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Mr. Carney:
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.
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Thanks for being here.
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I have no announcement
at the top,
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so I'll go straight
to your questions.
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Ben.
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The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
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There's a suddenly
optimistic tone, it seems,
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on the Hill about getting all
the last-minute business done,
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including the payroll tax; I
wasn't sure I heard that kind of
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tone from the President today.
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So where do we stand, from
the White House perspective?
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Are we close to a deal, or
at least closer to a deal?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, two things.
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What you heard from the
President today is him making
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clear what his position is,
which is that he's out there
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making sure that middle-class
Americans, working Americans,
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160 million Americans, don't
wake up on New Year's Day to
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find that their taxes went up
because Congress refused to
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take action.
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That's his number-one priority.
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And he is insisting that
Congress do its work,
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that Congress do the work that
they should be able to do very
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easily because Republicans
say they support this,
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and take care of the working
men and women in this country,
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everyone who gets a paycheck.
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So it is also true that there
are ongoing conversations
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happening on the Hill and
among leaders on the Hill and
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representatives of the President
to try to see how we can
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get this done.
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And it should be
able to get done,
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both the payroll
tax cut extension,
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the extension of
unemployment insurance,
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and the spending bill,
the so-called omnibus,
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that Congress needs to take
care of before it goes.
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But what cannot happen is that
Congress takes care of its
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spending bill but doesn't take
action to ensure that Americans'
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taxes go up.
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I mean, what would
Americans think --
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it would certainly, I
think, raise the number,
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the percentage of Americans
who have already told,
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in I think NBC's poll -- more
than 40% who say this is the
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worst Congress in history -- and
we have a long history now --
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that number would
certainly go up,
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and the approval
numbers would go down,
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and that would be
just and right.
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We don't think that's
going to happen,
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because Republicans have
indicated that they want the
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payroll tax cut extended, which
is a change from the position we
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heard just a few short
weeks ago, and we're very --
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we're certainly encouraged
by signs of a willingness by
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everyone to work together to get
this important business done.
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The Press:
No matter how the payroll tax
and the unemployment benefits
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are ultimately paid for,
assuming this gets done,
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is it an article of faith at
the White House that the wealthy
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must pay more in some fashion?
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Mr. Carney:
Let's be clear about what
the President's priority is.
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The President's priority is
to ensure that Americans,
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160 million Americans, don't
see their taxes go up on
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average $1,000.
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He made clear in his full
American Jobs Act proposal the
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way that he would
pay for all of it,
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including the payroll tax
cut extension and expansion,
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and he certainly believes
it is eminently fair,
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both in the way that he
preferred paying for it and the
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way that Senate Democrats
preferred paying for it,
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that it's not too much to ask
-- referring to the Senate
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Democratic version
-- 300,000 Americans,
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the 300,000
wealthiest Americans,
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to pay a little bit more so that
160 million Americans who are
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getting a paycheck every week
don't see their taxes go up.
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That to him seemed fair.
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The priority here, however,
was not the pay-for.
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The focus on the pay-for
is slightly mistargeted,
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because the priority here is
making sure Americans don't have
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their taxes go up, working --
hardworking middle-class
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Americans don't have
their taxes go up.
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And we have said -- I have said
from the beginning of this
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process that we are open to
different means of paying for
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it, and certainly the
President's preference is that
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this tax cut
extension be paid for.
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We note, with some
irony, that Republicans,
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at least in the House, have it
within their own bylaws that tax
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cuts don't need to be paid for,
but there is this insistence
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when it comes to middle-class
tax cuts that that not
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be the case.
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Regardless, we're open
to other pay-fors;
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we have been from the beginning.
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The issue here is, will
Americans see their taxes go up
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on January 1st?
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The Press:
Last one.
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The President was planning to
leave for Hawaii on the 17th.
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When is he planning
to leave now?
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Mr. Carney:
Well, the President has made
clear on earlier occasions that
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he will stay here as long as it
takes to ensure that Congress
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does not leave town
without raising --
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without extending the payroll
tax cut and making sure that
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Americans don't have their
taxes go up on January 1st.
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I don't have a crystal ball
to tell you when this will
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be resolved.
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As you noted at the beginning,
there are some signs that
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cooperation may be taking place
and that compromise might occur
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and that we can get these issues
resolved sooner rather than
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later, but I would not hazard
to guess when that would be.
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Yes.
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The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
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I wanted to ask you a little
bit more about the White House
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strategy on the
payroll tax cuts.
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The decision to drop
the millionaire surtax,
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how did that come about?
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Was it the President?
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Was it the Democratic
leadership?
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And why now?
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And what do you think about this
perception that this means that
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you're caving in
to the Republicans?
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Mr. Carney:
I'll go back to
what I said to Ben.
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The President's priority here
hasn't been to raise taxes.
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The President's priority has
been to lower taxes, to keep --
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well, actually, to lower them,
to extend the payroll tax cut
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and expand it for
the middle class.
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He believed that it was the fair
and right way to pay for it to
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ask, in the case of the Senate
Democratic version, 300,000
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millionaires and billionaires
to pay a little bit more so that
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Americans, 160 million of
them, could have their taxes
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reduced next year.
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But the issue here
hasn't been the pay-fors,
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as I just said in answer to Ben.
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We've made clear from the
beginning that we were open to
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pay-fors that -- alternative
pay-fors as long as they were
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economically responsible and
they didn't stick it to the
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middle class, the very people
you're trying to help with
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this tax cut.
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So what your question contains
within it is the observation
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that Republicans refused to
ask 300,000 millionaires and
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billionaires to pay a little bit
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more so that 160 million working
and middle-class Americans
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didn't have their taxes go up;
they refused, all but a few --
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or one, I guess, in
the case in the Senate.
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So we're open to figuring out a
way how to do this that, again,
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is economically responsible and
doesn't hurt the very people
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that we're trying to help.
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But the priority here
has not been the pay-for;
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it has been ensuring that
Americans who are working hard,
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as we emerge from
this Great Recession,
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don't get a tax
hike on January 1st.
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That would be a very unwelcome
New Year's gift to the American
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people, and Congress
should not give that gift.
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Let me move around and then
I'll come to you, Jake.
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George.
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The Press:
Any reaction from the White --
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Mr. Carney:
Jake, I've been doing
this for months.
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The Press:
It's annoying.
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Mr. Carney:
Oh, I'm sorry.
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Tell it to your colleagues.
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The Press:
I like it.
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Mr. Carney:
I'll get to you.
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(laughter)
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The Press:
You just decide you're going to
break with decades of precedent
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and just going to --
instead of every --
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Mr. Carney:
I'm going to ensure that the
49 people in these seats --
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The Press:
Okay, then take a question
about bestiality, go for it.
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Mr. Carney:
-- and move back
and forth and --
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The Press:
No, America wants to know about
your position on bestiality.
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Mr. Carney:
I'm absolutely going to
take care of everyone in
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the front row.
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Yes, George.
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The Press:
Here I thought we were friends.
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(laughter)
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Any White House reaction to
Democratic Senator Wyden joining
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with Paul Ryan on a compromise
on the privatization of
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Medicare today?
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Mr. Carney:
George, as you know, President
Obama is committed to ensuring
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that Medicare is strong
and affordable for seniors
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and taxpayers.
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That's why the President
proposed a plan to strengthen
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Medicare, cut waste, fight fraud
and reduce Medicare and Medicaid
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costs by $320 billion over
the next 10 years as part of a
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balanced approach to
reducing the deficit.
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And President Obama has made
clear that any proposal to
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reform Medicare must protect our
seniors and preserve the promise
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to current and future
beneficiaries of guaranteed
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affordable Medicare coverage.
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We are concerned
that Wyden-Ryan,
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the proposal you mentioned,
like Congressman Ryan's earlier
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proposal, would undermine
rather than strengthen Medicare.
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The Wyden-Ryan proposal
could, over time,
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cause the traditional Medicare
program to "wither on the vine,"
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because it would
raise premiums,
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forcing many seniors to leave
traditional Medicare and join
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private plans.
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And it would shift costs from
the government to seniors.
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At the end of the day, this plan
would end Medicare as we know it
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for millions of seniors.
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The Wyden-Ryan proposal is the
wrong way to reform Medicare.
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That's our position.
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Jake.
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The Press:
If you don't support
the Wyden-Ryan plan,
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is the President going to be
proposing a plan to solve the
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problem of Medicare and
funding in the future?
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Mr. Carney:
What I mentioned at the top
is the President has, in fact,
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proposed that as part of his
comprehensive deficit reduction
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and debt control plan, and he
looks forward to working with
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Congress on that.
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And his whole point during --
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The Press:
As a solution, or -- I thought
it just nibbles around the
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edges, doesn't it?
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Mr. Carney:
No, the whole point the
President made during the
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negotiations this summer
on the debt ceiling,
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and again when he put forward
his proposal for the super
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committee, is that if we
approach this in a balanced way,
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the way that bipartisan
commissions recommend that we
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approach it, the way that the
vast majority of Americans want
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us to approach it, we don't
have to privatize Medicare.
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We don't have to severely
constrain Medicaid.
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We don't have to slice or slash
programs that fund education or
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innovation or clean energy,
because if we do it in a
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balanced way, we can reform
entitlements in a way that
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preserves Medicare for seniors
and doesn't stick them with a
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$6,000-a-year cost hike as
the original Ryan plan would.
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The Press:
I just want to make
sure I understand.
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You're saying that what the
President proposed is all that
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needs to be done to contain
the growth in health care and
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Medicare, and whatever
problems Medicare creates.
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Because that's what
the Ryan-Wyden plan is
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attempting to do.
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Mr. Carney:
What it's attempting to
do, although within it,
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as I understand
it, there's no --
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even in their own proposal,
there's only the hope of
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00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:01,834
cost savings.
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00:11:01,834 --> 00:11:04,967
So what the President has
proposed, as I just laid out,
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would result in $320 billion of
savings over the next 10 years;
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00:11:10,233 --> 00:11:14,165
would reform the entitlement
programs in a way that would
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continue to allow them to
provide the essential services
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that, in the case of Medicare,
seniors deserve and must have;
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and would not require the kind
of radical privatization or
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ending of Medicare as we know it
that the Ryan proposal suggests
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and that the Wyden-Ryan
plan gets you to eventually.
237
00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:35,699
The Press:
So that's a yes, that all
that would need to be done to
238
00:11:35,700 --> 00:11:37,233
Medicare is what
the President --
239
00:11:37,233 --> 00:11:39,867
Mr. Carney:
I'm not saying that five years,
10 years down the road that --
240
00:11:39,867 --> 00:11:47,632
I mean, we are always having
to push forward with reforms in
241
00:11:47,633 --> 00:11:49,400
different parts
of our government.
242
00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:54,699
But the President's
proposal, as you know,
243
00:11:54,700 --> 00:11:59,233
dealt in an expansive way --
$4 trillion if you include the
244
00:11:59,233 --> 00:12:04,333
trillion in savings through
the Budget Control Act --
245
00:12:04,333 --> 00:12:08,065
dealt with our need to reduce
our deficit and get our debt
246
00:12:08,066 --> 00:12:13,133
under control at the same level
of magnitude as the Ryan plan.
247
00:12:13,133 --> 00:12:18,100
And it did it without asking
seniors to bear the burden
248
00:12:18,100 --> 00:12:19,100
of the cost.
249
00:12:19,100 --> 00:12:22,066
So this goes back to
the need for balance.
250
00:12:22,066 --> 00:12:24,467
You don't have to do
something this radical.
251
00:12:24,467 --> 00:12:27,500
As the President has said, our
problems are not as great as
252
00:12:27,500 --> 00:12:29,667
they are in some countries that
we would have to do something
253
00:12:29,667 --> 00:12:32,367
that radical if we were only
willing to take a balanced
254
00:12:32,367 --> 00:12:33,632
approach, which is
what the President --
255
00:12:33,633 --> 00:12:35,033
The Press:
I'm not advocating for
the Wyden-Ryan plan,
256
00:12:35,033 --> 00:12:35,900
I'm just saying --
257
00:12:35,900 --> 00:12:36,900
Mr. Carney:
No, I know you're not --
258
00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:38,033
The Press:
I'm just saying -- you were
actually saying that's all that
259
00:12:38,033 --> 00:12:39,000
needs to be done.
260
00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:39,667
Mr. Carney:
That's the President's plan.
261
00:12:39,667 --> 00:12:40,367
The Press:
Okay.
262
00:12:40,367 --> 00:12:43,300
The other question I have is
Speaker Boehner today said
263
00:12:43,300 --> 00:12:48,800
there's no need to tie the
omnibus bill to the payroll tax
264
00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,666
because he is willing
to keep Congress here,
265
00:12:51,667 --> 00:12:54,533
to keep the House here, so that
as soon as the Senate passes the
266
00:12:54,533 --> 00:12:59,600
payroll tax fix, the House will
reconvene within 24 hours and
267
00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,300
act on whatever
the Senate passes.
268
00:13:02,300 --> 00:13:03,165
Your response?
269
00:13:03,166 --> 00:13:08,600
Mr. Carney:
I'm not going to negotiate on
behalf of the Senate or the
270
00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:09,600
President here.
271
00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:11,133
These are ongoing conversations.
272
00:13:11,133 --> 00:13:16,934
What is unacceptable is the idea
that we should take a promise of
273
00:13:16,934 --> 00:13:20,900
future action on behalf of
160 million Americans when,
274
00:13:20,900 --> 00:13:26,632
as you know, once Congress
passes a spending bill,
275
00:13:26,633 --> 00:13:29,567
they can go home, and it sounds
like the Speaker would let
276
00:13:29,567 --> 00:13:30,367
them go home.
277
00:13:30,367 --> 00:13:32,099
He might call them
back or he might not.
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00:13:32,100 --> 00:13:33,166
I mean, again, it's a promise.
279
00:13:33,166 --> 00:13:34,934
What we want is --
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00:13:34,934 --> 00:13:36,233
The Press:
So you're saying you
don't believe his promise?
281
00:13:36,233 --> 00:13:38,165
Mr. Carney:
Well, I'm saying I don't know.
282
00:13:38,166 --> 00:13:41,066
What is essential here, the
absolute top priority that this
283
00:13:41,066 --> 00:13:44,533
President has, is that Congress
makes sure it does not go home
284
00:13:44,533 --> 00:13:47,834
on its vacation until it has
taken care of the payroll tax
285
00:13:47,834 --> 00:13:50,266
cut extension and unemployment
insurance extension,
286
00:13:50,266 --> 00:13:53,433
because it would be
unacceptable, he believes,
287
00:13:53,433 --> 00:14:02,066
for Congress to hike taxes on
160 million Americans as it's
288
00:14:02,066 --> 00:14:03,100
heading out the door here.
289
00:14:03,100 --> 00:14:04,100
The Press:
Okay.
290
00:14:04,100 --> 00:14:07,000
He's saying you don't need
to tie the two, right?
291
00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:08,567
You don't need to do this
-- and he's trying --
292
00:14:08,567 --> 00:14:11,734
he says he's trying to
avoid a government shutdown
293
00:14:11,734 --> 00:14:13,100
tomorrow night.
294
00:14:13,100 --> 00:14:16,533
Congressman Moran has said
the deal has been done and the
295
00:14:16,533 --> 00:14:19,100
Congress is ready to act.
296
00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:21,300
Mr. Carney:
The deal is not done until some
of these issues that Senator
297
00:14:21,300 --> 00:14:23,834
Reid and others have
mentioned, I've mentioned,
298
00:14:23,834 --> 00:14:24,967
need to be resolved.
299
00:14:24,967 --> 00:14:27,800
They are resolvable,
no question.
300
00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,500
There's no need to shut
down the government.
301
00:14:30,500 --> 00:14:33,133
There is time to
get all of it done.
302
00:14:33,133 --> 00:14:35,967
And if more time is needed,
Congress should do what it's
303
00:14:35,967 --> 00:14:40,834
done seven times already
in this year and pass a CR,
304
00:14:40,834 --> 00:14:43,065
a short-term CR, just to ensure
that they get their work done.
305
00:14:43,066 --> 00:14:45,967
There's no reason to talk
about a government shutdown.
306
00:14:45,967 --> 00:14:47,699
The Press:
I guess I'm just surprised that
the Speaker of the House is
307
00:14:47,700 --> 00:14:49,800
basically pledging that
you don't need to do this,
308
00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:51,900
I'll keep the Congress here,
we'll reconvene as soon as
309
00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:52,900
they're ready --
310
00:14:52,900 --> 00:14:53,867
Mr. Carney:
Well, we need to make sure --
311
00:14:53,867 --> 00:14:54,699
The Press:
-- as soon as the
Senate passes something,
312
00:14:54,700 --> 00:14:55,934
and you're basically saying,
we don't believe you,
313
00:14:55,934 --> 00:14:56,632
basically said --
314
00:14:56,633 --> 00:14:57,600
Mr. Carney:
But we need to make sure
-- we need to make sure --
315
00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:58,433
no, look, I'm just saying --
316
00:14:58,433 --> 00:14:59,333
The Press:
-- a promise is meaningless.
317
00:14:59,333 --> 00:15:02,533
Mr. Carney:
Jake, I'm just saying that
there are negotiations going on.
318
00:15:02,533 --> 00:15:07,233
As Ben noted in his questions,
there have been some signs of a
319
00:15:07,233 --> 00:15:10,566
willingness to find some
bipartisan compromises here on
320
00:15:10,567 --> 00:15:13,233
these big remaining issues.
321
00:15:13,233 --> 00:15:18,300
But the President's priority is,
this is not a question where 50%
322
00:15:18,300 --> 00:15:20,065
is okay, because if you
take these two issues,
323
00:15:20,066 --> 00:15:21,700
the omnibus and the
payroll tax cut,
324
00:15:21,700 --> 00:15:24,367
it is not okay just
to get one of them.
325
00:15:24,367 --> 00:15:27,867
It simply isn't, because that
means 160 million Americans are
326
00:15:27,867 --> 00:15:32,467
stuck with the bill of
congressional inaction.
327
00:15:32,467 --> 00:15:36,133
So that's not okay.
328
00:15:36,133 --> 00:15:37,266
Lesley.
329
00:15:37,266 --> 00:15:40,632
The Press:
Jay, we had a story today in
McClatchy that parts of the
330
00:15:40,633 --> 00:15:44,567
story that President Obama gave
in September awarding the Medal
331
00:15:44,567 --> 00:15:48,233
of Honor may be untrue,
substantiated or exaggerated,
332
00:15:48,233 --> 00:15:50,666
according to a lot of military
documents we looked at.
333
00:15:50,667 --> 00:15:52,900
Does the White House
find this a concern,
334
00:15:52,900 --> 00:15:55,667
and are you intending
to do anything about it,
335
00:15:55,667 --> 00:16:00,166
look into whether they
embellished history?
336
00:16:00,166 --> 00:16:03,300
Mr. Carney:
Lesley, the President was very
proud to present the Medal of
337
00:16:03,300 --> 00:16:06,132
Honor to Sergeant Meyer for
his extraordinary service
338
00:16:06,133 --> 00:16:07,400
in Afghanistan.
339
00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,834
As the President said that
day, "In Sergeant Dakota Meyer,
340
00:16:10,834 --> 00:16:13,900
we see the best of a generation
that has served through a
341
00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:16,165
decade of war."
342
00:16:16,166 --> 00:16:18,667
The answer to your
question is no.
343
00:16:18,667 --> 00:16:22,467
Everyone, even the reporter
who wrote yesterday's article,
344
00:16:22,467 --> 00:16:25,734
agrees that Sergeant Meyer
displayed extraordinary heroism.
345
00:16:25,734 --> 00:16:29,533
Indeed, a subsequent article,
within I think hours,
346
00:16:29,533 --> 00:16:32,433
by that same reporter last night
makes it clear that Meyer's
347
00:16:32,433 --> 00:16:35,165
comrades feel he deserves
the Medal of Honor.
348
00:16:35,166 --> 00:16:37,266
President Obama was proud
to present it on behalf of a
349
00:16:37,266 --> 00:16:39,467
grateful nation.
350
00:16:39,467 --> 00:16:41,834
The Press:
And suggestions that there
were some problems --
351
00:16:41,834 --> 00:16:44,199
Mr. Carney:
Well, I got a little whiplash
reading the two articles that
352
00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:45,100
McClatchy put out.
353
00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:48,033
One said one thing; the
other said the other.
354
00:16:48,033 --> 00:16:50,667
What the President believes
is exactly what I said,
355
00:16:50,667 --> 00:16:54,767
that this young man is the best
of a generation that has served
356
00:16:54,767 --> 00:16:57,767
through a decade of war, and
he was proud to present him the
357
00:16:57,767 --> 00:17:00,266
Medal of Honor.
358
00:17:00,266 --> 00:17:00,867
Dan.
359
00:17:00,867 --> 00:17:01,599
The Press:
Thank you.
360
00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:04,500
You keep saying that the
pay-fors is not the issue,
361
00:17:04,500 --> 00:17:08,266
but the President at one point
was supporting the insistence on
362
00:17:08,266 --> 00:17:11,567
the millionaires' surtax, and
then is no longer doing that.
363
00:17:11,567 --> 00:17:13,300
Mr. Carney:
Well, Dan, I think
I'll say again --
364
00:17:13,300 --> 00:17:15,767
and I would encourage you
to review the transcripts --
365
00:17:15,767 --> 00:17:18,000
I have said from the
beginning that we are open to
366
00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:18,834
other pay-fors.
367
00:17:18,834 --> 00:17:19,800
We supported --
368
00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:20,466
The Press:
Right.
369
00:17:20,467 --> 00:17:21,333
My question is, what
changed, though --
370
00:17:21,333 --> 00:17:22,166
Mr. Carney:
But you said we insisted.
371
00:17:22,165 --> 00:17:24,200
We supported one version
because we think it's fair.
372
00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:25,033
The Press:
But what changed?
373
00:17:25,032 --> 00:17:25,966
What changed?
374
00:17:25,967 --> 00:17:27,000
Why did he drop that?
375
00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,767
Mr. Carney:
I think all but one Republican
refused to ask the 300,000
376
00:17:30,767 --> 00:17:34,600
richest Americans,
millionaires and billionaires,
377
00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:39,399
to pay a little bit more so that
160 million Americans could get
378
00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:43,000
a tax cut next year, or
not see their taxes go up,
379
00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:44,266
at the very least.
380
00:17:44,266 --> 00:17:45,867
That's what happened.
381
00:17:45,867 --> 00:17:49,700
And we believe that that
was a fair way to do it,
382
00:17:49,700 --> 00:17:52,767
an eminently fair way to
do it, but Republicans,
383
00:17:52,767 --> 00:17:56,567
almost in lockstep, disagreed.
384
00:17:56,567 --> 00:18:00,467
They were willing to say no
to a tax cut for 160 million
385
00:18:00,467 --> 00:18:06,133
hardworking Americans rather
than ask millionaires and
386
00:18:06,133 --> 00:18:08,100
billionaires to pay
a little bit more.
387
00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:11,800
That's their position,
and that's the reality.
388
00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:14,533
We have said from the beginning
that while we supported the
389
00:18:14,533 --> 00:18:17,667
Senate Democratic pay-for and
while the President himself put
390
00:18:17,667 --> 00:18:21,966
forward a pay-for, that we
were open to discussions about
391
00:18:21,967 --> 00:18:26,834
alternative ways to fund this
payroll tax cut extension and to
392
00:18:26,834 --> 00:18:29,266
fund unemployment
insurance extension,
393
00:18:29,266 --> 00:18:32,567
as long as they were
economically responsible and
394
00:18:32,567 --> 00:18:39,500
they did not take from the
middle class with one hand what
395
00:18:39,500 --> 00:18:42,367
we were giving with the other
in a payroll tax cut extension.
396
00:18:42,367 --> 00:18:47,399
So it should not stick
it to the middle class.
397
00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:48,934
Those are our principles.
398
00:18:48,934 --> 00:18:52,000
The Press:
As it stands now, what is
the biggest hurdle to getting
399
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,533
a deal done?
400
00:18:55,533 --> 00:19:04,899
Mr. Carney:
Well, I want to reflect
the optimism here that some
401
00:19:04,900 --> 00:19:07,000
expressed on the Hill this
morning that we believe a deal
402
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,834
can get done and that there's
no reason to talk about a
403
00:19:09,834 --> 00:19:14,033
government shutdown because if
we need a couple of extra days,
404
00:19:14,033 --> 00:19:16,600
I think the American people
would expect Congress to pass a
405
00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,233
short-term continuing resolution
to ensure that they had time to
406
00:19:19,233 --> 00:19:22,233
get this fundamental
piece of business done.
407
00:19:22,233 --> 00:19:24,567
There is room for compromise.
408
00:19:24,567 --> 00:19:26,834
There are issues that need to
be resolved in the spending
409
00:19:26,834 --> 00:19:28,433
measure, but they
can be resolved.
410
00:19:28,433 --> 00:19:32,367
And there are certainly many
paths here to getting a payroll
411
00:19:32,367 --> 00:19:35,332
tax cut extension done.
412
00:19:35,333 --> 00:19:41,834
So I think that a willingness
to be reasonable here would go
413
00:19:41,834 --> 00:19:43,266
a long way.
414
00:19:43,266 --> 00:19:44,533
The Press:
And one other question.
415
00:19:44,533 --> 00:19:46,833
Yesterday you guys put something
out on a briefing that the
416
00:19:46,834 --> 00:19:50,066
President received, a national
security holiday briefing.
417
00:19:50,066 --> 00:19:54,033
Is there any known threat out
there or anything in particular
418
00:19:54,033 --> 00:19:56,699
that the administration is
concerned about with the
419
00:19:56,700 --> 00:19:57,800
holidays approaching?
420
00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:01,600
Mr. Carney:
No, nothing -- I have
nothing for you on that.
421
00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:05,100
This is about making
sure, at a moment --
422
00:20:05,100 --> 00:20:07,065
at a time of the
year like this one,
423
00:20:07,066 --> 00:20:12,700
that everyone is following the
President's directive here that
424
00:20:12,700 --> 00:20:16,500
we take every measure necessary
to ensure the safety and
425
00:20:16,500 --> 00:20:22,767
security of the American
people, both here and abroad.
426
00:20:22,767 --> 00:20:23,900
Yes, sir.
427
00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:26,900
The Press:
You had objections
to the defense bill;
428
00:20:26,900 --> 00:20:28,400
you've dropped them.
429
00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:30,667
There's still a lot of civil
liberties experts who are
430
00:20:30,667 --> 00:20:33,567
convinced that that bill
contains the seed of the future
431
00:20:33,567 --> 00:20:39,000
detention of U.S. citizens
indeterminately if they're
432
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,433
suspected of terrorism.
433
00:20:41,433 --> 00:20:44,000
Are you really that convinced
that there was a big enough
434
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:48,000
change that you'd drop an
important issue like this?
435
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,867
Mr. Carney:
Well, let me make clear that
this was not the preferred
436
00:20:50,867 --> 00:20:54,700
approach of this administration,
and we made clear that any bill
437
00:20:54,700 --> 00:20:56,767
that challenges or constrains
the President's critical
438
00:20:56,767 --> 00:20:58,433
authorities to
collect intelligence,
439
00:20:58,433 --> 00:21:00,867
incapacitate
dangerous terrorists,
440
00:21:00,867 --> 00:21:02,800
and protect the nation would
prompt the President's senior
441
00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:04,834
advisors to recommend a veto.
442
00:21:04,834 --> 00:21:08,133
After intensive engagement by
senior administration officials,
443
00:21:08,133 --> 00:21:11,266
the administration has succeeded
in prompting the authors of the
444
00:21:11,266 --> 00:21:14,166
detainee provisions to make
several important changes,
445
00:21:14,166 --> 00:21:17,533
including the removal of
problematic provisions.
446
00:21:17,533 --> 00:21:20,100
While we remain concerned about
the uncertainty that this law
447
00:21:20,100 --> 00:21:22,766
will create for our
counterterrorism professionals,
448
00:21:22,767 --> 00:21:27,100
the most recent changes give the
President additional discretion
449
00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:28,934
in determining how the
law will be implemented,
450
00:21:28,934 --> 00:21:31,533
consistent with our values
and the rule of law,
451
00:21:31,533 --> 00:21:34,699
which are at the heart of
our country's strength.
452
00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:37,166
This legislation authorizes
critical funding for military
453
00:21:37,166 --> 00:21:39,800
personnel overseas, and its
passage sends an important
454
00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,300
signal that Congress supports
our efforts as we end the war in
455
00:21:42,300 --> 00:21:45,966
Iraq and transition
to Afghan lead,
456
00:21:45,967 --> 00:21:48,066
while ensuring that our military
can meet the challenges of the
457
00:21:48,066 --> 00:21:49,367
21st century.
458
00:21:49,367 --> 00:21:52,332
On the provision in
particular that you reference,
459
00:21:52,333 --> 00:21:54,867
it does not increase or
otherwise change any of our
460
00:21:54,867 --> 00:21:59,399
authorities in regard to
detention of American citizens.
461
00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:01,934
It is simply a restatement
of the authorities that were
462
00:22:01,934 --> 00:22:04,100
granted to the
President in 2001.
463
00:22:04,100 --> 00:22:06,699
The Press:
Is this just a recognition that
ultimately the courts would
464
00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:08,834
settle disputes like that?
465
00:22:08,834 --> 00:22:13,200
Mr. Carney:
No, the changes give discretion
to the President in the
466
00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:14,767
implementation of this law.
467
00:22:14,767 --> 00:22:19,700
If, as this law is
being implemented,
468
00:22:19,700 --> 00:22:24,600
the President feels that our
counterterrorism professionals
469
00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,632
are being constrained and that
their flexibility is being
470
00:22:26,633 --> 00:22:32,567
constrained in a way that
does not reflect our values,
471
00:22:32,567 --> 00:22:34,667
then he will ask for changes.
472
00:22:34,667 --> 00:22:37,399
He will go to the authors of
these provisions and ask for
473
00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:39,567
legislative changes that are
separate from the defense
474
00:22:39,567 --> 00:22:41,867
authorization bill.
475
00:22:41,867 --> 00:22:47,633
But again, the changes that were
made were sufficient to allow
476
00:22:47,633 --> 00:22:51,533
senior advisors to withdraw
the recommendation of a veto,
477
00:22:51,533 --> 00:22:54,265
but we are still concerned
about the uncertainty that this
478
00:22:54,266 --> 00:22:56,533
law creates.
479
00:22:56,533 --> 00:22:57,833
Norah.
480
00:22:57,834 --> 00:22:59,834
The Press:
When the President
spoke in Kansas,
481
00:22:59,834 --> 00:23:03,734
he spoke about his deep
conviction that everyone pay
482
00:23:03,734 --> 00:23:05,766
their fair share?
483
00:23:05,767 --> 00:23:08,100
How deep is the President's
conviction if he's willing to
484
00:23:08,100 --> 00:23:11,132
abandon the surtax on
millionaires or that even the
485
00:23:11,133 --> 00:23:12,734
wealthy pay more?
486
00:23:12,734 --> 00:23:15,100
Mr. Carney:
Norah, I know you were here just
a few short minutes ago when I
487
00:23:15,100 --> 00:23:16,433
answered this question.
488
00:23:16,433 --> 00:23:20,200
The issue is not how
it gets paid for.
489
00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:22,400
The President has
his clear preference.
490
00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:24,600
He believes, like the majority
of the American people,
491
00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:29,600
that the 300,000 wealthiest
millionaires and billionaires in
492
00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:33,667
this country ought to pay a
little bit more so that 160
493
00:23:33,667 --> 00:23:37,966
million working Americans can
get a payroll tax cut extension.
494
00:23:37,967 --> 00:23:38,900
But --
495
00:23:38,900 --> 00:23:40,433
The Press:
So now you're saying it's not
important how it's paid for.
496
00:23:40,433 --> 00:23:41,266
Mr. Carney:
No, no, no --
497
00:23:41,266 --> 00:23:44,767
The Press:
Does that hold for future
pieces of legislation, too?
498
00:23:44,767 --> 00:23:49,000
Mr. Carney:
Norah, the priority here is
making sure that regular folks
499
00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,700
out there who get a paycheck
don't see their taxes go up by
500
00:23:51,700 --> 00:23:53,867
an average of $1,000 next year.
501
00:23:53,867 --> 00:23:56,533
We have said from the beginning
that we are open to different
502
00:23:56,533 --> 00:23:58,833
ways of paying for it.
503
00:23:58,834 --> 00:24:04,500
We, at times, marvel at the
whiplash caused by the sudden
504
00:24:04,500 --> 00:24:07,300
interest in paying for a tax
cut among some Republicans who
505
00:24:07,300 --> 00:24:10,200
heretofore have insisted that
tax cuts not be paid for.
506
00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:11,266
That's an interest we share.
507
00:24:11,266 --> 00:24:14,667
We think that's the
responsible thing to do.
508
00:24:14,667 --> 00:24:16,899
But let's be clear here.
509
00:24:16,900 --> 00:24:18,967
The only reason why we're having
this debate is because the
510
00:24:18,967 --> 00:24:22,000
President put it in
the American Jobs Act,
511
00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,633
extension and expansion
of the payroll tax cut.
512
00:24:24,633 --> 00:24:28,033
A few short weeks ago I stood
up here and read to you numerous
513
00:24:28,033 --> 00:24:30,199
statements by leading
Republicans who said they
514
00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,400
weren't even for a
payroll tax cut extension.
515
00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:35,934
They were perfectly happy to
see 160 million Americans --
516
00:24:35,934 --> 00:24:37,600
including, I would assume,
a majority of their own
517
00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:41,567
constituents -- get stuck with
a $1,000 tax hike next year,
518
00:24:41,567 --> 00:24:46,233
rather than ask millionaires and
billionaires to pay a little bit
519
00:24:46,233 --> 00:24:48,767
extra, folks who over the past
30 years have done exceptionally
520
00:24:48,767 --> 00:24:52,433
well while the middle
class has struggled.
521
00:24:52,433 --> 00:24:53,934
So we've come a
fair distance here.
522
00:24:53,934 --> 00:24:56,367
Republicans now say they want
this payroll tax cut extension,
523
00:24:56,367 --> 00:24:58,399
that they are interested in
seeing middle-class Americans
524
00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:00,367
not have their taxes go up.
525
00:25:00,367 --> 00:25:02,834
That's progress.
526
00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:06,934
What I think is essential here
is that the President's priority
527
00:25:06,934 --> 00:25:11,834
has not been how it's
paid for or raising taxes,
528
00:25:11,834 --> 00:25:14,633
it's been lowering taxes
for the vast majority of
529
00:25:14,633 --> 00:25:16,600
Americans out there.
530
00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:18,934
The Press:
When the President first
proposed his American Jobs Act,
531
00:25:18,934 --> 00:25:22,399
with the price tag
of over $400 billion,
532
00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:24,700
part of that was asking
the wealthiest Americans
533
00:25:24,700 --> 00:25:25,433
to pay more --
534
00:25:25,433 --> 00:25:26,166
Mr. Carney:
Yes.
535
00:25:26,166 --> 00:25:29,899
The Press:
-- not millionaires, those
making over $250,000 a year.
536
00:25:29,900 --> 00:25:31,533
Successive parts since
it's been broken up,
537
00:25:31,533 --> 00:25:34,300
of the President's job
plan have not passed.
538
00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:37,600
Now you're on the
payroll tax, and again,
539
00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:39,132
that's also in jeopardy.
540
00:25:39,133 --> 00:25:41,767
Is the President willing to
abandon what has been the
541
00:25:41,767 --> 00:25:45,100
embodiment of his core value
that he's been speaking about
542
00:25:45,100 --> 00:25:48,033
repeatedly, which is that the
wealthier pay more and everybody
543
00:25:48,033 --> 00:25:50,766
pay their fair share, so
he can get one part --
544
00:25:50,767 --> 00:25:52,400
at least one part of
his jobs bill passed?
545
00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:56,200
Mr. Carney:
What the President is interested
in is making sure that most
546
00:25:56,200 --> 00:26:00,834
Americans -- most Americans
out there who have an income,
547
00:26:00,834 --> 00:26:03,800
160 million Americans
who get a paycheck,
548
00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:06,066
don't see their taxes go
up by $1,000 next year.
549
00:26:06,066 --> 00:26:09,233
That's the right position
for those Americans --
550
00:26:09,233 --> 00:26:10,200
The Press:
So he doesn't care
how it's paid for?
551
00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:12,667
Mr. Carney:
-- and it's the right position
for the American economy.
552
00:26:12,667 --> 00:26:17,934
You misstate what the
President's priorities here are.
553
00:26:17,934 --> 00:26:21,734
We have -- in the American Jobs
Act we had an opportunity to put
554
00:26:21,734 --> 00:26:24,332
400,000 teachers back
in the classroom.
555
00:26:24,333 --> 00:26:26,834
The President believed that the
right way to pay for that was
556
00:26:26,834 --> 00:26:29,967
asking -- to close some
subsidies for corporations,
557
00:26:29,967 --> 00:26:31,834
asking the wealthiest
to pay more.
558
00:26:31,834 --> 00:26:34,633
There were a variety of
provisions within our broad
559
00:26:34,633 --> 00:26:36,500
American Jobs Act proposal.
560
00:26:36,500 --> 00:26:37,600
Republicans rejected that.
561
00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:40,934
They've rejected everything that
would benefit the economy and
562
00:26:40,934 --> 00:26:47,633
the middle class and working
Americans when the suggestion is
563
00:26:47,633 --> 00:26:51,200
that the wealthiest of us should
pay a little bit more to make
564
00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:52,533
that happen.
565
00:26:52,533 --> 00:26:54,632
Because what's important to
remember is the American Jobs
566
00:26:54,633 --> 00:26:56,867
Act would not have added
a dime to our deficit.
567
00:26:56,867 --> 00:26:59,233
The President is very concerned
about getting our deficits and
568
00:26:59,233 --> 00:27:01,466
debt under control.
569
00:27:01,467 --> 00:27:04,600
The issue with the
payroll tax cut,
570
00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:09,632
an issue that Republicans used
to support and now in the last
571
00:27:09,633 --> 00:27:14,300
few weeks support again, is that
the American people cannot in
572
00:27:14,300 --> 00:27:18,834
this stage of our recovery
-- or should not --
573
00:27:18,834 --> 00:27:21,200
be asked to pay $1,000
on average in taxes
574
00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:22,700
extra next year.
575
00:27:22,700 --> 00:27:23,867
The President is
very interested,
576
00:27:23,867 --> 00:27:25,899
that is his priority, in making
sure that doesn't happen,
577
00:27:25,900 --> 00:27:33,100
and ensuring that Congress does
not leave town having protected
578
00:27:33,100 --> 00:27:38,833
their own tax breaks and the
tax breaks of the wealthiest
579
00:27:38,834 --> 00:27:43,367
Americans, but not made sure
that the American people didn't
580
00:27:43,367 --> 00:27:44,399
have their taxes go up.
581
00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:47,533
So that's been
his priority here.
582
00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:48,166
Yes, Ed.
583
00:27:48,166 --> 00:27:50,934
The Press:
Jay, you seem, in all this, seem
to be downplaying the notion --
584
00:27:50,934 --> 00:27:52,966
when you say the priority
here is not the pay-for,
585
00:27:52,967 --> 00:27:55,867
you seem to be downplaying
the idea that the pay-for is
586
00:27:55,867 --> 00:27:57,800
important at all, when, in
fact, when the President went to
587
00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:00,066
Congress that very first
night in September,
588
00:28:00,066 --> 00:28:03,533
he said that this American Jobs
Act is paid for and that it's
589
00:28:03,533 --> 00:28:06,233
not going to add one dime to the
deficit, I think was his phrase.
590
00:28:06,233 --> 00:28:07,000
Mr. Carney:
Yes, right.
591
00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,800
The Press:
So are you now opening
the door to passing this,
592
00:28:09,800 --> 00:28:10,899
because it's such
a big priority,
593
00:28:10,900 --> 00:28:14,934
the payroll tax cut extension,
without it being paid for?
594
00:28:14,934 --> 00:28:17,433
Mr. Carney:
We strongly prefer
that it be paid for.
595
00:28:17,433 --> 00:28:19,600
That's why the President put
forward a proposal that it
596
00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:20,600
was paid for.
597
00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,567
That's why he supported the
Democratic Senate alternative
598
00:28:23,567 --> 00:28:25,200
that had it paid for.
599
00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:28,200
And certainly I have not seen
any indication at this point
600
00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:31,333
that there is disagreement about
the need to have it paid for.
601
00:28:31,333 --> 00:28:32,967
I think the question
that you ask --
602
00:28:32,967 --> 00:28:37,400
The Press:
But Senator Reid and Durbin have
both said this week that you
603
00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,700
could pass it without
it being paid for,
604
00:28:39,700 --> 00:28:41,834
citing the fact that
Republicans, as you noted,
605
00:28:41,834 --> 00:28:46,066
in fairness, have passed this
payroll tax cut extension before
606
00:28:46,066 --> 00:28:46,800
without paying for it.
607
00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:47,466
You've cited --
608
00:28:47,467 --> 00:28:50,734
Mr. Carney:
And generally believe that no
tax cut needs to be paid for.
609
00:28:50,734 --> 00:28:51,367
The Press:
Right.
610
00:28:51,367 --> 00:28:53,567
So the door is now open to pass
it without it being paid for.
611
00:28:53,567 --> 00:28:56,900
Mr. Carney:
I'm not negotiating -- and I had
this question in earlier weeks
612
00:28:56,900 --> 00:28:58,633
when we were talking about
different ways to pay for the
613
00:28:58,633 --> 00:28:59,633
payroll tax cut here now.
614
00:28:59,633 --> 00:29:00,333
The Press:
But we're at the endgame now.
615
00:29:00,333 --> 00:29:00,900
Mr. Carney:
No, no, I know.
616
00:29:00,900 --> 00:29:01,767
And I'm saying -- my
answer is the same.
617
00:29:01,767 --> 00:29:04,400
I'm not going to negotiate a
hypothetical about whether --
618
00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,033
if that were to happen --
619
00:29:06,033 --> 00:29:06,600
The Press:
But is the door closed?
620
00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:07,899
Are you saying, under
no circumstances --
621
00:29:07,900 --> 00:29:08,800
Mr. Carney:
I'm not saying --
622
00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:09,767
The Press:
Because the President said
he will not add a dime to
623
00:29:09,767 --> 00:29:10,433
the deficit.
624
00:29:10,433 --> 00:29:11,400
Is that now changed?
625
00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:24,433
Mr. Carney:
Well, his American Jobs Act
would not have added a dime to
626
00:29:24,433 --> 00:29:25,433
the deficit.
627
00:29:25,433 --> 00:29:27,934
I believe that we can -- as
I've said repeatedly now --
628
00:29:27,934 --> 00:29:31,266
that there are alternative ways
to pay for this that can be
629
00:29:31,266 --> 00:29:34,967
found and compromised on that
meet the President's principle
630
00:29:34,967 --> 00:29:36,200
that we don't do
harm to the economy,
631
00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:37,834
we don't stick it to
the middle class --
632
00:29:37,834 --> 00:29:40,133
the very people we're trying
to help in this process.
633
00:29:40,133 --> 00:29:47,433
So how this looks at the end
is something I cannot foretell
634
00:29:47,433 --> 00:29:48,533
at this point.
635
00:29:48,533 --> 00:29:50,065
But the President's
priorities are clear;
636
00:29:50,066 --> 00:29:51,800
he restated them again today.
637
00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:56,000
And they're very focused on 160
million Americans who will see
638
00:29:56,000 --> 00:30:00,500
their taxes go up, on average,
by $1,000 on January 1st if
639
00:30:00,500 --> 00:30:03,166
Congress were to leave
town without taking care of
640
00:30:03,166 --> 00:30:03,700
this issue.
641
00:30:03,700 --> 00:30:04,400
The Press:
Okay.
642
00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:06,166
So you know that they're not
going to support the surcharge;
643
00:30:06,166 --> 00:30:07,166
they've voted against it.
644
00:30:07,166 --> 00:30:09,265
You don't want the pipeline
in the payroll tax cut.
645
00:30:09,266 --> 00:30:10,900
So how do you move forward?
646
00:30:10,900 --> 00:30:12,266
What is the White
House's solution --
647
00:30:12,266 --> 00:30:14,500
since we're at the endgame
here, and it's no longer a
648
00:30:14,500 --> 00:30:15,400
possibility -- it's --
649
00:30:15,400 --> 00:30:17,066
Mr. Carney:
Rather than
negotiating with you --
650
00:30:17,066 --> 00:30:18,033
The Press:
But how are you
going to pay for it?
651
00:30:18,033 --> 00:30:21,500
Mr. Carney:
-- I will let those on
the President's team,
652
00:30:21,500 --> 00:30:27,166
working with congressional
Democrats and Republicans,
653
00:30:27,166 --> 00:30:29,433
come up with a
compromise solution.
654
00:30:29,433 --> 00:30:31,133
I mean, we certainly
believe that's possible.
655
00:30:31,133 --> 00:30:34,333
I've made that clear here; the
President has made it clear.
656
00:30:34,333 --> 00:30:37,500
The President's priority
is ensuring that working --
657
00:30:37,500 --> 00:30:39,333
hardworking Americans,
middle-class Americans don't see
658
00:30:39,333 --> 00:30:40,633
their taxes go up
on January 1st.
659
00:30:40,633 --> 00:30:41,900
The Press:
Okay, last thing
on another subject.
660
00:30:41,900 --> 00:30:44,133
Prime Minister Maliki
was here this week.
661
00:30:44,133 --> 00:30:47,633
There have been reports that a
former commander of the Iranian
662
00:30:47,633 --> 00:30:50,633
Revolutionary
Guard, which was --
663
00:30:50,633 --> 00:30:54,700
U.S. officials say played a role
in a 1996 terrorist attack that
664
00:30:54,700 --> 00:30:58,100
killed 19 U.S. servicemen -- he
was here at the White House with
665
00:30:58,100 --> 00:30:59,399
Prime Minister Maliki
because he's a
666
00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:03,000
transportation minister --
667
00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:04,200
Mr. Carney:
Sorry, whose report is that?
668
00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:06,734
The Press:
I believe The Washington
Times has reported it.
669
00:31:06,734 --> 00:31:08,600
I think others have as well, but
I think this is a Washington --
670
00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:09,600
Mr. Carney:
I'd have to take that question.
671
00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:10,699
I'm not aware of it.
672
00:31:10,700 --> 00:31:11,333
The Press:
Okay.
673
00:31:11,333 --> 00:31:12,100
Could you give us an
answer later, though,
674
00:31:12,100 --> 00:31:13,065
whether he was
here and whether --
675
00:31:13,066 --> 00:31:14,600
that a background
check had been done?
676
00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:15,699
Mr. Carney:
I'll check on it for you.
677
00:31:15,700 --> 00:31:17,033
The Press:
Okay, thanks.
678
00:31:17,033 --> 00:31:19,800
Mr. Carney:
Laura.
679
00:31:19,800 --> 00:31:21,966
The Press:
One of the prime reasons you
gave for opposing the House
680
00:31:21,967 --> 00:31:25,533
version of the payroll tax
bill was because it lifted the
681
00:31:25,533 --> 00:31:28,734
discretionary spending -- I'm
sorry, lowered the discretionary
682
00:31:28,734 --> 00:31:29,667
spending caps.
683
00:31:29,667 --> 00:31:35,265
Would you rule out any agreement
that lowered them by any amount?
684
00:31:35,266 --> 00:31:39,467
Mr. Carney:
Well, what we've said about that
specific Republican proposal is
685
00:31:39,467 --> 00:31:42,200
that the President
would veto it.
686
00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:46,033
Again, what the contours of a
compromise would look like I
687
00:31:46,033 --> 00:31:48,500
don't want to speculate
about from here.
688
00:31:48,500 --> 00:31:53,700
But the principle behind our
concern with that specific
689
00:31:53,700 --> 00:31:57,500
measure is that, while it
was dressed up as one thing,
690
00:31:57,500 --> 00:32:03,400
the reality of it would
be, in lowering the caps,
691
00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:07,166
the requirement that things like
education and clean energy and
692
00:32:07,166 --> 00:32:11,767
innovation and other issues
-- other areas would be
693
00:32:11,767 --> 00:32:12,967
further cut.
694
00:32:12,967 --> 00:32:14,467
And there are two
problems with that.
695
00:32:14,467 --> 00:32:20,367
One, we had a deal, and we
expect members of Congress to
696
00:32:20,367 --> 00:32:23,100
keep their word on a deal
that's only a few months old,
697
00:32:23,100 --> 00:32:25,899
that lowered non-defense
discretionary spending to the
698
00:32:25,900 --> 00:32:28,166
lowest percentage of our
economy since Dwight Eisenhower
699
00:32:28,166 --> 00:32:29,166
was president.
700
00:32:29,166 --> 00:32:31,934
So we're talking about
substantial cuts already.
701
00:32:31,934 --> 00:32:37,033
And as you know, the President
certainly doesn't believe that
702
00:32:37,033 --> 00:32:37,734
that's necessary.
703
00:32:37,734 --> 00:32:40,600
Moreover, the principle here, as
I have just stated a few times,
704
00:32:40,600 --> 00:32:43,433
is that we not do things that
do harm to the very people we're
705
00:32:43,433 --> 00:32:46,000
trying to help through
the middle-class tax cut.
706
00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:51,100
So having said that, I don't
want to tease out individual
707
00:32:51,100 --> 00:32:55,632
items and say, this one might
work in some compromise proposal
708
00:32:55,633 --> 00:32:57,800
but this one won't.
709
00:32:57,800 --> 00:32:59,300
The President's
principles are clear,
710
00:32:59,300 --> 00:33:04,200
and he wants to make sure that
Congress not leave town having
711
00:33:04,200 --> 00:33:06,333
not done something to ensure
that Americans don't see their
712
00:33:06,333 --> 00:33:07,266
taxes go up.
713
00:33:07,266 --> 00:33:09,300
The Press:
So you're saying
that -- obviously,
714
00:33:09,300 --> 00:33:11,567
this is not your preference
and you oppose it,
715
00:33:11,567 --> 00:33:13,834
but you're not saying
that any cuts to
716
00:33:13,834 --> 00:33:15,166
discretionary spending --
717
00:33:15,166 --> 00:33:16,367
Mr. Carney:
Again, I'm not going to
tease out individual items.
718
00:33:16,367 --> 00:33:18,533
I'm not going to tease out
individual items and say that
719
00:33:18,533 --> 00:33:22,033
that's unacceptable, because
what was unacceptable was the
720
00:33:22,033 --> 00:33:24,867
bill that was
presented to us and --
721
00:33:24,867 --> 00:33:28,633
or rather presented, and
that we issued a statement of
722
00:33:28,633 --> 00:33:31,166
administration policy on.
723
00:33:31,166 --> 00:33:35,533
If there's another bill, we'll
evaluate it once we see it.
724
00:33:35,533 --> 00:33:36,632
Kristen.
725
00:33:36,633 --> 00:33:37,433
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
726
00:33:37,433 --> 00:33:39,700
You just talked about the
negotiations that are going on.
727
00:33:39,700 --> 00:33:42,166
Has the President been
personally involved in
728
00:33:42,166 --> 00:33:43,265
the negotiations?
729
00:33:43,266 --> 00:33:45,633
Mr. Carney:
Well, I think, as you
know, he was here with --
730
00:33:45,633 --> 00:33:51,066
or rather he invited and met
with Senator Reid and other
731
00:33:51,066 --> 00:33:52,467
Senate Democratic
leaders yesterday,
732
00:33:52,467 --> 00:33:56,200
and he's engaged in
this very much so,
733
00:33:56,200 --> 00:33:58,500
as are key members of his team.
734
00:33:58,500 --> 00:34:04,633
I don't have telephone calls
or meetings to read out to you,
735
00:34:04,633 --> 00:34:06,433
but absolutely the
President is involved.
736
00:34:06,433 --> 00:34:08,100
The Press:
Has he spoken to
Speaker Boehner?
737
00:34:08,100 --> 00:34:10,165
Mr. Carney:
Again, I don't have telephone
calls or meetings to read out to
738
00:34:10,166 --> 00:34:12,333
you -- or email exchanges.
739
00:34:12,333 --> 00:34:13,367
The Press:
Will he be speaking
to Speaker Boehner?
740
00:34:13,367 --> 00:34:15,033
I mean, is that important
for him to reach out to the
741
00:34:15,033 --> 00:34:18,366
Republicans as well, as we're
getting closer to this deadline?
742
00:34:18,367 --> 00:34:20,934
Mr. Carney:
Again, I don't want to speculate
about what conversations he may
743
00:34:20,934 --> 00:34:24,834
or may not have in the future
here, in the next several days.
744
00:34:24,833 --> 00:34:28,065
But I can assure you that he
is actively engaged in this,
745
00:34:28,065 --> 00:34:36,600
and has made sure that his team
is directly engaged in this.
746
00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:41,734
And he will continue to do
everything he can to ensure that
747
00:34:41,734 --> 00:34:46,632
the priority he laid out
just an hour ago be met --
748
00:34:46,632 --> 00:34:51,399
that Congress not leave
Washington without making sure
749
00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:54,500
the middle class doesn't see
its taxes go up on January 1st.
750
00:34:54,500 --> 00:34:56,934
The Press:
Is he actively engaged with
members of both parties,
751
00:34:56,934 --> 00:34:58,533
without reading out
specific meetings?
752
00:34:58,533 --> 00:35:01,933
Mr. Carney:
Again, I don't have specific
calls or meetings to read
753
00:35:01,934 --> 00:35:02,834
out to you.
754
00:35:02,834 --> 00:35:03,899
But he is engaged.
755
00:35:03,900 --> 00:35:07,200
The Press:
And also, we're getting
closer to this deadline of the
756
00:35:07,200 --> 00:35:08,533
government potentially
shutting down.
757
00:35:08,533 --> 00:35:10,900
Has the administration taken
any steps to prepare for that
758
00:35:10,900 --> 00:35:11,900
at this point?
759
00:35:11,900 --> 00:35:17,033
Mr. Carney:
As you know, the Office of
Management and Budget oversees
760
00:35:17,033 --> 00:35:20,667
that process for the White
House, for the administration,
761
00:35:20,667 --> 00:35:21,866
and I would refer you to them.
762
00:35:21,867 --> 00:35:24,166
I can simply say that there are
standard operating procedures
763
00:35:24,166 --> 00:35:28,266
here with which we are,
through recent experience,
764
00:35:28,266 --> 00:35:29,834
fairly familiar.
765
00:35:29,834 --> 00:35:34,799
And the necessary actions are
being taken and will be taken.
766
00:35:34,800 --> 00:35:38,767
But -- and that's just out
of an abundance of caution,
767
00:35:38,767 --> 00:35:42,299
and it's basically a requirement
when we get this close to
768
00:35:42,300 --> 00:35:43,433
a deadline.
769
00:35:43,433 --> 00:35:44,834
There is no reason to get there.
770
00:35:44,834 --> 00:35:47,834
There's just no
reason to get there.
771
00:35:47,834 --> 00:35:50,500
As Senate leaders of both
parties have made clear and
772
00:35:50,500 --> 00:35:54,333
other have made clear, the
differences in the spending bill
773
00:35:54,333 --> 00:35:56,233
are resolvable.
774
00:35:56,233 --> 00:35:58,000
And I think, as everybody
now has made clear,
775
00:35:58,000 --> 00:36:00,967
that both parties want an
extension of the payroll tax
776
00:36:00,967 --> 00:36:02,400
cut, both parties
want an extension of
777
00:36:02,400 --> 00:36:03,567
unemployment insurance.
778
00:36:03,567 --> 00:36:05,300
There's no reason why
we can't get that done.
779
00:36:05,300 --> 00:36:11,767
And the President insists
that Congress get that done,
780
00:36:11,767 --> 00:36:14,600
because it's unacceptable
to leave town,
781
00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:17,500
go home on a
month-long vacation,
782
00:36:17,500 --> 00:36:19,734
having not done something to
prevent Americans' taxes from
783
00:36:19,734 --> 00:36:23,700
going up on January 1st -- when
it would be so simple to get it
784
00:36:23,700 --> 00:36:26,767
done; when there's clearly
now bipartisan support for
785
00:36:26,767 --> 00:36:28,200
getting it done.
786
00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:29,500
We hope and expect
that will happen.
787
00:36:29,500 --> 00:36:32,233
Mara, and then Mr. Collinson.
788
00:36:32,233 --> 00:36:36,066
The Press:
Can you explain what
specifically is your problem
789
00:36:36,066 --> 00:36:37,533
with the Wyden-Ryan plan?
790
00:36:37,533 --> 00:36:39,900
Because it seems like the big
news is that he's backed off
791
00:36:39,900 --> 00:36:42,834
replacing Medicare
with a private system,
792
00:36:42,834 --> 00:36:48,700
and giving these
vouchers that are capped.
793
00:36:48,700 --> 00:36:51,100
It seems like a lot of
the plan replicates the
794
00:36:51,100 --> 00:36:52,165
Affordable Care Act.
795
00:36:52,166 --> 00:36:54,133
What is it specifically
that you think the plan
796
00:36:54,133 --> 00:36:54,933
would undermine --
797
00:36:54,934 --> 00:36:56,700
Mr. Carney:
Well, no, what it does is it
creates an unlevel playing field
798
00:36:56,700 --> 00:37:03,433
that would result in private
plans being able to attract
799
00:37:03,433 --> 00:37:09,433
healthier Americans, thereby
driving up costs and premiums
800
00:37:09,433 --> 00:37:15,867
for Medicare, and making it
unsustainable for seniors to
801
00:37:15,867 --> 00:37:18,133
stay in traditional Medicare
and force them to join
802
00:37:18,133 --> 00:37:19,133
private plans.
803
00:37:19,133 --> 00:37:20,767
So the result is --
804
00:37:20,767 --> 00:37:23,232
The Press:
But the -- would be tied
to the cost of Medicare.
805
00:37:23,233 --> 00:37:25,266
Mr. Carney:
But the result is the same.
806
00:37:25,266 --> 00:37:28,333
It basically forces -- it causes
traditional Medicare to wither
807
00:37:28,333 --> 00:37:32,033
on the vine, to use a phrase
from your past and mine, Mara.
808
00:37:32,033 --> 00:37:37,133
And it's just not --
it's not necessary.
809
00:37:37,133 --> 00:37:39,200
It would shift costs from
the government to seniors,
810
00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:42,232
very much as the Ryan plan does.
811
00:37:42,233 --> 00:37:44,500
And at the end of the day, it
would end Medicare as we know it
812
00:37:44,500 --> 00:37:45,500
for millions of seniors.
813
00:37:45,500 --> 00:37:47,433
It's just the wrong
way to reform Medicare.
814
00:37:47,433 --> 00:37:50,967
The Press:
So the bedrock position is
that Medicare should remain a
815
00:37:50,967 --> 00:37:54,400
fee-for-service program
without competition from
816
00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:55,500
private insurers?
817
00:37:55,500 --> 00:37:58,567
Mr. Carney:
Well, the bedrock position
is that we do not need to end
818
00:37:58,567 --> 00:38:03,467
Medicare as we know it, which
is what the Ryan plan does and
819
00:38:03,467 --> 00:38:05,967
what, on a longer
timeframe here,
820
00:38:05,967 --> 00:38:10,266
the Ryan-Wyden proposal does.
821
00:38:10,266 --> 00:38:13,300
And it's just not necessary.
822
00:38:13,300 --> 00:38:17,233
That was the problem with the
Ryan budget to begin with,
823
00:38:17,233 --> 00:38:22,867
was that, in order to reach the
kinds of savings that he set --
824
00:38:22,867 --> 00:38:29,800
the $4 trillion -- because he
refused to ask wealthy Americans
825
00:38:29,800 --> 00:38:33,166
to pay a little bit more to
raise revenues -- in fact,
826
00:38:33,166 --> 00:38:37,700
he extended and expanded tax
breaks for wealthier Americans
827
00:38:37,700 --> 00:38:41,232
-- that meant that he had to
end Medicare as we know it and
828
00:38:41,233 --> 00:38:42,066
stick 6,000 --
829
00:38:42,066 --> 00:38:42,933
The Press:
To balance the budget.
830
00:38:42,934 --> 00:38:44,533
This is a plan that's
confined to Medicare.
831
00:38:44,533 --> 00:38:45,799
Mr. Carney:
No, no, no -- well, it was
a long-term deficit and debt
832
00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:46,800
reduction plan.
833
00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:49,867
So what you're saying is that
we should then excise that,
834
00:38:49,867 --> 00:38:52,500
absent from even a deficit
reduction and debt reduction
835
00:38:52,500 --> 00:38:54,333
plan, and stick it
to seniors that way.
836
00:38:54,333 --> 00:38:57,867
That's just not acceptable.
837
00:38:57,867 --> 00:38:59,467
Nakamura, sir.
838
00:38:59,467 --> 00:39:00,600
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
839
00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:03,333
I just wanted to return a moment
to the McClatchy story on the
840
00:39:03,333 --> 00:39:04,333
Medal of Honor winner.
841
00:39:04,333 --> 00:39:06,467
You're a former
journalist, and I just --
842
00:39:06,467 --> 00:39:09,367
I'm wondering how important to
you and the White House it is
843
00:39:09,367 --> 00:39:14,333
that if the -- in answering
her question you said that the
844
00:39:14,333 --> 00:39:17,834
President stands by awarding
the medal because his own --
845
00:39:17,834 --> 00:39:21,299
Dakota Meyer's own colleagues
said he acted heroically.
846
00:39:21,300 --> 00:39:23,433
Mr. Carney:
I simply made clear, in
answer to the question,
847
00:39:23,433 --> 00:39:27,367
that the same reporter who
wrote that story posted a story
848
00:39:27,367 --> 00:39:34,500
shortly after that expansively
cited testimony from Mr. Meyer's
849
00:39:34,500 --> 00:39:36,233
own comrades about his --
850
00:39:36,233 --> 00:39:38,567
The Press:
It doesn't sound like anybody
disagrees that he deserves the
851
00:39:38,567 --> 00:39:39,567
medal necessarily.
852
00:39:39,567 --> 00:39:42,767
But how important to you and
the White House is it that the
853
00:39:42,767 --> 00:39:45,600
President or that the White
House corrects a narrative that
854
00:39:45,600 --> 00:39:48,033
may not actually reflect the
facts and available evidence of
855
00:39:48,033 --> 00:39:50,333
that night, regardless of
how heroically he acted?
856
00:39:50,333 --> 00:39:53,600
Mr. Carney:
But again, I would refer
you to the Marine Corps.
857
00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:57,500
And the process of vetting
for Medal of Honor --
858
00:39:57,500 --> 00:39:59,433
proposed Medal of
Honor recipients is,
859
00:39:59,433 --> 00:40:02,533
as I understand it, quite
extensive and thorough.
860
00:40:02,533 --> 00:40:06,033
Obviously that's done at the
Department of Defense and by the
861
00:40:06,033 --> 00:40:08,600
branch of the military
that's affected here,
862
00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:09,799
in this case the Marine Corps.
863
00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:14,200
The President was very proud to
present the Medal of Honor to
864
00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:15,866
Sergeant Meyer.
865
00:40:15,867 --> 00:40:18,400
He was that day and he
remains proud today of his
866
00:40:18,400 --> 00:40:20,066
extraordinary service.
867
00:40:20,066 --> 00:40:22,165
The Press:
Did the White House review the
vetted transcript from the --
868
00:40:22,166 --> 00:40:24,000
the transcript that the
President read into the public
869
00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:24,934
record that day?
870
00:40:24,934 --> 00:40:26,266
Mr. Carney:
The President's remarks --
871
00:40:26,266 --> 00:40:27,000
The Press:
Who wrote that?
872
00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:27,667
Was that --
873
00:40:27,667 --> 00:40:29,266
Mr. Carney:
-- were based on the extensive
documentation provided by the
874
00:40:29,266 --> 00:40:31,667
Department of Defense
and the Marine Corps,
875
00:40:31,667 --> 00:40:34,933
including sworn testimony from
Sergeant Meyer himself and sworn
876
00:40:34,934 --> 00:40:38,500
eyewitness testimonies of
others present at the scene.
877
00:40:38,500 --> 00:40:40,533
White House staff also
personally spoke with
878
00:40:40,533 --> 00:40:43,533
Sergeant Meyer.
879
00:40:43,533 --> 00:40:46,033
Our primary resource for the
President's remarks was the
880
00:40:46,033 --> 00:40:48,100
official documentation
provided by the Marine Corps,
881
00:40:48,100 --> 00:40:52,633
including sworn testimony from
Sergeant Meyer, and as I said,
882
00:40:52,633 --> 00:40:55,265
sworn eyewitness testimonies
of others present.
883
00:40:55,266 --> 00:41:01,467
The President remains very
proud of Sergeant Meyer and the
884
00:41:01,467 --> 00:41:07,400
remarkable acts of bravery
that he displayed on that day.
885
00:41:07,400 --> 00:41:08,734
I think -- yes, Stephen.
886
00:41:08,734 --> 00:41:11,734
The Press:
In these negotiations
on the Hill,
887
00:41:11,734 --> 00:41:15,066
is the White House prepared
to discuss at all the Keystone
888
00:41:15,066 --> 00:41:17,700
pipeline, or is it still
the position that A,
889
00:41:17,700 --> 00:41:20,533
that's beyond the purview of
Congress to start with, and B,
890
00:41:20,533 --> 00:41:22,133
has nothing to do
with the payroll tax?
891
00:41:22,133 --> 00:41:24,332
Mr. Carney:
Well, it certainly has nothing
to do with payroll tax cut
892
00:41:24,333 --> 00:41:27,066
extension and expansion.
893
00:41:27,066 --> 00:41:30,799
It certainly is beyond the
purview of Congress to speed up
894
00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:36,934
a review process that is
essential to making sure that
895
00:41:36,934 --> 00:41:41,100
all criteria here, all factors
are weighed when a decision is
896
00:41:41,100 --> 00:41:43,133
made whether to grant
a permit or not.
897
00:41:43,133 --> 00:41:48,700
Remember, the process was
extended because of opposition
898
00:41:48,700 --> 00:41:52,533
to the location of a
pipeline through Nebraska --
899
00:41:52,533 --> 00:41:54,366
opposition that included
the Republican governor
900
00:41:54,367 --> 00:41:56,233
of that state.
901
00:41:56,233 --> 00:41:58,333
Alternative routes
are being explored.
902
00:41:58,333 --> 00:42:01,600
I believe that the company
that's seeking the permit has
903
00:42:01,600 --> 00:42:04,000
said recently, in
the last day or two,
904
00:42:04,000 --> 00:42:05,867
that they have not
even identified yet an
905
00:42:05,867 --> 00:42:06,800
alternate route.
906
00:42:06,800 --> 00:42:09,834
So the idea that -- as the State
Department has made clear --
907
00:42:09,834 --> 00:42:13,133
that we could -- they could
properly conduct a review in a
908
00:42:13,133 --> 00:42:19,299
60-day time period is -- seems
to be based on politics and not
909
00:42:19,300 --> 00:42:22,633
reality, or certainly
not sound judgment.
910
00:42:22,633 --> 00:42:29,433
So that's our position on what
is clearly a highly extraneous
911
00:42:29,433 --> 00:42:34,767
provision of the House
Republican proposal.
912
00:42:34,767 --> 00:42:35,567
Kate.
913
00:42:35,567 --> 00:42:38,133
The Press:
Would you say absolutely that
the President would veto any
914
00:42:38,133 --> 00:42:40,100
legislation that
has Keystone in it?
915
00:42:40,100 --> 00:42:42,834
The word "veto" I haven't heard.
916
00:42:42,834 --> 00:42:44,165
Mr. Carney:
What the President said,
I would remind you,
917
00:42:44,166 --> 00:42:45,934
is that he would
reject a provision --
918
00:42:45,934 --> 00:42:49,367
he would reject a proposal that
tried to mandate approval of the
919
00:42:49,367 --> 00:42:51,600
Keystone project.
920
00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:53,734
That's what he said; I believe
we were over in South Court when
921
00:42:53,734 --> 00:42:56,533
he said that, when he
was asked about that.
922
00:42:56,533 --> 00:43:01,232
I, again, having -- what the
State Department has said and
923
00:43:01,233 --> 00:43:04,900
having just explained in
my answer to Steve there,
924
00:43:04,900 --> 00:43:09,533
what the House put forward was
an attempt to speed up a process
925
00:43:09,533 --> 00:43:17,366
that circumvents the kind
of thorough and necessarily
926
00:43:17,367 --> 00:43:20,266
cautious review that the
State Department would need to
927
00:43:20,266 --> 00:43:21,533
conduct here.
928
00:43:21,533 --> 00:43:26,633
That's wrong-headed and, I
would say, counterproductive.
929
00:43:26,633 --> 00:43:31,399
But I'm not going to -- let's
see what emerges from the
930
00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:33,600
discussions that are
taking place on the Hill.
931
00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:36,000
The Press:
So then instead of 60 days, if
it was 90 days or the process
932
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,767
was longer, would that be
something he would consider?
933
00:43:38,767 --> 00:43:41,332
Mr. Carney:
I think that the proper way for
this to take place is for the
934
00:43:41,333 --> 00:43:45,333
State Department to conduct a
thorough review based on decades
935
00:43:45,333 --> 00:43:48,734
of tradition here -- tradition
that exists for a reason,
936
00:43:48,734 --> 00:43:50,799
because these are important
decisions that need to be made.
937
00:43:50,800 --> 00:43:53,600
And as I indicated earlier, the
very company that's asking for a
938
00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:56,000
permit hasn't identified
an alternate route.
939
00:43:56,000 --> 00:44:00,133
So how could we possibly ask
-- or try to short-circuit this
940
00:44:00,133 --> 00:44:03,533
process and have a review
process take place that would
941
00:44:03,533 --> 00:44:08,433
clearly be too short for the
kind of review that's necessary?
942
00:44:08,433 --> 00:44:09,266
The Press:
Just one other thing.
943
00:44:09,266 --> 00:44:11,767
The managing director of the
IMF said this morning that the
944
00:44:11,767 --> 00:44:14,966
crisis is unfolding in
Europe and escalating.
945
00:44:14,967 --> 00:44:16,533
I'm curious -- and
also she said that --
946
00:44:16,533 --> 00:44:19,100
Christine Lagarde said that
it's something that the eurozone
947
00:44:19,100 --> 00:44:21,266
countries can't handle alone.
948
00:44:21,266 --> 00:44:24,800
Is there -- has the President
made any phone calls to Merkel
949
00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:27,100
or any other leaders recently?
950
00:44:27,100 --> 00:44:28,967
And is there a plan B?
951
00:44:28,967 --> 00:44:33,166
Mr. Carney:
I don't have any presidential
calls or communications
952
00:44:33,166 --> 00:44:35,700
to read out.
953
00:44:35,700 --> 00:44:38,232
He's obviously being briefed
regularly on this by Secretary
954
00:44:38,233 --> 00:44:40,667
Geithner and others.
955
00:44:40,667 --> 00:44:44,165
Our position on the important
steps that Europe has taken thus
956
00:44:44,166 --> 00:44:48,333
far, and the need for Europe to
take other steps to conclusively
957
00:44:48,333 --> 00:44:55,900
and decisively resolve
this crisis hasn't changed.
958
00:44:55,900 --> 00:44:59,600
And we're working very closely
with our European partners,
959
00:44:59,600 --> 00:45:03,567
offering them the advice that
we can offer based on the
960
00:45:03,567 --> 00:45:08,333
experience that we've had,
that we hope is helpful to
961
00:45:08,333 --> 00:45:09,333
resolving this.
962
00:45:09,333 --> 00:45:14,000
I don't really have anything
else on that for you.
963
00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:15,200
Last one -- Carrie.
964
00:45:15,200 --> 00:45:18,834
The Press:
Thanks, Jay.
965
00:45:18,834 --> 00:45:21,100
Can you explain why the
statement last night called the
966
00:45:21,100 --> 00:45:23,366
omnibus -- or the
appropriations agreement --
967
00:45:23,367 --> 00:45:25,300
why it was called a
Republican proposal,
968
00:45:25,300 --> 00:45:28,133
given that Democratic
appropriators on the Hill are
969
00:45:28,133 --> 00:45:30,133
saying they signed off in it?
970
00:45:30,133 --> 00:45:31,165
Or is the agreement --
971
00:45:31,166 --> 00:45:36,800
Mr. Carney:
Well, because the Republicans
submitted a proposal that's not
972
00:45:36,800 --> 00:45:38,900
-- it does not -- is not
a Democratic proposal.
973
00:45:38,900 --> 00:45:40,133
It's a Republican proposal.
974
00:45:40,133 --> 00:45:42,466
The Press:
But Democrats -- Democratic
appropriators signed off
975
00:45:42,467 --> 00:45:43,433
on it, and --
976
00:45:43,433 --> 00:45:46,567
Mr. Carney:
Well, they didn't sign off on
the Republicans filing a bill at
977
00:45:46,567 --> 00:45:49,100
11:40 at night on their own.
978
00:45:49,100 --> 00:45:50,667
I mean, that's
just not the case.
979
00:45:50,667 --> 00:45:54,467
And as Senator Reid made clear,
there are still issues that need
980
00:45:54,467 --> 00:45:58,000
to be resolved that can be
resolved, should be resolved.
981
00:45:58,000 --> 00:45:59,633
We're pleased with the
progress that has been made on
982
00:45:59,633 --> 00:46:02,066
the omnibus.
983
00:46:02,066 --> 00:46:06,033
But there was a -- this was
about tactics and politics,
984
00:46:06,033 --> 00:46:09,900
having the Republicans
put this down close to
985
00:46:09,900 --> 00:46:10,900
midnight last night.
986
00:46:10,900 --> 00:46:13,266
I don't think that's
very much in doubt.
987
00:46:13,266 --> 00:46:14,633
The Press:
So you're talking about what
they put out last night,
988
00:46:14,633 --> 00:46:18,700
not what was apparently under
discussion earlier in the week
989
00:46:18,700 --> 00:46:23,933
and had been -- I'm just a
little confused, because --
990
00:46:23,934 --> 00:46:27,233
Mr. Carney:
Well, the House Republicans,
I believe, put forward --
991
00:46:27,233 --> 00:46:35,333
filed a bill last night
by themselves that is an
992
00:46:35,333 --> 00:46:36,333
omnibus bill.
993
00:46:36,333 --> 00:46:40,066
And that is not a
conference bill,
994
00:46:40,066 --> 00:46:42,700
it is not a Democratic
and Republican bill,
995
00:46:42,700 --> 00:46:48,433
it is a House Republican bill,
which is I'm sure part of the
996
00:46:48,433 --> 00:46:49,600
atmospherics and tactics here.
997
00:46:49,600 --> 00:46:52,133
What's important is what we
talked about at the top of the
998
00:46:52,133 --> 00:46:56,700
briefing, is that both sides
seem to recognize that there is
999
00:46:56,700 --> 00:47:00,366
the capacity here to compromise,
the path to compromise may be
1000
00:47:00,367 --> 00:47:03,333
clear, the issues that still
need to be resolved on the
1001
00:47:03,333 --> 00:47:06,033
spending bill are resolvable.
1002
00:47:06,033 --> 00:47:07,900
And that's one thing.
1003
00:47:07,900 --> 00:47:10,367
Separate, and very
important to the President,
1004
00:47:10,367 --> 00:47:14,133
is the need to make sure that
Americans don't have their taxes
1005
00:47:14,133 --> 00:47:15,633
go up on January 1st.
1006
00:47:15,633 --> 00:47:18,366
And it is not okay to resolve
the differences in the spending
1007
00:47:18,367 --> 00:47:21,600
bill and leave town without
making sure that Americans --
1008
00:47:21,600 --> 00:47:24,767
160 million Americans -- don't
see their taxes go up by,
1009
00:47:24,767 --> 00:47:27,100
on average, $1,000 next year.
1010
00:47:27,100 --> 00:47:29,165
That would be the
height of irony, right?
1011
00:47:29,166 --> 00:47:31,500
That because of Republicans'
refusal to extend the payroll
1012
00:47:31,500 --> 00:47:34,266
tax cut they leave town having
passed a trillion-dollar
1013
00:47:34,266 --> 00:47:37,834
spending bill and a tax hike?
1014
00:47:37,834 --> 00:47:40,466
Talk about turning
politics on its head.
1015
00:47:40,467 --> 00:47:42,400
So we're hopeful that's
not going to happen.
1016
00:47:42,400 --> 00:47:44,033
The Press:
It if was all worked out --
even if it was all worked out
1017
00:47:44,033 --> 00:47:45,066
and everybody agreed.
1018
00:47:45,066 --> 00:47:46,799
Mr. Carney:
Well, then they should pass
it, if it's all worked out.
1019
00:47:46,800 --> 00:47:48,400
The Press:
The omnibus.
1020
00:47:48,400 --> 00:47:49,166
Mr. Carney:
No, that's what I'm saying.
1021
00:47:49,166 --> 00:47:51,133
Wouldn't it be -- I'm
just having fun here --
1022
00:47:51,133 --> 00:47:53,933
wouldn't it be ironic, given
what we think we know about the
1023
00:47:53,934 --> 00:47:56,800
American political system
and the two parties,
1024
00:47:56,800 --> 00:47:59,934
that because of inaction by
Congress on the payroll tax cut
1025
00:47:59,934 --> 00:48:04,300
they simply left town having
passed a trillion-dollar
1026
00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:07,867
spending bill, and refused
to take action and therefore
1027
00:48:07,867 --> 00:48:10,400
ensured that there was a tax
cut for middle-class Americans.
1028
00:48:10,400 --> 00:48:11,567
The Press:
Tax hike.
1029
00:48:11,567 --> 00:48:12,500
Mr. Carney:
I'm sorry, a tax hike.
1030
00:48:12,500 --> 00:48:13,734
Thank you, Bill.
1031
00:48:13,734 --> 00:48:14,533
I appreciate that.
1032
00:48:14,533 --> 00:48:15,700
(laughter)
1033
00:48:15,700 --> 00:48:16,633
The Press:
Hike! Hike! Hike!
1034
00:48:16,633 --> 00:48:19,165
Mr. Carney:
It's been probably an hour
since I started briefing.
1035
00:48:19,166 --> 00:48:20,600
The Press:
Two, four, six, eight, hike!
1036
00:48:20,600 --> 00:48:21,799
The Press:
Your statement came out --
1037
00:48:21,800 --> 00:48:22,600
Mr. Carney:
I'm sorry.
1038
00:48:22,600 --> 00:48:27,799
The Press:
Your statement came out before
they filed the bill last night.
1039
00:48:27,800 --> 00:48:30,734
Mr. Carney:
You know what, I think -- I
wasn't looking at my watch when
1040
00:48:30,734 --> 00:48:32,734
these things came out.
1041
00:48:32,734 --> 00:48:33,834
And I'm not sure
what the point is.
1042
00:48:33,834 --> 00:48:38,533
What the Republicans did
last night was clear.
1043
00:48:38,533 --> 00:48:41,133
We're hoping that progress
is going to be made on
1044
00:48:41,133 --> 00:48:42,433
Capitol Hill.
1045
00:48:42,433 --> 00:48:44,800
We all are, I'm sure, hoping
that progress will be made on
1046
00:48:44,800 --> 00:48:50,066
Capitol Hill, and that this
essential work is completed in
1047
00:48:50,066 --> 00:48:52,533
as close to an on-time
fashion as possible.
1048
00:48:52,533 --> 00:48:53,333
Thank you all very much.
1049
00:48:53,333 --> 00:48:54,100
The Press:
Thank you.