English subtitles for clip: File:4-29-13- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:00,967 --> 00:00:01,967 Mr. Carney: Welcome, everyone. 2 00:00:01,967 --> 00:00:02,967 Thanks for being here. 3 00:00:02,967 --> 00:00:05,734 I have no announcements, so I'll take your questions. 4 00:00:05,734 --> 00:00:06,734 The Press: Thank you. 5 00:00:06,734 --> 00:00:10,133 The Russians appear to have given the U.S. some information 6 00:00:10,133 --> 00:00:13,000 in recent days that they had from 2011 about 7 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,934 Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his mother. 8 00:00:14,934 --> 00:00:18,433 Is the President concerned at all that the U.S. didn't have 9 00:00:18,433 --> 00:00:23,133 this information before the Boston bombings happened? 10 00:00:23,133 --> 00:00:25,633 Mr. Carney: Well, I don't have any confirmation to give you about 11 00:00:25,633 --> 00:00:28,433 the content of information the Russians may or may not have 12 00:00:28,433 --> 00:00:30,467 been giving us in recent days. 13 00:00:30,467 --> 00:00:35,900 The FBI has put out some information about the alert that 14 00:00:35,900 --> 00:00:40,467 the Russian authorities gave to U.S. authorities in the past, 15 00:00:40,467 --> 00:00:44,333 on two different occasions, and made clear the actions that they 16 00:00:44,333 --> 00:00:47,934 took in response to that information. 17 00:00:47,934 --> 00:00:53,400 We have a cooperative relationship with our Russian 18 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,467 counterparts when it comes to counterterrorism. 19 00:00:56,467 --> 00:01:01,766 We have an ongoing conversation with Russian officials on this 20 00:01:01,767 --> 00:01:04,333 specific matter, the bombing in Boston. 21 00:01:04,333 --> 00:01:09,000 As you know, we have been cooperating with the Russian 22 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,934 government on travel from the embassy by a team of Americans 23 00:01:11,934 --> 00:01:19,866 to investigate down in Dagestan, the trip that Tamerlan Tsarnaev 24 00:01:19,867 --> 00:01:23,667 took, and that cooperation continues. 25 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:26,100 But I don't have -- since these are matters that are under 26 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:28,767 investigation at this time, I don't have specific details 27 00:01:28,767 --> 00:01:32,265 about what information is being passed back and forth. 28 00:01:32,266 --> 00:01:35,834 The Press: Is the President comfortable with the level of information in 29 00:01:35,834 --> 00:01:38,767 general that the Russians provided to the U.S. before 30 00:01:38,767 --> 00:01:40,000 the bombings? 31 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,667 Mr. Carney: I don't have a characterization of the President's 32 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:42,667 views on this. 33 00:01:42,667 --> 00:01:47,934 I can tell you that cooperation like this is important and it is 34 00:01:47,934 --> 00:01:52,467 the kind of cooperation that we have with governments around the 35 00:01:52,467 --> 00:01:58,066 world and allies and partners around the world because the 36 00:01:58,066 --> 00:02:01,800 terrorism threat is a global problem, not a national one. 37 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,166 And that kind of information-sharing is extremely 38 00:02:05,166 --> 00:02:09,233 valuable when it comes to combating terrorism both in 39 00:02:09,233 --> 00:02:10,667 this country and around the world. 40 00:02:10,667 --> 00:02:14,300 The Press: Would the President be concerned if the Russians had withheld any 41 00:02:14,300 --> 00:02:16,600 information that could have, at the very least, 42 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:21,066 led the FBI to do a more extensive investigation? 43 00:02:21,066 --> 00:02:23,100 Mr. Carney: Well, that's a couple levels of speculation. 44 00:02:23,100 --> 00:02:27,733 I think the President hopes and expects that we are able to 45 00:02:27,734 --> 00:02:34,266 share information back and forth with governments on a variety of 46 00:02:34,266 --> 00:02:36,566 counterterrorism subjects. 47 00:02:36,567 --> 00:02:40,667 And this is the kind of thing that it's obviously very 48 00:02:40,667 --> 00:02:44,200 important that we have that kind of cooperation from other 49 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:45,333 governments on. 50 00:02:45,333 --> 00:02:47,333 And we provide it, as well, of course. 51 00:02:47,333 --> 00:02:51,834 So I don't want to characterize too much the nature of 52 00:02:51,834 --> 00:02:54,900 conversations or information-sharing on this case 53 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:58,300 with the Russians beyond what the FBI has already discussed. 54 00:02:58,300 --> 00:03:01,633 I can tell you that obviously the President has spoken with 55 00:03:01,633 --> 00:03:04,700 President Putin and will continue to have conversations, 56 00:03:04,700 --> 00:03:07,399 of course, with his counterpart there, 57 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:11,333 as our governments cooperate on this matter and other issues. 58 00:03:11,333 --> 00:03:14,700 The Press: On a separate topic, NBA player Jason Collins announced today 59 00:03:14,700 --> 00:03:15,899 that he's gay. 60 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:17,600 Does the President have any response, 61 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:19,533 any reaction to that announcement? 62 00:03:19,533 --> 00:03:20,767 Mr. Carney: I haven't spoken with him about it. 63 00:03:20,767 --> 00:03:25,000 I can certainly tell you that here at the White House we view 64 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:29,367 that as another example of the progress that has been made and 65 00:03:29,367 --> 00:03:33,100 the evolution that has been taking place in this country, 66 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:43,367 and commend him for his courage, and support him in his -- 67 00:03:43,367 --> 00:03:48,566 in this effort and hope that his fans and his team support him 68 00:03:48,567 --> 00:03:50,867 going forward. 69 00:03:50,867 --> 00:03:54,266 The Press: Jay, on Syria, some questions are being raised about whether 70 00:03:54,266 --> 00:03:59,299 the Syrians actually used sarin on their people. 71 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:03,100 What confidence does the United States have in this evidence? 72 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:07,700 And can you characterize what exactly the evidence is in any 73 00:04:07,700 --> 00:04:11,934 way and what standards you're trying to meet in terms of 74 00:04:11,934 --> 00:04:14,066 establishing it? 75 00:04:14,066 --> 00:04:19,100 Mr. Carney: We have established with varying degrees of confidence that 76 00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:25,433 chemical weapons were used in limited fashion in Syria and the 77 00:04:25,433 --> 00:04:28,599 agent is sarin, as we have said. 78 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:34,333 We have some physiological tests that are part of that collection 79 00:04:34,333 --> 00:04:35,333 of evidence. 80 00:04:35,333 --> 00:04:41,100 But there is much more to be done to verify conclusively that 81 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:42,700 the red line that the President has talked about 82 00:04:42,700 --> 00:04:44,066 has been crossed. 83 00:04:44,066 --> 00:04:48,500 And it's very important that we take the information that's been 84 00:04:48,500 --> 00:04:50,300 gathered thus far and build upon it, 85 00:04:50,300 --> 00:04:54,233 because an assessment of varying degrees of confidence is not 86 00:04:54,233 --> 00:04:58,600 sufficient upon which to base a policy reaction, 87 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,467 as we've said and as the President said in the Oval 88 00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:02,467 Office on Friday. 89 00:05:02,467 --> 00:05:03,467 So our work continues. 90 00:05:03,467 --> 00:05:08,933 We have a team -- or the United Nations has a team ready to 91 00:05:08,934 --> 00:05:16,967 deploy to Syria within 24 to 48 hours if Assad allows that team 92 00:05:16,967 --> 00:05:20,332 in and follows through on his stated commitment and interest 93 00:05:20,333 --> 00:05:23,000 in having this matter investigated. 94 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:27,867 And we are working with the French and the British and other 95 00:05:27,867 --> 00:05:32,900 allies and partners to gather more evidence. 96 00:05:32,900 --> 00:05:34,366 Chain of custody is an important issue -- 97 00:05:34,367 --> 00:05:38,834 establishing not just that there was an incident of chemical 98 00:05:38,834 --> 00:05:40,100 weapons used, but how the exposure occurred, 99 00:05:40,100 --> 00:05:41,100 under what circumstances, who specifically was responsible, 100 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:51,667 and again, the chain of custody, how the incident itself was 101 00:05:51,667 --> 00:05:52,734 brought about. 102 00:05:52,734 --> 00:05:53,866 The Press: You say physiological. 103 00:05:53,867 --> 00:05:57,734 Can you be any more specific about what that evidence is and 104 00:05:57,734 --> 00:05:59,200 who is holding it? 105 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:03,033 Mr. Carney: Physiological is tangible evidence. 106 00:06:03,033 --> 00:06:07,767 And beyond that, I'm not going to be specific about it or 107 00:06:07,767 --> 00:06:11,967 methods and sources in terms of gathering evidence. 108 00:06:11,967 --> 00:06:16,332 It is a piece in the puzzle that needs to be put together to 109 00:06:16,333 --> 00:06:20,333 establish the kind of verifiable, 110 00:06:20,333 --> 00:06:28,567 reviewable evidence that can be corroborated that we need to 111 00:06:28,567 --> 00:06:31,133 establish as we make decisions about policy. 112 00:06:31,133 --> 00:06:33,667 The Press: And can I ask on a budget issue -- 113 00:06:33,667 --> 00:06:36,566 was the White House surprised at how quickly Congress moved last 114 00:06:36,567 --> 00:06:40,333 week to provide flexibility to the FAA to prevent 115 00:06:40,333 --> 00:06:41,300 flight delays? 116 00:06:41,300 --> 00:06:45,800 And having set that precedent, how can the White House hold out 117 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,266 any hope for reversing the sequester this year? 118 00:06:49,266 --> 00:06:52,900 Mr. Carney: Well, we were glad to see Congress sufficiently concerned 119 00:06:52,900 --> 00:06:58,500 about the negative effects of the sequester on our air 120 00:06:58,500 --> 00:07:03,000 travelers that they were willing to do something about it. 121 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:06,133 The fact that that is what it took reinforces what we have 122 00:07:06,133 --> 00:07:10,567 been saying, which is that Congress failed to eliminate 123 00:07:10,567 --> 00:07:11,567 the sequester. 124 00:07:11,567 --> 00:07:14,734 It is Congress -- it is within Congress's power to reverse that 125 00:07:14,734 --> 00:07:21,099 decision, take action in a balanced way to reduce our 126 00:07:21,100 --> 00:07:23,734 deficit and replace the sequester. 127 00:07:23,734 --> 00:07:28,767 This was not our ideal solution because the money involved in 128 00:07:28,767 --> 00:07:32,734 solving this problem at the FAA makes up less than one-half of 129 00:07:32,734 --> 00:07:38,066 1% of the more than $80 billion that the sequester represents 130 00:07:38,066 --> 00:07:40,166 over seven months. 131 00:07:40,166 --> 00:07:44,600 And it is not the way to go about dealing with a law that 132 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,266 never should have become law -- or rather that never should 133 00:07:47,266 --> 00:07:48,266 be implemented. 134 00:07:48,266 --> 00:07:50,834 The sequester was designed purposefully to be terrible 135 00:07:50,834 --> 00:07:57,467 policy, and we are seeing in the various impacts it is having 136 00:07:57,467 --> 00:08:01,133 across the country that it is, in fact, terrible policy. 137 00:08:01,133 --> 00:08:05,700 And while we are glad the Congress shared our concern, 138 00:08:05,700 --> 00:08:09,000 the concern that we warned them and the public about months in 139 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:12,900 advance when it came to furloughs at the FAA, 140 00:08:12,900 --> 00:08:16,433 and the effect that would have on travelers and the delays that 141 00:08:16,433 --> 00:08:19,599 that would cause, we hope that Congress would show the same 142 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:26,100 kind of unified passion when it comes to helping families whose 143 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:28,600 kids are getting kicked off of Head Start, 144 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:33,033 or seniors who are losing access to the Meals on Wheels program, 145 00:08:33,033 --> 00:08:38,133 or families whose breadwinners have lost their jobs because 146 00:08:38,133 --> 00:08:41,667 they are involved in defense industries or in military 147 00:08:41,667 --> 00:08:45,767 communities, or overall the 750,000 people who won't have 148 00:08:45,767 --> 00:08:50,100 jobs because Congress decided -- or Republicans, specifically, 149 00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:54,333 decided that sequester was a good idea, a political victory, 150 00:08:54,333 --> 00:08:58,800 a way to shore up their base and win praise from the tea party. 151 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,000 Bad policy begets bad consequences. 152 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:03,000 And that's what we're seeing. 153 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,066 Jon. 154 00:09:06,066 --> 00:09:13,300 The Press: Jay, on Syria, where exactly is that red line? 155 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:15,967 Mr. Carney: The President has made clear, as he did again Friday, 156 00:09:15,967 --> 00:09:22,533 that the use of chemical weapons or the transfer of chemical 157 00:09:22,533 --> 00:09:27,834 weapons to terrorist groups would cross a red line. 158 00:09:27,834 --> 00:09:30,400 What we have made clear, and we can go over it again, 159 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:34,333 is that we have established with varying degrees of confidence 160 00:09:34,333 --> 00:09:37,266 that there have been incidents of chemical weapons used, sarin, 161 00:09:37,266 --> 00:09:40,099 in particular, in a limited fashion in Syria. 162 00:09:40,100 --> 00:09:47,133 We are now working to build upon that evidence to increase the 163 00:09:47,133 --> 00:09:51,834 amount of evidence to find specifically what happened, 164 00:09:51,834 --> 00:09:56,000 what occurred, who was responsible and build that case, 165 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,000 if you will. 166 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:02,834 The Press: So is it the use of any amount of chemical weapons? 167 00:10:02,834 --> 00:10:05,400 Mr. Carney: There's not a gradation here that I can engage in. 168 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:08,033 I can tell you that there have been, 169 00:10:08,033 --> 00:10:11,433 as we have assessed with varying degrees of confidence, 170 00:10:11,433 --> 00:10:14,633 incidents of the use of chemical weapons in a limited fashion. 171 00:10:14,633 --> 00:10:17,033 But the issue here is chain of custody. 172 00:10:17,033 --> 00:10:20,934 It is going on more than simply intelligence assessments. 173 00:10:20,934 --> 00:10:25,533 I think our history provides us with examples of why we need to 174 00:10:25,533 --> 00:10:29,500 be especially assiduous when it comes to evaluating and 175 00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:32,133 gathering evidence in matters related to these kinds 176 00:10:32,133 --> 00:10:33,300 of issues. 177 00:10:33,300 --> 00:10:34,433 And that's what we're doing. 178 00:10:34,433 --> 00:10:37,100 The Press: But I'm trying to understand -- because I heard the President 179 00:10:37,100 --> 00:10:42,033 say "systematic use" on Friday -- so is it any amount? 180 00:10:42,033 --> 00:10:43,100 Is it a small amount? 181 00:10:43,100 --> 00:10:46,500 Does it have to be a large amount to cross the red line? 182 00:10:46,500 --> 00:10:51,233 Mr. Carney: I think that the issue here is the use by, we believe, 183 00:10:51,233 --> 00:10:54,433 the regime -- because we are highly skeptical of any 184 00:10:54,433 --> 00:10:57,433 accusations that the opposition may have used chemical weapons 185 00:10:57,433 --> 00:11:01,300 -- the use by the regime of chemical weapons against the 186 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:05,834 Syrian people or the transfer by the regime of some of its 187 00:11:05,834 --> 00:11:08,834 chemical weapons stockpile to terrorists -- 188 00:11:08,834 --> 00:11:09,834 The Press: Any amount? 189 00:11:09,834 --> 00:11:10,834 Even a limited amount? 190 00:11:10,834 --> 00:11:11,834 Mr. Carney: I don't have an amount to give you. 191 00:11:11,834 --> 00:11:13,599 Obviously, the nature of chemical weapons varies 192 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:14,834 depending on the agent. 193 00:11:14,834 --> 00:11:21,433 The use of chemical weapons can depend on the instance and the 194 00:11:21,433 --> 00:11:22,433 chain of custody. 195 00:11:22,433 --> 00:11:24,867 So that's what we're investigating now. 196 00:11:24,867 --> 00:11:27,666 That's what we're calling on Assad to allow the United 197 00:11:27,667 --> 00:11:29,433 Nations to investigate. 198 00:11:29,433 --> 00:11:31,567 So this is a very serious matter. 199 00:11:31,567 --> 00:11:34,200 The President made clear this was a very serious matter. 200 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:38,333 And it is because that it is so serious that it is essential to 201 00:11:38,333 --> 00:11:44,033 establish a broader process of verification that will allow us 202 00:11:44,033 --> 00:11:47,700 then to assess whether that red line has been crossed and what 203 00:11:47,700 --> 00:11:50,133 the policy response will be. 204 00:11:50,133 --> 00:11:53,300 The Press: And on chain of custody, does it have to be something that is 205 00:11:53,300 --> 00:11:57,867 directed by Assad and his -- 206 00:11:57,867 --> 00:12:04,567 Mr. Carney: We have said the use by the regime of chemical weapons would 207 00:12:04,567 --> 00:12:06,767 be President Assad's responsibility. 208 00:12:06,767 --> 00:12:10,200 And we believe and have assessed that the chemical weapon 209 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:14,400 stockpiles in Syria are under the control -- 210 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,699 continue to be under the control of the Syrian regime, 211 00:12:16,700 --> 00:12:19,300 led by Bashar al-Assad. 212 00:12:19,300 --> 00:12:22,934 Again, I don't want to speculate on the incidents that we have 213 00:12:22,934 --> 00:12:26,132 assessed with varying degrees of confidence have occurred or may 214 00:12:26,133 --> 00:12:27,133 have occurred. 215 00:12:27,133 --> 00:12:33,300 We are further investigating all credible information about 216 00:12:33,300 --> 00:12:37,867 possible use of chemical weapons in Syria and call on Assad to 217 00:12:37,867 --> 00:12:42,400 comply with his own request for an investigation of chemical 218 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:45,199 weapons use in Syria by allowing that team in to investigate. 219 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:46,300 It's ready to go. 220 00:12:46,300 --> 00:12:47,300 The Press: And just one more. 221 00:12:47,300 --> 00:12:49,233 How long do you think this process takes? 222 00:12:49,233 --> 00:12:50,233 Are we talking like -- 223 00:12:50,233 --> 00:12:52,000 Mr. Carney: I don't think it's possible to say necessarily, 224 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:59,533 because building -- the building blocks that create the evidence 225 00:12:59,533 --> 00:13:03,066 necessary to make these kinds of assessment depend on what we're 226 00:13:03,066 --> 00:13:06,233 able to gather and it's a complex process. 227 00:13:06,233 --> 00:13:10,699 Establishing the use of chemical weapons and the incidents 228 00:13:10,700 --> 00:13:13,133 involved and the chain of custody is not easy business, 229 00:13:13,133 --> 00:13:14,266 but it is essential business. 230 00:13:14,266 --> 00:13:18,567 Again, if you're as serious as the President is about this kind 231 00:13:18,567 --> 00:13:21,867 of transgression, if it were to occur, 232 00:13:21,867 --> 00:13:25,766 you need to be sure of your facts and you need to have facts 233 00:13:25,767 --> 00:13:29,600 that can be corroborated and that can be reviewed and that 234 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:30,800 are airtight. 235 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:32,834 The Press: So it could be weeks, it could be months. 236 00:13:32,834 --> 00:13:33,834 It could be impossible -- 237 00:13:33,834 --> 00:13:36,333 Mr. Carney: I don't have a timetable for you. 238 00:13:36,333 --> 00:13:39,065 I would not give you a timetable. 239 00:13:39,066 --> 00:13:41,800 The Press: There's a fairly widespread concern out there that the White 240 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,266 House is manipulating the sequester on various fronts -- 241 00:13:44,266 --> 00:13:46,533 the FAA, Head Start -- 242 00:13:46,533 --> 00:13:48,200 Mr. Carney: You mean widespread concern like among -- 243 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:49,767 on the chat shows by Republicans? 244 00:13:49,767 --> 00:13:50,734 But beyond that -- 245 00:13:50,734 --> 00:13:53,233 The Press: Well, among Republicans and probably other people, too. 246 00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:55,032 You've got to give them some credit. 247 00:13:55,033 --> 00:13:57,633 It might not just be the Republicans. 248 00:13:57,633 --> 00:14:00,867 Mr. Carney: Well, I haven't heard anybody who has lost a slot in Head 249 00:14:00,867 --> 00:14:04,300 Start suggest that that's because anybody here wished it 250 00:14:04,300 --> 00:14:05,300 to happen. 251 00:14:05,300 --> 00:14:07,032 We've been pretty clear that the Congress needs to act. 252 00:14:07,033 --> 00:14:08,533 The fact that the Congress acted -- 253 00:14:08,533 --> 00:14:11,333 was able to act on the FAA demonstrates that this is a 254 00:14:11,333 --> 00:14:13,100 problem that Congress needs to solve. 255 00:14:13,100 --> 00:14:14,467 And we call on them to do it. 256 00:14:14,467 --> 00:14:17,333 The Press: When people look at this, it becomes clear that it's simply a 257 00:14:17,333 --> 00:14:21,900 matter of reprogramming funds from one pocket to another, 258 00:14:21,900 --> 00:14:25,467 which means nothing to most people, and yet, 259 00:14:25,467 --> 00:14:29,934 average Americans are inconvenienced or worse by the 260 00:14:29,934 --> 00:14:34,367 sequester and find it difficult to believe I think in many cases 261 00:14:34,367 --> 00:14:38,132 not restricted to the Republican right that you couldn't do more 262 00:14:38,133 --> 00:14:39,834 about it. 263 00:14:39,834 --> 00:14:41,867 Mr. Carney: Well, Bill, I appreciate the question. 264 00:14:41,867 --> 00:14:44,599 And I think it's really important that reporters, 265 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:46,633 when they report on the sequester, 266 00:14:46,633 --> 00:14:49,867 because it is complicated, lay out these facts clearly. 267 00:14:49,867 --> 00:14:53,400 Congress had to pass a law because it was not possible 268 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,400 legally to simply reprogram funds. 269 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,199 That was established clearly, which is why Congress 270 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:00,266 had to act. 271 00:15:00,266 --> 00:15:05,000 The sequester was written in a way that makes that the case. 272 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,000 Congress had to act. 273 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:10,667 That's why Congress did pass the measure that has fixed the 274 00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:12,266 problem within the FAA. 275 00:15:12,266 --> 00:15:15,467 The sequester was written in a way to make it bad policy, 276 00:15:15,467 --> 00:15:18,699 and that is why we are seeing the impacts that we have seen. 277 00:15:18,700 --> 00:15:22,233 What is also the case is that $80 billion-plus in cuts in 278 00:15:22,233 --> 00:15:28,500 seven months cannot be wished away through moving 279 00:15:28,500 --> 00:15:29,600 around some funds. 280 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:34,867 As Secretary Duncan has said about funding for Education 281 00:15:34,867 --> 00:15:37,900 Department programs, the choice would be -- 282 00:15:37,900 --> 00:15:40,165 if that flexibility even existed -- 283 00:15:40,166 --> 00:15:44,100 do I help poor kids or do I help disabled kids? 284 00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:45,567 That is not how it is supposed to work. 285 00:15:45,567 --> 00:15:47,834 That is not how policy should work. 286 00:15:47,834 --> 00:15:51,199 And that's why Congress ought to do the responsible thing and 287 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:54,934 eliminate the sequester by adopting the kind of broad, 288 00:15:54,934 --> 00:15:57,165 balanced deficit reduction package that the President 289 00:15:57,166 --> 00:15:59,500 supports and that the very American people that you've 290 00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:00,567 mentioned support. 291 00:16:00,567 --> 00:16:01,667 The Press: But when you frame it like that -- 292 00:16:01,667 --> 00:16:03,900 do I help poor kids or disabled kids -- 293 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:07,967 it looks as though you are framing it in a way to make it 294 00:16:07,967 --> 00:16:10,766 least palatable to the public. 295 00:16:10,767 --> 00:16:12,367 Mr. Carney: I'm not sure I -- 296 00:16:12,367 --> 00:16:15,233 The Press: Isn't there something else that can be done, people might ask. 297 00:16:15,233 --> 00:16:17,165 Mr. Carney: Well, they might, and it would be your job, I think, 298 00:16:17,166 --> 00:16:20,166 and all of our job to explain to them that this was written in a 299 00:16:20,166 --> 00:16:22,567 way to make it impossible to do that unless you eliminate 300 00:16:22,567 --> 00:16:23,567 the sequester. 301 00:16:23,567 --> 00:16:27,500 That was the case with the FAA funding problem. 302 00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:32,467 It required an act of Congress to allow for funds that, by law, 303 00:16:32,467 --> 00:16:34,834 were not -- we within the administration, 304 00:16:34,834 --> 00:16:38,132 the FAA was not able to transfer without Congress acting. 305 00:16:38,133 --> 00:16:42,900 And that kind of scenario is replayed every time you look at 306 00:16:42,900 --> 00:16:45,766 this problem -- which is why we have the problem, 307 00:16:45,767 --> 00:16:47,967 in addition to the fact that Congress seems to be unwilling 308 00:16:47,967 --> 00:16:51,934 -- or Republicans in Congress seem to be unwilling to ask 309 00:16:51,934 --> 00:16:55,699 millionaires and billionaires to give up some special tax breaks 310 00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:59,000 in order to avert the kinds of negative effects that the 311 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,400 sequester is having now on regular folks out there. 312 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,733 Brianna. 313 00:17:04,733 --> 00:17:05,966 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 314 00:17:05,967 --> 00:17:09,667 There's a report in The New York Times today citing current and 315 00:17:09,666 --> 00:17:12,867 former advisors to President Hamid Karzai who -- 316 00:17:12,867 --> 00:17:15,265 they say that suitcases, backpacks, 317 00:17:15,266 --> 00:17:18,834 sometimes even plastic grocery bags of cash would come on an 318 00:17:18,834 --> 00:17:21,100 almost monthly basis to the President's office. 319 00:17:21,099 --> 00:17:23,699 Did President Obama approve that? 320 00:17:23,700 --> 00:17:25,967 Mr. Carney: I have no information on that report, 321 00:17:25,967 --> 00:17:30,200 and I would refer you to the CIA for any questions on it. 322 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:33,767 I can tell you that, as we have said many times, 323 00:17:33,767 --> 00:17:37,033 we and our Afghan partners remain committed to our shared 324 00:17:37,033 --> 00:17:40,065 strategy and goals of a fully sovereign Afghanistan that is 325 00:17:40,066 --> 00:17:43,300 not a safe haven for al Qaeda and that is responsible for its 326 00:17:43,300 --> 00:17:44,300 own security. 327 00:17:44,300 --> 00:17:46,367 That's why the President has put in place a policy where, 328 00:17:46,367 --> 00:17:49,265 after plussing up forces there and training Afghan National 329 00:17:49,266 --> 00:17:56,000 Security Forces, we are now drawing down American forces, 330 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,767 keeping the President's commitment to do so, 331 00:17:57,767 --> 00:18:01,600 as we transfer security lead over to the Afghans. 332 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:04,100 The Press: Is the President aware of these CIA payments? 333 00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:06,233 Mr. Carney: Again, you're making an assertion about something I have 334 00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:07,934 no comment on. 335 00:18:07,934 --> 00:18:10,633 The Press: American officials in the story say that actually the money 336 00:18:10,633 --> 00:18:14,000 didn't go to buy influence, as it was initially intended, 337 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:15,433 that it actually fueled corruption. 338 00:18:15,433 --> 00:18:18,800 Does the White House have any reaction to that? 339 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:22,200 Mr. Carney: Again, I don't have any specific comment on this. 340 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,333 The Press: The President is heading to Mexico and Costa Rica this week. 341 00:18:25,333 --> 00:18:27,867 Can you talk broadly about some of his goals, 342 00:18:27,867 --> 00:18:29,300 and then specifically with Mexico, 343 00:18:29,300 --> 00:18:31,265 what his message is on immigration reform 344 00:18:31,266 --> 00:18:32,967 while he's there? 345 00:18:32,967 --> 00:18:35,800 Mr. Carney: Well, we will have more information about the trip the 346 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:37,800 President is making later in the week. 347 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,633 His visits to the region are always significant because of 348 00:18:40,633 --> 00:18:45,066 the President's commitment to expanding our economic ties to 349 00:18:45,066 --> 00:18:47,567 the countries of Latin America. 350 00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:49,300 That's very much a part of this trip. 351 00:18:49,300 --> 00:18:52,066 Our relationship with Mexico is especially vital and important 352 00:18:52,066 --> 00:18:55,166 economically and culturally and in other ways, 353 00:18:55,166 --> 00:18:56,966 and that remains the case. 354 00:18:56,967 --> 00:18:59,133 When it comes to immigration reform, 355 00:18:59,133 --> 00:19:03,300 I think that the President's message is less specific to his 356 00:19:03,300 --> 00:19:09,100 visit here than it is generally in that it's about the need to 357 00:19:09,100 --> 00:19:13,766 reform a system that is broken, and in doing so, 358 00:19:13,767 --> 00:19:18,433 to enhance our border security, hold our businesses accountable, 359 00:19:18,433 --> 00:19:27,800 strengthen the economy by helping those 11 million people 360 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,834 who are in this country illegally -- 361 00:19:29,834 --> 00:19:34,834 provide for them a clear path to citizenship -- 362 00:19:34,834 --> 00:19:40,400 and to enhance our national security by having those folks 363 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:41,400 enter the system. 364 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:46,133 So the broad principles that the President laid out a long time 365 00:19:46,133 --> 00:19:49,166 ago now are the principles that guide him as he looks at the 366 00:19:49,166 --> 00:19:51,700 work that the Congress is doing, specifically so far that the 367 00:19:51,700 --> 00:19:53,066 Senate has done. 368 00:19:53,066 --> 00:19:55,200 And he is encouraged by the progress that has been 369 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:56,200 made thus far. 370 00:19:56,200 --> 00:20:00,400 But we are still in the early stages of seeing that bipartisan 371 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,200 effort move its way through the Senate and hopefully move its 372 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,900 way through both houses so that it can land on the President's 373 00:20:06,900 --> 00:20:10,834 desk in a way that meets his principles and he can sign it. 374 00:20:10,834 --> 00:20:12,934 The Press: Does he see this trip to Mexico as -- 375 00:20:12,934 --> 00:20:14,367 can you talk about how he sees it? 376 00:20:14,367 --> 00:20:16,767 Is it a way to elevate this issue? 377 00:20:16,767 --> 00:20:19,300 What is he hoping to get out of it in terms of talking about -- 378 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:22,934 Mr. Carney: Well, I think our relationship with the countries in Central 379 00:20:22,934 --> 00:20:25,233 America is vital in many ways. 380 00:20:25,233 --> 00:20:28,734 It's certainly not limited at all to the matters of 381 00:20:28,734 --> 00:20:31,367 immigration reform in this country. 382 00:20:31,367 --> 00:20:34,399 That's something that you can expect he'll talk about because 383 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,500 it's very topical here in the United States and it is of 384 00:20:37,500 --> 00:20:39,266 interest to countries in the region. 385 00:20:39,266 --> 00:20:42,800 But our relationship with those countries is vital in terms of 386 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:45,399 our economic trade and other matters. 387 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:47,767 And I'm sure those will be topics as well. 388 00:20:47,767 --> 00:20:49,700 The Press: Jay, I wanted to follow on Syria, 389 00:20:49,700 --> 00:20:51,734 Jon's questions about the timeline and whatnot. 390 00:20:51,734 --> 00:20:54,833 Understanding, as you say, that the evidence has to be airtight 391 00:20:54,834 --> 00:20:57,734 -- because nobody should suggest that the administration rushed 392 00:20:57,734 --> 00:21:00,833 through this -- if it takes months and months to verify this 393 00:21:00,834 --> 00:21:04,000 or maybe a year, doesn't that keep the door wide open for 394 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,834 Assad to use chemical weapons? 395 00:21:05,834 --> 00:21:09,133 I mean, when the President was in the briefing room here some 396 00:21:09,133 --> 00:21:13,266 months ago he made it seem like there will be action taken if 397 00:21:13,266 --> 00:21:14,367 this line is crossed. 398 00:21:14,367 --> 00:21:16,000 If it drags on for months and months, 399 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,433 it seems like the door could be open for Assad to do this again. 400 00:21:19,433 --> 00:21:24,367 Mr. Carney: Well, I certainly appreciate the question and I understand it. 401 00:21:24,367 --> 00:21:28,466 What I won't do is speculate about how much time might be 402 00:21:28,467 --> 00:21:33,333 required to gather the evidence necessary to be able to assess 403 00:21:33,333 --> 00:21:36,900 clearly in a way that can be corroborated and reviewed 404 00:21:36,900 --> 00:21:38,900 whether or not this red line has been crossed. 405 00:21:38,900 --> 00:21:42,800 I think all Americans would hope and expect that on a matter of 406 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:47,533 this seriousness that we would be very careful in that process 407 00:21:47,533 --> 00:21:50,667 and would insist upon gathering all the facts, 408 00:21:50,667 --> 00:21:58,934 and not rushing to take action in a policy sense in reaction to 409 00:21:58,934 --> 00:22:03,433 assessments that are very important but are based on 410 00:22:03,433 --> 00:22:04,433 incomplete information. 411 00:22:04,433 --> 00:22:07,000 So we need to build upon the excellent work that's been 412 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:08,734 done thus far. 413 00:22:08,734 --> 00:22:14,699 We call upon Assad to allow the inspection team from the United 414 00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:19,500 Nations to conduct the investigation that Assad 415 00:22:19,500 --> 00:22:22,100 himself asked for. 416 00:22:22,100 --> 00:22:24,065 But we are not relying on the United Nations alone; 417 00:22:24,066 --> 00:22:26,333 we are working with our partners and allies as well as the Syrian 418 00:22:26,333 --> 00:22:30,100 opposition, very importantly, to gather more facts and evidence 419 00:22:30,100 --> 00:22:31,800 because this matter is so serious. 420 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:33,367 The Press: Let me ask you a different question. 421 00:22:33,367 --> 00:22:34,700 Back here at home, Hurricane Sandy -- 422 00:22:34,700 --> 00:22:37,066 obviously a lot of attention being focused six months later. 423 00:22:37,066 --> 00:22:40,000 A kind of a two-part -- first being giving you the opportunity 424 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:44,500 to explain where you and the President think we are in 425 00:22:44,500 --> 00:22:46,433 rebuilding very important communities in 426 00:22:46,433 --> 00:22:48,400 America right now. 427 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:49,400 Mr. Carney: Well, I appreciate that. 428 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:55,500 It is six months now since that terrible storm devastated New 429 00:22:55,500 --> 00:22:57,934 Jersey and New York and other parts of the country. 430 00:22:57,934 --> 00:23:01,133 And I can tell you that we continue to bring all resources 431 00:23:01,133 --> 00:23:03,934 to bear to support those affected by the storm as they 432 00:23:03,934 --> 00:23:05,266 continue to recover. 433 00:23:05,266 --> 00:23:08,633 In the last six months, FEMA has obligated more than $1 billion 434 00:23:08,633 --> 00:23:11,333 to support state and local rebuilding efforts, 435 00:23:11,333 --> 00:23:16,000 and disbursed more than $1.3 billion directly to affected 436 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:19,367 families, covering eligible repair costs and meeting 437 00:23:19,367 --> 00:23:20,567 temporary housing needs. 438 00:23:20,567 --> 00:23:24,300 And that's in relation to the major disaster declarations. 439 00:23:24,300 --> 00:23:27,633 Separately, after signing the $60 billion supplemental for 440 00:23:27,633 --> 00:23:31,100 Sandy aid, the administration has worked expeditiously to get 441 00:23:31,100 --> 00:23:34,000 the first portion of that money out the door, 442 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:38,200 and in February provided an additional $5.4 billion to the 443 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:40,400 affected states. 444 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:44,200 Also the Sandy task force, led by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, 445 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,233 along with FEMA, continues to work closely with our state and 446 00:23:47,233 --> 00:23:49,600 local partners as they make decisions about long-term 447 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:50,600 rebuilding needs. 448 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:53,065 On Friday, Secretary Donovan announced the approval of New 449 00:23:53,066 --> 00:23:55,500 York State's recovery action plan, 450 00:23:55,500 --> 00:23:58,367 and today Secretary Donovan joined Governor Christie of New 451 00:23:58,367 --> 00:24:01,033 Jersey to announce the approval of New Jersey's recovery 452 00:24:01,033 --> 00:24:02,533 action plan. 453 00:24:02,533 --> 00:24:03,800 Now, we know there is more work to do. 454 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:08,466 And the President committed at the time that this 455 00:24:08,467 --> 00:24:12,633 administration would be working with state and local authorities 456 00:24:12,633 --> 00:24:16,567 in support of the recovery efforts long after the cameras 457 00:24:16,567 --> 00:24:21,467 went away and not just when there are anniversaries to mark. 458 00:24:21,467 --> 00:24:22,533 And that has been the case. 459 00:24:22,533 --> 00:24:25,699 And this is very important business, 460 00:24:25,700 --> 00:24:27,934 and that's why the President asked Shaun Donovan to head the 461 00:24:27,934 --> 00:24:28,934 task force. 462 00:24:28,934 --> 00:24:32,966 And he is making the progress that I just described, 463 00:24:32,967 --> 00:24:35,166 as is FEMA and other elements involved in this effort. 464 00:24:35,166 --> 00:24:36,899 The Press: So then my question on that would be then, 465 00:24:36,900 --> 00:24:41,100 even after saying all that money has been put out there in the 466 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:43,500 pipeline, and Governor Christie, who has had very nice things to 467 00:24:43,500 --> 00:24:45,300 say about the White House and the President, 468 00:24:45,300 --> 00:24:47,966 he himself in his interviews was saying there are thousands of 469 00:24:47,967 --> 00:24:50,200 people who still have not had their homes built. 470 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:52,967 So in fairness, the President is not going to be out there with a 471 00:24:52,967 --> 00:24:53,967 hammer and nails. 472 00:24:53,967 --> 00:24:54,967 Shaun Donovan is not going to be. 473 00:24:54,967 --> 00:24:55,967 We understand that. 474 00:24:55,967 --> 00:24:56,967 But what can be done? 475 00:24:56,967 --> 00:24:58,834 What needs to be done so that this money actually gets to 476 00:24:58,834 --> 00:25:01,066 these people and their homes are actually rebuilt? 477 00:25:01,066 --> 00:25:02,433 Mr. Carney: Well, this money is getting to people, 478 00:25:02,433 --> 00:25:04,400 but you're right that there's an enormous amount of work 479 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:05,367 to be done. 480 00:25:05,367 --> 00:25:09,265 It has been six months, half a year, since the storm, 481 00:25:09,266 --> 00:25:12,266 and there are people -- as we have all heard again or seen 482 00:25:12,266 --> 00:25:15,567 again today on this sixth-month period, anniversary -- 483 00:25:15,567 --> 00:25:18,100 who are still suffering greatly from the impacts of that 484 00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:21,667 terrible storm, which is why that work needs to continue even 485 00:25:21,667 --> 00:25:24,899 when it's not an anniversary, and why the President has made 486 00:25:24,900 --> 00:25:27,166 sure that through the task force and through the other levers 487 00:25:27,166 --> 00:25:30,000 that we have here at the federal government to assist these 488 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,867 states, that that work is being done. 489 00:25:32,867 --> 00:25:34,567 The Press: Can I follow up, Jay? 490 00:25:34,567 --> 00:25:36,734 Mr. Carney: Peter, and then -- Peter and Peter. 491 00:25:36,734 --> 00:25:39,332 The Press: If I can ask quickly about the announcement that's going to be 492 00:25:39,333 --> 00:25:41,700 made at 2: 10 p.m. today about the Department of Transportation 493 00:25:41,700 --> 00:25:42,700 new nominee, very briefly. 494 00:25:42,700 --> 00:25:44,934 Before on him specifically, are we going to hear about a 495 00:25:44,934 --> 00:25:46,233 Commerce Secretary or Trade Representative today, 496 00:25:46,233 --> 00:25:48,367 or is it just one individual today? 497 00:25:48,367 --> 00:25:52,466 Mr. Carney: I think we have the announcement that you made reference to for 498 00:25:52,467 --> 00:25:54,433 the Secretary of Transportation today. 499 00:25:54,433 --> 00:25:57,667 I have no other personnel announcements to make. 500 00:25:57,667 --> 00:25:58,667 The Press: I appreciate that. 501 00:25:58,667 --> 00:25:59,667 Going back to Syria quickly. 502 00:25:59,667 --> 00:26:02,132 The Free Syrian Army over this weekend said that Israeli Air 503 00:26:02,133 --> 00:26:05,000 Force jets flew over Assad's palace and that they bombed a 504 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,967 chemical weapons site near Damascus this weekend. 505 00:26:07,967 --> 00:26:10,333 Do you have any more information about that and what the message 506 00:26:10,333 --> 00:26:11,667 is to Israel? 507 00:26:11,667 --> 00:26:13,934 Mr. Carney: I don't have any information on that. 508 00:26:13,934 --> 00:26:15,433 The Press: And then, finally, if I can quickly, 509 00:26:15,433 --> 00:26:17,800 as we speak about Syria, can you explain -- 510 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,800 there's some sense that the White House is perhaps out over 511 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:22,834 its skis, to use a colloquial phrase, 512 00:26:22,834 --> 00:26:25,900 in terms of the issue on Syria; that the language that was used 513 00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:29,633 before to describe this red line as this being a game-changer is 514 00:26:29,633 --> 00:26:31,367 now the policy doesn't meet that place, 515 00:26:31,367 --> 00:26:33,734 that the words perhaps got a little bit ahead of 516 00:26:33,734 --> 00:26:34,734 policy right now. 517 00:26:34,734 --> 00:26:37,300 If the White House wasn't 100% sure when they put out the 518 00:26:37,300 --> 00:26:39,899 information to the Hill late last week, why right now? 519 00:26:39,900 --> 00:26:42,033 Why not wait to have said something to -- 520 00:26:42,033 --> 00:26:44,199 created this new, complex situation? 521 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:49,533 Mr. Carney: Well, I think, as you know, the President made clear the fact 522 00:26:49,533 --> 00:26:53,632 that there was a red line for the United States long before 523 00:26:53,633 --> 00:26:56,200 this report came out because he was making clear to President 524 00:26:56,200 --> 00:27:01,166 Assad how seriously we would view the use or transfer of 525 00:27:01,166 --> 00:27:02,433 Syria's chemical weapons. 526 00:27:02,433 --> 00:27:07,834 And he made that clear again on Friday when asked about this in 527 00:27:07,834 --> 00:27:12,700 his meeting with the King of Jordan. 528 00:27:12,700 --> 00:27:18,800 And that is why we have to be so thorough in our review of and 529 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:23,767 collection of evidence to prove that chemical weapons 530 00:27:23,767 --> 00:27:25,100 have been used. 531 00:27:25,100 --> 00:27:28,833 And I think the American people would expect nothing less. 532 00:27:28,834 --> 00:27:33,433 That's why we have made clear that while there is some 533 00:27:33,433 --> 00:27:37,400 evidence that leads to an assessment of varying degrees of 534 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,533 confidence that chemical weapons have been used in a limited way 535 00:27:40,533 --> 00:27:44,265 in Syria, more evidence needs to be gathered to build upon the 536 00:27:44,266 --> 00:27:48,934 work that's been done thus far, and that includes working with 537 00:27:48,934 --> 00:27:52,600 allies and partners who care deeply about this issue and have 538 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:55,632 their own assessments that have been made. 539 00:27:55,633 --> 00:27:57,033 It includes working, very importantly, 540 00:27:57,033 --> 00:28:00,734 with the Syrian opposition, and it includes urging President 541 00:28:00,734 --> 00:28:04,000 Assad to allow the United Nations team into Syria. 542 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:06,233 The Press: So given the challenge that's posed by the last part of your 543 00:28:06,233 --> 00:28:08,800 answer, which is Assad's willingness to allow inspectors 544 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:10,633 in there, if he doesn't allow inspectors in, 545 00:28:10,633 --> 00:28:13,467 as appears increasingly to be the case given that hasn't 546 00:28:13,467 --> 00:28:17,567 happened to this point, can the White House or can this 547 00:28:17,567 --> 00:28:21,300 administration ever reach a point of certitude to know that 548 00:28:21,300 --> 00:28:25,066 chemical weapons are being used, to mandate this reaction that 549 00:28:25,066 --> 00:28:28,567 the President has discussed, a game-changer? 550 00:28:28,567 --> 00:28:33,633 Mr. Carney: I think that it is certainly easier if you were to have a 551 00:28:33,633 --> 00:28:38,734 team on the ground allowed entry by the Assad regime, 552 00:28:38,734 --> 00:28:40,766 but we are not waiting for that process. 553 00:28:40,767 --> 00:28:43,000 We are moving forward, as we have already, 554 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:46,133 to collect information and gather evidence. 555 00:28:46,133 --> 00:28:49,200 We are relying and working with the Syrian opposition, 556 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:51,033 as well as our allies and partners in that effort. 557 00:28:51,033 --> 00:28:52,800 And that effort will continue. 558 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:57,000 But there is no question that this not easy business and it 559 00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:00,700 needs to be thorough, and we need to establish the highest 560 00:29:00,700 --> 00:29:05,000 possible level of confidence in the assessments that we make. 561 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:07,033 And that's why we're assembling the facts in the way 562 00:29:07,033 --> 00:29:08,065 that we are. 563 00:29:08,066 --> 00:29:09,233 The Press: Thank you, Jay. 564 00:29:09,233 --> 00:29:10,233 Mr. Carney: Yes, Peter. 565 00:29:10,233 --> 00:29:12,600 The Press: Vice President Biden often talks about how, 566 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:15,800 if you show him your budget, he can tell you what you value. 567 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:17,433 We hear him say that. 568 00:29:17,433 --> 00:29:19,166 So with respect to the sequester, 569 00:29:19,166 --> 00:29:22,500 would it be unfair for people to conclude that what Congress and 570 00:29:22,500 --> 00:29:25,433 the White House values is the convenience of air travelers as 571 00:29:25,433 --> 00:29:27,567 opposed Head Start recipients? 572 00:29:27,567 --> 00:29:29,967 Mr. Carney: I think it's fair to say that about Congress. 573 00:29:29,967 --> 00:29:33,533 We do not have independently the power to eliminate the sequester 574 00:29:33,533 --> 00:29:36,766 either in piecemeal fashion or in its entirety. 575 00:29:36,767 --> 00:29:40,000 If we did have that power, we would have exercised it, 576 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:44,333 and we would pass a budget very much like the one the President 577 00:29:44,333 --> 00:29:45,934 submitted that eliminates the sequester, 578 00:29:45,934 --> 00:29:48,934 achieves $4.3 trillion in deficit reduction in a balanced 579 00:29:48,934 --> 00:29:52,300 way, invests in our economy, helps the middle class grow and 580 00:29:52,300 --> 00:29:54,700 thrive and protects our seniors. 581 00:29:54,700 --> 00:29:57,533 Republicans in Congress chose a different path. 582 00:29:57,533 --> 00:30:00,332 Although late last year, just a few months ago, 583 00:30:00,333 --> 00:30:03,600 the Speaker of the House said that through a process of tax 584 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:06,632 reform, up to a trillion dollars in revenue could be generated 585 00:30:06,633 --> 00:30:09,367 from the wealthy and well-connected and applied 586 00:30:09,367 --> 00:30:12,567 towards deficit reduction, he now says, no way, no how. 587 00:30:12,567 --> 00:30:16,867 And that's unfortunate, because the only responsible way to 588 00:30:16,867 --> 00:30:19,934 reduce our deficit that doesn't ask seniors to bear the burden 589 00:30:19,934 --> 00:30:23,500 alone, or middle-class families trying to educate their kids or 590 00:30:23,500 --> 00:30:27,400 small businesses or other regular folks out in the country 591 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:29,433 and the economy trying to bear this burden alone, 592 00:30:29,433 --> 00:30:31,967 they have said no. 593 00:30:31,967 --> 00:30:33,867 And that's unfortunate. 594 00:30:33,867 --> 00:30:37,200 So, yes, the decision by Congress to act swiftly to 595 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:42,433 alleviate the delays being caused by the furloughs at the 596 00:30:42,433 --> 00:30:46,700 FAA I think demonstrates a level of concern for some people who 597 00:30:46,700 --> 00:30:48,467 are affected by the sequester that we wish, 598 00:30:48,467 --> 00:30:53,867 and the President wishes, would be applied elsewhere to other 599 00:30:53,867 --> 00:30:56,433 Americans who are suffering from these effects, 600 00:30:56,433 --> 00:30:58,400 and to the economy as a whole. 601 00:30:58,400 --> 00:31:03,166 Because it's important to remember that it can be viewed 602 00:31:03,166 --> 00:31:07,166 as a political tactic or something "in your pocket," 603 00:31:07,166 --> 00:31:11,867 as John Boehner said, to play in the Beltway games with the White 604 00:31:11,867 --> 00:31:15,500 House and Democrats, or you can view it as something that's 605 00:31:15,500 --> 00:31:18,834 costing us up to three-quarters of a million jobs and a half 606 00:31:18,834 --> 00:31:20,400 percentage point of economic growth. 607 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:23,633 And then, you have to ask yourself, am I doing -- 608 00:31:23,633 --> 00:31:26,300 if I'm supporting this so that I can support the tea party or 609 00:31:26,300 --> 00:31:30,899 avert a primary challenge, am I actually doing right by average 610 00:31:30,900 --> 00:31:34,066 Americans out there who are having to bear the brunt of 611 00:31:34,066 --> 00:31:35,066 this decision? 612 00:31:35,066 --> 00:31:37,266 The Press: Because the President could make an important symbolic statement 613 00:31:37,266 --> 00:31:40,200 by saying, you know what, what I value are these other groups 614 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,900 affected by the sequester; I'm going to veto this bill and 615 00:31:42,900 --> 00:31:46,633 we're not going to pass it or I'm not going to sign unless and 616 00:31:46,633 --> 00:31:49,300 until these other groups are also protected. 617 00:31:49,300 --> 00:31:51,734 Mr. Carney: Well, Peter, the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stood 618 00:31:51,734 --> 00:31:54,800 before you here months ago and made clear that this would be 619 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:57,433 one of the effects, and I think in doing so, 620 00:31:57,433 --> 00:32:01,367 we made clear that this was an effect that we thought would be 621 00:32:01,367 --> 00:32:06,300 of great concern to Congress and to the American people. 622 00:32:06,300 --> 00:32:09,166 Unfortunately, because Republicans chose to embrace the 623 00:32:09,166 --> 00:32:13,233 sequester we now have seen that effect play out in airports 624 00:32:13,233 --> 00:32:14,367 across the country. 625 00:32:14,367 --> 00:32:18,734 And we welcome the decision by Congress to take action to 626 00:32:18,734 --> 00:32:22,766 eliminate this portion of the harm being caused to the 627 00:32:22,767 --> 00:32:23,767 American people. 628 00:32:23,767 --> 00:32:28,133 But let's be clear, that's not our preferred approach and a 629 00:32:28,133 --> 00:32:30,166 piecemeal approach is not the way to it. 630 00:32:30,166 --> 00:32:33,833 If you just do the math here, this is one-half of 1% of the 631 00:32:33,834 --> 00:32:35,333 sequester -- less than that. 632 00:32:35,333 --> 00:32:37,533 If you were to do it on average on that basis and try to 633 00:32:37,533 --> 00:32:38,800 eliminate the sequester piecemeal, 634 00:32:38,800 --> 00:32:41,533 you'd have to have more than 200 acts of Congress. 635 00:32:41,533 --> 00:32:44,667 Well, that doesn't happen, right? 636 00:32:44,667 --> 00:32:49,632 So the easier, smarter way to do it is to eliminate the sequester 637 00:32:49,633 --> 00:32:51,433 and replace it with good policy -- 638 00:32:51,433 --> 00:32:55,567 balanced, fair, sensible policy, including smart cuts; 639 00:32:55,567 --> 00:32:58,100 including smart entitlement reforms; 640 00:32:58,100 --> 00:33:01,033 including tax reform that generates revenue that can be 641 00:33:01,033 --> 00:33:03,265 applied to deficit reduction. 642 00:33:03,266 --> 00:33:04,367 That's the way to go about it. 643 00:33:04,367 --> 00:33:06,966 That's what every bipartisan commission that has looked at 644 00:33:06,967 --> 00:33:08,567 this says is the way to go about it. 645 00:33:08,567 --> 00:33:14,400 It's the way every iteration of the Simpson-Bowles report says 646 00:33:14,400 --> 00:33:15,934 we should go about it. 647 00:33:15,934 --> 00:33:18,332 Republican senators have said -- many of them -- 648 00:33:18,333 --> 00:33:19,567 that that's the way we should go about it. 649 00:33:19,567 --> 00:33:23,900 So the President hopes that through his conversations with 650 00:33:23,900 --> 00:33:27,066 Republican lawmakers that we can find some common ground here to 651 00:33:27,066 --> 00:33:29,300 do it in this way -- that eliminates the sequester and 652 00:33:29,300 --> 00:33:31,934 helps our economy. 653 00:33:31,934 --> 00:33:38,433 The Press: A little off topic, but today with the announcement of the 654 00:33:38,433 --> 00:33:41,667 Charlotte Mayor as the Transportation Secretary, 655 00:33:41,667 --> 00:33:44,800 the Cabinet is kind of taking shape at this point. 656 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,966 Is the President satisfied that his Cabinet this time around 657 00:33:47,967 --> 00:33:50,800 represents the diversity of the American people and the 658 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:53,667 diversity of the electoral coalition that actually got him 659 00:33:53,667 --> 00:33:56,332 elected to the White House? 660 00:33:56,333 --> 00:34:00,300 Mr. Carney: The President believes that diversity is very important 661 00:34:00,300 --> 00:34:05,533 because diversity in his Cabinet and among his top advisors 662 00:34:05,533 --> 00:34:07,632 improves the decision-making process. 663 00:34:07,633 --> 00:34:09,166 It improves the input and, therefore, 664 00:34:09,166 --> 00:34:13,900 improves his capacity to deliberate and make the best 665 00:34:13,900 --> 00:34:17,533 decisions possible when it comes to policy for the country. 666 00:34:17,533 --> 00:34:21,165 And he is pleased with the individuals who have agreed to 667 00:34:21,166 --> 00:34:24,000 accept his nominations for positions in the Cabinet, 668 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:27,567 those positions that have opened up because of folks leaving. 669 00:34:27,567 --> 00:34:32,367 And obviously, there are other nominations still to come. 670 00:34:32,367 --> 00:34:37,000 And I think that what you will see is a Cabinet that reflects 671 00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:40,300 the diversity of the country and reflects the quality of people 672 00:34:40,300 --> 00:34:42,800 who are willing to serve their country in these 673 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:44,667 important positions. 674 00:34:44,667 --> 00:34:47,132 The Press: Does this kind of look like America and the sort of 675 00:34:47,132 --> 00:34:49,332 proportions that there are in his electoral coalition? 676 00:34:49,333 --> 00:34:53,934 Mr. Carney: I think that the focus here is on making sure that diversity is 677 00:34:53,934 --> 00:35:01,834 part of what is sought in picking senior advisors to 678 00:35:01,834 --> 00:35:02,834 the President. 679 00:35:02,834 --> 00:35:04,734 And I think that's reflected in the choices he has made. 680 00:35:04,734 --> 00:35:07,667 And I think that the quality of personnel who have agreed to 681 00:35:07,667 --> 00:35:10,900 serve the country in his Cabinet reflects the President's 682 00:35:10,900 --> 00:35:14,567 insistence that he get the very best people in these positions 683 00:35:14,567 --> 00:35:18,300 giving him advice on these very important policy mattes. 684 00:35:18,300 --> 00:35:19,367 Cheryl. 685 00:35:19,367 --> 00:35:20,367 The Press: Thanks. 686 00:35:20,367 --> 00:35:22,333 The President is going to be traveling to Mexico later this 687 00:35:22,333 --> 00:35:24,033 week, where he'll be talking about trade. 688 00:35:24,033 --> 00:35:27,834 Is the White House concerned at all that not having a Commerce 689 00:35:27,834 --> 00:35:31,232 nominee or a U.S. Trade nominee might hurt those talks 690 00:35:31,233 --> 00:35:32,500 those at all? 691 00:35:32,500 --> 00:35:33,533 Mr. Carney: I would not expect that. 692 00:35:33,533 --> 00:35:36,834 I think we have an excellent team that has worked on these 693 00:35:36,834 --> 00:35:40,265 issues for a number of years now. 694 00:35:40,266 --> 00:35:43,834 And we have obviously worked with the Mexican government 695 00:35:43,834 --> 00:35:48,966 closely on matters of trade and economic development. 696 00:35:48,967 --> 00:35:52,133 And in terms of specific personnel nominations, 697 00:35:52,133 --> 00:35:54,200 I don't have any announcements to make. 698 00:35:54,200 --> 00:35:55,200 Mark. 699 00:35:55,200 --> 00:35:58,667 The Press: Yes, Jay, just one more on the sequester line of questioning. 700 00:35:58,667 --> 00:36:02,467 By accepting the FAA, haven't you now opened the door to a 701 00:36:02,467 --> 00:36:05,700 bunch of folks coming along asking for a piece-by-piece fix 702 00:36:05,700 --> 00:36:09,100 on the flexibility in a particular agency or budget 703 00:36:09,100 --> 00:36:13,133 line, but taken the pressure off for the very grand bargain, 704 00:36:13,133 --> 00:36:15,133 balanced compromise that you say you want? 705 00:36:15,133 --> 00:36:19,567 Mr. Carney: No, because as I pointed out, piecemeal is not the way to fix 706 00:36:19,567 --> 00:36:20,567 the sequester. 707 00:36:20,567 --> 00:36:24,233 It would tax not just this Congress, 708 00:36:24,233 --> 00:36:28,033 but any Congress in history to go about the business of trying 709 00:36:28,033 --> 00:36:30,299 to fix this in a piecemeal fashion. 710 00:36:30,300 --> 00:36:31,300 It's not the way to do it. 711 00:36:31,300 --> 00:36:35,667 We should do it in a broad -- as part of a broad, 712 00:36:35,667 --> 00:36:39,667 balanced deal that reduces our deficit and helps our economy 713 00:36:39,667 --> 00:36:41,266 grow through key investments. 714 00:36:41,266 --> 00:36:45,200 The Press: On the first test, that's exactly what you did; 715 00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:46,633 you accepted piecemeal. 716 00:36:46,633 --> 00:36:48,133 Mr. Carney: I think I made clear that the President, 717 00:36:48,133 --> 00:36:50,200 as Secretary LaHood made clear to you guys two months ago, 718 00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:52,265 was very concerned about this potential effect. 719 00:36:52,266 --> 00:36:54,000 He's also concerned about all these other effects. 720 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:57,867 And he calls on Congress to show the same level of concern for 721 00:36:57,867 --> 00:37:01,266 parents of Head Start kids who are no longer enrolled in Head 722 00:37:01,266 --> 00:37:04,367 Start, or for seniors who are no longer getting Meals on Wheels, 723 00:37:04,367 --> 00:37:09,400 or for military families who -- or families in military 724 00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:12,834 communities who have experienced furloughs or job loss because of 725 00:37:12,834 --> 00:37:15,232 the sequester, and to take action accordingly. 726 00:37:15,233 --> 00:37:18,767 And the way to address all those problems is to replace the 727 00:37:18,767 --> 00:37:22,232 sequester with good policy -- replace bad policy with 728 00:37:22,233 --> 00:37:23,900 good policy. 729 00:37:23,900 --> 00:37:26,300 That might be the job description in Congress, 730 00:37:26,300 --> 00:37:29,333 in fact -- let's replace bad policy with good policy. 731 00:37:29,333 --> 00:37:33,533 And we encourage Congress to take that action and do away 732 00:37:33,533 --> 00:37:37,033 with the sequester that was never supposed to be implemented 733 00:37:37,033 --> 00:37:38,900 in the first place. 734 00:37:38,900 --> 00:37:40,200 Jon-Christopher. 735 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:41,200 The Press: Thanks. 736 00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:42,200 Sandy six months-plus. 737 00:37:42,200 --> 00:37:45,799 It seems his Royal Highness Prince Harry is coming over from 738 00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:49,000 Great Britain to visit with Governor Christie in New Jersey, 739 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:50,400 do a walk-through of some of the damage. 740 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:53,667 Can you tell us if the President or anybody from this 741 00:37:53,667 --> 00:37:56,433 administration might be meeting with Prince Harry? 742 00:37:56,433 --> 00:37:58,900 Mr. Carney: I don't have any meetings to announce. 743 00:37:58,900 --> 00:38:06,367 We obviously welcome the attention paid on the tremendous 744 00:38:06,367 --> 00:38:13,066 damage done by the storm and the ongoing efforts to recover in 745 00:38:13,066 --> 00:38:14,165 the region. 746 00:38:14,166 --> 00:38:15,834 But I haven't got any meetings to announce. 747 00:38:15,834 --> 00:38:16,834 Steve. 748 00:38:16,834 --> 00:38:20,466 The Press: The President has a lot of things in his budget that he 749 00:38:20,467 --> 00:38:22,533 considers good policy that are cuts -- 750 00:38:22,533 --> 00:38:25,734 hundreds of billions of dollars in his own cuts that he's 751 00:38:25,734 --> 00:38:28,734 proposed as part of the grand bargain, thinks is good policy. 752 00:38:28,734 --> 00:38:32,266 Why not use that to replace some of the sequester and some of 753 00:38:32,266 --> 00:38:34,166 these horrible things that you keep mentioning? 754 00:38:34,166 --> 00:38:36,600 Given that the Republicans are dug in on revenue, 755 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:40,000 it doesn't seem like you're going to get anything. 756 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:42,800 Mr. Carney: Because the Republicans were sent here to work to solve 757 00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:44,834 problems -- just like the President was and just like 758 00:38:44,834 --> 00:38:45,899 Democrats in Congress were. 759 00:38:45,900 --> 00:38:50,233 It is their responsibility to solve those problems in a way 760 00:38:50,233 --> 00:38:51,700 that's good for the whole country, 761 00:38:51,700 --> 00:38:55,500 and it is their responsibility to work cooperatively to try to 762 00:38:55,500 --> 00:38:56,633 find common ground. 763 00:38:56,633 --> 00:38:58,066 That's what the President believes. 764 00:38:58,066 --> 00:39:02,066 And it is the wrong way to reduce our deficit or eliminate 765 00:39:02,066 --> 00:39:04,966 the sequester by simply saying, you know what, 766 00:39:04,967 --> 00:39:06,500 we'll just ask seniors to deal with it. 767 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:09,433 We'll hold harmless millionaires and billionaires. 768 00:39:09,433 --> 00:39:14,100 We'll let those tax loopholes stay in place for those who 769 00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:19,767 benefit or own corporate jets, or the oil and gas industry that 770 00:39:19,767 --> 00:39:24,100 has made record profits in recent years, 771 00:39:24,100 --> 00:39:26,133 we'll let them keep their taxpayer subsidies. 772 00:39:26,133 --> 00:39:28,133 We'll ask seniors to pay the bill for eliminating 773 00:39:28,133 --> 00:39:29,133 the sequester. 774 00:39:29,133 --> 00:39:30,700 That's not the way this can happen. 775 00:39:30,700 --> 00:39:33,500 It's not the fair and right way, and it's not good policy. 776 00:39:33,500 --> 00:39:35,500 And that's why the President insists that we need to do this 777 00:39:35,500 --> 00:39:36,500 in a balanced way. 778 00:39:36,500 --> 00:39:38,133 That's what the American people say they want. 779 00:39:38,133 --> 00:39:40,966 That's what every bipartisan commission that's looked at this 780 00:39:40,967 --> 00:39:43,166 has said is the right way to go. 781 00:39:43,166 --> 00:39:46,133 And that's why the President is engaged in these conversations 782 00:39:46,133 --> 00:39:49,165 with Republican lawmakers to see if common ground on this issue 783 00:39:49,166 --> 00:39:50,633 can be found. 784 00:39:50,633 --> 00:39:59,066 And if we take that approach, it will be not just good because it 785 00:39:59,066 --> 00:40:01,834 eliminates the sequester -- although that is a good thing -- 786 00:40:01,834 --> 00:40:04,799 it will be good because it will send the signal to the country 787 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:08,533 and the world that we can work cooperatively in a way that the 788 00:40:08,533 --> 00:40:10,734 American people overwhelmingly support. 789 00:40:10,734 --> 00:40:12,100 It will be good for our economy. 790 00:40:12,100 --> 00:40:15,000 It will be good for the middle class and for seniors. 791 00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:17,667 These are all goals that supposedly members of both 792 00:40:17,667 --> 00:40:21,633 parties on Capitol Hill share. 793 00:40:21,633 --> 00:40:23,700 The Press: Jay, on Syria and chemical weapons, 794 00:40:23,700 --> 00:40:24,933 you say you want certainty. 795 00:40:24,934 --> 00:40:28,900 Is there a certainty, though, that the United Nations, 796 00:40:28,900 --> 00:40:33,133 the allies, NATO, and/or the Arab League are going to go 797 00:40:33,133 --> 00:40:35,633 along and say, yes, a red line has been crossed? 798 00:40:35,633 --> 00:40:40,232 Or is there a possibility of fracturing over this -- 799 00:40:40,233 --> 00:40:44,433 these nebulous, quantitative measure or whatever? 800 00:40:44,433 --> 00:40:47,600 Mr. Carney: Well, I think we need to get first steps first. 801 00:40:47,600 --> 00:40:50,900 And we are in the process of evaluating evidence, 802 00:40:50,900 --> 00:40:55,033 collecting evidence, working with allies and partners and the 803 00:40:55,033 --> 00:40:59,667 Syrian opposition to put together the necessary evidence 804 00:40:59,667 --> 00:41:05,567 that can be corroborated and reviewed in the aim of trying to 805 00:41:05,567 --> 00:41:11,000 establish whether or not the red line was crossed. 806 00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:13,600 I think it's pretty clear that we are not the only country that 807 00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:19,799 has the concern here about the possible use by the Assad regime 808 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:22,600 of chemical weapons and the implications of that. 809 00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:26,366 And we will work with countries who share our concern as we 810 00:41:26,367 --> 00:41:28,233 assess the facts that have been gathered and as we 811 00:41:28,233 --> 00:41:29,233 gather more facts. 812 00:41:29,233 --> 00:41:33,133 The Press: But won't it be expected for the United States to say, yeah, 813 00:41:33,133 --> 00:41:35,466 the red line has been crossed, and then try to bring everybody 814 00:41:35,467 --> 00:41:36,467 else along? 815 00:41:36,467 --> 00:41:38,000 Mr. Carney: I think we've been pretty clear that -- 816 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:41,333 we made the point about the severity of this potential 817 00:41:41,333 --> 00:41:45,800 problem, the President did, and we have made clear that as it 818 00:41:45,800 --> 00:41:48,700 has become more evident that chemical weapons may have been 819 00:41:48,700 --> 00:41:53,500 used in Syria by the regime that we need to gather all the facts 820 00:41:53,500 --> 00:41:56,800 to decide whether or not that red line has been crossed, 821 00:41:56,800 --> 00:42:01,000 and then decide what policy implications flow from that. 822 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:06,433 And that's why we provided the information that we have to the 823 00:42:06,433 --> 00:42:08,967 Congress, and that's why we continue this work. 824 00:42:08,967 --> 00:42:10,166 The Press: Thanks, Jay. 825 00:42:10,166 --> 00:42:11,633 Mr. Carney: In the back. 826 00:42:11,633 --> 00:42:14,066 The Press: Yes, you mentioned it's not the right way to go on the sequester 827 00:42:14,066 --> 00:42:16,500 to do piecemeal, but will the White House accept more 828 00:42:16,500 --> 00:42:17,500 piecemeal fixes? 829 00:42:17,500 --> 00:42:20,500 Are they going to push Congress to maybe do some piecemeal fixes 830 00:42:20,500 --> 00:42:23,433 for stuff like -- the American Cancer Society is talking about 831 00:42:23,433 --> 00:42:26,533 fixes to try to make more cancer research available. 832 00:42:26,533 --> 00:42:28,366 Is the White House going to push for stuff like that? 833 00:42:28,367 --> 00:42:31,266 Mr. Carney: I haven't seen any proposals along the lines that 834 00:42:31,266 --> 00:42:32,266 you point out. 835 00:42:32,266 --> 00:42:36,333 But the reason why I used the example that Secretary Duncan 836 00:42:36,333 --> 00:42:39,367 had used in the past is that there are -- 837 00:42:39,367 --> 00:42:45,100 when you have $80-plus billion in across-the-board cuts in 838 00:42:45,100 --> 00:42:49,100 seven months with exclusions included in it that make the 839 00:42:49,100 --> 00:42:53,033 cuts where they take effect even more deep and severe, 840 00:42:53,033 --> 00:42:55,165 there are no happy options generally. 841 00:42:55,166 --> 00:43:00,333 In the FAA case, there was money that was unobligated for 842 00:43:00,333 --> 00:43:03,700 essentially capital projects that could be transferred -- 843 00:43:03,700 --> 00:43:08,734 by an act of Congress only -- to alleviate the furloughs. 844 00:43:08,734 --> 00:43:12,633 But that tradeoff doesn't necessarily exist in many 845 00:43:12,633 --> 00:43:13,633 other places. 846 00:43:13,633 --> 00:43:14,866 And even then, there is a consequence. 847 00:43:14,867 --> 00:43:19,100 That means that when regional airports are looking to fund 848 00:43:19,100 --> 00:43:23,567 capital projects, they'll turn to the FAA and find that that 849 00:43:23,567 --> 00:43:26,767 money has been used to avert the furloughs, 850 00:43:26,767 --> 00:43:29,265 and there will economic consequences to that. 851 00:43:29,266 --> 00:43:34,467 So even in this case, there is a negative impact of trying to 852 00:43:34,467 --> 00:43:38,400 solve the sequester in the way that it's been solved for this 853 00:43:38,400 --> 00:43:39,400 particular issue. 854 00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:43,100 The right way to do this is simply to agree to approach our 855 00:43:43,100 --> 00:43:47,100 deficits in a balanced way, reduce them in a balanced way, 856 00:43:47,100 --> 00:43:51,533 and ask the wealthiest and well-connected to have some skin 857 00:43:51,533 --> 00:43:53,767 in this game. 858 00:43:53,767 --> 00:43:56,466 What's amazing to me when you look at the budget that the 859 00:43:56,467 --> 00:44:03,133 House Republicans passed and the calls you now see for tax reform 860 00:44:03,133 --> 00:44:08,232 that would not just close some loopholes and cap some 861 00:44:08,233 --> 00:44:11,667 deductions but give a substantial tax cut to the 862 00:44:11,667 --> 00:44:15,433 wealthiest Americans, you wonder if there really is seriousness 863 00:44:15,433 --> 00:44:19,100 among Republicans who claim to be concerned about deficits and 864 00:44:19,100 --> 00:44:22,033 debt -- because the numbers just don't add up. 865 00:44:22,033 --> 00:44:26,033 The right way to do this is through a balanced approach that 866 00:44:26,033 --> 00:44:29,533 includes savings from entitlement reforms, 867 00:44:29,533 --> 00:44:32,366 savings from spending cuts, and savings through tax reform. 868 00:44:32,367 --> 00:44:35,800 And that's the way that the President has proposed we do it. 869 00:44:35,800 --> 00:44:38,033 Many others have said that's the right way to do it. 870 00:44:38,033 --> 00:44:41,900 And at varying times, Republican leaders have said they would be 871 00:44:41,900 --> 00:44:43,500 willing to do that. 872 00:44:43,500 --> 00:44:47,500 But now they say no, and that is not how it should be. 873 00:44:47,500 --> 00:44:50,567 The Press: But you would sign more piecemeal fixes if they came? 874 00:44:50,567 --> 00:44:52,800 Mr. Carney: You're asking me to speculate on bills that don't even exist. 875 00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:55,266 I think that we made clear that this is not the right way to go 876 00:44:55,266 --> 00:44:56,266 about it. 877 00:44:56,266 --> 00:44:57,900 It doesn't solve the overall problem. 878 00:44:57,900 --> 00:45:02,533 We welcome the opportunity to alleviate this specific problem, 879 00:45:02,533 --> 00:45:04,467 but there are many other impacts, 880 00:45:04,467 --> 00:45:05,567 including the macro impact. 881 00:45:05,567 --> 00:45:08,934 I mean, solving half of 1% of this problem doesn't get you 882 00:45:08,934 --> 00:45:15,700 very far in saving those 750,000 jobs, or eliminating the .6% 883 00:45:15,700 --> 00:45:18,899 drag on our economic growth. 884 00:45:18,900 --> 00:45:20,867 We need to do this in the right way, 885 00:45:20,867 --> 00:45:23,500 and that's the way the American people expect us to do it. 886 00:45:23,500 --> 00:45:24,834 Thanks very much.