Pool Reports of May 5, 2021

in-town pool report #1

Good morning from the White House, I'll be your print pooler today.

In terms of in-person events, we're expecting to hear from President Biden at 2 p.m. on implementation of the American Rescue Plan.

Before that, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is scheduled to join WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki for the briefing at 12:30 p.m.

Both of those events should be streaming in the usual places, including the White House website. I will advise if I hear of any schedule changes

in-town pool report #2 - gathering

The in-town pool is gathering at the stakeout location for a 10:45 a.m. call. We have not received any details beyond that.

Will advise once we know more.

In-town pool report #3 - motorcade

At 10:50 a.m., the in-town travel pool gathered in the vans on Pennsylvania Ave., in front of the White House.

We're holding.

in-town pool report #4 - rolling

The motorcade rolled out of the White House and across 15th St., at 11:35 a.m.

In-town pool report #5

The motorcade arrived at Las Gemelas at Union Market in NE DC at 11:41 a.m

The President is greeting workers present, outside earshot of your pooler.

From the White House:

To highlight the successes of the American Rescue Plan, today President Biden will visit Taqueria Las Gemelas, a restaurant located in Northeast Washington, D.C. Las Gemelas means "the twin girls" in Spanish, named after partner Yesenia Neri Diaz's twin daughters.

The restaurant is owned in part by Mexican immigrants Yesenia Neri Diaz and Rogelio Martinez. At age 7, Neri Díaz learned to make traditional Mexican tortillas from her mother in Ahuacuotzingo, a small city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Martinez learned how to cut meats from his father, who was also a butcher, in Mexico City.

Las Gemelas was a beneficiary of relief funding from the pilot program Restaurant Revitalization Fund – the administration's program to provide relief to restaurants, which were the first hit and the worst hit in the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan's Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides $28.6 billion in direct relief to restaurants and food and beverage establishments, and prioritizes restaurants that are women-owned, veteran-owned, and owned by other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

During the pandemic, Las Gemelas went from 55 employees to 7. Through the Paycheck Protection Program, Las Gemelas was able to rehire their employees and provide back pay to those who returned. Now, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund allows the owners of Las Gemelas to complete delayed projects, provide raises to their staff, and operate with confidence again.

Today, on Cinco de Mayo, the administration is reminded of the resiliency and ingenuity of the Mexican-American community in difficult times. As our country recovers from the pandemic, the Biden-Harris administration is committed to providing relief to small businesses and restaurants across the country and revitalizing opportunities for immigrants to achieve the American dream.

In-town pool report #6 - President exits

The president made at least three stops to speak with people inside the restaurant, while the pool held on the patio looking in through the open windows.

POTUS left the restaurant at around 11:54 a.m., he responded to a shouted question that he got tacos and enchiladas inside.

Your pooler heard the president say something to the effect of "I don't understand Republicans" in response to a question about Liz Cheney.

Will send more when I get video.

We're rolling.

In-town pool report #7 -- brief lunch lid

Brief lunch lid was called until 12:30 p.m.

As always, check quotes against transcript and tape, but at the beginning the president was talking about the ARP.

"The restaurant industry was so badly hurt nationwide, and that's why we put this restaurant revitalization fund back together -- together. Like I said, this morning, as of this morning, 790,000 restaurants applied for help."

Toward the end, the pool could vaguely hear the president talking about Philadelphia sports fans.

"Philadelphia fans are the most informed, most obnoxious fans in the world. They know everything, you know what I mean?"

In-town pool report #8 - briefing

A two minute warning has been called for the press briefing.

in-town pool report #9 - State Dining Room

The pool has gathered again for the president's scheduled 2 p.m. remarks on the American Rescue Plan, which the Press Secretary said during the briefing would focus on the restaurant funding.

We're on the way in now. The event should be streaming.

In-town pool report #10 - two minute warning

Two minute warning issued for the president's remarks at 2:38 p.m.

In-town pool report #11

President Biden entered at 2:40 p.m. and began speaking about the American Rescue Plan less than a minute later.

He highlighted funding for restaurants, as well as vaccine administration, schools, child care and nutrition assistance.

"It's making health care more affordable."

"The bottom line is this: the American Rescue Plan is working," POTUS said.

"More than half of Americans have worked in a restaurant at some point in their lives."

The president is talking about how restaurants served meals to frontline workers during the pandemic and tried to change their menus to address the reality.

The president is continuing ... His remarks are streaming live.

In-town pool report #12

Formal remarks from POTUS concluded at 2:50 p.m.

He's now taking questions, including about the WTO and Liz Cheney

In-town pool report #13

The president took questions until 3 p.m., at which point he departed.

He talked about the need for a "two party system" in response to a question about the internal battles of the House Republicans, and then spoke at some length about the infrastructure plan and his proposals to pay for it.

"The proposals that I'm suggesting are tried and true things like rebuilding bridges"

The president said he was "open to compromise" on corporate tax rates, noting again that he would be meeting with Republican lawmakers when they return to DC next week.

In-town pool report #13a - WTO

During the Q&A, President Biden was asked whether he and the U.S. were going to be backing a waiver at the WTO.

"Yes, and I'm going to be talking about that later today. Yes."

The USTR has just put out a statement:

https://twitter.com/AmbassadorTai/status/1390021205974003720

In-town pool report #14 - "Enjoy your margaritas"

The White House called a lid at 3:32 p.m.

"Enjoy your margaritas," said an announcement over the loudspeaker.