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1 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,270 Mr. Earnest: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:05,271 --> 00:00:08,111 Nice to see you all. 3 00:00:08,108 --> 00:00:10,108 I do not have any announcements to make at the 4 00:00:10,110 --> 00:00:12,180 top, so we can go straight to questions. 5 00:00:12,178 --> 00:00:13,848 Darlene, do you want to go first? 6 00:00:13,848 --> 00:00:14,848 The Press: Thank you. 7 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:16,380 A question on trade. 8 00:00:16,384 --> 00:00:20,254 The current plan as it stands is for the House to 9 00:00:20,253 --> 00:00:24,053 vote separately on TPA and then have a separate vote on 10 00:00:24,057 --> 00:00:27,197 the TAA, send those to the Senate where they'll have to 11 00:00:27,193 --> 00:00:28,733 vote on them separately. 12 00:00:28,728 --> 00:00:31,428 Is that a path forward the White House supports? 13 00:00:31,431 --> 00:00:36,241 What is the President doing to get Dems to vote for it? 14 00:00:36,236 --> 00:00:39,976 Mr. Earnest: Well, let me say that that is one of many 15 00:00:39,973 --> 00:00:42,443 different legislative strategies that's being 16 00:00:42,442 --> 00:00:45,882 discussed on Capitol Hill and even by White House 17 00:00:45,879 --> 00:00:50,049 officials, including the President, today. 18 00:00:50,049 --> 00:00:52,319 It's not clear to us here at the White House that a 19 00:00:52,318 --> 00:00:56,658 specific strategy has been settled upon by legislative 20 00:00:56,656 --> 00:00:58,856 leaders who ultimately will be responsible for setting 21 00:00:58,858 --> 00:01:01,028 and implementing that strategy. 22 00:01:01,027 --> 00:01:06,737 The one thing that we have been clear about is that the 23 00:01:06,733 --> 00:01:09,673 only legislative strategy that the President will 24 00:01:09,669 --> 00:01:14,809 support is a strategy that results in both TPA and TAA 25 00:01:14,808 --> 00:01:17,178 coming to his desk. 26 00:01:17,177 --> 00:01:19,177 And as you point out, Darlene, there are a variety 27 00:01:19,179 --> 00:01:21,349 of ways to do that, but that is something that continues 28 00:01:21,347 --> 00:01:26,217 to be discussed as of a few minutes before I walked out 29 00:01:26,219 --> 00:01:27,219 here. 30 00:01:27,220 --> 00:01:30,020 Let me just say one last thing about that, and that 31 00:01:30,023 --> 00:01:34,893 is specifically that we also know that for any of those 32 00:01:34,894 --> 00:01:38,164 strategies to succeed it will require the support of 33 00:01:38,164 --> 00:01:40,864 Democrats in both the House and the Senate, and it will 34 00:01:40,867 --> 00:01:45,807 require the House and Senate to continue to operate in 35 00:01:45,805 --> 00:01:48,605 bipartisan fashion when considering this issue. 36 00:01:48,608 --> 00:01:52,878 And over the last couple of weeks I have had kind words 37 00:01:52,879 --> 00:01:55,749 to say to members of Congress about their 38 00:01:55,748 --> 00:01:58,548 commitment to acting in bipartisan fashion and that 39 00:01:58,551 --> 00:02:00,751 has been critical to the significant progress that's 40 00:02:00,753 --> 00:02:01,753 been made thus far. 41 00:02:01,754 --> 00:02:04,824 But that commitment to bipartisanship and the 42 00:02:04,824 --> 00:02:07,694 important role that Democrats will have to play 43 00:02:07,694 --> 00:02:12,094 in this process moving forward will be required for 44 00:02:12,098 --> 00:02:15,338 us to ultimately succeed. 45 00:02:15,335 --> 00:02:17,275 The Press: Has he had any conversations with anyone, 46 00:02:17,270 --> 00:02:21,270 any lawmakers other than Speaker Boehner since the 47 00:02:21,274 --> 00:02:22,474 vote on Friday? 48 00:02:22,475 --> 00:02:25,345 Mr. Earnest: Yes. 49 00:02:25,379 --> 00:02:27,209 I don't have any specific telephone calls 50 00:02:27,213 --> 00:02:28,213 to tell you about. 51 00:02:28,214 --> 00:02:31,484 It's been principally with Democrats, but not 52 00:02:31,484 --> 00:02:33,124 exclusively with Democrats. 53 00:02:33,119 --> 00:02:34,289 The Press: Including Nancy Pelosi? 54 00:02:34,287 --> 00:02:37,027 Mr. Earnest: Again, I'm not going to go through the 55 00:02:37,023 --> 00:02:39,023 details of the calls that he's made. 56 00:02:39,025 --> 00:02:42,265 The Press: Can you say how awkward it will be, it may 57 00:02:42,262 --> 00:02:45,362 be, for the President later today to welcome members of 58 00:02:45,365 --> 00:02:47,705 Congress here for the picnic and then, later this week, 59 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:50,440 to also fund-raise with Nancy Pelosi in 60 00:02:50,436 --> 00:02:54,806 San Francisco, so soon after the House Democrats deserted him 61 00:02:54,807 --> 00:02:58,107 on the trade issue? 62 00:02:58,111 --> 00:03:00,551 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, the President and the 63 00:03:00,555 --> 00:03:04,985 First Lady have annually hosted a congressional picnic here at 64 00:03:04,984 --> 00:03:05,984 the White House. 65 00:03:05,985 --> 00:03:08,185 I think there have been at least one or two years where 66 00:03:08,187 --> 00:03:10,187 weather has prevented the event from actually 67 00:03:10,189 --> 00:03:11,429 occurring. 68 00:03:11,424 --> 00:03:13,564 But this is a nice opportunity for members of 69 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,760 Congress -- in both parties, I might add -- to spend time 70 00:03:16,763 --> 00:03:20,633 with their families on a nice summer evening on the 71 00:03:20,633 --> 00:03:22,173 South Lawn of the White House. 72 00:03:22,168 --> 00:03:26,038 And it is a goodwill gesture and a purely social 73 00:03:26,039 --> 00:03:27,609 occasion. 74 00:03:27,607 --> 00:03:29,807 And the President is looking forward to spending some 75 00:03:29,809 --> 00:03:32,649 time out there this evening as well. 76 00:03:32,645 --> 00:03:34,645 As it relates to the President's relationship 77 00:03:34,647 --> 00:03:37,187 with Democrats, I think what I said about the 78 00:03:37,183 --> 00:03:39,183 relationship between the President and Leader Pelosi 79 00:03:39,185 --> 00:03:43,185 applies to the President and his relationship with the 80 00:03:43,189 --> 00:03:48,229 House and Senate Democratic caucuses, which is that the 81 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:52,597 strength of their professional and personal 82 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:56,139 relationship is more than strong enough to weather a 83 00:03:56,135 --> 00:04:00,105 difference of opinion over one issue, even an issue as 84 00:04:00,106 --> 00:04:04,106 important as this one. 85 00:04:04,110 --> 00:04:05,610 The Press: Is it still the case that he hasn't spoken 86 00:04:05,612 --> 00:04:07,682 with Leader Pelosi since Friday, since he went 87 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:09,420 to the Hill? 88 00:04:09,415 --> 00:04:11,415 Mr. Earnest: Again, I'm not going to get into any 89 00:04:11,417 --> 00:04:12,417 individual telephone conversations that the 90 00:04:12,419 --> 00:04:15,459 President has had other than to confirm for you that he 91 00:04:15,455 --> 00:04:18,295 has had a number of them, including as recently as 92 00:04:18,291 --> 00:04:19,291 this morning. 93 00:04:19,292 --> 00:04:21,292 The Press: And then, finally, the State Department 94 00:04:21,294 --> 00:04:23,964 says that when their folks go to New York 95 00:04:23,963 --> 00:04:26,363 later this year for UNGA, they won't stay at the 96 00:04:26,366 --> 00:04:29,236 Waldorf-Astoria because it's now owned by a 97 00:04:29,235 --> 00:04:30,505 Chinese company. 98 00:04:30,503 --> 00:04:31,803 Can you say whether the President will stay at the 99 00:04:31,804 --> 00:04:34,104 Waldorf-Astoria, or will he find someplace else to stay 100 00:04:34,107 --> 00:04:35,677 when he goes up for that? 101 00:04:35,675 --> 00:04:37,915 Mr. Earnest: I don't have any details about the 102 00:04:37,910 --> 00:04:40,610 President's accommodations when he travels to New York 103 00:04:40,613 --> 00:04:42,183 later this year, but as we get more details on that 104 00:04:42,181 --> 00:04:43,981 we'll let you know. 105 00:04:43,983 --> 00:04:45,253 Roberta. 106 00:04:45,251 --> 00:04:46,421 The Press: What is the U.S. 107 00:04:46,419 --> 00:04:48,219 position, the White House position, on the vote in 108 00:04:48,221 --> 00:04:51,121 Hong Kong on election reforms? 109 00:04:51,124 --> 00:04:53,764 Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware of a position that we have 110 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,260 taken on this, but -- well, I can have somebody follow 111 00:04:56,262 --> 00:04:58,262 up with you to let you know if we have something to say 112 00:04:58,264 --> 00:04:59,534 about it. 113 00:04:59,532 --> 00:05:01,872 The Press: And also we've heard the President talk a 114 00:05:01,868 --> 00:05:04,538 lot about trade and you talk a lot about trade, but less 115 00:05:04,537 --> 00:05:05,637 so about Ex-Im Bank. 116 00:05:05,638 --> 00:05:08,278 Mr. Earnest: Principally in response to questions, but, 117 00:05:08,274 --> 00:05:09,274 yes. 118 00:05:09,275 --> 00:05:10,645 The Press: But less so about Ex-Im Bank. 119 00:05:10,643 --> 00:05:13,143 And there's less than two weeks to go now before that 120 00:05:13,146 --> 00:05:15,146 deadline for the Ex-Im Bank. 121 00:05:15,148 --> 00:05:17,918 And I'm just wondering why the President hasn't talked 122 00:05:17,917 --> 00:05:19,357 as much about the Ex-Im Bank. 123 00:05:19,352 --> 00:05:21,422 Is that part of a deliberate strategy to keep the two 124 00:05:21,421 --> 00:05:23,521 issues separate? 125 00:05:23,523 --> 00:05:25,623 Mr. Earnest: No, I think it's principally that many 126 00:05:25,625 --> 00:05:27,665 of the questions that he has entertained and that I've 127 00:05:27,660 --> 00:05:29,660 entertained over the last couple of weeks have been 128 00:05:29,662 --> 00:05:31,762 focused on the trade issue and not on the Ex-Im Bank 129 00:05:31,764 --> 00:05:32,764 issue. 130 00:05:32,765 --> 00:05:35,605 Over the last several months, as Congress has 131 00:05:35,601 --> 00:05:40,171 debated the necessary reauthorization of the Bank, 132 00:05:40,173 --> 00:05:44,113 we've indicated that Congress succeeding in doing 133 00:05:44,110 --> 00:05:47,010 what many Congresses before them have done in 134 00:05:47,013 --> 00:05:49,913 reauthorizing the Bank is important for our economy. 135 00:05:49,916 --> 00:05:52,516 And that was a view that was held by Republican 136 00:05:52,518 --> 00:05:56,488 Presidents, including President Reagan when he 137 00:05:56,489 --> 00:05:58,789 signed legislation allowing the Bank to continue to do 138 00:05:58,791 --> 00:06:00,391 its important work. 139 00:06:00,393 --> 00:06:02,933 President Obama shares that view, and there is strong 140 00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:06,999 bipartisan support for the Export-Import Bank in 141 00:06:06,999 --> 00:06:07,999 Congress. 142 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:13,010 And I know that Senator McConnell, at least, has 143 00:06:13,005 --> 00:06:15,645 made specific commitments to some of the leading 144 00:06:15,641 --> 00:06:17,641 advocates of the Export-Import Bank in the 145 00:06:17,643 --> 00:06:20,913 United States Senate to work constructively to pass 146 00:06:20,913 --> 00:06:24,353 legislation that would prevent the expiration of 147 00:06:24,350 --> 00:06:25,850 the Bank. 148 00:06:25,852 --> 00:06:27,352 The Press: Has the White House, though, accepted that 149 00:06:27,353 --> 00:06:29,493 it looks likely that there is going to be at least a 150 00:06:29,489 --> 00:06:32,029 temporary lapse on the authorization with only two 151 00:06:32,024 --> 00:06:33,864 weeks -- or less than two weeks to go? 152 00:06:33,860 --> 00:06:34,790 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, this is something that 153 00:06:34,794 --> 00:06:36,134 Congress will have to work out. 154 00:06:36,129 --> 00:06:37,629 I don't know that that is a result that we have 155 00:06:37,630 --> 00:06:38,970 accepted. 156 00:06:38,965 --> 00:06:41,835 We continue to make a strong case that Congress should 157 00:06:41,834 --> 00:06:46,774 allow -- give the Export-Import Bank what they 158 00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:48,773 need to continue to do their important work. 159 00:06:48,775 --> 00:06:50,745 We know that they play a critically important role in 160 00:06:50,743 --> 00:06:52,183 helping U.S. 161 00:06:52,178 --> 00:06:55,278 businesses do business overseas. 162 00:06:55,281 --> 00:06:57,351 That creates economic opportunity and jobs right 163 00:06:57,350 --> 00:06:59,350 here in the United States of America. 164 00:06:59,352 --> 00:07:03,222 That's a worthwhile pursuit, and we believe that's 165 00:07:03,222 --> 00:07:05,792 important work that the Congress should support. 166 00:07:05,792 --> 00:07:07,092 The Press: And as the President and his top 167 00:07:07,093 --> 00:07:10,163 officials like Denis McDonough have been talking 168 00:07:10,163 --> 00:07:13,133 with Speaker Boehner and Leader McConnell and other 169 00:07:13,132 --> 00:07:15,532 Republicans, perhaps, on the Hill, is this something that 170 00:07:15,535 --> 00:07:16,935 they're talking about as well, as they talk about 171 00:07:16,936 --> 00:07:18,506 trade? 172 00:07:18,504 --> 00:07:19,674 Mr. Earnest: I don't know. 173 00:07:19,672 --> 00:07:21,672 I can't give you a detailed readout of each 174 00:07:21,674 --> 00:07:22,674 conversation. 175 00:07:22,675 --> 00:07:26,445 There are some -- I wouldn't be surprised if it came up 176 00:07:26,445 --> 00:07:29,245 -- let me just say it that way. 177 00:07:29,248 --> 00:07:30,248 Pam. 178 00:07:30,249 --> 00:07:32,149 The Press: How does the President feel about 179 00:07:32,151 --> 00:07:34,951 President Putin's announcement that he's going 180 00:07:34,954 --> 00:07:40,594 to put 40 ICBMs into stock and they can defeat the 181 00:07:40,593 --> 00:07:47,903 biggest missile defense system that is available? 182 00:07:47,900 --> 00:07:49,340 Mr. Earnest: Pam, we had the opportunity to talk about 183 00:07:49,335 --> 00:07:50,575 this a little bit yesterday. 184 00:07:50,570 --> 00:07:54,110 And what continues to be true is that saber-rattling 185 00:07:54,106 --> 00:07:59,116 like this does nothing to deescalate conflict. 186 00:08:01,647 --> 00:08:04,317 And the United States has repeatedly stressed our 187 00:08:04,317 --> 00:08:08,817 commitment to the collective defense of our NATO allies. 188 00:08:11,123 --> 00:08:15,163 That is a commitment that we are willing to back up with 189 00:08:15,161 --> 00:08:17,701 action, if necessary. 190 00:08:17,697 --> 00:08:21,167 And that stands in pretty stark contrast to the 191 00:08:21,167 --> 00:08:26,807 saber-rattling that we've seen from Mr. Putin. 192 00:08:26,806 --> 00:08:29,376 And you could also make a case -- and I think with 193 00:08:29,375 --> 00:08:34,045 some credibility -- that invoking the nuclear arsenal 194 00:08:34,046 --> 00:08:37,216 is even an escalation of that saber-rattling. 195 00:08:37,216 --> 00:08:40,316 That's unnecessary and not constructive. 196 00:08:40,319 --> 00:08:43,059 The Press: Is there a danger of another arms race? 197 00:08:43,055 --> 00:08:50,165 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think the -- I did read in The New 198 00:08:50,162 --> 00:08:55,002 York Times today the observation that because of 199 00:08:55,001 --> 00:08:58,771 the -- in part at least, because of the sanctions 200 00:08:58,771 --> 00:09:01,771 regime that has been put in place by the international 201 00:09:01,774 --> 00:09:05,314 community and the United States, that Russia doesn't 202 00:09:05,311 --> 00:09:08,251 have access to the kind of economic resources that they 203 00:09:08,247 --> 00:09:10,487 previously did, and that there are legitimate 204 00:09:10,483 --> 00:09:12,823 questions that have been raised about whether or not 205 00:09:12,818 --> 00:09:15,958 Russia would be able to succeed in following through 206 00:09:15,955 --> 00:09:18,525 on many of the claims and threats that President Putin 207 00:09:18,524 --> 00:09:20,724 has had to offer. 208 00:09:20,726 --> 00:09:24,896 So, again, we continue to be concerned by saber-rattling 209 00:09:24,897 --> 00:09:27,837 that does nothing to deescalate conflict in that 210 00:09:27,833 --> 00:09:30,473 region of the world. 211 00:09:30,469 --> 00:09:34,169 And that's why we continue to take very seriously our 212 00:09:34,173 --> 00:09:36,973 Article 5 commitments under the NATO Treaty, and 213 00:09:36,976 --> 00:09:39,776 continue to take steps that we believe are necessary to 214 00:09:39,779 --> 00:09:41,679 prepare for the collective defense of the United States 215 00:09:41,681 --> 00:09:43,051 and our allies. 216 00:09:43,049 --> 00:09:44,279 Ron. 217 00:09:44,283 --> 00:09:48,353 The Press: Over on the Hill, Secretary Carter said that 218 00:09:48,354 --> 00:09:50,424 there had been a goal of trying to recruit 24,000 219 00:09:50,423 --> 00:09:54,063 Iraqi recruits to the military there, but as of 220 00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:56,900 now there are some 7,000. 221 00:09:56,896 --> 00:10:01,036 And this is, as I think you would agree, the linchpin of 222 00:10:01,033 --> 00:10:02,033 the strategy. 223 00:10:02,034 --> 00:10:06,174 You say every time if there's a viable and strong 224 00:10:06,172 --> 00:10:09,672 ground force backed by American airpower, that the 225 00:10:09,675 --> 00:10:11,645 operational -- that the strategy there is 226 00:10:11,644 --> 00:10:12,644 successful. 227 00:10:12,645 --> 00:10:16,645 But with such a dearth of candidates stepping up, how 228 00:10:16,649 --> 00:10:19,949 can that strategy -- does the President still have 229 00:10:19,952 --> 00:10:21,092 confidence in that strategy? 230 00:10:21,087 --> 00:10:25,187 And what do you do about this missing tens of 231 00:10:25,191 --> 00:10:27,191 thousands of potential recruits? 232 00:10:27,193 --> 00:10:29,193 Mr. Earnest: Well, Ron, this is something that the 233 00:10:29,195 --> 00:10:31,165 President acknowledged in the news conference that he 234 00:10:31,163 --> 00:10:35,473 convened in Germany last week, where he noted that 235 00:10:35,468 --> 00:10:39,508 the training capacity of the United States and our 236 00:10:39,505 --> 00:10:43,305 coalition partners exceeded the number of recruits that 237 00:10:43,309 --> 00:10:45,309 were going into the program. 238 00:10:48,147 --> 00:10:50,147 So this is something that the President has indicated 239 00:10:50,149 --> 00:10:51,989 as the source of some concern. 240 00:10:51,984 --> 00:10:54,854 And I would acknowledge -- and, in fact, I've said 241 00:10:54,854 --> 00:10:59,154 before -- that having a capable, well-trained, 242 00:10:59,158 --> 00:11:03,258 well-armed fighting force on the ground is critical to 243 00:11:03,262 --> 00:11:05,262 the success of our strategy. 244 00:11:05,264 --> 00:11:08,064 But I would say that actually the linchpin of our 245 00:11:08,067 --> 00:11:13,507 strategy is a central government in Baghdad that 246 00:11:13,506 --> 00:11:18,976 is committed to building an inclusive, multi-sectarian 247 00:11:18,978 --> 00:11:21,518 government, and an inclusive, multi-sectarian 248 00:11:21,514 --> 00:11:22,744 security force. 249 00:11:22,748 --> 00:11:26,648 And part of that effort we need to see them succeed in 250 00:11:26,652 --> 00:11:31,892 is recruiting Iraqis into the fight. 251 00:11:31,891 --> 00:11:34,391 And they will only be successful in those 252 00:11:34,393 --> 00:11:36,693 recruitment efforts if they can continue to inspire 253 00:11:36,695 --> 00:11:41,135 confidence in the diverse Iraqi population that the 254 00:11:41,133 --> 00:11:43,203 central government and the Iraqi security forces are 255 00:11:43,202 --> 00:11:46,272 committed to the defense of every citizen in Iraq. 256 00:11:46,272 --> 00:11:49,912 The Press: It's not just that our training capacity 257 00:11:49,909 --> 00:11:52,409 exceeds the number of recruits -- although that's 258 00:11:52,411 --> 00:11:56,781 true -- the problem seems to be the other way around, 259 00:11:56,782 --> 00:12:00,922 that there's just not enough recruits, as I think you 260 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,150 were saying. 261 00:12:02,154 --> 00:12:04,154 But are there specific things that the United 262 00:12:04,156 --> 00:12:06,626 States can do to push the Iraqis to do this? 263 00:12:06,625 --> 00:12:09,365 And further, with the increasing number of 264 00:12:09,361 --> 00:12:13,301 American military forces now going over there, doesn't 265 00:12:13,299 --> 00:12:16,269 the lack of success with this program put them more 266 00:12:16,268 --> 00:12:18,908 at risk, particularly if those numbers continue to 267 00:12:18,904 --> 00:12:22,444 increase and they tend to lily-pad out -- as I think 268 00:12:22,441 --> 00:12:25,511 the term has been used -- to other parts of the country? 269 00:12:25,511 --> 00:12:26,711 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think that was raised as a 270 00:12:26,712 --> 00:12:27,742 possibility. 271 00:12:27,746 --> 00:12:28,846 I don't think that that was raised as an intention at 272 00:12:28,848 --> 00:12:31,788 this point. 273 00:12:31,784 --> 00:12:33,384 Let me say a couple things about that. 274 00:12:33,385 --> 00:12:35,185 One thing that the United States can do and one thing 275 00:12:35,187 --> 00:12:36,787 that the President can do is raise these concerns 276 00:12:36,789 --> 00:12:39,229 directly with Prime Minister Abadi. 277 00:12:39,225 --> 00:12:41,225 And that's something that he also had the opportunity to 278 00:12:41,227 --> 00:12:44,027 do in their face-to-face meeting in Germany last 279 00:12:44,029 --> 00:12:45,199 week. 280 00:12:45,197 --> 00:12:47,397 The other thing that the President indicated would be 281 00:12:47,399 --> 00:12:52,169 useful -- and this is part of the expansion of the 282 00:12:52,171 --> 00:12:54,711 training mission that the President announced last 283 00:12:54,707 --> 00:12:58,307 week -- is that by establishing this additional 284 00:12:58,310 --> 00:13:03,520 base at Taqaddum and deploying an additional 450 285 00:13:03,516 --> 00:13:04,516 U.S. 286 00:13:04,517 --> 00:13:07,317 forces to Anbar Province we can accelerate the 287 00:13:07,319 --> 00:13:10,259 recruiting, mobilization, training, and equipping of 288 00:13:10,256 --> 00:13:13,596 Sunni fighters -- something which the Iraqi cabinet has 289 00:13:13,592 --> 00:13:15,862 indicated is part of their strategy. 290 00:13:15,861 --> 00:13:21,201 And there is some momentum behind that effort, that we 291 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:25,300 did see last week that 1,000 new Sunni fighters were 292 00:13:25,304 --> 00:13:28,704 inducted into the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Force. 293 00:13:28,707 --> 00:13:31,407 And I understand that even just today, another ceremony 294 00:13:31,410 --> 00:13:34,250 was held where several hundred additional Sunni 295 00:13:34,246 --> 00:13:36,716 local fighters were inducted into the Popular 296 00:13:36,715 --> 00:13:37,685 Mobilization Force. 297 00:13:37,683 --> 00:13:41,523 And again, for this effort to offer advice and 298 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,060 assistance and training to both Sunni fighters as well 299 00:13:44,056 --> 00:13:48,996 as members of the Iraqi security forces, we're going 300 00:13:48,994 --> 00:13:51,764 to need to see the Iraqi government try to tap every 301 00:13:51,764 --> 00:13:53,764 element of their population to build this 302 00:13:53,766 --> 00:13:54,836 multi-sectarian security force. 303 00:13:54,833 --> 00:13:56,873 The Press: But the bottom line, is it fair to look at 304 00:13:56,869 --> 00:14:00,169 this goal -- 24,000 -- and this actuality of 7,000 and 305 00:14:00,172 --> 00:14:04,042 say that there's a huge problem here and that in 306 00:14:04,043 --> 00:14:06,883 some limited time frame this needs to be addressed and 307 00:14:06,879 --> 00:14:09,149 the numbers need to -- I mean, here's a metric that 308 00:14:09,148 --> 00:14:11,648 we can look at, two weeks, two months from now? 309 00:14:11,650 --> 00:14:13,950 What's a fair time frame to look at that again and say, 310 00:14:13,953 --> 00:14:16,653 this is working, this is not working, we need to do 311 00:14:16,655 --> 00:14:17,695 something radically different? 312 00:14:17,690 --> 00:14:18,820 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, Ron, I think the first thing 313 00:14:18,824 --> 00:14:20,464 that we would do to evaluate the success of this 314 00:14:20,459 --> 00:14:23,499 particular endeavor is to examine the performance of 315 00:14:23,495 --> 00:14:25,195 those fighters that have gone through the training 316 00:14:25,197 --> 00:14:26,237 program. 317 00:14:26,232 --> 00:14:29,332 And the early results are encouraging in terms of the 318 00:14:29,335 --> 00:14:31,975 way that those forces have performed after receiving 319 00:14:31,971 --> 00:14:34,511 training and when they receive the support of 320 00:14:34,506 --> 00:14:37,806 military airstrikes from the United States and our 321 00:14:37,810 --> 00:14:39,680 coalition partners. 322 00:14:39,678 --> 00:14:43,248 And what we want to do is we want to see more recruits 323 00:14:43,249 --> 00:14:45,519 benefit from that kind of training, advice, and 324 00:14:45,517 --> 00:14:46,517 assistance. 325 00:14:46,518 --> 00:14:49,158 There is some momentum in terms of the more recent 326 00:14:49,154 --> 00:14:51,494 efforts related to recruiting Sunni tribal 327 00:14:51,490 --> 00:14:53,490 fighters into the fight -- that will be critically 328 00:14:53,492 --> 00:14:55,292 important in Anbar Province. 329 00:14:55,294 --> 00:14:57,834 But there is no doubt that we would like to see, as the 330 00:14:57,830 --> 00:15:04,270 President said last week, an increased flow of Iraqi 331 00:15:04,270 --> 00:15:06,270 fighters through these training programs. 332 00:15:06,272 --> 00:15:08,342 The Press: Just one thing on the trade thing. 333 00:15:08,340 --> 00:15:11,640 Representative Clyburn, just in an interview 334 00:15:11,644 --> 00:15:15,084 with Andrea Mitchell, said that -- he kind 335 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:16,450 of repeated what Nancy Pelosi had been 336 00:15:16,448 --> 00:15:19,118 saying that the vote was a sign that the caucus wants 337 00:15:19,118 --> 00:15:22,518 to slow this process down and have input. 338 00:15:22,521 --> 00:15:25,891 In principle, does the President agree with that 339 00:15:25,891 --> 00:15:31,361 notion that this process needs to be slowed -- is he 340 00:15:31,363 --> 00:15:33,463 willing to accept that the process should be slowed 341 00:15:33,465 --> 00:15:35,605 down, that there should be more input? 342 00:15:35,601 --> 00:15:38,901 Or does he think that the process should accelerate? 343 00:15:38,904 --> 00:15:42,144 Or does this -- will that tie his hands in dealing 344 00:15:42,141 --> 00:15:45,281 with the other nations he's negotiating with? 345 00:15:45,277 --> 00:15:46,647 Mr. Earnest: Ron, the President has complete 346 00:15:46,645 --> 00:15:49,445 confidence in the most progressive trade promotion 347 00:15:49,448 --> 00:15:51,548 authority legislation that's ever passed both the House 348 00:15:51,550 --> 00:15:52,790 and the Senate. 349 00:15:52,785 --> 00:15:55,785 This is a piece of legislation that writes in 350 00:15:55,788 --> 00:15:57,158 higher labor protections. 351 00:15:57,156 --> 00:15:59,856 It writes in enforceable higher environmental 352 00:15:59,858 --> 00:16:00,858 standards. 353 00:16:00,859 --> 00:16:04,229 It writes in protections for intellectual property. 354 00:16:04,229 --> 00:16:09,399 It codifies agreements to protect basic human rights. 355 00:16:09,401 --> 00:16:11,401 This is entirely consistent with the kinds of 356 00:16:11,403 --> 00:16:13,403 progressive values the President has championed 357 00:16:13,405 --> 00:16:14,675 during his time in office. 358 00:16:14,673 --> 00:16:17,373 And so he is pleased with the trade promotion 359 00:16:17,376 --> 00:16:19,946 authority legislation that's already passed both houses 360 00:16:19,945 --> 00:16:23,415 of Congress with bipartisan support. 361 00:16:23,415 --> 00:16:25,985 What he would also like to see and what must be a 362 00:16:25,984 --> 00:16:29,354 component of this package is trade adjustment assistance 363 00:16:29,355 --> 00:16:32,755 that offers meaningful assistance to workers who 364 00:16:32,758 --> 00:16:35,398 are affected by these broader global economic 365 00:16:35,394 --> 00:16:38,594 forces, many of them completely unrelated to 366 00:16:38,597 --> 00:16:40,237 trade agreements. 367 00:16:40,232 --> 00:16:42,232 And the fact is the President would be seeking 368 00:16:42,234 --> 00:16:44,504 an extension of trade adjustment assistance even 369 00:16:44,503 --> 00:16:47,203 if we weren't in the middle of trying to negotiate trade 370 00:16:47,206 --> 00:16:48,406 promotion authority. 371 00:16:48,407 --> 00:16:52,447 So what the President believes is that we have 372 00:16:52,444 --> 00:16:54,544 bipartisan support for a package that he feels 373 00:16:54,546 --> 00:16:57,786 confidence in -- that he has confidence in that clearly 374 00:16:57,783 --> 00:16:59,783 reflects the kinds of progressive values the 375 00:16:59,785 --> 00:17:01,085 President has long fought for. 376 00:17:01,086 --> 00:17:03,656 The next stage, in the mind of the President, is making 377 00:17:03,655 --> 00:17:07,525 sure that TAA is included as a component in this package, 378 00:17:07,526 --> 00:17:10,996 and then giving Congress ample time to actually take 379 00:17:10,996 --> 00:17:15,506 a look at a final TPP agreement, if an when those 380 00:17:15,501 --> 00:17:17,701 negotiations are completed. 381 00:17:17,703 --> 00:17:20,803 And the President has committed to making sure 382 00:17:20,806 --> 00:17:23,376 that Congress will have ample time to consider that 383 00:17:23,375 --> 00:17:24,345 document. 384 00:17:24,343 --> 00:17:26,483 In fact, the President himself has said he will 385 00:17:26,478 --> 00:17:29,778 refrain from signing that document for 60 days to give 386 00:17:29,782 --> 00:17:32,152 the American public and Congress opportunity to take 387 00:17:32,151 --> 00:17:34,521 a look at the agreement before he even signs on the 388 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:35,520 dotted line. 389 00:17:35,521 --> 00:17:39,121 If he chooses to do so, and when he does, then that 390 00:17:39,124 --> 00:17:41,124 would then start the process for congressional 391 00:17:41,126 --> 00:17:42,126 consideration. 392 00:17:42,127 --> 00:17:44,127 And there would be ample time for Congress to then 393 00:17:44,129 --> 00:17:46,129 consider it when it's been sent up there. 394 00:17:46,131 --> 00:17:50,201 So there is ample time for Congress to consider any 395 00:17:50,202 --> 00:17:52,242 sort of trade agreement prior to it going into 396 00:17:52,237 --> 00:17:53,237 force. 397 00:17:53,238 --> 00:17:55,238 The Press: So just to -- the short answer seems to be, 398 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,380 no, he is not inclined to slow the process down? 399 00:17:58,377 --> 00:18:00,347 Mr. Earnest: The short answer is that the President 400 00:18:00,345 --> 00:18:02,685 has a lot of confidence in the most progressive trade 401 00:18:02,681 --> 00:18:04,721 promotion authority legislation that Congress 402 00:18:04,716 --> 00:18:06,016 has ever passed. 403 00:18:06,018 --> 00:18:07,148 James. 404 00:18:07,152 --> 00:18:08,052 Nice to see you today. 405 00:18:08,053 --> 00:18:09,893 The Press: Josh, nice to see you. 406 00:18:09,888 --> 00:18:11,888 I was going to take issue with your assertion that 407 00:18:11,890 --> 00:18:13,890 tonight's picnic is a purely social occasion because we 408 00:18:13,892 --> 00:18:16,162 both know there are no such occasions in Washington, D.C. 409 00:18:16,161 --> 00:18:20,161 (laughter) Instead, I'm going to just ask a 410 00:18:20,165 --> 00:18:21,665 couple on Iraq and then one on trade. 411 00:18:21,667 --> 00:18:23,097 Mr. Earnest: Okay. 412 00:18:23,101 --> 00:18:26,271 The Press: Is Iraq today a quagmire? 413 00:18:26,271 --> 00:18:30,111 Mr. Earnest: Well, James, that's not the word that I 414 00:18:30,108 --> 00:18:31,108 would to describe it. 415 00:18:31,109 --> 00:18:37,079 Iraq is a chaotic place and it is a place where our men 416 00:18:37,082 --> 00:18:42,552 and women in uniform who are there are serving our 417 00:18:42,554 --> 00:18:45,094 country in a dangerous place. 418 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:47,430 At the same time, because of the commitment of the 419 00:18:47,426 --> 00:18:50,696 central government in Iraq to unify that country and to 420 00:18:50,696 --> 00:18:55,606 govern in a multi-sectarian inclusive way, there is 421 00:18:55,601 --> 00:18:57,641 promise for Iraq's future. 422 00:18:57,636 --> 00:19:01,076 And a commitment to that political path, and a 423 00:19:01,073 --> 00:19:04,243 commitment to building a multi-sectarian security 424 00:19:04,243 --> 00:19:08,643 force that works hard not just to push back ISIL but 425 00:19:08,647 --> 00:19:11,787 also to protect the basic human rights of the Iraqi 426 00:19:11,783 --> 00:19:13,783 population will be critical to their success in the 427 00:19:13,785 --> 00:19:14,785 future. 428 00:19:14,786 --> 00:19:18,726 The Press: We've talked at length about the 429 00:19:18,724 --> 00:19:23,094 difficulties in establishing real and meaningful 430 00:19:23,095 --> 00:19:25,265 sectarian reconciliation in Iraq. 431 00:19:25,264 --> 00:19:29,364 But is one of the problems in Iraq that the Sunnis 432 00:19:29,368 --> 00:19:32,668 don't trust America right now -- our intentions, our 433 00:19:32,671 --> 00:19:34,071 capabilities? 434 00:19:34,072 --> 00:19:36,072 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think it's hard to speak in a 435 00:19:36,074 --> 00:19:37,314 broad generalization. 436 00:19:37,309 --> 00:19:41,079 No doubt there are some who may have some doubts about 437 00:19:41,079 --> 00:19:43,079 the United States and our intentions. 438 00:19:43,081 --> 00:19:45,081 We've been clear about what our intentions are, and that 439 00:19:45,083 --> 00:19:48,153 message has clearly gotten through because just last 440 00:19:48,153 --> 00:19:51,723 week, 1,000 new Sunni fighters were inducted into 441 00:19:51,723 --> 00:19:54,793 the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, several 442 00:19:54,793 --> 00:19:57,633 hundred were inducted today. 443 00:19:57,629 --> 00:19:59,799 And many of those tribal fighters are actually going 444 00:19:59,798 --> 00:20:02,738 through training programs that are being conducted by 445 00:20:02,734 --> 00:20:03,734 U.S. 446 00:20:03,735 --> 00:20:04,735 military personnel. 447 00:20:04,736 --> 00:20:06,736 And we're, in fact, trying to capitalize on some of the 448 00:20:06,738 --> 00:20:08,738 momentum behind those recruitment efforts by 449 00:20:08,740 --> 00:20:10,740 opening up another base where we can do even more of 450 00:20:10,742 --> 00:20:12,812 this recruiting in Anbar Province, which, as you 451 00:20:12,811 --> 00:20:15,981 know, is obviously dominated by Sunnis. 452 00:20:15,981 --> 00:20:18,221 The Press: One more on Iraq. 453 00:20:18,216 --> 00:20:22,216 The President, during his G7 news conference in Germany 454 00:20:22,220 --> 00:20:24,890 last week, spoke of his desire to get the Sunni 455 00:20:24,890 --> 00:20:27,630 tribes involved more rapidly. 456 00:20:27,626 --> 00:20:34,096 He then said, "This is part of what helped defeat 457 00:20:34,099 --> 00:20:35,869 AQI...during the Iraq War" -- for the transcribers, 458 00:20:35,867 --> 00:20:38,467 there should be an ellipsis between "AQI" and "during." 459 00:20:38,470 --> 00:20:41,740 But in any case, I was struck by hearing the 460 00:20:41,740 --> 00:20:45,540 President refer to the defeat of AQI because that 461 00:20:45,544 --> 00:20:50,244 suggests to me that he is quite aware that AQI, as a 462 00:20:50,248 --> 00:20:54,188 precursor of ISIL, was defeated, and therefore, 463 00:20:54,186 --> 00:20:57,026 that the rise of ISIS is something that's entirely on 464 00:20:57,022 --> 00:20:59,292 his watch and something for which he should accept 465 00:20:59,291 --> 00:21:00,291 responsibility. 466 00:21:00,292 --> 00:21:03,192 Mr. Earnest: The reason that that's not the way that we 467 00:21:03,195 --> 00:21:06,735 see this, James, is that there is no doubt that there 468 00:21:06,732 --> 00:21:08,732 are a couple of important facts here. 469 00:21:08,734 --> 00:21:11,304 The first is that AQI didn't exist until the United 470 00:21:11,303 --> 00:21:15,073 States had invaded Iraq in the first place, under the 471 00:21:15,073 --> 00:21:17,243 leadership of the previous administration. 472 00:21:17,242 --> 00:21:20,382 What's also true is that out of the remnants of the 473 00:21:20,379 --> 00:21:23,619 defeated AQI sprang ISIL. 474 00:21:23,615 --> 00:21:26,285 And the primary responsibility for that 475 00:21:26,284 --> 00:21:30,184 actually lies at the feet of Prime Minister Maliki, who 476 00:21:30,188 --> 00:21:35,798 failed to govern Iraq in an inclusive way, but rather, 477 00:21:35,794 --> 00:21:39,294 because of his failed leadership, allowed 478 00:21:39,297 --> 00:21:41,797 sectarian divisions to emerge and weaken that 479 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,070 country and create an environment where ISIL was 480 00:21:45,070 --> 00:21:48,970 able to make surprising and significant gains across the 481 00:21:48,974 --> 00:21:49,974 countryside. 482 00:21:49,975 --> 00:21:53,445 And that's why, as Ron and I were just discussing, we 483 00:21:53,445 --> 00:21:56,615 believe that the linchpin of the strategy is actually a 484 00:21:56,615 --> 00:22:00,155 commitment, a genuine commitment, on the part of 485 00:22:00,152 --> 00:22:03,022 the central Iraqi government to unite that country, to 486 00:22:03,021 --> 00:22:06,721 govern in a multi-sectarian, inclusive fashion, and to 487 00:22:06,725 --> 00:22:11,695 assemble a security force that will essentially secure 488 00:22:11,697 --> 00:22:12,697 the country in the same way. 489 00:22:12,698 --> 00:22:15,938 The Press: So as the group that the President 490 00:22:15,934 --> 00:22:20,274 disparaged as a "junior varsity team" rose up from a 491 00:22:20,272 --> 00:22:25,342 defeated AQI and gathered enough strength to be able 492 00:22:25,343 --> 00:22:30,213 to take over huge swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq, 493 00:22:30,215 --> 00:22:33,715 this was chiefly the fault of al-Maliki, and Barack 494 00:22:33,719 --> 00:22:35,719 Obama bears no responsibility whatsoever? 495 00:22:35,721 --> 00:22:39,891 Mr. Earnest: Well, James, I think the point is the Iraqi 496 00:22:39,891 --> 00:22:42,161 people, the Iraqi government and the Iraqi security 497 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,130 forces have to be responsible for the security 498 00:22:44,129 --> 00:22:45,629 situation in their own country. 499 00:22:45,630 --> 00:22:48,930 And the United States is certainly ready to partner 500 00:22:48,934 --> 00:22:50,934 with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people as they 501 00:22:50,936 --> 00:22:52,906 try to take on that difficult task. 502 00:22:52,904 --> 00:22:54,904 We've assembled an international coalition to 503 00:22:54,906 --> 00:22:55,906 offer them that support. 504 00:22:55,907 --> 00:22:57,907 But ultimately, in the mind of the President, it's 505 00:22:57,909 --> 00:22:59,909 clearly in the best interest of the United States and our 506 00:22:59,911 --> 00:23:01,911 citizens and our national security interest for the 507 00:23:01,913 --> 00:23:04,213 Iraqi people and the Iraqi central government to take 508 00:23:04,216 --> 00:23:06,186 responsibility for their own country. 509 00:23:06,184 --> 00:23:07,184 The Press: One on trade. 510 00:23:07,185 --> 00:23:10,825 You have declined to inform us whether the President has 511 00:23:10,822 --> 00:23:15,392 been in touch with Minority Leader Pelosi, but given the 512 00:23:15,393 --> 00:23:18,163 outcome of the trade vote and particularly the large 513 00:23:18,163 --> 00:23:21,363 numbers of defections by Democrats, does 514 00:23:21,366 --> 00:23:24,166 President Obama still have confidence in 515 00:23:24,169 --> 00:23:27,309 Congresswoman Pelosi as the minority leader 516 00:23:27,305 --> 00:23:28,745 of the Democrats in the House? 517 00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:29,810 Mr. Earnest: Absolutely. 518 00:23:29,808 --> 00:23:31,378 And as I mentioned earlier, the strength of their 519 00:23:31,376 --> 00:23:34,076 personal and professional relationship is more than 520 00:23:34,079 --> 00:23:36,849 enough to withstand a difference over one 521 00:23:36,848 --> 00:23:39,218 particular policy issue, even one that's as important 522 00:23:39,217 --> 00:23:40,617 as this one. 523 00:23:40,619 --> 00:23:41,619 Thanks, James. 524 00:23:41,620 --> 00:23:42,620 Jon. 525 00:23:42,621 --> 00:23:44,621 The Press: Quick clarification on trade. 526 00:23:44,623 --> 00:23:46,623 You said that the legislative strategy 527 00:23:46,625 --> 00:23:48,995 the President wants is TPA and TAA. 528 00:23:48,994 --> 00:23:51,834 Are you saying that the President would veto trade 529 00:23:51,830 --> 00:23:54,830 promotion authority if it came to his desk on its own? 530 00:23:54,833 --> 00:23:58,273 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jon, what is currently being discussed 531 00:23:58,270 --> 00:24:02,970 on Capitol Hill is a strategy for advancing this 532 00:24:02,974 --> 00:24:03,974 process forward. 533 00:24:03,975 --> 00:24:08,845 And the President has made clear that TAA is a 534 00:24:08,847 --> 00:24:12,347 necessary component of our strategy to help the 535 00:24:12,350 --> 00:24:14,350 American economy and American workers weather 536 00:24:14,352 --> 00:24:18,992 these broader forces of a global economy. 537 00:24:18,990 --> 00:24:22,690 So what we have said is that the legislative -- the only 538 00:24:22,694 --> 00:24:27,034 legislative strategy the President can support is one 539 00:24:27,032 --> 00:24:30,402 that will result in both pieces of legislation 540 00:24:30,402 --> 00:24:31,402 arriving at his desk. 541 00:24:31,403 --> 00:24:33,643 Now, there's also this fundamental question -- and 542 00:24:33,638 --> 00:24:36,078 this may go to what you're asking -- about whether or 543 00:24:36,074 --> 00:24:38,314 not they have to arrive at the same time, on the same 544 00:24:38,310 --> 00:24:40,610 day, as part of the same legislative vehicle, or 545 00:24:40,612 --> 00:24:41,612 separately. 546 00:24:41,613 --> 00:24:43,613 That's exactly what's being discussed on Capitol Hill 547 00:24:43,615 --> 00:24:44,615 right now. 548 00:24:44,616 --> 00:24:46,616 The Press: You have a situation now where trade 549 00:24:46,618 --> 00:24:49,258 promotion authority, fast track, has passed on its own 550 00:24:49,254 --> 00:24:50,254 in the House. 551 00:24:50,255 --> 00:24:53,255 It's passed as part of a larger package including TAA 552 00:24:53,258 --> 00:24:54,258 in the Senate. 553 00:24:54,259 --> 00:24:57,729 If all that comes to the President's desk is trade 554 00:24:57,729 --> 00:25:00,999 promotion authority without that additional assistance 555 00:25:00,999 --> 00:25:04,169 for displaced workers, would he veto that bill? 556 00:25:04,169 --> 00:25:06,969 Mr. Earnest: Well, if there is a strategy that is put in 557 00:25:06,972 --> 00:25:11,212 place that only allows TPA to pass, that's a strategy 558 00:25:11,209 --> 00:25:13,209 that the President won't support. 559 00:25:13,211 --> 00:25:15,081 That's significant because -- 560 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:16,620 The Press: I'm not asking about strategies, I'm asking 561 00:25:16,615 --> 00:25:17,985 whether he would veto a bill. 562 00:25:17,983 --> 00:25:20,183 Would he veto trade promotion authority 563 00:25:20,185 --> 00:25:21,185 on its own? 564 00:25:21,186 --> 00:25:22,786 Mr. Earnest: And what I'm saying, what I'm trying to 565 00:25:22,787 --> 00:25:23,887 convey is that I don't think it's going to come to that. 566 00:25:23,889 --> 00:25:24,889 It won't come to that. 567 00:25:24,890 --> 00:25:30,530 And the reason that it won't come to that is that the 568 00:25:30,528 --> 00:25:32,528 strategy that the President will back is a strategy that 569 00:25:32,530 --> 00:25:36,130 will provide a clear path for both TPA and TAA to come 570 00:25:36,134 --> 00:25:37,304 to his desk. 571 00:25:37,302 --> 00:25:39,302 The significance of the President's backing for the 572 00:25:39,304 --> 00:25:42,974 strategy is that we know that in both the House and 573 00:25:42,974 --> 00:25:46,244 the Senate, for the strategy to succeed, it will require 574 00:25:46,244 --> 00:25:47,244 Democratic votes. 575 00:25:47,245 --> 00:25:49,345 The Press: Okay, and if I can come back to the 576 00:25:49,347 --> 00:25:51,347 question of the Waldorf-Astoria, now owned 577 00:25:51,349 --> 00:25:54,689 by the Chinese. 578 00:25:54,686 --> 00:25:56,486 First of all, can you confirm that the U.S. 579 00:25:56,488 --> 00:25:59,228 will not set up the traditional shop that's set 580 00:25:59,224 --> 00:26:01,664 up there when the President goes up for UNGA? 581 00:26:01,660 --> 00:26:02,630 I'm not going to ask you where the President is going 582 00:26:02,627 --> 00:26:06,997 to stay; I'm asking about all the offices, the file -- 583 00:26:06,998 --> 00:26:08,998 is there some kind of a concern with the Chinese 584 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:11,000 owning the Waldorf that we are now going to -- the 585 00:26:11,002 --> 00:26:13,002 United States is now going to move that operation? 586 00:26:13,004 --> 00:26:15,004 Mr. Earnest: Jon, I just don't know what sort of 587 00:26:15,006 --> 00:26:17,006 accommodations will be in place for the September 588 00:26:17,008 --> 00:26:18,008 trip. 589 00:26:18,009 --> 00:26:20,009 But as we get closer, we can give you some more details. 590 00:26:20,011 --> 00:26:22,011 The Press: Is there a security concern or an 591 00:26:22,013 --> 00:26:24,013 intelligence -- counterintelligence concern 592 00:26:24,015 --> 00:26:26,355 about the Chinese purchase of the Waldorf? 593 00:26:26,351 --> 00:26:28,691 I mean, obviously I think I'm still correct that the 594 00:26:28,687 --> 00:26:30,887 United States Ambassador to the U.N. 595 00:26:30,889 --> 00:26:33,929 lives at the Waldorf. 596 00:26:33,925 --> 00:26:34,355 Mr. Earnest: You should check with the 597 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:35,289 State Department. 598 00:26:35,293 --> 00:26:37,533 I'm just not aware of all these details. 599 00:26:37,529 --> 00:26:40,599 I think that may be true, but, again, you should check 600 00:26:40,598 --> 00:26:42,668 with them. 601 00:26:42,667 --> 00:26:43,907 The Press: But do you know if there is a concern about 602 00:26:43,902 --> 00:26:47,542 that now -- basically the Chinese being the landlord 603 00:26:47,539 --> 00:26:49,639 for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations? 604 00:26:49,641 --> 00:26:53,541 Mr. Earnest: Again, I'd refer you to the Ambassador's Office. 605 00:26:53,545 --> 00:26:55,545 I'm sure they can give you details about any 606 00:26:55,547 --> 00:26:57,547 precautions they felt were necessary. 607 00:26:57,549 --> 00:26:59,549 The Press: Okay, and then just one last 2016-related 608 00:26:59,551 --> 00:27:00,551 question. 609 00:27:00,552 --> 00:27:01,552 I know you like those. 610 00:27:01,553 --> 00:27:02,753 (laughter) 611 00:27:02,754 --> 00:27:07,894 Donald Trump, he has said again that 612 00:27:07,892 --> 00:27:10,632 Oprah Winfrey would make a terrific running mate. 613 00:27:10,628 --> 00:27:14,098 The President is very close with Oprah Winfrey -- 614 00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:17,699 tempted to support a Trump-Oprah Winfrey ticket? 615 00:27:17,702 --> 00:27:19,442 Would that sway his -- 616 00:27:19,437 --> 00:27:20,577 Mr. Earnest: I think the President has been very 617 00:27:20,572 --> 00:27:21,972 clear that he intends to support the Democratic 618 00:27:21,973 --> 00:27:24,673 nominee in the Presidential race. 619 00:27:24,676 --> 00:27:25,576 The Press: That's all you've got on that? 620 00:27:25,577 --> 00:27:27,117 Mr. Earnest: I think so. 621 00:27:27,112 --> 00:27:28,012 Thanks for asking, though. 622 00:27:28,013 --> 00:27:29,083 (laughter) 623 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:30,220 Bob. 624 00:27:30,215 --> 00:27:31,515 The Press: Actually a follow-up to what Jon was 625 00:27:31,516 --> 00:27:34,156 asking about on trade. 626 00:27:34,152 --> 00:27:37,052 The President wouldn't be willing to take half of the 627 00:27:37,055 --> 00:27:40,255 loaf if it's the half in particular that he does want 628 00:27:40,258 --> 00:27:43,898 out of this legislation? 629 00:27:43,895 --> 00:27:46,435 Mr. Earnest: Well, the answer to that is no. 630 00:27:46,431 --> 00:27:51,301 And it's simply because the President does believe that 631 00:27:51,302 --> 00:27:52,842 TAA is a priority. 632 00:27:52,837 --> 00:27:58,307 And that's why the strategy that he will support in 633 00:27:58,309 --> 00:28:03,049 Congress is a strategy that will allow both TPA and TAA 634 00:28:03,048 --> 00:28:04,378 to come to his desk. 635 00:28:04,382 --> 00:28:06,522 Look, the President felt so strongly about trade 636 00:28:06,518 --> 00:28:09,058 adjustment assistance that last week he traveled to 637 00:28:09,054 --> 00:28:13,524 Capitol Hill, attended a House Democratic Caucus 638 00:28:13,525 --> 00:28:16,965 meeting at the last minute, and made a forceful case to 639 00:28:16,961 --> 00:28:19,061 Democrats about why they should support trade 640 00:28:19,064 --> 00:28:20,364 adjustment assistance. 641 00:28:20,365 --> 00:28:22,365 So the President's commitment to that 642 00:28:22,367 --> 00:28:24,467 legislation and to this issue I think should be 643 00:28:24,469 --> 00:28:25,539 pretty clear. 644 00:28:25,537 --> 00:28:30,237 And that is a policy priority that continues to 645 00:28:30,241 --> 00:28:35,651 have an impact on our view of the legislative strategy 646 00:28:35,647 --> 00:28:37,617 that should be put in place to move this forward. 647 00:28:37,615 --> 00:28:40,785 But, look, the President believes that both TPA and 648 00:28:40,785 --> 00:28:43,885 TAA are critical to the future of our economy and 649 00:28:43,888 --> 00:28:45,888 critical to making sure that the U.S. 650 00:28:45,890 --> 00:28:46,990 economy and that U.S. 651 00:28:46,991 --> 00:28:49,831 workers are well positioned to deal with these rapid 652 00:28:49,828 --> 00:28:54,068 changes of a 21st century globalized economy. 653 00:28:54,065 --> 00:28:56,165 The Press: One just last quick one. 654 00:28:56,167 --> 00:29:00,267 Put aside TAA, could this become a chicken-and-egg 655 00:29:00,271 --> 00:29:01,271 thing? 656 00:29:01,272 --> 00:29:05,812 Because the Democrats seem to want to see a more solid 657 00:29:05,810 --> 00:29:09,880 version of TPP before they're going to go for TPA. 658 00:29:09,881 --> 00:29:15,021 Is the President willing to play that kind of 659 00:29:15,019 --> 00:29:17,559 chicken-and-egg game thing? 660 00:29:17,555 --> 00:29:18,955 Because it has now been extended for a month. 661 00:29:18,957 --> 00:29:21,527 Mr. Earnest: The good news, Bob, is that we've seen both 662 00:29:21,526 --> 00:29:25,026 Democrats and Republicans support, in the House and 663 00:29:25,029 --> 00:29:26,599 Senate, TPA. 664 00:29:26,598 --> 00:29:29,198 So we built that bipartisan majority. 665 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:34,240 In both cases, the passage of TPA depended upon 666 00:29:34,239 --> 00:29:35,979 Democrats. 667 00:29:35,974 --> 00:29:38,344 And so in determining this legislative path forward to 668 00:29:38,343 --> 00:29:42,183 eventually get both TPA and TAA to the President's desk, 669 00:29:42,180 --> 00:29:46,150 the view of Democrats will be critical to determining 670 00:29:46,151 --> 00:29:47,891 the course of action here. 671 00:29:47,886 --> 00:29:49,886 And so that's why you see the President and the White 672 00:29:49,888 --> 00:29:52,428 House staff so deeply engaged with both Democrats 673 00:29:52,423 --> 00:29:54,423 and Republicans on Capitol Hill. 674 00:29:54,425 --> 00:29:56,425 The Press: The TPP information that's up on the 675 00:29:56,427 --> 00:30:00,467 Hill, is that being updated on a regular basis or as 676 00:30:00,465 --> 00:30:03,535 negotiations or however these things are going -- 677 00:30:03,535 --> 00:30:05,735 Mr. Earnest: It is updated as necessary. 678 00:30:05,737 --> 00:30:07,777 As you know, there is actually an office on 679 00:30:07,772 --> 00:30:09,772 Capitol Hill that's been opened up by USTR. 680 00:30:09,774 --> 00:30:12,674 This is an unprecedented effort on the part of USTR 681 00:30:12,677 --> 00:30:15,347 to make sure that members of Congress could have access 682 00:30:15,346 --> 00:30:20,356 to the current status of TPP negotiating documents. 683 00:30:20,351 --> 00:30:24,691 But I'm not sure the last time that it was necessary 684 00:30:24,689 --> 00:30:27,759 to update those documents. 685 00:30:27,759 --> 00:30:28,689 Toluse. 686 00:30:28,693 --> 00:30:29,863 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 687 00:30:29,861 --> 00:30:32,361 You've said multiple times that there's no coherent 688 00:30:32,363 --> 00:30:34,233 strategy that you all have endorsed yet. 689 00:30:34,232 --> 00:30:37,502 And I'm sort of wondering why, several months into 690 00:30:37,502 --> 00:30:39,872 this debate, the White House doesn't have a strategy for 691 00:30:39,871 --> 00:30:44,511 getting Democrats onboard, given the fact that 692 00:30:44,509 --> 00:30:47,149 Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that she doesn't even think that 693 00:30:47,145 --> 00:30:49,915 you need TPA. 694 00:30:49,914 --> 00:30:51,984 So I'm wondering why the White House doesn't come out 695 00:30:51,983 --> 00:30:54,553 and endorse a strategy and figure out how to get 696 00:30:54,552 --> 00:30:57,392 Democrats to support this when you don't seem to have 697 00:30:57,388 --> 00:30:59,628 the allies that you need among the Democratic 698 00:30:59,624 --> 00:31:00,754 leadership. 699 00:31:00,758 --> 00:31:01,958 Mr. Earnest: Well, Toluse, you won't be surprised to 700 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:03,160 hear that I strenuously disagree with your 701 00:31:03,161 --> 00:31:04,761 description of the events. 702 00:31:04,762 --> 00:31:07,332 Let me just remind you that TPA actually did pass the 703 00:31:07,332 --> 00:31:11,572 United States Senate with the strong support of 704 00:31:11,569 --> 00:31:12,969 Democrats. 705 00:31:12,971 --> 00:31:16,011 TAA passed the United States Senate with the strong 706 00:31:16,007 --> 00:31:19,177 support of Democrats. 707 00:31:19,177 --> 00:31:21,847 TPA also passed the House of Representatives with the 708 00:31:21,846 --> 00:31:23,786 strong support of Democrats and Republicans. 709 00:31:24,649 --> 00:31:27,449 But, yes, there still is this missing element of TAA 710 00:31:27,452 --> 00:31:29,852 that the President has described as a critical 711 00:31:29,854 --> 00:31:32,554 component of our broader strategy. 712 00:31:32,557 --> 00:31:35,397 So we are working with Democrats and Republicans on 713 00:31:35,393 --> 00:31:37,833 Capitol Hill to determine the path forward that would 714 00:31:37,829 --> 00:31:40,929 allow both TPA and TAA to come to the President's 715 00:31:40,932 --> 00:31:41,932 desk. 716 00:31:41,933 --> 00:31:43,933 The Press: Do you feel that you have the allies that you 717 00:31:43,935 --> 00:31:47,275 need, given that Speaker Pelosi has said that you 718 00:31:47,272 --> 00:31:51,142 don't need fast track, and she did sort of stand up as 719 00:31:51,142 --> 00:31:55,882 the stumbling block to, many have said, to basically shut 720 00:31:55,880 --> 00:31:59,120 this down and make sure you didn't get it last week? 721 00:31:59,117 --> 00:32:00,717 And for the last few days you've said that you don't 722 00:32:00,718 --> 00:32:03,318 have a strategy yet for how to get it through. 723 00:32:03,321 --> 00:32:04,991 So I'm wondering if you feel that you have the allies 724 00:32:04,989 --> 00:32:05,889 that you need. 725 00:32:05,890 --> 00:32:08,090 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, Toluse, to be clear about 726 00:32:08,092 --> 00:32:10,562 this, TPA did pass the Senate, it did pass the 727 00:32:10,561 --> 00:32:13,261 House, with bipartisan support, with the support of 728 00:32:13,264 --> 00:32:15,764 Democrats, much to the skepticism -- legitimate, 729 00:32:15,767 --> 00:32:18,067 understandable, credible skepticism -- of people in 730 00:32:18,069 --> 00:32:20,209 this room about whether or now that could get done. 731 00:32:20,204 --> 00:32:21,204 But it did. 732 00:32:21,205 --> 00:32:23,905 And so the question now is, how are we going to carve 733 00:32:23,908 --> 00:32:27,448 out a path forward to bring both TAA and TPA to the 734 00:32:27,445 --> 00:32:28,445 President's desk. 735 00:32:28,446 --> 00:32:30,446 And ultimately, that's the responsibility of 736 00:32:30,448 --> 00:32:32,448 legislative leaders in the Congress to figure out how 737 00:32:32,450 --> 00:32:33,450 to get these things done. 738 00:32:33,451 --> 00:32:35,451 The President served the United States Senate for 739 00:32:35,453 --> 00:32:36,453 four years. 740 00:32:36,454 --> 00:32:37,454 He enjoyed his time up there. 741 00:32:37,455 --> 00:32:39,455 But ultimately, he knows, based on his own personal 742 00:32:39,457 --> 00:32:41,927 experience, that carving out these kinds of legislative 743 00:32:41,926 --> 00:32:43,966 paths is ultimately the responsibility of 744 00:32:43,961 --> 00:32:45,201 congressional leaders. 745 00:32:45,196 --> 00:32:47,436 Of course, the White House has been engaged in those 746 00:32:47,432 --> 00:32:50,002 conversations, and, of course, we're going to weigh 747 00:32:50,001 --> 00:32:52,601 in with some preferences, but ultimately, that's their 748 00:32:52,603 --> 00:32:53,603 responsibility. 749 00:32:53,604 --> 00:32:56,574 And the only strategy that we will endorse is one that 750 00:32:56,574 --> 00:33:01,044 results in both TPA and TAA having a clear path to the 751 00:33:01,045 --> 00:33:02,045 President's desk. 752 00:33:02,046 --> 00:33:04,046 The Press: I want to ask you about Greece and then the 753 00:33:04,048 --> 00:33:06,788 Dominican Republic. 754 00:33:06,784 --> 00:33:09,654 The Greek Prime Minister said today that he's 755 00:33:09,654 --> 00:33:12,254 prepared to take responsibility for talks 756 00:33:12,256 --> 00:33:16,096 breaking down and rejecting what he says is a bad deal 757 00:33:16,094 --> 00:33:19,364 for solving the debt crisis that they have. 758 00:33:19,364 --> 00:33:22,934 Given the fact that it seems like the European Union and 759 00:33:22,934 --> 00:33:25,334 the Greek Prime Minister are prepared for things to break 760 00:33:25,336 --> 00:33:27,776 down, is the White House still sort of sticking to 761 00:33:27,772 --> 00:33:30,772 this confidence that you have said that you have that 762 00:33:30,775 --> 00:33:32,215 things are going to work out? 763 00:33:32,210 --> 00:33:35,680 Or are you feeling a need to engage more and sort of turn 764 00:33:35,680 --> 00:33:37,720 up the notch in terms of making sure this doesn't end 765 00:33:37,715 --> 00:33:38,885 up badly? 766 00:33:38,883 --> 00:33:40,183 Mr. Earnest: Well, Toluse, ultimately this will be the 767 00:33:40,184 --> 00:33:44,224 responsibility of the Greeks and their international 768 00:33:44,222 --> 00:33:46,122 partners to work this out. 769 00:33:46,124 --> 00:33:49,424 And Secretary Lew has principally been responsible 770 00:33:49,427 --> 00:33:51,427 for representing the interests of the United 771 00:33:51,429 --> 00:33:53,699 States and trying to facilitate some of those 772 00:33:53,698 --> 00:33:55,698 conversations, but ultimately it will be 773 00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:56,830 something for them to resolve. 774 00:33:56,834 --> 00:33:58,834 You may have seen from the Treasury Department that 775 00:33:58,836 --> 00:34:02,006 they read out a telephone call that Secretary Lew and 776 00:34:02,006 --> 00:34:04,776 Prime Minister Tsipras had just last night to discuss 777 00:34:04,776 --> 00:34:05,746 these issues. 778 00:34:05,743 --> 00:34:08,243 I think that's a pretty clear indication that this 779 00:34:08,246 --> 00:34:10,746 is an issue that has the attention of the 780 00:34:10,748 --> 00:34:12,918 administration and is something that we consider 781 00:34:12,917 --> 00:34:14,117 to watch. 782 00:34:14,118 --> 00:34:16,818 But we continue to have confidence that this is 783 00:34:16,821 --> 00:34:18,961 something that can and will be resolved, principally 784 00:34:18,956 --> 00:34:21,396 because it is so clear in the interest of everybody 785 00:34:21,392 --> 00:34:24,132 sitting around the negotiating table to resolve 786 00:34:24,128 --> 00:34:27,728 them, again, in a way that doesn't add undue volatility 787 00:34:27,732 --> 00:34:29,532 to the financial markets. 788 00:34:29,534 --> 00:34:34,304 And it is possible, if they work collaboratively, to 789 00:34:34,305 --> 00:34:38,845 find a -- essentially to lay the groundwork for 790 00:34:38,843 --> 00:34:42,883 sustainable economic recovery in Greece, while 791 00:34:42,880 --> 00:34:47,490 also implementing critically important fiscal reforms. 792 00:34:47,485 --> 00:34:49,785 And that's something that they continue to work on. 793 00:34:49,787 --> 00:34:53,857 And the United States will continue to play a role to 794 00:34:53,858 --> 00:34:55,858 facilitate those conversations, but 795 00:34:55,860 --> 00:34:57,930 ultimately it will be the responsibility of the Greeks 796 00:34:57,929 --> 00:35:00,669 and their international partners to resolve 797 00:35:00,665 --> 00:35:01,565 the situation. 798 00:35:01,566 --> 00:35:03,736 The Press: And on the Dominican Republic, there's 799 00:35:03,734 --> 00:35:06,034 a deadline tonight for potentially hundreds of 800 00:35:06,037 --> 00:35:08,607 thousands of Haitian nationals to be made 801 00:35:08,606 --> 00:35:10,576 eligible for deportation. 802 00:35:10,575 --> 00:35:12,515 It's sort of a mass deportation. 803 00:35:12,510 --> 00:35:14,880 I'm wondering if the White House is engaged on this. 804 00:35:14,879 --> 00:35:18,349 Has any here or in the administration reached out 805 00:35:18,349 --> 00:35:25,459 to the Dominicans or the Haitians to talk about what 806 00:35:25,456 --> 00:35:26,696 you think is the best outcome? 807 00:35:26,691 --> 00:35:29,891 Mr. Earnest: I've read a little bit about this issue. 808 00:35:29,894 --> 00:35:35,064 But for any sort of information about the role 809 00:35:35,066 --> 00:35:37,066 of the United States or conversations that we've had 810 00:35:37,068 --> 00:35:39,068 with either the Haitians or the Dominicans, I'd refer 811 00:35:39,070 --> 00:35:40,840 you to the State Department. 812 00:35:40,838 --> 00:35:42,208 Jim. 813 00:35:42,206 --> 00:35:46,076 The Press: Yesterday at the House Oversight hearing, 814 00:35:46,077 --> 00:35:49,347 they were discussing the data breach at the Office of 815 00:35:49,347 --> 00:35:52,147 Personal Management, and after that hearing, the 816 00:35:52,149 --> 00:35:55,149 Chair of the committee, Jason Chaffetz, called on 817 00:35:55,152 --> 00:35:57,452 the Director of the OPM, Katherine Archuleta, 818 00:35:57,455 --> 00:35:59,155 to step down. 819 00:35:59,156 --> 00:36:01,096 What does the President make of that? 820 00:36:01,092 --> 00:36:03,732 Does he still have confidence in Ms. Archuleta? 821 00:36:03,728 --> 00:36:08,028 Mr. Earnest: Jim, I can tell you that Director Archuleta, 822 00:36:08,032 --> 00:36:12,072 other senior officials from OPM, DHS, the 823 00:36:12,069 --> 00:36:14,669 administration's Chief Information Officer, Tony 824 00:36:14,672 --> 00:36:18,372 Scott, even an official from the Department of Interior 825 00:36:18,376 --> 00:36:21,546 spent nearly three hours yesterday testifying before 826 00:36:21,546 --> 00:36:24,786 the House Government Oversight Committee. 827 00:36:24,782 --> 00:36:26,782 That is an indication of this administration's 828 00:36:26,784 --> 00:36:28,784 commitment to cooperating with legitimate 829 00:36:28,786 --> 00:36:35,126 congressional oversight and they understandably face 830 00:36:35,126 --> 00:36:36,696 some tough questions. 831 00:36:36,694 --> 00:36:38,694 And they've tried to provide as much information as 832 00:36:38,696 --> 00:36:41,066 possible to the United States Congress. 833 00:36:41,065 --> 00:36:44,135 The reason they were able to do that is because this is 834 00:36:44,135 --> 00:36:46,805 an issue that they've been working on for some time; 835 00:36:46,804 --> 00:36:53,314 that Director Archuleta, in one of her first priorities 836 00:36:53,311 --> 00:36:56,181 that she identified after taking that job, was to 837 00:36:56,180 --> 00:37:01,050 upgrade the OPM computer network, particularly their 838 00:37:01,052 --> 00:37:03,022 cyber defenses. 839 00:37:03,020 --> 00:37:06,320 And this is obviously an ongoing process, and the 840 00:37:06,324 --> 00:37:08,324 President does have confidence that she is the 841 00:37:08,326 --> 00:37:09,296 right person for the job. 842 00:37:09,293 --> 00:37:12,533 The Press: And even though one of the first jobs that 843 00:37:12,530 --> 00:37:15,930 she had was to upgrade their cyber defenses, does he feel 844 00:37:15,933 --> 00:37:17,803 that she has done an adequate job? 845 00:37:17,802 --> 00:37:19,902 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, there obviously is a lot of 846 00:37:19,904 --> 00:37:21,904 work that needs to be done there, but there's some 847 00:37:21,906 --> 00:37:25,076 important work that's already been done. 848 00:37:25,076 --> 00:37:28,616 You'll recall that the reason that this cyber 849 00:37:28,613 --> 00:37:33,013 intrusion was detected is because OPM was in the final 850 00:37:33,017 --> 00:37:36,987 stages of adding important security upgrades to their 851 00:37:36,988 --> 00:37:39,258 computer network. 852 00:37:39,256 --> 00:37:41,296 There has been some discussion about this Office 853 00:37:43,728 --> 00:37:46,668 of Inspector General report identifying some weaknesses 854 00:37:46,664 --> 00:37:51,164 in the OPM computer network. 855 00:37:51,168 --> 00:37:55,778 That report was issued after OPM was already in the midst 856 00:37:55,773 --> 00:37:58,413 of upgrading their cyber defenses. 857 00:37:58,409 --> 00:38:03,179 And the IG report identified 11 elements of the network 858 00:38:03,180 --> 00:38:06,350 that were particularly vulnerable. 859 00:38:06,350 --> 00:38:10,660 The work had already been started to upgrade the 860 00:38:10,655 --> 00:38:12,155 protections for those networks prior to the 861 00:38:12,156 --> 00:38:14,296 issuing of the Inspector General report. 862 00:38:14,291 --> 00:38:17,491 And OPM announced -- or at least indicated yesterday in 863 00:38:17,495 --> 00:38:19,635 the hearing that that work had been completed and that 864 00:38:19,630 --> 00:38:21,630 those vulnerabilities had been addressed. 865 00:38:21,632 --> 00:38:26,242 And I think that is an indication that OPM, under 866 00:38:26,237 --> 00:38:29,437 the leadership of Director Archuleta, recognizes that 867 00:38:29,440 --> 00:38:31,480 this does need to be a priority and that there is 868 00:38:31,475 --> 00:38:34,815 significant and important work that needs to be done 869 00:38:34,812 --> 00:38:36,812 to make sure that they're fulfilling their 870 00:38:36,814 --> 00:38:40,384 responsibility to protect the data of federal workers. 871 00:38:40,384 --> 00:38:42,354 The Press: And has the President or the Chief of 872 00:38:42,353 --> 00:38:44,953 Staff, anybody high level here at the White House, 873 00:38:44,955 --> 00:38:47,225 spoken with Director Archuleta to make sure that 874 00:38:47,224 --> 00:38:48,524 this is going to get taken care of? 875 00:38:48,526 --> 00:38:50,296 Mr. Earnest: As you would expect, when the Office of 876 00:38:50,294 --> 00:38:52,464 Personnel Management is dealing with an issue as 877 00:38:52,463 --> 00:38:54,763 important as this one, that a number of senior White 878 00:38:54,765 --> 00:38:56,705 House officials have been in touch with the senior 879 00:38:56,701 --> 00:38:57,931 leadership at OPM. 880 00:38:57,935 --> 00:38:59,705 The Press: Can I switch to Syria? 881 00:38:59,704 --> 00:39:01,944 Yesterday, at around this time -- I think during this 882 00:39:01,939 --> 00:39:05,039 briefing -- the Secretary of State was holding a 883 00:39:05,042 --> 00:39:08,642 briefing, I believe via videoconference, over at the 884 00:39:08,646 --> 00:39:11,716 State Department, during which he said, absolutely, 885 00:39:11,716 --> 00:39:15,086 he believes that Syria used chemical bombs -- the Syrian 886 00:39:15,086 --> 00:39:19,286 regime has used chemical bombs in that civil war. 887 00:39:19,290 --> 00:39:23,230 And I just want to go back to the red line question. 888 00:39:23,227 --> 00:39:26,867 And I know it makes people wince inside this 889 00:39:26,864 --> 00:39:28,834 White House when we bring this up, but -- 890 00:39:28,833 --> 00:39:29,833 Mr. Earnest: I'm not wincing. 891 00:39:29,834 --> 00:39:30,834 The Press: Okay. 892 00:39:30,835 --> 00:39:31,935 Well, let me ask you this. 893 00:39:31,936 --> 00:39:35,636 Does the Secretary of State's conviction that 894 00:39:35,639 --> 00:39:39,379 Syria absolutely has used chemical bombs constitute 895 00:39:39,376 --> 00:39:41,446 crossing that red line that the President drew? 896 00:39:41,445 --> 00:39:45,345 Mr. Earnest: Jim, we indicated, back in the 897 00:39:45,349 --> 00:39:48,689 summer of 2013, the intelligence community had 898 00:39:48,686 --> 00:39:50,686 concluded with high confidence that the Assad 899 00:39:50,688 --> 00:39:53,158 regime had used chemical weapons. 900 00:39:53,157 --> 00:39:55,697 And this administration proceeded to engage in an 901 00:39:55,693 --> 00:39:59,993 effort to try to resolve the significant concerns about 902 00:39:59,997 --> 00:40:01,137 an action like that. 903 00:40:01,132 --> 00:40:04,172 And what this administration did -- working closely with 904 00:40:04,168 --> 00:40:06,838 our partners around the world, including Russia -- 905 00:40:06,837 --> 00:40:10,637 succeeded in getting the Assad regime to acknowledge 906 00:40:10,641 --> 00:40:15,411 that they had a stockpile of chemical weapons. 907 00:40:15,412 --> 00:40:16,812 We then worked with the international community to 908 00:40:16,814 --> 00:40:18,484 round up those chemical weapons. 909 00:40:18,482 --> 00:40:20,782 And we used the unique capabilities of the United 910 00:40:20,785 --> 00:40:23,185 States to destroy those chemical weapons, both to 911 00:40:23,187 --> 00:40:25,557 ensure that they cannot be used against the Syrian 912 00:40:25,556 --> 00:40:28,496 population, but also to prevent against the real 913 00:40:28,492 --> 00:40:30,992 risk of proliferation; that those weapons could fall 914 00:40:30,995 --> 00:40:34,635 into the hands of extremists or terrorists that actually 915 00:40:34,632 --> 00:40:36,802 seek to do harm to the United States 916 00:40:36,801 --> 00:40:38,741 or our interests. 917 00:40:38,736 --> 00:40:41,106 The Press: But despite those efforts, it appears the 918 00:40:41,105 --> 00:40:43,105 Assad regime is using chemical bombs. 919 00:40:43,107 --> 00:40:44,077 Mr. Earnest: Well, the reports -- 920 00:40:44,074 --> 00:40:45,674 The Press: Chlorine bombs. 921 00:40:45,676 --> 00:40:46,576 Mr. Earnest: Right. 922 00:40:46,577 --> 00:40:49,417 So that's a very important distinction. 923 00:40:49,413 --> 00:40:51,113 The Press: Well, maybe not to the people on the ground. 924 00:40:51,115 --> 00:40:54,585 Mr. Earnest: Well, but it is when it relates to the kind 925 00:40:54,585 --> 00:40:57,785 of threat that they pose both when it comes to the 926 00:40:57,788 --> 00:41:02,258 proliferation risk and to, yes, to the potential damage 927 00:41:02,259 --> 00:41:03,259 that it could do. 928 00:41:03,260 --> 00:41:05,660 There is no doubt -- you've heard me use rather colorful 929 00:41:05,663 --> 00:41:08,533 language over the last two or three years in describing 930 00:41:08,532 --> 00:41:11,002 the terrible atrocities that have been committed by the 931 00:41:11,001 --> 00:41:12,001 Assad regime. 932 00:41:12,002 --> 00:41:14,002 That includes the use of barrel bombs, and that 933 00:41:14,004 --> 00:41:16,004 includes the use of chlorine as a weapon. 934 00:41:16,006 --> 00:41:19,576 But the fact is that chlorine is also an 935 00:41:19,577 --> 00:41:23,347 industrial chemical that it does have legitimate 936 00:41:23,347 --> 00:41:24,347 purposes. 937 00:41:24,348 --> 00:41:26,348 I don't think there's anybody who stood at this 938 00:41:26,350 --> 00:41:29,090 podium or any other suggesting that every -- 939 00:41:29,086 --> 00:41:31,826 that all chlorine should be removed from Syria. 940 00:41:31,822 --> 00:41:34,892 What we've insisted upon is that the outrageous, 941 00:41:34,892 --> 00:41:37,592 catastrophic, violent behavior of the Assad regime 942 00:41:37,595 --> 00:41:39,895 that's been perpetrated against the Syrian people 943 00:41:39,897 --> 00:41:41,127 should come to an end. 944 00:41:41,131 --> 00:41:44,631 And that includes the use of chlorine to try to attack 945 00:41:44,635 --> 00:41:45,635 people. 946 00:41:45,636 --> 00:41:48,976 The Press: And if the Assad regime were to use something 947 00:41:48,973 --> 00:41:51,343 that the White House considers to be chemical 948 00:41:51,342 --> 00:41:53,842 weapons -- the use of chemical weapons -- that red 949 00:41:53,844 --> 00:41:57,314 line threat still exists, does it not? 950 00:41:57,314 --> 00:41:59,614 Because even after all those efforts to remove all those 951 00:41:59,617 --> 00:42:03,987 chemical munitions, I would guess -- I would hazard to 952 00:42:03,988 --> 00:42:06,488 guess that this White House would want to still enforce 953 00:42:06,490 --> 00:42:08,660 that red line in the future; that that redline still 954 00:42:08,659 --> 00:42:09,859 exists. 955 00:42:09,860 --> 00:42:11,660 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, of course it does. 956 00:42:11,662 --> 00:42:13,732 The point is, though, that the declared chemical 957 00:42:13,731 --> 00:42:18,301 weapons stockpile that Assad previously denied existed 958 00:42:18,302 --> 00:42:21,342 has now been acknowledged, rounded up, removed from the 959 00:42:21,338 --> 00:42:24,138 country and destroyed, precisely because of the 960 00:42:24,141 --> 00:42:26,211 work of this administration and our successful efforts 961 00:42:26,210 --> 00:42:29,050 to work with the Russians to accomplish that goal. 962 00:42:29,046 --> 00:42:31,746 So yes, that red line is absolutely still in place. 963 00:42:31,749 --> 00:42:34,749 But the fact is, that's less of a threat than it was two 964 00:42:34,752 --> 00:42:37,492 years ago because of the concrete actions taken by 965 00:42:37,488 --> 00:42:40,088 this administration and because of our ability to 966 00:42:40,090 --> 00:42:42,090 work successfully with the Russians in this endeavor. 967 00:42:42,092 --> 00:42:43,162 The Press: And one last thing. 968 00:42:43,160 --> 00:42:45,160 I don't know -- I don't believe this has come up 969 00:42:45,162 --> 00:42:47,162 recently, so forgive me if it has. 970 00:42:47,164 --> 00:42:51,634 But the VA hospital in Denver -- the latest 971 00:42:51,635 --> 00:42:55,175 estimate is it is going to cost $1.73 billion, nearly 972 00:42:55,172 --> 00:42:58,842 triple its original budget. 973 00:42:58,842 --> 00:43:01,012 What does the President make of that? 974 00:43:01,011 --> 00:43:05,181 And after all of the efforts that were made to reform the 975 00:43:05,182 --> 00:43:07,182 VA, how is something like this still going on? 976 00:43:07,184 --> 00:43:09,224 Mr. Earnest: Jim, let me have the Office of 977 00:43:09,219 --> 00:43:11,219 Management and Budget follow up with you on this. 978 00:43:11,221 --> 00:43:13,221 The Press: But does that concern you at all? 979 00:43:13,223 --> 00:43:15,223 Mr. Earnest: Well, of course we're all concerned. 980 00:43:15,225 --> 00:43:17,225 We're concerned about a couple of things. 981 00:43:17,227 --> 00:43:19,227 One is, we're concerned about making sure that our 982 00:43:19,229 --> 00:43:21,229 nations veterans have access to the kind of treatment 983 00:43:21,231 --> 00:43:22,231 that they have earned. 984 00:43:22,232 --> 00:43:24,302 But we also recognize that there is an important 985 00:43:24,301 --> 00:43:27,241 responsibility that the federal government has to be 986 00:43:27,237 --> 00:43:29,477 good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars. 987 00:43:29,473 --> 00:43:33,143 And there should be a way for us to use those 988 00:43:33,143 --> 00:43:35,143 resources to make sure that we are caring for our 989 00:43:35,145 --> 00:43:37,145 veterans, and the President is determined to make sure 990 00:43:37,147 --> 00:43:38,847 we do that. 991 00:43:38,849 --> 00:43:39,949 Rebecca. 992 00:43:39,950 --> 00:43:40,990 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 993 00:43:40,985 --> 00:43:43,025 I wanted to ask you about the President's travel to 994 00:43:43,020 --> 00:43:45,720 California later this week. 995 00:43:45,723 --> 00:43:48,623 The DCCC event that he is attending in San Francisco 996 00:43:48,625 --> 00:43:52,695 on Friday is being hosted by Tom Steyer who has been 997 00:43:52,696 --> 00:43:54,736 pushing the President to reject Keystone. 998 00:43:54,732 --> 00:43:56,732 And I'm just wondering, have the President and Steyer 999 00:43:56,734 --> 00:43:58,904 spoken about Keystone in advance of this event? 1000 00:43:58,902 --> 00:44:01,002 Mr. Earnest: No, I'm not aware of any discussions 1001 00:44:01,005 --> 00:44:03,105 they've had on that particular issue. 1002 00:44:03,107 --> 00:44:06,877 Mr. Steyer is a well-known advocate for policies that 1003 00:44:06,877 --> 00:44:10,547 are good for the environment, particularly 1004 00:44:10,547 --> 00:44:13,917 policies that will limit carbon pollution and other 1005 00:44:13,917 --> 00:44:16,057 contributors to climate change. 1006 00:44:16,053 --> 00:44:18,653 And obviously the President has an exceedingly strong 1007 00:44:18,655 --> 00:44:20,955 record, maybe even a historically strong record, 1008 00:44:20,958 --> 00:44:23,028 in confronting those issues. 1009 00:44:23,027 --> 00:44:25,027 So you'd have to talk to Mr. Steyer to find out 1010 00:44:25,029 --> 00:44:27,029 exactly why he decided to host the President, but I 1011 00:44:27,031 --> 00:44:29,031 wouldn't be surprised if it was related to the 1012 00:44:29,033 --> 00:44:31,333 President's very strong record of trying to cut 1013 00:44:31,335 --> 00:44:33,805 carbon pollution and putting in place policies that will 1014 00:44:33,804 --> 00:44:35,804 be in the best interest of our economy and the best 1015 00:44:35,806 --> 00:44:36,776 interest of our planet. 1016 00:44:36,774 --> 00:44:39,614 The Press: Steyer has also been publicly urging an end 1017 00:44:39,610 --> 00:44:43,210 to a tax loophole that allows private equity 1018 00:44:43,213 --> 00:44:45,883 managers and venture capitalists to be taxed at a 1019 00:44:45,883 --> 00:44:46,883 lower rate. 1020 00:44:46,884 --> 00:44:48,384 Do you know if they have spoken about that issue at all? 1021 00:44:48,385 --> 00:44:50,885 Mr. Earnest: No. 1022 00:44:50,888 --> 00:44:52,888 But I do know that that's -- it sounds like, based on the 1023 00:44:52,890 --> 00:44:54,890 way you described Mr. Steyer's position, that 1024 00:44:54,892 --> 00:44:56,892 it may be a position that he and President Obama have in 1025 00:44:56,894 --> 00:44:57,894 common. 1026 00:44:57,895 --> 00:45:00,465 Again, President Obama has long advocated that we 1027 00:45:00,464 --> 00:45:02,704 should close loopholes that only benefit the wealthy and 1028 00:45:02,699 --> 00:45:07,109 well connected, and use some of that revenue to invest in 1029 00:45:07,104 --> 00:45:09,104 the kinds of things that benefit everybody. 1030 00:45:09,106 --> 00:45:12,206 And whether that's free community college or 1031 00:45:12,209 --> 00:45:15,279 expanded early childhood education, or even important 1032 00:45:15,279 --> 00:45:17,279 investments in our infrastructure. 1033 00:45:17,281 --> 00:45:19,281 So again, I'm not aware of Mr. Steyer's position on 1034 00:45:19,283 --> 00:45:21,423 that particular issue, but it sounds like it might be 1035 00:45:21,418 --> 00:45:23,688 something that he agrees with the President on. 1036 00:45:23,687 --> 00:45:25,687 The Press: Is the White House making any attempts to 1037 00:45:25,689 --> 00:45:26,719 close that loophole? 1038 00:45:26,723 --> 00:45:28,123 Mr. Earnest: Well, we are. 1039 00:45:28,125 --> 00:45:30,595 We put forward a very specific plan earlier this 1040 00:45:30,594 --> 00:45:33,094 year, in the context of our budget, for doing exactly 1041 00:45:33,097 --> 00:45:36,597 that, and using revenue from that change to make 1042 00:45:36,600 --> 00:45:38,600 critically important investments in the middle 1043 00:45:38,602 --> 00:45:39,602 class. 1044 00:45:39,603 --> 00:45:41,603 And it's entirely consistent with the President's view 1045 00:45:41,605 --> 00:45:43,605 that expanding economic opportunity for the middle 1046 00:45:43,607 --> 00:45:45,777 class should be our top priority. 1047 00:45:45,776 --> 00:45:46,776 Jared. 1048 00:45:46,777 --> 00:45:49,447 The Press: Josh, you have been meticulously careful, 1049 00:45:49,446 --> 00:45:52,986 and the President as well, to avoid reacting to just 1050 00:45:52,983 --> 00:45:54,783 about everything that's happening on the 2016 1051 00:45:54,785 --> 00:45:57,685 campaign trail, much to the disappointment I guess of 1052 00:45:57,688 --> 00:46:00,488 everybody in here. 1053 00:46:00,491 --> 00:46:04,931 When we're talking about the conversation between 1054 00:46:04,928 --> 00:46:07,598 Minority Leader Pelosi and President Obama that hasn't 1055 00:46:07,598 --> 00:46:10,368 happened -- or at least you haven't been able to confirm 1056 00:46:10,367 --> 00:46:14,537 for us that it's happened in the last five days -- is 1057 00:46:14,538 --> 00:46:17,738 that because there was a campaign trail callout from 1058 00:46:17,741 --> 00:46:20,811 Hillary Clinton to the President to listen to 1059 00:46:20,811 --> 00:46:21,811 Nancy Pelosi? 1060 00:46:21,812 --> 00:46:23,612 And is that why we're not hearing about this 1061 00:46:23,614 --> 00:46:25,614 conversation from you? 1062 00:46:25,616 --> 00:46:26,586 Mr. Earnest: No. 1063 00:46:26,583 --> 00:46:27,923 It's simply that I don't have a list in front of me 1064 00:46:27,918 --> 00:46:29,918 of all the calls that the President has made. 1065 00:46:29,920 --> 00:46:31,920 And I also don't want to be in the business of reading 1066 00:46:31,922 --> 00:46:33,162 out some of the private conversations that the 1067 00:46:33,157 --> 00:46:34,927 President has had as well. 1068 00:46:34,925 --> 00:46:36,925 The Press: Would you consider the conversation 1069 00:46:36,927 --> 00:46:39,327 that Chief of Staff McDonough had with Pelosi -- 1070 00:46:39,329 --> 00:46:41,629 and then I'm guessing relayed some of that to the 1071 00:46:41,632 --> 00:46:44,572 President -- fulfilling Clinton's request that the 1072 00:46:44,568 --> 00:46:46,568 President listen to Nancy Pelosi? 1073 00:46:46,570 --> 00:46:48,910 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, you'd have to ask Secretary 1074 00:46:48,906 --> 00:46:50,906 Clinton if she thought that was sufficient. 1075 00:46:50,908 --> 00:46:51,908 We're focused on -- 1076 00:46:51,909 --> 00:46:52,879 The Press: But I'm asking you if you think that you 1077 00:46:52,876 --> 00:46:54,916 did what she asked. 1078 00:46:54,912 --> 00:46:56,912 Mr. Earnest: Well, the call between Mr. McDonough and 1079 00:46:56,914 --> 00:46:58,914 Ms. Pelosi would have occurred regardless of any 1080 00:46:58,916 --> 00:47:00,216 comments on the campaign trail. 1081 00:47:00,217 --> 00:47:00,887 Major. 1082 00:47:00,884 --> 00:47:02,884 The Press: Just to go back to Syria. 1083 00:47:02,886 --> 00:47:05,286 Does the President share Secretary of State's 1084 00:47:05,289 --> 00:47:08,289 certainty that chlorine gas has recently been used 1085 00:47:08,292 --> 00:47:09,692 in Syria? 1086 00:47:09,693 --> 00:47:11,863 Mr. Earnest: Well, Major, I haven't read sort of the 1087 00:47:11,862 --> 00:47:15,032 latest assessment either from the Department of 1088 00:47:15,032 --> 00:47:17,032 Defense or the intelligence community on this. 1089 00:47:17,034 --> 00:47:19,774 But for a definitive view in terms of the -- 1090 00:47:19,770 --> 00:47:21,770 The Press: Does the President share the 1091 00:47:21,772 --> 00:47:22,872 Secretary of State's certainty? 1092 00:47:22,873 --> 00:47:26,013 Mr. Earnest: Well, the President would rely on both 1093 00:47:26,009 --> 00:47:28,009 the input of the Secretary of State as well as 1094 00:47:28,011 --> 00:47:30,011 assessments from the intelligence community, as 1095 00:47:30,013 --> 00:47:32,013 well as assessments from the Department of Defense on 1096 00:47:32,015 --> 00:47:33,015 this matter. 1097 00:47:33,016 --> 00:47:35,016 The Press: I don't need to tell you he's been reluctant 1098 00:47:35,018 --> 00:47:35,988 to so declare. 1099 00:47:35,986 --> 00:47:38,386 The Secretary of State has and he still remains 1100 00:47:38,388 --> 00:47:41,158 reluctant to declare with certainty that chlorine gas 1101 00:47:41,158 --> 00:47:42,158 has been used, correct? 1102 00:47:42,159 --> 00:47:44,859 Mr. Earnest: Again, the President is going to rely 1103 00:47:44,861 --> 00:47:47,001 on the specific advice that he gets from -- or the 1104 00:47:46,997 --> 00:47:51,397 specific assessment that he gets from the intelligence 1105 00:47:51,401 --> 00:47:52,501 community and the Department of Defense. 1106 00:47:52,502 --> 00:47:53,672 And obviously the Secretary of State has information 1107 00:47:53,670 --> 00:47:55,670 that is relevant to that discussion as well. 1108 00:47:55,672 --> 00:47:56,672 The Press: Okay. 1109 00:47:56,673 --> 00:47:58,673 Is it fair to assume, based on what you told Jim, that 1110 00:47:58,675 --> 00:48:03,215 even if he is certain, it wouldn't change policy -- 1111 00:48:03,213 --> 00:48:04,713 that this chlorine gas is different than the other 1112 00:48:04,715 --> 00:48:08,555 chemical munitions the President believes he has 1113 00:48:08,552 --> 00:48:11,652 successfully moved out of Syria? 1114 00:48:11,655 --> 00:48:13,395 Mr. Earnest: Yes, we have the declared -- 1115 00:48:13,390 --> 00:48:15,090 The Press: So we have not changed policies? 1116 00:48:15,092 --> 00:48:17,092 Mr. Earnest: According to our international observers 1117 00:48:17,094 --> 00:48:19,094 and experts, the declared chemical weapon stockpile in 1118 00:48:19,096 --> 00:48:20,166 Syria has been destroyed. 1119 00:48:20,163 --> 00:48:26,033 But the use of chemical -- of chlorine weapons would 1120 00:48:26,036 --> 00:48:29,906 be, and is, entirely consistent with the terrible 1121 00:48:29,906 --> 00:48:31,906 acts of violence that we have seen the Assad regime 1122 00:48:31,908 --> 00:48:34,308 perpetrate against innocent Syrians. 1123 00:48:34,311 --> 00:48:36,311 The Press: Right, but other than rhetorical 1124 00:48:36,313 --> 00:48:38,313 condemnations, policy would not change? 1125 00:48:38,315 --> 00:48:40,315 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I think the President has 1126 00:48:40,317 --> 00:48:42,317 indicated, as we've talked about quite a bit over the 1127 00:48:42,319 --> 00:48:44,819 last several weeks, that the President and his national 1128 00:48:44,821 --> 00:48:47,261 security team are always reviewing their policy to 1129 00:48:47,257 --> 00:48:50,397 make sure that we have the most effective one in place 1130 00:48:50,394 --> 00:48:51,394 to accomplish our goals. 1131 00:48:51,395 --> 00:48:54,635 The Press: Will there be a visit next week here to 1132 00:48:54,631 --> 00:48:57,531 those working with the President on the final 1133 00:48:57,534 --> 00:49:00,904 formulation of the hostage review process to explain to 1134 00:49:00,904 --> 00:49:04,474 them where things are and what the administration will 1135 00:49:04,474 --> 00:49:07,214 be attempting to achieve as it revamps its approach to 1136 00:49:07,210 --> 00:49:08,650 that issue? 1137 00:49:08,645 --> 00:49:10,115 Mr. Earnest: Well, this is obviously something that has 1138 00:49:10,113 --> 00:49:13,283 been a priority of the President's and his national 1139 00:49:13,283 --> 00:49:15,953 security staff, including Lisa Monaco, the President's 1140 00:49:15,952 --> 00:49:19,922 top counterterrorism advisor, has been closely 1141 00:49:19,923 --> 00:49:24,363 watching this issue and been working on some of the 1142 00:49:24,361 --> 00:49:25,631 review efforts. 1143 00:49:25,629 --> 00:49:28,129 Those review efforts have included an intensive policy 1144 00:49:28,131 --> 00:49:30,731 process and they've included detailed and frequent 1145 00:49:30,734 --> 00:49:34,604 consultations with those families that have gone 1146 00:49:34,604 --> 00:49:38,744 through this wrenching experience. 1147 00:49:38,742 --> 00:49:40,942 And what we've indicated is that we expect to have the 1148 00:49:40,944 --> 00:49:44,644 results of that review available soon. 1149 00:49:44,648 --> 00:49:47,818 And as we have more details about how that announcement 1150 00:49:47,818 --> 00:49:49,818 will take place, we'll let you know. 1151 00:49:49,820 --> 00:49:51,820 The Press: But are there plans to meet with them and 1152 00:49:51,822 --> 00:49:53,822 discuss it with them face to face? 1153 00:49:53,824 --> 00:49:55,824 Mr. Earnest: When we have more details on this, we'll 1154 00:49:55,826 --> 00:49:56,826 let you know. 1155 00:49:56,827 --> 00:49:58,827 I certainly wouldn't rule that out. 1156 00:49:58,829 --> 00:50:00,829 The Press: All this dancing around whether or not there 1157 00:50:00,831 --> 00:50:03,101 was a phone call to Nancy Pelosi indicates that you 1158 00:50:03,100 --> 00:50:05,170 now and the White House believe -- 1159 00:50:05,168 --> 00:50:06,208 Mr. Earnest: I'm not really dancing around it. 1160 00:50:06,203 --> 00:50:07,773 I'm just telling you that -- 1161 00:50:07,771 --> 00:50:10,711 The Press: Well, look, you created this artificial 1162 00:50:10,707 --> 00:50:12,747 filter that you're not going to read out -- we're not 1163 00:50:12,743 --> 00:50:14,043 asking for readouts. 1164 00:50:14,044 --> 00:50:16,514 We're asking did he pick up the phone and did he talk to 1165 00:50:16,513 --> 00:50:19,253 the number-one Democrat in the House that just stabbed 1166 00:50:19,249 --> 00:50:20,889 him in the back on TAA? 1167 00:50:20,884 --> 00:50:22,884 (laughter) 1168 00:50:22,886 --> 00:50:24,756 That's a real simple question -- yes or no? 1169 00:50:24,755 --> 00:50:26,755 Mr. Earnest: And I'm telling you that the White House 1170 00:50:26,757 --> 00:50:27,827 Chief of Staff picked up the phone and called her on 1171 00:50:27,824 --> 00:50:28,494 Monday -- 1172 00:50:28,492 --> 00:50:29,322 The Press: We know that -- 1173 00:50:29,326 --> 00:50:31,226 Mr. Earnest: And the President has made a large 1174 00:50:31,228 --> 00:50:31,758 number of calls over the last three or four days. 1175 00:50:31,762 --> 00:50:32,862 The Press: Right. 1176 00:50:32,863 --> 00:50:33,963 I'm not asking about a large number of calls to people 1177 00:50:33,964 --> 00:50:35,604 who are slightly less relevant to resolving this 1178 00:50:35,599 --> 00:50:36,969 than the Minority Leader of the House. 1179 00:50:36,967 --> 00:50:38,297 That's all we're asking about. 1180 00:50:38,301 --> 00:50:40,371 Did he call her -- yes or no? 1181 00:50:40,370 --> 00:50:43,470 Mr. Earnest: Major, I guess -- let me question I think a 1182 00:50:43,473 --> 00:50:46,773 premise of your question that is open to some 1183 00:50:46,777 --> 00:50:48,847 scrutiny, which is -- 1184 00:50:48,845 --> 00:50:50,345 The Press: They're always open to scrutiny. 1185 00:50:50,347 --> 00:50:52,317 Mr. Earnest: They are -- the nature of the job. 1186 00:50:52,315 --> 00:50:56,315 The people who are most relevant to trying to find 1187 00:50:56,319 --> 00:50:59,689 this path forward are people who are part of the 1188 00:50:59,689 --> 00:51:00,989 bipartisan majority that have allowed this 1189 00:51:00,991 --> 00:51:03,191 legislation to advance. 1190 00:51:03,193 --> 00:51:05,093 That's why the President has frequently been on the phone 1191 00:51:05,095 --> 00:51:08,135 with both the Speaker of the House -- 1192 00:51:08,131 --> 00:51:09,971 The Press: And Majority Leader of the Senate -- 1193 00:51:09,966 --> 00:51:11,306 Mr. Earnest: -- and Majority Leader in the Senate. 1194 00:51:11,301 --> 00:51:13,171 It's why -- The Press: He hasn't been on the phone 1195 00:51:13,170 --> 00:51:14,670 with Pelosi, right? 1196 00:51:14,671 --> 00:51:15,941 Mr. Earnest: But, again, Major, she doesn't want the 1197 00:51:15,939 --> 00:51:17,339 legislation to advance. 1198 00:51:17,340 --> 00:51:18,710 The Press: So he didn't call her, right? 1199 00:51:18,708 --> 00:51:19,878 Mr. Earnest: I'm not going to read out every 1200 00:51:19,876 --> 00:51:21,076 conversation that the President has. 1201 00:51:21,077 --> 00:51:22,077 The Press: I didn't ask you for a readout. 1202 00:51:22,078 --> 00:51:22,918 Mr. Earnest: Okay. 1203 00:51:22,913 --> 00:51:24,013 That's fine. 1204 00:51:24,014 --> 00:51:24,944 The Press: But a readout is not the same as confirmation 1205 00:51:24,948 --> 00:51:25,878 on a phone call. 1206 00:51:25,882 --> 00:51:26,952 Mr. Earnest: Major, I'll look into it, but I don't 1207 00:51:26,950 --> 00:51:28,020 know this is a fruitful exercise. 1208 00:51:28,018 --> 00:51:29,048 The Press: It's not an irrelevant question. 1209 00:51:29,052 --> 00:51:31,592 It's not an illegitimate question. 1210 00:51:31,588 --> 00:51:32,358 The Press: Can you answer? 1211 00:51:32,355 --> 00:51:33,455 Mr. Earnest: I didn't say that it was. 1212 00:51:33,457 --> 00:51:34,757 I do think, though, that -- I think the premise of why 1213 00:51:34,758 --> 00:51:36,158 you think this is so important, though, is open 1214 00:51:36,159 --> 00:51:37,559 to significant questioning. 1215 00:51:37,561 --> 00:51:38,631 The Press: Question the premise all you want. 1216 00:51:38,628 --> 00:51:40,198 Just answer the question. 1217 00:51:40,197 --> 00:51:42,497 The Press: Well, we have to assume the answer is no. 1218 00:51:42,499 --> 00:51:43,939 Mr. Earnest: You can assume whatever you'd like. 1219 00:51:43,934 --> 00:51:46,374 The Press: But isn't that a fair assumption? 1220 00:51:46,369 --> 00:51:47,539 Mr. Earnest: Have we exhausted this, or can I 1221 00:51:47,537 --> 00:51:48,977 move on? 1222 00:51:48,972 --> 00:51:52,842 The Press: So then, to take your last point, is the 1223 00:51:52,843 --> 00:51:56,643 Senate now the place where this has to be reevaluated 1224 00:51:56,646 --> 00:51:59,186 and a new legislative strategy has to be 1225 00:51:59,182 --> 00:52:00,052 formulated? 1226 00:52:00,050 --> 00:52:01,180 Mr. Earnest: Not necessarily. 1227 00:52:01,184 --> 00:52:03,024 There is a bipartisan majority for -- 1228 00:52:03,019 --> 00:52:05,319 The Press: Why not? 1229 00:52:05,322 --> 00:52:06,592 Mr. Earnest: Again, because there is a -- 1230 00:52:06,590 --> 00:52:07,760 The Press: The House appears to be stuck. 1231 00:52:07,757 --> 00:52:12,297 If you ask them, they say they're sort of stuck. 1232 00:52:12,295 --> 00:52:13,595 Mr. Earnest: Can I try to give an answer? 1233 00:52:13,597 --> 00:52:14,867 The Press: Go right ahead. 1234 00:52:14,865 --> 00:52:16,665 Mr. Earnest: Okay, thank you. 1235 00:52:16,666 --> 00:52:18,236 The only legislative strategy that the President 1236 00:52:18,235 --> 00:52:20,235 of the United States will support is a strategy that 1237 00:52:20,237 --> 00:52:24,877 will result in both TPA and TAA coming to his desk. 1238 00:52:24,875 --> 00:52:26,875 There are a variety of proposals that have been 1239 00:52:26,877 --> 00:52:28,877 floated both in the House and in the Senate for 1240 00:52:28,879 --> 00:52:29,879 successfully doing that. 1241 00:52:29,880 --> 00:52:32,380 Any strategy that will succeed among those variety 1242 00:52:32,382 --> 00:52:36,952 will require both Democrats and Republicans to support it. 1243 00:52:36,953 --> 00:52:38,953 I do not have a lot of optimism, though you should 1244 00:52:38,955 --> 00:52:41,025 check with Leader Pelosi, that she will be supportive 1245 00:52:41,024 --> 00:52:42,864 of any of these strategies. 1246 00:52:42,859 --> 00:52:45,229 I would anticipate that a number of the Democrats, 1247 00:52:45,228 --> 00:52:48,268 maybe even all of the 28 Democrats in the House who 1248 00:52:48,265 --> 00:52:51,805 did vote in favor of TPA, would likely cooperate with 1249 00:52:51,801 --> 00:52:52,971 that kind of strategy. 1250 00:52:52,969 --> 00:52:54,969 But they're going to be in close consultation with both 1251 00:52:54,971 --> 00:52:56,971 the President and the White House as they consider those 1252 00:52:56,973 --> 00:52:58,013 strategies moving forward. 1253 00:52:58,008 --> 00:53:00,008 But, ultimately, this will have to be a decision that's 1254 00:53:00,010 --> 00:53:02,410 made by the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of 1255 00:53:02,412 --> 00:53:03,412 the House. 1256 00:53:03,413 --> 00:53:05,413 But they're going to do it in close consultation with 1257 00:53:05,415 --> 00:53:07,755 Democrats because they know that Democratic support will 1258 00:53:07,751 --> 00:53:09,691 be required for the success of the strategy. 1259 00:53:09,686 --> 00:53:10,586 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1260 00:53:10,587 --> 00:53:11,287 Mr. Earnest: Thank you, Major. 1261 00:53:11,288 --> 00:53:12,818 Byron. 1262 00:53:12,822 --> 00:53:13,822 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1263 00:53:13,823 --> 00:53:16,823 In 2008 and 2012, the President banned donations 1264 00:53:16,826 --> 00:53:19,996 from registered lobbyists to both his campaigns. 1265 00:53:19,996 --> 00:53:22,336 This cycle, no major candidate has followed that 1266 00:53:22,332 --> 00:53:26,232 example, including Democrats Martin O'Malley and 1267 00:53:26,236 --> 00:53:28,436 Hillary Clinton, who are both accepting lobbyist 1268 00:53:28,438 --> 00:53:29,978 contributions. 1269 00:53:29,973 --> 00:53:31,273 Is the White House disappointed in those 1270 00:53:31,274 --> 00:53:33,274 decisions? 1271 00:53:33,276 --> 00:53:35,276 Mr. Earnest: Byron, the President knows from having 1272 00:53:35,278 --> 00:53:38,548 run his own campaign that these are essentially 1273 00:53:38,548 --> 00:53:40,788 policies that need to be established by those who are 1274 00:53:40,784 --> 00:53:42,524 running the campaign. 1275 00:53:42,519 --> 00:53:47,119 So I would also note that the President's foundation 1276 00:53:47,123 --> 00:53:51,163 has also indicated that they will not accept donations 1277 00:53:51,161 --> 00:53:53,531 from PACs or lobbyists while the President is in office 1278 00:53:53,530 --> 00:53:54,530 either. 1279 00:53:54,531 --> 00:53:56,531 So the President has been very serious about this 1280 00:53:56,533 --> 00:53:58,533 commitment, and it's something that he believed 1281 00:53:58,535 --> 00:53:59,605 was important. 1282 00:53:59,603 --> 00:54:01,603 But for decisions that are made by individual 1283 00:54:01,605 --> 00:54:03,575 candidates, I'll let them explain it. 1284 00:54:03,573 --> 00:54:05,573 The Press: Broadly, does he think it's possible to run a 1285 00:54:05,575 --> 00:54:07,945 clean, ethical Presidential campaign while taking 1286 00:54:07,944 --> 00:54:08,944 lobbyist donations? 1287 00:54:08,945 --> 00:54:11,185 Mr. Earnest: Well, of course. 1288 00:54:11,181 --> 00:54:14,081 I think the President's view, and the way that he 1289 00:54:14,084 --> 00:54:18,624 articulated this, is that he felt it was important to 1290 00:54:18,622 --> 00:54:21,262 send a very clear signal that we're going to change 1291 00:54:21,257 --> 00:54:23,257 business as usual in Washington. 1292 00:54:23,259 --> 00:54:26,059 And lot of that was focused on transparency. 1293 00:54:26,062 --> 00:54:28,232 There were a number of steps the President took in the 1294 00:54:28,231 --> 00:54:30,801 context of his campaign to be more transparent than 1295 00:54:30,800 --> 00:54:32,370 previous campaigns had been. 1296 00:54:32,369 --> 00:54:34,739 One example of that is the administration -- or the 1297 00:54:34,738 --> 00:54:37,808 campaign began the practice of releasing the name of 1298 00:54:37,807 --> 00:54:40,677 bundlers for his campaign. 1299 00:54:40,677 --> 00:54:44,017 That was a transparency innovation of the campaign, 1300 00:54:44,014 --> 00:54:46,214 and reflected his broader commitment to greater 1301 00:54:46,216 --> 00:54:49,786 transparency in financing of the campaigns, but also in 1302 00:54:49,786 --> 00:54:52,526 sending a clear signal about changing business as usual 1303 00:54:52,522 --> 00:54:53,992 in Washington. 1304 00:54:53,990 --> 00:54:55,990 But again, each of the candidates will have to make 1305 00:54:55,992 --> 00:54:59,362 their own decisions about the best way for them to 1306 00:54:59,362 --> 00:55:00,832 demonstrate that commitment. 1307 00:55:00,830 --> 00:55:02,170 The Press: One more. 1308 00:55:02,165 --> 00:55:03,805 The Benghazi Select Committee heard yesterday 1309 00:55:03,800 --> 00:55:06,170 from a close confidant of Hillary Clinton for more 1310 00:55:06,169 --> 00:55:07,809 than eight hours. 1311 00:55:07,804 --> 00:55:10,804 Top Democrats have said -- the top Democrat on the 1312 00:55:10,807 --> 00:55:12,277 committee said that it's become the committee to 1313 00:55:12,275 --> 00:55:14,975 investigate Hillary Clinton. 1314 00:55:14,978 --> 00:55:16,478 Does the White House agree with that assessment? 1315 00:55:16,479 --> 00:55:19,119 Mr. Earnest: Well, my understanding is that that 1316 00:55:19,115 --> 00:55:21,555 is a conversation -- testimony that occurred 1317 00:55:21,551 --> 00:55:23,091 behind closed doors. 1318 00:55:23,086 --> 00:55:29,226 So it's difficult for me to evaluate that exact -- that 1319 00:55:29,225 --> 00:55:30,225 claim. 1320 00:55:30,226 --> 00:55:34,766 But what I will say is that there certainly have been 1321 00:55:34,764 --> 00:55:36,764 some questions and doubts raised by the fact that 1322 00:55:36,766 --> 00:55:38,766 there have been eight different congressional 1323 00:55:38,768 --> 00:55:40,708 committees that have looked into this. 1324 00:55:40,704 --> 00:55:42,444 Mr. Gowdy leads the eighth. 1325 00:55:42,439 --> 00:55:48,079 The previous seven have been very clear about what the 1326 00:55:48,078 --> 00:55:51,448 facts show, and the facts do not substantiate the wide 1327 00:55:51,448 --> 00:55:55,088 variety of claims that we've seen from the political 1328 00:55:55,085 --> 00:55:58,925 opponents either of President Obama or Secretary 1329 00:55:58,922 --> 00:56:00,762 Clinton. 1330 00:56:00,757 --> 00:56:04,497 So I have no doubt that the eighth committee will reach 1331 00:56:04,494 --> 00:56:05,494 the same conclusion. 1332 00:56:05,495 --> 00:56:07,495 I think the only open question is how long it 1333 00:56:07,497 --> 00:56:08,867 takes them to get there. 1334 00:56:08,865 --> 00:56:09,635 Cheryl. 1335 00:56:09,632 --> 00:56:11,532 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1336 00:56:11,534 --> 00:56:16,474 I have two budget questions, just because OMB put out 1337 00:56:16,473 --> 00:56:18,913 familiar letters again last night about the spending 1338 00:56:18,908 --> 00:56:19,908 caps. 1339 00:56:19,909 --> 00:56:24,519 My first question is, would the Commander-in-Chief 1340 00:56:24,514 --> 00:56:27,984 really veto the defense appropriations bill if the 1341 00:56:27,984 --> 00:56:32,654 non-defense bills -- if the caps aren't lifted on those? 1342 00:56:32,655 --> 00:56:34,055 Mr. Earnest: Yes. 1343 00:56:34,057 --> 00:56:37,627 And the reason for that is a serious one. 1344 00:56:37,627 --> 00:56:39,627 There are actually several reasons. 1345 00:56:39,629 --> 00:56:41,929 One is that the funding mechanism that Republicans 1346 00:56:41,931 --> 00:56:44,731 have floated is one that many leading Republicans 1347 00:56:44,734 --> 00:56:48,104 have previously described as nothing more than a gimmick. 1348 00:56:48,104 --> 00:56:50,244 The President does not believe that is consistent 1349 00:56:50,240 --> 00:56:52,240 with any sort of serious approach to national 1350 00:56:52,242 --> 00:56:53,742 security. 1351 00:56:53,743 --> 00:56:56,913 And that is the principal objection of the way that 1352 00:56:56,913 --> 00:56:59,353 Republicans are currently trying to move this 1353 00:56:59,349 --> 00:57:00,949 legislation through Congress. 1354 00:57:00,950 --> 00:57:02,950 What also happens to be true is there are critically 1355 00:57:02,952 --> 00:57:06,452 important national security priorities included on the 1356 00:57:06,456 --> 00:57:08,726 so-called non-defense side of the ledger. 1357 00:57:08,725 --> 00:57:10,725 This includes everything from funding for Homeland 1358 00:57:10,727 --> 00:57:13,197 Security to funding for our veterans. 1359 00:57:13,196 --> 00:57:17,266 So to suggest that essentially gutting funding 1360 00:57:17,267 --> 00:57:19,967 on the non-defense side doesn't have significant 1361 00:57:19,969 --> 00:57:24,509 consequences for our national security is 1362 00:57:24,507 --> 00:57:25,977 dangerously naĂŻve. 1363 00:57:25,975 --> 00:57:27,215 So the fact is, the President is going to -- is 1364 00:57:27,210 --> 00:57:33,180 determined to ensure that the budgets that are 1365 00:57:33,183 --> 00:57:36,083 eventually signed into law by the President of the 1366 00:57:36,085 --> 00:57:38,225 United States are budgets that reflect our priorities 1367 00:57:38,221 --> 00:57:40,821 to keep the country safe and to put in place policies 1368 00:57:40,824 --> 00:57:42,824 that are in the best interest of expanding 1369 00:57:42,826 --> 00:57:44,826 economic opportunity for middle-class families. 1370 00:57:44,828 --> 00:57:47,628 The Press: And then a little bit bigger picture. 1371 00:57:47,630 --> 00:57:51,130 Wasn't it the President's idea, sort of in the first 1372 00:57:51,134 --> 00:57:56,404 place, to want to eliminate sequestration in his budget 1373 00:57:56,406 --> 00:57:59,246 this year and to lift the spending caps for all of 1374 00:57:59,242 --> 00:58:00,242 these? 1375 00:58:00,243 --> 00:58:03,813 And then doesn't that mean he should initiate bigger 1376 00:58:03,813 --> 00:58:05,813 budget negotiations with Congress? 1377 00:58:05,815 --> 00:58:07,855 Mr. Earnest: Well, Cheryl, what I would point out on 1378 00:58:07,851 --> 00:58:11,851 this is simply that the way that this was resolved 1379 00:58:11,855 --> 00:58:13,855 previously, as you know -- I know that you cover this 1380 00:58:13,857 --> 00:58:18,397 very closely -- is that we saw Paul Ryan and Patty 1381 00:58:18,394 --> 00:58:20,834 Murray -- a leading Republican in the House of 1382 00:58:20,830 --> 00:58:22,830 Representatives, a leading Democrat in the United 1383 00:58:22,832 --> 00:58:25,202 States Senate -- sit down and work in bipartisan 1384 00:58:25,201 --> 00:58:28,971 fashion to cobble together a bipartisan agreement to 1385 00:58:28,972 --> 00:58:32,442 reflect the budget priorities of the country. 1386 00:58:32,442 --> 00:58:34,442 These are priorities both related to our economy, but 1387 00:58:34,444 --> 00:58:36,144 also to our national security. 1388 00:58:36,145 --> 00:58:38,245 We believe that that is an effective template for how 1389 00:58:38,248 --> 00:58:40,488 this situation can be resolved now. 1390 00:58:40,483 --> 00:58:42,483 And I recognize that that raises all kinds of 1391 00:58:42,485 --> 00:58:45,085 questions about who plays which role, and how the 1392 00:58:45,088 --> 00:58:47,788 conversations get convened, and where the meetings take 1393 00:58:47,790 --> 00:58:50,130 place, and who's responsible for paying for the coffee. 1394 00:58:50,126 --> 00:58:51,866 I get all of that. 1395 00:58:51,861 --> 00:58:54,061 But in the same way that the White House was deeply 1396 00:58:54,063 --> 00:58:56,063 involved in those conversations between 1397 00:58:56,065 --> 00:59:00,775 Mr. Ryan and Senator Murray, I'm confident that the White 1398 00:59:00,770 --> 00:59:03,170 House and the administration would be involved in 1399 00:59:03,172 --> 00:59:05,872 facilitating future conversations, because there 1400 00:59:05,875 --> 00:59:09,245 are significant priorities involved. 1401 00:59:09,245 --> 00:59:12,545 And in many cases, the administration will have 1402 00:59:12,548 --> 00:59:14,788 unique insight into the intricacies of these 1403 00:59:14,784 --> 00:59:16,584 budgetary decisions. 1404 00:59:16,586 --> 00:59:18,986 So the administration will be involved, but ultimately 1405 00:59:18,988 --> 00:59:23,828 it's the responsibility of Congress to figure this out, 1406 00:59:23,826 --> 00:59:25,826 and the administration will certainly be supportive of 1407 00:59:25,828 --> 00:59:27,298 those efforts. 1408 00:59:27,297 --> 00:59:29,967 And the last thing I would point out is something that 1409 00:59:29,966 --> 00:59:32,906 you frequently hear from me, which is I continue to be 1410 00:59:32,902 --> 00:59:35,202 confident that the only way that's going to get resolved 1411 00:59:35,204 --> 00:59:37,944 is by working effectively across the aisle; that in 1412 00:59:37,941 --> 00:59:39,941 order to get 60 votes on anything in the United States 1413 00:59:39,943 --> 00:59:42,243 Senate, you're going to have to earn the votes of 1414 00:59:42,245 --> 00:59:43,245 Democrats. 1415 00:59:43,246 --> 00:59:45,246 And in order to get anything signed into law, you're 1416 00:59:45,248 --> 00:59:47,248 going to have to earn the support of the Democratic 1417 00:59:47,250 --> 00:59:49,250 President of the United States who is responsible 1418 00:59:49,252 --> 00:59:50,422 for wielding the pen. 1419 00:59:50,420 --> 00:59:53,420 So we're going to need to see a bipartisan effort in 1420 00:59:53,423 --> 00:59:55,023 Congress to resolve this. 1421 00:59:55,024 --> 00:59:57,394 But again, the good news is this is something -- this is 1422 00:59:57,393 --> 00:59:59,733 one of those rare occasions where Congress has succeeded 1423 00:59:59,729 --> 01:00:01,969 in working in bipartisan fashion to get something 1424 01:00:01,965 --> 01:00:04,105 important done, and we're hopeful that they'll do it 1425 01:00:04,100 --> 01:00:05,440 again. 1426 01:00:05,435 --> 01:00:06,435 Thanks a lot, everybody. 1427 01:00:06,436 --> 01:00:08,436 Have a good Wednesday.