Pool Reports of March 1, 2023

In-Town Pool Report 1

Good morning. I will be your in-town print pooler for March 1.

The president's first public event of the day is in the East Room. The press office asked the TV pool to set up equipment at about 8 a.m. Print pooler will let you know when the rest of pool is called to gather.

See below for details on first event.

9:30 AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on his nomination of Julie Su to serve as the Secretary of Labor; THE VICE PRESIDENT attends
East Room

In-Town Pool Report 2

The pool is gathering for President Biden's speech on the nomination of Julie Su as of 9:15 a.m.

In-Town Pool Report 3

Pool is in the East Room as of 9:24 a.m. Room is packed with guests. Pooler spots Rep. Chu of California and Secretary Marty Walsh. Senior staff members Mitch Landrieu and Jen Klein are seated right in front of the pool.

Room got quiet at 9:32 a.m.

In-Town Pool Report 4

Two-minute warning called at 9:37 a.m.

In-Town Pool Report 5

An announcer introduced the president, vice president and Deputy Secretary Su at 9:43 a.m.

Speeches wrapped at 10:02 a.m.

See below for message from White House press office. Pooler also spotted Jeff Zients, Mitch Landrieu, and Jen Klein.

In attendance for the President's remarks on his nomination of Julie Su to serve as Secretary of Labor:

The Vice President
Secretary Marty Walsh, Department of Labor
Secretary Debra Haaland, Department of the Interior
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Secretary Xavier Becerra, Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Denis McDonough, Department of Veterans Affairs
Ambassador Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative
Senator Chris Coons (DE)
Senator Mazie Hirono (HI)
Senator Ed Markey (MA)
Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL)
Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03)
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28)
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06)
Rep. Don Norcross (NJ-01)
Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA-44)
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)
Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Rep. Frank Mrvan (IN-01)
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16)
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10)
Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39)
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
Rep. Brandon Williams (NY-22)
Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer (OR-05)
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (NMI)

Labor Leaders
Jason Ambrosi, President, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
Matthew Biggs, President, International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE)
James Callahan, President, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Kenneth Cooper, President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
John Costa Jr., President, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
Eric Dean, President, International Association of Iron Workers
Mary Kay Henry, President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Timothy Driscoll, President, Bricklayers and Allies Trades (BAC)
Sean O'Brien, President, Teamsters
Marc Perrone, President, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association (NEA)
Greg Regan, President, Transportation Trades Department (TTD)
Brian Renfroe, President, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
Lee Saunders, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Anthony Shelton, President, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM)
Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO
Rhonda Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

In-Town Pool Report 5a

Pooler spotted Sara Nelson of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Also, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, Neera Tanden, and Lael Brainard.

President Biden and Vice President Harris were still in the East Room shaking hands as of 10:25 a.m. Most of the guests had left the room.

President Biden left the East Room at 10:27 a.m. Pool left shortly after.

In-Town Pool Report 6

Pool is gathering at the Palm Room doors as of 11:08 a.m.

In-Town Pool Report 7

Pool is loaded in our vans ahead of President Biden's departure for the Department of Homeland Security.

Below are details on the ceremony provided by DHS this morning in a press release.

The Department is holding a special ceremony at the DHS Headquarters at the St. Elizabeths Campus in Washington, DC to honor the workforce and to recognize the 32,000 plank holders who joined DHS on its first day and continue to serve the Department today. The ceremony will include special remarks by Secretary Mayorkas, recorded messages from former Secretary Tom Ridge and former President George W. Bush, and a conversation with individuals across the Department who have served since its inception. The event will be livestreamed at noon on DHS.gov/Live.

In-Town Pool Report 7a

FYI: Pool is still holding in vans on South Lawn.

In-Town Pool Report 8

President Biden was in the beast as of 12:09. Pooler could not see him clearly. Motorcade departed from White House South Lawn at 12:09

Pool is going to need to move quickly upon arrival at DHS and may be delayed in sending reports. There should be Wi-Fi inside so pooler will aim to provide details as quickly as possible.

In-Town Pool Report 8a

See below from press office.

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the Department of Homeland Security:

Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Evan Ryan, Assistant to the President & Cabinet Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben Labolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ashley Williams, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Outer Oval Operations
Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director

In-Town Pool Report #9

The motorcade arrived at the Department of Homeland Security at 12:23 p.m. The pool did not see President Biden enter. Pool walked into an auditorium shortly before the singing of the National Anthem.

President Biden is at the lectern and about to speak as of 12:30.

In-Town Pool Report 10

President Biden finished speaking at 12:42 p.m. He walked off the stage. Staff ushered the press pool out. Pool loaded in vans as of 12:44 p.m.

Motorcade rolling as of 12:49 p.m. Pool did not see president get into car.

See below messages from president's press office.

In attendance for the President's remarks at the Department of Homeland Security's 20th Anniversary Ceremony:

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
Deputy Secretary John Tien, Department of Homeland Security
Former and current Department of Homeland Security employees, leadership, and officials

Pre-Program
Singing of the National Anthem
Invocation

Speaking Program
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
The President

Participating in a greet with the President at the Department of Homeland Security:

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security

DHS plank holders – employees who have been at the agency since Day 1
Clifford Brown, Executive Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Sheronda DeRohn, Budget Officer, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)
Paige Pinson, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Janene Corrado, Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary for Management (MGMT)

In-Town Pool Report 11

Motorcade arrived at the White House at 1:03 p.m. Pooler did not see president exit his car.

In-Town Pool Report 12

Lid called until 2 p.m.

In-Town Pool Report 13

Briefing delayed until 2:30 p.m, according to the White House press office.

In-Town Pool Report 14

Two minutes until press briefing called at 2:42 p.m.

In-Town Pool Report 15

Karine Jean-Pierre's press briefing began at 2:45 and ended at 3:43.

In-Town Pool Report 16

Pool asked to gather for President Biden's departure by 5:05 p.m.

In-Town Pool Report 17

President Biden took two questions from reporters on the South Lawn before departing. One on insulin and the other on student loan relief.

Q on student loan relief: Are you confident you will be able to win in the Supreme Court?

POTUS "I'm confident we're on the right side of the law. I'm not confident about the outcome of the decision yet."

Pooler is working on getting exact quote on insulin. POTUS made no news on that question.

POTUS boarded Marine One at 5:39 p.m. Wheels up at 5:43 p.m.

See below from press office.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Fort McHenry Landing Zone:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Louisa Terrell, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter

In-Town Pool Report 17a

On insulin:

Q: What do you make of Eli Lilly's decision on capping insulin prices at $35 a month?

"I think it's good."

"Once we expose these things, it's awful hard to defend them. And once one major carrier or one major operator changes, it changes everything. I think we made a lot of progress."

In-Town Pool Report 18

Pool is waiting on the South Lawn driveway for Marine One arrival.

In-Town Pool Report 19

Marine One landed on the South Lawn at 9:01 p.m. President Biden walked down the steps of the chopper at 9:04 p.m. He took no questions from reporters before walking into the White House at 9:04 p.m.

Lid called by the White House press office at 9:09 p.m.

Have a great night.

Out of town pool report #1 / Marine One arrival

Your out of town pool, stationed here after a rush hour van ride, was in place as Marine One landed at Fort McHenry in Baltimore at 6:04pm.

Pool was at a distance of about 50 yards away, with your pooler's vision blocked by motorcade cars that had moved into place — so didn't see POTUS enter the Beast.

The temperature is 50 degrees, the sun is setting, and the wind is blowing.

As of 6:10pm we are now rolling toward the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, where POTUS is scheduled to speak at the House Democratic Caucus Retreat.

Out of town pool report #2 / arrival at Hyatt

After an uneventful ride, motorcade arrived at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor at 6:20pm.

As motorcade left Fort McHenry, a street was lined with people taking photos and waving flags.

As we turned toward the event site, one man was holding a sign over his head that read: STOP ARMING UKRAINE

From WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Louisa Terrell, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of Political Strategy & Outreach
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ashley Williams, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Kimberly Gahan, Special Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy National Security Council Legal Advisor & Associate Counsel
Emilie Simons, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary

Out of town pool report #3 / attendees

The event is in a ballroom that has numbers for some 32 tables, with seating for 10 people per table (although not every table is completely full).

Two big screens at the front of the room had text that reads: "House Democrats / 2023 Issues Conference." Those screens are now showing thee speakers, who are on a stage with nine large American flags.

The lights have gone off and on a few times and at 6:33pm, the program got started. It's livestreamed but will try to flag any key moments in forthcoming pool reports. We have a 2 min warning for POTUS as of 6:37pm.

From the WH:

At the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, the President greeted with:

Governor Wes Moore, Maryland
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05)
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11)
Rep. Pete Aguilar, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (CA-33)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05)
Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06)

And also from the WH, here's a list of those in attendance for the President's remarks at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference:

Governor Wes Moore, Maryland
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05)
Rep. Pete Aguilar, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (CA-33)
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05)
Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06)
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)
Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17)
Other Members of Congress

Pre-Program
Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05)
Governor Wes Moore, Maryland

Speaking Program
Rep. Pete Aguilar, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (CA-33)
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)
The President

Out-of-town pool report #4 / POTUS remarks

POTUS took the stage at 6:41pm, and seemed in a joking mood.

"It's good to be almost home," he said, an apparent reference to being closer to Wilmington. He called out Nancy Pelosi, "the greatest speaker of all time." And he joked that she was helpful to him "all the years I was a senator – which was 270."

He started with a message of unity among Democrats, saying, "it's been one of the most successful, united caucuses we've ever seen." He talked about their electoral wins, including a recent special election in Virginia. "We stuck together," he said. "We really did."

He largely focused on some of the accomplishments over the past two years. He hailed a new tunnel that would be built in Baltimore, bringing along a new sign that he said would be put up: Frederick Douglass Tunnel. He talked about policies like pharma, CHIPs, and attempts to lower inflation – and he said there would be new efforts to remind voters of polices they have passed. "We're going so far as to print signs to indicate who is bringing in this project, and why it's happening," he said of infrastructure.

He went through a list of things he wanted to do:

"We're going to ban assault weapons again, come hell or high water," he said at one point.

"We've got to reinstate Roe v Wade and pass it nationally," he said at another.

He then turned toward Republicans.

"I know as well as you the MAGA Republicans are not going to get on board with some of this. But that leaves a lot of republicans who are still left," he said. "I predict -- watch, watch what happens. Republicans can help make a significant majority in some of these things."

"A little more of Marjorie Taylor Greene and you're going to have a lot more Republicans coming our way," he added and then paused. "Isn't she amazing?"

"Look folks, I don't want to get started," he continued.

He kept suggesting he shouldn't digress. The crowd seemed to be interested in his digressions, but he returned to some of the prepared text.

"So what we did in the past two years -- whenever possible, we should work on both sides of the aisle, get as much done as we can," he said.

Normal caveats to check all of the above against transcript.

At 7:09pm, POTUS remarks wrapped up. Lights went on, and pool is being ushered out of the room.

Out of town pool #5 / POTUS takes questions, pool holds

After pool was escorted out of the banquet hall (called the Constellation Ballroom), POTUS stayed and took questions from the members in the room.

From the hallway, POTUS could be seen seated on the stage with a microphone, answering questions. But the doors to the room then closed and pool headed for the vans.

Pool is holding outside the hotel as we await the Q and A conclusion.

Out of town pool report #6 / rolling

Motorcade started rolling at 8:20pm, heading back toward Fort McHenry where POTUS is schedule to lift off for the trip back to the White House.

Out of town pool report #7 / Marine One liftoff

The short motorcade ride back to Fort McHenry was uneventful — although we passed M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens and nicely lit up in red, white, and blue.

We arrived at 8:30pm, and POTUS walked over and boarded Marine One. We were at a distance and engines loud, so no shouted questions. Marine One lifted at 8:36pm.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the White House:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Louisa Terrell, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of Political Strategy & Outreach
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications

It's been a pooling pleasure here in Baltimore.