Pool Reports of October 4, 2023

In-Town Pool Report #1 -- Checking In

Hello all from a quiet White House. I'm your in-town pooler today and just wanted to check in. Briefing is at 1:30, the president is speaking on student loans at 1.

1:00 PM THE PRESIDENT delivers an update on the Administration's efforts to cancel student debt and support students and borrowers
Roosevelt Room
In-House Pool (Gather 12:50 PM – Brady Press Briefing Room)

1:30 PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

In-Town Pool -- Lunch lid

We have a lunch lid until 12:30

In town pool #3 - gathering

Pool is gathering for biden's remarks in Roosevelt Room.

In town pool #4 - two minute warning for remarks

We have a two minute warning for the president's remarks.

In Town Pool #5 - Remarks concluded

The president spoke for more than ten minutes and then took some questions.

Biden started his remarks talking about Kevin McCarthy being ousted as speaker of the house.

Said that they need to work together after the speaker is chosen on keeping the government open again next month and have to get "it done in a timely fashion" and it shouldn't wait until the last minute.

Touted the announcement of more student loan debt relief and fixes made by the administration of different programs. Reiterated the admin's use of the Higher Education Act after SCOTUS ruled against the original student debt relief program.

President stuck behind and took a few questions from pool.

On speaker McCarthy and the last time they spoke -

"We had two agreements we shook hands on. I assumed he was ... I know he was working with democrats in the house and the senate. The idea that I was going to somehow convince McCarthy to change his mind" was unrealistic.

On whether the speakership drama concerns him when it comes to Ukraine aid" it does worry me. There are a majority of members of both parties that have said they are for Ukraine aid."

"The dysfunction always concerns me."

Says he'll be doing a major speech on the issue of Ukraine funding some time soon.

There are other means they can support Ukraine if the aid isn't approved by congress but he wasn't getting into that today.

Said he has spent his presidency putting together coalitions people said he wouldn't be able to. "We put together over fifty nations supporting Ukraine. We are the organizer of that."

When asked if he had any advice for the next speaker -

"That's above my pay grade."

Briefing was schedule for 1:30 but will obviously later.

In town pool #6 — two minutes until briefing

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

In Town Pool #7 -- Briefing over

Briefing ended just before 2:30

In Town Pool Report #8 -- Lid

WH called a lid at 2:37 folks. Have a good one