English subtitles for clip: File:6-25-15- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.

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Feel like I'm interrupting
a party or something.

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The Press: Ooooh --

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The
Press: It's a private event.

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(laughter)

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Mr. Earnest: Well played.

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(laughter)

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I'm just disappointed
I wasn't invited.

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(laughter)

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Let's move on.

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(laughter)

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Let me do one quick
announcement before I get to

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your questions.

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The Federal Emergency
Management Administration,

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through its regional office
in Denton, Texas, has

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mobilized personnel to Texas
and Oklahoma in response to

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May flooding.

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This is something that
you all covered quite

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extensively last month.

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Those personnel are in
place as well to respond to

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Tropical Storm Bill, which
we know has already begun to

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bring heavy rainfall, strong
winds, and the potential of

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tornadoes to portions of
Texas and Oklahoma today.

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FEMA remains in close
coordination with state

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emergency managers and
tribal officials as well as

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our federal partners at the
National Weather Service as

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they make their forecasts.

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So these FEMA personnel will
remain deployed to Texas and

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Oklahoma in preparation
for these storms.

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As of now there are no
unmet needs that have been

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expressed by state and local
officials, but if those

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needs do arise we've got
federal personnel in place

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to try to help state and
local officials meet them.

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So we'll keep the people of
Texas and Oklahoma in our

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thoughts and prayers over
the next 48 hours or so.

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But with that, Jim,
let's go to questions.

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The Press: Thanks, Josh.

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A couple of topics, but I
wanted to start

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again with trade.

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House Republican leaders
today are moving to extend

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the time period to act on
trade adjustment authority

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to the end of July.

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Given that yesterday you
said that the longer that

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this process plays out
the harder it is to build

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bipartisan support, does
the President support the

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leadership move?

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And can you kind of
explain the strategy?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim,
today's move is a prudent

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one because primarily it
would give members of the

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House and Senate additional
time to consider the

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path forward.

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And in this case, we are
pleased that Democrats and

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Republicans appear to be
working together to try to

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find this path.

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The President has obviously
identified this as an

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important priority, and the
President was pleased to

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have the support of 28
Democrats who voted for

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trade promotion authority
legislation at the end of

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last week.

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And we are looking forward
to continuing to work with

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those Democrats to find this
path forward, including by

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supporting efforts to create
the additional time that's

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necessary to find this path.

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So the fact is, without this
proposal we'd be staring at

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another vote in the House of
Representatives as early as

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today, and it's not apparent
that the outcome would be

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any different.

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So this highlights the need
to find a path forward, and

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as I mentioned, this seems
to be a prudent step

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in that direction.

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The Press: July 30 is
essentially the point where

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the Highway Trust Fund is
expected to no longer be

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able to cover accommodations
to the states.

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And so it seems to be
a nice coincidence.

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And you were asked this
yesterday, but given the new

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timing development, does the
White House endorse coupling

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TAA with a major highway
transportation bill?

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I mean, do you think
Democrats would vote down

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TAA if it was joined with
billions of dollars in

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infrastructure projects?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, let me
answer that question in two

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ways, Jim.

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The first is that
we're still engaged in

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conversations with Democrats
and Republicans in the House

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about the path forward.

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Those conversations
continue.

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You saw that there were some
senior White House officials

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who traveled to Capitol Hill
this morning to visit with

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Democrats to
discuss this issue.

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And so we're still looking
for a path forward.

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There's not a specific one
that we've endorsed

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at this stage.

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What I will say is that the
other thing that we continue

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to be concerned about is
that trade adjustment

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assistance is slated to
expire at the end of

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September, and we know that
this is a program that

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offers important benefits to
middle-class families all

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across the country.

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The President's proposal is
not merely to extend this

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program but to expand it,
and to expand it in a way

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that we could essentially
help 100,000 middle-class

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workers each year over the
next six years as they deal

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with the challenges of
broader global economic trends.

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In many cases, we're talking
about workers that have lost

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their job to operations that
are starting in or expanding

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in India or China.

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These are countries with
whom we do not have

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trade agreements.

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So the fact is there are
broader global forces at

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play here, and the President
is pursuing this particular

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trade agenda precisely
because of his interest in

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trying to offer as many
advantages as possible to

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middle-class workers in
America as we deal with an

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increasingly global economy.

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So that's the reason that
the President is pursuing

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this approach.

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We are pleased to have the
support of as many Democrats

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as we do, both in the
House and in the Senate.

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And we're looking to
build on that support.

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The Press: Do you worry that
if Congress were to wait

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until the end of July -- or
if the House waits until the

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end of July you then have
still a process in the

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Senate to go through that
delays TPP itself, and you

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might not get an agreement
in time for the APEC meeting

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in November?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, I
think I'll just reiterate

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what I said yesterday,
which is that we hope that

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Congress can act as
soon as possible.

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But before they can set a
timeline for action they

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need to determine a path
forward, and that's the

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subject of ongoing
discussions.

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The Press: Today Kurdish
fighters had a major victory

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over the Islamic State in a
city on the

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Turkish-Syria border.

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And I'm wondering, given
that success, is the

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administration considering
directly supplying Kurdish

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fighters with arms -- rather
than going through either

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Baghdad or some other means
and instead, given this

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victory, going
directly to them?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, we
do note the rapid advance of

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Syrian Kurdish and Free
Syrian Army forces

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around Tel Abyad.

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The progress that they have
made, according to reports,

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indicates that they have cut
ISIL's primary supply route

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to its self-proclaimed
capital in Raqqa.

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We know that this could lead
to a major disruption of

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ISIL's flow of foreign
fighters, illicit goods, and

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other illegal activity into
northern Syria and into Iraq.

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So we continue to monitor
the situation on the ground,

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but we have seen that
anti-ISIL forces have taken

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the majority of the
city of Tel Abyad.

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And it's important to note
that as these local ground

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forces have advanced,
they've been backed by

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coalition military
airstrikes.

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And I think this is another
illustration of the recipe

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for success that's been
documented in other places,

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including recently in
Tikrit over in Iraq.

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And it is an indication that
when our coalition can back

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capable, effective, local
fighters on the ground, that

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we can make important
progress against ISIL.

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Now, the other thing that is
true -- and I said this in

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the aftermath of the advance
against ISIL in Tikrit -- is

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that it continues to be
important for anti-ISIL

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forces to make concerted
efforts to protect local

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populations and property,
and secure the human rights

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of all citizens.

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This is essential to holding
and stabilizing territory

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that's been
recaptured from ISIL.

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And that's a message that
we've obviously delivered in

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public, but it's one that we
continue to deliver to all

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of our partners as well.

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The Press: And do you have
evidence that that either

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has -- has been either
violated or held up in this

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particular case?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, at this
point, we continue to

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monitor the situation
on the ground.

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Obviously our ability to do
that is somewhat limited in

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a place like Syria.

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The one thing that we know
is we know that this more

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recent success is actually
a direct consequence of an

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earlier military operation
that President Obama

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ordered; that, as was widely
covered by the media outlets

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that are represented in this
room, the city of Kobani in

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northern Syria was under
siege by ISIL forces and

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there was a grave risk
it could be taken.

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But because of the
President's decision to

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order the airdrop of
significant resources and

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equipment and
reinforcements, and because

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we were able to work
with Turkey to allow for

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additional forces to enter
that city, we saw the

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coalition -- and they
were backed by coalition

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airstrikes, of course -- we
saw that anti-ISIL forces

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were able to drive
ISIL out of Kobani.

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And over the last several
months, those forces have

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steadily driven east
across northern Syria.

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And months later, they now
have succeeded in -- again,

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according to reports --
they've made important

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progress in
retaking Tel Abyad.

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And that's an important and
notable development and I

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think is an indication that
when the 62-member coalition

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that President Obama has
built against ISIL can back

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up the efforts of local
forces fighting ISIL on the

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ground, that that is
a recipe for success.

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Jeff.

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The Press: Josh, does the
White House have a reaction

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to the death sentence today
for the former Egytian

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President Morsi and other members of the

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Muslim Brotherhood?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Jeff, I
believe what was announced

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today was a life sentence
for former President Morsi.

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The Press: --
death sentence.

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Mr. Earnest: There had
previously been a death

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sentence that had been
handed down against

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President Morsi.

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What was handed down today
was a life sentence that was

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on top of the death sentence
that he'd already received.

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But either way, we are
deeply troubled by the

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politically-motivated
sentences that have been

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handed down against former
President Morsi and several

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others by an
Egyptian court today.

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We understand that Mr.
Morsi's attorney intends

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to appeal the sentence.

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The United States has
repeatedly raised concerns

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about the detention and
sentencing of a variety of

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political figures in Egypt
and we are concerned that

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the proceedings have been
conducted in a way that is

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not only contrary to
universal values but also

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damaging to the stability
that all Egyptians deserve.

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In particular, we condemn
the practice of mass trials

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and sentences which are
conducted in a manner that

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is inconsistent with Egypt's
international obligations,

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and are frequently used
against members of the

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opposition and non-violent
activists, including leaders

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in civil society and even some independent journalists.

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This practice is unjust and
undermines confidence in the

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rule of law in Egypt.

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And again, this is a message
that we have delivered

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publicly, but it's also one
that's been communicated

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directly to Egypt.

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The Press: Moving on to
another foreign policy issue.

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President Putin said today
that Russia would add more

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than 40 new intercontinental
ballistic missiles to its

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nuclear arsenal.

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Is that something that is
concerning to the White House?

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Mr. Earnest: Jeff, we've
seen those reports.

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00:12:16,936 --> 00:12:19,806
I don't have a specific
reaction to them.

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00:12:19,805 --> 00:12:23,575
What we have -- as we have
engaged Russia, we have

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00:12:23,576 --> 00:12:28,046
sought to try to deescalate
the situation in Ukraine,

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00:12:28,047 --> 00:12:31,247
principally, and that has --
we have seen that Russia's

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00:12:31,250 --> 00:12:33,920
actions in eastern Ukraine
have been destabilizing --

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00:12:33,919 --> 00:12:38,189
again, most directly in
Ukraine, but also in the

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00:12:38,190 --> 00:12:39,590
broader region.

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00:12:39,592 --> 00:12:43,292
And our efforts are going to
continue to be focused on

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00:12:43,295 --> 00:12:46,265
supporting the Ukrainian
government by providing some

255
00:12:46,265 --> 00:12:49,065
military assistance as well
as some economic assistance.

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00:12:49,068 --> 00:12:51,068
We're going to continue
to be actively engaged in

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00:12:51,070 --> 00:12:53,270
reassuring our NATO allies,
and making clear to

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00:12:53,272 --> 00:12:55,442
everybody who's watching,
including Russia, that we

259
00:12:55,441 --> 00:12:57,441
take seriously our Article 5
commitments under the

260
00:12:57,443 --> 00:12:59,143
NATO Treaty.

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00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:01,715
And the United States will
also continue to take steps

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00:13:01,714 --> 00:13:04,184
that we believe are
necessary to protect our own

263
00:13:04,183 --> 00:13:07,423
security and our own territory and our own sovereignty.

264
00:13:07,419 --> 00:13:10,989
And we take all
that seriously.

265
00:13:10,990 --> 00:13:15,730
And we also make clear to
the Russians that there is

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00:13:15,728 --> 00:13:20,668
an opportunity for them to
deescalate the situation in

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00:13:20,666 --> 00:13:23,236
Ukraine, live up to the
commitments that they've

268
00:13:23,235 --> 00:13:27,335
made at the negotiations in
Minsk, and actually start to

269
00:13:27,339 --> 00:13:29,479
reenter the
international community.

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00:13:29,475 --> 00:13:32,015
They have -- their economy
has suffered and they have

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00:13:32,011 --> 00:13:34,511
been isolated because of
steps the international

272
00:13:34,513 --> 00:13:37,053
community has taken in
reaction to their

273
00:13:37,049 --> 00:13:38,619
actions in Ukraine.

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00:13:38,617 --> 00:13:41,057
And that is a message that
we continue to deliver.

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00:13:41,053 --> 00:13:44,453
And I've acknowledged in the
past that we have not yet

276
00:13:44,456 --> 00:13:47,226
seen Russia begin to take
those steps and that's been

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00:13:47,226 --> 00:13:49,666
a source of continued
disappointment.

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00:13:49,662 --> 00:13:52,832
It was a source of continued
discussions at the G7

279
00:13:52,831 --> 00:13:55,571
meetings in Germany that
quite conspicuously didn't

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00:13:55,568 --> 00:13:57,068
include Russia.

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00:13:57,069 --> 00:13:59,369
So the stakes here
are pretty clear.

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00:14:02,741 --> 00:14:04,911
There is a lot of
determination behind this

283
00:14:04,910 --> 00:14:06,910
message, not just on the
part of the United States,

284
00:14:06,912 --> 00:14:08,612
but on the part of
our NATO allies.

285
00:14:08,614 --> 00:14:11,854
The Press: Lastly, the
markets and currencies are

286
00:14:11,850 --> 00:14:16,760
continuing to react to
the situation in Greece.

287
00:14:16,755 --> 00:14:19,295
At the risk of sounding like
a broken record for asking

288
00:14:19,291 --> 00:14:22,191
again -- you said yesterday
that the White House was

289
00:14:22,194 --> 00:14:23,894
hopeful of a deal.

290
00:14:23,896 --> 00:14:24,826
Are you still?

291
00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:29,270
And what do you think
the prospects are now?

292
00:14:29,268 --> 00:14:31,068
Mr. Earnest: The optimism
that I expressed yesterday

293
00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:32,710
is consistent with the
optimism that we have

294
00:14:32,705 --> 00:14:36,945
expressed over the last
several weeks about the

295
00:14:36,942 --> 00:14:39,082
ability of all the parties
to resolve their differences

296
00:14:39,078 --> 00:14:42,548
in a way that doesn't
contribute undue instability

297
00:14:42,548 --> 00:14:45,688
to the financial markets.

298
00:14:45,684 --> 00:14:47,124
The Press: That optimism
does not seem to be shared

299
00:14:47,119 --> 00:14:48,659
in Europe.

300
00:14:48,654 --> 00:14:52,624
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not
sure what the explanation is

301
00:14:52,625 --> 00:14:53,855
for that.

302
00:14:53,859 --> 00:14:56,759
What I will just say is the
reason for our optimism is

303
00:14:56,762 --> 00:15:00,502
that we do believe with some
conviction that all of the

304
00:15:00,499 --> 00:15:03,399
parties recognize that it's
clearly in their interest to

305
00:15:03,402 --> 00:15:08,912
resolve this in a way that
doesn't rattle the markets

306
00:15:08,907 --> 00:15:13,017
and, frankly, allows Greece
to both follow through on

307
00:15:13,012 --> 00:15:15,012
some of the structural
reform commitments that

308
00:15:15,014 --> 00:15:17,014
they've already made, but
also get back on a path

309
00:15:17,016 --> 00:15:21,186
toward economic growth,
which is something that the

310
00:15:21,186 --> 00:15:23,186
citizens and political
leaders of that country are

311
00:15:23,188 --> 00:15:25,158
obviously very
interested in.

312
00:15:25,157 --> 00:15:28,397
And seeing that country get
back on that path toward

313
00:15:28,394 --> 00:15:30,864
economic growth is something
that is not just in the

314
00:15:30,863 --> 00:15:34,233
interest of the people of
Greece but all of those with

315
00:15:34,233 --> 00:15:38,873
economies that are so
directly tied to Greece.

316
00:15:38,871 --> 00:15:43,041
And again, that's what
contributes to our optimism.

317
00:15:43,042 --> 00:15:46,912
I think as is consistent
with our view of even some

318
00:15:46,912 --> 00:15:49,452
legislative situations in
this country, the path

319
00:15:49,448 --> 00:15:52,918
forward is not immediately
clear, but we are hopeful

320
00:15:52,918 --> 00:15:55,888
that all the parties at the
table, including Greece,

321
00:15:55,888 --> 00:15:58,328
will recognize that it's in
their collective interest to

322
00:15:58,324 --> 00:16:03,164
resolve this situation
before it has a significant

323
00:16:03,162 --> 00:16:06,032
negative impact on
the global economy.

324
00:16:06,031 --> 00:16:07,131
Jim.

325
00:16:07,132 --> 00:16:09,872
The Press: Good
afternoon, Josh.

326
00:16:09,868 --> 00:16:10,498
Thank you.

327
00:16:10,502 --> 00:16:11,172
Mr. Earnest:
Nice to see you.

328
00:16:11,170 --> 00:16:12,270
The Press: Good to see you.

329
00:16:12,271 --> 00:16:14,541
I wanted to ask a
little bit about Trump.

330
00:16:14,540 --> 00:16:17,380
I know -- he's very
rich, by the way.

331
00:16:17,376 --> 00:16:20,816
I know in the past that you
kind of wanted to stay out

332
00:16:20,813 --> 00:16:22,683
of talking about other
candidates, but this has got

333
00:16:22,681 --> 00:16:23,781
to be just too much fun.

334
00:16:23,782 --> 00:16:26,282
(laughter)

335
00:16:26,285 --> 00:16:29,825
He did say today that he
opposes the trade deal.

336
00:16:29,822 --> 00:16:32,362
Among the many people and
nations he insulted was

337
00:16:32,358 --> 00:16:33,388
President Obama.

338
00:16:33,392 --> 00:16:34,562
(laughter)

339
00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:36,660
He said the trade deal
because -- he opposed the

340
00:16:36,662 --> 00:16:40,362
trade deal because "they are
stupid people negotiating it."

341
00:16:40,366 --> 00:16:42,566
And he specifically said,
"Our President doesn't have

342
00:16:42,568 --> 00:16:44,108
a clue.

343
00:16:44,103 --> 00:16:45,843
He's a bad negotiator."

344
00:16:45,838 --> 00:16:47,508
Can you respond
to those comments?

345
00:16:47,506 --> 00:16:49,446
Mr. Earnest: I think I'm
going to try to exercise

346
00:16:49,441 --> 00:16:52,441
more self-discipline than
even Mr. Trump himself might

347
00:16:52,444 --> 00:16:55,244
and avoid commenting on
his announcement today.

348
00:16:55,247 --> 00:16:56,517
The Press: One more try.

349
00:16:56,515 --> 00:16:59,585
He did say that he has a
golf course over here in

350
00:16:59,585 --> 00:17:03,355
Potomac that he was hoping
that President Obama will

351
00:17:03,355 --> 00:17:07,325
avail himself of sooner than
even when he's done

352
00:17:07,326 --> 00:17:08,396
being President.

353
00:17:08,394 --> 00:17:10,394
Do you think the President
would take him up on playing

354
00:17:10,396 --> 00:17:12,866
a course owned by Mr. Trump?

355
00:17:12,865 --> 00:17:13,795
Mr. Earnest: I don't know.

356
00:17:13,799 --> 00:17:15,739
But it's a generous and
unexpected invitation.

357
00:17:15,734 --> 00:17:21,944
(laughter)

358
00:17:21,940 --> 00:17:24,810
The Press: And I am going to
change subjects just a bit.

359
00:17:24,810 --> 00:17:28,450
Did the President watch
the Blackhawks last night?

360
00:17:28,447 --> 00:17:31,887
And does he have a reaction
to their Stanley Cup win?

361
00:17:31,884 --> 00:17:33,014
Mr. Earnest: I don't know
whether or not the President

362
00:17:33,018 --> 00:17:34,688
had the opportunity
to see the game.

363
00:17:34,686 --> 00:17:36,686
Those of you who follow the
President on Twitter noted

364
00:17:36,688 --> 00:17:39,958
that he had an opportunity
to tweet about this.

365
00:17:39,958 --> 00:17:44,428
The President is an
unabashed advocate for his

366
00:17:44,430 --> 00:17:46,770
hometown teams in Chicago.

367
00:17:46,765 --> 00:17:50,905
And so he is not -- while
he does not closely follow

368
00:17:50,903 --> 00:17:53,303
hockey over the course of
the regular season, he is

369
00:17:53,305 --> 00:17:56,145
obviously very pleased to
see the Blackhawks win the

370
00:17:56,141 --> 00:17:58,341
Stanley Cup for the
third time in six years.

371
00:17:58,343 --> 00:18:01,083
And he certainly does look
forward to welcoming them to

372
00:18:01,079 --> 00:18:02,119
the White House once again.

373
00:18:02,114 --> 00:18:04,954
The Press: And finally,
since it is summer, if I

374
00:18:04,950 --> 00:18:08,220
could just follow
up on sports.

375
00:18:08,220 --> 00:18:11,420
LeBron James says that he is
the best player in the world

376
00:18:11,423 --> 00:18:13,063
and they're going to win.

377
00:18:13,058 --> 00:18:15,358
The President, obviously an
avid basketball fan -- does

378
00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:17,530
he have an opinion whether
or not LeBron James is the

379
00:18:17,529 --> 00:18:20,099
current best player
in the world?

380
00:18:20,098 --> 00:18:22,598
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
the President would probably

381
00:18:22,601 --> 00:18:27,311
say that those are the kinds
of claims that you prove on

382
00:18:27,306 --> 00:18:28,406
the basketball court.

383
00:18:28,407 --> 00:18:32,647
And over the last several
weeks, I think Mr. James has

384
00:18:32,644 --> 00:18:35,844
assembled a pretty
good case for himself.

385
00:18:35,848 --> 00:18:37,178
Chip, over to you.

386
00:18:37,182 --> 00:18:39,322
The Press: Can I follow up
on Jim's questions about

387
00:18:39,318 --> 00:18:41,618
presidential
candidate Trump?

388
00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:44,160
The DNC put out a statement
today -- they said, "Today

389
00:18:44,156 --> 00:18:46,356
Donald Trump became the
second major Republican

390
00:18:46,358 --> 00:18:48,428
candidate to announce for
President in two days.

391
00:18:48,427 --> 00:18:51,027
He adds some much needed
seriousness that has

392
00:18:51,029 --> 00:18:53,429
previously been lacking
from the GOP field."

393
00:18:53,432 --> 00:18:55,432
Does the White House agree
with that statement?

394
00:18:55,434 --> 00:18:57,674
Mr. Earnest: Well, I haven't
seen the statement from my

395
00:18:57,669 --> 00:18:59,739
colleagues at the DNC, but
they obviously are the ones

396
00:18:59,738 --> 00:19:02,678
who are in the most
appropriate position to

397
00:19:02,674 --> 00:19:05,244
respond to the comments
made by Mr. Trump

398
00:19:05,244 --> 00:19:06,314
in his announcement.

399
00:19:06,311 --> 00:19:07,211
The Press: Have you heard
the President talk about the

400
00:19:07,212 --> 00:19:08,182
Republican field?

401
00:19:08,180 --> 00:19:10,150
What does he think about it?

402
00:19:10,148 --> 00:19:12,148
Mr. Earnest: Well, as I
mentioned yesterday, the

403
00:19:12,150 --> 00:19:15,250
President is an interested
observer in this process.

404
00:19:15,254 --> 00:19:17,254
Having been through this
process a couple of times

405
00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:20,256
himself, he understands
how difficult and even

406
00:19:20,259 --> 00:19:22,899
challenging the process
of being a candidate for

407
00:19:22,895 --> 00:19:26,435
President or a candidate for
reelection for President can be.

408
00:19:29,101 --> 00:19:31,601
But the President also
believes that these kinds of

409
00:19:31,603 --> 00:19:33,603
campaigns are important for
the country because they do

410
00:19:33,605 --> 00:19:37,475
have -- when they are run
effectively, they do have a

411
00:19:37,476 --> 00:19:41,076
way of surfacing important
debates that's important for

412
00:19:41,079 --> 00:19:43,119
the country to consider.

413
00:19:43,115 --> 00:19:45,715
And we're still in the
very early stages of this

414
00:19:45,717 --> 00:19:47,717
particular campaign, but
hopefully over the course of

415
00:19:47,719 --> 00:19:52,659
the next 18 months or so
we'll have an opportunity to

416
00:19:52,658 --> 00:19:59,098
engage in a vigorous debate
about the future of the country.

417
00:19:59,097 --> 00:20:02,397
And the President obviously
has spent his nearly seven

418
00:20:02,401 --> 00:20:05,501
years in office now thinking
a lot about the future of

419
00:20:05,504 --> 00:20:07,844
the country and working
very hard to advance the

420
00:20:07,839 --> 00:20:09,079
interests of the country.

421
00:20:09,074 --> 00:20:11,544
And that's what makes him
such a keen observer of

422
00:20:11,543 --> 00:20:12,543
this process.

423
00:20:12,544 --> 00:20:15,284
But I don't have any
specific reaction on

424
00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:17,280
specific candidates
to share with you.

425
00:20:17,282 --> 00:20:19,282
The Press: On what some
would say is a more serious

426
00:20:19,284 --> 00:20:20,854
note -- well, it is a very
serious note -- do you have

427
00:20:20,852 --> 00:20:24,192
anything on the potential
threat to the Navy Yard

428
00:20:24,189 --> 00:20:25,759
in Philadelphia?

429
00:20:25,757 --> 00:20:26,357
Mr. Earnest: No.

430
00:20:26,358 --> 00:20:28,058
I heard shortly before I
came out here that the Navy

431
00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:29,090
Yard was evacuated.

432
00:20:29,094 --> 00:20:31,794
But I'd refer you to the
local authorities there for

433
00:20:31,797 --> 00:20:33,227
more information about
what's happening.

434
00:20:33,231 --> 00:20:33,861
The Press: Okay.

435
00:20:33,865 --> 00:20:38,275
And finally, back on the
sports beat, fortunately

436
00:20:38,270 --> 00:20:41,410
it's not your Missouri team,
but the other Missouri team

437
00:20:41,406 --> 00:20:45,476
apparently is
involved in a hack.

438
00:20:45,477 --> 00:20:46,777
Do you know
anything about it?

439
00:20:46,778 --> 00:20:48,148
Can you tell us
anything about it?

440
00:20:48,146 --> 00:20:50,716
Has the White House
had any reaction?

441
00:20:50,716 --> 00:20:52,356
Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware
of this particular incident.

442
00:20:52,351 --> 00:20:53,991
I heard a little bit about
it before I walked out here,

443
00:20:53,986 --> 00:20:55,656
but I haven't read any
of the news reports.

444
00:20:55,654 --> 00:20:58,254
But if we have anything on
this today I'll make sure

445
00:20:58,256 --> 00:21:00,126
and get it to you.

446
00:21:00,125 --> 00:21:01,865
Ron.

447
00:21:01,860 --> 00:21:03,060
The Press: On
the sports beat -

448
00:21:03,061 --> 00:21:04,761
(laughter)

449
00:21:04,763 --> 00:21:05,863
Mr. Earnest: Nobody told
me that sports were in the

450
00:21:05,864 --> 00:21:07,464
briefing today.

451
00:21:07,466 --> 00:21:10,006
The Press: Parties, today,
it's summertime, it's hot

452
00:21:10,002 --> 00:21:11,532
out there.

453
00:21:11,536 --> 00:21:13,376
You said that the President
doesn't follow the

454
00:21:13,372 --> 00:21:15,272
Blackhawks in hockey
year-round, but he watched

455
00:21:15,273 --> 00:21:16,443
the game.

456
00:21:16,441 --> 00:21:18,311
Does that open him up to
criticism that he could be

457
00:21:18,310 --> 00:21:19,680
considered a
fair weather fan?

458
00:21:19,678 --> 00:21:20,878
Mr. Earnest: No.

459
00:21:20,879 --> 00:21:21,879
I don't know that he
watched the games.

460
00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:22,910
I didn't mean to leave you
with the impression that he

461
00:21:22,914 --> 00:21:24,814
did last night.

462
00:21:24,816 --> 00:21:25,516
The Press: On a
more serious note -

463
00:21:25,517 --> 00:21:27,187
(laughter)

464
00:21:27,185 --> 00:21:29,625
-- since the trade vote,
has the President spoken to

465
00:21:29,621 --> 00:21:32,061
Minority Leader Pelosi?

466
00:21:32,057 --> 00:21:33,257
Mr. Earnest: I don't believe
the President has had the

467
00:21:33,258 --> 00:21:36,698
opportunity to speak
to Leader Pelosi.

468
00:21:36,695 --> 00:21:38,595
Yesterday, the President's
Chief of Staff, Denis

469
00:21:38,597 --> 00:21:42,137
McDonough, placed a
telephone call to Leader Pelosi.

470
00:21:42,134 --> 00:21:44,534
But I don't know of
any presidential-level

471
00:21:44,536 --> 00:21:46,536
conversations that
have occurred.

472
00:21:46,538 --> 00:21:48,538
The Press: He spoke to
Speaker Boehner yesterday.

473
00:21:48,540 --> 00:21:49,540
Mr. Earnest: That's correct.

474
00:21:49,541 --> 00:21:51,541
They did on a couple of
occasions yesterday.

475
00:21:51,543 --> 00:21:53,543
The Press: Why would he not
speak to the leader

476
00:21:53,545 --> 00:21:54,545
of the Democrats?

477
00:21:54,546 --> 00:21:56,546
Because, again, this was an
issue that he invested so

478
00:21:56,548 --> 00:21:58,548
much personal capital in,
and you're aware of the

479
00:21:58,550 --> 00:22:03,820
criticism out there that
he, despite your denials or

480
00:22:03,822 --> 00:22:06,022
objections, is not
personally engaged enough in

481
00:22:06,024 --> 00:22:07,664
this crucial issue.

482
00:22:07,659 --> 00:22:10,359
Mr. Earnest: Well, Ron, all
of you had the opportunity

483
00:22:10,362 --> 00:22:12,902
to see the President spend
time with Leader Pelosi at

484
00:22:12,898 --> 00:22:14,938
the congressional
baseball game last week.

485
00:22:14,933 --> 00:22:18,103
The President traveled to
Capitol Hill to address the

486
00:22:18,103 --> 00:22:22,473
House Democratic Caucus
on Friday morning.

487
00:22:22,474 --> 00:22:24,914
The President was introduced
in that meeting by Leader

488
00:22:24,910 --> 00:22:27,380
Pelosi directly.

489
00:22:27,379 --> 00:22:29,179
Incidentally, after the
President was introduced he

490
00:22:29,181 --> 00:22:30,651
received a standing ovation
from everybody in the room,

491
00:22:30,649 --> 00:22:32,119
including Leader Pelosi.

492
00:22:32,117 --> 00:22:33,857
The President had the
opportunity to visit with

493
00:22:33,852 --> 00:22:35,852
Leader Pelosi for several
minutes prior to the

494
00:22:35,854 --> 00:22:37,854
beginning of that
caucus meeting.

495
00:22:37,856 --> 00:22:39,856
So the President has had a
number of conversations with

496
00:22:39,858 --> 00:22:41,198
Leader Pelosi.

497
00:22:41,193 --> 00:22:43,763
And the President is going
to continue to be in touch

498
00:22:43,762 --> 00:22:46,062
with leaders on Capitol
Hill as necessary.

499
00:22:46,064 --> 00:22:48,064
I certainly wouldn't rule
out a future call to

500
00:22:48,066 --> 00:22:49,066
Leader Pelosi.

501
00:22:49,067 --> 00:22:50,807
They speak frequently.

502
00:22:50,802 --> 00:22:53,772
But over the last 24 hours,
the President has not spoken

503
00:22:53,772 --> 00:22:55,772
to her, but the President's
Chief of Staff has.

504
00:22:55,774 --> 00:22:57,774
The Press: But some would
see that as an indication

505
00:22:57,776 --> 00:23:00,446
that he perhaps is more
hopeful -- being what is

506
00:23:00,445 --> 00:23:03,715
said publicly -- that it
would be the Republican side

507
00:23:03,715 --> 00:23:06,985
that would push this issue
over the top and

508
00:23:06,985 --> 00:23:08,125
not the Democrats.

509
00:23:08,120 --> 00:23:11,420
Or has he -- are you
still confident that the

510
00:23:11,423 --> 00:23:14,563
Democratic Caucus in the
House will prevail -- will

511
00:23:14,559 --> 00:23:15,729
help him prevail
on this issue?

512
00:23:15,727 --> 00:23:17,927
Mr. Earnest: Ron, what's
clear is the support of

513
00:23:17,929 --> 00:23:19,929
Democrats is necessary
to advance this piece

514
00:23:19,931 --> 00:23:20,931
of legislation.

515
00:23:20,932 --> 00:23:23,432
That was true when Congress
tried to pass the rule

516
00:23:23,435 --> 00:23:26,305
opening up consideration
of the legislation.

517
00:23:26,304 --> 00:23:31,474
It was true when there was
a vote on trade promotion

518
00:23:31,476 --> 00:23:33,476
authority itself that
required the support of

519
00:23:33,478 --> 00:23:35,178
Democrats to
build a majority.

520
00:23:35,180 --> 00:23:38,380
We are pleased that 28
Democrats joined with the

521
00:23:38,383 --> 00:23:40,353
President to support the
piece of legislation, and

522
00:23:40,352 --> 00:23:43,292
we're mindful of the fact
that in order to pass TAA

523
00:23:43,288 --> 00:23:45,288
legislation that the
President believes is

524
00:23:45,290 --> 00:23:47,290
critically important to
middle-class workers all

525
00:23:47,292 --> 00:23:49,292
across the country,
we're also going to need

526
00:23:49,294 --> 00:23:50,594
bipartisan support
for that as well.

527
00:23:50,595 --> 00:23:54,165
So, yes, the administration
has been focused on working

528
00:23:54,166 --> 00:23:57,136
closely with Democrats and
Republicans to make progress

529
00:23:57,135 --> 00:23:58,475
in this regard.

530
00:23:58,470 --> 00:24:00,170
The Press: Just one other
topic on ISIS --

531
00:24:00,172 --> 00:24:03,042
ISIL, ISIS, Daesh.

532
00:24:03,041 --> 00:24:05,281
You mentioned the military
victory in the north, and

533
00:24:05,277 --> 00:24:07,477
there was the announcement
the other day about the

534
00:24:07,479 --> 00:24:10,979
increase in military
participation by the United

535
00:24:10,982 --> 00:24:12,182
States there.

536
00:24:12,184 --> 00:24:14,624
Some critics have said that
that's all well and good but

537
00:24:14,619 --> 00:24:18,059
the problem is still, at its
root, a political problem.

538
00:24:18,056 --> 00:24:21,256
Is there a plan or have
there been recent steps that

539
00:24:21,259 --> 00:24:23,659
the administration is going
to take to really amp up the

540
00:24:23,662 --> 00:24:26,702
political pressure,
involvement, whatever you

541
00:24:26,698 --> 00:24:29,868
want to call it, to try and
-- because I think -- I

542
00:24:29,868 --> 00:24:31,868
guess you would argue now
we're making military

543
00:24:31,870 --> 00:24:34,940
progress -- to keep this
momentum going or to really

544
00:24:34,940 --> 00:24:37,710
do something decisive on the
political side of this, not

545
00:24:37,709 --> 00:24:39,549
just the military
side of this?

546
00:24:39,544 --> 00:24:42,184
Mr. Earnest: Well, Ron, just
to be clear, we obviously

547
00:24:42,180 --> 00:24:44,250
have seen the reports on
the ground of the important

548
00:24:44,249 --> 00:24:47,649
progress that anti-ISIL
forces have made in northern

549
00:24:47,652 --> 00:24:52,492
Syria and in and
around Tel Abyad.

550
00:24:52,490 --> 00:24:56,700
They've done that, again,
with the important support

551
00:24:56,695 --> 00:25:00,035
of coalition airstrikes.

552
00:25:00,031 --> 00:25:03,901
But we're continuing to
monitor that situation and

553
00:25:03,902 --> 00:25:05,902
hopeful that they'll
continue to make

554
00:25:05,904 --> 00:25:06,874
important progress.

555
00:25:06,872 --> 00:25:08,872
But you do highlight
something that is really

556
00:25:08,874 --> 00:25:13,114
important and should not be
lost in this discussion,

557
00:25:13,111 --> 00:25:18,521
which is that ultimately
what we have seen is ISIL

558
00:25:18,516 --> 00:25:23,256
and other extremists inside
Syria capitalize on the

559
00:25:23,255 --> 00:25:26,455
political instability and
even chaos inside Syria,

560
00:25:26,458 --> 00:25:28,758
that, ultimately, it's the
failed political leadership

561
00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:33,700
of the Assad regime that
created an opening for ISIL

562
00:25:33,698 --> 00:25:37,738
to try to establish
a foothold.

563
00:25:37,736 --> 00:25:41,606
And that is an indication
that even if we do continue

564
00:25:41,606 --> 00:25:44,906
to build on this momentum
when it comes to the

565
00:25:44,910 --> 00:25:48,410
military effort, that we
can't lose sight of the fact

566
00:25:48,413 --> 00:25:50,913
that a political effort
will be necessary as well.

567
00:25:50,916 --> 00:25:56,786
And, again, this sort of
goes to what we have even

568
00:25:56,788 --> 00:26:00,058
seen inside Iraq, that the
recipe for success in Iraq

569
00:26:00,058 --> 00:26:04,228
requires a successful
central government that's

570
00:26:04,229 --> 00:26:06,329
committed to leading that
country in an inclusive

571
00:26:06,331 --> 00:26:10,941
fashion and governing that
country in an inclusive fashion.

572
00:26:10,936 --> 00:26:12,976
We're going to need to see a
similar effort inside Syria,

573
00:26:12,971 --> 00:26:17,141
where ultimately there is a
local government that can

574
00:26:17,142 --> 00:26:21,282
unite that country to repel
extremists like those

575
00:26:21,279 --> 00:26:22,779
extremists from ISIL.

576
00:26:22,781 --> 00:26:25,681
And, obviously, the
situation in Iraq is

577
00:26:25,684 --> 00:26:26,954
significantly more advanced.

578
00:26:26,952 --> 00:26:29,422
We see a coherent,
functioning central

579
00:26:29,421 --> 00:26:30,421
government in Baghdad.

580
00:26:30,422 --> 00:26:34,622
We see a prime minister that
is walking the walk, not

581
00:26:34,626 --> 00:26:38,826
just talking the talk when
it comes to sort of bringing

582
00:26:38,830 --> 00:26:40,830
that country together
to counter ISIL.

583
00:26:43,368 --> 00:26:45,368
We've got a lot more --
there's a lot more work to

584
00:26:45,370 --> 00:26:50,240
be done inside Syria to
build up a functioning

585
00:26:50,241 --> 00:26:53,881
central government that can
essentially deal with the

586
00:26:53,878 --> 00:26:56,378
security situation across
that entire country.

587
00:26:56,381 --> 00:26:58,351
The Press: What is being
done specifically in Syria?

588
00:26:58,350 --> 00:27:00,450
Mr. Earnest: Well, there
continues to be an effort to

589
00:27:00,452 --> 00:27:04,592
try to find representatives
from the regime and those

590
00:27:04,589 --> 00:27:07,859
from the moderate Syrian
opposition to sit down at

591
00:27:07,859 --> 00:27:11,359
the negotiating table and
try to broker a political

592
00:27:11,363 --> 00:27:13,333
solution to their
differences.

593
00:27:13,331 --> 00:27:17,401
But we haven't seen a lot of
progress on that recently.

594
00:27:17,402 --> 00:27:18,402
Mark.

595
00:27:18,403 --> 00:27:21,143
The Press: Josh, has the
White House been approached

596
00:27:21,139 --> 00:27:24,709
about the possibility of a
standalone vote on the Trade

597
00:27:24,709 --> 00:27:25,709
Promotion Authority?

598
00:27:25,710 --> 00:27:27,710
Mr. Earnest: Mark, I can
tell you that there have

599
00:27:27,712 --> 00:27:30,812
been a number of
conversations about possible

600
00:27:30,815 --> 00:27:31,955
paths forward.

601
00:27:31,950 --> 00:27:36,350
But there are -- those
discussions continue and no

602
00:27:36,354 --> 00:27:39,254
path has been settled
on at this point.

603
00:27:39,257 --> 00:27:41,297
The Press: Is it
under consideration?

604
00:27:41,292 --> 00:27:43,862
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
want to -- there are a

605
00:27:43,862 --> 00:27:46,432
variety of paths that are
under consideration, but I

606
00:27:46,431 --> 00:27:49,071
don't want to talk about a
specific one at this point.

607
00:27:49,067 --> 00:27:51,067
There are obviously
different ways to try to get

608
00:27:51,069 --> 00:27:52,069
this done.

609
00:27:52,070 --> 00:27:54,440
The Press: Did that come up
in the phone call between

610
00:27:54,439 --> 00:27:56,439
President Obama and
Speaker Boehner?

611
00:27:56,441 --> 00:27:58,441
Mr. Earnest: I can say as
a general matter that the

612
00:27:58,443 --> 00:28:01,113
President and the Speaker
did discuss potential

613
00:28:01,112 --> 00:28:03,012
paths forward.

614
00:28:03,014 --> 00:28:06,154
But a lot of -- at least
some of the discussion was

615
00:28:06,151 --> 00:28:10,791
predicated on this idea of
essentially voting today to

616
00:28:10,789 --> 00:28:12,759
give leaders in the House
more time to consider their

617
00:28:12,757 --> 00:28:14,627
path forward.

618
00:28:14,626 --> 00:28:16,226
The Press: Is the President
planning to use the

619
00:28:16,227 --> 00:28:20,227
congressional picnic
tomorrow to lobby members of

620
00:28:20,231 --> 00:28:22,101
Congress on trade?

621
00:28:22,100 --> 00:28:25,940
Mr. Earnest: I expect
that tomorrow, as it has

622
00:28:25,937 --> 00:28:28,407
traditionally been in the
past, will primarily be a

623
00:28:28,406 --> 00:28:29,406
social event.

624
00:28:29,407 --> 00:28:31,407
It's an opportunity for
members of Congress to bring

625
00:28:31,409 --> 00:28:34,879
their families to enjoy a
nice evening on the South

626
00:28:34,879 --> 00:28:37,849
Lawn of the White House, and
I don't anticipate a lot of

627
00:28:37,849 --> 00:28:39,319
arm-twisting taking place.

628
00:28:39,317 --> 00:28:44,227
The Press: And on a foreign
story, is the President

629
00:28:44,222 --> 00:28:48,492
upset with South Africa for
letting Sudan's President

630
00:28:48,493 --> 00:28:54,563
Bashir leave the country and
not be held for being turned

631
00:28:54,566 --> 00:28:56,306
over to the ICC?

632
00:28:56,301 --> 00:28:57,671
Mr. Earnest: Well, we've
obviously expressed some

633
00:28:57,669 --> 00:29:01,969
serious concerns about
Mr. Bashir and the charges

634
00:29:01,973 --> 00:29:04,213
that he faces in the past.

635
00:29:04,209 --> 00:29:06,549
But for a specific reaction,
let me have somebody follow

636
00:29:06,544 --> 00:29:07,844
up with you.

637
00:29:07,846 --> 00:29:08,846
Olivier.

638
00:29:08,847 --> 00:29:09,847
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

639
00:29:09,848 --> 00:29:11,888
The deadline for the Iran nuclear negotiations

640
00:29:11,883 --> 00:29:14,723
is in sight.

641
00:29:14,719 --> 00:29:18,289
Mr. Earnest: Two weeks from
today, I think, for those of

642
00:29:18,289 --> 00:29:19,889
us keeping track.

643
00:29:19,891 --> 00:29:20,721
(laughter)

644
00:29:20,725 --> 00:29:22,695
The Press: Right,
hypothetically.

645
00:29:22,694 --> 00:29:23,764
I was wondering if you could
characterize the President's

646
00:29:23,761 --> 00:29:30,171
thinking on whether this
work in progress needs to

647
00:29:30,168 --> 00:29:33,168
require that if Iran
accept anytime, anywhere

648
00:29:33,171 --> 00:29:36,471
inspections, and whether
Iran needs to disclose the

649
00:29:36,474 --> 00:29:40,614
possible military dimensions
of its nuclear work in order

650
00:29:40,612 --> 00:29:43,182
for this to be what is
repeatedly referred to as a

651
00:29:43,181 --> 00:29:44,181
good deal.

652
00:29:44,182 --> 00:29:48,752
Mr. Earnest: Olivier, the
details of what you're

653
00:29:48,753 --> 00:29:52,153
discussing are exactly the
details that are being

654
00:29:52,157 --> 00:29:57,327
negotiated by experts
over in Europe right now.

655
00:29:57,328 --> 00:30:01,938
What I can say as a general
matter is that as it relates

656
00:30:01,933 --> 00:30:05,873
to the two issues that you
raised -- the first is we

657
00:30:05,870 --> 00:30:07,870
saw in the context of the
political agreement that was

658
00:30:07,872 --> 00:30:12,882
reached in early April that
Iran agreed in principle to

659
00:30:12,877 --> 00:30:15,077
cooperating with the most
intrusive set of inspections

660
00:30:15,079 --> 00:30:18,279
that have ever been imposed
on a country's nuclear program.

661
00:30:18,283 --> 00:30:22,153
And working out the details
of that is complicated work,

662
00:30:22,153 --> 00:30:27,123
but we have a template for
this model -- that there are

663
00:30:27,125 --> 00:30:30,965
a variety of countries that
have signed on with the IAEA

664
00:30:30,962 --> 00:30:34,962
to allow for detailed
inspections of their

665
00:30:34,966 --> 00:30:35,966
nuclear facilities.

666
00:30:35,967 --> 00:30:40,237
So we have a process
for doing this.

667
00:30:40,238 --> 00:30:42,738
There's a template for
succeeding in doing this.

668
00:30:42,740 --> 00:30:44,580
The President has insisted,
given Iran's previous

669
00:30:44,576 --> 00:30:48,976
behavior, that the process
that's put in place is one

670
00:30:48,980 --> 00:30:53,120
that's rigorous and the one
that's the most intrusive

671
00:30:53,117 --> 00:30:55,657
set of inspections that have
ever been imposed, and he

672
00:30:55,653 --> 00:30:57,153
takes that seriously.

673
00:30:57,155 --> 00:30:59,395
And we're going to be
looking for and expecting

674
00:30:59,390 --> 00:31:01,390
Iran to follow through on
the commitments that they

675
00:31:01,392 --> 00:31:04,862
made in early April
in that regard.

676
00:31:04,862 --> 00:31:05,562
The Press: Two quick
follow-ups then.

677
00:31:05,563 --> 00:31:07,303
Any particular countries
serving as a template for

678
00:31:07,298 --> 00:31:09,268
this process?

679
00:31:09,267 --> 00:31:10,607
Mr. Earnest: Well, there are
a variety of countries that

680
00:31:10,602 --> 00:31:13,502
are subject to inspections
by the IAEA, so I don't know

681
00:31:13,504 --> 00:31:14,844
that there's one
they have in mind.

682
00:31:14,839 --> 00:31:17,939
I just raised this to
indicate that this is not a

683
00:31:17,942 --> 00:31:20,282
-- that the IAEA has a
standard protocol that they

684
00:31:20,278 --> 00:31:22,918
follow when conducting these
kinds of investigations.

685
00:31:22,914 --> 00:31:24,884
Obviously the situation
in Iran is going to be

686
00:31:24,882 --> 00:31:28,682
different because of the
unique, shall we say,

687
00:31:28,686 --> 00:31:33,156
circumstances that relate
to their nuclear program.

688
00:31:33,157 --> 00:31:38,467
But what I'm trying to do is
to reassure you that there

689
00:31:38,463 --> 00:31:40,463
is a template that can be
used in the context of these

690
00:31:40,465 --> 00:31:46,235
discussions to design,
essentially, managed access

691
00:31:46,237 --> 00:31:49,477
to Iran's nuclear program
that would verify their

692
00:31:49,474 --> 00:31:51,514
compliance with the
agreement and verify that

693
00:31:51,509 --> 00:31:55,579
they are not in a position
to acquire a nuclear weapon.

694
00:31:55,580 --> 00:31:57,650
What's unique about this
particular scenario that we

695
00:31:57,649 --> 00:32:02,019
envision is essentially
inspections that are

696
00:32:02,020 --> 00:32:05,990
conducted across the nuclear
supply chain, that we

697
00:32:05,990 --> 00:32:08,490
wouldn't just be taking
a look at their nuclear

698
00:32:08,493 --> 00:32:12,263
facilities or at their
military facilities.

699
00:32:12,263 --> 00:32:14,263
This would include
inspections of some

700
00:32:14,265 --> 00:32:16,265
manufacturing facilities
that manufacture parts that

701
00:32:16,267 --> 00:32:18,337
are critical to the
operation of a nuclear facility.

702
00:32:18,336 --> 00:32:21,976
This would also include the
inspection of some uranium

703
00:32:21,973 --> 00:32:25,473
deposits inside of Iran to
ensure that they can account

704
00:32:25,476 --> 00:32:31,346
for where those materials
are being mined and where

705
00:32:31,349 --> 00:32:32,349
they're being transferred.

706
00:32:32,350 --> 00:32:36,420
So being able to keep eyes
on the entire supply chain

707
00:32:36,421 --> 00:32:40,061
can give the United States,
our international partners,

708
00:32:40,058 --> 00:32:44,758
confidence that Iran is abiding by the broader agreement.

709
00:32:44,762 --> 00:32:50,332
And only when Iran has begun
to take those steps will the

710
00:32:50,335 --> 00:32:52,335
United States and the
rest of the international

711
00:32:52,337 --> 00:32:54,337
community be prepared to
start offering the kind of

712
00:32:54,339 --> 00:32:57,539
sanctions relief that we
know that Iran's leaders and

713
00:32:57,542 --> 00:32:59,182
Iran's people are eager for.

714
00:32:59,177 --> 00:33:01,977
The Press: But the supply
chain point, though, raises

715
00:33:01,979 --> 00:33:04,179
-- is exactly the concern
of people who say that Iran

716
00:33:04,182 --> 00:33:06,182
needs to disclose the
possible military dimensions

717
00:33:06,184 --> 00:33:08,724
of its program because they
worry that you might have

718
00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:11,790
the most intrusive
inspections of the declared,

719
00:33:11,789 --> 00:33:14,759
existing, known stockpiles
and the rest of it, and not

720
00:33:14,759 --> 00:33:17,899
know, not have a baseline
for this other component of

721
00:33:17,895 --> 00:33:18,895
Iran's nuclear program.

722
00:33:18,896 --> 00:33:20,896
What would you say
to those people?

723
00:33:20,898 --> 00:33:22,898
Mr. Earnest: What I would
say is a couple of things.

724
00:33:22,900 --> 00:33:25,540
We do continue to have --
that there are concerns that

725
00:33:25,536 --> 00:33:27,576
have been raised about the
possible military dimensions

726
00:33:27,572 --> 00:33:32,272
of Iran's nuclear program
that will be the subject of

727
00:33:32,276 --> 00:33:35,976
discussion by the experts in
Europe and will have to be

728
00:33:35,980 --> 00:33:41,490
addressed in the context
of a final agreement.

729
00:33:41,486 --> 00:33:46,186
But I would actually say
that it's precisely -- that

730
00:33:46,190 --> 00:33:48,360
the inspection of the entire
supply chain is precisely

731
00:33:48,359 --> 00:33:52,129
what can give us confidence
that there isn't a covert

732
00:33:52,130 --> 00:33:53,970
path to a nuclear weapon.

733
00:33:53,965 --> 00:33:55,965
So, for example, we know
that there is certain

734
00:33:55,967 --> 00:33:59,337
equipment that is required
for any sort of nuclear

735
00:33:59,337 --> 00:34:01,607
facility to operate.

736
00:34:01,606 --> 00:34:03,876
And so by going to a
manufacturing facility and

737
00:34:03,875 --> 00:34:07,215
verifying that this
equipment is not being

738
00:34:07,211 --> 00:34:09,451
produced, or if it is, that
we know exactly where it's

739
00:34:09,447 --> 00:34:13,617
going, we can, again, have a
lot of confidence that the

740
00:34:13,618 --> 00:34:15,858
equipment that's produced in
that facility is not being

741
00:34:15,853 --> 00:34:19,553
directed toward a covert,
as-yet undiscovered path to

742
00:34:19,557 --> 00:34:20,557
a nuclear weapon.

743
00:34:20,558 --> 00:34:23,858
The same could be said
of essentially a mining

744
00:34:23,861 --> 00:34:25,301
facility inside of Iran.

745
00:34:25,296 --> 00:34:27,436
We know where that material
is going and we can verify

746
00:34:27,432 --> 00:34:30,402
that it's not going toward
an unaccounted for path

747
00:34:30,401 --> 00:34:31,741
toward a nuclear weapon.

748
00:34:31,736 --> 00:34:33,376
David.

749
00:34:33,371 --> 00:34:34,971
The Press: One more
on trade, Josh.

750
00:34:34,972 --> 00:34:37,442
You mentioned that the
President spoke with Leader

751
00:34:37,442 --> 00:34:39,212
Pelosi ahead of the meeting
with the House

752
00:34:39,210 --> 00:34:40,910
Democratic Caucus.

753
00:34:40,912 --> 00:34:43,482
Could you explain very
clearly exactly what she

754
00:34:43,481 --> 00:34:45,781
expressed to him about
whether she was going to

755
00:34:45,783 --> 00:34:46,613
vote no?

756
00:34:46,617 --> 00:34:49,317
Did she say she was going
to vote no and explain why?

757
00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:51,990
Did she say she was leaning
no and explained why?

758
00:34:51,989 --> 00:34:54,259
And since then, has she
communicated to Denis

759
00:34:54,258 --> 00:34:57,158
McDonough or others more
clearly why she voted no?

760
00:34:57,161 --> 00:34:59,331
Mr. Earnest: David, I'm not
going to share details of

761
00:34:59,330 --> 00:35:01,330
the private conversation
that the President had with

762
00:35:01,332 --> 00:35:04,702
Leader Pelosi prior to the
Democratic Caucus meeting.

763
00:35:04,702 --> 00:35:06,702
It was a meeting that lasted
about 20 minutes but it was

764
00:35:06,704 --> 00:35:08,674
not just the two of them --
other Democratic leaders

765
00:35:08,673 --> 00:35:10,273
were in the room.

766
00:35:10,274 --> 00:35:14,114
I know that Mr. Hoyer,
Mr. Clyburn, I think

767
00:35:14,111 --> 00:35:16,711
Mr. Becerra was in there,
maybe others were in the

768
00:35:16,714 --> 00:35:17,714
room when they visited.

769
00:35:17,715 --> 00:35:19,985
But I'm not going to get
into the details of

770
00:35:19,984 --> 00:35:20,984
that conversation.

771
00:35:20,985 --> 00:35:23,625
As it relates to Leader
Pelosi's position, she

772
00:35:23,621 --> 00:35:26,161
articulated her position
very clearly on the floor of

773
00:35:26,157 --> 00:35:28,657
the House of Representatives
and that was the explanation

774
00:35:28,659 --> 00:35:30,299
that she offered.

775
00:35:30,294 --> 00:35:31,394
The Press: Did the White
House feel blindsided or

776
00:35:31,395 --> 00:35:34,535
surprised by the statement
she made on the House floor

777
00:35:34,532 --> 00:35:35,632
and the way she
cast her vote?

778
00:35:35,633 --> 00:35:38,533
Mr. Earnest: All I'll say,
David, is that the President

779
00:35:38,536 --> 00:35:40,876
and other senior officials
here at the White House had

780
00:35:40,872 --> 00:35:42,972
an opportunity to visit on
a number of occasions with

781
00:35:42,974 --> 00:35:45,714
Leader Pelosi last week in
the run-up to the vote.

782
00:35:45,710 --> 00:35:47,040
The Press: Last one.

783
00:35:47,044 --> 00:35:51,284
The President and his aides
have cast the TPP trade deal

784
00:35:51,282 --> 00:35:54,382
as an important test of
American leadership in Asia.

785
00:35:54,385 --> 00:35:58,085
Has the President spoken
with any world leaders in

786
00:35:58,089 --> 00:36:01,029
Asia or elsewhere about what
happened last week, where it

787
00:36:01,025 --> 00:36:03,025
stands, and reassured
them in any way?

788
00:36:03,027 --> 00:36:05,127
And if not, what does the
White House say to those

789
00:36:05,129 --> 00:36:08,199
world leaders if you could
sort of express where this

790
00:36:08,199 --> 00:36:10,269
is and whether they
should be concerned?

791
00:36:10,268 --> 00:36:15,208
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
know of any conversations

792
00:36:15,206 --> 00:36:18,406
that the President has
had with the leaders of

793
00:36:18,409 --> 00:36:20,409
countries who are
participating in the TPP

794
00:36:20,411 --> 00:36:23,751
negotiations with
the United States.

795
00:36:23,748 --> 00:36:26,418
I do know -- and this is
a point that we've made

796
00:36:26,417 --> 00:36:28,417
publicly many times -- is
that we have heard from

797
00:36:28,419 --> 00:36:30,519
those other countries that
they are closely watching

798
00:36:30,521 --> 00:36:33,191
the debate in Congress
that's been taking place

799
00:36:33,190 --> 00:36:37,230
over the last
several months.

800
00:36:37,228 --> 00:36:40,198
Obviously, the leaders
of those countries were

801
00:36:40,197 --> 00:36:43,437
watching closely when we had
a procedural snafu in the

802
00:36:43,434 --> 00:36:47,174
Senate, so it's not the
first time that there's been

803
00:36:47,171 --> 00:36:54,111
an apparent stumbling
block encountered.

804
00:36:54,111 --> 00:36:56,111
But I do think that those
countries who are in

805
00:36:56,113 --> 00:37:02,253
negotiations with the United
States are eager for the

806
00:37:02,253 --> 00:37:03,483
situation to be resolved.

807
00:37:03,487 --> 00:37:05,487
What they're looking for
is they're looking for

808
00:37:05,489 --> 00:37:07,629
confidence that if an
agreement can be reached

809
00:37:07,625 --> 00:37:10,265
around the negotiating table
that it's an agreement the

810
00:37:10,261 --> 00:37:11,261
United States
can live up to.

811
00:37:11,262 --> 00:37:14,662
And that's precisely why the
President has sought Trade

812
00:37:14,665 --> 00:37:16,465
Promotion Authority.

813
00:37:16,467 --> 00:37:21,707
And I think that's what our
trading partners

814
00:37:21,706 --> 00:37:22,606
are looking for.

815
00:37:22,607 --> 00:37:23,437
The Press: Does the
administration feel that the

816
00:37:23,441 --> 00:37:27,381
TPP talks are unlikely to be
finalized if TPA does not

817
00:37:27,378 --> 00:37:28,378
pass then?

818
00:37:28,379 --> 00:37:30,919
There's some who would say
you can bring TPP forward on

819
00:37:30,915 --> 00:37:34,055
its own merits in a
different kind of timetable,

820
00:37:34,051 --> 00:37:36,191
but does the administration
feel like this deal is over

821
00:37:36,187 --> 00:37:38,027
if you don't get TPA?

822
00:37:38,022 --> 00:37:39,492
Mr. Earnest: Well, what
we feel is that the most

823
00:37:39,490 --> 00:37:41,490
effective way for us to
get this done, for us to

824
00:37:41,492 --> 00:37:46,432
complete TPP negotiations
is for Congress to offer

825
00:37:46,430 --> 00:37:49,630
President Obama what every
previous President going to

826
00:37:49,634 --> 00:37:51,604
President Nixon, I believe,
has been offered, which is

827
00:37:51,602 --> 00:37:52,602
trade promotion authority.

828
00:37:52,603 --> 00:37:55,343
And essentially this is the
authority that's necessary

829
00:37:55,339 --> 00:37:58,779
to negotiate an agreement
and have that agreement,

830
00:37:58,776 --> 00:38:01,746
which does require
congressional approval, but

831
00:38:01,746 --> 00:38:03,816
to allow that agreement to
have expedited access to a

832
00:38:03,814 --> 00:38:07,454
vote on the floor of both
the House and the Senate.

833
00:38:07,451 --> 00:38:10,621
And, again, this is
authority that previous

834
00:38:10,621 --> 00:38:14,591
Congresses have given to
previous Presidents, and

835
00:38:14,592 --> 00:38:16,592
we're hopeful that this
Congress will be able to

836
00:38:16,594 --> 00:38:18,564
come together in bipartisan
fashion and give this

837
00:38:18,562 --> 00:38:21,202
authority to President Obama
so that we can pursue the

838
00:38:21,198 --> 00:38:25,068
strategy that he has laid
out for helping the U.S.

839
00:38:25,069 --> 00:38:26,239
economy and U.S.

840
00:38:26,237 --> 00:38:31,007
workers grapple with the
forces of globalization.

841
00:38:31,008 --> 00:38:32,308
Francesca.

842
00:38:32,309 --> 00:38:33,249
The Press: Thank you, Josh.

843
00:38:33,244 --> 00:38:33,914
Mr. Earnest:
Nice to see you.

844
00:38:33,911 --> 00:38:34,981
The Press: It's
great to see you.

845
00:38:34,979 --> 00:38:36,549
I just got back from Miami.

846
00:38:36,547 --> 00:38:38,147
Mr. Earnest: Oh,
welcome back.

847
00:38:38,149 --> 00:38:39,379
The Press: So I bet you
know what's coming next.

848
00:38:39,383 --> 00:38:40,723
Mr. Earnest: I guess I do.

849
00:38:40,718 --> 00:38:43,158
The Press: I'd be remiss
if I did not ask you about

850
00:38:43,154 --> 00:38:46,194
comments that Jeb Bush made
yesterday directly

851
00:38:46,190 --> 00:38:47,830
at the President.

852
00:38:47,825 --> 00:38:50,595
He said that "90 miles to
our South, there's talk of a

853
00:38:50,594 --> 00:38:53,964
state visit by our outgoing
President, but we don't need

854
00:38:53,964 --> 00:38:57,304
a glorified tourist to go
to Havana in support of a

855
00:38:57,301 --> 00:38:58,331
failed Cuba."

856
00:38:58,335 --> 00:39:00,335
And I was looking for a
White House reaction to him

857
00:39:00,337 --> 00:39:02,337
calling the President
a glorified tourist.

858
00:39:02,339 --> 00:39:04,379
Mr. Earnest: Well,
Francesca, I don't have a

859
00:39:04,375 --> 00:39:07,115
direct reaction to
Governor Bush's comments.

860
00:39:07,111 --> 00:39:11,451
Obviously, I've tried to be
disciplined about giving

861
00:39:11,449 --> 00:39:14,849
Republican candidates for
President the opportunity to

862
00:39:14,852 --> 00:39:16,852
make their announcements.

863
00:39:16,854 --> 00:39:21,194
But what I'll just say as a
general matter is that the

864
00:39:21,192 --> 00:39:25,792
President is pursuing a
change in policy in Cuba

865
00:39:25,796 --> 00:39:28,366
principally because the
policy that had previously

866
00:39:28,365 --> 00:39:31,635
been in place for more
than five decades failed.

867
00:39:31,635 --> 00:39:34,975
It didn't bring about the
kind of change on the island

868
00:39:34,972 --> 00:39:36,972
nation of Cuba that
we'd like to see.

869
00:39:36,974 --> 00:39:41,614
It didn't bring about
a government that is

870
00:39:41,612 --> 00:39:45,012
protecting of the basic
universal human rights that

871
00:39:45,015 --> 00:39:47,385
we so deeply value
in this country.

872
00:39:47,384 --> 00:39:50,184
And, ultimately, the
strategy that the President

873
00:39:50,187 --> 00:39:52,827
has put in place with regard
to Cuba is one that's aimed

874
00:39:52,823 --> 00:39:55,693
at empowering the Cuban
people, and by engaging them

875
00:39:55,693 --> 00:40:00,333
through increased commerce,
through increased diplomacy

876
00:40:00,331 --> 00:40:03,901
and, yes, even increased
tourism, that we can empower

877
00:40:03,901 --> 00:40:07,141
the Cuban people to have
more say over the direction

878
00:40:07,138 --> 00:40:08,268
and future of their country.

879
00:40:08,272 --> 00:40:13,442
And this is a strategy
that's -- or this is a new

880
00:40:13,444 --> 00:40:16,244
policy that's only been in
place for about six months,

881
00:40:16,247 --> 00:40:21,387
but the President is
confident that it will allow

882
00:40:21,385 --> 00:40:24,455
us to make much more
progress with regard to Cuba

883
00:40:24,455 --> 00:40:27,355
than we were able to make
over the last 55 years or so.

884
00:40:27,358 --> 00:40:28,088
The Press: Sure.

885
00:40:28,092 --> 00:40:30,192
And on the first part of
what he said about there's

886
00:40:30,194 --> 00:40:32,794
talk about a state visit --
you know about a month ago

887
00:40:32,797 --> 00:40:35,037
he said maybe that could
happen, so are there any

888
00:40:35,032 --> 00:40:36,132
updates on that front?

889
00:40:36,133 --> 00:40:37,203
Mr. Earnest: No, I don't
have any updates at this

890
00:40:37,201 --> 00:40:39,401
point, but we'll
keep you posted.

891
00:40:39,403 --> 00:40:40,303
Sarah.

892
00:40:40,304 --> 00:40:41,674
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

893
00:40:41,672 --> 00:40:43,942
In response to Mark's
question, you said -- about

894
00:40:43,941 --> 00:40:47,441
whether it would be possible
for just TPA to be passed

895
00:40:47,444 --> 00:40:50,384
without the TAA -- you said
there are a number of plans

896
00:40:50,381 --> 00:40:51,381
under consideration.

897
00:40:51,382 --> 00:40:53,782
So should we take that to
mean that that is among the

898
00:40:53,784 --> 00:40:56,024
plans under consideration
and that the President has

899
00:40:56,020 --> 00:40:58,690
not ruled that out or
said that he would veto a

900
00:40:58,689 --> 00:41:00,629
standalone TPA bill?

901
00:41:00,624 --> 00:41:01,924
Mr. Earnest: Well, at this
point, I don't want to go

902
00:41:01,926 --> 00:41:04,826
into the legislative options
that are being discussed by

903
00:41:04,829 --> 00:41:07,169
a wide variety of
members of Congress.

904
00:41:07,164 --> 00:41:09,164
There are some that have
been proposed that are

905
00:41:09,166 --> 00:41:11,166
nonstarters in the view
of the White House.

906
00:41:11,168 --> 00:41:14,668
But rather than shooting
down all the bad ideas,

907
00:41:14,672 --> 00:41:18,742
we'll allow those
conversations to take place.

908
00:41:18,742 --> 00:41:22,742
And once we have a more
coherent plan to present

909
00:41:22,746 --> 00:41:24,746
about the legislative
path forward, then that's

910
00:41:24,748 --> 00:41:27,218
something that we can
discuss in more detail.

911
00:41:27,218 --> 00:41:30,688
What I can tell you is that
the President has long made

912
00:41:30,688 --> 00:41:33,388
trade adjustment assistance
a high priority.

913
00:41:33,390 --> 00:41:37,930
And the reason for that
is that the President is

914
00:41:37,928 --> 00:41:43,468
motivated by the need to
ensure that we're protecting

915
00:41:43,467 --> 00:41:47,067
American workers as much
as we can from the broader

916
00:41:47,071 --> 00:41:48,171
forces of globalization.

917
00:41:48,172 --> 00:41:50,512
And essentially that means
we know that we cannot

918
00:41:50,507 --> 00:41:53,177
insulate the United States
from those global pressures,

919
00:41:53,177 --> 00:41:56,017
but what we can do is we can
give American businesses

920
00:41:56,013 --> 00:41:58,013
and, most importantly,
American workers the tools

921
00:41:58,015 --> 00:41:59,585
they need to compete.

922
00:41:59,583 --> 00:42:01,553
And what trade adjustment
assistance is, is

923
00:42:01,552 --> 00:42:05,152
essentially an effort to
offer very specific job

924
00:42:05,155 --> 00:42:07,725
training to workers who have
seen their jobs shipped

925
00:42:07,725 --> 00:42:10,425
overseas -- in some cases,
to countries that don't even

926
00:42:10,427 --> 00:42:12,897
have trade agreements with
the United States -- but to

927
00:42:12,897 --> 00:42:14,897
give them the skills that
they need so that they can

928
00:42:14,899 --> 00:42:16,899
compete in this global
21st century economy.

929
00:42:16,901 --> 00:42:23,271
We know this strategy works;
that in fiscal year 2014,

930
00:42:23,274 --> 00:42:26,444
nearly 77 percent of
TAA participants found

931
00:42:26,443 --> 00:42:30,513
employment within six months
of completing this job

932
00:42:30,514 --> 00:42:31,984
training program.

933
00:42:31,982 --> 00:42:34,722
And six months later, 90
percent of those workers

934
00:42:34,718 --> 00:42:35,918
were still in that job.

935
00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:37,920
That's an indication that
workers, when they go

936
00:42:37,922 --> 00:42:40,362
through this kind of
training, can find good jobs

937
00:42:40,357 --> 00:42:41,897
and they can keep them.

938
00:42:41,892 --> 00:42:44,292
And that's why the President
has made this a priority.

939
00:42:44,295 --> 00:42:46,735
And this is exactly what's
motivating the President to

940
00:42:46,730 --> 00:42:49,730
try to reach a Trans-Pacific
Partnership agreement in the

941
00:42:49,733 --> 00:42:52,773
first place -- is that we
can't afford to just stick

942
00:42:52,770 --> 00:42:58,080
our head in the sand and
lock in the status quo when

943
00:42:58,075 --> 00:43:02,685
it comes to dealing with
international, global

944
00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:06,750
economic competition; that
the United States, our

945
00:43:06,750 --> 00:43:09,590
economy and our workers are
going to be much better off

946
00:43:09,586 --> 00:43:10,956
if the United States
is willing to engage,

947
00:43:10,955 --> 00:43:14,595
particularly in the most
economically dynamic region

948
00:43:14,591 --> 00:43:15,931
of the world.

949
00:43:15,926 --> 00:43:18,266
And by engaging in those
countries and compelling

950
00:43:18,262 --> 00:43:21,232
those countries to raise
labor standards, to raise

951
00:43:21,231 --> 00:43:23,531
environmental standards,
to protect intellectual

952
00:43:23,534 --> 00:43:26,174
property, to write in
protections for basic human

953
00:43:26,170 --> 00:43:28,810
rights, and give American
businesses and workers

954
00:43:28,806 --> 00:43:31,446
access to markets in their
countries, that's the way

955
00:43:31,442 --> 00:43:32,442
for us to succeed.

956
00:43:32,443 --> 00:43:34,683
That's the strategy for
success -- not just for our

957
00:43:34,678 --> 00:43:36,818
economy and not just for
businesses, but for American

958
00:43:36,814 --> 00:43:38,184
middle-class workers.

959
00:43:38,182 --> 00:43:40,182
And that's the case that
the President has made and

960
00:43:40,184 --> 00:43:42,554
that's why we have been
successful in building

961
00:43:42,553 --> 00:43:45,293
bipartisan support for this
strategy in the Senate, and

962
00:43:45,289 --> 00:43:48,229
why we continue to be
confident, despite our

963
00:43:48,225 --> 00:43:50,895
latest challenges, that
we're going to be successful

964
00:43:50,894 --> 00:43:52,894
in moving this strategy
through the House in

965
00:43:52,896 --> 00:43:53,896
bipartisan fashion as well.

966
00:43:53,897 --> 00:43:55,897
The Press: I understand why
you don't want to shoot down

967
00:43:55,899 --> 00:43:59,069
all the bad ideas, but with
this particular idea, is

968
00:43:59,069 --> 00:44:01,269
this a bad idea that
will be shot down?

969
00:44:01,271 --> 00:44:04,611
Mr. Earnest: I'm going to
reserve judgment on the

970
00:44:04,608 --> 00:44:09,148
proposed paths until we have
settled in on a strategy for

971
00:44:09,146 --> 00:44:11,546
advancing this particular
piece of legislation through

972
00:44:11,548 --> 00:44:14,118
the legislative process.

973
00:44:14,118 --> 00:44:17,788
And once we have settled on
that path forward, maybe we

974
00:44:17,788 --> 00:44:19,688
can even have a discussion
about why certain paths

975
00:44:19,690 --> 00:44:20,960
weren't chosen.

976
00:44:20,958 --> 00:44:23,028
The Press: And one last
question, I'm sorry.

977
00:44:23,027 --> 00:44:28,637
You mentioned that this
postponing of another vote

978
00:44:28,632 --> 00:44:30,772
would -- you specifically
said it would give members

979
00:44:30,768 --> 00:44:32,908
of the House and Senate
additional time to consider

980
00:44:32,903 --> 00:44:34,243
the path forward.

981
00:44:34,238 --> 00:44:36,608
What do you see the role of
the Senate being at this

982
00:44:36,607 --> 00:44:38,507
point, potentially?

983
00:44:38,509 --> 00:44:40,349
Mr. Earnest: Well, obviously
there's a substantial

984
00:44:40,344 --> 00:44:42,344
majority in the United
States Senate that has voted

985
00:44:42,346 --> 00:44:44,446
to advance both trade
promotion authority and

986
00:44:44,448 --> 00:44:45,448
trade adjustment assistance.

987
00:44:45,449 --> 00:44:49,519
So they are keenly
interested in exactly what's

988
00:44:49,520 --> 00:44:53,520
going on in the House and
we've had conversations from

989
00:44:53,524 --> 00:44:54,994
the White House, but I think
probably also there have

990
00:44:54,992 --> 00:44:57,032
been conversations between
members of the House and

991
00:44:57,027 --> 00:44:59,597
members of the Senate
about the path forward.

992
00:44:59,596 --> 00:45:02,296
Obviously, given the
substantial progress that

993
00:45:02,299 --> 00:45:05,599
this legislation has already
made through the Senate, and

994
00:45:05,602 --> 00:45:07,602
there's important progress
that's been made through the

995
00:45:07,604 --> 00:45:11,704
House because TPA
legislation did pass, that

996
00:45:11,708 --> 00:45:15,378
the straightest, most direct
way to try to move this

997
00:45:15,379 --> 00:45:18,319
across the finish line is
just to take an additional

998
00:45:18,315 --> 00:45:19,985
vote or two in the House.

999
00:45:19,983 --> 00:45:22,553
But this is something that
is still under discussion,

1000
00:45:22,553 --> 00:45:25,093
and again, members of
the United States Senate

1001
00:45:25,089 --> 00:45:28,689
obviously are invested in
finding a solution that

1002
00:45:28,692 --> 00:45:31,862
allows this legislation to
come to the President's desk.

1003
00:45:31,862 --> 00:45:34,162
The Press: Have
administration officials up

1004
00:45:34,164 --> 00:45:37,264
to the President been in
touch with Leader McConnell

1005
00:45:37,267 --> 00:45:40,667
or Senator Reid?

1006
00:45:40,671 --> 00:45:42,841
Mr. Earnest: I can tell you
that over the weekend, Denis

1007
00:45:42,840 --> 00:45:46,180
McDonough, the Chief of Staff, spoke to Senator McConnell.

1008
00:45:46,176 --> 00:45:48,276
I don't have any updated
conversations to tell you

1009
00:45:48,278 --> 00:45:50,448
about beyond that, though.

1010
00:45:50,447 --> 00:45:51,817
Jim.

1011
00:45:51,815 --> 00:45:53,485
The Press: To follow up on
ideas that you may or may

1012
00:45:53,484 --> 00:45:56,754
not want to shoot down,
Nancy Pelosi wrote an op-ed

1013
00:45:56,753 --> 00:46:01,323
in USA Today in which she
said that perhaps the U.N.

1014
00:46:01,325 --> 00:46:03,995
might come in handy in terms
of crafting future

1015
00:46:03,994 --> 00:46:05,064
trade agreements.

1016
00:46:05,062 --> 00:46:06,862
Does the White House
share that view?

1017
00:46:06,864 --> 00:46:08,504
Does that come out of
left field for you?

1018
00:46:08,499 --> 00:46:10,239
Mr. Earnest: Well, the White
House view is that the

1019
00:46:10,234 --> 00:46:12,334
President and his team
have put very effective

1020
00:46:12,336 --> 00:46:15,906
negotiators at the
negotiating table with our

1021
00:46:15,906 --> 00:46:19,246
partners in the proposed
Trans-Pacific Partnership

1022
00:46:19,243 --> 00:46:23,483
agreement and we feel
confident that those

1023
00:46:23,480 --> 00:46:25,980
negotiators are following
the President's instructions

1024
00:46:25,983 --> 00:46:27,983
to make sure that they're
looking out for the best

1025
00:46:27,985 --> 00:46:30,355
interest of American workers
and American businesses.

1026
00:46:30,354 --> 00:46:32,354
Those are the interests that
are being represented and

1027
00:46:32,356 --> 00:46:35,126
even advanced at the
negotiating table, and

1028
00:46:35,125 --> 00:46:37,395
that's the path that we're
going to continue to pursue.

1029
00:46:37,394 --> 00:46:39,794
What we'd like to see is
bipartisan support from the

1030
00:46:39,796 --> 00:46:41,296
Congress for that strategy.

1031
00:46:41,298 --> 00:46:43,668
The Press: So you don't
think that it's necessary to

1032
00:46:43,667 --> 00:46:48,407
bring the United Nations
into trade discussions, as

1033
00:46:48,405 --> 00:46:50,405
Leader Pelosi was
suggesting in this op-ed?

1034
00:46:50,407 --> 00:46:52,477
Mr. Earnest: With regard
to this specific trade

1035
00:46:52,476 --> 00:46:54,476
agreement that we're trying
to reach in the Asia Pacific

1036
00:46:54,478 --> 00:46:57,248
region, the President
continues to have full

1037
00:46:57,247 --> 00:47:00,347
confidence that his
negotiators are focused on,

1038
00:47:00,350 --> 00:47:02,650
at his direction, the best
interests of the American

1039
00:47:02,653 --> 00:47:04,593
economy and
American workers.

1040
00:47:04,588 --> 00:47:07,328
The Press: And the Iraqi
Prime Minister's office says

1041
00:47:07,324 --> 00:47:11,064
that Prime Minister Abadi
will be going to Iran

1042
00:47:11,061 --> 00:47:14,461
tomorrow to meet with the
Supreme Leader there, the

1043
00:47:14,464 --> 00:47:15,764
Ayatollah Khamenei.

1044
00:47:15,766 --> 00:47:19,166
And I'm just curious if you
feel like that's a good idea.

1045
00:47:19,169 --> 00:47:24,409
And what should Sunnis
make of this visit?

1046
00:47:24,408 --> 00:47:27,508
The President said and you
said in recent days that one

1047
00:47:27,511 --> 00:47:31,111
of the problems with taking
the fight to ISIS on the

1048
00:47:31,114 --> 00:47:33,684
ground is that there's a
lack of Sunni interest and

1049
00:47:33,684 --> 00:47:35,854
you need more
Sunni fighters.

1050
00:47:35,852 --> 00:47:39,792
I suppose seeing the Prime
Minister go to Iran and meet

1051
00:47:39,790 --> 00:47:42,830
with the Supreme Leader is
not the best recruiting tool

1052
00:47:42,826 --> 00:47:44,826
for bringing in
more Sunni fighters.

1053
00:47:44,828 --> 00:47:48,998
Mr. Earnest: Jim, the
administration -- this

1054
00:47:48,999 --> 00:47:52,339
administration has long
acknowledged that Iraq is

1055
00:47:52,336 --> 00:47:54,336
going to have an important
relationship with their

1056
00:47:54,338 --> 00:47:55,338
neighbors in Iran.

1057
00:47:55,339 --> 00:47:56,569
They share a long border.

1058
00:47:56,573 --> 00:47:59,113
They obviously have shared
interests, including

1059
00:47:59,109 --> 00:48:02,609
defeating ISIL.

1060
00:48:02,613 --> 00:48:04,653
So it's not particularly
surprising -- although I had

1061
00:48:04,648 --> 00:48:08,448
not seen the week-ahead
travel schedule for Prime

1062
00:48:08,452 --> 00:48:10,792
Minister Abadi, if you will
-- but I'm not surprised to

1063
00:48:10,787 --> 00:48:15,227
hear that he is conducting
a visit with his neighbors.

1064
00:48:17,261 --> 00:48:21,631
So we have -- at the same
time, the administration has

1065
00:48:21,632 --> 00:48:26,272
also reiterated that we
believe it's critically

1066
00:48:26,270 --> 00:48:30,710
important that Prime
Minister Abadi govern the

1067
00:48:30,707 --> 00:48:35,747
nation of Iraq in an
inclusive way, and that Iran

1068
00:48:35,746 --> 00:48:40,346
needs to respect the
sovereignty of Iraq and

1069
00:48:40,350 --> 00:48:44,150
allow Prime Minister Abadi
to do precisely that.

1070
00:48:44,154 --> 00:48:47,124
We've even made the case
publicly, Jim, that it's in

1071
00:48:47,124 --> 00:48:51,594
Iran's interest for Prime
Minister Abadi to succeed in

1072
00:48:51,595 --> 00:48:55,565
uniting the nation of Iraq
to confront the ISIL threat

1073
00:48:55,565 --> 00:48:58,535
because Iran understands as
well as everyone else does

1074
00:48:58,535 --> 00:49:01,435
that if Prime Minister Abadi
is not successful in that

1075
00:49:01,438 --> 00:49:04,438
effort it will be very
difficult for us to

1076
00:49:04,441 --> 00:49:06,441
accomplish our goal of
degrading and ultimately

1077
00:49:06,443 --> 00:49:07,743
destroying ISIL.

1078
00:49:07,744 --> 00:49:09,844
And if Prime Minister Abadi
and the people of Iraq are

1079
00:49:09,846 --> 00:49:12,316
not successful in that
effort, then we're likely to

1080
00:49:12,316 --> 00:49:15,686
see ISIL forces
uncomfortably close to the

1081
00:49:15,686 --> 00:49:17,256
Iranian border.

1082
00:49:17,254 --> 00:49:20,024
And that certainly is not
in the interest of the

1083
00:49:20,023 --> 00:49:22,223
Iranians, and frankly, it's
not in the interest of the

1084
00:49:22,225 --> 00:49:25,225
broader international
community either.

1085
00:49:25,228 --> 00:49:28,198
So, again, it's not a
particular surprise to

1086
00:49:28,198 --> 00:49:30,438
anybody here, even though I
had not previously seen the

1087
00:49:30,434 --> 00:49:32,474
announcement, that Prime
Minister Abadi is traveling

1088
00:49:32,469 --> 00:49:33,909
to Tehran.

1089
00:49:33,904 --> 00:49:35,904
But we continue to believe
that it's critically

1090
00:49:35,906 --> 00:49:40,476
important and even in the
interest of Iran for them to

1091
00:49:40,477 --> 00:49:43,147
protect Prime Minister
Abadi's sovereignty and his

1092
00:49:43,146 --> 00:49:47,186
ability to unite the diverse
country of Iraq to counter

1093
00:49:47,184 --> 00:49:48,254
the threat from ISIL.

1094
00:49:48,251 --> 00:49:50,921
The Press: And what did you
make of the Pope's comments

1095
00:49:50,921 --> 00:49:53,221
about climate change?

1096
00:49:53,223 --> 00:49:56,263
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, what
I have read in news reports

1097
00:49:56,259 --> 00:49:59,829
is that there was a document
that was only a draft that

1098
00:49:59,830 --> 00:50:00,830
was leaked early.

1099
00:50:00,831 --> 00:50:05,701
And I guess in some ways
it's gratifying to know that

1100
00:50:05,702 --> 00:50:07,702
there might be other
spokespeople who deal with

1101
00:50:07,704 --> 00:50:08,704
those kinds of challenges.

1102
00:50:08,705 --> 00:50:09,875
(laughter)

1103
00:50:09,873 --> 00:50:13,943
But maybe you might call
it sort of --

1104
00:50:13,944 --> 00:50:15,444
The Press: Careful.

1105
00:50:15,445 --> 00:50:17,885
(laughter)

1106
00:50:17,881 --> 00:50:19,621
Mr. Earnest: No, no, no,
that's not where I'm going.

1107
00:50:19,616 --> 00:50:21,516
I'm not going anywhere
close to that.

1108
00:50:21,518 --> 00:50:23,518
I'm suggesting that maybe
I will show -- demonstrate

1109
00:50:23,520 --> 00:50:25,520
some professional courtesy
to my counterpart at the

1110
00:50:25,522 --> 00:50:27,592
Vatican and withhold comment
on this leaked document

1111
00:50:27,591 --> 00:50:30,061
until a more formal
announcement has been made.

1112
00:50:30,060 --> 00:50:30,960
The Press: Here
it's a scoop.

1113
00:50:30,961 --> 00:50:31,761
There it's a sin.

1114
00:50:31,762 --> 00:50:33,862
(laughter)

1115
00:50:33,864 --> 00:50:37,864
Mr. Earnest: Kevin.

1116
00:50:37,868 --> 00:50:40,368
The Press: I want to get
your reaction to the FDA's

1117
00:50:40,370 --> 00:50:44,440
announcement that trans-fats
are going bye-bye, giving

1118
00:50:44,441 --> 00:50:47,681
food manufacturers three
years to sort of phase them out.

1119
00:50:47,677 --> 00:50:51,017
And I want to also get your
reaction to the people who

1120
00:50:51,014 --> 00:50:53,484
might say get out
of my kitchen.

1121
00:50:53,483 --> 00:50:55,483
If I want to eat trans fats,
if I want to have Dunkin'

1122
00:50:55,485 --> 00:50:58,055
Donuts or pick your product,
why shouldn't I be able to

1123
00:50:58,054 --> 00:51:00,124
do that?

1124
00:51:00,123 --> 00:51:02,523
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kevin,
what I would simply say is

1125
00:51:02,526 --> 00:51:05,026
that the FDA has a
responsibility to conduct a

1126
00:51:05,028 --> 00:51:07,268
thorough review of
scientific evidence and make

1127
00:51:07,264 --> 00:51:09,464
decisions that they believe
are clearly in the best

1128
00:51:09,466 --> 00:51:12,336
interests of the health
of the American people.

1129
00:51:12,335 --> 00:51:16,675
In this case, they've made
a decision and finalized a

1130
00:51:16,673 --> 00:51:19,443
determination that partially
hydrogenated oils, the

1131
00:51:19,443 --> 00:51:22,283
primary dietary source of
artificial trans fat in

1132
00:51:22,279 --> 00:51:25,479
processed foods, are not
generally recognized as safe

1133
00:51:25,482 --> 00:51:27,082
for use in human food.

1134
00:51:27,083 --> 00:51:29,083
That is a scientific
conclusion they reached

1135
00:51:29,085 --> 00:51:31,085
based on scientific
evidence, and they made this

1136
00:51:31,087 --> 00:51:35,357
announcement consistent
with their mandate to share

1137
00:51:35,358 --> 00:51:37,498
information that they
believe is in the best

1138
00:51:37,494 --> 00:51:39,634
interest of the public
health of the United States

1139
00:51:39,629 --> 00:51:40,629
and our citizens.

1140
00:51:40,630 --> 00:51:42,800
The Press: On trade, are you
all -- is the administration

1141
00:51:42,799 --> 00:51:45,199
reaching out to big labor?

1142
00:51:45,202 --> 00:51:48,202
Clearly there's a gap there,
a gulf, if you will, between

1143
00:51:48,205 --> 00:51:52,905
the way big labor views
potential TPP, for example.

1144
00:51:52,909 --> 00:51:55,379
Is the administration still
reaching out to leaders in

1145
00:51:55,378 --> 00:51:57,848
big labor like the AFL-CIO,
for example, to try to bring

1146
00:51:57,848 --> 00:52:00,188
them back to the table and
continue the conversation?

1147
00:52:00,183 --> 00:52:06,393
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kevin,
as you know, leaders in the

1148
00:52:06,389 --> 00:52:10,699
labor community have been
strong advocates for a

1149
00:52:10,694 --> 00:52:12,694
variety of the policies that
this administration has

1150
00:52:12,696 --> 00:52:15,336
pursued, and we work closely
with them on a range of

1151
00:52:15,332 --> 00:52:17,332
issues, including the
Affordable Care Act, Wall

1152
00:52:17,334 --> 00:52:19,334
Street reform, trying
to advance many of the

1153
00:52:19,336 --> 00:52:22,336
job-training priorities that
the President has identified

1154
00:52:22,339 --> 00:52:24,079
among many other things.

1155
00:52:24,074 --> 00:52:26,644
So there are a number of
conversations that the

1156
00:52:26,643 --> 00:52:29,383
administration, and even
the President, has had with

1157
00:52:29,379 --> 00:52:31,019
leaders in the
labor community.

1158
00:52:31,014 --> 00:52:33,014
But I don't have any recent
conversations to read

1159
00:52:33,016 --> 00:52:34,016
out to you.

1160
00:52:34,017 --> 00:52:36,017
The Press: You mentioned
the Affordable Care Act.

1161
00:52:36,019 --> 00:52:38,059
There is a new IG report out
today that reveals that the

1162
00:52:38,054 --> 00:52:40,424
administration has paid
billions of dollars to

1163
00:52:40,423 --> 00:52:42,423
insurance companies without
having the payment

1164
00:52:42,425 --> 00:52:43,925
amounts verified.

1165
00:52:43,927 --> 00:52:46,197
The CMS process for getting
the exact number of

1166
00:52:46,196 --> 00:52:49,166
government that they have to
pay actually has not

1167
00:52:49,165 --> 00:52:50,165
been finished.

1168
00:52:50,166 --> 00:52:53,306
Can you explain why that is
happening and what's being

1169
00:52:53,303 --> 00:52:54,303
done to change that?

1170
00:52:54,304 --> 00:52:57,074
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kevin, as
you know, the administration

1171
00:52:57,073 --> 00:53:00,343
takes very seriously the
mandate that we have to both

1172
00:53:00,343 --> 00:53:02,813
be good stewards of taxpayer
dollars but also make sure

1173
00:53:02,812 --> 00:53:05,712
that those citizens across
the country who qualify for

1174
00:53:05,715 --> 00:53:08,885
subsidies that make their
health care more affordable,

1175
00:53:08,885 --> 00:53:11,485
that they get
that tax credit.

1176
00:53:11,488 --> 00:53:14,888
And so I recognize that
there is a review that has

1177
00:53:14,891 --> 00:53:16,891
been conducted, but I'd
refer you to HHS for more

1178
00:53:16,893 --> 00:53:18,893
details in terms of their
reaction to the report.

1179
00:53:18,895 --> 00:53:20,895
The Press: Are you
surprised at the number?

1180
00:53:20,897 --> 00:53:22,897
We're talking billions of
dollars, according to that

1181
00:53:22,899 --> 00:53:23,899
IG report.

1182
00:53:23,900 --> 00:53:25,900
Mr. Earnest: Well, what we
do know is we know that the

1183
00:53:25,902 --> 00:53:27,872
Affordable Care Act has
offered substantial

1184
00:53:27,871 --> 00:53:30,071
assistance to millions of
Americans across the country

1185
00:53:30,073 --> 00:53:32,543
to make their health
insurance more affordable.

1186
00:53:32,542 --> 00:53:34,842
But for the details of that
report, I'd refer you to HHS.

1187
00:53:34,844 --> 00:53:35,414
The Press: Okay.

1188
00:53:35,412 --> 00:53:37,252
Two quick
housekeeping items.

1189
00:53:37,247 --> 00:53:40,917
The fence around the
perimeter here, any update

1190
00:53:40,917 --> 00:53:44,517
on any changes in
height or design at all?

1191
00:53:44,521 --> 00:53:47,461
Mr. Earnest: For any changes
to the security posture here

1192
00:53:47,457 --> 00:53:49,127
at the White House complex,
I'd refer you to the Secret

1193
00:53:49,125 --> 00:53:50,925
Service that's
responsible for that.

1194
00:53:50,927 --> 00:53:52,527
The Press: And lastly, the
one question I keep asking

1195
00:53:52,529 --> 00:53:54,729
that very few others will:
Do you have an update on

1196
00:53:54,731 --> 00:53:57,501
that Keystone -- a review
that's been going on?

1197
00:53:57,500 --> 00:53:59,940
I can't remember the amount
of time now; I'll have to

1198
00:53:59,936 --> 00:54:01,506
check with Mr. Knoller.

1199
00:54:01,504 --> 00:54:03,204
But it seems like it's
been quite a while.

1200
00:54:03,206 --> 00:54:05,306
Mr. Earnest: Well, as you
know, that is a review that

1201
00:54:05,308 --> 00:54:07,308
is still being conducted
by the State Department.

1202
00:54:07,310 --> 00:54:08,240
The Press: Still
being conducted?

1203
00:54:08,244 --> 00:54:08,614
Mr. Earnest:
Still over there.

1204
00:54:08,612 --> 00:54:09,542
So you can check with
them for an update.

1205
00:54:09,546 --> 00:54:09,976
The Press: All right.

1206
00:54:09,980 --> 00:54:10,510
Mr. Earnest: All right.

1207
00:54:10,513 --> 00:54:11,213
April.

1208
00:54:11,214 --> 00:54:12,614
The Press: Josh, I want
to follow up on Chip and

1209
00:54:12,616 --> 00:54:15,386
Francesca a little bit, and
I want to talk

1210
00:54:15,385 --> 00:54:16,255
about the politics.

1211
00:54:16,252 --> 00:54:19,252
We are hearing a lot of
sound bites, punchlines

1212
00:54:19,255 --> 00:54:20,155
and jokes.

1213
00:54:20,156 --> 00:54:23,596
Yesterday we heard, as
Francesca said, in Miami, "a

1214
00:54:23,593 --> 00:54:26,093
glorified tourist,"
pointing at the President.

1215
00:54:26,096 --> 00:54:29,896
And now the DNC is pointing
at Donald Trump, as Chip

1216
00:54:29,899 --> 00:54:32,939
cited, that he adds --
talking about Donald Trump

1217
00:54:32,936 --> 00:54:34,706
-- some much-needed
seriousness that has

1218
00:54:34,704 --> 00:54:37,204
previously been lacking
from the GOP field.

1219
00:54:37,207 --> 00:54:40,607
How is this White House
planning on handling all of

1220
00:54:40,610 --> 00:54:43,150
this ramped up rhetoric
that's happening,

1221
00:54:43,146 --> 00:54:46,516
particularly when GOP, GOP
candidates, and Dems are

1222
00:54:46,516 --> 00:54:48,016
pointing fingers at
this White House?

1223
00:54:48,018 --> 00:54:50,158
Are you planning to stay
above the fray, as you did

1224
00:54:50,153 --> 00:54:53,423
when the President started
his quest to be President of

1225
00:54:53,423 --> 00:54:55,563
the United States?

1226
00:54:55,558 --> 00:54:58,698
Mr. Earnest: April, as it
relates to the discussion

1227
00:54:58,695 --> 00:55:01,535
that we have in here every
day, I intend to continue to

1228
00:55:01,531 --> 00:55:04,271
be a forceful advocate for
the President's policies,

1229
00:55:04,267 --> 00:55:07,337
but also a forceful advocate
for helping you and all of

1230
00:55:07,337 --> 00:55:10,777
your readers and viewers and
listeners understand exactly

1231
00:55:10,774 --> 00:55:12,774
what is happening at the
White House here, what our

1232
00:55:12,776 --> 00:55:16,946
priorities are, and how the
President is pursuing them.

1233
00:55:16,946 --> 00:55:19,946
In some cases, it may down
the line mean that we get

1234
00:55:19,949 --> 00:55:23,849
into a back and forth about
some claims that are made by

1235
00:55:23,853 --> 00:55:27,123
one presidential
candidate or another.

1236
00:55:27,123 --> 00:55:30,363
But at this point, what I
have tried to do is to give

1237
00:55:30,360 --> 00:55:33,030
these presidential
candidates the opportunity

1238
00:55:33,029 --> 00:55:35,799
to introduce themselves on
the national stage and to go

1239
00:55:35,799 --> 00:55:38,699
about their effort of making
the case for why they should

1240
00:55:38,702 --> 00:55:40,702
be entrusted with
such an important job.

1241
00:55:40,704 --> 00:55:44,704
But at this point, I don't
envision weighing in anytime

1242
00:55:44,708 --> 00:55:45,738
soon in that debate.

1243
00:55:45,742 --> 00:55:48,912
But I certainly am hopeful
that a robust debate will

1244
00:55:48,912 --> 00:55:52,152
occur; that it will be
focused on the priorities

1245
00:55:52,148 --> 00:55:54,348
and challenges that are
facing the country.

1246
00:55:54,350 --> 00:55:56,820
And if there is an
opportunity for the

1247
00:55:56,820 --> 00:55:59,190
President or somebody here
at the White House to weigh

1248
00:55:59,189 --> 00:56:01,889
in on that debate, we
won't miss an opportunity.

1249
00:56:01,891 --> 00:56:02,991
The Press: So am I right
from the beginning

1250
00:56:02,992 --> 00:56:04,062
of your statement?

1251
00:56:04,060 --> 00:56:05,860
So you do reserve the right
to sling a little mud if you

1252
00:56:05,862 --> 00:56:07,132
have to?

1253
00:56:07,130 --> 00:56:08,130
Mr. Earnest: That's not at
all how I would describe it.

1254
00:56:08,131 --> 00:56:11,101
(laughter)

1255
00:56:11,101 --> 00:56:12,201
But we certainly do reserve
the right at some point to

1256
00:56:12,202 --> 00:56:15,902
weigh in.

1257
00:56:15,905 --> 00:56:16,905
Jordan.

1258
00:56:16,906 --> 00:56:18,106
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1259
00:56:18,108 --> 00:56:21,708
Given Leader Pelosi's vote
on Friday, and the fact the

1260
00:56:21,711 --> 00:56:24,911
President hasn't spoken to
her, would you say that

1261
00:56:24,914 --> 00:56:26,914
she's on bad terms right
now with the White House?

1262
00:56:26,916 --> 00:56:29,316
Mr. Earnest: No, I
wouldn't say that at all.

1263
00:56:29,319 --> 00:56:33,789
What I would merely point
out is that, on the vast

1264
00:56:33,790 --> 00:56:37,290
majority of issues that this
President has prioritized

1265
00:56:37,293 --> 00:56:39,533
and, frankly, on the vast
majority of accomplishments

1266
00:56:39,529 --> 00:56:46,699
that this President is so
proud of, they all required

1267
00:56:46,703 --> 00:56:48,673
Leader Pelosi's skillful
leadership in the

1268
00:56:48,671 --> 00:56:49,971
House of Representatives.

1269
00:56:49,973 --> 00:56:54,243
And so President Obama
and Leader Pelosi have

1270
00:56:54,244 --> 00:56:57,444
demonstrated that they have
a strong enough personal and

1271
00:56:57,447 --> 00:57:00,987
professional relationship to
withstand a difference, even

1272
00:57:00,984 --> 00:57:03,454
on an important
issue like this.

1273
00:57:03,453 --> 00:57:04,053
Dave.

1274
00:57:04,053 --> 00:57:05,453
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1275
00:57:05,455 --> 00:57:08,255
Is she coming to
the picnic tomorrow?

1276
00:57:08,258 --> 00:57:09,428
Mr. Earnest: I don't know,
you'll have to ask her.

1277
00:57:09,425 --> 00:57:10,995
She is certainly invited.

1278
00:57:10,994 --> 00:57:12,464
The Press: Steny Hoyer,
since you came out to the

1279
00:57:12,462 --> 00:57:15,962
podium today, told reporters
at the Capitol that the

1280
00:57:15,965 --> 00:57:19,635
President has "abandoned"
efforts to get Democrats to

1281
00:57:19,636 --> 00:57:23,306
vote on the same trade
package that failed last week.

1282
00:57:23,306 --> 00:57:25,246
Would you at least
say that's accurate?

1283
00:57:25,241 --> 00:57:27,481
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
I don't want to get into

1284
00:57:27,477 --> 00:57:30,147
conversations between the
White House and the Hill at

1285
00:57:30,146 --> 00:57:31,616
this point.

1286
00:57:31,614 --> 00:57:34,854
We certainly strongly
believe that the trade

1287
00:57:34,851 --> 00:57:36,791
adjustment assistance
legislation that was on the

1288
00:57:36,786 --> 00:57:40,226
floor of the House of
Representatives last Friday

1289
00:57:40,223 --> 00:57:42,193
is absolutely worthy
of Democratic support.

1290
00:57:42,192 --> 00:57:44,562
You'll recall that previous
trade adjustment assistance

1291
00:57:44,561 --> 00:57:47,101
legislation received
unanimous support among

1292
00:57:47,096 --> 00:57:49,096
Democrats last time
it was considered.

1293
00:57:52,135 --> 00:57:55,135
And given the fact that this
legislation is poised to

1294
00:57:55,138 --> 00:57:57,278
expire at the end of
September, the President

1295
00:57:57,273 --> 00:57:59,643
believes it's important for
Democrats in Congress to

1296
00:57:59,642 --> 00:58:02,182
seize this opportunity
to advance a piece of

1297
00:58:02,178 --> 00:58:04,518
legislation that Republicans
typically oppose.

1298
00:58:04,514 --> 00:58:06,454
And this would be an
opportunity for us not just

1299
00:58:06,449 --> 00:58:10,349
to extend this program, but
to significantly expand it

1300
00:58:10,353 --> 00:58:13,123
-- to even nearly
double it in size.

1301
00:58:13,122 --> 00:58:15,262
And that's the nature of the
case that we have made to

1302
00:58:15,258 --> 00:58:17,828
Democrats, and that's a case
that we'll continue to make.

1303
00:58:17,827 --> 00:58:20,267
The Press: And
one other on Iraq.

1304
00:58:20,263 --> 00:58:23,933
Your comment earlier that
the Kurds' victory this week

1305
00:58:23,933 --> 00:58:26,733
can be tied directly to
decisions that the President

1306
00:58:26,736 --> 00:58:29,536
made like six months ago,
is that the judgment of the

1307
00:58:29,539 --> 00:58:31,739
President and his
national security team?

1308
00:58:31,741 --> 00:58:35,541
Mr. Earnest: Well, David,
as a conclusion based on an

1309
00:58:35,545 --> 00:58:39,715
examination of facts, the
fact is that there were

1310
00:58:39,716 --> 00:58:43,716
anti-ISIL forces in Kobani
that were -- as was well

1311
00:58:43,720 --> 00:58:47,620
documented by media outlets
in this room -- poised

1312
00:58:47,624 --> 00:58:49,494
to be overrun.

1313
00:58:49,492 --> 00:58:54,762
And those anti-ISIL forces
are alive and fighting, and

1314
00:58:54,764 --> 00:59:01,534
even sustaining important
progress against ISIL

1315
00:59:01,537 --> 00:59:04,037
because of that early
important intervention by

1316
00:59:04,040 --> 00:59:05,640
the President of the United
States and the ongoing

1317
00:59:05,642 --> 00:59:07,442
support that is being
offered by the United States

1318
00:59:07,443 --> 00:59:09,683
and our coalition partners.

1319
00:59:09,679 --> 00:59:11,879
And there's no doubt that,
if you take a look at a map,

1320
00:59:11,881 --> 00:59:14,421
you can see the extensive
progress that they've made

1321
00:59:14,417 --> 00:59:16,117
across northern Iraq.

1322
00:59:16,119 --> 00:59:19,589
And if the kinds of gains
that they've made, according

1323
00:59:19,589 --> 00:59:22,089
to reports in recent days,
hold, they will have

1324
00:59:22,091 --> 00:59:26,131
succeeded in cutting off a
critically important supply

1325
00:59:26,129 --> 00:59:30,469
line for ISIL into their
self-proclaimed

1326
00:59:30,466 --> 00:59:32,166
capital in Raqqa.

1327
00:59:32,168 --> 00:59:35,738
There's no denying how --
the strategic significance

1328
00:59:35,738 --> 00:59:38,738
of that kind of
accomplishment.

1329
00:59:38,741 --> 00:59:40,741
But we're going to continue
to monitor the situation on

1330
00:59:40,743 --> 00:59:43,543
the ground, and we're going
to continue to see if those

1331
00:59:43,546 --> 00:59:45,186
kinds of gains hold.

1332
00:59:45,181 --> 00:59:47,881
But if they do, it obviously
would be critically important.

1333
00:59:47,884 --> 00:59:49,114
The Press: So does the
President think it's time

1334
00:59:49,118 --> 00:59:52,958
that he get credit for some
of these military outcomes

1335
00:59:52,956 --> 00:59:55,496
after a lot of bad
headlines lately?

1336
00:59:55,491 --> 00:59:57,261
Mr. Earnest: I think the
President is much less

1337
00:59:57,260 --> 00:59:59,060
interested in credit and
much more interested in

1338
00:59:59,062 --> 01:00:01,862
seeing important progress in
the campaign to degrade and

1339
01:00:01,864 --> 01:00:03,404
ultimately destroy ISIL.

1340
01:00:03,399 --> 01:00:07,099
And that progress would not
have been possible without

1341
01:00:07,103 --> 01:00:09,903
the early intervention of
the United States and the

1342
01:00:09,906 --> 01:00:11,476
continued support of our
coalition partners

1343
01:00:11,474 --> 01:00:12,844
in that effort.

1344
01:00:12,842 --> 01:00:13,342
Paul.

1345
01:00:13,343 --> 01:00:14,243
The Press: Josh, thank you.

1346
01:00:14,243 --> 01:00:15,613
Just two quick ones.

1347
01:00:15,611 --> 01:00:18,711
To follow up on Jim's
question about the Pope, the

1348
01:00:18,715 --> 01:00:21,315
President and the Pope
kind of worked together to

1349
01:00:21,317 --> 01:00:24,117
advance his Cuba policy.

1350
01:00:24,120 --> 01:00:28,390
Assuming the White House
finds his comments on

1351
01:00:28,391 --> 01:00:32,591
climate change favorably,
any plans to kind of work

1352
01:00:32,595 --> 01:00:34,595
together to advance the
White House agenda on

1353
01:00:34,597 --> 01:00:36,767
climate change
going forward?

1354
01:00:36,766 --> 01:00:38,306
Mr. Earnest: Well, Paul,
at this point I'm going to

1355
01:00:38,301 --> 01:00:41,071
reserve judgment on any of
the proposed comments from

1356
01:00:41,070 --> 01:00:44,670
the Pope until a formal
document or statement has

1357
01:00:44,674 --> 01:00:45,674
been released.

1358
01:00:45,675 --> 01:00:46,675
The Press: Okay.

1359
01:00:46,676 --> 01:00:48,816
And on Russia, the
administration keeps saying

1360
01:00:48,811 --> 01:00:51,811
that, at some point, these
sanctions against the

1361
01:00:51,814 --> 01:00:56,354
Russians are going to start
taking their toll on support

1362
01:00:56,352 --> 01:00:57,492
for Putin.

1363
01:00:57,487 --> 01:01:00,087
Yet the latest survey in
Russia itself puts his

1364
01:01:00,089 --> 01:01:03,389
popularity I think
at 88 percent.

1365
01:01:03,393 --> 01:01:04,993
What do you think of that?

1366
01:01:04,994 --> 01:01:08,164
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
haven't seen the poll.

1367
01:01:08,164 --> 01:01:11,804
And as skeptical as I am of
polls in the United States,

1368
01:01:11,801 --> 01:01:13,801
I think I might be even
slightly more skeptical of

1369
01:01:13,803 --> 01:01:15,403
polls that are
conducted in Russia.

1370
01:01:15,405 --> 01:01:19,575
The Press: It was
Pew Research survey.

1371
01:01:19,575 --> 01:01:21,515
Mr. Earnest: But what I will
say is that our view has

1372
01:01:21,511 --> 01:01:27,751
been that costs have been,
and will continue to be,

1373
01:01:27,750 --> 01:01:32,560
imposed on the Russian
economy as a result of

1374
01:01:32,555 --> 01:01:35,755
decisions that were made by
President Putin to intervene

1375
01:01:35,758 --> 01:01:36,758
in Ukraine.

1376
01:01:36,759 --> 01:01:43,729
And we are hopeful that, at
some point, the costs that

1377
01:01:43,733 --> 01:01:47,003
we know are piling up in
Russia -- if you take a look

1378
01:01:47,003 --> 01:01:49,873
at any statistics about the
devaluation of the Russian

1379
01:01:49,872 --> 01:01:56,142
currency or the flow of
capital outside of Russia,

1380
01:01:56,145 --> 01:01:59,915
or even at some recent
economic projections related

1381
01:01:59,916 --> 01:02:02,956
to Russia's economy, that
those sanctions have taken a

1382
01:02:02,952 --> 01:02:04,822
toll on the Russian economy.

1383
01:02:04,821 --> 01:02:08,621
But what they have not yet
resulted in are the kinds of

1384
01:02:08,624 --> 01:02:10,994
strategic changes that we'd
like to see

1385
01:02:10,993 --> 01:02:13,663
President Putin make.

1386
01:02:13,663 --> 01:02:14,733
The Press: But do you have
any evidence at all that

1387
01:02:14,730 --> 01:02:18,200
this is having an effect
on him personally at this point?

1388
01:02:18,201 --> 01:02:20,401
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
the best way for us to make

1389
01:02:20,403 --> 01:02:23,503
that assessment -- well,
let me start by saying that

1390
01:02:23,506 --> 01:02:26,446
there's ample evidence to
indicate that the sanctions

1391
01:02:26,442 --> 01:02:28,412
are taking a toll on
the Russian economy.

1392
01:02:28,411 --> 01:02:32,181
The only way to tell whether
or not those sanctions are

1393
01:02:32,181 --> 01:02:36,351
having an impact on Russia's
-- or President Putin's

1394
01:02:36,352 --> 01:02:39,322
decision-making is to look
at the actions that are

1395
01:02:39,322 --> 01:02:42,592
being carried out by the
Russian military on the

1396
01:02:42,592 --> 01:02:44,592
Ukrainian border and, in
some cases, even in

1397
01:02:44,594 --> 01:02:45,764
eastern Ukraine.

1398
01:02:45,761 --> 01:02:50,731
And thus far, it's clear
that Russia has flouted

1399
01:02:50,733 --> 01:02:52,733
these generally accepted
international norms about

1400
01:02:52,735 --> 01:02:54,835
the sovereignty of Ukraine.

1401
01:02:54,837 --> 01:02:56,837
They have failed to live up
to their commitments that

1402
01:02:56,839 --> 01:02:59,679
they made in the context of
the Normandy group's

1403
01:02:59,675 --> 01:03:01,675
Minsk discussions.

1404
01:03:03,179 --> 01:03:05,919
And that is the reason
that they continue to face

1405
01:03:05,915 --> 01:03:08,015
significant
international isolation.

1406
01:03:08,017 --> 01:03:10,617
It's the reason they weren't
invited to the G7 meeting

1407
01:03:10,620 --> 01:03:12,260
last week in Germany.

1408
01:03:12,255 --> 01:03:15,295
And the only way that Russia
can bring about a change in

1409
01:03:15,291 --> 01:03:18,861
those policies and bring
about greater inclusion in

1410
01:03:18,861 --> 01:03:25,701
the international community
is to live up to the

1411
01:03:25,701 --> 01:03:27,701
commitments that
they made in Minsk.

1412
01:03:27,703 --> 01:03:29,703
The Press: And just
one other, real quick.

1413
01:03:29,705 --> 01:03:31,775
It's the opinion of some
Russian analysts that he has

1414
01:03:31,774 --> 01:03:34,774
actually gotten more
aggressive militarily in the

1415
01:03:34,777 --> 01:03:38,547
past year -- these possible
new missiles, these

1416
01:03:38,548 --> 01:03:40,518
overflights of
western territory.

1417
01:03:40,516 --> 01:03:41,816
There was a near-miss the
other day with an

1418
01:03:41,817 --> 01:03:43,557
Air Force tanker.

1419
01:03:43,553 --> 01:03:45,053
Is he getting
more provocative?

1420
01:03:45,054 --> 01:03:46,424
And what's your
sense on that?

1421
01:03:46,422 --> 01:03:47,452
Mr. Earnest: Well, we've
certainly see that kind of

1422
01:03:47,456 --> 01:03:50,796
behavior from the Russian
military in the past.

1423
01:03:50,793 --> 01:03:53,733
So I don't think I would
interpret one particular

1424
01:03:53,729 --> 01:03:58,599
incident or one particular
overflight as a significant

1425
01:03:58,601 --> 01:04:00,701
change in Russian policy.

1426
01:04:00,703 --> 01:04:05,513
But we certainly continue to watch those activities closely.

1427
01:04:05,508 --> 01:04:06,338
Toluse, I'll give
you the last one.

1428
01:04:06,342 --> 01:04:07,782
The Press: Thank you.

1429
01:04:07,777 --> 01:04:11,177
Steny Hoyer said earlier
today that Democrats in the

1430
01:04:11,180 --> 01:04:12,880
House are specifically
turned off by the

1431
01:04:12,882 --> 01:04:15,352
President's statement
that they should "play it

1432
01:04:15,351 --> 01:04:17,051
straight" on the trade vote.

1433
01:04:17,053 --> 01:04:19,953
I was wondering if you've
gotten that feedback from

1434
01:04:19,956 --> 01:04:22,196
other Democrats, and whether
or not the President regrets

1435
01:04:22,191 --> 01:04:25,261
using that terminology,
that "play it straight."

1436
01:04:25,261 --> 01:04:26,391
Mr. Earnest: Not one bit.

1437
01:04:26,395 --> 01:04:29,035
And I'm not really sure why
somebody in urging to "play

1438
01:04:29,031 --> 01:04:32,201
it straight" would be
offensive to some.

1439
01:04:32,201 --> 01:04:33,601
Frankly, I don't understand
why it would be offensive

1440
01:04:33,603 --> 01:04:34,603
to anybody.

1441
01:04:34,604 --> 01:04:35,904
The Press: I think the
underlying idea is that

1442
01:04:35,905 --> 01:04:39,645
those who would not be
playing it straight would be

1443
01:04:39,642 --> 01:04:42,412
playing politics with the
issue, and maybe not voting

1444
01:04:42,411 --> 01:04:44,611
on the merits and voting
more according to

1445
01:04:44,614 --> 01:04:46,614
political purposes.

1446
01:04:46,616 --> 01:04:48,556
Mr. Earnest: Well, if you
take a look at the TAA

1447
01:04:48,551 --> 01:04:52,751
proposal, Toluse, I think
it's pretty clear that this

1448
01:04:52,755 --> 01:04:55,155
is a piece of legislation
that Democrats have

1449
01:04:55,157 --> 01:04:57,857
previously unanimously
supported.

1450
01:04:57,860 --> 01:05:00,660
And the President's proposal
that was strongly passed --

1451
01:05:00,663 --> 01:05:03,603
that was passed in
bipartisan fashion in the

1452
01:05:03,599 --> 01:05:08,209
Senate would actually nearly
double the size of that program.

1453
01:05:08,204 --> 01:05:11,174
It would offer much-needed
benefits to thousands of

1454
01:05:11,173 --> 01:05:12,513
workers all across
the country.

1455
01:05:12,508 --> 01:05:15,448
It would actually benefit
100,000 workers a year over

1456
01:05:15,444 --> 01:05:16,744
the next six years.

1457
01:05:16,746 --> 01:05:19,786
It would give up to 17,000
workers in the United States

1458
01:05:19,782 --> 01:05:22,882
who have previously had
their applications for

1459
01:05:22,885 --> 01:05:25,325
assistance denied, give them
the opportunity to have

1460
01:05:25,321 --> 01:05:27,321
their applications
reconsidered again.

1461
01:05:27,323 --> 01:05:29,963
This is entirely consistent
with the basic progressive

1462
01:05:29,959 --> 01:05:32,799
values that this President
and House Democrats have

1463
01:05:32,795 --> 01:05:35,235
been fighting
for, for years.

1464
01:05:35,231 --> 01:05:37,631
And that's why the President
made the case -- if you

1465
01:05:37,633 --> 01:05:40,733
support TAA, you
should vote for it.

1466
01:05:40,736 --> 01:05:44,076
And I think it's -- that is
precisely the case that the

1467
01:05:44,073 --> 01:05:46,513
President made in
the caucus meeting.

1468
01:05:46,509 --> 01:05:49,279
There are some Democrats who
obviously didn't agree with

1469
01:05:49,278 --> 01:05:51,418
the President's approach.

1470
01:05:51,414 --> 01:05:55,514
But there's no denying that
playing it straight means

1471
01:05:55,518 --> 01:05:57,658
voting for bills that
you know you support.

1472
01:05:57,653 --> 01:05:59,293
The Press: Does the
President think that the

1473
01:05:59,288 --> 01:06:02,228
vast majority of Democrats
who voted against the TAA

1474
01:06:02,224 --> 01:06:04,094
were playing
politics with it?

1475
01:06:04,093 --> 01:06:05,663
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
I'm not going to describe

1476
01:06:05,661 --> 01:06:06,631
their motives.

1477
01:06:06,629 --> 01:06:08,969
They'll all have their own
explanation for why say cast

1478
01:06:08,964 --> 01:06:11,604
a "no" vote on a piece of
legislation that Democrats

1479
01:06:11,600 --> 01:06:13,170
have long supported.

1480
01:06:13,169 --> 01:06:17,209
The Press: And finally,
just going back to Speaker

1481
01:06:17,206 --> 01:06:23,116
Pelosi's article in USA
Today this morning, she

1482
01:06:23,112 --> 01:06:24,182
brought up the U.N. issue.

1483
01:06:24,180 --> 01:06:28,050
On Friday, in the House, she
brought up the issue that we

1484
01:06:28,050 --> 01:06:30,850
should get a better deal and
that we should slow down the

1485
01:06:30,853 --> 01:06:31,753
fast track.

1486
01:06:31,754 --> 01:06:33,424
It seems like she is
throwing up multiple

1487
01:06:33,422 --> 01:06:36,722
roadblocks at the end of the
stage, right before getting

1488
01:06:36,726 --> 01:06:37,756
to a vote.

1489
01:06:37,760 --> 01:06:41,260
Do you all see her
as an ally in this?

1490
01:06:41,263 --> 01:06:44,003
Do you see her as an
opponent at this point,

1491
01:06:43,999 --> 01:06:47,699
where -- she just brought up
the highway bill recently?

1492
01:06:47,703 --> 01:06:50,103
It seems like she's
definitely not on the same

1493
01:06:50,106 --> 01:06:51,976
page with the White House
when it comes to getting

1494
01:06:51,974 --> 01:06:53,174
down to the vote.

1495
01:06:53,175 --> 01:06:55,045
Mr. Earnest: Well, Toluse, I
think as I said in response

1496
01:06:55,044 --> 01:06:57,684
to Jordan's question, over
the last six and a half

1497
01:06:57,680 --> 01:07:00,550
years the President has
had no stronger and more

1498
01:07:00,549 --> 01:07:02,849
reliable ally
than Nancy Pelosi.

1499
01:07:02,852 --> 01:07:05,422
And it's because of her
skilled leadership that the

1500
01:07:05,421 --> 01:07:11,261
President has a long, strong
track record of legislative

1501
01:07:11,260 --> 01:07:13,960
accomplishments over the
last six and a half years.

1502
01:07:13,963 --> 01:07:16,263
And the vast majority of
those accomplishments would

1503
01:07:16,265 --> 01:07:18,935
not have been possible
without her leadership.

1504
01:07:18,934 --> 01:07:22,274
And their professional and
personal relationship is

1505
01:07:22,271 --> 01:07:25,441
more than strong enough to
sustain a difference over

1506
01:07:25,441 --> 01:07:28,781
one particular policy issue,
even if this is a policy

1507
01:07:28,778 --> 01:07:30,178
issue about which the
President has very

1508
01:07:30,179 --> 01:07:32,649
strong feelings.

1509
01:07:32,648 --> 01:07:34,188
Thanks, everybody.