Pool Reports of January 24, 2022

In town pool report #1

Good morning, I'm your pooler today.

The pool is scheduled to gather shortly for President Biden's arrival on the South Lawn at approximately 10:30.

From WH on Biden's meeting this afternoon:

Today, President Biden will meet with the Competition Council and highlight the Administration's continued efforts to lower prices for Americans as laid out in the July 2021 Competition Executive Order, from meat, to hearing aids, to the right to repair your own devices.

So far, the Competition Council has had a 100% success rate in meeting every deadline specified in the EO.

The Competition EO laid out that the Council would meet twice a year:

In-person Attendees

1. Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen
2. Attorney General Merrick Garland
3. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
4. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
5. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
6. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh
7. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra
8. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks
9. Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young
10. Chair of the Federal Trade Commission Lina Khan
11. Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Gary Gensler
12. Chair of the Federal Communications Commission Jessica Rosenworcel
13. Chair of the Surface Transportation Board Marty Oberman
14. Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission Daniel Maffei
15. Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Rostin Behnam
16. Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra
17. Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter
18. Assistant to the President and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, Cecilia Rouse
19. Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese

Virtual Attendees

1. Assistant to the President for Climate Policy and National Climate Advisor, Gina McCarthy
2. Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Susan Rice
3. Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, Louisa Terrell
4. Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff, Bruce Reed
5. Assistant to the President and White House Counsel, Dana Remus
6. Special Assistant to the President and Chief Economic Advisor to the Vice President, Michael Pyle

In town pool report #2 — Gathering for arrival

Pool is gathering momentarily for Biden's arrival, which is now expected around 10:45.

In town pool report #3

Marine One landed on the South Lawn at 10:46.

Returning from Camp David with the President:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations

Stephen Goephert, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In town pool report #4 — Lunch lid

A lunch lid has been called until 1:30pm.

In town pool report #5 — Two minute warning

We just received the two minute warning for Jen Psaki's briefing. It will be televised.

In town pool report #6 — Call with European Leaders timing

From a White House official:

The President's secure video call with European leaders began at 3:05 PM EST and ended at 3:25 PM EST.

In town pool report #7 — Call Time CORRECTION

WH initially sent the wrong time. Here's the update:

The President's secure video call with European leaders began at 3:05 PM EST and ended at 4:25 PM EST.

In town pool report #8 - Competition Council Meeting

Pool was brought to the East Room at 4:50 for Biden's meeting with his Competition Council. Much of the cabinet was milling about. (See pool report #1 for full attendance list.)

Tables are set up in a rectangle that stretches most of the room. There are two screens showing the words "competition for a stronger economy" at the head of the table. Everyone is masked.

Attendees took their seats by 5 and POTUS walked in at 5:09.

More to come.

In town pool report #9 - Biden remarks

Biden sat down and said "It's good to see you all. Let's have a cabinet meeting."

Biden talked about his competition executive order. Said economy is being held back by consolidation.

"Rather than competing for customers they're consuming their competitors."

Biden talked about some of the 72 actions in the EO, including the creation of this council.

"In six months since i issued the order we've hit every deadline so far."

Biden talked about the right to repair - when consumers are trapped into going to the seller and paying their prices to repair devices. Biden said FTC is ramping up enforcement against illegal repair restrictions. He says many companies voluntarily changed policies, including Apple and Microsoft letting people repair phones and computers themselves. "Although I'm not sure I know how to do that."

Biden talks about new FTC rule making it possible for hearing aids to be sold over the counter without a prescription. He said he expects this to drop costs from thousands of dollars to hundreds of dollars.

More to come.

In town pool report #10 - further remarks

(I should note I'm typing quickly on my phone so excuse typos, if any)

Biden talked about the harm of mergers on small businesses and consumers.

He touched on a number of issues from food prices to non-compete clauses workers are forced to sign.

"All designed to keep wages down and prices up."

"Our economy shouldn't be about people working for capitalism, if should be about capitalism working for people."

Asked About Ukraine says he had a "very, very good meeting. Total unanimity with all the European leaders."

Press are escorted out without him taking any more questions.

In town pool report #11 — Hot mic

Your pooler could not make out what Biden said over the shouting in the room at the time, but would direct your attention to video of the event if you are curious how the president really feels about being asked about inflation from Fox's Peter Doocy.

In town pool report #12 — Lid

A colorful day at the White House comes to an end as a travel/photo lid is called at 5:58 pm. Have a good one, everyone.