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Mr. Earnest: It's Friday.
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Cheer up, everybody.
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There's plenty of
news to report.
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Plenty of news to report.
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The Press: You're
in good cheer.
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Mr. Earnest: I am, I am.
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Let me explain to you why.
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Two reasons.
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The first is, today we were
pleased to see a bipartisan
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majority come together in
the House of Representatives
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to support trade promotion
authority, and there were
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many people in this room
rightly skeptical, as
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recently as two or three
months ago, about whether or
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not Democrats and
Republicans would be able to
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come together on such a
significant legislative
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priority of the President's,
but also on a policy issue
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that I think everybody
acknowledges is really
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complicated and
politically fraught.
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But we're obviously
gratified that we were able
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to advance that piece of
legislation with
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bipartisan support.
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I would also note that we
had 28 House Democrats who
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voted for that bill.
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That significantly
over-performs expectations.
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Again, there was a lot of
skepticism about how much
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Democratic support the
President would succeed
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in building.
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And getting the support of
28 House Democrats is a good
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sign of the kind of
bipartisan majority that the
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President was
seeking to build.
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Now, at the same time,
as many of you have also
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written about already, I
also feel a little like
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Yogi Berra.
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I'm tempted to walk out here
and say it's dĂŠjĂ vu all
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over again.
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Many of you who are frequent
visitors of this briefing
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room will recall back on
May 12th I walked out here
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prepared to answer your
questions about how the
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Democratic Leader of body
of Congress had handed the
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President a substantial
legislative defeat on a
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significant policy priority
that the President
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had identified.
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And I'm walking out here on
June 12th prepared to answer
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your questions about
your perception that the
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Democratic Leader of a body
of Congress has handed the
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President a legislative
defeat on a priority.
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At the time, you'll recall
that I colorfully described
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the situation as a
legislative procedural snafu.
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And to the surprise of very
few, another procedural
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snafu has emerged.
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These kinds of entanglements
are endemic to the
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House of Representatives.
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And I say that as somebody
who does not have a lot of
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experience in watching
the floor of the House.
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But the President is
determined -- and I think as
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was evident from his visit
to Capitol Hill this morning
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-- to build a bipartisan
majority to make sure that
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we're living up to our
commitment as Democrats to
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fight for middle-class
families.
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That's the reason the
President is in this office.
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As the President pointed out
rather forcefully in the
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Democratic caucus today,
he wasn't elected by the
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Chamber of Commerce; he
wasn't endorsed by the NFIB.
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The President is the
President of the United
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States today because of his
commitment to fight for
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working families and
to expand the economic
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opportunity for
middle-class families.
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That's the reason he got
this job in the first place.
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That's the reason he was
reelected into this office
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three years ago.
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And it's what he's going to
continue to keep at the top
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of his agenda for
the next 18 months.
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And if we're going to walk
the walk when it comes to
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those progressive values,
then it's going to be
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important for Democrats and
Republicans to come together
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around trade
adjustment assistance.
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This is a program that will
lapse on September 30th.
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That's a problem because
Republicans have
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traditionally opposed trade
adjustment assistance, and,
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as everybody knows,
Republicans enjoy
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significant majorities in
both the House and the Senate.
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So if Democrats want to make
sure that we're looking out
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for the interest of
middle-class families, we
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need to make sure that
trade adjustment assistance
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doesn't lapse.
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The good news is we're not
just going to extend the
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program, we're going to
significantly expand it.
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The proposal that's before
the House right now would
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nearly double that
program in size.
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And according to an analysis
that's been put out by the
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White House today, this is
actually a program that will
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benefit 100,000 American
workers each year for the
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next six years.
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That is a substantial
benefit to middle-class
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families that are willing to
go and make sure that they
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can get the training and
skills that they need to go
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and compete for good
middle-class jobs.
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That's always been at the
top of the President's
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domestic
policymaking agenda.
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It is today.
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And we're going to continue
to make that case in the
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House to build a bipartisan
majority in the House for
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that legislation.
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That was a slightly longer
windup than I intended.
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But why don't we go
to your questions now.
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Nedra, do you want to start?
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The Press: Since you brought
her up, let's start with
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Leader Pelosi.
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How disappointed is the
President that she turned
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against this legislation
after remaining uncommitted
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for so long, after he made
a personal appeal to her?
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What happened there?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President has enjoyed a very
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long, warm, productive
relationship with Nancy Pelosi.
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As the Speaker of the House,
she helped shepherd in one
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of the most substantial,
progressive legislative
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agendas in history.
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That on her watch, working
closely with President
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Obama, we prevented a
second Great Depression; we
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reformed the health care
system in a way that has --
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the benefits of which are
becoming clearer every day
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and bigger every day.
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She presided over a House of
Representatives that voted
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to reform Wall Street to
make sure that taxpayers
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would not be on the hook for
bailing out big banks that
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make risky bets.
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She worked legislatively
with the administration to
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end "don't ask, don't
tell." And these are all
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achievements that the
President is quite proud of
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-- legislative achievements
that required the skillful
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leadership of then-Speaker
Nancy Pelosi.
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Since that time, there have
been other important --
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there's been additional
important progress on other
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priorities the President
has identified -- from the
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fiscal cliff and making sure
that those at the top of the
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income scale were paying
their fair share, to
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protecting the President's
ability to prevent Iran from
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obtaining a nuclear weapon.
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I don't know if anybody
wants to talk about the Iran
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negotiations today, but if
they do, one of my points of
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emphasis will be to remind
you that because of a letter
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that was written and signed
by just about every Democrat
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in the House of
Representatives, the
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President feels confident
that he'll be able to use
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diplomacy to prevent Iran
from obtaining and
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nuclear weapon.
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There has been an active
effort by some in Congress
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to try to interfere
with that ability.
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But because House Democrats
have signaled that they're
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prepared to stand strong
with the President, we think
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we can accomplish that goal.
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And I don't think there's
anybody who's suggested that
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that priority is going to be
threatened just because we
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might have a disagreement
over this particular issue.
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Now, what's also true is
we're going to continue to
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make an aggressive case to
all the House Democrats,
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including Leader Pelosi,
about why it's important for
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them to support trade
adjustment assistance.
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The Press: Given the
resounding defeat today on
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trade assistance, what's the
President going to do to try
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to turn that around
with the next vote?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President has spent a lot of
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time talking to members of
Congress about these issues
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being a priority.
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And the fact is, as I
mentioned at the top, making
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sure that workers have
access to trade adjustment
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assistance is a top priority
of the President's.
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The truth is, it's a top
priority of every Democrat too.
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The last time that it was on
the floor of the House of
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Representatives, it wasn't
just a situation that many
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Democrats voted for it.
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Every Democrat voted for it,
including 125 members of
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Congress -- Democrats --
who are still in office.
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And as I mentioned earlier,
we're not suggesting that
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they should merely renew
what they voted for three
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years ago.
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We're suggesting --
or four years ago.
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We're suggesting that they
should actually support a
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legislative package that
would significantly enhance it.
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It would almost double the
size of the cap, freeing up
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additional funds
to help workers.
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It would allow 17,000
workers, who over the last
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18 months have had their
eligibility for trade
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adjustment assistance
denied, to allow them to
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have their applications
reconsidered again.
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So that's an indication that
this particular program can
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do a lot for
middle-class families.
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And we know that there are
a lot of Democrats in the
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House of Representatives
who ran for that job
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specifically to benefit
middle-class families and to
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make sure that they had a
voice and somebody fighting
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for them in Washington,
D.C. And that's why we feel
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like we've got a strong case
to make in terms of trying
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to build a bipartisan
majority for trade
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adjustment assistance.
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The Press: The voting today
was a little confusing, so
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if you could help us out a
little bit on what happens
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if TAA can't pass.
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Does the Senate
get back involved?
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Or what does the
strategy become then?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, this will
be the subject of a lot of
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conversations between White
House officials and maybe
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even the President today
and over the weekend, and
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possibly even into
early next week.
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So figuring out the
legislative procedure and
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the path forward will
principally be the
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responsibility of members
of the legislature.
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But the White House, as we
have been in the past, will
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certainly be involved in
those conversations because
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this is a priority that the
President has identified.
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Julia.
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The Press: Thanks.
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Is the President concerned
that his meeting with
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Democrats on the Hill this
morning backfired in any way?
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Some Democrats leaving that
meeting said they felt
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insulted, said that the
President tried to impugn
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their integrity when he told
them to "play it straight"
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on the TAA vote.
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Is he worried that he may
have frayed relations going
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into what might be another
vote on TAA next week?
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Mr. Earnest: Not at all.
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The President had a
productive visit with the
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House Democratic
caucus today.
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And he delivered a very
strong case about helping
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those members of Congress
understand precisely why he
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was strongly supportive of
making sure that we are
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expanding economic
opportunity for every
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American by opening up
access to overseas markets
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for American goods
and services.
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He explained how, as a young
man, he left New York and
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traveled to the South Side
of Chicago where he tried to
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help a community deal with
the closing of steel plants.
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And he talked about all the
work that he'd done in the
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community there to try to
help that community confront
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the powerful forces
of globalization.
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He went on to talk about
how, as a candidate for the
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United States Senate, he
traveled to Galesburg,
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Illinois with
then-Congressman --
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Democratic Congressman
Lane Evans.
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And while in Galesburg, the
President spent a lot of
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00:11:02,094 --> 00:11:05,134
time with citizens in that
community who are dealing
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00:11:05,131 --> 00:11:08,171
with the closure of the
Maytag plant there.
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That's a plant that
moved to Mexico.
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And he talked about the
impact that that had on the
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community and on
middle-class families in
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that community.
247
00:11:16,776 --> 00:11:19,616
And the President said that
he ran for this office
248
00:11:19,612 --> 00:11:21,712
determined to go and fight
for the people that he
249
00:11:21,714 --> 00:11:23,714
fought for as a community
organizer on the South Side
250
00:11:23,716 --> 00:11:25,886
of Chicago, and determined
to fight for the people that
251
00:11:25,885 --> 00:11:28,185
he met in Galesburg,
Illinois.
252
00:11:28,187 --> 00:11:34,397
And this strategy of passing
the most progressive trade
253
00:11:34,393 --> 00:11:36,433
promotion authority bill
that's ever been considered
254
00:11:36,429 --> 00:11:40,069
by the Congress is an
important part of that strategy.
255
00:11:40,066 --> 00:11:43,706
It doesn't, however,
eliminate the need for
256
00:11:43,702 --> 00:11:46,842
Congress to make progress on
the wide variety of other
257
00:11:46,839 --> 00:11:49,079
economic priorities the
President has identified,
258
00:11:49,075 --> 00:11:51,315
from raising the minimum
wage, to passing early
259
00:11:51,310 --> 00:11:54,450
childhood education, to
investing in infrastructure,
260
00:11:54,447 --> 00:11:56,447
to getting immigration
reform done.
261
00:11:56,449 --> 00:11:58,449
Those are all -- those all
continue to be important
262
00:11:58,451 --> 00:12:00,451
priorities because they will
also benefit
263
00:12:00,453 --> 00:12:01,453
middle-class families.
264
00:12:01,454 --> 00:12:03,454
And the President is
confident that he continues
265
00:12:03,456 --> 00:12:05,956
to have loyal partners in
the Democratic caucus when
266
00:12:05,958 --> 00:12:07,858
it comes to those issues.
267
00:12:07,860 --> 00:12:09,860
But the fact is we haven't
seen cooperation from
268
00:12:09,862 --> 00:12:12,762
Republicans on those
priorities, but on this one
269
00:12:12,765 --> 00:12:13,865
we have.
270
00:12:13,866 --> 00:12:18,206
And the President strongly
encouraged Democrats to make
271
00:12:18,204 --> 00:12:21,344
up their own mind, and when they did, to play it straight.
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00:12:21,340 --> 00:12:22,840
The Press: Okay.
273
00:12:22,842 --> 00:12:26,742
Actually stepping away from
trade quickly, Secretary
274
00:12:26,745 --> 00:12:29,245
Kerry was released from the
hospital today and went home
275
00:12:29,248 --> 00:12:31,148
to his home in Boston.
276
00:12:31,150 --> 00:12:33,590
Do you have any updates on
when Secretary Kerry is
277
00:12:33,586 --> 00:12:35,926
expected to come to
Washington, and whether or
278
00:12:35,921 --> 00:12:39,291
not he's still expected to
participate in talks over
279
00:12:39,291 --> 00:12:43,531
Iran's nuclear capabilities
by the end of the month?
280
00:12:43,529 --> 00:12:45,699
Mr. Earnest: I don't have an
update in terms of Secretary
281
00:12:45,698 --> 00:12:46,698
Kerry's schedule.
282
00:12:46,699 --> 00:12:50,039
You can check with the State
Department; they may have
283
00:12:50,035 --> 00:12:51,035
some more details.
284
00:12:51,036 --> 00:12:53,506
Obviously, we're very
pleased to see that
285
00:12:53,506 --> 00:12:56,206
Secretary Kerry is slated
to be discharged from the
286
00:12:56,208 --> 00:12:58,208
hospital today, if he
hasn't been already.
287
00:12:58,210 --> 00:13:01,780
I think that is an
indication that he is living
288
00:13:01,780 --> 00:13:08,020
up to his reputation as
someone who is determined to
289
00:13:08,020 --> 00:13:11,620
get back into his office and
determined to get back on
290
00:13:11,624 --> 00:13:12,624
the job.
291
00:13:12,625 --> 00:13:15,195
And Secretary
Kerry is tough.
292
00:13:15,194 --> 00:13:17,864
The truth is, he probably
benefitted from a little
293
00:13:17,863 --> 00:13:19,863
rest when he was in the
hospital; he's been working
294
00:13:19,865 --> 00:13:21,835
himself so hard over
the last several weeks.
295
00:13:21,834 --> 00:13:26,334
And I think he, more than
anybody, understands the
296
00:13:26,338 --> 00:13:28,338
long list of priorities that
are awaiting when he gets
297
00:13:28,340 --> 00:13:30,640
back to his desk, and we
certainly are looking
298
00:13:30,643 --> 00:13:32,943
forward to him getting back
on the job and wish him very
299
00:13:32,945 --> 00:13:34,945
well as he continues to
recover from surgery.
300
00:13:34,947 --> 00:13:36,947
The Press: But
contingency plans at this
301
00:13:36,949 --> 00:13:38,949
point about sending someone
in his place or possibly
302
00:13:38,951 --> 00:13:40,951
changing the location
of the talks?
303
00:13:40,953 --> 00:13:42,953
Mr. Earnest: Nothing
at this point.
304
00:13:42,955 --> 00:13:44,925
It's not clear exactly
whether or not that will be
305
00:13:44,924 --> 00:13:46,924
necessary, but additional
scheduling updates will come
306
00:13:46,926 --> 00:13:48,156
from the State Department.
307
00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:49,330
Jim.
308
00:13:49,328 --> 00:13:52,498
The Press: So you came out
with that Midwest optimism,
309
00:13:52,498 --> 00:13:56,138
but in reality, when you
look at it, was it really a
310
00:13:56,135 --> 00:13:57,205
good day for the President?
311
00:13:57,203 --> 00:14:00,743
He does not have anything on
his desk to sign, and he has
312
00:14:00,739 --> 00:14:06,049
an uphill battle -- has to
get two votes on Tuesday to
313
00:14:06,045 --> 00:14:09,315
get something to his desk,
is my understanding.
314
00:14:09,315 --> 00:14:13,385
And the vote today
was overwhelming.
315
00:14:13,385 --> 00:14:16,185
It was an overwhelming
defeat by his own party.
316
00:14:18,757 --> 00:14:21,127
Isn't your optimism
a little misplaced?
317
00:14:21,126 --> 00:14:24,566
Mr. Earnest: I don't think
so, Jim, primarily because
318
00:14:24,563 --> 00:14:29,403
there was a lot of healthy,
well-informed skepticism
319
00:14:29,401 --> 00:14:32,001
about the ability of the
United States Congress to
320
00:14:32,004 --> 00:14:37,474
work in bipartisan fashion
to pass something like trade
321
00:14:37,476 --> 00:14:41,816
promotion authority that
is so complicated and so
322
00:14:41,814 --> 00:14:45,384
fraught with a lot
of toxic politics.
323
00:14:45,384 --> 00:14:49,024
And based on a lot of good
work in the Senate and some
324
00:14:49,021 --> 00:14:55,431
bipartisan work in the
House, those odds were overcome.
325
00:14:55,427 --> 00:14:57,297
The Press: But they didn't
really pass it, Josh.
326
00:14:57,296 --> 00:14:58,396
Mr. Earnest: Well,
sure they did.
327
00:14:58,397 --> 00:15:01,667
They did with 28 Democratic
votes, and TPA has passed.
328
00:15:01,667 --> 00:15:03,507
That was actually going
to be the hard one.
329
00:15:03,502 --> 00:15:06,172
The broad assumption in here
I think -- I don't want to
330
00:15:06,171 --> 00:15:07,871
speak for all of you; I've
done that three or four
331
00:15:07,873 --> 00:15:10,943
times today -- but I think
many people, whether they're
332
00:15:10,943 --> 00:15:13,743
in here or not, assumed that
it would be easier to pass
333
00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:16,116
trade adjustment assistance
than it would be to pass
334
00:15:16,115 --> 00:15:18,015
trade promotion authority.
335
00:15:18,017 --> 00:15:21,557
So the fact is the hard
part has gotten done.
336
00:15:21,553 --> 00:15:23,553
When it comes to making the
case to Democrats about why
337
00:15:23,555 --> 00:15:26,025
they should support trade
adjustment assistance, we've
338
00:15:26,025 --> 00:15:28,025
got a really strong
case to make.
339
00:15:28,027 --> 00:15:30,697
If they don't act on it as
early as next week, it's
340
00:15:30,696 --> 00:15:32,696
going to expire at
the end of September.
341
00:15:32,698 --> 00:15:34,698
This is a program that
Democrats believe in; they
342
00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:37,340
unanimously supported it
last time it was on the floor.
343
00:15:37,336 --> 00:15:39,936
So we've got a strong case
to make here because we're
344
00:15:39,938 --> 00:15:42,708
not just talking about
preventing this program from
345
00:15:42,708 --> 00:15:45,348
lapsing, we're talking about
significantly expanding it.
346
00:15:45,344 --> 00:15:49,314
The Press: But the opponents
of the trade fast track bill
347
00:15:49,315 --> 00:15:54,655
did what they wanted to do,
which was undercut it by
348
00:15:54,653 --> 00:15:57,553
defeating the trade
assistance bill.
349
00:15:57,556 --> 00:16:00,156
That's what they designed --
was designed to happen, and
350
00:16:00,159 --> 00:16:01,459
it happened.
351
00:16:01,460 --> 00:16:03,530
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
that's what they designed --
352
00:16:03,529 --> 00:16:06,099
that's what they tried to do
in the United States Senate,
353
00:16:06,098 --> 00:16:11,208
and there was at one point
in time a procedural snafu
354
00:16:11,203 --> 00:16:13,403
that prompted a delay.
355
00:16:13,405 --> 00:16:16,605
And we're seeing a similar
dynamic in the House right now.
356
00:16:16,608 --> 00:16:19,008
In some ways, the one in the
House is actually easier to
357
00:16:19,011 --> 00:16:21,181
resolve -- again, because
we're talking about a piece
358
00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:23,680
of legislation that the last
time it was voted on got the
359
00:16:23,682 --> 00:16:25,552
unanimous support
of Democrats.
360
00:16:25,551 --> 00:16:28,291
And there are a substantial
number of Republicans that
361
00:16:28,287 --> 00:16:30,027
voted for it today.
362
00:16:30,022 --> 00:16:32,192
I think it's -- I certainly
wouldn't rule out the
363
00:16:32,191 --> 00:16:35,761
ability of the Speaker of
the House to convince even
364
00:16:35,761 --> 00:16:39,601
more Republicans to vote for
trade adjustment assistance.
365
00:16:39,598 --> 00:16:42,438
We certainly believe that we
can convince more Democrats
366
00:16:42,434 --> 00:16:44,804
to vote for a program that
many of them have previously
367
00:16:44,803 --> 00:16:49,573
supported, and that our
economists can demonstrate
368
00:16:51,844 --> 00:16:54,714
significantly benefit
middle-class families all
369
00:16:54,713 --> 00:16:55,713
across the country.
370
00:16:55,714 --> 00:16:57,714
The Press: My colleague
asked you about the
371
00:16:57,716 --> 00:17:02,256
President's reaction to
Leader Pelosi going against
372
00:17:02,254 --> 00:17:03,394
the President today.
373
00:17:03,389 --> 00:17:05,559
I'd like to ask you about
what it felt like to have
374
00:17:05,557 --> 00:17:08,127
John Boehner bail out
the President today with
375
00:17:08,127 --> 00:17:10,227
procedural moves.
376
00:17:10,229 --> 00:17:12,469
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not
sure I would characterize it
377
00:17:12,464 --> 00:17:13,464
that way.
378
00:17:13,465 --> 00:17:15,465
I think that what you have
seen over the last --
379
00:17:15,467 --> 00:17:17,467
certainly over the last
week, and the ground work
380
00:17:17,469 --> 00:17:19,939
has been laid in recent
months, [is] effective
381
00:17:19,938 --> 00:17:23,008
coordination between
the White House and the
382
00:17:23,008 --> 00:17:26,948
Speaker's office to make
progress on a shared priority.
383
00:17:26,945 --> 00:17:29,985
This is the kind of
bipartisan effort that the
384
00:17:29,982 --> 00:17:31,682
President has
long envisioned.
385
00:17:31,683 --> 00:17:33,683
And unfortunately, we
haven't seen nearly enough
386
00:17:33,685 --> 00:17:35,785
of it, but in this case
you've got to give some
387
00:17:35,788 --> 00:17:37,828
credit where it's due -- to
the Speaker of the House,
388
00:17:37,823 --> 00:17:40,493
who, despite his many
ideological differences with
389
00:17:40,492 --> 00:17:42,492
the President, has said
let's put aside our
390
00:17:42,494 --> 00:17:44,564
differences and figure out
how we can work together to
391
00:17:44,563 --> 00:17:49,973
build a bipartisan majority
for a policy that we both
392
00:17:49,968 --> 00:17:52,968
believe will benefit our
economy and will benefit
393
00:17:52,971 --> 00:17:54,841
middle-class families
across the country.
394
00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:56,240
The Press: But you don't see
the irony here, with Pelosi
395
00:17:56,241 --> 00:17:57,741
on one side, and Boehner
on the other side
396
00:17:57,743 --> 00:18:00,743
with the President?
397
00:18:00,746 --> 00:18:02,616
Mr. Earnest: Well, what I
see is I see that there is a
398
00:18:02,614 --> 00:18:05,254
bipartisan majority in the
House of Representatives
399
00:18:05,250 --> 00:18:07,250
that's standing
with the President.
400
00:18:07,252 --> 00:18:09,252
Yes, that means a substantial number of Republicans.
401
00:18:09,254 --> 00:18:11,254
And I think that's a
testament to the President's
402
00:18:11,256 --> 00:18:13,256
leadership ability too, that
he's willing to set aside
403
00:18:13,258 --> 00:18:15,258
his own differences with
them to try to find common
404
00:18:15,260 --> 00:18:16,260
ground on this.
405
00:18:16,261 --> 00:18:19,161
And again, I think the
country is very well served
406
00:18:19,164 --> 00:18:22,734
by that kind of bipartisan
spirit, and hopefully this
407
00:18:22,734 --> 00:18:25,974
will serve as a template not
just for eventually passing
408
00:18:25,971 --> 00:18:28,541
trade adjustment assistance,
but also making progress on
409
00:18:28,540 --> 00:18:31,010
some other bipartisan
priorities that have been
410
00:18:31,009 --> 00:18:33,009
identified, including
investments in
411
00:18:33,011 --> 00:18:34,981
infrastructure, criminal
justice reform and some
412
00:18:34,980 --> 00:18:36,150
other things.
413
00:18:36,148 --> 00:18:37,418
Mike.
414
00:18:37,416 --> 00:18:39,656
The Press: So help me
understand then -- as I
415
00:18:39,651 --> 00:18:42,491
understand it, many of the
Democrats that opposed the
416
00:18:42,488 --> 00:18:46,788
TAA today did so -- and I
think the former Speaker
417
00:18:46,792 --> 00:18:49,392
said this in her final
remarks as well -- they did
418
00:18:49,394 --> 00:18:53,804
so as a way of stopping
TPA, which they don't like.
419
00:18:53,799 --> 00:18:59,539
So if TPA has now passed
with 219, and so the only
420
00:18:59,538 --> 00:19:02,908
thing standing in the way of
TPA from actually getting to
421
00:19:02,908 --> 00:19:08,648
the President's desk is now
keeping TAA dead, don't
422
00:19:08,647 --> 00:19:11,287
those Democrats all have
even more incentive to
423
00:19:11,283 --> 00:19:14,883
continue to be opposed to it
next week, if you guys bring
424
00:19:14,887 --> 00:19:16,157
it up again,
than they do now?
425
00:19:16,154 --> 00:19:18,824
So you have a bigger
hill to climb.
426
00:19:18,824 --> 00:19:20,824
I mean, how can you possibly
say that you are going to
427
00:19:20,826 --> 00:19:24,596
convince more Democrats to
vote for it now when it's
428
00:19:24,596 --> 00:19:28,096
even more important for them
to remain opposed to it?
429
00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:30,100
Mr. Earnest: Well, because
the case that we'll make to
430
00:19:30,102 --> 00:19:33,772
them, Mike, is that they may
have -- they've registered
431
00:19:33,772 --> 00:19:35,342
their objections with TPA.
432
00:19:35,340 --> 00:19:38,180
They hoped to block the
passage of TPA, and it
433
00:19:38,176 --> 00:19:39,176
didn't work.
434
00:19:39,177 --> 00:19:41,347
TPA did pass with a
bipartisan majority.
435
00:19:41,346 --> 00:19:44,516
And now we're going to go
and make the case to them
436
00:19:44,516 --> 00:19:49,026
that they should support
a policy that they have
437
00:19:49,021 --> 00:19:50,491
strongly supported
in the past.
438
00:19:50,489 --> 00:19:53,759
And in fact, if they don't,
we're going to see that
439
00:19:53,759 --> 00:19:56,399
policy that they
strongly support lapse.
440
00:19:56,395 --> 00:19:58,395
Instead, they actually had
the opportunity not just to
441
00:19:58,397 --> 00:20:01,437
make sure that -- not just
to prevent its lapse, but
442
00:20:01,433 --> 00:20:04,073
actually to significantly
expand it -- almost double
443
00:20:04,069 --> 00:20:06,069
it in size when it comes to
the amount of money that can
444
00:20:06,071 --> 00:20:08,071
be spent on job
training programs.
445
00:20:08,073 --> 00:20:10,073
The Press: But then that
means caving on their bigger
446
00:20:10,075 --> 00:20:12,845
goal, which is keeping TPA
from going forward, right?
447
00:20:12,844 --> 00:20:14,844
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
TPA has already passed.
448
00:20:14,846 --> 00:20:16,846
And so now they have a
question about are they
449
00:20:16,848 --> 00:20:21,658
going to support a policy
that previously earned the
450
00:20:21,653 --> 00:20:24,123
unanimous support of
Democrats, and are they
451
00:20:24,122 --> 00:20:26,892
going to seek to expand it
and make sure that they're
452
00:20:26,892 --> 00:20:30,192
not in a position where
they're essentially -- make
453
00:20:30,195 --> 00:20:32,195
sure that they're in a
position where they can
454
00:20:32,197 --> 00:20:34,737
offer support to those
workers that are dealing
455
00:20:34,733 --> 00:20:36,733
with the challenges
of globalization.
456
00:20:36,735 --> 00:20:39,135
The Press: But if TA
doesn't pass, then TPA is
457
00:20:39,137 --> 00:20:40,137
dead, right?
458
00:20:40,138 --> 00:20:42,578
I mean, if ultimately you
can't get it passed, it's --
459
00:20:42,574 --> 00:20:47,844
Mr. Earnest: Well, what's
true is the President shares
460
00:20:47,846 --> 00:20:49,416
-- I mean, look,
this is true.
461
00:20:49,414 --> 00:20:51,454
The President agrees with
Democrats that TAA
462
00:20:51,450 --> 00:20:52,450
is a priority.
463
00:20:52,451 --> 00:20:53,921
That's the thing here.
464
00:20:53,919 --> 00:20:56,059
I would acknowledge that
there are some differences
465
00:20:56,054 --> 00:20:58,594
of opinion, but there are
far more areas where we
466
00:20:58,590 --> 00:20:59,960
agree than where
we disagree.
467
00:20:59,958 --> 00:21:02,528
And I think this is the
hallmark of a legislative
468
00:21:02,527 --> 00:21:04,097
procedural snafu.
469
00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:06,066
I think we know it
when we see it now.
470
00:21:06,064 --> 00:21:07,604
(laughter)
471
00:21:07,599 --> 00:21:11,399
And clearly, that's what
we have before us today.
472
00:21:11,403 --> 00:21:12,573
So, Jim.
473
00:21:12,571 --> 00:21:14,611
The Press: So to quote Yogi
Berra, "It's not over till
474
00:21:14,606 --> 00:21:15,436
it's over"?
475
00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:16,780
Is that what you're saying?
476
00:21:16,775 --> 00:21:19,445
Mr. Earnest: We can do a lot
of that today, couldn't we?
477
00:21:19,444 --> 00:21:22,684
The Press: But to Mike's
point, I just want to put a
478
00:21:22,681 --> 00:21:23,951
fine point on this.
479
00:21:23,949 --> 00:21:27,249
The President will not
sign TPA without TAA?
480
00:21:27,252 --> 00:21:29,252
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President has made clear --
481
00:21:29,254 --> 00:21:31,254
the President has made
clear that trade adjustment
482
00:21:31,256 --> 00:21:35,226
assistance is a strong
priority, and that if we are
483
00:21:35,227 --> 00:21:39,267
going to take steps that the
President believes is good
484
00:21:39,264 --> 00:21:42,434
for our economy and good for
middle-class families to
485
00:21:42,434 --> 00:21:44,434
expand access to overseas
markets, that one thing we
486
00:21:44,436 --> 00:21:48,676
also need to do is make a
similar investment in those
487
00:21:48,674 --> 00:21:51,874
workers who are negatively
affected by broader trends
488
00:21:51,877 --> 00:21:54,047
-- by broader
globalization trends.
489
00:21:54,046 --> 00:21:57,746
And what we know is we
actually know how to
490
00:21:57,749 --> 00:21:58,749
do this now.
491
00:21:58,750 --> 00:22:05,020
And this is the thing that
Secretary Perez wrote to
492
00:22:05,023 --> 00:22:06,123
members of Congress
yesterday.
493
00:22:06,124 --> 00:22:08,094
He wrote a long letter, and
I can get you a copy of that
494
00:22:08,093 --> 00:22:10,093
letter if you haven't
had a chance to see it.
495
00:22:10,095 --> 00:22:12,495
But essentially described
what the benefits are of
496
00:22:12,497 --> 00:22:14,497
this trade adjustment
assistance proposal.
497
00:22:14,499 --> 00:22:18,469
This is essentially a
package of job training
498
00:22:18,470 --> 00:22:24,040
grants, and other funding
that allows workers who can
499
00:22:24,042 --> 00:22:26,682
successfully petition to the
Department of Labor to get
500
00:22:26,678 --> 00:22:28,918
access to job training
programs that will ensure
501
00:22:28,914 --> 00:22:30,984
that they get the skills
they need to actually get
502
00:22:30,982 --> 00:22:32,282
another job.
503
00:22:32,284 --> 00:22:34,584
So this package is a very
-- is a significant one.
504
00:22:34,586 --> 00:22:38,526
It's a significant expansion
of the package that's poised
505
00:22:38,523 --> 00:22:40,523
to expire at the
end of September.
506
00:22:40,525 --> 00:22:43,165
This will expand -- make
trade adjustment assistance
507
00:22:43,161 --> 00:22:45,061
available for six years.
508
00:22:45,063 --> 00:22:47,663
It would nearly double
the program in size.
509
00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:50,806
It would allow 17,500
workers, who over the last
510
00:22:50,802 --> 00:22:53,942
18 months have had their
eligibility denied, to allow
511
00:22:53,939 --> 00:22:56,379
them to have their
applications reconsidered.
512
00:22:56,374 --> 00:23:00,074
And it would provide -- make
available to workers 130
513
00:23:00,078 --> 00:23:04,418
weeks of what's called trade
readjustment allowance benefits.
514
00:23:04,416 --> 00:23:06,386
Essentially, that means --
if you're doing the math --
515
00:23:06,384 --> 00:23:08,384
that means that that is
enough assistance to go
516
00:23:08,386 --> 00:23:10,826
through a two-year training
program; to go and get some
517
00:23:10,822 --> 00:23:13,722
really good skills that you
know you can then use to go
518
00:23:13,725 --> 00:23:15,725
and get a good
middle-class job.
519
00:23:15,727 --> 00:23:17,827
So these kinds of programs
we know make a real
520
00:23:17,829 --> 00:23:19,969
difference in the lives
of middle-class families.
521
00:23:19,965 --> 00:23:21,965
And that's the case that
we're going to
522
00:23:21,967 --> 00:23:22,867
make to Democrats.
523
00:23:22,868 --> 00:23:24,098
We're not -- this is --
524
00:23:24,102 --> 00:23:25,702
The Press: But no
TP without TAA?
525
00:23:25,704 --> 00:23:26,474
I mean, just --
526
00:23:26,471 --> 00:23:27,911
Mr. Earnest: This is not a
situation where we have to
527
00:23:27,906 --> 00:23:30,976
persuade Democrats to hold
their nose and
528
00:23:30,976 --> 00:23:31,976
vote for something.
529
00:23:31,977 --> 00:23:33,977
This is an opportunity for
Democrats to support the
530
00:23:33,979 --> 00:23:36,319
expansion of a program
that they previously have
531
00:23:36,314 --> 00:23:38,314
indicated they
strongly support.
532
00:23:38,316 --> 00:23:40,316
The Press: I think
that's a non-answer.
533
00:23:40,318 --> 00:23:42,318
I don't think you're
answering that question.
534
00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:42,850
Mr. Earnest: Okay.
535
00:23:42,854 --> 00:23:43,754
I don't mean to
give a non-answer.
536
00:23:43,755 --> 00:23:45,795
The Press: So the President
will not sign TPA without TAA?
537
00:23:45,791 --> 00:23:47,321
Both of these have to
be passed and packaged
538
00:23:47,325 --> 00:23:48,695
together, isn't
that correct?
539
00:23:48,693 --> 00:23:50,663
Mr. Earnest: Well, as
matter of legislative
540
00:23:50,662 --> 00:23:52,832
procedure, that's true.
541
00:23:52,831 --> 00:23:54,831
The House of Representatives
can't just send -- based on
542
00:23:54,833 --> 00:23:58,273
their vote today -- they
can't just send the TPA bill
543
00:23:58,270 --> 00:24:00,270
to the President's desk
and hope that the
544
00:24:00,272 --> 00:24:02,212
TAA bill follows.
545
00:24:02,207 --> 00:24:04,477
Procedurally
that won't work.
546
00:24:04,476 --> 00:24:07,246
Again, this is why I would
describe this as
547
00:24:07,245 --> 00:24:08,685
procedural snafu.
548
00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,550
We have a situation where we
have got a clear bipartisan
549
00:24:11,550 --> 00:24:13,750
majority in the House; we
just have to work our way
550
00:24:13,752 --> 00:24:15,752
through the procedures so
that it can make its way to
551
00:24:15,754 --> 00:24:16,754
the President's desk.
552
00:24:16,755 --> 00:24:18,755
The Press: And why did the
President wait until the
553
00:24:18,757 --> 00:24:22,057
last minute to go up to
Capitol Hill, to go schmooze
554
00:24:22,060 --> 00:24:23,900
lawmakers at the
congressional baseball game
555
00:24:23,895 --> 00:24:25,295
last night?
556
00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:28,197
And what do you say to
people in this town who
557
00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,200
believe that's just
too little too late?
558
00:24:30,202 --> 00:24:33,142
Mr. Earnest: If that were
all the President did, I
559
00:24:33,138 --> 00:24:34,268
would agree with them.
560
00:24:34,272 --> 00:24:36,272
But the fact is, the
President held -- the
561
00:24:36,274 --> 00:24:40,114
President personally had
dozens of conversations with
562
00:24:40,111 --> 00:24:44,321
Democrats in the House and
in the Senate to make the
563
00:24:44,316 --> 00:24:46,516
case for this proposal.
564
00:24:46,518 --> 00:24:48,518
And those are conversations
that took place over the
565
00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:50,520
course of months.
566
00:24:52,157 --> 00:24:55,957
Often, in the course of the
skeptical questions about
567
00:24:55,961 --> 00:24:59,031
whether trade could ever get
done in the Congress, people
568
00:24:59,030 --> 00:25:01,170
would ask, "well, what's the
President trying to do to
569
00:25:01,166 --> 00:25:02,166
get it passed?"
570
00:25:02,167 --> 00:25:04,907
And I made reference to the
fact that the President was
571
00:25:04,903 --> 00:25:06,903
regularly engaged
in conversations.
572
00:25:06,905 --> 00:25:08,975
And that typically was small
meetings that the President
573
00:25:08,974 --> 00:25:12,074
would convene with three or
four members, sometimes in
574
00:25:12,077 --> 00:25:14,477
the private dining room off
the Oval Office having
575
00:25:14,479 --> 00:25:15,579
these conversations.
576
00:25:15,580 --> 00:25:17,250
The Press: Meetings we
didn't know about that
577
00:25:17,249 --> 00:25:17,979
weren't read out to us?
578
00:25:17,983 --> 00:25:21,553
Mr. Earnest: Right, that weren't previously announced.
579
00:25:21,553 --> 00:25:23,853
The Press: Why weren't
those announced?
580
00:25:23,855 --> 00:25:26,355
Why not tell the public that
he's having these meetings?
581
00:25:26,358 --> 00:25:28,198
Mr. Earnest: Well, because
the President wanted to have
582
00:25:28,193 --> 00:25:30,563
an opportunity to have a
private conversation with them.
583
00:25:30,562 --> 00:25:32,762
And I think were some
members of Congress who did
584
00:25:32,764 --> 00:25:37,234
come out and say that they
had had conversations with
585
00:25:37,235 --> 00:25:38,235
the President about this.
586
00:25:38,236 --> 00:25:40,236
That was often in the
context of announcing their
587
00:25:40,238 --> 00:25:42,608
support for the bill.
588
00:25:42,607 --> 00:25:44,907
There are other more
high-profile settings where
589
00:25:44,910 --> 00:25:46,910
you saw the President
make his case.
590
00:25:46,912 --> 00:25:48,912
For example, there were four
members of Congress who flew
591
00:25:48,914 --> 00:25:50,914
with the President to
Germany when he took his
592
00:25:50,916 --> 00:25:53,086
trip to the G7
just last weekend.
593
00:25:53,084 --> 00:25:54,084
It seems like a month ago.
594
00:25:54,085 --> 00:26:00,355
The Press: But to jump
ahead, when you see stories
595
00:26:00,358 --> 00:26:03,498
written over the next 48
hours that say that this
596
00:26:03,495 --> 00:26:07,965
vote that occurred on
Friday contributed to the
597
00:26:07,966 --> 00:26:11,106
President's lame duck
status; when White House
598
00:26:11,102 --> 00:26:14,072
Press Secretary Josh Earnest
is quoted in those stories,
599
00:26:14,072 --> 00:26:15,072
he says what?
600
00:26:15,073 --> 00:26:17,413
Mr. Earnest: He says the
President successfully -
601
00:26:17,409 --> 00:26:18,409
(laughter)
602
00:26:18,410 --> 00:26:20,410
-- is it awkward for me to
refer to myself in the
603
00:26:20,412 --> 00:26:26,252
third person?
604
00:26:26,251 --> 00:26:28,391
What I would do is I would
simply observe that there is
605
00:26:28,386 --> 00:26:33,026
healthy skepticism across
the United States Capitol,
606
00:26:33,024 --> 00:26:35,224
and across the country,
about whether or not
607
00:26:35,226 --> 00:26:37,226
Democrats and Republicans
would actually be able to
608
00:26:37,228 --> 00:26:40,228
work together in bipartisan
fashion to pass Trade
609
00:26:40,231 --> 00:26:42,001
Promotion Authority.
610
00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:44,000
And because of the
President's leadership and
611
00:26:44,002 --> 00:26:46,002
because of the effective
leadership of Republicans on
612
00:26:46,004 --> 00:26:48,004
the other side of the
aisle that were willing to
613
00:26:48,006 --> 00:26:50,176
coordinate and cooperate
with the President and his
614
00:26:50,175 --> 00:26:53,715
team, the President
succeeded in that priority.
615
00:26:53,712 --> 00:27:00,182
There is still a procedural
snafu to work through, but
616
00:27:00,185 --> 00:27:02,855
that's in the same spirit
that has contributed to our
617
00:27:02,854 --> 00:27:07,364
success in passing TPA
through the Senate, TAA
618
00:27:07,359 --> 00:27:10,399
through the Senate,
TPA through the House.
619
00:27:10,395 --> 00:27:12,395
We're going to use the same
strategy to pass TAA through
620
00:27:12,397 --> 00:27:13,867
the House, too.
621
00:27:13,865 --> 00:27:14,895
April.
622
00:27:14,899 --> 00:27:18,099
The Press: Josh, when it
comes to TAA and even TPP,
623
00:27:18,103 --> 00:27:20,873
many Democrats felt it was
really a matter of survival
624
00:27:20,872 --> 00:27:23,812
for many middle-income
Americans who could lose
625
00:27:23,808 --> 00:27:25,608
their jobs to globalization.
626
00:27:25,610 --> 00:27:27,950
What do you say about the
issue of survival as you're
627
00:27:27,946 --> 00:27:31,386
trying to marry this
globalization in trade with
628
00:27:31,383 --> 00:27:37,093
people that you're wanting
to enhance TAA in case there
629
00:27:37,088 --> 00:27:39,328
is a job loss for
some of these people?
630
00:27:39,324 --> 00:27:41,324
Mr. Earnest: And this was
the nature -- this was a
631
00:27:41,326 --> 00:27:44,196
significant part of the
presentation that the
632
00:27:44,195 --> 00:27:47,365
President made to
House Democrats today.
633
00:27:47,365 --> 00:27:52,875
It is impossible to
completely insulate the
634
00:27:52,871 --> 00:27:56,111
United States of America and
the American people from the
635
00:27:56,107 --> 00:27:58,747
broader economic forces
of globalization.
636
00:27:58,743 --> 00:28:01,643
It's just
impossible to do so.
637
00:28:01,646 --> 00:28:05,086
And so the question is: How
are the leaders of this
638
00:28:05,083 --> 00:28:08,323
country going to prepare our
economy and the American
639
00:28:08,319 --> 00:28:11,919
people to weather
those forces?
640
00:28:11,923 --> 00:28:16,633
There are some who advocate
trying to shut the United
641
00:28:16,628 --> 00:28:19,268
States out from the
rest of the world.
642
00:28:19,264 --> 00:28:22,004
The President has zero
confidence in that strategy.
643
00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,900
The President believes that
our economy and our people
644
00:28:24,903 --> 00:28:27,873
are best served if we
actually try to engage the
645
00:28:27,872 --> 00:28:31,842
world, and engage the world
in a way where we enter into
646
00:28:31,843 --> 00:28:37,083
agreements whereby they
commit to respecting basic
647
00:28:37,082 --> 00:28:42,492
intellectual property laws,
raising labor standards,
648
00:28:42,487 --> 00:28:46,357
adopting higher
environmental standards,
649
00:28:46,357 --> 00:28:49,627
respecting and protecting
basic human rights.
650
00:28:49,627 --> 00:28:51,867
That if we can get them to
commit to doing all of that
651
00:28:51,863 --> 00:28:54,063
in exchange for doing
business in the United
652
00:28:54,065 --> 00:28:56,205
States, well, what the
United States is essentially
653
00:28:56,201 --> 00:28:58,301
doing is leveling the
playing field, and we can go
654
00:28:58,303 --> 00:29:00,303
do business in all
those countries, too.
655
00:29:00,305 --> 00:29:02,305
And when I say all those
countries, we're talking
656
00:29:02,307 --> 00:29:06,077
about some of the most
economically dynamic
657
00:29:06,077 --> 00:29:07,077
countries in the world.
658
00:29:07,078 --> 00:29:09,078
These are the countries
that have some of the
659
00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,080
fastest-growing
economies on the plant.
660
00:29:11,082 --> 00:29:13,082
And giving American
businesses and American
661
00:29:13,084 --> 00:29:15,084
workers the opportunity
to do business in those
662
00:29:15,086 --> 00:29:17,726
countries with the more
level playing field is
663
00:29:17,722 --> 00:29:19,292
tremendous opportunity.
664
00:29:19,290 --> 00:29:22,530
And that is the right way
for us to respond to the
665
00:29:22,527 --> 00:29:27,337
challenging forces of
a globalized economy.
666
00:29:27,332 --> 00:29:29,932
The Press: When you say that
it's impossible to insulate
667
00:29:29,934 --> 00:29:32,504
the American people from
this globalization in trade
668
00:29:32,504 --> 00:29:35,074
deal that you're doing,
when you're in their rooms
669
00:29:35,073 --> 00:29:38,443
calculating the positives
and the negatives,
670
00:29:38,443 --> 00:29:43,313
realistically what is this
White House expecting when
671
00:29:43,314 --> 00:29:46,014
the trade bill goes through
-- the numbers of jobs and
672
00:29:46,017 --> 00:29:47,717
the numbers of people who
could lose their jobs
673
00:29:47,719 --> 00:29:49,959
because of globalization
over the next six years, as
674
00:29:49,954 --> 00:29:51,454
you said, with TAA?
675
00:29:51,456 --> 00:29:52,456
Mr. Earnest: You mean how
soon do we expect this
676
00:29:52,457 --> 00:29:53,457
legislation to pass?
677
00:29:53,458 --> 00:29:54,058
Is that what you're asking?
678
00:29:54,058 --> 00:29:54,588
The Press: No.
679
00:29:54,592 --> 00:29:56,162
I'm asking -- no.
680
00:29:56,161 --> 00:29:58,631
I'm asking realistically, in
numbers, when you calculate
681
00:29:58,630 --> 00:30:03,430
the positives of TPA and the
losses of globalization,
682
00:30:03,434 --> 00:30:05,234
realistically over the next
six years, when you have
683
00:30:05,236 --> 00:30:08,536
this trajectory if TAA were
to come to place, how many
684
00:30:08,540 --> 00:30:11,740
people realistically in this
nation are you looking at
685
00:30:11,743 --> 00:30:16,553
that could realistically not
be insulated, lose their
686
00:30:16,548 --> 00:30:18,718
jobs because of TPA?
687
00:30:18,716 --> 00:30:19,916
Mr. Earnest: Well, let me
see if we can get you some
688
00:30:19,918 --> 00:30:21,388
economic analysis
from the CEA.
689
00:30:21,386 --> 00:30:27,096
What I would merely say
to you is that the United
690
00:30:27,091 --> 00:30:30,391
States, our economy and our
people will be much worse
691
00:30:30,395 --> 00:30:33,695
off if we just lock in the
status quo, if we
692
00:30:33,698 --> 00:30:36,298
don't do anything.
693
00:30:36,301 --> 00:30:38,501
The President believes --
and there is some evidence
694
00:30:38,503 --> 00:30:42,003
to back this up -- that if
we do enter into these trade
695
00:30:42,006 --> 00:30:44,876
agreements that seek to
level the playing field with
696
00:30:44,876 --> 00:30:46,876
other countries,
particularly those countries
697
00:30:46,878 --> 00:30:50,978
in the most economically
vibrant regions in the
698
00:30:50,982 --> 00:30:54,722
world, that that will create
jobs right here in the
699
00:30:54,719 --> 00:30:55,719
United States.
700
00:30:55,720 --> 00:30:57,720
That was the reason the
President traveled to the
701
00:30:57,722 --> 00:30:59,722
Nike headquarter six or
eight weeks ago -- that
702
00:30:59,724 --> 00:31:00,924
that's exactly
what Nike said.
703
00:31:00,925 --> 00:31:04,565
Nike is a company with a
history of investing in
704
00:31:04,562 --> 00:31:07,862
other countries, taking
advantage of the economic
705
00:31:07,865 --> 00:31:10,735
opportunity that exists
in other countries.
706
00:31:10,735 --> 00:31:13,805
And what Nike said was they
said, if you pass this TPP
707
00:31:13,805 --> 00:31:18,645
deal and we get other
countries to start to raise
708
00:31:18,643 --> 00:31:20,643
their labor standards and
raise their environmental
709
00:31:20,645 --> 00:31:22,985
standards, and respect
basic intellectual property
710
00:31:22,981 --> 00:31:25,181
rights, that what we're
going to do is we're
711
00:31:25,183 --> 00:31:27,183
actually going to invest in
creating jobs right here
712
00:31:27,185 --> 00:31:28,185
in America.
713
00:31:28,186 --> 00:31:30,156
Because we know, right here
in America, we've got the
714
00:31:30,154 --> 00:31:31,154
best workers.
715
00:31:31,155 --> 00:31:33,425
We've got the best
colleges and universities.
716
00:31:33,424 --> 00:31:37,264
We've got the most
clever innovators.
717
00:31:37,262 --> 00:31:39,262
We've got the most
ambitious entrepreneurs.
718
00:31:39,264 --> 00:31:42,234
And that's an environment
that Nike wants to be a part of.
719
00:31:42,233 --> 00:31:47,003
So they recognize that, by
engaging in the world, we
720
00:31:47,005 --> 00:31:49,675
can actually expand economic
opportunity right here at home.
721
00:31:49,674 --> 00:31:50,604
The Press: Okay.
722
00:31:50,608 --> 00:31:52,178
And on another
subject -- Cleveland.
723
00:31:52,176 --> 00:31:56,986
The judge finds that the
police officers who shot and
724
00:31:56,981 --> 00:32:00,551
killed 12-year-old Tamir
Rice, there is cause for
725
00:32:00,551 --> 00:32:01,551
murder charges.
726
00:32:01,552 --> 00:32:04,052
What does the White House
feel about that after we
727
00:32:04,055 --> 00:32:08,895
watched this -- after the
situation in Ferguson and in
728
00:32:08,893 --> 00:32:10,693
New York, and then
there was Cleveland?
729
00:32:10,695 --> 00:32:11,495
What do you say to that?
730
00:32:11,496 --> 00:32:12,196
Mr. Earnest: My
understanding at this point,
731
00:32:12,196 --> 00:32:14,236
April, is that this is a
case that's now in the hands
732
00:32:14,232 --> 00:32:17,502
of a local prosecutor.
733
00:32:17,502 --> 00:32:20,072
And that local prosecutor
will take a look at the facts.
734
00:32:20,071 --> 00:32:22,071
I'm confident that that
individual will consider the
735
00:32:22,073 --> 00:32:23,073
ruling of the judge.
736
00:32:23,074 --> 00:32:25,544
But ultimately, this is a
decision for the federal
737
00:32:25,543 --> 00:32:27,543
prosecutor -- for the
local prosecutor to make.
738
00:32:27,545 --> 00:32:32,215
The Department of Justice
has obviously been engaged
739
00:32:32,216 --> 00:32:35,586
with the city of Cleveland
to help them implement some
740
00:32:35,586 --> 00:32:38,686
of the reforms that they
felt were needed there.
741
00:32:38,690 --> 00:32:40,330
But as it relates to the
specific case, I wouldn't
742
00:32:40,325 --> 00:32:43,225
have any direct
comment on it.
743
00:32:43,227 --> 00:32:43,827
Kristen.
744
00:32:43,828 --> 00:32:46,598
The Press: Did Leader Pelosi
tell President Obama that
745
00:32:46,597 --> 00:32:48,967
she was not going to support
TAA before she went to the
746
00:32:48,966 --> 00:32:51,266
House floor?
747
00:32:51,269 --> 00:32:53,039
Mr. Earnest: Kristen, what I
will tell you is that prior
748
00:32:53,037 --> 00:32:56,207
to addressing the House
Democratic caucus on Capitol
749
00:32:56,207 --> 00:32:58,777
Hill today, the President
did have an opportunity to
750
00:32:58,776 --> 00:33:02,016
huddle with the House
Democratic leaders, not just
751
00:33:02,013 --> 00:33:05,083
Leader Pelosi, but with
the other members of the
752
00:33:05,083 --> 00:33:07,323
Democratic leadership.
753
00:33:07,318 --> 00:33:09,418
They had a private
conversation before the
754
00:33:09,420 --> 00:33:13,120
President addressed the
broader Democratic caucus.
755
00:33:13,124 --> 00:33:16,064
And that was a private
conversation that they had,
756
00:33:16,060 --> 00:33:18,860
and so I'm not going to be
in a position to talk about
757
00:33:18,863 --> 00:33:20,103
the details of
that conversation.
758
00:33:20,098 --> 00:33:21,568
The Press: But just to
clarify, was it his
759
00:33:21,566 --> 00:33:24,606
impression, based on that
meeting, that Leader Pelosi
760
00:33:24,602 --> 00:33:26,472
was not going
to support TAA?
761
00:33:26,471 --> 00:33:27,741
Is that what you're saying?
762
00:33:27,739 --> 00:33:28,969
Mr. Earnest: What I'm
saying is that they had an
763
00:33:28,973 --> 00:33:30,743
opportunity to discuss this
at some length this morning,
764
00:33:30,742 --> 00:33:32,742
and I'm not prepared to talk
about the details of
765
00:33:32,744 --> 00:33:33,744
that conversation.
766
00:33:33,745 --> 00:33:35,745
The Press: And was he
anticipating that he was
767
00:33:35,747 --> 00:33:37,747
going to support it
leaving that meeting?
768
00:33:37,749 --> 00:33:38,749
We saw them come out.
769
00:33:38,750 --> 00:33:39,750
They seemed to
be all smiles.
770
00:33:39,751 --> 00:33:41,751
What was his impression
leaving that meeting?
771
00:33:41,753 --> 00:33:43,753
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
reason they're all smiles is
772
00:33:43,755 --> 00:33:45,755
because that have a warm,
constructive relationship
773
00:33:45,757 --> 00:33:46,757
that has yielded a lot of
774
00:33:46,758 --> 00:33:48,758
benefits for the American people.
775
00:33:48,760 --> 00:33:50,760
And there is so much of
what the President has
776
00:33:50,762 --> 00:33:52,762
accomplished that wouldn't
have been possible without
777
00:33:52,764 --> 00:33:54,134
somebody like Leader Pelosi.
778
00:33:54,132 --> 00:33:55,502
But again, I'm not going
to get into the details of
779
00:33:55,500 --> 00:33:56,400
their conversation.
780
00:33:56,401 --> 00:33:57,671
The Press: Let me put it
this way: Was he surprised
781
00:33:57,668 --> 00:34:01,168
by Leader Pelosi going out
on the floor and opposing TAA?
782
00:34:01,172 --> 00:34:02,542
Mr. Earnest: I don't know
that the President watched
783
00:34:02,540 --> 00:34:04,340
her specific floor speech.
784
00:34:04,342 --> 00:34:06,442
The President had an
opportunity to speak to her
785
00:34:06,444 --> 00:34:07,744
before the caucus meeting.
786
00:34:07,745 --> 00:34:09,215
The Press: Did he
watch the vote?
787
00:34:09,213 --> 00:34:10,613
Mr. Earnest: I don't
believe that he did.
788
00:34:10,615 --> 00:34:11,515
He certainly is aware of it.
789
00:34:11,516 --> 00:34:12,586
(laughter)
790
00:34:12,583 --> 00:34:13,923
The Press: You described
his relationship with --
791
00:34:13,918 --> 00:34:16,658
Mr. Earnest: At the risk
of underplaying it, he's -
792
00:34:16,654 --> 00:34:18,594
(laughter).
793
00:34:18,589 --> 00:34:21,289
The Press: You're describing
his relationship with
794
00:34:21,292 --> 00:34:23,762
Democratic lawmakers as
warm and constructive.
795
00:34:23,761 --> 00:34:26,161
I have to go back to this
question and the perception
796
00:34:26,164 --> 00:34:28,564
that some of them had
coming out of that meeting.
797
00:34:28,566 --> 00:34:30,306
Congressman DeFazio -- I'm
just going to read you his
798
00:34:30,301 --> 00:34:31,171
exact quote.
799
00:34:31,169 --> 00:34:32,969
He said, "The President
tried to both guilt people
800
00:34:32,970 --> 00:34:35,740
and then impugn their
integrity, and I don't think
801
00:34:35,740 --> 00:34:37,440
it was a very
effective tactic."
802
00:34:37,442 --> 00:34:40,482
I know you were arguing just
the opposite, that you felt
803
00:34:40,478 --> 00:34:42,778
as though the President's
tactic was effective.
804
00:34:42,780 --> 00:34:45,120
But clearly his message
didn't get through.
805
00:34:45,116 --> 00:34:47,416
Does he need to change his
strategy and his message?
806
00:34:47,418 --> 00:34:49,588
Mr. Earnest: Now, Kristen,
consider we succeeded in
807
00:34:49,587 --> 00:34:51,627
passing TPA through the
United States Senate with
808
00:34:51,622 --> 00:34:52,962
bipartisan support.
809
00:34:52,957 --> 00:34:55,527
We succeeded in passing TAA
through the Senate with
810
00:34:55,526 --> 00:34:57,126
strong bipartisan support.
811
00:34:57,128 --> 00:34:59,428
We succeeded in passing
TPA through the House with
812
00:34:59,430 --> 00:35:00,500
strong bipartisan support.
813
00:35:00,498 --> 00:35:01,968
The Press: But, ultimately,
today you failed.
814
00:35:01,966 --> 00:35:02,996
Mr. Earnest: It's a pretty
clear indication to me that
815
00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:03,940
our strategy is clear.
816
00:35:03,935 --> 00:35:04,865
The Press: Overall,
you failed, Josh.
817
00:35:04,869 --> 00:35:06,469
The President
didn't win today.
818
00:35:06,471 --> 00:35:08,871
Mr. Earnest: Kristen, I
don't think that that's an
819
00:35:08,873 --> 00:35:10,643
accurate assessment
of what happened.
820
00:35:10,641 --> 00:35:12,411
The fact is, six months ago,
and I think even in the last
821
00:35:12,410 --> 00:35:15,080
couple of months, we could
find questions from you,
822
00:35:15,079 --> 00:35:18,249
asking skeptically -- and
rightfully so -- about the
823
00:35:18,249 --> 00:35:20,589
capacity of the United
States Congress and the
824
00:35:20,585 --> 00:35:22,585
ability of the President to
work with Republicans in the
825
00:35:22,587 --> 00:35:24,287
Congress to try to pass TPA.
826
00:35:24,288 --> 00:35:26,288
And yet that's exactly
what happened today.
827
00:35:26,290 --> 00:35:28,290
There were also some
skeptical questions about
828
00:35:28,292 --> 00:35:30,062
how much Democratic support
the President would be able
829
00:35:30,061 --> 00:35:33,361
to build for this priority;
that there are some who are
830
00:35:33,364 --> 00:35:35,534
saying, well, are you going
to call it a win if you can
831
00:35:35,533 --> 00:35:37,733
only 15 or 18 Democrats?
832
00:35:37,735 --> 00:35:39,735
We got 28 Democrats
to support it.
833
00:35:39,737 --> 00:35:42,607
So from that standpoint, I
think that is -- I think if
834
00:35:42,607 --> 00:35:44,847
you consider the results,
that's a strong endorsement
835
00:35:44,842 --> 00:35:45,842
of our strategy.
836
00:35:45,843 --> 00:35:48,083
But clearly, what I would
concede is that our work is
837
00:35:48,079 --> 00:35:49,079
not done yet.
838
00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:51,080
The Press: Do you worry that
his message is not getting
839
00:35:51,082 --> 00:35:53,922
through when you hear that
type of feedback from Democrats?
840
00:35:53,918 --> 00:35:56,718
Mr. Earnest: No, I don't
worry about that at all.
841
00:35:56,721 --> 00:35:57,191
The Press: Okay.
842
00:35:57,188 --> 00:35:58,628
And more broadly, just to
follow up on Jim's question,
843
00:35:58,623 --> 00:36:01,763
he asked is this
too little too late.
844
00:36:01,759 --> 00:36:03,759
Some Democrat lawmakers say
if the President had begun
845
00:36:03,761 --> 00:36:06,761
to foster relations with
them years ago, that he
846
00:36:06,764 --> 00:36:10,504
would have had more
success on a key piece of
847
00:36:10,501 --> 00:36:12,741
legislation that he's
fighting so hard for.
848
00:36:12,737 --> 00:36:13,737
What's your
reaction to that?
849
00:36:13,738 --> 00:36:15,738
Mr. Earnest: I find it
hard to believe that the
850
00:36:15,740 --> 00:36:17,780
President's attendance at
the 2014 congressional
851
00:36:17,775 --> 00:36:20,575
baseball game would have in
any way contributed to the
852
00:36:20,578 --> 00:36:21,578
vote count today.
853
00:36:21,579 --> 00:36:24,379
The Press: But, Josh, not
just the 2014 baseball game --
854
00:36:24,382 --> 00:36:25,052
Mr. Earnest: Well, that's
the prospect that some have
855
00:36:25,049 --> 00:36:25,779
raised, right?
856
00:36:25,783 --> 00:36:27,283
The Press: -- but having
more outreach on a more
857
00:36:27,285 --> 00:36:27,755
consistent basis --
858
00:36:27,752 --> 00:36:28,322
Mr. Earnest: That's the
prospect that some have
859
00:36:28,319 --> 00:36:29,189
raised -- that, oh, if the
President had just gone to
860
00:36:29,186 --> 00:36:30,886
the congressional baseball
game before, that this kind
861
00:36:30,888 --> 00:36:31,718
of thing wouldn't happen.
862
00:36:31,722 --> 00:36:33,462
The Press: But having a more
robust outreach on a more
863
00:36:33,457 --> 00:36:34,957
consistent basis.
864
00:36:34,959 --> 00:36:35,829
Mr. Earnest: To be honest
with you, Kristen, I think
865
00:36:35,826 --> 00:36:38,566
that the President takes
much more seriously members
866
00:36:38,563 --> 00:36:41,003
of Congress and their
concerns than some people --
867
00:36:40,998 --> 00:36:44,538
than some analysts do when
they're considering how they
868
00:36:44,535 --> 00:36:50,005
make decisions about
significant policy issues.
869
00:36:50,007 --> 00:36:50,907
Mark.
870
00:36:50,908 --> 00:36:53,608
The Press: Josh, did the
White House know in advance
871
00:36:53,611 --> 00:36:56,851
that there would be a vote
on TPA even though TAA
872
00:36:56,847 --> 00:36:58,547
was defeated?
873
00:36:58,549 --> 00:37:01,519
Mr. Earnest: Well, what I'll
say is I think there was
874
00:37:01,519 --> 00:37:05,359
some indication that that
was a possibility today.
875
00:37:05,356 --> 00:37:09,966
But I think, again, just in
the short period of time
876
00:37:09,961 --> 00:37:13,101
that I have been observing
activity on the floor of the
877
00:37:13,097 --> 00:37:15,897
House of Representatives,
you don't know exactly
878
00:37:15,900 --> 00:37:18,240
what's going to happen
until it happens.
879
00:37:18,235 --> 00:37:21,175
But there was some
indication, based on private
880
00:37:21,172 --> 00:37:23,172
conversations we'd had with
Republican leaders, that
881
00:37:23,174 --> 00:37:24,914
that was a possibility.
882
00:37:24,909 --> 00:37:27,849
The Press: Well, since TAA
was defeated, were you
883
00:37:27,845 --> 00:37:30,585
surprised that
TPA was passed?
884
00:37:30,581 --> 00:37:32,881
Mr. Earnest: Well,
to be blunt, no.
885
00:37:32,883 --> 00:37:35,983
There was confidence that
there was a bipartisan
886
00:37:35,987 --> 00:37:40,657
majority that had been built
to pass TPA through the
887
00:37:40,658 --> 00:37:41,658
House of Representatives.
888
00:37:41,659 --> 00:37:43,659
The Press: And at last
night's game, did the
889
00:37:43,661 --> 00:37:47,401
President actually bring
up trade in glad-handing
890
00:37:47,398 --> 00:37:49,398
members of Congress
on the field?
891
00:37:49,400 --> 00:37:52,500
Mr. Earnest: I wasn't there,
so I didn't overhear any of
892
00:37:52,503 --> 00:37:55,573
the conversations that he
may have had with members on
893
00:37:55,573 --> 00:37:56,573
the field.
894
00:37:56,574 --> 00:37:58,574
I think mostly they were
there to have a good time.
895
00:37:58,576 --> 00:38:00,576
I don't know if he had a
chance to twist any arms,
896
00:38:03,948 --> 00:38:06,888
but, again, I think that's
a pretty good illustration
897
00:38:06,884 --> 00:38:08,884
that goes back to what
Kristen was asking.
898
00:38:08,886 --> 00:38:10,886
I don't know if there were
any members of Congress who
899
00:38:10,888 --> 00:38:12,888
would say that the
President's visit to
900
00:38:12,890 --> 00:38:14,890
National's Park last night
changed their vote
901
00:38:14,892 --> 00:38:15,892
on this issue.
902
00:38:15,893 --> 00:38:18,693
The Press: There was already
a lid for the day when it
903
00:38:18,696 --> 00:38:21,536
was announced, or it was
hinted that the President
904
00:38:21,532 --> 00:38:23,232
was going to the game.
905
00:38:23,234 --> 00:38:25,004
Can you tell us how he
decided, you know, I ought
906
00:38:25,002 --> 00:38:26,642
to go to the game?
907
00:38:26,637 --> 00:38:28,037
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
the President did view it as
908
00:38:28,039 --> 00:38:30,379
an opportunity to get out of
the White House, which is
909
00:38:30,374 --> 00:38:32,714
something that he looks
for the chance
910
00:38:32,710 --> 00:38:34,480
to do periodically.
911
00:38:34,478 --> 00:38:36,478
But I do think that he
also thought it would an
912
00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:39,280
opportunity for him to sort
of show some solidarity with
913
00:38:39,283 --> 00:38:41,583
members of Congress, even as
they were out having a good
914
00:38:41,585 --> 00:38:43,585
time on the baseball
diamond; that he could also
915
00:38:43,587 --> 00:38:47,897
sort of demonstrate that
he's paying close attention
916
00:38:47,892 --> 00:38:49,892
to the important work that
they're considering on the
917
00:38:49,894 --> 00:38:51,894
floor of the House of
Representatives these days.
918
00:38:51,896 --> 00:38:53,866
The Press: Clearly, it was a
hastily made decision, no?
919
00:38:53,864 --> 00:38:55,864
Mr. Earnest: It was, on
relatively short notice.
920
00:38:55,866 --> 00:38:58,806
But thanks to the agility of
your colleagues in the press
921
00:38:58,803 --> 00:39:01,403
corps, we got most members
of the White House press
922
00:39:01,405 --> 00:39:04,775
pool into the van
in time to go.
923
00:39:04,775 --> 00:39:05,205
Peter.
924
00:39:05,209 --> 00:39:06,679
The Press: Doug.
925
00:39:06,677 --> 00:39:07,147
Mr. Earnest: Doug.
926
00:39:07,144 --> 00:39:08,384
I'm sorry, Doug.
927
00:39:08,379 --> 00:39:09,249
The Press: That's all right.
928
00:39:09,246 --> 00:39:09,946
Mr. Earnest: I apologize.
929
00:39:09,947 --> 00:39:11,087
The Press: That's all
right, no problem.
930
00:39:11,082 --> 00:39:13,082
Changing subjects to the
cyber intrusion, the cyber
931
00:39:13,084 --> 00:39:16,384
espionage at the Office of
Personnel and Management.
932
00:39:16,387 --> 00:39:18,527
I think it was earlier in
the week you said it was 4.1
933
00:39:18,522 --> 00:39:21,062
former and present federal
employees who were
934
00:39:21,058 --> 00:39:23,828
potentially subject
to this intrusion.
935
00:39:23,828 --> 00:39:27,368
I think the AP reported
today that the number may be
936
00:39:27,364 --> 00:39:28,664
much higher.
937
00:39:28,666 --> 00:39:30,666
So I think two people who
had been briefed on the
938
00:39:30,668 --> 00:39:32,668
matter -- as high
as 14 million.
939
00:39:32,670 --> 00:39:33,670
Can you confirm that?
940
00:39:33,671 --> 00:39:35,671
Mr. Earnest: Doug, at
this point, I don't have
941
00:39:35,673 --> 00:39:37,843
additional details about the
ongoing investigation into
942
00:39:37,842 --> 00:39:39,442
this particular matter.
943
00:39:39,443 --> 00:39:42,913
You will recall that our law
enforcement professionals
944
00:39:42,913 --> 00:39:45,753
did make an announcement at
the end of last week about
945
00:39:45,750 --> 00:39:49,950
their preliminary knowledge
that they had accumulated so
946
00:39:49,954 --> 00:39:54,824
far about the scope of
this particular intrusion.
947
00:39:54,825 --> 00:39:58,795
But that investigation
continues.
948
00:39:58,796 --> 00:40:00,796
The thing that I mentioned
yesterday in talking about
949
00:40:00,798 --> 00:40:04,068
this is that sometimes our
investigators are reluctant
950
00:40:04,068 --> 00:40:06,638
to talk publicly in much
detail about what exactly
951
00:40:06,637 --> 00:40:11,977
they have learned because
it can give some helpful
952
00:40:11,976 --> 00:40:16,676
insight to our adversaries,
frankly, about what kinds of
953
00:40:16,680 --> 00:40:20,180
techniques are used to
investigate and mitigate and
954
00:40:20,184 --> 00:40:23,124
even deter these
kinds of intrusions.
955
00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:27,960
So I know that our
investigators are, however,
956
00:40:27,958 --> 00:40:30,958
committed to making sure
that those who have been
957
00:40:30,961 --> 00:40:35,101
affected by this particular
intrusion are advised as
958
00:40:35,099 --> 00:40:37,969
soon as possible, and that
they get the resources and
959
00:40:37,968 --> 00:40:40,138
information that they need
to make sure that they can
960
00:40:40,137 --> 00:40:41,137
protect themselves.
961
00:40:41,138 --> 00:40:43,938
The Press: I've had a couple
cybersecurity experts tell
962
00:40:43,941 --> 00:40:47,341
me that this is the biggest
cyber intrusion since the
963
00:40:47,344 --> 00:40:49,014
Edward Snowden affair.
964
00:40:49,013 --> 00:40:54,923
And I'm curious, just given
the massive size and scope
965
00:40:54,919 --> 00:40:57,859
of the federal bureaucracy
and the cumbersome nature of
966
00:40:57,855 --> 00:41:01,455
turning around an aircraft
carrier this size, whether
967
00:41:01,458 --> 00:41:03,928
the federal government is
nimble enough to address
968
00:41:03,928 --> 00:41:08,298
these kinds of attacks when
they can be changed so
969
00:41:08,299 --> 00:41:10,499
quickly, yet the federal
government cannot with its
970
00:41:10,501 --> 00:41:14,801
procurement policies have
competitive bidding on
971
00:41:14,805 --> 00:41:16,805
protection for these
kinds of things.
972
00:41:16,807 --> 00:41:18,807
Mr. Earnest: Doug, you're
right that this -- that
973
00:41:18,809 --> 00:41:22,679
protecting the computer
networks of the federal
974
00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:25,250
government is a daunting
challenge, and it does
975
00:41:25,249 --> 00:41:29,889
require the federal
government to be nimble --
976
00:41:29,887 --> 00:41:31,887
something that's difficult
when you're talking about an
977
00:41:31,889 --> 00:41:34,529
organization
that's this large.
978
00:41:34,525 --> 00:41:36,495
There are a number of steps
that this administration has
979
00:41:36,493 --> 00:41:38,493
taken to try to address
those concerns.
980
00:41:38,495 --> 00:41:40,935
We can get you a pretty good
rundown of those things.
981
00:41:40,931 --> 00:41:43,531
But clearly, there's more
that needs to get done.
982
00:41:43,534 --> 00:41:46,904
These are the kinds of
challenges -- this challenge
983
00:41:46,904 --> 00:41:49,404
that's facing the federal
government is not dissimilar
984
00:41:49,406 --> 00:41:52,176
from the challenge that's
facing the private sector,
985
00:41:52,176 --> 00:41:54,846
and large organizations in
the private sector, as well.
986
00:41:54,845 --> 00:41:58,315
And that's one of the
reasons that we have been
987
00:41:58,315 --> 00:42:01,055
pretty forceful in calling
on Congress to pass
988
00:42:01,051 --> 00:42:03,091
cybersecurity legislation
that the President has
989
00:42:03,087 --> 00:42:04,727
already sent up to Congress.
990
00:42:04,722 --> 00:42:10,032
There are some steps that we
could implement that require
991
00:42:10,027 --> 00:42:13,397
congressional authorization
that could make not just the
992
00:42:13,397 --> 00:42:15,767
federal government but also
the private sector more
993
00:42:15,766 --> 00:42:17,866
nimble and more effective
in communicating with one
994
00:42:17,868 --> 00:42:21,438
another to make sure that
we're doing everything we
995
00:42:21,438 --> 00:42:26,108
can to protect the computer
networks and the data of the
996
00:42:26,110 --> 00:42:27,650
American people.
997
00:42:27,645 --> 00:42:29,145
Let me give you one example
of that, and I'll do this
998
00:42:29,146 --> 00:42:32,416
quickly, is one of the
priorities when it comes to
999
00:42:32,416 --> 00:42:35,556
dealing with these matters
-- and in being nimble -- is
1000
00:42:35,552 --> 00:42:36,592
information sharing.
1001
00:42:36,587 --> 00:42:39,457
That one of the things that
we can do is if one private
1002
00:42:39,456 --> 00:42:43,996
sector entity has been the
victim of an intrusion or
1003
00:42:43,994 --> 00:42:47,064
even an attempted intrusion,
sharing information about
1004
00:42:47,064 --> 00:42:51,774
how that intrusion was
attempted with other
1005
00:42:51,769 --> 00:42:55,309
industries and with the
federal government can be an
1006
00:42:55,306 --> 00:42:57,306
effective way of making
sure that other computer
1007
00:42:57,308 --> 00:42:59,308
networks, including the
federal government's
1008
00:42:59,310 --> 00:43:03,880
computer networks, can be
shored up to protect against
1009
00:43:03,881 --> 00:43:04,881
a similar intrusion.
1010
00:43:04,882 --> 00:43:07,982
So that's one of the reasons
that we are aggressively
1011
00:43:07,985 --> 00:43:10,925
advocating Congress to pass
this piece of legislation,
1012
00:43:10,921 --> 00:43:14,361
and it would have a tangible
impact on the ability of
1013
00:43:14,358 --> 00:43:17,328
this country to protect the
data of the American people.
1014
00:43:17,328 --> 00:43:20,268
The Press: Since we know
that the Chinese probably
1015
00:43:20,264 --> 00:43:22,764
have access to background
checks and security
1016
00:43:22,766 --> 00:43:27,936
clearances now, they
therefore know who American
1017
00:43:27,938 --> 00:43:31,708
contacts are in China with
Chinese people, friends,
1018
00:43:31,709 --> 00:43:35,549
family, associates,
confidants in that country.
1019
00:43:35,546 --> 00:43:38,546
Do you think it might be
necessary to remove people
1020
00:43:38,549 --> 00:43:41,589
from embassy positions
in China who have close
1021
00:43:41,585 --> 00:43:44,185
contacts on the outside who
are themselves Chinese?
1022
00:43:44,188 --> 00:43:47,128
Mr. Earnest: Well, Doug, we
have not discussed publicly
1023
00:43:47,124 --> 00:43:51,464
what we know right now about
the extent of this
1024
00:43:51,462 --> 00:43:52,762
cyber intrusion.
1025
00:43:52,763 --> 00:43:56,833
We have acknowledged that,
potentially, sensitive data
1026
00:43:56,834 --> 00:44:00,934
about a substantial number
of federal employees was
1027
00:44:00,938 --> 00:44:03,938
breached, or is at
least now at risk.
1028
00:44:03,941 --> 00:44:06,981
But we haven't talked
publicly about the details
1029
00:44:06,977 --> 00:44:08,117
of that.
1030
00:44:08,112 --> 00:44:11,712
I'm not aware that the State
Department has made the
1031
00:44:11,715 --> 00:44:15,955
decision to take any actions
in response to this
1032
00:44:15,953 --> 00:44:17,153
specific matter.
1033
00:44:17,154 --> 00:44:19,754
But if they have, you
should ask them about it.
1034
00:44:19,757 --> 00:44:21,757
The Press: And quickly,
one last question on this.
1035
00:44:21,759 --> 00:44:25,259
Would people as high as
Cabinet-level officers have
1036
00:44:25,262 --> 00:44:28,262
that data stored at
OPM -- background check
1037
00:44:28,265 --> 00:44:29,935
information, clearance?
1038
00:44:29,933 --> 00:44:31,433
Mr. Earnest: I don't
know the answer to that.
1039
00:44:31,435 --> 00:44:33,435
I know that there is a
substantial amount of data
1040
00:44:33,437 --> 00:44:34,837
that is maintained at OPM.
1041
00:44:34,838 --> 00:44:36,878
We'll see if we can get you
some more details about
1042
00:44:36,874 --> 00:44:37,874
what's there.
1043
00:44:37,875 --> 00:44:40,175
We will not at this point
be able to discuss in much
1044
00:44:40,177 --> 00:44:43,917
detail about which data
or how much data may
1045
00:44:43,914 --> 00:44:47,914
potentially be affected in
this particular incident.
1046
00:44:47,918 --> 00:44:49,288
Jerome.
1047
00:44:49,286 --> 00:44:50,986
The Press: Thank you, Josh.
1048
00:44:50,988 --> 00:44:52,728
A Muslim Brother delegation
was in town this week.
1049
00:44:52,723 --> 00:44:54,763
And I understand they hadn't
had a chance to meet either
1050
00:44:54,758 --> 00:44:58,198
people from State or
here at the White House.
1051
00:44:58,195 --> 00:45:01,035
Have you decided to cut all
ties with this organization?
1052
00:45:01,031 --> 00:45:02,501
Mr. Earnest: No.
1053
00:45:02,499 --> 00:45:04,469
Jerome, there has been no
change in our policy with
1054
00:45:04,468 --> 00:45:07,568
respect to the
Muslim Brotherhood.
1055
00:45:07,571 --> 00:45:11,411
The Obama administration and
the United States routinely
1056
00:45:11,408 --> 00:45:13,608
engage with representatives
from across the political
1057
00:45:13,610 --> 00:45:16,710
spectrum in all countries
around the world.
1058
00:45:16,713 --> 00:45:19,153
And members of the Obama
administration have in the
1059
00:45:19,149 --> 00:45:22,819
past met with Muslim
Brotherhood representatives
1060
00:45:22,820 --> 00:45:25,690
including as recently
as earlier this year.
1061
00:45:25,689 --> 00:45:28,389
So it is true that no one
from the White House or from
1062
00:45:28,392 --> 00:45:31,092
the administration met with
the current delegation, but
1063
00:45:31,095 --> 00:45:33,665
that does not reflect any
change in our policy toward
1064
00:45:33,664 --> 00:45:35,764
the Muslim Brotherhood.
1065
00:45:35,766 --> 00:45:37,436
The Press: Why is that then?
1066
00:45:37,434 --> 00:45:42,804
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
I don't have a detailed
1067
00:45:42,806 --> 00:45:44,946
explanation to share with
you, other than to say that
1068
00:45:44,942 --> 00:45:48,412
we're going to choose when
is the appropriate time to
1069
00:45:48,412 --> 00:45:52,852
meet with these
foreign interlocutors.
1070
00:45:52,850 --> 00:45:54,590
And we have obviously met
with the Muslim Brotherhood
1071
00:45:54,585 --> 00:45:57,055
in the past, as recently
as early this year.
1072
00:45:57,054 --> 00:45:59,824
But on this visit, no one
from the administration will
1073
00:45:59,823 --> 00:46:01,823
be meeting with them.
1074
00:46:01,825 --> 00:46:02,825
Olivier.
1075
00:46:02,826 --> 00:46:06,796
The Press: Back on the OPM
hack, Harry Reid has said
1076
00:46:06,797 --> 00:46:08,997
that the Chinese were
behind this hack.
1077
00:46:08,999 --> 00:46:11,499
Do you dispute that
characterization?
1078
00:46:11,502 --> 00:46:14,702
Mr. Earnest: Well, Olivier,
we have declined to offer
1079
00:46:14,705 --> 00:46:19,245
our own official assessment
about who may be responsible
1080
00:46:19,243 --> 00:46:20,643
for this particular
intrusion.
1081
00:46:20,644 --> 00:46:24,544
So I don't have any
information to share with
1082
00:46:24,548 --> 00:46:25,448
you on that.
1083
00:46:25,449 --> 00:46:26,449
The Press: Okay.
1084
00:46:26,450 --> 00:46:29,390
It wasn't that long ago
that the President made new
1085
00:46:29,386 --> 00:46:31,986
policy by green-lighting the
use of economic sanctions
1086
00:46:31,989 --> 00:46:36,759
against people tied to cyber
intrusions, such as this
1087
00:46:36,760 --> 00:46:38,760
one, potentially -- though
obviously it was announced
1088
00:46:38,762 --> 00:46:39,762
before this.
1089
00:46:39,763 --> 00:46:42,403
How close are you to
announcing -- if you plan to
1090
00:46:42,399 --> 00:46:44,769
announce -- retaliatory
steps targeting either
1091
00:46:44,768 --> 00:46:47,008
individuals or nation
states at this point?
1092
00:46:47,004 --> 00:46:51,804
Mr. Earnest: It's correct,
Olivier, the President did
1093
00:46:51,808 --> 00:46:54,348
sign an executive order
earlier this year
1094
00:46:54,344 --> 00:46:57,244
authorizing the Secretary
of Treasury to make some
1095
00:46:57,247 --> 00:47:00,947
decisions about designating
for sanctions individuals
1096
00:47:00,951 --> 00:47:03,791
who may be responsible for
specific cyber intrusions or
1097
00:47:03,787 --> 00:47:08,727
just merely benefit from
those cyber intrusions.
1098
00:47:08,725 --> 00:47:11,065
In talking about sanctions
in the past, you know that
1099
00:47:11,061 --> 00:47:14,901
we have often said that it
is not in our interest to
1100
00:47:14,898 --> 00:47:19,308
telegraph in advance any
decisions that we may be
1101
00:47:19,303 --> 00:47:23,603
making related to sanctions,
primarily because it gives
1102
00:47:23,607 --> 00:47:27,007
those who may be targeted
the opportunity to move
1103
00:47:27,010 --> 00:47:30,450
around their assets to try
to escape these sanctions.
1104
00:47:30,447 --> 00:47:32,617
So I don't have much
insight to share with you,
1105
00:47:32,616 --> 00:47:34,686
unfortunately, about
where we are in that
1106
00:47:34,685 --> 00:47:36,825
decision-making process
other than to confirm for
1107
00:47:36,820 --> 00:47:41,120
you that this newly
available option is one that
1108
00:47:41,124 --> 00:47:42,124
is on the table.
1109
00:47:42,125 --> 00:47:44,095
The Press: A few more on the
same subject, and I'll try
1110
00:47:44,094 --> 00:47:45,124
to keep it quick.
1111
00:47:45,128 --> 00:47:48,028
First, how concerned are you
that this is going to chase
1112
00:47:48,031 --> 00:47:51,231
qualified people out of
government, or dissuade
1113
00:47:51,235 --> 00:47:54,375
qualified people from
joining government if they
1114
00:47:54,371 --> 00:47:56,771
worry that their
confidential information --
1115
00:47:56,773 --> 00:47:59,673
and some of these forms get
into a lot of detail, and
1116
00:47:59,676 --> 00:48:01,676
they're very personal
information --
1117
00:48:01,678 --> 00:48:02,378
if this is compromised?
1118
00:48:02,379 --> 00:48:03,879
How concerned are
you about that?
1119
00:48:03,880 --> 00:48:06,680
Mr. Earnest: Well, Olivier,
I think the reason I'm not
1120
00:48:06,683 --> 00:48:09,483
particularly concerned about
that matter is that this is
1121
00:48:09,486 --> 00:48:12,056
a challenge that is facing
the private sector as well.
1122
00:48:12,055 --> 00:48:14,125
And I know that those
individuals who are being
1123
00:48:14,124 --> 00:48:16,924
recruited by private sector
entities also have to turn
1124
00:48:16,927 --> 00:48:21,637
over significant amounts
of personal information.
1125
00:48:21,632 --> 00:48:26,642
And the need and the
strategy for protecting that
1126
00:48:26,637 --> 00:48:31,237
information is something
that both private sector
1127
00:48:31,241 --> 00:48:34,641
experts and federal
government experts grapple with.
1128
00:48:34,645 --> 00:48:37,315
In fact, the President spent
a lot of time encouraging
1129
00:48:37,314 --> 00:48:40,514
those in the private sector
to coordinate with federal
1130
00:48:40,517 --> 00:48:42,517
government experts so that
they can share knowledge and
1131
00:48:42,519 --> 00:48:45,319
best practices and devise
strategies that will bolster
1132
00:48:45,322 --> 00:48:48,262
the defenses of both public
and private computer systems.
1133
00:48:48,258 --> 00:48:51,958
So trying to facilitate that
kind of coordination we
1134
00:48:51,962 --> 00:48:54,362
believe will
benefit everybody.
1135
00:48:54,364 --> 00:48:56,634
But there's no doubt that
this is a significant
1136
00:48:56,633 --> 00:48:59,433
challenge and one that is a
priority for many private
1137
00:48:59,436 --> 00:49:00,976
sector companies.
1138
00:49:00,971 --> 00:49:05,241
It's also a priority for the
President and every federal
1139
00:49:05,242 --> 00:49:06,782
government agency that
he's responsible for.
1140
00:49:06,777 --> 00:49:08,207
The Press: Last one for you.
1141
00:49:08,211 --> 00:49:12,281
A lot of federal employees
have received emails telling
1142
00:49:12,282 --> 00:49:14,122
that their information was
compromised and offering
1143
00:49:14,117 --> 00:49:18,217
them support with
credit monitoring.
1144
00:49:18,221 --> 00:49:20,061
Have you received that
message, and have you
1145
00:49:20,057 --> 00:49:22,057
availed yourself
of that service?
1146
00:49:22,059 --> 00:49:24,059
Mr. Earnest: I have not
received that message at
1147
00:49:24,061 --> 00:49:25,061
this point.
1148
00:49:25,062 --> 00:49:27,062
My understanding is that
the notification process,
1149
00:49:27,064 --> 00:49:29,164
though, is one that
is a rolling one.
1150
00:49:29,166 --> 00:49:29,996
Toluse.
1151
00:49:30,000 --> 00:49:31,700
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
1152
00:49:31,702 --> 00:49:35,172
Just one on OPM before I
have another question on trade.
1153
00:49:35,172 --> 00:49:38,912
On the OPM hack, it sounds
like you're not willing to
1154
00:49:38,909 --> 00:49:42,149
give a number in terms of --
we're hearing as high
1155
00:49:42,145 --> 00:49:42,915
as 14 million.
1156
00:49:42,913 --> 00:49:44,753
But if you're not -- if you
don't want to go that far,
1157
00:49:44,748 --> 00:49:47,188
are you at least willing
to say that during the
1158
00:49:47,184 --> 00:49:51,824
investigation, the FBI has
expanded beyond the initial
1159
00:49:51,822 --> 00:49:55,292
estimates and that you
actually believe that it's
1160
00:49:55,292 --> 00:49:58,292
broader than what it was
when you first announced?
1161
00:49:58,295 --> 00:50:00,165
Mr. Earnest: Toluse, I don't
have any details to share
1162
00:50:00,163 --> 00:50:02,263
with you about the
investigation at this point.
1163
00:50:02,265 --> 00:50:06,135
That as our investigators at
the FBI and DHS gather more
1164
00:50:06,136 --> 00:50:09,476
information, and if they're
comfortable -- if they reach
1165
00:50:09,473 --> 00:50:11,473
a point where they're
comfortable sharing more
1166
00:50:11,475 --> 00:50:13,645
information, I'm
confident that they will.
1167
00:50:13,643 --> 00:50:15,643
But that information will
come from them first, not
1168
00:50:15,645 --> 00:50:17,645
from me, because they'll
be making the decisions
1169
00:50:17,647 --> 00:50:19,787
consistent with what they
believe is in the best
1170
00:50:19,783 --> 00:50:21,783
interest of the
ongoing investigation.
1171
00:50:21,785 --> 00:50:22,855
The Press: So the 4 million
number that we heard last
1172
00:50:22,853 --> 00:50:25,853
week, is that the number
that you're sticking to?
1173
00:50:25,856 --> 00:50:26,686
Is that a --
1174
00:50:26,690 --> 00:50:28,060
Mr. Earnest: Well, that is
the latest number that was
1175
00:50:28,058 --> 00:50:29,658
announced by the Department
of Homeland Security, I
1176
00:50:29,659 --> 00:50:31,859
believe, and I don't have
any updates for you beyond that.
1177
00:50:31,862 --> 00:50:35,032
The Press: And then also,
last week you were asked
1178
00:50:35,031 --> 00:50:37,301
about whether or not federal
contractors were a part of
1179
00:50:37,300 --> 00:50:39,100
this, and you said
you didn't think so.
1180
00:50:39,102 --> 00:50:41,242
Is there any update to that?
1181
00:50:41,238 --> 00:50:42,778
Mr. Earnest: I actuall
don't know the answer to
1182
00:50:42,773 --> 00:50:44,373
that question.
1183
00:50:44,374 --> 00:50:47,014
We'll see if we can get
you an answer to that.
1184
00:50:47,010 --> 00:50:49,010
The other thing you can do
is actually contact OPM and
1185
00:50:49,012 --> 00:50:51,012
see if they can get
you an answer too.
1186
00:50:51,014 --> 00:50:53,014
But if both of us try that,
maybe we'll get you an answer.
1187
00:50:53,016 --> 00:50:56,486
The Press: And on trade, the
TAA issue came up actually I
1188
00:50:56,486 --> 00:51:00,656
think back on Monday or
Tuesday with the Medicare fix.
1189
00:51:00,657 --> 00:51:03,427
And it seemed like Speaker
Pelosi -- Leader Pelosi
1190
00:51:03,427 --> 00:51:04,727
was on board.
1191
00:51:04,728 --> 00:51:08,228
She worked out a deal with
John Boehner to fix that and
1192
00:51:08,231 --> 00:51:11,371
take that off the table, and
then it ended up that she
1193
00:51:11,368 --> 00:51:12,668
voted against it.
1194
00:51:12,669 --> 00:51:16,339
Were you surprised that
after being on board she
1195
00:51:16,339 --> 00:51:19,039
switched -- seemed to
come out against it?
1196
00:51:19,042 --> 00:51:22,912
And should the White House
have done more to attack the
1197
00:51:22,913 --> 00:51:25,653
TAA issue since you knew
about this much earlier in
1198
00:51:25,649 --> 00:51:27,789
the week and the President
didn't show up on the Hill
1199
00:51:27,784 --> 00:51:30,924
until Friday to take on
this issue specifically?
1200
00:51:30,921 --> 00:51:33,561
Mr. Earnest: Well, Toluse,
a couple things about that.
1201
00:51:33,557 --> 00:51:35,297
The President has been
engaged in having a number
1202
00:51:35,292 --> 00:51:38,692
of telephone conversations
and in-person conversations
1203
00:51:38,695 --> 00:51:44,205
over the last several
weeks on this issue.
1204
00:51:44,201 --> 00:51:47,271
So I'm not sure anybody can
question the President's
1205
00:51:47,270 --> 00:51:50,410
commitment to engaging
on this issue to build
1206
00:51:50,407 --> 00:51:52,977
important bipartisan support
for a legislative priority
1207
00:51:52,976 --> 00:51:53,976
of his.
1208
00:51:53,977 --> 00:51:56,447
And I think there is
tangible evidence to
1209
00:51:56,446 --> 00:51:58,546
indicate that that strategy
was successful because of
1210
00:51:58,548 --> 00:52:03,218
the passage with a
bipartisan majority of
1211
00:52:03,220 --> 00:52:04,620
TPA legislation.
1212
00:52:04,621 --> 00:52:09,061
We obviously have additional
work to do on the TAA bill.
1213
00:52:09,059 --> 00:52:13,399
When we were discussing
this earlier this week, I
1214
00:52:13,396 --> 00:52:16,536
complimented both Leader
Pelosi and Speaker Boehner
1215
00:52:16,533 --> 00:52:19,403
for effectively coordinating
to resolve some concerns
1216
00:52:19,402 --> 00:52:23,242
that some Democrats had
raised about the pay-for of
1217
00:52:23,240 --> 00:52:25,310
the TAA bill.
1218
00:52:25,308 --> 00:52:28,848
And in the days ahead --
again, I hope that Democrats
1219
00:52:28,845 --> 00:52:32,415
and Republicans will summon
a similar bipartisan spirit
1220
00:52:32,415 --> 00:52:35,415
to build a bipartisan
majority for this
1221
00:52:35,418 --> 00:52:38,688
legislation that, again, in
the past, has earned strong
1222
00:52:38,688 --> 00:52:41,888
support from Democratic
members of the House of
1223
00:52:41,892 --> 00:52:44,232
Representatives -- unanimous
support last time it
1224
00:52:44,227 --> 00:52:45,827
was considered.
1225
00:52:45,829 --> 00:52:47,829
There also is ample reason
for Republicans to consider
1226
00:52:47,831 --> 00:52:49,831
voting for this
piece of legislation.
1227
00:52:49,833 --> 00:52:51,133
We saw a substantial number
of Republicans vote for it
1228
00:52:51,134 --> 00:52:55,374
today, including the
Speaker of the House.
1229
00:52:55,372 --> 00:53:00,482
And we're hopeful that House
Republicans will continue to
1230
00:53:00,477 --> 00:53:03,417
lend support to a program
that the President believes
1231
00:53:03,413 --> 00:53:06,183
is critically important to
supporting middle-class
1232
00:53:06,182 --> 00:53:10,052
families, particularly those
that are dealing with the
1233
00:53:10,053 --> 00:53:12,093
challenging forces
of globalization.
1234
00:53:12,088 --> 00:53:14,928
The Press: So does your
strategy on trade sort of
1235
00:53:14,925 --> 00:53:19,165
shift now to a new strategy
specifically focused on TAA?
1236
00:53:19,162 --> 00:53:25,172
And if so, what is the new
tactic that you're going to use?
1237
00:53:25,168 --> 00:53:27,008
Are you mostly going to
focus on getting Democrats
1238
00:53:27,003 --> 00:53:30,543
to I guess be fearful that
this program is going to end
1239
00:53:30,540 --> 00:53:31,680
in September?
1240
00:53:31,675 --> 00:53:34,575
Or are you going to try to
get Republicans to change
1241
00:53:34,578 --> 00:53:37,378
their position and get
the total package passed?
1242
00:53:37,380 --> 00:53:39,220
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
what has served us well in
1243
00:53:39,215 --> 00:53:43,555
this process so far in terms
of successfully passing TPA
1244
00:53:43,553 --> 00:53:46,023
through the Senate and
passing TAA through the
1245
00:53:46,022 --> 00:53:49,892
Senate in bipartisan
fashion, again, passing TPA
1246
00:53:49,893 --> 00:53:53,563
through the House in
bipartisan fashion today --
1247
00:53:53,563 --> 00:53:56,133
that's an indication that
our strategy has worked.
1248
00:53:56,132 --> 00:53:58,832
And we obviously have more
work to do, but our strategy
1249
00:53:58,835 --> 00:54:01,935
has been to make the case
to both Democrats and
1250
00:54:01,938 --> 00:54:05,808
Republicans about why
they should support
1251
00:54:05,809 --> 00:54:06,979
this legislation.
1252
00:54:06,977 --> 00:54:10,217
Now, there are certain
arguments that Republicans
1253
00:54:10,213 --> 00:54:12,053
find more persuasive, and
there are other arguments
1254
00:54:12,048 --> 00:54:14,388
that Democrats find
more persuasive.
1255
00:54:14,384 --> 00:54:16,084
I actually would just submit
that that means that there
1256
00:54:16,086 --> 00:54:18,356
are a whole lot of
reasons to support TPA.
1257
00:54:18,355 --> 00:54:23,225
The same applies
when it comes to TAA.
1258
00:54:23,226 --> 00:54:26,326
And again, this also is
not about trying to
1259
00:54:26,329 --> 00:54:28,069
scare people.
1260
00:54:28,064 --> 00:54:30,464
This is actually about
raising a legitimate concern.
1261
00:54:30,467 --> 00:54:33,907
The fact is, this is a piece
of legislation, a program
1262
00:54:33,903 --> 00:54:36,673
that previously was
supported by every single
1263
00:54:36,673 --> 00:54:38,913
Democrat in the House of
Representatives that is set
1264
00:54:38,908 --> 00:54:41,178
to expire at the
end of September.
1265
00:54:41,177 --> 00:54:44,717
And what the President has
advocated doing is not just
1266
00:54:44,714 --> 00:54:47,954
preventing the lapse of that
program; the President has
1267
00:54:47,951 --> 00:54:50,821
actually put forward a
specific proposal with a
1268
00:54:50,820 --> 00:54:53,720
specific pay-for that was
worked out between Leader
1269
00:54:53,723 --> 00:54:57,063
Pelosi and Speaker Boehner
to significantly expand that
1270
00:54:57,060 --> 00:55:00,060
program in a way that would
double the amount of money
1271
00:55:00,063 --> 00:55:03,603
that's available every year,
and in a way that would
1272
00:55:03,600 --> 00:55:07,300
allow 17,000 people who over
the last 18 months have
1273
00:55:07,303 --> 00:55:09,643
previously seen their
applications rejected, to
1274
00:55:09,639 --> 00:55:12,909
allow them to have their
applications reconsidered.
1275
00:55:12,909 --> 00:55:17,949
These are 17,000 workers
who are in need right now.
1276
00:55:17,947 --> 00:55:21,487
And if the House will pass
this bill, we can set about
1277
00:55:21,484 --> 00:55:24,454
the work of trying to
consider their eligibility
1278
00:55:24,454 --> 00:55:26,454
again, under a different
set of circumstances.
1279
00:55:26,456 --> 00:55:31,096
That is going to open up
access to these important
1280
00:55:31,094 --> 00:55:35,034
benefits to many more
people, and that is entirely
1281
00:55:35,031 --> 00:55:38,171
consistent with the kind of
progressive values that the
1282
00:55:38,168 --> 00:55:40,568
President has long
championed and that we know
1283
00:55:40,570 --> 00:55:43,370
are strongly supported by
members of -- Democratic
1284
00:55:43,373 --> 00:55:45,373
members of the House of
Representatives, and even
1285
00:55:45,375 --> 00:55:46,675
some Republicans.
1286
00:55:46,676 --> 00:55:47,206
Cheryl.
1287
00:55:47,210 --> 00:55:49,610
The Press: So a little
bit to follow up on that.
1288
00:55:49,612 --> 00:55:52,652
When Leader Pelosi was on
the floor, she was talking
1289
00:55:52,649 --> 00:55:56,749
about trying to get a
better deal for workers.
1290
00:55:56,753 --> 00:56:00,623
Has she asked you, or is
seeking more money, or a
1291
00:56:00,623 --> 00:56:02,923
greater package?
1292
00:56:02,926 --> 00:56:04,896
Is there something
you can offer her?
1293
00:56:04,894 --> 00:56:07,494
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm
not aware of any specific
1294
00:56:07,497 --> 00:56:10,037
requests that Leader Pelosi
may have made, but again,
1295
00:56:10,033 --> 00:56:12,473
this has been part of the
conversations that she's had
1296
00:56:12,469 --> 00:56:15,069
with Speaker Boehner.
1297
00:56:15,071 --> 00:56:17,811
And it's possible that there
may be some requests that
1298
00:56:17,807 --> 00:56:21,547
have been made of
the White House.
1299
00:56:21,544 --> 00:56:23,884
But again, I think the case
that we would make would be
1300
00:56:23,880 --> 00:56:27,120
focused on the amount of
benefits that are included here.
1301
00:56:27,117 --> 00:56:30,087
And again, I wouldn't --
we'll send you the letter
1302
00:56:30,086 --> 00:56:32,756
from Secretary Perez that he
sent to the Hill yesterday,
1303
00:56:32,756 --> 00:56:35,926
the detailing, the extensive
assistance that would be
1304
00:56:35,925 --> 00:56:38,295
offered in this legislation,
and explaining how this
1305
00:56:38,294 --> 00:56:42,094
isn't just a renewal of a
previously passed package,
1306
00:56:42,098 --> 00:56:45,898
but actually is a
significant expansion of it.
1307
00:56:45,902 --> 00:56:46,502
Jordan.
1308
00:56:46,503 --> 00:56:47,933
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
1309
00:56:47,937 --> 00:56:49,907
I just wanted to bring your
attention to something that
1310
00:56:49,906 --> 00:56:51,906
Congressman Jim Himes said;
he's one of your supporters
1311
00:56:51,908 --> 00:56:52,908
on trade.
1312
00:56:52,909 --> 00:56:54,549
He said today's vote on TAA
1313
00:56:54,544 --> 00:56:56,544
"hobbled the Democratic President."
1314
00:56:56,546 --> 00:56:59,846
So I'm just wondering how
you square the claim that
1315
00:56:59,849 --> 00:57:02,619
the strategy is working when
even your allies are saying
1316
00:57:02,619 --> 00:57:04,859
-- or suggesting that the
President's powers of
1317
00:57:04,854 --> 00:57:06,824
persuasion are perhaps
diminished here.
1318
00:57:06,823 --> 00:57:08,823
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
all I would do -- and I
1319
00:57:08,825 --> 00:57:10,825
would say this to
Congressman Himes too -- is
1320
00:57:10,827 --> 00:57:12,827
I would just encourage him
to consider the track record
1321
00:57:12,829 --> 00:57:15,829
here; that over the last
month, we've seen that the
1322
00:57:15,832 --> 00:57:18,872
Senate came together and
beat the odds and built a
1323
00:57:18,868 --> 00:57:21,108
bipartisan majority
to pass TPA.
1324
00:57:21,104 --> 00:57:23,244
The Senate came together,
built a bipartisan majority
1325
00:57:23,239 --> 00:57:24,979
to pass TAA.
1326
00:57:24,974 --> 00:57:26,944
Just today, the House
of Representatives came
1327
00:57:26,943 --> 00:57:29,543
together, built a bipartisan
majority, even in the face
1328
00:57:29,546 --> 00:57:31,546
of some pretty intense
skepticism inside the
1329
00:57:31,548 --> 00:57:34,088
Beltway, and passed TPA.
1330
00:57:34,083 --> 00:57:36,083
The remaining stumbling
block, one that I
1331
00:57:36,085 --> 00:57:38,185
acknowledge remains, is when
it comes to trade
1332
00:57:38,188 --> 00:57:39,188
adjustment assistance.
1333
00:57:39,189 --> 00:57:41,989
But I think as I've done a
number of times here already
1334
00:57:41,991 --> 00:57:44,661
today, we've got a very
strong case to make to
1335
00:57:44,661 --> 00:57:47,261
Democrats about how
middle-class families all
1336
00:57:47,263 --> 00:57:50,403
across the country would
benefit significantly from
1337
00:57:50,400 --> 00:57:54,240
the proposed expansion of
trade adjustment assistance.
1338
00:57:54,237 --> 00:57:56,237
And we're going to make
the case that they should
1339
00:57:56,239 --> 00:57:58,909
support it, and we'll
keep doing that.
1340
00:57:58,908 --> 00:57:59,908
Sarah.
1341
00:57:59,909 --> 00:58:00,909
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
1342
00:58:00,910 --> 00:58:02,910
I think after today's vote
and floor statements it's
1343
00:58:02,912 --> 00:58:04,912
fair to say that all the
current leaders of the
1344
00:58:04,914 --> 00:58:06,914
Democratic Party have come
out and taken a
1345
00:58:06,916 --> 00:58:07,916
position on trade.
1346
00:58:07,917 --> 00:58:09,857
Hillary Clinton is the
frontrunner right now to be
1347
00:58:09,853 --> 00:58:12,093
the future leader of
the Democratic Party.
1348
00:58:12,088 --> 00:58:15,258
She would benefit from
fast-track authority if she
1349
00:58:15,258 --> 00:58:17,458
became President.
1350
00:58:17,460 --> 00:58:21,200
How would it affect things
in the House if she came out
1351
00:58:21,197 --> 00:58:22,567
and took a position?
1352
00:58:22,565 --> 00:58:26,365
And is President Obama
satisfied with the
1353
00:58:26,369 --> 00:58:29,109
leadership being shown
right now from one of his
1354
00:58:29,105 --> 00:58:31,005
potential successors?
1355
00:58:31,007 --> 00:58:33,147
Mr. Earnest: We would be
very concerned about the
1356
00:58:33,142 --> 00:58:37,082
position of Secretary
Clinton if she had a vote in
1357
00:58:37,080 --> 00:58:39,480
the House of
Representatives.
1358
00:58:39,482 --> 00:58:42,582
I assure you that if she
did, she would be subject to
1359
00:58:42,585 --> 00:58:45,285
a pretty aggressive lobbying
campaign by the
1360
00:58:45,288 --> 00:58:47,588
President on down.
1361
00:58:47,590 --> 00:58:50,890
And we would be optimistic
about the persuasive case we
1362
00:58:50,894 --> 00:58:52,794
would be able to make.
1363
00:58:52,795 --> 00:58:55,265
Unfortunately, however, she
does not have a vote in the
1364
00:58:55,265 --> 00:58:56,265
House of Representatives.
1365
00:58:56,266 --> 00:58:59,266
She's doing what she's
supposed to be doing right
1366
00:58:59,269 --> 00:59:02,209
now, which is focused on
running a presidential campaign.
1367
00:59:02,205 --> 00:59:03,845
And --
1368
00:59:03,840 --> 00:59:04,610
The Press: So you don't
think she'd be influential?
1369
00:59:04,607 --> 00:59:05,237
Sorry to cut you off.
1370
00:59:05,241 --> 00:59:06,511
But you don't think she's be
influential to
1371
00:59:06,509 --> 00:59:09,479
these House members?
1372
00:59:09,479 --> 00:59:11,279
She would potentially be at
the top of the ticket in the
1373
00:59:11,281 --> 00:59:13,421
reelections that they're
concerned about.
1374
00:59:13,416 --> 00:59:15,886
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
it is entirely possible that
1375
00:59:15,885 --> 00:59:19,185
-- she is obviously a
significant figure in the
1376
00:59:19,188 --> 00:59:21,588
Democratic Party, and people
care a lot about what she
1377
00:59:21,591 --> 00:59:22,591
has to say.
1378
00:59:22,592 --> 00:59:27,062
But she's focused on running
her campaign right now, and
1379
00:59:27,063 --> 00:59:29,603
is not focused on whipping
votes in the House of
1380
00:59:29,599 --> 00:59:31,639
Representatives, one
way or the other.
1381
00:59:31,634 --> 00:59:33,604
And that means that she's
got her priorities straight
1382
00:59:33,603 --> 00:59:34,603
right now.
1383
00:59:34,604 --> 00:59:38,204
The Press: As others have
mentioned, there is this
1384
00:59:38,207 --> 00:59:40,947
perception that throughout
the President's term, that
1385
00:59:40,944 --> 00:59:44,514
he hasn't really engaged
very much with members of
1386
00:59:44,514 --> 00:59:47,314
Congress, and you have
contested that perception.
1387
00:59:47,317 --> 00:59:51,657
But why is that so
widespread if it's not the case?
1388
00:59:51,654 --> 00:59:54,754
Mr. Earnest: Well,
frankly, I don't know.
1389
00:59:54,757 --> 00:59:58,657
I think that what the
President has pursued is a
1390
00:59:58,661 --> 01:00:02,601
strategy that has sought to
engage members of Congress
1391
01:00:02,598 --> 01:00:04,598
on important
legislative priorities.
1392
01:00:04,600 --> 01:00:06,840
And I think that's been on
full display not just in the
1393
01:00:06,836 --> 01:00:10,276
last 24 hours or so, but
over the last several weeks,
1394
01:00:10,273 --> 01:00:13,013
particularly on this
particular trade issue.
1395
01:00:13,009 --> 01:00:15,049
And it served us very well
in terms of the success
1396
01:00:15,044 --> 01:00:17,344
we've had in passing these
legislative priorities
1397
01:00:17,347 --> 01:00:18,347
through the Senate.
1398
01:00:18,348 --> 01:00:21,288
We've got some additional
work to do in the House, but
1399
01:00:21,284 --> 01:00:23,284
we're pleased with the
important progress that
1400
01:00:23,286 --> 01:00:26,226
we've already made so far.
1401
01:00:26,222 --> 01:00:28,222
Fred, I'll give you the last
one, and we'll do the
1402
01:00:28,224 --> 01:00:29,224
week ahead.
1403
01:00:29,225 --> 01:00:32,795
The Press: Something that
has come up in the course of
1404
01:00:32,795 --> 01:00:37,035
the debate is something that
Paul Ryan had addressed this
1405
01:00:37,033 --> 01:00:41,673
week, is whether TPA might
down the road allow the
1406
01:00:41,671 --> 01:00:45,741
President to implement
climate rules or
1407
01:00:45,742 --> 01:00:47,242
immigration rules.
1408
01:00:47,243 --> 01:00:50,983
One Republican during the
House debate said that his
1409
01:00:50,980 --> 01:00:52,750
concerns about that
were satisfied.
1410
01:00:52,749 --> 01:00:55,189
I wanted to ask, from the
White House perspective,
1411
01:00:55,184 --> 01:00:58,624
would the White House or
would the administration
1412
01:00:58,621 --> 01:01:01,091
ever consider using future
trade deals if TPA is put
1413
01:01:01,090 --> 01:01:04,290
into place for climate
or immigration?
1414
01:01:04,293 --> 01:01:05,663
Mr. Earnest: My
understanding, Fred, is
1415
01:01:05,661 --> 01:01:07,631
there's actually specific
language that's included in
1416
01:01:07,630 --> 01:01:09,630
the legislation that
prohibits that.
1417
01:01:09,632 --> 01:01:13,632
This, I think, is a pretty
good example of where there
1418
01:01:13,636 --> 01:01:15,636
are significant
disagreements between
1419
01:01:15,638 --> 01:01:19,208
Democrats and -- between
Republicans and this President.
1420
01:01:19,208 --> 01:01:23,648
And we've made clear that
we believe that immigration
1421
01:01:23,646 --> 01:01:27,416
reform is a priority because
of the economic benefits it
1422
01:01:27,417 --> 01:01:30,987
would shower on our economy.
1423
01:01:30,987 --> 01:01:32,987
We've also made clear that
dealing with climate change
1424
01:01:32,989 --> 01:01:34,259
is a top priority.
1425
01:01:34,257 --> 01:01:37,297
But the fact is, the
President has sought very
1426
01:01:37,293 --> 01:01:40,093
aggressively to make
progress in those areas, and
1427
01:01:40,096 --> 01:01:43,036
he didn't need TPA to do it.
1428
01:01:43,032 --> 01:01:47,442
So the President is going to
continue to advocate dealing
1429
01:01:47,437 --> 01:01:50,077
with the causes of climate
change, and the President is
1430
01:01:50,073 --> 01:01:52,073
going to continue to
implement many of the
1431
01:01:52,075 --> 01:01:54,145
executive actions that he
announced at the end of last
1432
01:01:54,143 --> 01:01:57,013
year to reform our broken
immigration system.
1433
01:02:00,316 --> 01:02:02,516
So that's what the
President's focus is on.
1434
01:02:02,518 --> 01:02:03,518
Let's do the week ahead.
1435
01:02:03,519 --> 01:02:05,159
The Press: That's TWA.
1436
01:02:05,154 --> 01:02:06,654
Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry?
1437
01:02:06,656 --> 01:02:07,486
The Press: "The
Week Ahead" -- TWA.
1438
01:02:07,490 --> 01:02:09,590
Mr. Earnest: (laughs)
Ah, yes, it is.
1439
01:02:09,592 --> 01:02:10,262
Yes it is.
1440
01:02:10,259 --> 01:02:11,259
The Press: TPA --
1441
01:02:11,260 --> 01:02:13,200
Mr. Earnest: There has been
a lot of acronyms todays.
1442
01:02:13,196 --> 01:02:16,196
A lot of acronyms.
1443
01:02:16,199 --> 01:02:18,699
On Monday, the President
will attend the graduation
1444
01:02:18,701 --> 01:02:22,771
ceremony for participants
in the 2015 White House
1445
01:02:22,772 --> 01:02:25,712
Mentoring and
Leadership Program.
1446
01:02:25,708 --> 01:02:27,848
On Tuesday, the President
will attend meetings here at
1447
01:02:27,844 --> 01:02:29,014
the White House.
1448
01:02:29,011 --> 01:02:31,311
On Wednesday, the President
will deliver remarks at an
1449
01:02:31,314 --> 01:02:33,354
investiture ceremony for
Attorney General Loretta
1450
01:02:33,349 --> 01:02:37,249
Lynch over at the
Warner Theatre.
1451
01:02:37,253 --> 01:02:39,123
On Wednesday evening, the
President will, here at the
1452
01:02:39,122 --> 01:02:41,122
White House -- this should
be interesting -- host a
1453
01:02:41,124 --> 01:02:42,124
picnic for members
of Congress.
1454
01:02:42,125 --> 01:02:44,265
So that'll be fun.
1455
01:02:44,260 --> 01:02:46,130
(laughter)
1456
01:02:46,129 --> 01:02:49,899
On Thursday, the President
will travel to the Los
1457
01:02:49,899 --> 01:02:53,039
Angeles, California area
to attend a handful of
1458
01:02:53,035 --> 01:02:54,035
DNC events.
1459
01:02:54,036 --> 01:02:56,036
And the President will
spend Thursday night
1460
01:02:56,038 --> 01:02:57,408
in Los Angeles.
1461
01:02:57,406 --> 01:02:59,846
On Friday, the President is
scheduled to travel to San
1462
01:02:59,842 --> 01:03:02,242
Francisco, California -- or
at least the Bay Area -- to
1463
01:03:02,245 --> 01:03:04,245
deliver remarks at the
Annual Meeting of the United
1464
01:03:04,247 --> 01:03:07,787
States Conference of Mayors,
as well as attend DNC and
1465
01:03:07,783 --> 01:03:09,283
DCCC events.
1466
01:03:09,285 --> 01:03:11,285
We'll have additional
details about the
1467
01:03:11,287 --> 01:03:13,527
President's trip to
California early next week.
1468
01:03:13,523 --> 01:03:15,963
The Press: Anything this
weekend we should know about?
1469
01:03:15,958 --> 01:03:16,858
Mr. Earnest: No, I don't
have any details about the
1470
01:03:16,859 --> 01:03:19,259
President's schedule
this weekend.
1471
01:03:19,262 --> 01:03:21,062
The Press: Will trade be
the weekly address subject?
1472
01:03:21,063 --> 01:03:23,303
Mr. Earnest: I don't yet
know what the subject of the
1473
01:03:23,299 --> 01:03:25,299
weekly address will be,
but we'll have it in your
1474
01:03:25,301 --> 01:03:26,301
inboxes shortly, I hope.
1475
01:03:26,302 --> 01:03:27,302
Thanks, everybody.
1476
01:03:27,303 --> 01:03:28,303
Have a great weekend.
