Pool Reports of October 11, 2023

Pool report #1: Checking in

Good morning,

Chris Kane, here, your pool reporter for the day. Call time is 10 a.m.

Pool report #2: Pre-set for Biden's remarks at the Rose Garden

Pre-set gathers now.

At 11:45 a.m., the President is slated to deliver remarks at the Rose Garden about actions to protect consumers from hidden junk fees.

Pool report #3: Gather at Palm Room doors for POTUS remarks

We're gathered at the Palm Room doors for President Biden's remarks on junk fees.

Pool report #4: POTUS delivers remarks

Biden began remarks at the Rose Garden at 12:01 p.m.

Pool report #5: Biden's remarks

Biden's remarks concluded at 12:16 p.m:

- Biden began by explaining the late start: We continue monitoring Israel. Along with VP Harris, I spoke with PM Netanyahu this morning. This has brought to the surface scars of anti semitism and genocide. There's no excuse for terrorism. We are committed to safety and security of Israel and the Jewish people. I apologize for keeping you waiting.

Remarks on junk fees:

- folks are tired of being taken advantage of and played for suckers. I'm here with CFPB director Rohit Chopra and FTC Chair Lina Khan. They're members of competition council that I created to lower costs for families.

-[ members of Congress present were asked to stand for applause]

- I've asked Council to tackle junk fees. Charges taking money out of the pockets of American families. They can amount to hundreds of dollars.

- how many folks are asking how much more they need to cover junk fees that really add up

- 2 summers ago if your flight was cancelled or delayed almost all major airlines charged fee to rebook. Now 10 airlines don't charge fee.

- all-in upfront pricing - companies disclose their fees up front. Hosted event for voluntary changes with companies like Airbnb.

- today, announcing most comprehensive action to eliminate junk fees in sectors across the entire economy. If finalized they will be made mandatory.

- FTC proposing new rule banning hidden fees across economy. Requiring firms to disclose the fees, what they're for, and whether they're refundable.

- If finalized as proposed, FTC can impose financial penalties and secure refunds for customers

- 2nd, CFPB banning banks and credit unions from imposing fees for things like looking up your account balance

- later this month, CFPB will propose another rule making banks make it easier for consumers to switch banks.

- sending new guidance for federal agencies to promote competition in their areas

- asking Congress to take action so this is made law

- part of broader vision to move from trickle down economics to Bidenomics

- last week's job report shows Bidenomics is working, created 13m + jobs since I've taken office

- lowest inflation of any economy in the world

- in August we announced first 10 prescription drugs whose price will be negotiated

- we finally beat Big Pharma

- we passed the IRA with no help from our Republican friends

- starting next year we're capping out of pocket costs for Medicare at $2,000

- trickle down economics marked the moment we walked away from how this country was built. Bidenomics is another way of saying we're restoring the American Dream

- I've never been more optimistic about America's future

Pool report #6: In attendance for remarks at the Rose Garden:

In attendance for the President's remarks announcing new actions to protect consumers from hidden junk fees and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans:

Attendees
Lina Khan, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Richard L. Revesz, Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)
Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-6)
Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43)
Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-9)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9)
Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-3)
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7)
Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)
Stakeholders and consumer advocates

Speaking Program
Becky Chong, introducer
The President

Pool report #7: Briefing to begin at 1:30

Today's press briefing is slated to start at 1:30 this afternoon

Pool report #8: Two-minute warning for briefing

The WH gave a two-minute warning at 1:33 p.m.

Pool report #9: Briefing begins

The briefing began at 1:35 p.m.

Pool report #10: Briefing ends

Briefing concluded at 2:31 p.m.

Pool report #11: Lid until 3:45

The WH called a lid until 3:45

Pool report #12: Gather for roundtable with POTUS, Second Gentleman

Good afternoon,

We're gathered and headed for the Indian Treaty Room for the roundtable with Jewish community leaders, where POTUS and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will deliver remarks.

Pool report #13: POTUS, Second Gentleman speak at roundtable

4:29

SGOTUS: VP and I are outraged by terrorist attacks by Hamas. Sending strength, love, unwavering support for the people of Israel. Like all Jews I feel a deep, visceral connection to Israel. We witnessed a terrorist assault. There are no two sides to this issue. Images we saw will be seared into our brains forever. We see videos of these terrorists cheering on these atrocities. The toll on Israel and Jewish community is hard to imagine. I'm hurting. We grieve with you. We stand with you. Thank god we have the leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Yesterday when POTUS, VP, Sec. Blinken made clear Israel has our unwavering support. We also acknowledge and address how these events will impact us as Jews. Many of us feel deep fear this will give rise to hate and anti-semitism. Almost a year ago I sat in this very room. And then we called attention to the epidemic of hate we're facing. In May, Biden-Harris admin released the first- ever plan to combat anti semitism.

We're working with state, local, federal leaders to implement this plan. Story of the Jewish people has always been one of perseverance. Last year before my trip to Germany, President Biden pulled me into his office to tell me how he was taught about the dangers of anti-semitism.

4:34

POTUS

You not only care but you've been breaking your neck the last couple years to deal with antisemitism. Thousands of duel citizens. I apologize I've been on the phone around the clock with our friends around the world to discuss what's going on in Israel. Thank you for work you're doing to bring comfort in this moment of grief. Torah teaches god made stars to give light on the earth and separate light from darkness. It's hard to find the light in the past few days.

Hamas brought not just terror but sheer evil into the world. Among those killed are at least 22 American citizens. Attack was a campaign of cruelty against the Jewish people. I'd argue it's the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Silence is complicity. I want you to know I refuse to be silent and I know you refuse to be silent as well. You all represent a voice that America has to hear. We not only reject terrorism but it goes beyond rejecting terrorism.

I spoke with PM Netanyahu again this morning. Made it clear to the Iranians: be careful. We're working on every aspect of hostage crisis including recovery effort. I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home. The idea that I'd stand here and tell you what I'm doing is bizarre.

My commitment to Israel's security and the safety of the Jewish people is unshakable. Downplaying of Hamas's atrocities and blaming the Jewish people is unthinkable. We will condemn and combat antisemitism at every turn. Hate never goes away. I used to think you could defeat hate, but it only goes underground. We must all do our part.

There is no place for hate in America. Not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody.

I took my kids, each time they turned 14-years old, I took them to Dachau. I wanted them to see. I wanted them to understand. It's important. The miracle of Israel is Israel. It's Israel itself.

I thank you for your leadership. There's a lot to talk about but I'm really very frankly quite concerned…it's hard to talk about this without detail and it's contrary to our interests to talk in detail about what's going on. I've known Bibi for over 40 years. One thing I did say that is really […] It's important for Americans to see what's happening. I never thought I would see the beheading of children.

There are countries trying to help. Including Arab nations

***question:

Where do you draw strength during this trying time?

POTUS:

My faith. It's not about revenge. It's basic decency. I know we can overcome this. If we persevere, we can grow. I just think that we stand true to our values, with every inch and bit of our energy, we can bear […]

Pool report #14: in attendance at roundtable with POTUS and SGOTUS

The President is stopping by a roundtable with Jewish community leaders and delivering remarks on his unwavering support for Israel following the Hamas terrorist attacks, and his work to combat antisemitism.

Administration Participants
The Second Gentleman
Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Steve Benjamin, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor
Melissa Rogers, Special Assistant to the President & Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Tiffany Eppelheimer, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime, National Security Council
Shelley Greenspan, White House Jewish Liaison & Director of Partnerships and Global Engagement, National Security Council

Jewish Community Leaders
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO, The Rabbinical Assembly
Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Steet
Rabbi Abba Cohen, Vice President for Federal Affairs and Washington Director and Counsel, Agudath Israel of America
Elizabeth Cullen, Director of Government Relations, Hadassah
Nathan Diament, Executive Director of Public Policy, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
Eric Fusfield, Deputy Director of the B'nai B'rith Center for Human Rights and Public Policy, Director of Legislative Affairs for B'nai B'rith
Dan Granot, Director of Government Relations, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Ginna Green, Board Chair, Bend the Arc
Avi Greenstein, CEO, Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC)
David Halperin, CEO, Israel Policy Forum (IPF)
Stephanie Hausner, COO, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organization
Shira Hutt, Executive Vice President, Jewish Federations of North America
Julia Jassey, Chief Executive Officer, Jewish on Campus
Sheila Katz, CEO of National Council of Jewish Women
Howard Kohr, CEO, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Adam Lehman, President and CEO, Hillel International
Michael Masters, National Director and CEO, Secure Community Network
Julie Rayman, Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs, American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Rachel Rosen, Communications Director, Democratic Majority for Israel
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy, Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism (RAC)
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch, Chabad
Halie Soifer, CEO, Jewish Democratic Council for America
Amy Spitalnick, CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Speaking Program
The Second Gentleman
The President

Pool report #15: Travel/photo lid

Good evening,

The WH called a travel/photo lid at 6:05 p.m.