
00:45:10,974 --> 00:45:13,244
Obviously there's been a lot of
calls between the President

1056
00:45:13,243 --> 00:45:15,613
and European leaders,
and he's meeting with

1057
00:45:15,612 --> 00:45:16,982
Secretary Kerry today.

1058
00:45:16,980 --> 00:45:19,980
So I guess the question is are
you guys teeing up additional

1059
00:45:19,983 --> 00:45:21,453
sanctions against Russia?

1060
00:45:21,452 --> 00:45:25,422
And do you plan to match
whatever sanctions that Europe

1061
00:45:25,422 --> 00:45:29,062
I think is expected to vote
on in a couple weeks?

1062
00:45:29,059 --> 00:45:30,599
Mr. Earnest: Justin, I don't
have any specific announcements

1063
00:45:30,594 --> 00:45:32,564
to make about our
plans at this point.

1064
00:45:32,563 --> 00:45:35,633
But you know from having covered
this issue pretty carefully over

1065
00:45:35,632 --> 00:45:38,732
the last year that what we have
sought to do is to work in

1066
00:45:38,735 --> 00:45:41,875
coordinated fashion with our
European partners to implement

1067
00:45:41,872 --> 00:45:45,142
these sanctions; that we
can maximize the impact

1068
00:45:45,142 --> 00:45:48,912
if the sanctions regime is
effectively coordinated.

1069
00:45:48,912 --> 00:45:50,082
And that's what we've done.

1070
00:45:50,080 --> 00:45:53,450
And the impact that we've seen
on the Russian economy just

1071
00:45:53,450 --> 00:45:56,020
in the last year I think is
testament to the fact that by

1072
00:45:56,019 --> 00:46:01,559
working in coordinated fashion,
we have forced the Russian

1073
00:46:01,558 --> 00:46:07,598
regime to encounter some costs
as it relates to their policy

1074
00:46:07,598 --> 00:46:09,938
in Ukraine; that if they're
going to violate this core

1075
00:46:09,933 --> 00:46:13,573
international principle about
the sovereignty and integrity --

1076
00:46:13,570 --> 00:46:15,570
territorial integrity
of their neighbors,

1077
00:46:15,572 --> 00:46:17,572
that there are going
to be economic costs

1078
00:46:17,574 --> 00:46:18,574
associated with that.

1079
00:46:18,575 --> 00:46:22,045
And there have been on a
number of occasions where,

1080
00:46:22,045 --> 00:46:26,415
based on international
negotiations with our partners

1081
00:46:26,416 --> 00:46:29,486
in Western Europe, principally,
and with our observation about

1082
00:46:29,486 --> 00:46:31,856
the ongoing situation there,
where we have taken steps

1083
00:46:31,855 --> 00:46:35,495
to ratchet up that pressure
and increase the amount

1084
00:46:35,492 --> 00:46:37,332
of sanctions that were
put into place.

1085
00:46:37,327 --> 00:46:40,327
So certainly, based on the
kind of activity that we've

1086
00:46:40,330 --> 00:46:42,770
seen from the Russians in
the last several weeks,

1087
00:46:42,766 --> 00:46:46,266
one might reasonably conclude
that the United States

1088
00:46:46,270 --> 00:46:48,640
and our partners are
considering additional

1089
00:46:48,639 --> 00:46:50,069
sanctions on Iran.

1090
00:46:50,073 --> 00:46:53,843
And I think that's reflective
of the negotiations

1091
00:46:53,844 --> 00:46:55,644
out of the EU.

1092
00:46:55,646 --> 00:46:58,046
This is obviously a situation
that we continue to watch

1093
00:46:58,048 --> 00:47:00,148
closely and we're in
very close touch with

1094
00:47:00,150 --> 00:47:02,750
our EU partners, including
at the highest level.

1095
00:47:02,753 --> 00:47:06,493
You saw that the President, I
guess it was earlier this week

1096
00:47:06,490 --> 00:47:08,490
-- it seems like a long
time ago -- but earlier

1097
00:47:08,492 --> 00:47:10,492
this week, the President had
a conversation with

1098
00:47:10,494 --> 00:47:13,964
the German Chancellor, Angela
Merkel, on this very subject.

1099
00:47:13,964 --> 00:47:18,934
So we continue to be engaged and
there is a reason that the EU

1100
00:47:18,936 --> 00:47:20,936
is considering this, and
that's because they continue

1101
00:47:20,938 --> 00:47:24,008
to be, as the United States
is, extremely concerned

1102
00:47:24,007 --> 00:47:28,317
about Russia's continued
provocation in Ukraine.

1103
00:47:28,312 --> 00:47:30,352
Let me say one other thing
about this -- two other

1104
00:47:30,347 --> 00:47:32,347
things about it -- I'll
keep it short, I promise.

1105
00:47:32,349 --> 00:47:34,349
The first is, you'll recall
that the administration has put

1106
00:47:34,351 --> 00:47:38,991
forward a request from
Congress to pass an additional

1107
00:47:38,989 --> 00:47:40,989
loan guarantee, a $1
billion loan guarantee,

1108
00:47:40,991 --> 00:47:42,891
early this year for Ukraine.

1109
00:47:42,893 --> 00:47:45,663
Ukraine has also suffered
economically from the

1110
00:47:45,662 --> 00:47:47,862
instability in their
country and doing what

1111
00:47:47,864 --> 00:47:50,304
we can to support
them is important.

1112
00:47:50,300 --> 00:47:52,670
It's also why -- and this is
the second thing -- it's also

1113
00:47:52,669 --> 00:47:55,769
why we want Congress, as
we have for some time now,

1114
00:47:55,772 --> 00:48:00,982
to act on IMF reforms that
would significantly enhance the

1115
00:48:00,978 --> 00:48:04,218
ability of the IMF to offer some
economic assistance to Ukraine.

1116
00:48:04,214 --> 00:48:06,884
And so we hear a lot of talk on
Capitol Hill from Republicans

1117
00:48:06,883 --> 00:48:09,153
who say that we need to be
doing more to support Ukraine.

1118
00:48:09,152 --> 00:48:11,652
Well, one really important step
they could take is to pass

1119
00:48:11,655 --> 00:48:14,355
the IMF reforms that would
have very little impact

1120
00:48:14,358 --> 00:48:16,498
on our budget but actually
would do a lot to increase

1121
00:48:16,493 --> 00:48:18,493
the assistance we can offer
the Ukrainian people.

1122
00:48:18,495 --> 00:48:21,265
The Press: One other thing
about legislation that's

1123
00:48:21,265 --> 00:48:22,565
brewing up on Capitol Hill.

1124
00:48:22,566 --> 00:48:26,106
The AUMF -- Representative
Shiff put forward

1125
00:48:26,103 --> 00:48:28,403
his proposal yesterday.

1126
00:48:28,405 --> 00:48:31,275
I know that you guys, earlier
this month in talks with

1127
00:48:31,275 --> 00:48:33,645
leadership, have said that
you planned to put something

1128
00:48:33,644 --> 00:48:36,814
together, you want to consult
congressional leadership.

1129
00:48:36,813 --> 00:48:38,313
I'm wondering if you can
put a timeline on that.

1130
00:48:38,315 --> 00:48:41,185
I mean, it seems like there's a
bit of a hot potato going on,

1131
00:48:41,184 --> 00:48:44,354
where you guys don't want to
stamp your name on an AUMF

1132
00:48:44,354 --> 00:48:47,124
because then it's your
responsibility or your war

1133
00:48:47,124 --> 00:48:49,094
without congressional
authorization.

1134
00:48:49,092 --> 00:48:51,432
And Congress wants you to do
that so that it's kind

1135
00:48:51,428 --> 00:48:52,558
of pinned on you guys.

1136
00:48:52,562 --> 00:48:56,002
And so I'm wondering, obviously
you want to consult with Capitol

1137
00:48:55,999 --> 00:48:59,199
Hill, but at what point do you
just say this is what we want?

1138
00:48:59,202 --> 00:49:02,172
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
entirely agree with your

1139
00:49:02,172 --> 00:49:05,912
characterization, but I think
it's a reasonable observation.

1140
00:49:05,909 --> 00:49:08,249
And so let me try to give
you a better sense of how

1141
00:49:08,245 --> 00:49:09,815
we see this situation.

1142
00:49:09,813 --> 00:49:12,783
In the President's conversations
with leaders on Capitol Hill,

1143
00:49:12,783 --> 00:49:14,953
they have indicated
a desire to weigh

1144
00:49:14,951 --> 00:49:16,751
in on the strategy as well.

1145
00:49:16,753 --> 00:49:18,753
So it's not just a situation
where the President

1146
00:49:18,755 --> 00:49:20,755
is looking to absolve himself
of responsibility for

1147
00:49:20,757 --> 00:49:22,357
this military strategy.

1148
00:49:22,359 --> 00:49:24,359
He's the
Commander-in-Chief; he knew

1149
00:49:24,361 --> 00:49:26,361
what he was signing up for
when he ran for the job.

1150
00:49:26,363 --> 00:49:28,363
So he's ready to take
responsibility for this.

1151
00:49:28,365 --> 00:49:30,365
I mean, he has also taken
responsibility for a strategy

1152
00:49:30,367 --> 00:49:32,037
that seems to be working.

1153
00:49:32,035 --> 00:49:34,005
We built this international
coalition of more

1154
00:49:34,004 --> 00:49:35,004
than 60 countries.

1155
00:49:35,005 --> 00:49:39,875
We have enjoyed some success
in taking strikes against ISIL

1156
00:49:39,876 --> 00:49:43,546
targets that have
diminished their capacity.

1157
00:49:43,547 --> 00:49:45,847
There are reports that
significant progress has been

1158
00:49:45,849 --> 00:49:50,319
made in the last few days to
try to push ISIL out of Kobani.

1159
00:49:50,320 --> 00:49:53,120
So there are important
successes here to note,

1160
00:49:53,123 --> 00:49:55,293
but there's a lot of work
that remains to be done.

1161
00:49:55,292 --> 00:49:59,662
The President's view is that our
strategy is stronger when we can

1162
00:49:59,663 --> 00:50:02,563
demonstrate to the international
community -- to our allies,

1163
00:50:02,566 --> 00:50:06,736
and to our enemies -- that there
is broad bipartisan support

1164
00:50:06,737 --> 00:50:08,737
for the strategy that the
President has laid out.

1165
00:50:08,739 --> 00:50:10,739
And that's why we want
Congress to weigh in.

1166
00:50:10,741 --> 00:50:12,741
Now, the President has
committed to putting forward

1167
00:50:12,743 --> 00:50:15,583
legislation that we write
and submit to Congress.

1168
00:50:15,579 --> 00:50:17,579
The President has also
been clear, though,

1169
00:50:17,581 --> 00:50:19,581
that he wants to make sure
that whatever request we make

1170
00:50:19,583 --> 00:50:21,583
and whatever language we
put forward is the kind

1171
00:50:21,585 --> 00:50:23,755
of language that can
attract bipartisan support.

1172
00:50:23,754 --> 00:50:26,354
And that's why we're eager to
get Congress to sort of weigh

1173
00:50:26,356 --> 00:50:28,896
in at least privately with
us on the front end,

1174
00:50:28,892 --> 00:50:31,832
so we can be sure that whatever
we put forward is something

1175
00:50:31,828 --> 00:50:33,828
that enjoys the support of
Democrats and Republicans.

1176
00:50:33,830 --> 00:50:36,100
I might add that Democrats and
Republicans who are interested

1177
00:50:36,099 --> 00:50:39,399
in voting for an authorization
to use military force have said

1178
00:50:39,403 --> 00:50:41,503
the same thing -- that they
want to have a chance to weigh

1179
00:50:41,505 --> 00:50:43,775
in on this language so that
it's language that they

1180
00:50:43,774 --> 00:50:45,774
feel like they can support
and advocate for.

1181
00:50:45,776 --> 00:50:48,116
The Press: Doesn't that suggest
that you don't feel like right

1182
00:50:48,111 --> 00:50:50,111
now you've got language
that has bipartisan support,

1183
00:50:50,113 --> 00:50:52,013
since you haven't put
something forward?

1184
00:50:52,015 --> 00:50:54,585
And so I'm wondering what
the sticking points are.

1185
00:50:54,584 --> 00:50:57,624
Where are you struggling to
win over either Republicans

1186
00:50:57,621 --> 00:51:00,421
or Democrats on this issue
and work through that?

1187
00:51:00,424 --> 00:51:04,024
Or is it just kind of you guys
are happy because you have

1188
00:51:04,027 --> 00:51:06,367
authorization and you think
things are working so --

1189
00:51:06,363 --> 00:51:08,733
Mr. Earnest: No -- I'm glad
that you raised this because

1190
00:51:08,732 --> 00:51:11,202
I don't want people to be
confused about the fact that

1191
00:51:11,201 --> 00:51:16,571
we haven't sent up legislation
yet, or legislative

1192
00:51:16,573 --> 00:51:19,473
language yet is an
indication that we've made

1193
00:51:19,476 --> 00:51:24,646
a decision to not try to
seek an authorization

1194
00:51:24,648 --> 00:51:27,988
to use military force or
that we're somehow losing

1195
00:51:27,984 --> 00:51:29,654
our appetite for that.

1196
00:51:29,653 --> 00:51:30,653
That's not true.

1197
00:51:30,654 --> 00:51:33,124
This administration
definitely wants Congress

1198
00:51:33,123 --> 00:51:35,823
to act in bipartisan fashion
to pass an authorization

1199
00:51:35,826 --> 00:51:36,826
to use military force.

1200
00:51:36,827 --> 00:51:42,767
And we are being careful to
craft language that we are

1201
00:51:42,766 --> 00:51:44,766
confident can be passed
in bipartisan fashion

1202
00:51:44,768 --> 00:51:45,768
once we send it up.

1203
00:51:45,769 --> 00:51:49,009
And trying to find bipartisan
agreement on some of these

1204
00:51:49,005 --> 00:51:50,975
issues is difficult.

1205
00:51:50,974 --> 00:51:53,444
I won't soft-pedal that.

1206
00:51:53,443 --> 00:51:56,443
The Press: -- last year that
passed through the Senate

1207
00:51:56,446 --> 00:51:58,446
committee, right, with
bipartisan support?

1208
00:51:58,448 --> 00:52:00,888
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think --
at the very end of last year?

1209
00:52:00,884 --> 00:52:03,024
I thought that that
passed along party lines.

1210
00:52:03,019 --> 00:52:04,419
I think it did.

1211
00:52:04,421 --> 00:52:07,461
And that reflects why we want
to try to work with

1212
00:52:07,457 --> 00:52:09,627
Democrats and Republicans
on the front end here

1213
00:52:09,626 --> 00:52:11,666
to get some bipartisan
support on the back end.

1214
00:52:11,661 --> 00:52:13,731
And I know that's
a sentiment that's shared

1215
00:52:13,730 --> 00:52:16,300
by Republicans and Democrats
on the Hill as well.

1216
00:52:16,299 --> 00:52:19,039
So this is an area where there's
an opportunity for us to work

1217
00:52:19,035 --> 00:52:20,705
together, and I'm reasonably
optimistic that we'll

1218
00:52:20,704 --> 00:52:24,044
be able to do so, but that
doesn't mean it's easy.

1219
00:52:24,040 --> 00:52:24,840
Jared.

1220
00:52:24,841 --> 00:52:28,781
The Press: Josh, to Jeff earlier
you reiterated the President's

1221
00:52:28,778 --> 00:52:31,078
position on Keystone,
that he would veto a bill,

1222
00:52:31,081 --> 00:52:33,881
but what's the President's
message to Senators Bennet,

1223
00:52:33,884 --> 00:52:37,554
Carper, Casey, Donnelly,
Heitkamp, Manchin, McCaskill,

1224
00:52:37,554 --> 00:52:40,654
Tester and Warner -- Democrats
-- a fifth of the Democratic

1225
00:52:40,657 --> 00:52:43,397
caucus in the Senate
who voted to move

1226
00:52:43,393 --> 00:52:45,633
this legislation forward?

1227
00:52:45,629 --> 00:52:48,469
Mr. Earnest: His message to them
is the same as the message that

1228
00:52:48,465 --> 00:52:51,235
I have to deliver to you, which
is the President believes that

1229
00:52:51,234 --> 00:52:56,274
the best way for us to resolve
the -- for us to determine

1230
00:52:56,273 --> 00:52:58,273
whether or not building the
Keystone pipeline is in the

1231
00:52:58,275 --> 00:53:00,445
national interest of the
United States is to allow

1232
00:53:00,443 --> 00:53:02,683
the well-established
administrative process

1233
00:53:02,679 --> 00:53:06,549
to be carried out, and
that will allow experts

1234
00:53:06,550 --> 00:53:09,090
in the field of the
environment and of energy

1235
00:53:09,085 --> 00:53:12,255
policy to carefully
examine the route of the

1236
00:53:12,255 --> 00:53:15,195
pipeline, the potential impact
it could have on communities

1237
00:53:15,191 --> 00:53:17,491
that are along that route,
and to determine whether

1238
00:53:17,494 --> 00:53:19,494
or not it's in the
national interest.

1239
00:53:19,496 --> 00:53:22,096
And based on that
determination, the project

1240
00:53:22,098 --> 00:53:23,738
will either go forward or not.

1241
00:53:23,733 --> 00:53:25,733
The Press: Yes, but
you, from the podium,

1242
00:53:25,735 --> 00:53:29,675
and the President's State of
Union characterized this focus

1243
00:53:29,673 --> 00:53:31,973
on the Keystone project
as a waste of time.

1244
00:53:31,975 --> 00:53:34,715
You've said almost that exact
phrase from the podium.

1245
00:53:34,711 --> 00:53:36,751
The President said that we
could be focusing on other

1246
00:53:36,746 --> 00:53:41,316
projects and get things
done at the State of Union.

1247
00:53:41,318 --> 00:53:43,558
Does he think that these
Democrats are joining

1248
00:53:43,553 --> 00:53:46,623
Republicans in wasting the
American people's time by --

1249
00:53:46,623 --> 00:53:48,623
Mr. Earnest: I think
that's -- a waste of time

1250
00:53:48,625 --> 00:53:49,625
is your characterization.

1251
00:53:49,626 --> 00:53:51,226
I didn't say that.

1252
00:53:51,227 --> 00:53:52,227
George.

1253
00:53:52,228 --> 00:53:54,228
The Press: Yes, I wanted to
follow on your earlier

1254
00:53:54,230 --> 00:53:55,230
answer to Jeff.

1255
00:53:55,231 --> 00:53:57,771
When you hear the cries
of "dead on arrival,"

1256
00:53:57,767 --> 00:54:01,337
does that change your approach
to the budget in any way?

1257
00:54:01,338 --> 00:54:04,438
When you realize that both
houses of Congress are hostile

1258
00:54:04,441 --> 00:54:08,481
to specific things, do you
use the budget for broader

1259
00:54:08,478 --> 00:54:10,918
message-sending or
setting the agenda?

1260
00:54:10,914 --> 00:54:12,384
How do things change?

1261
00:54:12,382 --> 00:54:15,252
Mr. Earnest: Well, we certainly
are never pleased to see

1262
00:54:15,251 --> 00:54:19,151
Republicans unilaterally rule
out making any progress on

1263
00:54:19,155 --> 00:54:21,655
policies that are beneficial
to middle-class families,

1264
00:54:21,658 --> 00:54:23,658
but it certainly wouldn't
be the first time that

1265
00:54:23,660 --> 00:54:24,660
they've done that.

1266
00:54:24,661 --> 00:54:26,661
They've done that many
times, maybe even daily

1267
00:54:26,663 --> 00:54:27,833
over the last
several years.

1268
00:54:27,831 --> 00:54:31,331
And the President, by scratching
and fighting tooth and nail

1269
00:54:31,334 --> 00:54:33,604
for the middle class,
has enjoyed some success

1270
00:54:33,603 --> 00:54:36,403
in putting in place policies
that benefit the middle class.

1271
00:54:36,406 --> 00:54:38,876
The best example of this is in
the context of the fiscal cliff

1272
00:54:38,875 --> 00:54:43,145
negotiations at the end of
2012, that for years --

1273
00:54:43,146 --> 00:54:45,146
for decades, in fact,
Republicans have prided

1274
00:54:45,148 --> 00:54:48,648
themselves on blocking all
efforts to raise taxes.

1275
00:54:48,652 --> 00:54:51,592
Well, after fighting for four
years and following up on a

1276
00:54:51,588 --> 00:54:54,128
promise that he'd made as
a presidential candidate,

1277
00:54:54,124 --> 00:54:56,724
the President succeeded in
getting Congress -- with

1278
00:54:56,726 --> 00:54:59,626
Republican support -- to pass
legislation that raised taxes on

1279
00:54:59,629 --> 00:55:03,399
the wealthiest Americans and
protected tax cuts for the vast

1280
00:55:03,400 --> 00:55:06,040
majority of Americans, including
all middle-class families.

1281
00:55:06,036 --> 00:55:08,976
So that is one example of
Republicans pronouncing

1282
00:55:08,972 --> 00:55:10,972
something "dead on arrival,"
and then the President,

1283
00:55:13,743 --> 00:55:17,043
through sheer determination
and some political persuasion,

1284
00:55:17,047 --> 00:55:20,147
did succeed in getting that
policy across the finish line.

1285
00:55:20,150 --> 00:55:22,150
And we'll probably
have to do that again.

1286
00:55:22,152 --> 00:55:25,022
But there's no -- the
President has plenty of energy

1287
00:55:25,021 --> 00:55:27,891
and appetite for a fight
over policies that are

1288
00:55:27,891 --> 00:55:29,261
going to benefit
middle-class families.

1289
00:55:29,259 --> 00:55:30,759
The Press: But does your
approach to the budget change

1290
00:55:30,760 --> 00:55:34,130
in any way given the changed
reality on the Hill?

1291
00:55:34,130 --> 00:55:35,000
Mr. Earnest: Well, no.

1292
00:55:34,998 --> 00:55:37,098
And the reason for that is
simply that the budget is the

1293
00:55:37,100 --> 00:55:40,840
responsibility of the President
to lay out and to codify in

1294
00:55:40,837 --> 00:55:44,737
clear dollars and cents what
his priorities and values are.

1295
00:55:44,741 --> 00:55:47,841
Republicans will be responsible
for doing the same thing.

1296
00:55:47,844 --> 00:55:50,014
And as I mentioned, there's
never an expectation

1297
00:55:50,013 --> 00:55:55,453
on the part of any President
that the Congress is going

1298
00:55:55,452 --> 00:55:58,192
to pass every single
element of his budget.

1299
00:55:58,188 --> 00:56:00,188
That was even true when
Democrats were in charge

1300
00:56:00,190 --> 00:56:01,190
of the Congress.

1301
00:56:01,191 --> 00:56:03,361
And that was true when
Republican President Bush put

1302
00:56:03,359 --> 00:56:06,699
forward a budget proposal to
a Republican-led Congress.

1303
00:56:06,696 --> 00:56:09,866
He didn't have the expectation
that it was going to be passed

1304
00:56:09,866 --> 00:56:13,536
in whole by the Congress, but
yet it would serve as a clear

1305
00:56:13,536 --> 00:56:16,336
enunciation of that President's
values and priorities,

1306
00:56:16,339 --> 00:56:20,339
and I think often does
reasonably serve as a starting

1307
00:56:20,343 --> 00:56:21,783
point for negotiations.

1308
00:56:21,778 --> 00:56:24,378
And we've been clear about
the fact that any significant

1309
00:56:24,380 --> 00:56:26,120
legislation that passes
through the Congress will,

1310
00:56:26,116 --> 00:56:28,656
by definition, have to
have bipartisan support,

1311
00:56:28,651 --> 00:56:31,291
because it's going to be passed
by a Republican majority

1312
00:56:31,287 --> 00:56:33,287
and signed into law by a
Democratic President.

1313
00:56:33,289 --> 00:56:37,429
And certainly when it comes
to issues of the budget,

1314
00:56:37,427 --> 00:56:39,427
we'll be looking for common
ground and bipartisanship

1315
00:56:39,429 --> 00:56:40,429
there, too.

1316
00:56:40,430 --> 00:56:41,430
Kristen.

1317
00:56:41,431 --> 00:56:42,931
The Press: Josh, thanks.

1318
00:56:42,932 --> 00:56:44,102
I want to go back to
Congressman Schiff's

1319
00:56:44,100 --> 00:56:44,770
AUMF legislation.

1320
00:56:44,768 --> 00:56:47,468
It includes language that
would prohibit the use

1321
00:56:47,470 --> 00:56:49,510
of ground troops.

1322
00:56:49,506 --> 00:56:50,806
I know that Secretary
Kerry a while back,

1323
00:56:50,807 --> 00:56:53,777
he said that that shouldn't
be part of the AUMF language.

1324
00:56:53,777 --> 00:56:56,177
Does the administration
still stand by that?

1325
00:56:56,179 --> 00:56:58,279
Are you still opposed to
legislation that would prohibit

1326
00:56:58,281 --> 00:56:59,551
the use of ground troops?

1327
00:56:59,549 --> 00:57:01,319
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kristen, I'm
not going to be in a position

1328
00:57:01,317 --> 00:57:02,887
to negotiate the
language from here.

1329
00:57:02,886 --> 00:57:05,186
We are having private
negotiations with Democrats

1330
00:57:05,188 --> 00:57:06,558
and Republicans on the
Hill about what should

1331
00:57:06,556 --> 00:57:07,626
be included in the agreement.

1332
00:57:07,624 --> 00:57:07,994
But --

1333
00:57:07,991 --> 00:57:09,161
The Press: But
that seems like a very

1334
00:57:09,159 --> 00:57:10,559
basic tenet of any
piece of legislation.

1335
00:57:10,560 --> 00:57:12,600
I mean, the President has
said multiple times

1336
00:57:12,595 --> 00:57:14,735
that he's not going to
send U.S. troops --

1337
00:57:14,731 --> 00:57:16,431
put U.S. troops
on the ground.

1338
00:57:16,432 --> 00:57:19,672
So is that something that
you would be opposed to?

1339
00:57:19,669 --> 00:57:21,009
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, this
is something that we'll have

1340
00:57:21,004 --> 00:57:25,144
to work out with Democrats and
Republicans on Capitol Hill.

1341
00:57:25,141 --> 00:57:27,911
But I appreciate your raising
what is a principle that the

1342
00:57:27,911 --> 00:57:29,881
President has established from
the very first day he started

1343
00:57:29,879 --> 00:57:33,119
talking about ISIL, which is
that he does not believe

1344
00:57:33,116 --> 00:57:36,286
that it's in the best
interest of the United States

1345
00:57:36,286 --> 00:57:37,956
for us to commit a
significant contingent

1346
00:57:37,954 --> 00:57:42,224
of American ground troops in
a combat role to fight ISIL.

1347
00:57:42,225 --> 00:57:44,365
He believes that the best way
for us to do this is to put

1348
00:57:44,360 --> 00:57:47,630
American troops in a situation
where they can use their skills

1349
00:57:47,630 --> 00:57:50,230
and expertise to train up
local forces that can take

1350
00:57:50,233 --> 00:57:52,973
the fight to ISIL on the
ground in their own country.

1351
00:57:52,969 --> 00:57:54,909
The Press: Let me
ask you about Yemen.

1352
00:57:54,904 --> 00:57:56,874
There were some protestors
who were beaten back

1353
00:57:56,873 --> 00:58:01,073
by the opposition forces
in Sana'a on Wednesday.

1354
00:58:01,077 --> 00:58:02,447
Do you have any
reaction to that?

1355
00:58:02,445 --> 00:58:04,585
And have you been in
contact with any

1356
00:58:04,581 --> 00:58:07,551
of the opposition forces?

1357
00:58:11,087 --> 00:58:12,787
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kristen,
what I can tell you is that the

1358
00:58:12,789 --> 00:58:16,459
people of Yemen deserve a clear
path back to a legitimate

1359
00:58:16,459 --> 00:58:19,059
federal and unitary
Yemeni government,

1360
00:58:19,062 --> 00:58:21,362
consistent with the Gulf
Cooperation Council Initiative,

1361
00:58:21,364 --> 00:58:23,764
the outcomes of the National
Dialogue Conference,

1362
00:58:23,766 --> 00:58:25,866
U.N. Security Council
resolutions, and Yemeni law,

1363
00:58:25,869 --> 00:58:28,569
with clearly defined
timelines to finish writing

1364
00:58:28,571 --> 00:58:30,771
a Yemeni constitution, to
hold a referendum

1365
00:58:30,773 --> 00:58:33,613
on the constitution and then
to launch national elections.

1366
00:58:33,610 --> 00:58:37,380
The point is, we believe
that the transition that's

1367
00:58:37,380 --> 00:58:39,950
underway in Yemen should
be a peaceful one,

1368
00:58:39,949 --> 00:58:42,849
and we certainly would
not condone or approve

1369
00:58:42,852 --> 00:58:44,692
of any act of violence.

1370
00:58:44,687 --> 00:58:49,627
And we believe that ultimately
the government in Yemen,

1371
00:58:49,626 --> 00:58:51,626
after going through what
would be a difficult

1372
00:58:51,628 --> 00:58:53,828
and time-consuming process,
is one that should

1373
00:58:53,830 --> 00:58:55,930
reflect previous agreements
that have been made

1374
00:58:55,932 --> 00:58:57,932
and, more importantly,
should reflect the will

1375
00:58:57,934 --> 00:58:58,934
of the Yemeni people.

1376
00:58:58,935 --> 00:58:59,935
And that's difficult work.

1377
00:58:59,936 --> 00:59:01,936
As we've been talking about
here in the context of some

1378
00:59:01,938 --> 00:59:04,608
of these other things,
democracy is messy,

1379
00:59:04,607 --> 00:59:07,477
but we do believe that the
Yemeni people will benefit

1380
00:59:07,477 --> 00:59:09,447
from having a government
that reflects their will.

1381
00:59:09,445 --> 00:59:14,355
And we would encourage all of
the parties in this ongoing

1382
00:59:14,350 --> 00:59:16,820
dispute here to subscribe
to that principle.

1383
00:59:16,819 --> 00:59:18,019
The Press: And I guess what
I'm trying to nail down,

1384
00:59:18,021 --> 00:59:20,621
though -- has anyone from this
administration been in contact

1385
00:59:20,623 --> 00:59:25,793
with the opposition forces,
with outgoing President Hadi?

1386
00:59:25,795 --> 00:59:27,465
Who are you in
contact with there?

1387
00:59:27,463 --> 00:59:30,933
Mr. Earnest: Well, I can tell
you that in the context of all

1388
00:59:30,934 --> 00:59:35,734
of Yemen's communities and
parties to this dispute,

1389
00:59:35,738 --> 00:59:38,808
we've been in touch with many of
them about the latest political

1390
00:59:38,808 --> 00:59:41,178
developments and to try to
ensure the safety of the

1391
00:59:41,177 --> 00:59:44,347
American personnel that
are still in Yemen.

1392
00:59:44,347 --> 00:59:47,117
But I don't have any specific
conversations to read out.

1393
00:59:47,116 --> 00:59:50,716
But certainly we're interested
in engaging at a political level

1394
00:59:50,720 --> 00:59:53,260
to try to advance our
interests in that country,

1395
00:59:53,256 --> 00:59:57,456
and to encourage them to pursue
and resolve their differences

1396
00:59:57,460 --> 00:59:59,460
peacefully in a way that's
in the best interest

1397
00:59:59,462 --> 01:00:00,462
of their people.

1398
01:00:00,463 --> 01:00:02,463
The Press: And then just trying
again at one -- and I know

1399
01:00:02,465 --> 01:00:04,105
you've gotten this question
before -- but the President has

1400
01:00:04,100 --> 01:00:06,740
been insistent that U.S. counterterrorism operations

1401
01:00:06,736 --> 01:00:09,006
aren't going to be
impacted by these new

1402
01:00:09,005 --> 01:00:11,205
opposition forces who are
now in control.

1403
01:00:11,207 --> 01:00:13,477
But how is that possible
in the long term?

1404
01:00:13,476 --> 01:00:16,346
I know that there were reports
of recent drone strikes there.

1405
01:00:16,346 --> 01:00:18,286
But how can that be possible
in the long term if you don't

1406
01:00:18,281 --> 01:00:22,281
have the cooperation of
the party in power there?

1407
01:00:22,285 --> 01:00:24,725
Mr. Earnest: Well, let me say
a couple things about that.

1408
01:00:24,721 --> 01:00:26,721
I have seen the reports
that you're referring

1409
01:00:26,723 --> 01:00:28,993
to about some drone
strikes in Yemen.

1410
01:00:28,992 --> 01:00:30,992
I don't have any
comment on those.

1411
01:00:30,994 --> 01:00:35,094
I can neither confirm
nor deny their existence.

1412
01:00:35,098 --> 01:00:39,268
But what I can is I can tell you
that we do continue to have an

1413
01:00:39,268 --> 01:00:42,968
ongoing security relationship
with the national security

1414
01:00:42,972 --> 01:00:46,012
infrastructure in Yemen, some
of which -- much of which

1415
01:00:46,009 --> 01:00:47,009
is still functioning.

1416
01:00:47,010 --> 01:00:51,680
So there are still coordinated
efforts underway to apply

1417
01:00:51,681 --> 01:00:56,251
pressure on AQAP leaders in
Yemen and to diminish their

1418
01:00:56,252 --> 01:00:57,322
operational capability.

1419
01:00:57,320 --> 01:00:59,890
And that's something that
requires a lot of vigilance

1420
01:00:59,889 --> 01:01:02,829
and a lot of work, and it's
something that continues

1421
01:01:02,825 --> 01:01:04,025
to this day.

1422
01:01:04,027 --> 01:01:10,637
That said, we have also been
pretty forthright about the fact

1423
01:01:10,633 --> 01:01:15,703
that our security efforts there,
our counterterrorism efforts

1424
01:01:15,705 --> 01:01:20,275
there are enhanced when we have
a good partner in the central

1425
01:01:20,276 --> 01:01:22,816
government and it's a central
government that reflects

1426
01:01:22,812 --> 01:01:23,812
the will of the people.

1427
01:01:23,813 --> 01:01:26,583
And that's one of the reasons
that we have an interest in the

1428
01:01:26,582 --> 01:01:28,952
peaceful resolution of this
ongoing political dispute in

1429
01:01:28,951 --> 01:01:31,951
Yemen, is that it will enhance
our ability to coordinate with

1430
01:01:31,954 --> 01:01:34,124
that government and carry out
counterterrorism operations that

1431
01:01:34,123 --> 01:01:36,123
are in the best interests of
American national security.

1432
01:01:36,125 --> 01:01:39,325
So the point is, we do want
these problems to be resolved.

1433
01:01:39,328 --> 01:01:42,028
It will be in the best
interest of the United States.

1434
01:01:42,031 --> 01:01:46,331
But our ongoing counterterrorism
efforts against AQAP continue

1435
01:01:46,335 --> 01:01:48,105
to this minute.

1436
01:01:48,104 --> 01:01:48,904
Kevin.

1437
01:01:48,905 --> 01:01:49,775
The Press: Josh, thanks.

1438
01:01:49,772 --> 01:01:53,342
How concerned is the White House
at the plight of congressional

1439
01:01:53,342 --> 01:01:56,382
leaders on both sides of the
aisle facing the specter of

1440
01:01:56,379 --> 01:02:00,319
sequestration, knowing that they
may have to make incredibly

1441
01:02:00,316 --> 01:02:03,686
difficult choices that could
impact national security,

1442
01:02:03,686 --> 01:02:06,056
holding the line on the
budget and yet making

1443
01:02:06,055 --> 01:02:08,055
sure the Pentagon is
properly funded?

1444
01:02:08,057 --> 01:02:10,057
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kevin, this
is one of the reasons that the

1445
01:02:10,059 --> 01:02:12,059
administration is going to
put forward a budget that

1446
01:02:12,061 --> 01:02:14,801
actually raises the
caps on sequestration,

1447
01:02:14,797 --> 01:02:19,467
that we believe that important
investments in non-defense

1448
01:02:19,469 --> 01:02:22,309
programs that benefit the
middle class are important,

1449
01:02:22,305 --> 01:02:24,675
but so are programs that will
benefit our national security.

1450
01:02:24,674 --> 01:02:29,214
And you've heard any number of
our military leaders articulate

1451
01:02:29,212 --> 01:02:32,682
the concerns that they have with
sequestration and the impact

1452
01:02:32,682 --> 01:02:36,622
it has had on the ability of
our men and women in uniform

1453
01:02:36,619 --> 01:02:38,059
to keep the country safe.

1454
01:02:38,054 --> 01:02:39,054
Let me just read
you one quote from

1455
01:02:39,055 --> 01:02:40,725
the Chief of
Naval Operations.

1456
01:02:40,723 --> 01:02:42,693
He said that, "With each
year of sequestration,

1457
01:02:42,692 --> 01:02:45,062
the loss of force structure,
readiness and future investments

1458
01:02:45,061 --> 01:02:49,001
would cause our options to
become increasingly constrained

1459
01:02:48,998 --> 01:02:50,368
and drastic."

1460
01:02:50,366 --> 01:02:52,806
The Chief of Staff of the
Army, General Odierno,

1461
01:02:52,802 --> 01:02:55,102
said that "Sequestration is the
single greatest barrier

1462
01:02:55,104 --> 01:02:57,104
to the effectiveness of
our armed forces."

1463
01:02:57,106 --> 01:02:59,076
So this administration
has been very clear,

1464
01:02:59,075 --> 01:03:02,515
as have our military
leaders, about the fact that

1465
01:03:02,512 --> 01:03:04,012
sequestration is a bad policy.

1466
01:03:04,013 --> 01:03:06,013
It's certainly been
bad for our economy,

1467
01:03:06,015 --> 01:03:08,015
and it's bad for our
national security as well.

1468
01:03:08,017 --> 01:03:10,017
And that's why the President
proposes to end it.

1469
01:03:10,019 --> 01:03:11,689
The Press: And that
will come primarily from

1470
01:03:11,687 --> 01:03:15,487
tax cuts -- taxes?

1471
01:03:15,491 --> 01:03:17,191
Mr. Earnest: Well, the way that
the President believes that we

1472
01:03:17,193 --> 01:03:19,663
should pay for some of these new
investments that are needed

1473
01:03:19,662 --> 01:03:21,802
is by closing loopholes
that benefit the wealthy

1474
01:03:21,797 --> 01:03:22,797
and the well-connected.

1475
01:03:22,798 --> 01:03:26,298
The President believes that if
making the investments that are

1476
01:03:26,302 --> 01:03:28,972
necessary to the national
security of the United States

1477
01:03:28,971 --> 01:03:31,371
means that some of our financial
firms on Wall Street have to pay

1478
01:03:31,374 --> 01:03:33,374
just a little bit more, the
President believes that's

1479
01:03:33,376 --> 01:03:35,346
a good policy choice, and
it's one we'll pursue.

1480
01:03:35,344 --> 01:03:37,444
If Republicans disagree with
that they're welcome to do so,

1481
01:03:37,446 --> 01:03:40,316
but it certainly means that
their policies and their

1482
01:03:40,316 --> 01:03:42,316
values and their priorities
deserve some scrutiny.

1483
01:03:42,318 --> 01:03:45,158
The Press: Let me ask you
something that happened on FOX

1484
01:03:45,154 --> 01:03:48,024
News last night on Special
Report with Bret Baier.

1485
01:03:48,024 --> 01:03:51,494
House Speaker John Boehner
made the suggestion that

1486
01:03:51,494 --> 01:03:58,434
the Republicans will offer
an alternative to Obamacare,

1487
01:03:58,434 --> 01:04:00,574
for lack of a
better description.

1488
01:04:00,570 --> 01:04:04,240
I'm just curious, can you
tell me what you think

1489
01:04:04,240 --> 01:04:05,940
about that possibility?

1490
01:04:05,942 --> 01:04:08,382
And is this good
for the dialogue,

1491
01:04:08,377 --> 01:04:10,917
to have the Republicans offer
up something that would

1492
01:04:10,913 --> 01:04:13,183
be an alternative to the
Affordable Care Act?

1493
01:04:13,182 --> 01:04:16,252
Mr. Earnest: We'll believe
it when we see it, Kevin.

1494
01:04:16,252 --> 01:04:17,892
J.C.

1495
01:04:17,887 --> 01:04:21,487
The Press: To follow up on
my colleague's question,

1496
01:04:21,490 --> 01:04:23,790
there's been -- can you tell us
whether or not you believe that

1497
01:04:23,793 --> 01:04:31,203
Iran is directly or indirectly
involved in the Houthis

1498
01:04:31,200 --> 01:04:34,300
insurgent activities
in Yemen presently?

1499
01:04:34,303 --> 01:04:35,773
Mr. Earnest: We have expressed
some concern in the past,

1500
01:04:35,771 --> 01:04:40,311
J.C., about the links between
the Houthis and the Iranian

1501
01:04:40,309 --> 01:04:43,209
military and some of
their security apparatus.

1502
01:04:43,212 --> 01:04:44,912
We do have concerns
about that.

1503
01:04:44,914 --> 01:04:48,414
At this point, we do not have
any indication that Iranian

1504
01:04:48,417 --> 01:04:51,187
military leaders, or
any Iranians, frankly,

1505
01:04:51,187 --> 01:04:54,757
are exercising any specific
command-and-control functions,

1506
01:04:54,757 --> 01:04:58,297
but we do continue to be
concerned about the influence

1507
01:04:58,294 --> 01:05:00,694
and some of the connections
and ties between the Houthis,

1508
01:05:00,696 --> 01:05:03,366
their leaders and Iran.

1509
01:05:03,366 --> 01:05:04,366
Francesca.

1510
01:05:04,367 --> 01:05:07,237
The Press: Yes,
thanks, Josh.

1511
01:05:07,236 --> 01:05:10,176
The Army concluded
its investigation into

1512
01:05:10,172 --> 01:05:12,742
Bowe Bergdahl's
disappearance several

1513
01:05:12,742 --> 01:05:13,972
months ago.

1514
01:05:13,976 --> 01:05:14,846
When is that
report coming out?

1515
01:05:14,844 --> 01:05:15,944
Mr. Earnest: That's a
question that you should

1516
01:05:15,945 --> 01:05:17,545
direct to the
Department of Defense.

1517
01:05:17,546 --> 01:05:20,346
They can give you a sense of the
status of that negotiation --

1518
01:05:20,349 --> 01:05:22,519
or the status of that
investigation.

1519
01:05:22,518 --> 01:05:24,518
That's obviously an
independent investigation

1520
01:05:24,520 --> 01:05:26,520
that's being conducted by
the United States Army,

1521
01:05:26,522 --> 01:05:28,522
so I don't have any insight
into the status of it.

1522
01:05:28,524 --> 01:05:30,964
The Press: On a related note,
if it's patently false that

1523
01:05:30,960 --> 01:05:33,700
they're going to charge
him with desertion,

1524
01:05:33,696 --> 01:05:36,396
why was he not at
the State of Union?

1525
01:05:36,399 --> 01:05:38,569
Allan Gross was at
the State of Union.

1526
01:05:38,567 --> 01:05:40,467
He was someone else
who was in a prison for

1527
01:05:40,469 --> 01:05:42,539
five years and released
in a prisoner swap.

1528
01:05:42,538 --> 01:05:45,378
So why was Bowe Bergdahl
not at the State of Union?

1529
01:05:45,374 --> 01:05:47,744
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
what my colleague over at the

1530
01:05:47,743 --> 01:05:49,943
Pentagon said was patently
false was that the Army --

1531
01:05:49,945 --> 01:05:51,615
or that the Army investigator
had made a decision

1532
01:05:51,614 --> 01:05:53,384
about his case.

1533
01:05:53,382 --> 01:05:55,952
It's my understanding -- again,
according to the comments

1534
01:05:55,951 --> 01:05:57,851
from my colleague over
at the Pentagon --

1535
01:05:57,853 --> 01:06:02,523
that that investigation
is still ongoing.

1536
01:06:02,525 --> 01:06:04,525
And so when they have an update
in terms of that status,

1537
01:06:04,527 --> 01:06:06,527
it will come from
them, not from us.

1538
01:06:06,529 --> 01:06:08,369
The Press: And lastly, really
quickly, the Prayer Breakfast,

1539
01:06:08,364 --> 01:06:10,034
is Obama going?

1540
01:06:10,032 --> 01:06:11,472
Mr. Earnest: The
President has in the past

1541
01:06:11,467 --> 01:06:12,907
attended the National
Prayer Breakfast.

1542
01:06:12,902 --> 01:06:14,742
I haven't looked at his
schedule for next week,

1543
01:06:14,737 --> 01:06:17,477
but I'd be surprised
if he didn't attend.

1544
01:06:17,473 --> 01:06:18,713
Alexis.

1545
01:06:18,708 --> 01:06:20,508
The Press: Josh, I have
a quick budget question.

1546
01:06:20,509 --> 01:06:25,119
There are budget groups and
members on the Hill who will

1547
01:06:25,114 --> 01:06:27,154
be reading the President's
budget document,

1548
01:06:27,149 --> 01:06:31,119
looking at how he treats
long-term debt and the problem

1549
01:06:31,120 --> 01:06:33,220
of mandatory entitlement.

1550
01:06:33,222 --> 01:06:35,622
If reading that, in reading
the President's budget,

1551
01:06:35,624 --> 01:06:39,364
he does not have any explicit
proposals of his own to deal

1552
01:06:39,362 --> 01:06:43,602
with that particularly problem,
whether it's chained CPI

1553
01:06:43,599 --> 01:06:46,339
for Social Security or
Medicare changes,

1554
01:06:46,335 --> 01:06:51,075
should we interpret that as his
being open to negotiations

1555
01:06:51,073 --> 01:06:54,443
with the Hill as the budget
is developed later on?

1556
01:06:54,443 --> 01:06:57,483
Or is it because he'll be
saying that that really isn't

1557
01:06:57,480 --> 01:06:59,850
a problem that needs to be
addressed right now because

1558
01:06:59,849 --> 01:07:03,449
of the Affordable Care
Act or other initiatives?

1559
01:07:03,452 --> 01:07:04,282
Mr. Earnest: That's a
very creative way

1560
01:07:04,286 --> 01:07:06,086
to ask the question.

1561
01:07:06,088 --> 01:07:10,698
And so even though my instinct
is to dismiss it and say we'll

1562
01:07:10,693 --> 01:07:15,293
be able to speak in greater
detail about this on Monday

1563
01:07:15,297 --> 01:07:17,167
when the budget is
released, I will, however,

1564
01:07:17,166 --> 01:07:18,406
point out a couple of
things that I think are

1565
01:07:18,401 --> 01:07:21,501
relevant to the question
that you've asked.

1566
01:07:21,504 --> 01:07:23,374
The first is that there
are, as you point out,

1567
01:07:23,372 --> 01:07:26,012
a number of policies that this
administration has put in place

1568
01:07:26,008 --> 01:07:31,278
that will have a positive
impact in our deficit picture,

1569
01:07:31,280 --> 01:07:33,280
things like the
Affordable Care Act,

1570
01:07:33,282 --> 01:07:35,822
that there are significant
government savings associated

1571
01:07:35,818 --> 01:07:37,818
with the implementation of
the Affordable Care Act.

1572
01:07:37,820 --> 01:07:39,990
Those savings only get
bigger in the out-years.

1573
01:07:39,989 --> 01:07:42,989
So when we're talking about
reducing our long-term deficit

1574
01:07:42,992 --> 01:07:46,032
and debt, the effective
implementation of the Affordable

1575
01:07:46,028 --> 01:07:48,028
Care Act is an
important part of that.

1576
01:07:48,030 --> 01:07:50,130
And it will have
significant and positive

1577
01:07:50,132 --> 01:07:52,772
impact on our long-term
deficit picture.

1578
01:07:52,768 --> 01:07:53,768
That's the first thing.

1579
01:07:53,769 --> 01:07:55,869
That's also true of some of the
other policies the President

1580
01:07:55,871 --> 01:07:59,071
has been advocating for,
including immigration reform,

1581
01:07:59,074 --> 01:08:02,144
that there are billions that
we could save by reforming our

1582
01:08:02,144 --> 01:08:03,484
broken immigration system.

1583
01:08:03,479 --> 01:08:05,919
But Republicans who profess
to support deficit reduction

1584
01:08:05,915 --> 01:08:08,985
and be concerned about
our debt have blocked

1585
01:08:08,984 --> 01:08:10,954
that common-sense
bipartisan proposal,

1586
01:08:10,953 --> 01:08:12,653
much to our consternation.

1587
01:08:12,655 --> 01:08:17,195
The last thing I'll say is
that the President, of course,

1588
01:08:17,193 --> 01:08:19,833
is open to having a conversation
with Republicans about what

1589
01:08:19,829 --> 01:08:24,069
we can do to address our
longer-term debt picture.

1590
01:08:24,066 --> 01:08:26,906
That said, the President is not
going to reduce our debt solely

1591
01:08:26,902 --> 01:08:29,072
on the back of our seniors and
our middle-class families.

1592
01:08:29,071 --> 01:08:30,441
He's not going to do it.

1593
01:08:30,439 --> 01:08:32,439
The President -- that's been
a core principle since this

1594
01:08:32,441 --> 01:08:34,081
President took office.

1595
01:08:34,076 --> 01:08:37,446
We have succeeded in reducing
our deficit dramatically since

1596
01:08:37,446 --> 01:08:38,446
the President took office.

1597
01:08:38,447 --> 01:08:40,947
And we've done that without
making seniors and the middle

1598
01:08:40,950 --> 01:08:42,950
class bear all of the load.

1599
01:08:45,187 --> 01:08:47,227
And we're certainly not going
to impose that kind of burden

1600
01:08:47,223 --> 01:08:49,993
on seniors and the
middle class to reduce

1601
01:08:49,992 --> 01:08:52,062
our longer-term deficit.

1602
01:08:52,061 --> 01:08:53,131
The Press: Let me follow
up on Mara's question

1603
01:08:53,128 --> 01:08:55,028
to you about Guantanamo,
the naval base.

1604
01:08:55,030 --> 01:08:57,170
A few weeks ago when you
were asked about this,

1605
01:08:57,166 --> 01:08:59,866
you said you knew of
no -- if I recall,

1606
01:08:59,869 --> 01:09:03,709
you said you knew of
no concept or proposal.

1607
01:09:03,706 --> 01:09:05,176
And you're much firmer today.

1608
01:09:05,174 --> 01:09:07,844
And I just want to know is it
because you went and checked,

1609
01:09:07,843 --> 01:09:09,383
and it turned out we
don't have any plans?

1610
01:09:09,378 --> 01:09:12,478
Or is it because that was
sort of in the atmosphere,

1611
01:09:12,481 --> 01:09:14,681
and then the President has
now decided that is not

1612
01:09:14,683 --> 01:09:15,353
going to happen?

1613
01:09:15,351 --> 01:09:17,821
Mr. Earnest: No, this is, in my
undying effort to try to provide

1614
01:09:17,820 --> 01:09:20,090
you with more information about
the views of the administration,

1615
01:09:20,089 --> 01:09:22,459
I was able to obtain additional
information that allows

1616
01:09:22,458 --> 01:09:25,928
me to conclusively rule out
any discussion about returning

1617
01:09:25,928 --> 01:09:29,528
the military base in
Guantanamo Bay to the Cubans.

1618
01:09:29,532 --> 01:09:30,062
Laura.

1619
01:09:30,065 --> 01:09:31,435
The Press: I have a
follow-up on Guantanamo.

1620
01:09:31,433 --> 01:09:32,063
Mr. Earnest: Okay.

1621
01:09:32,067 --> 01:09:35,307
The Press: How, with your
Republican Congress,

1622
01:09:35,304 --> 01:09:37,504
can the President
close Guantanamo?

1623
01:09:37,506 --> 01:09:40,076
Mr. Earnest: Well, we have
been clear about the fact that

1624
01:09:40,075 --> 01:09:42,145
Republicans in Congress -- and
this is true of some Democrats,

1625
01:09:42,144 --> 01:09:44,784
too -- that they have put in
place obstacles that are making

1626
01:09:44,780 --> 01:09:46,680
this process very difficult.

1627
01:09:46,682 --> 01:09:48,682
And that is not in the
best interest of our

1628
01:09:48,684 --> 01:09:49,314
national security.

1629
01:09:49,318 --> 01:09:51,418
The President believes that
that prison should be closed.

1630
01:09:51,420 --> 01:09:52,860
And if we got cooperation
from Congress,

1631
01:09:52,855 --> 01:09:55,655
that's something that we could
do in relatively short order.

1632
01:09:55,658 --> 01:09:57,658
But because of legislative
obstacles that have been thrown

1633
01:09:57,660 --> 01:10:01,330
up repeatedly by
members of Congress,

1634
01:10:01,330 --> 01:10:03,330
this effort has become
much more difficult.

1635
01:10:03,332 --> 01:10:05,472
But the President is determined
to try to make progress

1636
01:10:05,467 --> 01:10:07,707
and we're going to
continue to work on this.

1637
01:10:07,703 --> 01:10:09,873
And this I think would
sort of be an example

1638
01:10:09,872 --> 01:10:12,442
of the President scratching
and clawing to try

1639
01:10:12,441 --> 01:10:14,441
to do what he thinks is in the
best interest of the country,

1640
01:10:14,443 --> 01:10:16,883
even over the objections of
some members of Congress.

1641
01:10:16,879 --> 01:10:19,149
The Press: Can the President
do an executive order

1642
01:10:19,148 --> 01:10:20,218
to close Guantanamo?

1643
01:10:20,215 --> 01:10:22,215
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think at
this point the President is

1644
01:10:22,217 --> 01:10:24,217
doing everything that he can and
is going to consider any new

1645
01:10:24,219 --> 01:10:26,759
ideas that anybody has to
try to continue to make

1646
01:10:26,755 --> 01:10:28,155
progress on this.

1647
01:10:28,157 --> 01:10:29,487
The Press: An executive order?

1648
01:10:29,491 --> 01:10:30,491
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
have anything to preview

1649
01:10:30,492 --> 01:10:31,692
at this point.

1650
01:10:31,694 --> 01:10:32,664
Bill.

1651
01:10:32,661 --> 01:10:36,301
The Press: How can the Afghan
Taliban not be considered

1652
01:10:36,298 --> 01:10:39,038
a terrorist organization
for purposes of the rest

1653
01:10:39,034 --> 01:10:41,904
of the U.S. government, when
the Treasury considers

1654
01:10:41,904 --> 01:10:44,374
it, and when it
has a long history

1655
01:10:44,373 --> 01:10:46,773
of terrorist acts -- why?

1656
01:10:46,775 --> 01:10:47,815
Mr. Earnest: Well,
I think, Bill,

1657
01:10:47,810 --> 01:10:51,280
because what we have done is
it's clear that there is a

1658
01:10:51,280 --> 01:10:54,780
difference between the ambitions
that are expressed by the

1659
01:10:54,783 --> 01:10:57,283
Taliban and the ambitions that
are expressed by al Qaeda.

1660
01:10:57,286 --> 01:11:00,226
The Press: So it hangs entirely
on the fact that they are local

1661
01:11:00,222 --> 01:11:01,722
and al Qaeda is international?

1662
01:11:01,724 --> 01:11:04,194
Mr. Earnest: Well, it certainly
makes clear that their

1663
01:11:04,193 --> 01:11:05,463
aspirations are different.

1664
01:11:05,461 --> 01:11:07,761
It means that they're a threat
to the American people and our

1665
01:11:07,763 --> 01:11:09,403
interests are different.

1666
01:11:09,398 --> 01:11:12,868
The Taliban is very dangerous
and we have expended significant

1667
01:11:12,868 --> 01:11:16,068
sums of money and American
servicemembers have given their

1668
01:11:16,071 --> 01:11:19,141
lives fighting the Taliban
because they do pose a threat

1669
01:11:19,141 --> 01:11:21,711
to American interests and
to American servicemembers

1670
01:11:21,710 --> 01:11:22,810
inside of Afghanistan.

1671
01:11:22,811 --> 01:11:27,021
And we have used some financial
sanctions instruments to try

1672
01:11:27,016 --> 01:11:30,956
to limit the capacity of the
Taliban by imposing the

1673
01:11:30,953 --> 01:11:31,953
sanctions against them.

1674
01:11:31,954 --> 01:11:34,994
But there's no doubt that the
threat from the Taliban is

1675
01:11:34,990 --> 01:11:37,030
different than the threat
that is posed by al Qaeda.

1676
01:11:37,026 --> 01:11:42,136
The Press: Yes, but it may be
smaller in scope but what is the

1677
01:11:42,131 --> 01:11:43,001
real difference?

1678
01:11:42,998 --> 01:11:44,138
I mean, why?

1679
01:11:44,133 --> 01:11:45,063
Mr. Earnest: Well,
the difference, Bill,

1680
01:11:45,067 --> 01:11:48,037
is simply that the threat
that they pose is different;

1681
01:11:48,037 --> 01:11:54,977
that the threat from the
Taliban is acute if you are

1682
01:11:54,977 --> 01:11:58,147
a servicemember serving in
Afghanistan or if you are a U.S.

1683
01:11:58,147 --> 01:12:01,047
diplomat or a contractor that
is working in Afghanistan.

1684
01:12:01,050 --> 01:12:02,480
The Press: So why
aren't they terrorists?

1685
01:12:02,484 --> 01:12:03,684
The Press: But isn't every
terrorist group a little

1686
01:12:03,686 --> 01:12:05,686
different from every
other terrorist group?

1687
01:12:05,688 --> 01:12:07,258
Mr. Earnest: They
are, but in this case,

1688
01:12:07,256 --> 01:12:09,896
there is a clear difference
between the aspirations that

1689
01:12:09,892 --> 01:12:11,932
have been articulated by the
Taliban and the way that they

1690
01:12:11,927 --> 01:12:14,967
carry out -- or the way that
they resort to some of their

1691
01:12:14,963 --> 01:12:19,433
terror tactics and the terror
attacks that are carried

1692
01:12:19,435 --> 01:12:21,505
out by al Qaeda.

1693
01:12:21,503 --> 01:12:23,543
There's no denying the
fact that these are

1694
01:12:23,539 --> 01:12:25,279
very dangerous organizations.

1695
01:12:25,274 --> 01:12:26,774
And that's why the
United States government,

1696
01:12:26,775 --> 01:12:28,375
under the leadership
of this President,

1697
01:12:28,377 --> 01:12:31,517
has devoted significant
resources to defeating them.

1698
01:12:31,513 --> 01:12:34,783
And we're going to continue
to implement our strategy

1699
01:12:34,783 --> 01:12:39,123
in Afghanistan that has now
turned over the responsibility

1700
01:12:39,121 --> 01:12:41,821
for the security in Afghanistan
to Afghan security forces

1701
01:12:41,824 --> 01:12:42,924
and their central government.

1702
01:12:42,925 --> 01:12:45,065
And we're going to continue to
support them as they take

1703
01:12:45,060 --> 01:12:46,300
the fight to the Taliban.

1704
01:12:46,295 --> 01:12:49,965
This is not a situation of
underestimating the Taliban.

1705
01:12:49,965 --> 01:12:51,635
The President is keenly
aware of how dangerous this

1706
01:12:51,633 --> 01:12:52,603
organization is.

1707
01:12:52,601 --> 01:12:58,371
And it's why we are forthright
about the fact that American

1708
01:12:58,373 --> 01:13:01,213
personnel serving in Afghanistan
continue to face a threat.

1709
01:13:01,210 --> 01:13:04,150
And we have not ruled out
that there would be some

1710
01:13:04,146 --> 01:13:07,946
situations in which U.S. servicemembers would still

1711
01:13:07,950 --> 01:13:10,950
carry out operations
in self-defense

1712
01:13:10,953 --> 01:13:13,393
against the Taliban or
other terrorists who are

1713
01:13:13,388 --> 01:13:14,828
operating in Afghanistan.

1714
01:13:14,823 --> 01:13:18,293
The Press: Are you suggesting
that the Afghan Taliban doesn't

1715
01:13:18,293 --> 01:13:23,803
operate outside of attacks on
our personnel in Afghanistan --

1716
01:13:23,799 --> 01:13:25,069
Mr. Earnest: No, in fact --

1717
01:13:25,067 --> 01:13:26,197
The Press: -- therefore
they're not terrorists?

1718
01:13:26,201 --> 01:13:29,301
Mr. Earnest: In fact, Bill, the
Taliban in Afghanistan have

1719
01:13:29,304 --> 01:13:31,444
actually carried out more
attacks against the Afghan

1720
01:13:31,440 --> 01:13:33,680
people than they
have even Americans,

1721
01:13:33,675 --> 01:13:36,475
which is why we support the
Afghan central government

1722
01:13:36,478 --> 01:13:37,718
in trying to defeat them.

1723
01:13:37,713 --> 01:13:39,353
The Press: But why
aren't they terrorists?

1724
01:13:39,348 --> 01:13:42,848
We're just asking, why aren't
they a terrorist group?

1725
01:13:42,851 --> 01:13:45,391
Simply, why aren't
they a terrorist group?

1726
01:13:45,387 --> 01:13:46,957
Mr. Earnest: Right, and what
I'm saying is that we have been

1727
01:13:46,955 --> 01:13:48,825
very clear about what our
strategy is to defeat them.

1728
01:13:48,824 --> 01:13:50,094
And it's different
than the strategy --

1729
01:13:50,092 --> 01:13:50,892
The Press: But that's not
what we're asking you.

1730
01:13:50,893 --> 01:13:51,923
Mr. Earnest: But that's
different than the strategy

1731
01:13:51,927 --> 01:13:53,467
that we have employed
against al Qaeda.

1732
01:13:53,462 --> 01:13:55,932
The Press: Is it because we
don't negotiate with terrorists

1733
01:13:55,931 --> 01:13:59,571
and yet we negotiated for the
release of Sergeant Bergdahl?

1734
01:13:59,568 --> 01:14:01,238
Mr. Earnest: Well, Bill, we've
been clear about the fact that

1735
01:14:01,236 --> 01:14:04,906
the conversations with the
Taliban were executed through

1736
01:14:04,907 --> 01:14:08,377
the Qatari government and
that that's the way that

1737
01:14:08,377 --> 01:14:10,147
that release was secured.

1738
01:14:10,145 --> 01:14:12,945
The Press: There
was a quid pro quo.

1739
01:14:12,948 --> 01:14:15,518
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
know if that Latin phrase is

1740
01:14:15,517 --> 01:14:19,157
appropriate in this situation
but there was an agreement to

1741
01:14:19,154 --> 01:14:23,194
secure the release of Sergeant
Bergdahl and it was predicated

1742
01:14:23,192 --> 01:14:26,632
on a core value, a principle
that this Commander-in-Chief

1743
01:14:26,628 --> 01:14:29,168
subscribes to, which is that
somebody who signs up to serve

1744
01:14:29,164 --> 01:14:31,164
in our Armed Forces is not
going to get left behind.

1745
01:14:31,166 --> 01:14:33,306
The Press: And, by the way, how
is that any different from

1746
01:14:33,302 --> 01:14:36,772
the Jordanians possibly
trading for their prisoner?

1747
01:14:36,772 --> 01:14:38,772
Mr. Earnest: That's a
reasonable question,

1748
01:14:38,774 --> 01:14:40,774
but it's a question
that you should ask

1749
01:14:40,776 --> 01:14:41,776
the Jordanian government.

1750
01:14:41,777 --> 01:14:42,777
David.

1751
01:14:42,778 --> 01:14:43,778
The Press: Josh, just following
up on Margaret's question about

1752
01:14:43,779 --> 01:14:47,119
the event later today in
Philadelphia and trade issues.

1753
01:14:47,115 --> 01:14:51,355
Just this week, Republican
committees or -led committees

1754
01:14:51,353 --> 01:14:53,393
in the Senate and House had
hearings on the President's

1755
01:14:53,388 --> 01:14:56,188
trade agenda with Mike Froman
there, and at those hearings,

1756
01:14:56,191 --> 01:14:58,761
they're suggesting that they
may go forward with a bill that

1757
01:14:58,760 --> 01:15:00,900
could give the President more
authority to sort of do some

1758
01:15:00,896 --> 01:15:02,336
of these trade deals.

1759
01:15:02,331 --> 01:15:04,471
But they said specifically the
President needs to get on the

1760
01:15:04,466 --> 01:15:07,336
phone and make the case to
fellow Democrats to get this

1761
01:15:07,336 --> 01:15:09,406
across the finish line, to get
those final votes we need.

1762
01:15:09,404 --> 01:15:12,444
The President not making sort
of a proactive statement today

1763
01:15:12,441 --> 01:15:14,841
on this issue, is that to imply
that he doesn't think his

1764
01:15:14,843 --> 01:15:17,843
voice is important to carry
the day and to keep that

1765
01:15:17,846 --> 01:15:18,846
message out there?

1766
01:15:18,847 --> 01:15:21,317
Is the White House really just
going to answer questions rather

1767
01:15:21,316 --> 01:15:23,316
than sort of proactively
push for this?

1768
01:15:23,318 --> 01:15:25,318
Mr. Earnest: That's
a good question.

1769
01:15:25,320 --> 01:15:27,320
I guess I would say that for
those who wonder why the

1770
01:15:27,322 --> 01:15:29,322
President doesn't pick up the
phone and make the case directly

1771
01:15:29,324 --> 01:15:31,324
to Democrats, I'd actually say
that he's doing them one better.

1772
01:15:31,326 --> 01:15:33,326
He's going to go get on an
airplane, fly to Philadelphia,

1773
01:15:33,328 --> 01:15:35,328
go to where the House
Democrats are meeting,

1774
01:15:35,330 --> 01:15:37,330
and make the case
to them in person.

1775
01:15:37,332 --> 01:15:39,872
I think the reason that -- the
President's proactive case

1776
01:15:39,868 --> 01:15:42,968
in the beginning will be
focused on some other topics,

1777
01:15:42,971 --> 01:15:45,471
but the President, I think by
virtue of the fact that

1778
01:15:45,474 --> 01:15:47,774
he mentioned in his State
of the Union address,

1779
01:15:47,776 --> 01:15:50,146
cares deeply and does consider
this to be a priority.

1780
01:15:50,145 --> 01:15:52,585
And he's looking forward
to a conversation that

1781
01:15:52,581 --> 01:15:54,881
he can have with
Democrats on this issue.

1782
01:15:54,883 --> 01:15:58,083
At the same time -- and it's
important not to overlook this

1783
01:15:58,086 --> 01:16:00,656
-- there is well-chronicled
opposition among some members

1784
01:16:00,656 --> 01:16:03,526
of the Democratic caucus in
both the House and the Senate

1785
01:16:07,195 --> 01:16:11,765
who are opposed to any sort
of trade agreement.

1786
01:16:11,767 --> 01:16:13,767
There's also opposition
in the Republican rank

1787
01:16:13,769 --> 01:16:15,939
and file in the House
and the Senate.

1788
01:16:15,938 --> 01:16:21,078
So as we consider building this
bipartisan coalition to give

1789
01:16:21,076 --> 01:16:23,146
the President the authority to
negotiate an agreement that

1790
01:16:23,145 --> 01:16:25,745
would be in the best interest of
American middle-class families

1791
01:16:25,747 --> 01:16:29,587
to open up markets overseas
for American businesses,

1792
01:16:29,584 --> 01:16:31,654
that that's going to require
work on both sides of the aisle.

1793
01:16:31,653 --> 01:16:34,323
And the President is
going to, no doubt,

1794
01:16:34,323 --> 01:16:36,323
do his part to bring
Democrats along,

1795
01:16:36,325 --> 01:16:38,325
but we're going to be counting
on Republican leaders

1796
01:16:38,327 --> 01:16:40,327
to do the same thing
on the Republican side

1797
01:16:40,329 --> 01:16:41,329
of the aisle.

1798
01:16:41,330 --> 01:16:43,330
The Press: But wouldn't the
President's voice today be able

1799
01:16:43,332 --> 01:16:45,332
to sort of sway opinion in
a party that's

1800
01:16:45,334 --> 01:16:47,334
very conflicted about
trade, maybe opposes it?

1801
01:16:47,336 --> 01:16:49,336
He can make a different here
really talking about that.

1802
01:16:49,338 --> 01:16:51,338
Why not talk about
it proactively?

1803
01:16:51,340 --> 01:16:53,340
It's just too much time on
these other topics that are --

1804
01:16:53,342 --> 01:16:55,342
Mr. Earnest: Well, yes, the
President wants to go and have

1805
01:16:55,344 --> 01:16:57,344
a conversation with the
issues that are of most

1806
01:16:57,346 --> 01:16:58,316
interest to them.

1807
01:16:58,313 --> 01:17:00,313
And there are a couple of
things that he'll mention

1808
01:17:00,315 --> 01:17:01,315
at the top.

1809
01:17:01,316 --> 01:17:03,316
He's going to keep his
remarks relatively short,

1810
01:17:03,318 --> 01:17:05,318
as those of you who are
traveling today will see.

1811
01:17:05,320 --> 01:17:07,320
But the President would welcome
the opportunity to have a

1812
01:17:07,322 --> 01:17:09,322
discussion with them to talk
about why the President supports

1813
01:17:09,324 --> 01:17:10,324
trade promotion authority.

1814
01:17:10,325 --> 01:17:12,365
And again, it's trade promotion
authority that would be in

1815
01:17:12,361 --> 01:17:15,061
support of an agreement that the
President would only sign if he

1816
01:17:15,063 --> 01:17:17,063
believed it was clearly in the
best interests of American

1817
01:17:17,065 --> 01:17:18,605
middle-class families.

1818
01:17:18,600 --> 01:17:19,740
Julie.

1819
01:17:19,735 --> 01:17:21,475
The Press: Back on Prime
Minister Netanyahu's visit

1820
01:17:21,470 --> 01:17:22,270
for a minute.

1821
01:17:22,270 --> 01:17:23,710
I know you said this
relationship is bigger

1822
01:17:23,705 --> 01:17:25,275
than any one person.

1823
01:17:25,273 --> 01:17:28,073
But just to clarify, does the
President share the view,

1824
01:17:28,076 --> 01:17:30,676
do people at the White House
share the view that the Israeli

1825
01:17:30,679 --> 01:17:33,149
ambassador is more concerned
with the Prime Minister's

1826
01:17:33,148 --> 01:17:36,118
politics than the
U.S.-Israel relationship?

1827
01:17:36,118 --> 01:17:38,618
And then given the importance
of the relationship,

1828
01:17:38,620 --> 01:17:41,120
has the White House or anyone in
the administration communicated

1829
01:17:41,123 --> 01:17:45,263
with the Prime Minister or with
the Israeli government any

1830
01:17:45,260 --> 01:17:47,660
desire that he be
reprimanded, removed,

1831
01:17:47,662 --> 01:17:51,032
that anyone should take any
action given that he is sort

1832
01:17:51,033 --> 01:17:53,073
of the pivot point of this
important relationship?

1833
01:17:53,068 --> 01:17:56,108
He is the main conduit
between the two in this

1834
01:17:56,104 --> 01:17:56,734
country for Israel.

1835
01:17:56,738 --> 01:17:58,808
Mr. Earnest: Well, I do want
to be clear about one thing,

1836
01:17:58,807 --> 01:18:01,407
which is that there's no --
no one in the administration

1837
01:18:01,410 --> 01:18:03,480
is contemplating taking
some sort of action against

1838
01:18:03,478 --> 01:18:05,018
Ambassador Dermer.

1839
01:18:05,013 --> 01:18:07,853
And we should be
clear about that.

1840
01:18:07,849 --> 01:18:10,249
And the reason for that
simply is the principle that

1841
01:18:10,252 --> 01:18:14,252
I laid out before, that this
relationship extends far beyond

1842
01:18:14,256 --> 01:18:15,826
just one diplomat.

1843
01:18:15,824 --> 01:18:19,294
And it should extend far beyond
just the relationship between

1844
01:18:19,294 --> 01:18:21,294
two political parties --
one in this country and one

1845
01:18:21,296 --> 01:18:22,296
in the other.

1846
01:18:22,297 --> 01:18:24,297
In fact, what we want to do is
we want to make sure that our

1847
01:18:24,299 --> 01:18:27,639
alliance, as it has for decades,
rests upon the common values

1848
01:18:27,636 --> 01:18:29,636
and our common national
security interests.

1849
01:18:29,638 --> 01:18:32,138
And that's certainly been
reflected in the way that

1850
01:18:32,140 --> 01:18:34,440
this President has
implemented our policy when

1851
01:18:34,443 --> 01:18:36,443
it comes to Israel
and the Middle East.

1852
01:18:36,445 --> 01:18:39,545
That's why the President has
advocated aggressively for

1853
01:18:39,548 --> 01:18:42,718
funding for certain Israeli
national security programs.

1854
01:18:42,717 --> 01:18:46,187
So as recently as last summer,
the President called on Congress

1855
01:18:46,188 --> 01:18:49,128
in short order to pass hundreds
of millions of dollars to

1856
01:18:49,124 --> 01:18:53,124
resupply the Iron Dome program
in Israel that was protecting

1857
01:18:53,128 --> 01:18:55,128
innocent Israeli
citizens from rockets

1858
01:18:55,130 --> 01:18:57,130
that were being fired by
extremists in Gaza.

1859
01:18:57,132 --> 01:19:00,502
And that's why even Prime
Minister Netanyahu himself

1860
01:19:00,502 --> 01:19:06,912
has noted that the security
cooperation that the nation

1861
01:19:06,908 --> 01:19:09,408
of Israel has received from
the Obama administration

1862
01:19:09,411 --> 01:19:11,011
is unprecedented.

1863
01:19:11,012 --> 01:19:14,482
And that I think is a reflection
of the President's determination

1864
01:19:14,483 --> 01:19:16,653
to not allow this important
relationship between our two

1865
01:19:16,651 --> 01:19:20,251
countries to get bogged
down in partisan politics.

1866
01:19:20,255 --> 01:19:22,425
The Press: Is there any concern
here at the White House that

1867
01:19:22,424 --> 01:19:25,364
the speech and the way in which
it came together is going

1868
01:19:25,360 --> 01:19:27,960
to undermine the bipartisan
support that all those steps

1869
01:19:27,963 --> 01:19:29,903
you outlined, as
well as many others,

1870
01:19:29,898 --> 01:19:32,368
have had historically
in Congress in terms

1871
01:19:32,367 --> 01:19:35,037
of keeping the U.S.
commitment to Israel strong?

1872
01:19:35,036 --> 01:19:36,676
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think what
I can say is that the President

1873
01:19:36,671 --> 01:19:41,011
is determined to make sure that
we don't see our relationship

1874
01:19:41,009 --> 01:19:44,049
with Israel reduced to just
a political relationship,

1875
01:19:44,045 --> 01:19:45,915
that that relationship is too
important both to the people

1876
01:19:45,914 --> 01:19:48,354
of Israel but also to the
people of the United States.

1877
01:19:48,350 --> 01:19:50,850
And that is why the President
has taken the step and made

1878
01:19:50,852 --> 01:19:53,252
this decision not to meet with
the Israeli Prime Minster

1879
01:19:53,255 --> 01:19:54,355
when he's here.

1880
01:19:54,356 --> 01:19:58,356
And it's rooted solely in his
desire to not leave anybody

1881
01:19:58,360 --> 01:20:02,960
with the impression that
he's trying to meddle

1882
01:20:02,964 --> 01:20:05,164
in an Israeli election that's
scheduled for two weeks later.

1883
01:20:08,403 --> 01:20:11,003
The President's willingness to
make that kind of decision and

1884
01:20:11,006 --> 01:20:14,676
publicize it, even though it
is subject to some criticism,

1885
01:20:14,676 --> 01:20:18,316
again, along party lines,
I think is a reflection

1886
01:20:18,313 --> 01:20:21,113
of his determination to ensure
that our relationship

1887
01:20:21,116 --> 01:20:24,916
rises above any sort of
partisan squabbling.

1888
01:20:24,920 --> 01:20:27,490
Our relationship with Israel
can't just be reduced

1889
01:20:27,489 --> 01:20:29,489
to the relationship between
two political parties.

1890
01:20:29,491 --> 01:20:33,431
For generations of Israeli
leaders and American leaders,

1891
01:20:33,428 --> 01:20:35,968
the strong bond
between the U.S.

1892
01:20:35,964 --> 01:20:38,234
and Israel has transcended
partisan politics.

1893
01:20:38,233 --> 01:20:40,303
And the President believes
and he's certainly conducted

1894
01:20:40,302 --> 01:20:44,142
himself in a manner
that illustrates that

1895
01:20:44,139 --> 01:20:46,009
he believes that
tradition should continue.

1896
01:20:46,007 --> 01:20:48,007
John, I'll give
you the last one.

1897
01:20:48,009 --> 01:20:49,879
The Press: Thank you, Josh.

1898
01:20:49,878 --> 01:20:52,178
You sent out the readout
yesterday of the President's

1899
01:20:52,180 --> 01:20:56,720
conversation with Prime
Minster Tsipras in Greece,

1900
01:20:56,718 --> 01:20:58,858
and two things.

1901
01:20:58,853 --> 01:21:02,623
First, are any plans underway
for the Prime Minster

1902
01:21:02,624 --> 01:21:04,894
to visit the United
States any time soon

1903
01:21:04,893 --> 01:21:06,663
and meet with the
President here?

1904
01:21:06,661 --> 01:21:09,731
Second, the President
rarely, if ever,

1905
01:21:09,731 --> 01:21:13,371
comments on the politics in
any country individually,

1906
01:21:13,368 --> 01:21:15,308
as you just made clear.

1907
01:21:15,303 --> 01:21:18,773
However, Greek voters did
send a shock out with

1908
01:21:18,773 --> 01:21:21,943
the third place showing of
the Golden Dawn party,

1909
01:21:21,943 --> 01:21:24,613
which is openly
anti-immigrant, in fact,

1910
01:21:24,613 --> 01:21:27,113
wants to deport all
immigrants in Greece.

1911
01:21:27,115 --> 01:21:30,315
Did the President express any
thoughts about that at all when

1912
01:21:30,318 --> 01:21:32,788
he talked to the Prime Minster,
or on any other occasions?

1913
01:21:32,787 --> 01:21:36,687
Mr. Earnest: I don't have any
travel plans to announce.

1914
01:21:36,691 --> 01:21:39,291
I'm not aware of any travel
plans that the Prime Minster

1915
01:21:39,294 --> 01:21:41,464
has, but you can check with
his government to see if he's

1916
01:21:41,463 --> 01:21:45,433
planning to visit the U.S. As
it relates to Greek politics,

1917
01:21:45,433 --> 01:21:47,433
I don't believe that
they were focused

1918
01:21:47,435 --> 01:21:49,435
on Greek politics in
that conversation.

1919
01:21:49,437 --> 01:21:51,537
It was mostly focused on the
kinds of steps that Greece can

1920
01:21:51,539 --> 01:21:55,039
take to put in place the
economic reforms that are going

1921
01:21:55,043 --> 01:21:57,043
to be in the best
interest of their people.

1922
01:21:57,045 --> 01:21:59,715
And the President made clear,
as we said in the readout,

1923
01:21:59,714 --> 01:22:03,384
that we're going to continue to
work closely with Greek leaders

1924
01:22:03,385 --> 01:22:05,555
and the Greek people to put
in place policies that

1925
01:22:05,553 --> 01:22:07,553
are in the best interest of
that country, and the best

1926
01:22:07,555 --> 01:22:10,195
interest of the broader
European and global economy.

1927
01:22:10,191 --> 01:22:11,131
Thanks everybody.