Pool Reports of December 22, 2021

In-town pool chain #1 — greetings + supply chain meeting attendees

Good morning from the White House, where it is a cold, clear and sunny day. Your pooler has been covid-tested.

A note from the WH on who is joining the 10:30 a.m. supply chain meeting in person/virtual and the president's full agenda below.

Joining President Biden at the supply chain convening this morning:

Biden-Harris Administration participants:
Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo
Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh
Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
National Economic Council Director Brian Deese*
Port Envoy John Porcari*

Private Sector participants
Fred Smith, CEO of FedEx
Darren Hawkins, CEO of Yellow Corp
Christopher Connor, CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities
Sonia Syngal, CEO of GAP
Dave Harrison, Executive Director of Fastport

*Denotes in-person with the President. All other attendees will be virtual.

FULL SCHEDULE:

EST

9:30 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the President's Daily Brief
Closed Press

9:30 AM In-Town Pool Call Time

10:30 AM THE PRESIDENT meets with his Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force and private sector CEOs to receive another progress update on getting goods moving, keeping shelves stocked, and lowering prices for Americans
South Court Auditorium
In-House Pool and Pre-Credentialed Media Spray at the Top (Gather 10:15 AM – Stakeout Location)[RSVP here by 7:30 AM]

Briefing Schedule

12:30 PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki

3:00 PM Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and public health officials

In-town pool chain #2 — gathering at stakeout location

We are gathering at the stakeout location now to be escorted to the South Court Auditorium for this morning's supply chains meeting.

In-town pool chain #3 — two-minute warning

We have a two-minute warning on the start of the supply chains meeting.

In-town pool report #4 — supply chains meeting in progress

President Biden entered the South Court auditorium at 10:48 a.m. and carefully took a seat at a mahogany desk. "Hello, folks how are you?" he said.

National Economic Council Director Brian Deese and Port Envoy John Porcari are seated at desks across from him. Deese is nodding along as the president speaks.

His supply chains task force members are on screen.

Watch meeting live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCbqnZ1bwzI

In-town pool report #5 — opening remarks + reporter questions

In his opening remarks this morning, President Biden emphasized his administration's efforts to move more goods to market, keep shelves stocked, and lower gas prices, pointing to what one analyst had described as the "strongest first-year economic track record of any president in the last 50 years."

He touted the 4.2 percent unemployment rate, the creation of nearly 6 million new jobs and his American Rescue plan and bipartisan infrastructure law. Nodding to critics in Congress of his social spending and climate bill, he called his Build Back Better Bill "the biggest weapon in our arsenal," which he said would "reduce which families have to pay for drugs or health care, for childcare, and so much more."

He again made the argument the bill is paid for: "The bill is paid fully, fully paid for. It won't increase the deficit." Nobody making less than $400,000 will pay any more in taxes, he said. Pointing to economic forecasts from Wall Street, he stressed that failing to act on BBB would mean less economic growth, not more. "Let me say it again. This is not a liberal think tank. Wall Street. Failing to make these investments... slow growth, not increase it."

Task force members painted a rosier economic outlook ahead for the holiday season despite the negative headlines, pointing to private-public partnerships.

Throughout the opening hour, Biden appeared engaged, often gesturing with his hands for emphasis and taking notes. Reporters were escorted from the room at about 11:10 a.m., as the task force turned to discussing inventories.

The president looked annoyed as reporters shouted questions at him, some not related to the supply chain issues, but he relented. "If you want to talk to me about what's on here, you can ask me a question," he said.

In response to whether he had taken a covid test, he said he had taken one as he walked over to the auditorium and had not yet received the results.

Next and final question he answered was: "Mr. President, the trucking industry is petitioning the Supreme Court to repeal your vaccine mandate. They think that it's going to harm the supply chains recovery. What do you say?"

"I say — No, thank you," the president said, flashing a big smile before turning back to the task force on the screen.

In-town pool report #6 — Biden tests negative for covid

From the WH:
"This morning, President Biden received a PCR test and the test result was negative."

In-town pool report #7 — two-minute warning for briefing

We have a two-minute warning for today's daily briefing.

In-town pool report #8 — briefing has started

Press Secretary Jen Psaki has taken the podium.

Watch live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqV6L6OKT6M&feature=youtu.be

In-town pool report #9 — travel/photo lid

A travel/photo lid has been called for the day.

Until next time and happy holidays!

Jazmine