English subtitles for clip: File:7-29-15- White House Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz.webm

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Mr. Schultz:
Good afternoon.

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I have one announcement here
at the top, and then we will

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take your questions.

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On Monday, President Obama
will address the second

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class of 500 Mandela
Washington Fellows at the

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Young African Leaders
Initiative Presidential Summit.

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The President will give
brief remarks and then take

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questions from the fellows
who represent every country

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in sub-Saharan Africa.

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The event will be a capstone
to the President's trip to

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Africa where he affirmed his
commitment to young people

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across the continent and
entrepreneurial approaches

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to common challenges.

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As you all know, the Young
African Leaders Initiative,

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launched by President Obama
in 2010, connects the

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United States to the next
generation of leaders across

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sub-Saharan Africa and
provides them with the

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leadership skills,
networks, and professional

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opportunities that will
allow them to make a

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meaningful impact in their
countries and communities.

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With that, Nancy, I'm happy
to take your questions.

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The Press: Can the White
House confirm the death

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of Mullah Omar?

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And what can you tell us
about the circumstances

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of his death?

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Mr. Schultz: Thank
you, Nancy.

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We are aware of the death
-- of reports of the

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death of Mullah Omar.

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Without commenting on the
specifics of these reports,

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we do believe the reports
of his death are credible.

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Beyond that, I'm not going
to be in a position to

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comment on the specifics
surrounding his death.

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The Press: So if he died in
2013, what would that say

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about intelligence cooperation
with the Pakistanis?

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When would the U.S.

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have had this on
their radar screen?

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Mr. Schultz: Nancy, I can
tell you that the

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intelligence community is
looking at these reports and

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continues to assess the
circumstances around his death.

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But beyond that, I'm not
going to be in a position

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here to speak candidly about
what we know at this point.

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I'm sure that when the IC
has an update, or anything

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determinative, they'll be in
a position to update you.

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The Press: Can you preview
what the President's message

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is going to be to the
House Democrats today?

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Does he have some kind of
a new approach or message

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that he's bringing with him?

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Mr. Schultz: I don't
think he has a new

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approach or message.

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I think the message that
he'll be offering tonight on

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Iran will be very similar to
the public case he's been

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making now for a few
weeks since the deal

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in Vienna was reached.

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As you know, he's been
making the case publicly

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both through interviews and
through taking your questions.

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And we have also had our
representatives on the Hill.

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Secretary Kerry, Secretary
Moniz, Chairman Dempsey,

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I believe, are on the Hill
this morning fielding

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questions for
members of Congress.

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We've also had extensive
consultations from the

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White House and other
briefings to Congress.

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But at the end of the day,
the President's message is

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simple, which is if you want
to cut off Iran's pathways

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to a nuclear weapon, this
deal is the best way to do

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it, in that none of our
critics have offered a more

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credible -- any alternative,
other than going to war.

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And I think that's the case
the President is going to

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make to House
Democrats tonight.

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I don't want to leave you
with the impression that we

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believe Iran will be the
only topic of discussion.

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I imagine that will be
extensively covered, but

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I think other legislative
priorities like Ex-Im Bank,

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the transportation bill, and
probably the budget could

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also very likely come up.

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The Press: And is there
growing expectation by the

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White House that the
President is going to be

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likely to need to exercise
a veto option on this?

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Mr. Schultz: Nancy, we are
confident that the arguments

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that we are making are
going to prevail at the

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end of the day.

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As you know, 150 House
Democrats sent a letter back

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in May supporting the
President's efforts and the

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initial political
framework that was

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announced in Lausanne.

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We actually feel that we've
exceeded the standard that

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was established
in Lausanne.

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So as I think you've seen
over the past couple days,

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the number-two Democrat in
the United States Senate,

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Dick Durbin, came out
in support of the deal.

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Yesterday, Congressman
Levin, who I don't think

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anyone could argue with his
support for the state of

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Israel, made a very
compelling case about how

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this deal is in the interest
of the Israeli people.

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So we're going to continue
to press the case.

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As I mentioned, our Cabinet
officials are on the Hill today.

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The President will be
meeting with House Democrats

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later this evening.

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And we're going to continue
to make this case.

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Julia.

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The Press: Yes.

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Recently, this morning, the
CEO of Boeing said that he

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was actively considering
moving key pieces of the

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company's business to other
countries because of the

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lapse of the Ex-Im Bank.

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I also know President Obama
has made some comments

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on Boeing over his trip.

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Has he spoken to the
CEO about this issue?

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Mr. Schultz: I don't have
any specific calls to read

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out, but I can assure you
that the President feels

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strongly that Congress
needs to act and

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reauthorize Ex-Im Bank.

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I think, since you follow
this closely, you are well

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aware that Ex-Im Bank has
supported 164,000 American

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jobs, and the export jobs --
jobs supported by exports --

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pay up 18 percent more on
average than other jobs.

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And beyond that, the
Export-Import Bank is a

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vital tool for
small businesses.

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Nearly 90 percent of Ex-Im
Bank transactions directly

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supported small
businesses in 2014.

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So we feel strongly that
this is an institution that

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is a driver of economic
growth and a supporter

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of American jobs.

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The Press: Also, there's
been a growing outcry over

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the killing of this lion in
Zimbabwe by -- allegedly

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by an American dentist.

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And also, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife said that

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they are looking into the incident and possibly

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working with Zimbabwean
officials who have

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called to bring this
person to justice.

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Is the White House, or is
President Obama aware

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of this killing?

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And what could the President
do at an executive level

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to possibly keep U.S.

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trophy hunters from
traveling to Africa and

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committing these acts?

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Mr. Schultz: Julia, I've seen
the press reports on this.

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I don't have much for you.

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I have not spoken to the
President about this.

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As you point out, it
has been widely covered

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in the news.

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And as we know, he's a
voracious consumer of news,

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so it wouldn't surprise me
that he's aware of it, but

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I don't have any detail to
read out for you right now.

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Justin.

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The Press: I wanted to go
back to Ex-Im, kind of, but

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within the confines of the
highway bill, which Josh has

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said before is sort of the
legislative package that you

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were hoping to see
Ex-Im attached to.

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So my question first is if
you guys have a reaction to

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the apparent agreement on a
short-term highway bill.

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And secondly, if you think
that it was at all a mistake

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for the White House to have
endorsed that short-term

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bill out of the House early,
before the Senate had come

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with a plan that was both
longer and had Ex-Im kind

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of grafted on top of it.

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Mr. Schultz: Justin, you're
right -- Josh did suggest

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that the highway
transportation bill would be

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a good vehicle to
attach Ex-Im Bank.

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And fortunately, leaders in
the United States Senate,

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both Republicans and
Democrats, agreed.

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And there were votes, as
that bill was progressing,

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where Democrats and
Republicans came together in

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a bipartisan coalition -- a
rare bipartisan coalition

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that we see these days
-- in order to attach

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Ex-Im Bank to the
highway bill.

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We feel like that was
the right thing to do.

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In terms of the pending
transportation bill that

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you're referencing, as the
President has said, we as

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a country cannot continue to
rely on short-term patches

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as an approach to funding
long-term infrastructure needs.

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With that said, since
surface transportation

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authorization does expire at
the end of July, just a few

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days from now, the
unfortunate reality is that

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due to inaction, Congress
will need to pass this other

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short-term extension to
keep federal funding for

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America's surface
transportation system flowing.

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And the President
would sign that.

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The Press: But, I mean, to
get back to the question,

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was it a tactical mistake to
back the House bill that

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didn't have Ex-Im attached
and was only short-term?

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Even though we kind of know
the President would sign

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short-term bills, it kind of
forced House Democrats to

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back this package where
maybe if they'd held out,

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they could have had leverage
to get the Senate bill

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in front of the House.

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Mr. Schultz: Justin,
that's not how we see it.

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Reauthorizing Ex-Im Bank has
happened 16 times in past

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Congresses, all with broad
bipartisan majorities.

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The past 13 Presidents --
Republicans and Democrats --

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have supported the bank.

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So this time should not
have been any different.

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As we've said, one of the
more likely vehicles to pass

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Congress over the past
few weeks is this

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transportation bill.

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That's why we thought it
should have been attached,

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and that's why the Senate
apparently shared our view.

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Unfortunately, you had the
Speaker of the House use a

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word to describe Leader
McConnell's bill -- a word

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that I can't even
use in public.

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So --

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The Press: Well, maybe
behind the podium.

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(laughter)

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Mr. Schultz: Yes.

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From the podium.

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(laughter)

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Fair enough.

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But if you're asking me to
evaluate the level of

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dysfunction in the
Republican Congress, I'm

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happy to engage you on that
because it's rare that we've

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seen this level of distrust
between two leaders of

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separate chambers but
from the both parties.

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And if you just take a step
back and you look at what

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we've experienced over the
past few days and weeks,

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I would like to first remind
you of the aftermath of the

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2014 midterms where Leader
McConnell and Speaker

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Boehner jointly penned an
op-ed in The Wall Street

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Journal where they thought
-- they felt confident in

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their ability to get
Congress working again.

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Well, I think we know that
the results are in, and I'm

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not confident they lived
up to their promise.

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Right now what they're
focused on is an ideological

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rider to defund
Planned Parenthood.

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They're dealing with strife
within their own party.

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And they're leaving town early
to get a head start on

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their six-week break.

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If you put that side by side
with their inability to

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authorize Ex-Im Bank; that
we're on the precipice of

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the Highway Trust Fund
running out in the height of

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construction season; and
that they have the gall to

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leave town without even
touching cybersecurity

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legislation -- we think
that's revelatory of their

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priorities, and we think
those are misplaced priorities.

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The Press: One last thing.

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On Keystone, Senator Hoeven
said yesterday that sources

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had told him that there
would be a sort of release

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over the August recess of
you guys rejecting the pipeline.

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That prompts I think a
number of questions.

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The first is whether the
State Department has, at

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this point, finished its
review or informed the

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White House in any way of
where the review is.

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If not, what the
status of it is.

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It's sort of the
constant question.

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00:11:25,451 --> 00:11:28,191
And then whether there will
be a review at the White

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00:11:28,187 --> 00:11:30,187
House after the State
Department comes to its

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00:11:30,189 --> 00:11:33,159
decision, and what the
timeline of that would be.

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00:11:33,159 --> 00:11:35,629
Mr. Schultz: Justin,
your term for constant

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00:11:35,628 --> 00:11:37,498
question is generous.

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00:11:37,496 --> 00:11:40,296
Our answer is going to be
the same, which is, as you

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00:11:40,299 --> 00:11:42,299
know, this is under a
review process at the

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00:11:42,301 --> 00:11:43,401
State Department.

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00:11:43,402 --> 00:11:45,972
That particular process is a
process that predates this

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00:11:45,971 --> 00:11:48,171
administration, so I'm not
going to have any update for

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00:11:48,174 --> 00:11:49,174
you from here.

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00:11:49,175 --> 00:11:51,145
The Press: Well, then was
Senator Hoeven either

255
00:11:51,143 --> 00:11:53,513
misinformed or lying about
what he had heard about --

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00:11:53,512 --> 00:11:55,952
Mr. Schultz: I haven't read
Senator Hoeven's remarks.

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00:11:55,948 --> 00:11:57,948
The Press: I can relay them
to you, though.

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00:11:57,950 --> 00:11:59,950
He said in August that you
guys would reject the

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00:11:59,952 --> 00:12:01,952
pipeline on that odd
quiet Friday.

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00:12:01,954 --> 00:12:02,954
Mr. Schultz: Sure.

261
00:12:02,955 --> 00:12:07,765
I appreciate Senator
Hoeven's remarks here.

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00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,200
I'm not sure I would
classify him as a confidant

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00:12:10,196 --> 00:12:11,526
of our State Department.

264
00:12:11,530 --> 00:12:14,330
But you should check with
him to see what he's

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00:12:14,333 --> 00:12:16,973
basing that off of.

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00:12:16,969 --> 00:12:17,969
Byron.

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00:12:17,970 --> 00:12:19,140
The Press: Thank you, Eric.

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00:12:19,138 --> 00:12:22,278
Two inspectors general
concluded that Secretary

269
00:12:22,274 --> 00:12:25,314
of State Hillary Clinton had
classified material on her

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00:12:25,311 --> 00:12:28,411
home server, emails that
were classified when they

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00:12:28,414 --> 00:12:30,414
were sent and
remain classified.

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What's the White House
reaction to this?

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Mr. Schultz: Bryon,
I can say a couple

274
00:12:34,787 --> 00:12:35,787
things about this.

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First, this administration
takes the role of inspector

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00:12:38,224 --> 00:12:39,924
generals very seriously.

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00:12:39,925 --> 00:12:41,925
They serve an extremely
important purpose.

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So when they raise a
possible issue,

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00:12:43,929 --> 00:12:45,429
it's important to
look into it.

280
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Equally important is our
commitment to properly

281
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:50,103
handling classified and
sensitive information.

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For very obvious reasons we
have to make sure that those

283
00:12:54,206 --> 00:12:56,206
materials are handled in
accordance with all

284
00:12:56,208 --> 00:12:57,208
the right protocols.

285
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And I can assure you that
all of us in government who

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00:12:59,211 --> 00:13:01,211
work with those materials
take that responsibility

287
00:13:01,213 --> 00:13:04,113
very seriously.

288
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I know that the State
Department is equally

289
00:13:06,118 --> 00:13:08,118
committed to both of those
principles, and that's

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00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:10,120
Secretary Kerry has
said he's going to be

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00:13:10,122 --> 00:13:13,392
discussing this with his
inspector general this week.

292
00:13:13,392 --> 00:13:16,032
And I also know that
Secretary Kerry wants to get

293
00:13:16,028 --> 00:13:18,328
to the bottom of this, hear
what the concerns are,

294
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and then figure out if they
need to take any action.

295
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So I think that's the
right step, and we support

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00:13:23,002 --> 00:13:24,002
him doing so.

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00:13:24,003 --> 00:13:26,003
The Press: You mentioned the
role that inspectors general

298
00:13:26,005 --> 00:13:27,705
play and how
important they are.

299
00:13:27,706 --> 00:13:29,776
How come the White House
didn't nominate anyone to

300
00:13:29,775 --> 00:13:31,745
fill that role while
Secretary Clinton

301
00:13:31,744 --> 00:13:32,774
was at State?

302
00:13:32,778 --> 00:13:33,978
And do you bear any
responsibility in this

303
00:13:33,979 --> 00:13:35,779
situation for
not doing that?

304
00:13:35,781 --> 00:13:38,251
Mr. Schultz: Bryon, just
like our conversation with

305
00:13:38,250 --> 00:13:40,450
Justin, I know that's a
frequent question here.

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00:13:40,452 --> 00:13:45,362
And I can assure you that
we do take the role of

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00:13:45,357 --> 00:13:47,357
inspector generals
very seriously.

308
00:13:47,359 --> 00:13:49,499
And I believe just
because there wasn't a

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00:13:49,495 --> 00:13:52,195
Senate-confirmed inspector
general at the State

310
00:13:52,198 --> 00:13:54,198
Department at this time,
that doesn't mean that

311
00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:55,200
office wasn't very active.

312
00:13:55,201 --> 00:13:58,941
The Press: Are you satisfied
with the answers you've

313
00:13:58,938 --> 00:14:01,408
gotten from Secretary
Clinton publicly about

314
00:14:01,407 --> 00:14:02,407
the situation?

315
00:14:02,408 --> 00:14:04,808
Mr. Schultz: I think what
Secretary Clinton has

316
00:14:04,810 --> 00:14:07,450
demonstrated is a commitment
to not only transparency.

317
00:14:07,446 --> 00:14:10,046
That's why she has asked the
State Department to review

318
00:14:10,049 --> 00:14:12,049
and release all of
those emails, and

319
00:14:12,051 --> 00:14:13,691
we think that's
appropriate.

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00:14:13,686 --> 00:14:14,656
Kelly.

321
00:14:14,653 --> 00:14:17,493
The Press: On Iran, with the
reception today, what is it

322
00:14:17,489 --> 00:14:21,489
about the environment of a
reception and the East Room

323
00:14:21,493 --> 00:14:23,833
that you think will be
effective in trying to

324
00:14:23,829 --> 00:14:26,969
change minds or lock in
positions among Democrats?

325
00:14:26,966 --> 00:14:30,566
Mr. Schultz: I think my boss
coined a phrase here called

326
00:14:30,569 --> 00:14:32,909
a working reception, which,
as he said, is the worst

327
00:14:32,905 --> 00:14:33,905
of both worlds.

328
00:14:33,906 --> 00:14:34,906
(laughter)

329
00:14:34,907 --> 00:14:35,977
So I'll credit
him with that.

330
00:14:35,975 --> 00:14:40,115
But, yes, I do think this is
going to be an opportunity

331
00:14:40,112 --> 00:14:43,212
for the President to speak
directly to members here

332
00:14:43,215 --> 00:14:44,615
at the White House.

333
00:14:44,617 --> 00:14:48,517
I think he will likely make
some opening remarks and

334
00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,820
talk about his view on this,
his perspective, and then

335
00:14:51,824 --> 00:14:53,964
I think it's likely he
takes some questions.

336
00:14:53,959 --> 00:14:57,159
I imagine he takes questions
from members who have them.

337
00:14:57,162 --> 00:14:59,762
And then I also think it's
likely that they have some

338
00:14:59,765 --> 00:15:02,135
time to talk one-on-one in
more of a social setting.

339
00:15:02,134 --> 00:15:04,174
So I think this will be a
good opportunity for him to

340
00:15:04,169 --> 00:15:07,369
make the case for why we
believe this is not only a

341
00:15:07,373 --> 00:15:10,313
deal that's in the
best interest of the

342
00:15:10,309 --> 00:15:13,609
United States but also
one for the region.

343
00:15:13,612 --> 00:15:16,282
The Press: Would you take
a request for the opening

344
00:15:16,282 --> 00:15:17,882
remarks to be open press?

345
00:15:17,883 --> 00:15:20,983
Mr. Schultz: I'm happy to
take that request, but

346
00:15:20,986 --> 00:15:24,456
I believe that these
circumstances -- we've

347
00:15:24,456 --> 00:15:27,896
traditionally kept
this closed press.

348
00:15:27,893 --> 00:15:30,093
But I can assure you that
the message that he is going

349
00:15:30,095 --> 00:15:32,095
to deliver is one that
will be very familiar

350
00:15:32,097 --> 00:15:34,737
to all of you.

351
00:15:34,733 --> 00:15:35,733
Jim.

352
00:15:35,734 --> 00:15:39,374
The Press: Let me first
ask you about the

353
00:15:39,371 --> 00:15:42,441
situation with Mullah Omar.

354
00:15:42,441 --> 00:15:46,881
I appreciate that you were
able to semi-confirm his

355
00:15:46,879 --> 00:15:49,949
death, saying that the
reports are credible --

356
00:15:49,948 --> 00:15:51,948
I guess that's almost
a confirmation.

357
00:15:51,950 --> 00:15:54,620
But if this happened two
years ago, is there a

358
00:15:54,620 --> 00:15:57,260
problem with American
intelligence that we didn't

359
00:15:57,256 --> 00:16:01,126
know that he died either by
a drone strike or

360
00:16:01,126 --> 00:16:04,926
tuberculosis or something,
and we're not reporting it

361
00:16:04,930 --> 00:16:05,930
until today?

362
00:16:05,931 --> 00:16:11,471
Mr. Schultz: Jim, I fully
appreciate the question.

363
00:16:11,470 --> 00:16:13,470
Unfortunately, I'm just not
going to be in a position to

364
00:16:13,472 --> 00:16:15,872
comment on the specifics
of these reports

365
00:16:15,874 --> 00:16:17,114
and those circumstances.

366
00:16:17,109 --> 00:16:19,109
So it's hard for me to
answer that question

367
00:16:19,111 --> 00:16:22,611
in some detail without
confirming what

368
00:16:22,614 --> 00:16:24,284
presupposes that question.

369
00:16:24,283 --> 00:16:26,253
The Press: Well, okay, then
take out the causes of

370
00:16:26,251 --> 00:16:29,451
death, if you would, and
just the fact that you

371
00:16:29,455 --> 00:16:33,325
believe those are credible
reports that he is dead.

372
00:16:33,325 --> 00:16:36,425
Those reports also said he
died two years ago.

373
00:16:36,428 --> 00:16:38,328
Why did the United
States intelligence

374
00:16:38,330 --> 00:16:40,470
not know about that?

375
00:16:40,466 --> 00:16:43,166
That, I don't think, could
cause you to comment on the

376
00:16:43,168 --> 00:16:45,468
causes of death
or anything else.

377
00:16:45,471 --> 00:16:49,041
It does ask what's the
problem with -- is there

378
00:16:49,041 --> 00:16:51,141
a problem with our
intelligence agencies.

379
00:16:51,143 --> 00:16:53,143
Mr. Schultz: Jim, I don't
think there's a problem.

380
00:16:53,145 --> 00:16:55,945
In fact, the intelligence
agencies are right now

381
00:16:55,948 --> 00:16:58,848
reviewing these
reports, reviewing

382
00:16:58,851 --> 00:17:00,891
the specific
circumstances.

383
00:17:00,886 --> 00:17:02,926
And as soon as there's
anything definitive that we

384
00:17:02,921 --> 00:17:07,391
can share with you, that I
suspect you will want to

385
00:17:07,393 --> 00:17:12,093
scrutinize at that time
would be appropriate.

386
00:17:12,097 --> 00:17:14,097
But we're just not in a
position to do that today.

387
00:17:14,099 --> 00:17:16,099
The Press: Switching
subjects just a moment to

388
00:17:16,101 --> 00:17:20,641
Cleveland, Ohio, or
outside Cleveland, Ohio.

389
00:17:20,639 --> 00:17:24,109
There was another incident
where an undocumented

390
00:17:24,109 --> 00:17:28,209
immigrant was involved in a --
is charged now with murder.

391
00:17:28,213 --> 00:17:32,283
And he had been, according
to reports, picked up before

392
00:17:32,284 --> 00:17:34,154
that by local police.

393
00:17:34,153 --> 00:17:38,053
There were no charges to be
made then, but they did

394
00:17:38,056 --> 00:17:40,496
realize he was undocumented
and called, they say, the

395
00:17:40,492 --> 00:17:42,332
Border Patrol, which would
probably be the wrong

396
00:17:42,327 --> 00:17:44,527
agency to call.

397
00:17:44,530 --> 00:17:47,730
But if they called ICE --
but, at any rate, they

398
00:17:47,733 --> 00:17:50,633
didn't -- they were told,
no, we're not going

399
00:17:50,636 --> 00:17:51,636
to pick him up.

400
00:17:51,637 --> 00:17:53,877
My question to you is, on
the White House level of

401
00:17:53,872 --> 00:17:56,672
this, do you believe, as
Donald Trump has been

402
00:17:56,675 --> 00:18:02,945
saying, that what's really
needed is a wall to prevent

403
00:18:02,948 --> 00:18:04,648
this type of incident?

404
00:18:04,650 --> 00:18:06,650
Mr. Schultz: Thank you,
Jim, for the question.

405
00:18:06,652 --> 00:18:10,522
I would refer you to ICE for
the specifics on any case

406
00:18:10,522 --> 00:18:12,322
like the one you mentioned.

407
00:18:12,324 --> 00:18:19,994
I can tell you that if any
Republican wants to dedicate

408
00:18:19,998 --> 00:18:22,468
more resources to securing
the border, then they should

409
00:18:22,468 --> 00:18:24,708
go ahead and support
comprehensive

410
00:18:24,703 --> 00:18:26,073
immigration reform.

411
00:18:26,071 --> 00:18:30,911
That is a bill that passed
the Senate with Republicans

412
00:18:30,909 --> 00:18:33,809
and Democrats and the
support of this President,

413
00:18:33,812 --> 00:18:36,212
and would allocate
unprecedented resources

414
00:18:36,215 --> 00:18:37,955
toward securing the border.

415
00:18:37,950 --> 00:18:40,690
And so if any Republican,
either ones running for

416
00:18:40,686 --> 00:18:43,926
President or not, want to
take a significant step in

417
00:18:43,922 --> 00:18:45,962
that direction, then they
should go ahead and urge the

418
00:18:45,958 --> 00:18:49,558
House leadership to bring
that bill up for a vote.

419
00:18:49,561 --> 00:18:52,061
We're not even urging the
House leadership to vote for

420
00:18:52,064 --> 00:18:54,064
it; we just want there to be
a vote because we're

421
00:18:54,066 --> 00:18:55,036
confident it would pass.

422
00:18:55,033 --> 00:18:57,033
The Press: But Trump
believes it's a wall,

423
00:18:57,035 --> 00:18:59,035
not comprehensive
immigration reform.

424
00:18:59,037 --> 00:19:02,277
Does the White House,
because of these incidents,

425
00:19:02,274 --> 00:19:04,544
believe that a wall
would help with that?

426
00:19:04,543 --> 00:19:06,683
Mr. Schultz: I don't
think that's our take.

427
00:19:06,678 --> 00:19:12,818
What we think are that these
episodes do demonstrate the

428
00:19:12,818 --> 00:19:16,988
need to eliminate the
patchwork of immigration

429
00:19:16,989 --> 00:19:19,559
laws around our country and
to pass a comprehensive bill.

430
00:19:19,558 --> 00:19:23,898
In fact, it was none other
than Marco Rubio, the junior

431
00:19:23,896 --> 00:19:26,496
Senator from Florida, who
stated it more eloquently

432
00:19:26,498 --> 00:19:29,568
than I am, which is the
current conditions in this

433
00:19:29,568 --> 00:19:31,968
country are amnesty, are
a de facto amnesty.

434
00:19:31,970 --> 00:19:35,710
And the way to restore
accountability to our

435
00:19:35,707 --> 00:19:38,047
national immigration system
is to pass the bill, and we

436
00:19:38,043 --> 00:19:39,383
couldn't agree more.

437
00:19:39,378 --> 00:19:40,148
Thank you.

438
00:19:40,145 --> 00:19:40,875
Sunlen.

439
00:19:40,879 --> 00:19:41,879
The Press: Thank you.

440
00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:43,980
A couple items to ask, but
first I wanted to ask you

441
00:19:43,982 --> 00:19:46,122
about the CNN investigation
looking into a federal

442
00:19:46,118 --> 00:19:48,888
program called AbilityOne,
which provides work to

443
00:19:48,887 --> 00:19:51,227
severely disabled people.

444
00:19:51,223 --> 00:19:53,293
Multiple sources saying
the DOJ has started an

445
00:19:53,292 --> 00:19:56,662
investigation into multiple
allegations of widespread

446
00:19:56,662 --> 00:19:59,332
corruption, financial fraud;
sources saying it's the

447
00:19:59,331 --> 00:20:02,101
worst case of this type
that they've seen in a

448
00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:03,640
federal agency.

449
00:20:03,635 --> 00:20:04,705
What's the
administration's response?

450
00:20:04,703 --> 00:20:06,143
Are you aware of
these problems?

451
00:20:06,138 --> 00:20:09,138
Mr. Schultz: Sunlen, I did
see a CNN story on that.

452
00:20:09,141 --> 00:20:13,411
It's my understanding that a
lot of the issues within

453
00:20:13,412 --> 00:20:16,312
CNN's report are tied up in
litigation, so I'm not

454
00:20:16,315 --> 00:20:18,615
really in a position to
comment from here on that.

455
00:20:18,617 --> 00:20:21,617
But I would refer you to
AbilityOne for their response.

456
00:20:21,620 --> 00:20:26,730
And I know you all have been
reporting on their response.

457
00:20:26,725 --> 00:20:28,495
The Press: Is the President
aware of these problems?

458
00:20:28,493 --> 00:20:31,293
Because it says this
group is made up of 15

459
00:20:31,296 --> 00:20:34,896
Presidential appointees;
they report to the President.

460
00:20:34,900 --> 00:20:36,500
So certainly this is
something that he would be

461
00:20:36,501 --> 00:20:39,671
concerned about, knowing
that these problems --

462
00:20:39,671 --> 00:20:41,141
Mr. Schultz: Again, I
haven't spoken to the

463
00:20:41,139 --> 00:20:45,749
President about this, so I'm
not sure his level of awareness.

464
00:20:45,744 --> 00:20:49,644
But I do know that
AbilityOne has been clear

465
00:20:49,648 --> 00:20:53,348
that they emphasize
program integrity.

466
00:20:53,352 --> 00:20:54,482
But, again, beyond that, I
know a lot of this is tied

467
00:20:54,486 --> 00:20:58,356
up in litigation so I'd
refer you to the agency

468
00:20:58,357 --> 00:20:59,357
for more details.

469
00:20:59,358 --> 00:21:01,358
The Press: And does the
White House have any

470
00:21:01,360 --> 00:21:04,300
reaction to the indictment
of Congressman Chaka Fattah?

471
00:21:04,296 --> 00:21:05,766
Mr. Schultz: We don't.

472
00:21:05,764 --> 00:21:09,164
As you know, we go to great
lengths to not only avoid

473
00:21:09,167 --> 00:21:12,767
commenting on individual
cases and prosecutions, but

474
00:21:12,771 --> 00:21:14,871
also to make sure that
nothing we say here could be

475
00:21:14,873 --> 00:21:17,073
construed as interfering
in an investigation.

476
00:21:17,075 --> 00:21:19,075
So I'm not going to have
anything for you on that.

477
00:21:19,077 --> 00:21:20,077
The Press: Okay.

478
00:21:20,078 --> 00:21:22,218
And you briefly alluded to
Planned Parenthood, but I

479
00:21:22,214 --> 00:21:24,014
wondered if I could
get the reaction.

480
00:21:24,016 --> 00:21:28,216
This latest third undercover
video, very graphic images.

481
00:21:28,220 --> 00:21:32,490
Wondering what the
administration's response is.

482
00:21:32,491 --> 00:21:33,591
Has the President seen
the video himself?

483
00:21:33,592 --> 00:21:36,732
And also, the moves by
Senate Republicans and

484
00:21:36,728 --> 00:21:39,828
others to potentially
restrict federal funding.

485
00:21:39,831 --> 00:21:41,601
Mr. Schultz: I haven't
watched the video.

486
00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:43,300
I'm not sure the
President has.

487
00:21:43,301 --> 00:21:47,541
Clearly, he has been
elsewhere the past few days.

488
00:21:47,539 --> 00:21:50,739
But I can -- we are, of
course, here familiar with

489
00:21:50,742 --> 00:21:53,142
the news reports,
including that a lot

490
00:21:53,145 --> 00:21:55,115
of these videos
have been edited.

491
00:21:55,113 --> 00:21:58,753
And in response to
your question about

492
00:21:58,750 --> 00:22:01,920
House Republicans moving to
defund Planned Parenthood,

493
00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:05,420
we couldn't disagree
more with their actions.

494
00:22:05,424 --> 00:22:07,624
We believe that Planned
Parenthood provides a range

495
00:22:07,626 --> 00:22:10,496
of important preventative
care and health services --

496
00:22:10,495 --> 00:22:13,365
things like screenings,
vaccines and check-ups

497
00:22:13,365 --> 00:22:16,005
to men, women and families
across the country.

498
00:22:16,001 --> 00:22:17,701
Millions of men and women
visit Planned Parenthood

499
00:22:17,703 --> 00:22:21,703
health centers annually, and
we support them getting the

500
00:22:21,707 --> 00:22:23,707
types of services and
health care they need.

501
00:22:23,709 --> 00:22:25,379
Thank you.

502
00:22:25,377 --> 00:22:26,377
Jared.

503
00:22:26,378 --> 00:22:28,748
The Press: Eric, earlier,
to Justin, you described

504
00:22:28,747 --> 00:22:31,817
Senator Hoeven as not a
close confidant of the

505
00:22:31,817 --> 00:22:33,087
State Department.

506
00:22:33,085 --> 00:22:34,515
Maybe you can concede that
the former Secretary of

507
00:22:34,519 --> 00:22:36,689
State is slightly more
intimate with the workers

508
00:22:36,688 --> 00:22:38,328
at the State Department.

509
00:22:38,323 --> 00:22:41,223
She, yesterday, in a town
hall in New Hampshire, said

510
00:22:41,226 --> 00:22:45,696
that she believes that by
the time the administration,

511
00:22:45,697 --> 00:22:48,697
the Obama administration
is over, the Keystone XL

512
00:22:48,700 --> 00:22:50,940
question will
be resolved.

513
00:22:50,936 --> 00:22:52,776
Does the White House believe
that by the end of this

514
00:22:52,771 --> 00:22:56,171
administration the Keystone
XL issue will be resolved?

515
00:22:56,174 --> 00:22:57,544
Mr. Schultz: Yes.

516
00:22:57,542 --> 00:23:01,782
The Press: Does Senator
Hoeven and Hillary Clinton

517
00:23:01,780 --> 00:23:06,380
have better information
about what's dispositive

518
00:23:06,384 --> 00:23:09,854
here about Keystone XL, or
are they just willing to

519
00:23:09,855 --> 00:23:11,895
tell us more than you are?

520
00:23:11,890 --> 00:23:14,330
Mr. Schultz: I can tell you
that, from the White House

521
00:23:14,326 --> 00:23:17,026
perspective, that this is a
project that is under review

522
00:23:17,028 --> 00:23:18,228
at the State Department.

523
00:23:18,230 --> 00:23:21,270
That is a process that I
know has garnered a lot of

524
00:23:21,266 --> 00:23:24,306
attention in this room, but
it's also a process that

525
00:23:24,302 --> 00:23:25,902
predates this
administration.

526
00:23:25,904 --> 00:23:29,274
So that approval process is
being handled on the merits,

527
00:23:29,274 --> 00:23:31,544
and when there is an update
for you on it, I'm sure

528
00:23:31,543 --> 00:23:32,543
they'll share it.

529
00:23:32,544 --> 00:23:34,984
The Press: And the White
House has for years given

530
00:23:34,980 --> 00:23:37,580
odds about the situation
with the Iranian nuclear

531
00:23:37,582 --> 00:23:41,892
deal when it was in Vienna
and when it was working

532
00:23:41,887 --> 00:23:46,797
through the 50/50 really bad
number that we've been

533
00:23:46,792 --> 00:23:49,662
throwing around very loosely
over the past few years.

534
00:23:49,661 --> 00:23:53,031
In the home stretch for
Congress and with the vote

535
00:23:53,031 --> 00:23:55,901
upcoming, and whatever
efforts the White House has

536
00:23:55,901 --> 00:23:58,641
been making, do you have
some odds on what you

537
00:23:58,637 --> 00:24:02,007
believe, at this point,
would be -- whether it could

538
00:24:02,007 --> 00:24:04,077
be squashed by Congress or
whether the White House

539
00:24:04,075 --> 00:24:07,745
expects at this point that
Congress will be able to

540
00:24:07,746 --> 00:24:10,446
either approve or not
disapprove of the Iran

541
00:24:10,448 --> 00:24:11,448
nuclear deal?

542
00:24:11,449 --> 00:24:13,449
Mr. Schultz: Jared, I do
think our arguments are

543
00:24:13,451 --> 00:24:14,651
going to prevail.

544
00:24:14,653 --> 00:24:18,893
That if you look at the case
that the President has made

545
00:24:18,890 --> 00:24:22,230
most recently in response to
questions overseas on this

546
00:24:22,227 --> 00:24:25,097
trip, and in the case that
he'll be making this evening

547
00:24:25,096 --> 00:24:27,866
to lawmakers, in the case
that he's made in interviews

548
00:24:27,866 --> 00:24:31,406
and press conferences here,
that taking our critics head

549
00:24:31,403 --> 00:24:35,543
on and taking on possible
criticism of the deal, that

550
00:24:35,540 --> 00:24:37,610
we are confident
in our arguments.

551
00:24:37,609 --> 00:24:40,149
But you don't have to
take my word for it.

552
00:24:40,145 --> 00:24:42,985
You just have to look at our
opponents resorting to not

553
00:24:42,981 --> 00:24:46,381
merit-based arguments in
order to try and find fault

554
00:24:46,384 --> 00:24:47,384
with this deal.

555
00:24:47,385 --> 00:24:50,155
Whether that is over-heated
rhetoric, or whether that is

556
00:24:50,155 --> 00:24:53,555
Governor Walker saying he
wants to prepare to take

557
00:24:53,558 --> 00:24:57,158
military action on day one
if he were elected to the

558
00:24:57,162 --> 00:25:02,372
presidency -- Those are the
alternatives out there.

559
00:25:02,367 --> 00:25:05,137
And so that's part of
the reason why we feel

560
00:25:05,136 --> 00:25:06,206
confident in our case.

561
00:25:06,204 --> 00:25:08,944
The Press: Do you feel
certain that this will not

562
00:25:08,940 --> 00:25:09,940
be impeded by Congress?

563
00:25:09,941 --> 00:25:11,941
Mr. Schultz: Jared, there
are -- I have other

564
00:25:11,943 --> 00:25:14,013
colleagues who are better
gamblers than me, so I'm not

565
00:25:14,012 --> 00:25:16,312
going to do the odds
business, but I will say

566
00:25:16,314 --> 00:25:19,884
that we are confident our
argument is going to prevail.

567
00:25:19,885 --> 00:25:20,885
Jared.

568
00:25:20,886 --> 00:25:21,916
I'm sorry, Jordan.

569
00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,290
The Press: Thank you, Eric.

570
00:25:24,289 --> 00:25:26,629
Mr. Schultz: Yes, or
we could do a dĂŠjĂ  vu.

571
00:25:26,625 --> 00:25:27,925
Do that all over again.

572
00:25:27,926 --> 00:25:28,896
(laughter)

573
00:25:28,894 --> 00:25:30,894
The Press: A follow up
on Chaka Fattah.

574
00:25:30,896 --> 00:25:32,896
Was the White House aware an
indictment was imminent when

575
00:25:32,898 --> 00:25:36,098
he flew on Air Force One
with the President to

576
00:25:36,101 --> 00:25:38,971
Philadelphia for his event
on criminal justice reform?

577
00:25:38,970 --> 00:25:40,740
Mr. Schultz: No.

578
00:25:40,739 --> 00:25:41,739
The Press: And on
the minimum wage.

579
00:25:41,740 --> 00:25:43,880
Leader Pelosi came out
yesterday in support

580
00:25:43,875 --> 00:25:45,615
of a $15 minimum wage.

581
00:25:45,610 --> 00:25:47,380
And I'm wondering if the
White House is willing to

582
00:25:47,379 --> 00:25:50,419
support a $15 minimum wage?

583
00:25:50,415 --> 00:25:54,285
Mr. Schultz: Jordan,
President Obama has made

584
00:25:54,286 --> 00:25:57,656
clear, eight years since the
federal minimum wage

585
00:25:57,656 --> 00:26:00,526
increase last passed, that
action by Congress to raise

586
00:26:00,525 --> 00:26:03,525
the minimum wage
is long overdue.

587
00:26:03,528 --> 00:26:05,998
In a previous State of the
Union address, we suggested

588
00:26:05,997 --> 00:26:08,537
Congress raise the
minimum wage to $10.10.

589
00:26:08,533 --> 00:26:10,833
We more recently supported
legislation by Senator

590
00:26:10,835 --> 00:26:13,135
Murray and Congressman Scott
that would raise the minimum

591
00:26:13,138 --> 00:26:17,078
wage to $12.00 an
hour by 2020.

592
00:26:17,075 --> 00:26:19,345
There is a number of proposals
pending before Congress.

593
00:26:19,344 --> 00:26:22,884
We just want them to move on
one -- that we believe that

594
00:26:22,881 --> 00:26:27,021
despite this President's
leadership in bringing this

595
00:26:27,018 --> 00:26:29,858
country out of an economic
downturn that we haven't

596
00:26:29,854 --> 00:26:32,094
seen since the Great
Depression, that despite the

597
00:26:32,090 --> 00:26:34,390
longest stretch of private
sector job growth in our

598
00:26:34,392 --> 00:26:38,232
nation's history, that wages
have not grown fast enough

599
00:26:38,229 --> 00:26:39,229
or steep enough.

600
00:26:39,230 --> 00:26:41,230
And that's why the President
believes that America's

601
00:26:41,232 --> 00:26:42,502
workers deserve a raise.

602
00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:46,970
I know that different
localities, cities and

603
00:26:46,972 --> 00:26:49,512
states, and even private
companies, are choosing to

604
00:26:49,507 --> 00:26:52,507
take action in light of
Congress's inaction.

605
00:26:52,510 --> 00:26:54,210
Those are moves we support.

606
00:26:54,212 --> 00:26:56,912
It's my understanding that
the current tally is 17

607
00:26:56,915 --> 00:26:59,455
states and the District of
Columbia have all passed

608
00:26:59,451 --> 00:27:03,121
minimum wage increases
despite Congress's

609
00:27:03,121 --> 00:27:04,121
recalcitrance.

610
00:27:04,122 --> 00:27:05,592
We support those efforts.

611
00:27:05,590 --> 00:27:08,460
But we do believe it's going
to be up to those localities

612
00:27:08,460 --> 00:27:14,100
to decide the best specific
numbers that suit those areas.

613
00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:14,869
Thank you.

614
00:27:14,866 --> 00:27:15,896
Doug.

615
00:27:15,900 --> 00:27:18,040
The Press: Back
to Mullah Omar.

616
00:27:18,036 --> 00:27:21,706
The BBC report that the
Taliban has been putting out

617
00:27:21,706 --> 00:27:24,246
statements in his name as
recently as this month.

618
00:27:24,242 --> 00:27:26,482
There is a new round of
peace talks between the

619
00:27:26,478 --> 00:27:28,478
government about Ashraf
Ghani and the Taliban set

620
00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:29,910
for this Tuesday.

621
00:27:29,914 --> 00:27:33,154
Who has the government of
Afghanistan been negotiating

622
00:27:33,151 --> 00:27:35,621
with, given he's been dead
for two years now?

623
00:27:35,620 --> 00:27:38,660
And what would you recommend
for this upcoming round of

624
00:27:38,656 --> 00:27:39,656
peace talks?

625
00:27:39,657 --> 00:27:40,657
Mr. Schultz: Sure.

626
00:27:40,658 --> 00:27:42,828
Well, Doug, I appreciate you
raising that because we do

627
00:27:42,827 --> 00:27:46,067
believe the Taliban has an
opportunity to make genuine

628
00:27:46,064 --> 00:27:48,064
peace with the Afghan
government and rebuild their

629
00:27:48,066 --> 00:27:50,436
lives in peace in
Afghanistan.

630
00:27:50,435 --> 00:27:52,705
They can accept the
government of Afghanistan's

631
00:27:52,704 --> 00:27:55,044
invitation to join a peace
process and ultimately

632
00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:57,380
become part of a legitimate
political system in

633
00:27:57,375 --> 00:27:59,975
Afghanistan, or they can
choose to continue fighting

634
00:27:59,978 --> 00:28:02,318
Afghans and destabilizing
their own country.

635
00:28:02,313 --> 00:28:05,183
So you are right in
suggesting that the United

636
00:28:05,183 --> 00:28:07,583
States does continue to
support an Afghan-led and

637
00:28:07,585 --> 00:28:10,725
Afghan-owned reconciliation
process as the surest way to

638
00:28:10,722 --> 00:28:11,822
end violence in the region.

639
00:28:11,823 --> 00:28:16,093
The Press: Changing subjects
now to this side deal and

640
00:28:16,094 --> 00:28:17,664
the Iran nuclear agreement.

641
00:28:17,662 --> 00:28:21,562
Some of your Cabinet members
have been taking a beating

642
00:28:21,566 --> 00:28:25,106
up in the Senate Armed
Services Committee today on

643
00:28:25,103 --> 00:28:26,273
that side deal.

644
00:28:26,271 --> 00:28:29,371
Why did the United States
not know of this side deal?

645
00:28:29,374 --> 00:28:30,674
Why did not the
administration

646
00:28:30,675 --> 00:28:33,175
representatives brief
Congress on this side deal

647
00:28:33,178 --> 00:28:35,418
when they first
undertook briefings for

648
00:28:35,413 --> 00:28:36,513
members of Congress?

649
00:28:36,514 --> 00:28:39,584
And why have no members
of the administration

650
00:28:39,584 --> 00:28:40,824
read the side deal?

651
00:28:40,819 --> 00:28:41,819
Mr. Schultz: Sure, Doug.

652
00:28:41,820 --> 00:28:44,290
We should take this an
opportunity to clear this up.

653
00:28:44,289 --> 00:28:45,519
There is no side deal.

654
00:28:45,523 --> 00:28:48,463
There are no secret deals
between the P5+1 and Iran

655
00:28:48,460 --> 00:28:50,460
separate from the
commitments outlined in the

656
00:28:50,462 --> 00:28:52,462
Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action.

657
00:28:52,464 --> 00:28:54,664
Again, this is a deal that
prevents Iran from obtaining

658
00:28:54,666 --> 00:28:56,166
a nuclear weapon.

659
00:28:56,167 --> 00:28:59,667
Everything we and our P5+1
partners agreed to is

660
00:28:59,671 --> 00:29:02,541
spelled out within that
Joint Comprehensive Plan of

661
00:29:02,540 --> 00:29:04,910
Action announced from Vienna
last week.

662
00:29:04,909 --> 00:29:08,279
In terms of the documents,
Congress has what we have.

663
00:29:08,279 --> 00:29:12,819
We have -- not only are they
on the website, online, but

664
00:29:12,817 --> 00:29:16,887
they've also been briefed
many times over to Congress.

665
00:29:16,888 --> 00:29:19,428
As a standard in these
agreements, there's an

666
00:29:19,424 --> 00:29:22,294
arrangement specifically
between the IAEA and

667
00:29:22,293 --> 00:29:25,093
individuals states that are
confidential documents that

668
00:29:25,096 --> 00:29:28,436
the IAEA does not release to
other states, and they have

669
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:32,833
a number of very
understandable and possibly

670
00:29:32,837 --> 00:29:36,337
obvious reasons why they
don't release documents

671
00:29:36,341 --> 00:29:39,141
pertaining to proliferation
more widely.

672
00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:43,144
But what's important to
understand is the IAEA,

673
00:29:43,148 --> 00:29:46,088
which are the international
community's renowned experts

674
00:29:46,084 --> 00:29:49,324
in this area, as well as the
P5+1 -- the entire

675
00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:52,460
international community --
are absolutely confident in

676
00:29:52,457 --> 00:29:54,927
the agreement that was
struck between the IAEA and

677
00:29:54,926 --> 00:29:56,196
Iran in their inspections.

678
00:29:56,194 --> 00:30:00,294
The Press: Can you confirm
that this deal allows Iran

679
00:30:00,298 --> 00:30:02,698
to collect its own soil
samples at the Parchin

680
00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:03,700
facility?

681
00:30:03,701 --> 00:30:07,101
Mr. Schultz: I think some of
the details in that

682
00:30:07,105 --> 00:30:10,275
agreement remain classified
and remain sensitive, so I'm

683
00:30:10,275 --> 00:30:13,845
not in a position to discuss
them from here.

684
00:30:13,845 --> 00:30:19,415
But what I can do is I can
assure you that not only is

685
00:30:19,417 --> 00:30:23,957
the -- the international
inspectors, who we all trust

686
00:30:23,955 --> 00:30:28,965
to monitor this, have been
assured, and assured us,

687
00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:32,300
that they will have the
access they need.

688
00:30:32,297 --> 00:30:35,167
But I can also tell you the
P5+1 -- the international

689
00:30:35,166 --> 00:30:40,076
community -- which has an
invested stake in this are

690
00:30:40,071 --> 00:30:42,071
also confident in the
arrangement that was struck.

691
00:30:42,073 --> 00:30:43,413
The Press: Last question.

692
00:30:43,408 --> 00:30:46,248
Why did Secretary Kerry,
just moments ago, and

693
00:30:46,244 --> 00:30:48,344
Secretary Moniz, moments
ago, say that they have not

694
00:30:48,346 --> 00:30:49,646
read the side deal?

695
00:30:49,647 --> 00:30:51,087
They testified to that
effect.

696
00:30:51,082 --> 00:30:53,682
Mr. Schultz: Well, I think
there's a difference between

697
00:30:53,685 --> 00:30:56,185
reading the side deal and
any specific piece of paper

698
00:30:56,187 --> 00:30:57,187
and knowing what's in it.

699
00:30:57,188 --> 00:30:59,658
And I think we've been very
clear that we are not only

700
00:30:59,657 --> 00:31:02,157
are aware of what's in it,
but we're entirely

701
00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:04,560
comfortable with it -- as
are the international

702
00:31:04,562 --> 00:31:08,902
inspectors and the
scientists and the experts

703
00:31:08,900 --> 00:31:11,770
who have the expertise in
this.

704
00:31:11,769 --> 00:31:12,939
Thank you.

705
00:31:12,937 --> 00:31:13,937
Mark.

706
00:31:13,938 --> 00:31:18,878
The Press: Eric, how can you
say with such assurance a

707
00:31:18,876 --> 00:31:22,946
moment ago that there will
be a decision on Keystone

708
00:31:22,947 --> 00:31:25,317
from State by the end of the
administration?

709
00:31:25,316 --> 00:31:30,626
Mr. Schultz: It's my
understanding that this is a

710
00:31:30,622 --> 00:31:37,432
process that is undergone at
the State Department --

711
00:31:37,428 --> 00:31:39,568
again, this is a process
that predates this

712
00:31:39,564 --> 00:31:40,864
administration.

713
00:31:40,865 --> 00:31:45,775
And we believe that if you
check in with them for an

714
00:31:45,770 --> 00:31:48,710
update, they'll offer where
they are in their process.

715
00:31:48,706 --> 00:31:52,346
The Press: Is there at all a
disparity, do you think,

716
00:31:52,343 --> 00:31:56,243
between the years that State
has been working on Keystone

717
00:31:56,247 --> 00:31:59,087
and the 60 days you've given
Congress to come to a

718
00:31:59,083 --> 00:32:01,083
decision on the Iran nuclear
deal?

719
00:32:01,085 --> 00:32:02,085
Mr. Schultz: No.

720
00:32:02,086 --> 00:32:03,426
The Press: Why not?

721
00:32:03,421 --> 00:32:06,161
Mr. Schultz: Because, for
us, those are entirely

722
00:32:06,157 --> 00:32:10,897
separate and unrelated
issues -- that the 60-day

723
00:32:10,895 --> 00:32:13,935
clock with Iran was written
in a legislation that they

724
00:32:13,931 --> 00:32:15,231
wrote.

725
00:32:15,233 --> 00:32:18,073
That was a clock that they
started.

726
00:32:18,069 --> 00:32:24,909
The Keystone decision is
under review at the State

727
00:32:24,909 --> 00:32:28,679
Department, and it's my
understanding it had nothing

728
00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:32,380
to do with Senator Corkey's
legislation, which dictated

729
00:32:32,383 --> 00:32:34,383
the architecture of how
they're going to have

730
00:32:34,385 --> 00:32:35,385
oversight over the Iran
deal.

731
00:32:35,386 --> 00:32:38,526
The Press: Is the President
at all impatient with how

732
00:32:38,523 --> 00:32:40,793
long it's taking at State?

733
00:32:40,792 --> 00:32:43,192
Mr. Schultz: I
haven't heard that.

734
00:32:43,194 --> 00:32:44,124
The Press: Can you ask him?

735
00:32:44,128 --> 00:32:45,268
Mr. Schultz: I will try.

736
00:32:45,263 --> 00:32:46,563
April.

737
00:32:46,564 --> 00:32:49,064
The Press: Eric, couple
questions.

738
00:32:49,067 --> 00:32:53,067
I'm sure you saw back there
the news conference about

739
00:32:53,071 --> 00:32:56,241
the police officer from the
University of Cincinnati.

740
00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:59,310
Basically, he's indicted and
he's been indicted

741
00:32:59,310 --> 00:33:01,910
essentially for losing
his temper, allegedly,

742
00:33:01,913 --> 00:33:04,253
against a suspect.

743
00:33:04,248 --> 00:33:06,148
Does this administration
feel that there's need to be

744
00:33:06,150 --> 00:33:09,320
more training of police
officers in this country, as

745
00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:12,090
it seems that there is
somewhat of that same type

746
00:33:12,090 --> 00:33:16,560
of threat when we see some
of these instances?

747
00:33:16,561 --> 00:33:18,961
Is there an effort from the
Justice Department that the

748
00:33:18,963 --> 00:33:21,103
President is working
with Loretta Lynch on

749
00:33:21,099 --> 00:33:22,599
along that line?

750
00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:24,340
Mr. Schultz: April, you're
right -- I know that there

751
00:33:24,335 --> 00:33:26,735
was a news conference going
on back in Ohio just as we

752
00:33:26,738 --> 00:33:27,738
were coming out.

753
00:33:27,739 --> 00:33:30,139
So I didn't have a chance to
watch it, and obviously it's

754
00:33:30,141 --> 00:33:34,581
a local case under local
investigation and

755
00:33:34,579 --> 00:33:35,579
prosecution.

756
00:33:35,580 --> 00:33:37,780
So I'd refer you to them for
details.

757
00:33:37,782 --> 00:33:40,552
In terms of this issue at
large, which I think you are

758
00:33:40,551 --> 00:33:43,491
referencing -- as you know,
the President did stand up a

759
00:33:43,488 --> 00:33:46,258
Task Force on 21st Century
Policing to come out with a

760
00:33:46,257 --> 00:33:51,627
host of very serious and
tangible recommendations

761
00:33:51,629 --> 00:33:55,069
that law enforcement across
this country has been

762
00:33:55,066 --> 00:33:57,136
studying and have taken to
heart.

763
00:33:57,135 --> 00:33:59,375
I don't have an update for
you on departments that have

764
00:33:59,370 --> 00:34:01,370
implemented those
recommendations, but I know

765
00:34:01,372 --> 00:34:03,642
that it is a fulsome list,
which we can get you.

766
00:34:03,641 --> 00:34:06,541
And I do know that training
is a big part of that; that

767
00:34:06,544 --> 00:34:11,314
the President believes that
in order to restore trust

768
00:34:11,315 --> 00:34:12,915
between certain law
enforcement agencies around

769
00:34:12,917 --> 00:34:14,917
this country and the
communities they serve, a

770
00:34:14,919 --> 00:34:18,959
gap that in some places has
been widening, that one of

771
00:34:18,956 --> 00:34:23,166
the steps that local law
enforcement can take is to

772
00:34:23,161 --> 00:34:24,861
increase their training.

773
00:34:24,862 --> 00:34:26,062
The Press: And last
question.

774
00:34:26,063 --> 00:34:29,863
There seems to be a serious
effort to draft

775
00:34:29,867 --> 00:34:33,367
Vice President Biden to run
for President of the

776
00:34:33,371 --> 00:34:35,741
United States.

777
00:34:35,740 --> 00:34:39,180
Has the President encouraged
or talked to Vice President

778
00:34:39,177 --> 00:34:41,377
Biden about the
possibilities?

779
00:34:41,379 --> 00:34:44,349
Mr. Schultz: I have not
spoken to the President

780
00:34:44,348 --> 00:34:46,388
about his private
conversations with the Vice

781
00:34:46,384 --> 00:34:47,384
President.

782
00:34:47,385 --> 00:34:50,455
As you know, the President
has said that the best

783
00:34:50,455 --> 00:34:52,425
political decision that he's
ever made in his career has

784
00:34:52,423 --> 00:34:57,293
been to ask Joe Biden to run
as his Vice President.

785
00:34:57,295 --> 00:35:02,165
So he could not be more
impressed and appreciative

786
00:35:02,166 --> 00:35:04,666
of the Vice President's
service than he is.

787
00:35:04,669 --> 00:35:05,469
The Press: That's the
endorsement?

788
00:35:05,470 --> 00:35:07,040
(laughter)

789
00:35:07,038 --> 00:35:09,238
The Press: And I'm going to
ask one more question.

790
00:35:09,240 --> 00:35:10,740
Mr. Schultz: You said that
was your last one.

791
00:35:10,741 --> 00:35:11,981
The Press: Well, I'm sorry --

792
00:35:11,976 --> 00:35:12,876
(laughter)

793
00:35:12,877 --> 00:35:13,977
-- I changed my mind.

794
00:35:13,978 --> 00:35:17,418
Mr. Schultz: Just checking.

795
00:35:17,415 --> 00:35:19,355
The Press: Has there been
any talk around the

796
00:35:19,350 --> 00:35:23,550
White House, hearing that --
particularly from next door

797
00:35:23,554 --> 00:35:26,124
-- that he could possibly
throw his hat in?

798
00:35:26,123 --> 00:35:27,923
Mr. Schultz: I haven't heard
anything about those

799
00:35:27,925 --> 00:35:30,395
discussions, if they're
happening or not.

800
00:35:30,394 --> 00:35:31,934
Bill.

801
00:35:31,929 --> 00:35:35,229
The Press: There are reports
today that there was hacking

802
00:35:35,233 --> 00:35:38,673
presumably by the Chinese,
at the same time of the OPM

803
00:35:38,669 --> 00:35:42,569
hack, against United
Airlines, in which

804
00:35:42,573 --> 00:35:46,043
information similar to what
was taken from the

805
00:35:46,043 --> 00:35:50,313
government -- files
regarding passenger lists

806
00:35:50,314 --> 00:35:52,514
and possibly more --
could have been taken.

807
00:35:52,517 --> 00:35:54,417
Do you have any information?

808
00:35:54,418 --> 00:35:55,358
Mr. Schultz: I don't, Bill.

809
00:35:55,353 --> 00:35:56,953
I know that the United
Airlines has put out a

810
00:35:56,954 --> 00:35:57,954
statement.

811
00:35:57,955 --> 00:36:00,325
We are certainly aware of
the reports about their

812
00:36:00,324 --> 00:36:04,794
cyber intrusion, but I'd
refer you to United for

813
00:36:04,795 --> 00:36:06,335
comment on their
specific situation.

814
00:36:06,330 --> 00:36:10,400
The Press: You can't confirm
the fact of the intrusion?

815
00:36:10,401 --> 00:36:11,771
Mr. Schultz: What was the
question again?

816
00:36:11,769 --> 00:36:13,869
The Press: Can you confirm
the fact of the intrusion?

817
00:36:13,871 --> 00:36:15,871
Mr. Schultz: I've seen those
reports, but I'd refer you

818
00:36:15,873 --> 00:36:17,613
to United to comment
on their own.

819
00:36:17,608 --> 00:36:19,548
The Press: You could maybe,
but you're not going to?

820
00:36:19,544 --> 00:36:20,474
Is that what you're saying?

821
00:36:20,478 --> 00:36:21,878
Mr. Schultz: What I'm saying
is I've seen the reports,

822
00:36:21,879 --> 00:36:24,119
but we're going to refer you
to United to address any

823
00:36:24,115 --> 00:36:25,655
circumstances around
their --

824
00:36:25,650 --> 00:36:27,890
The Press: But you certainly
suggest that the government

825
00:36:27,885 --> 00:36:30,185
must know something and it
doesn't want to talk.

826
00:36:30,187 --> 00:36:31,587
Mr. Schultz: Bill, don't
be so cynical.

827
00:36:31,589 --> 00:36:32,819
I think that --

828
00:36:32,823 --> 00:36:33,893
The Press: Moi?

829
00:36:33,891 --> 00:36:37,391
(laughter)

830
00:36:37,395 --> 00:36:40,595
Mr. Schultz: I think, again,
we're going to let

831
00:36:40,598 --> 00:36:46,138
United Airlines, which
presumably has very able public

832
00:36:46,137 --> 00:36:46,607
relations folks, field
those questions.

833
00:36:46,604 --> 00:36:47,474
JC.

834
00:36:47,471 --> 00:36:49,841
The Press: Thoughts and a
little insight.

835
00:36:49,840 --> 00:36:51,210
Turkey and the United States
have signed a deal over the

836
00:36:51,208 --> 00:36:55,848
former Incirlik Air Base
with the U.S.-led coalition

837
00:36:55,846 --> 00:36:57,786
fighting the Islamic State.

838
00:36:57,782 --> 00:37:00,852
The Turkish Foreign Minister
has mentioned, and it's been

839
00:37:00,851 --> 00:37:02,091
reported by Reuters.

840
00:37:02,086 --> 00:37:04,156
Wednesday also marked the
heaviest airstrikes by

841
00:37:04,155 --> 00:37:08,055
Turkey against the PKK,
after President Erdogan

842
00:37:08,059 --> 00:37:10,399
ruled out any peace process.

843
00:37:10,394 --> 00:37:12,494
Any comments on that from
the White House?

844
00:37:12,496 --> 00:37:16,536
Mr. Schultz: JC, I think, as
you saw two weeks ago now,

845
00:37:16,534 --> 00:37:21,234
when this was first
announced, that we've been

846
00:37:21,238 --> 00:37:23,838
clear that the United States
and Turkey have held ongoing

847
00:37:23,841 --> 00:37:26,311
consultations about ways we
can further our joint

848
00:37:26,310 --> 00:37:29,550
counter-ISIL efforts to
respond to common threats.

849
00:37:29,547 --> 00:37:32,687
As you know, Turkey is a
strategic NATO ally, a close

850
00:37:32,683 --> 00:37:34,823
friend, and a valuable
partner in the coalition to

851
00:37:34,819 --> 00:37:35,819
defeat ISIL.

852
00:37:35,820 --> 00:37:40,160
And we are appreciative of
the commitment the Turkish

853
00:37:40,157 --> 00:37:42,727
government has made to
further and deepen our

854
00:37:42,727 --> 00:37:45,267
cooperation broadly in the
counter-ISIL fight.

855
00:37:45,262 --> 00:37:47,262
That's going to include
support for the

856
00:37:47,264 --> 00:37:49,364
train-and-equip program,
intelligence-sharing, and

857
00:37:49,367 --> 00:37:50,537
operational coordination.

858
00:37:50,534 --> 00:37:53,874
And like you mentioned, as
part of this, Turkey is

859
00:37:53,871 --> 00:37:56,371
going to grant clearance for
the deployment of manned and

860
00:37:56,374 --> 00:37:58,174
unmanned aircraft from the
U.S.

861
00:37:58,175 --> 00:38:00,945
and other coalition members
participating in air

862
00:38:00,945 --> 00:38:02,645
operations in their air
base.

863
00:38:02,647 --> 00:38:05,487
The Press: How does this
play in with the unfortunate

864
00:38:05,483 --> 00:38:11,123
circumstance of the bombings
of the PKK individuals, the

865
00:38:11,122 --> 00:38:15,222
Kurdish, who are supposedly
supporting our efforts?

866
00:38:15,226 --> 00:38:19,266
Mr. Schultz: You're right,
as we spoke in real time,

867
00:38:19,263 --> 00:38:24,303
that we do condemn the PKK's
attack -- that, as we have

868
00:38:24,301 --> 00:38:26,301
said, that they are a
foreign terrorist

869
00:38:26,303 --> 00:38:29,173
organization, and we have
said that we respect

870
00:38:29,173 --> 00:38:31,173
Turkey's right to defend
itself.

871
00:38:31,175 --> 00:38:37,915
So we believe that, overall,
we call for a de-escalation

872
00:38:37,915 --> 00:38:42,555
and we call for the return
to a peaceful solution process.

873
00:38:42,553 --> 00:38:43,583
David.

874
00:38:43,587 --> 00:38:44,557
The Press: Thanks, Eric.

875
00:38:44,555 --> 00:38:48,455
On the IRS, two House
Republican lawmakers on

876
00:38:48,459 --> 00:38:52,199
Monday called on the
President to fire IRS

877
00:38:52,196 --> 00:38:55,136
Commissioner John Koskinen,
or they said they'll try to

878
00:38:55,132 --> 00:38:56,472
impeach him.

879
00:38:56,467 --> 00:38:58,137
Any response from the
White House?

880
00:38:58,135 --> 00:39:00,905
Mr. Schultz: Yes.

881
00:39:00,905 --> 00:39:02,875
As we have said,
Commissioner Koskinen is a

882
00:39:02,873 --> 00:39:05,043
man of the highest integrity
with a steadfast commitment

883
00:39:05,042 --> 00:39:07,042
to public service during
difficult times.

884
00:39:07,044 --> 00:39:10,144
His decades of experience
turning around both public

885
00:39:10,147 --> 00:39:13,047
and private institutions
continue to make him the

886
00:39:13,050 --> 00:39:15,050
right person to lead this
agency.

887
00:39:17,588 --> 00:39:21,928
If we look back at how
cooperative the IRS has been

888
00:39:21,926 --> 00:39:25,496
with the multiple
investigations which have

889
00:39:25,496 --> 00:39:29,036
spanned multiple years now,
I think it's worth noting

890
00:39:29,033 --> 00:39:31,533
that they've testified in
over 25 congressional

891
00:39:31,535 --> 00:39:34,875
hearings, provided more than
50 employees for interviews,

892
00:39:34,872 --> 00:39:38,312
and produced more than 1
million pages of documents.

893
00:39:38,309 --> 00:39:42,509
I know that you mentioned
two House Republicans who

894
00:39:42,513 --> 00:39:43,953
tried to make news on this.

895
00:39:43,948 --> 00:39:47,048
I'd call to your attention
the response from

896
00:39:47,051 --> 00:39:49,821
Congressman Cummings who
pointed out that the

897
00:39:49,820 --> 00:39:52,090
independent inspector
general himself who

898
00:39:52,089 --> 00:39:54,329
concluded in a report to the
Oversight Committee just

899
00:39:54,325 --> 00:39:56,695
last month noted that there
is no evidence to

900
00:39:56,694 --> 00:39:59,194
substantiate the very claims
that Republicans just

901
00:39:59,196 --> 00:40:00,636
yesterday were making.

902
00:40:00,631 --> 00:40:03,731
So that particular report,
which you can find online,

903
00:40:03,734 --> 00:40:06,274
found no evidence to back up
Republican claims of

904
00:40:06,270 --> 00:40:10,270
political motivation, White
House involvement, or any

905
00:40:10,274 --> 00:40:12,374
intentional destruction of
evidence.

906
00:40:12,376 --> 00:40:14,716
So I command that report to
your attention.

907
00:40:14,712 --> 00:40:16,712
Bob.

908
00:40:16,714 --> 00:40:17,944
Francesca.

909
00:40:17,948 --> 00:40:18,788
The Press: What?

910
00:40:18,783 --> 00:40:19,453
(laughter)

911
00:40:19,450 --> 00:40:20,120
Mr. Schultz: Whatever.

912
00:40:20,117 --> 00:40:25,487
(laughter)

913
00:40:25,489 --> 00:40:26,059
Francesca.

914
00:40:26,056 --> 00:40:26,686
The Press: I'll take it.

915
00:40:26,690 --> 00:40:27,890
I'll take it.

916
00:40:27,892 --> 00:40:28,462
You can call me whatever
you want, as long as

917
00:40:28,459 --> 00:40:29,029
you call on me.

918
00:40:29,026 --> 00:40:29,626
Mr. Schultz: Yes.

919
00:40:29,627 --> 00:40:30,127
Welcome back.

920
00:40:30,127 --> 00:40:30,797
How was your trip?

921
00:40:30,795 --> 00:40:31,565
The Press: Thank you,
appreciate that.

922
00:40:31,562 --> 00:40:33,162
I wanted to go back to Iran.

923
00:40:33,164 --> 00:40:36,304
You describe the talks that
the President has had or the

924
00:40:36,300 --> 00:40:39,040
White House has had with
Democrats and members of

925
00:40:39,036 --> 00:40:42,136
Congress as extensive about
the Iran deal.

926
00:40:42,139 --> 00:40:44,479
Do you know if the President
has talked to Senator

927
00:40:44,475 --> 00:40:46,475
Schumer personally about the
deal?

928
00:40:46,477 --> 00:40:49,047
Mr. Schultz: I don't have
specific conversations to

929
00:40:49,046 --> 00:40:50,016
read out.

930
00:40:50,014 --> 00:40:53,084
I know that the President
has spoken with specific

931
00:40:53,083 --> 00:40:57,523
members of Congress -- both
in the House and the Senate,

932
00:40:57,521 --> 00:40:59,521
both Democrats and
Republicans, and both

933
00:40:59,523 --> 00:41:00,693
skeptics and supporters.

934
00:41:00,691 --> 00:41:04,461
The President believes that,
on the merits, that this is

935
00:41:04,461 --> 00:41:09,301
an argument -- that our case
is one that is worth making.

936
00:41:09,300 --> 00:41:11,940
And so I don't have specific
conversations to read out to

937
00:41:11,936 --> 00:41:12,906
you.

938
00:41:12,903 --> 00:41:16,543
But I do know that Senator
Schumer, as a member of the

939
00:41:16,540 --> 00:41:19,840
leadership in the Senate, is
someone whose support we'd

940
00:41:19,844 --> 00:41:20,844
like.

941
00:41:20,845 --> 00:41:22,845
The Press: Well, on a
related note, will

942
00:41:22,847 --> 00:41:24,847
Congresswoman Debbie
Wasserman Schultz be at the

943
00:41:24,849 --> 00:41:25,849
event tonight?

944
00:41:25,850 --> 00:41:30,520
Mr. Schultz: I think we had
a resounding RSVP list.

945
00:41:30,521 --> 00:41:33,161
But I don't have the exact
tally in front of me, so you

946
00:41:33,157 --> 00:41:35,157
might want to check with her
office.

947
00:41:35,159 --> 00:41:37,159
The Press: And a final thing
on that topic then, isn't it

948
00:41:37,161 --> 00:41:39,161
troubling, though, to the
White House that both of

949
00:41:39,163 --> 00:41:42,063
those very high-profile
Democratic members who also

950
00:41:42,066 --> 00:41:44,666
happen to be Jewish
Americans, as well, have not

951
00:41:44,668 --> 00:41:46,668
come out in support of the
deal?

952
00:41:46,670 --> 00:41:48,670
I know it's only been two
weeks.

953
00:41:48,672 --> 00:41:50,672
But the deal, as the White
House has said, is very

954
00:41:50,674 --> 00:41:52,774
close to what the political
framework was.

955
00:41:52,776 --> 00:41:55,176
So they've known what was
going to be in it for quite

956
00:41:55,179 --> 00:41:56,179
some time now.

957
00:41:56,180 --> 00:41:58,180
Mr. Schultz: As you pointed
out, it's only been two

958
00:41:58,182 --> 00:41:59,182
weeks.

959
00:41:59,183 --> 00:42:01,183
And as others have pointed
out, we have a whole 60 days

960
00:42:01,185 --> 00:42:03,585
for Congress to look over
this.

961
00:42:03,587 --> 00:42:05,987
So we're going to continue
to make the case to the two

962
00:42:05,990 --> 00:42:07,990
members you've identified,
but we're going to make the

963
00:42:07,992 --> 00:42:10,092
case to everyone we can.

964
00:42:10,094 --> 00:42:11,094
Cheryl.

965
00:42:11,095 --> 00:42:12,095
The Press: Thanks.

966
00:42:12,096 --> 00:42:15,066
Following up on the meeting
tonight with Democrats, so

967
00:42:15,065 --> 00:42:17,905
Congress is going to leave
without having started any

968
00:42:17,902 --> 00:42:20,102
budget negotiations or
addressing sequester.

969
00:42:20,104 --> 00:42:23,004
What is the President's
message on because going

970
00:42:23,007 --> 00:42:24,007
forward?

971
00:42:24,008 --> 00:42:26,008
Mr. Schultz: The President's
message is simple, and

972
00:42:26,010 --> 00:42:28,610
you've heard it from, Josh,
as well.

973
00:42:28,612 --> 00:42:33,082
But that it's unfortunate
that Congress is going to

974
00:42:33,083 --> 00:42:37,083
leave town without a lot of
progress made on this; that

975
00:42:37,087 --> 00:42:42,057
this economic recovery we've
seen is one that would only

976
00:42:42,059 --> 00:42:46,229
be supported if we lift the
sequester restrictions and

977
00:42:46,230 --> 00:42:48,230
we fund government at
appropriate levels.

978
00:42:48,232 --> 00:42:49,162
Bless you, Gardiner.

979
00:42:49,166 --> 00:42:52,336
(laughter)

980
00:42:52,336 --> 00:42:53,606
Is that not allowed anymore?

981
00:42:53,604 --> 00:42:55,504
We don't have manners here?

982
00:42:55,506 --> 00:42:57,976
So, Cheryl, so that's
our approach.

983
00:42:57,975 --> 00:43:03,815
I think that's -- if you had
eyes in the walls tonight in

984
00:43:03,814 --> 00:43:06,384
the East Room, you would see
the President making a

985
00:43:06,383 --> 00:43:07,853
similar case.

986
00:43:07,851 --> 00:43:09,091
The Press: So are there
any particular --

987
00:43:09,086 --> 00:43:10,086
The Press: Just open it up.

988
00:43:10,087 --> 00:43:11,457
The Press: Yes, can we come?

989
00:43:11,455 --> 00:43:12,555
Mr. Schultz: I asked
for that.

990
00:43:12,556 --> 00:43:13,226
The Press: That would
be great.

991
00:43:13,223 --> 00:43:13,723
Yes.

992
00:43:13,724 --> 00:43:14,964
(laughter)

993
00:43:14,959 --> 00:43:16,459
But is there any particular
tactic or strategy to try to

994
00:43:16,460 --> 00:43:18,360
kick-start these
negotiations that

995
00:43:18,362 --> 00:43:19,262
he's going to --

996
00:43:19,263 --> 00:43:23,133
Mr. Schultz: Well, I can
tell you that White House

997
00:43:23,133 --> 00:43:25,573
officials and officials at
the relevant agencies like

998
00:43:25,569 --> 00:43:27,969
the Office of Management and
Budget and at the Treasury

999
00:43:27,972 --> 00:43:30,542
Department have certainly
been in touch with House and

1000
00:43:30,541 --> 00:43:33,111
Senate leaders urging them
to roll up their sleeves and

1001
00:43:33,110 --> 00:43:34,350
make some progress on this.

1002
00:43:34,345 --> 00:43:39,245
We've been disappointed thus
far with their inaction.

1003
00:43:39,249 --> 00:43:40,149
John.

1004
00:43:40,150 --> 00:43:41,320
The Press: Thank you, Eric.

1005
00:43:41,318 --> 00:43:43,558
Three brief
questions for you.

1006
00:43:43,554 --> 00:43:48,394
First, Congressman Mike
Kelly of Pennsylvania has

1007
00:43:48,392 --> 00:43:51,592
taken a different tack from
other Republicans.

1008
00:43:51,595 --> 00:43:55,265
Rather than go and embrace
the defunding of Planned

1009
00:43:55,265 --> 00:43:58,665
Parenthood, he has written
the Commissioner of the IRS

1010
00:43:58,669 --> 00:44:02,139
and asked for an audit of
some of the controversial

1011
00:44:02,139 --> 00:44:04,679
reports that have been
coming up.

1012
00:44:04,675 --> 00:44:08,175
And this occurred at a
hearing of the Ways and

1013
00:44:08,178 --> 00:44:09,618
Means Subcommittee.

1014
00:44:09,613 --> 00:44:11,883
Is this something the
administration would be

1015
00:44:11,882 --> 00:44:15,782
positive about -- an IRS
audit of Planned Parenthood

1016
00:44:15,786 --> 00:44:17,786
to clear the air and
controversy?

1017
00:44:17,788 --> 00:44:23,428
Mr. Schultz: I haven't heard
that any of the videos or

1018
00:44:23,427 --> 00:44:25,427
any of the issues
surrounding Planned

1019
00:44:25,429 --> 00:44:27,429
Parenthood have anything to
do with the IRS.

1020
00:44:27,431 --> 00:44:28,771
So I'm not sure.

1021
00:44:28,766 --> 00:44:31,306
I'm sure the Commissioner of
the IRS will evaluate the

1022
00:44:31,301 --> 00:44:33,301
request, as he does all the
others.

1023
00:44:33,303 --> 00:44:36,473
But I haven't seen anything
to suggest that that audit

1024
00:44:36,473 --> 00:44:37,473
is necessary.

1025
00:44:37,474 --> 00:44:39,744
The Press: The other
question is, does the

1026
00:44:39,743 --> 00:44:43,543
administration -- while
supporting certainly the

1027
00:44:43,547 --> 00:44:47,347
agreement between Greece and
its partners -- believe it

1028
00:44:47,351 --> 00:44:50,491
is sustainable, even though
the International Monetary

1029
00:44:50,487 --> 00:44:51,887
Fund has raised questions?

1030
00:44:51,889 --> 00:44:56,059
Or do they think that the
specter of Greek exit from

1031
00:44:56,060 --> 00:44:58,100
the euro would reappear down
the line?

1032
00:44:58,095 --> 00:45:00,595
Mr. Schultz: That's a good
question.

1033
00:45:00,597 --> 00:45:03,667
I think we do, as you note,
we do support the agreement

1034
00:45:03,667 --> 00:45:08,337
that was reached between
Greece and European leaders.

1035
00:45:08,338 --> 00:45:10,338
It's my understanding that
they continue to make

1036
00:45:10,340 --> 00:45:13,510
progress on implementing
that deal, so I don't have

1037
00:45:13,510 --> 00:45:15,150
any updates for you on that.

1038
00:45:15,145 --> 00:45:17,485
And I certainly am not going
to second-guess that deal

1039
00:45:17,481 --> 00:45:18,481
right here today.

1040
00:45:18,482 --> 00:45:20,682
The Press: And finally --
and I've been dying to know

1041
00:45:20,684 --> 00:45:25,324
this for a while -- the
President made Ms. Harper

1042
00:45:25,322 --> 00:45:28,962
Lee a member of the Council
of Arts in his first term.

1043
00:45:28,959 --> 00:45:30,959
Does he plan to read "To Set
a Watchman"?

1044
00:45:30,961 --> 00:45:35,231
Mr. Schultz: I have not
spoken to the President

1045
00:45:35,232 --> 00:45:36,232
about his reading list.

1046
00:45:36,233 --> 00:45:40,133
As you know, usually there's
a few weeks in August where

1047
00:45:40,137 --> 00:45:42,137
he gets a chance to read
some books.

1048
00:45:42,139 --> 00:45:44,139
The Press: That's why I
mention it.

1049
00:45:44,141 --> 00:45:46,141
Mr. Schultz: So we can see
if that's on the list for

1050
00:45:46,143 --> 00:45:47,143
this year.

1051
00:45:47,144 --> 00:45:49,144
The Press: Will you get back
to me on that?

1052
00:45:49,146 --> 00:45:50,146
Mr. Schultz: I will try.

1053
00:45:50,147 --> 00:45:51,147
Chris.

1054
00:45:51,148 --> 00:45:52,148
The Press: Thanks, Eric.

1055
00:45:52,149 --> 00:45:54,149
The Boy Scouts of America
this week lifted its policy

1056
00:45:54,151 --> 00:45:56,251
prohibiting openly gay
people from serving as

1057
00:45:56,253 --> 00:46:00,193
leaders of its various

1058
00:46:00,190 --> 00:46:03,430
(inaudible) .

1059
00:46:03,427 --> 00:46:06,167
The President publicly has
called for the organization

1060
00:46:06,163 --> 00:46:08,463
to lift its ban on openly
gay people.

1061
00:46:08,465 --> 00:46:10,265
How was he made aware
of the news?

1062
00:46:10,267 --> 00:46:12,567
And did he have any
reaction to that?

1063
00:46:12,569 --> 00:46:14,309
Mr. Schultz: I don't know
how the President received

1064
00:46:14,304 --> 00:46:16,304
the news.

1065
00:46:16,306 --> 00:46:18,476
But as you point out, that
under the leadership of Bob

1066
00:46:18,475 --> 00:46:20,575
Gates, the Boy Scouts of
America did take a big step

1067
00:46:20,577 --> 00:46:23,377
forward on Monday in
accepting qualified Scout

1068
00:46:23,380 --> 00:46:26,480
leaders, employees and
volunteers, regardless of

1069
00:46:26,483 --> 00:46:27,483
who they love.

1070
00:46:27,484 --> 00:46:29,754
And this is something that's
consistent with what the

1071
00:46:29,753 --> 00:46:30,823
President has talked about.

1072
00:46:30,821 --> 00:46:33,491
He has long believed that
the Boy Scouts is a valuable

1073
00:46:33,490 --> 00:46:36,630
organization that has helped
educate and build character

1074
00:46:36,627 --> 00:46:38,627
in American boys for more
than a century.

1075
00:46:38,629 --> 00:46:40,629
And he thinks this was
an important step

1076
00:46:40,631 --> 00:46:41,631
for them to take.

1077
00:46:41,632 --> 00:46:43,002
The Press: One things that
the policy leaves in place

1078
00:46:43,000 --> 00:46:45,040
is allowing religious
chartered organizations to

1079
00:46:45,035 --> 00:46:49,075
continue to use religion
to evaluate admission,

1080
00:46:49,072 --> 00:46:50,372
including on the basis of
sexual orientation.

1081
00:46:50,374 --> 00:46:52,574
Does the President believe
that the policy change

1082
00:46:52,576 --> 00:46:54,646
should go further to
prohibit these organizations

1083
00:46:54,645 --> 00:46:57,115
also from using sexual
orientation as a factor?

1084
00:46:57,114 --> 00:46:59,184
Mr. Schultz: Again, Chris,
I haven't talked to the

1085
00:46:59,183 --> 00:47:03,383
President about this, but I
do know that he believes and

1086
00:47:03,387 --> 00:47:05,387
was encouraged by the
significant step they

1087
00:47:05,389 --> 00:47:06,459
announced this week.

1088
00:47:06,456 --> 00:47:07,356
The Press: And one other
thing, too.

1089
00:47:07,357 --> 00:47:10,357
When the President was in
Africa, he responded during

1090
00:47:10,360 --> 00:47:13,760
a press conference quite
boldly to the issue of the

1091
00:47:13,764 --> 00:47:16,764
way gay people are treated
out in that country, where

1092
00:47:16,767 --> 00:47:21,237
being gay is punished by up
to 14 years in prison.

1093
00:47:21,238 --> 00:47:23,878
That issue came up publicly
in the press conference, but

1094
00:47:23,874 --> 00:47:25,514
did it come up privately at
all during the discussions

1095
00:47:25,509 --> 00:47:26,539
on the trip?

1096
00:47:26,543 --> 00:47:27,713
Mr. Schultz: Yes, I can
assure you that the

1097
00:47:27,711 --> 00:47:31,381
President did raise this
privately and he didn't pull

1098
00:47:31,381 --> 00:47:32,781
any punches at the time.

1099
00:47:32,783 --> 00:47:36,653
The President believes that
equality is a fundamental

1100
00:47:36,653 --> 00:47:39,123
pillar not only because it's
the right thing to do but

1101
00:47:39,122 --> 00:47:41,322
because it strengthens
countries.

1102
00:47:41,325 --> 00:47:43,925
And the remarks that he made
both -- I believe in both

1103
00:47:43,927 --> 00:47:47,667
press conferences in Kenya
and in Ethiopia, and then in

1104
00:47:47,664 --> 00:47:49,834
his extensive remarks
yesterday in front of the

1105
00:47:49,833 --> 00:47:52,873
African Union, that the
issue of broader human

1106
00:47:52,869 --> 00:47:56,639
rights in Africa is one
where they've made progress

1107
00:47:56,640 --> 00:48:00,740
but they clearly have a long
way to go.

1108
00:48:00,744 --> 00:48:04,944
And that's part of the
reason why he was so

1109
00:48:04,948 --> 00:48:06,788
encouraged by his visit.

1110
00:48:06,783 --> 00:48:09,983
He felt that this visit was
an opportunity to accomplish

1111
00:48:09,987 --> 00:48:12,927
the goal of not only
deepening the ties between

1112
00:48:12,923 --> 00:48:16,093
the United States and Africa
but also raising awareness

1113
00:48:16,093 --> 00:48:17,093
on these issues.

1114
00:48:17,094 --> 00:48:19,134
I know that the President
himself said some countries

1115
00:48:19,129 --> 00:48:23,169
prefer to not engage and to
not try and lift up these

1116
00:48:23,166 --> 00:48:25,706
issues, even when they might
be uncomfortable, but that's

1117
00:48:25,702 --> 00:48:26,842
not this President's
approach.

1118
00:48:26,837 --> 00:48:29,377
The Press: And what did the
President say privately?

1119
00:48:29,373 --> 00:48:30,803
What was the
reaction he got?

1120
00:48:30,807 --> 00:48:34,507
Mr. Schultz: I don't have a
detailed readout of the

1121
00:48:34,511 --> 00:48:37,381
bilateral conversations, but
I do know that he raised

1122
00:48:37,381 --> 00:48:39,821
this and was quite
forceful on it.

1123
00:48:39,816 --> 00:48:41,116
Thank you.

1124
00:48:41,118 --> 00:48:42,588
Goyal, we'll give
you the last one.

1125
00:48:42,586 --> 00:48:43,616
The Press: Thank you, Eric.

1126
00:48:43,620 --> 00:48:45,820
This may be my July
birthday gift.

1127
00:48:45,822 --> 00:48:47,162
Mr. Schultz: Okay.

1128
00:48:47,157 --> 00:48:48,187
The Press: Two questions.

1129
00:48:48,191 --> 00:48:51,161
One, recently, the Vice
President was addressing the

1130
00:48:51,161 --> 00:48:53,361
Fortune 500 companies
from the U.S.

1131
00:48:53,363 --> 00:48:56,063
and from India at the
Willard under the leadership

1132
00:48:56,066 --> 00:48:58,836
and organized by CII and
Carnegie Institutions.

1133
00:48:58,835 --> 00:49:02,005
Would he lay down the
U.S.-India relations

1134
00:49:02,005 --> 00:49:03,005
(inaudible)

1135
00:49:03,006 --> 00:49:05,806
-- so for U.S.-India civil
nuclear agreement?

1136
00:49:05,809 --> 00:49:07,849
Was he carrying any message
from the President?

1137
00:49:07,844 --> 00:49:12,284
Also, there was an
announcement that over $15

1138
00:49:12,282 --> 00:49:14,382
billion have been
invested in the U.S.

1139
00:49:14,384 --> 00:49:17,984
by Indian companies,
creating over 100,000

1140
00:49:17,988 --> 00:49:19,588
jobs in the U.S.

1141
00:49:19,589 --> 00:49:21,729
My question is, if he was
carrying any Presidential

1142
00:49:21,725 --> 00:49:26,865
message and, second, how
this Export-Import Bank is

1143
00:49:26,863 --> 00:49:30,063
playing a role between
U.S.-India trade relations.

1144
00:49:30,067 --> 00:49:30,767
Mr. Schultz: Sure.

1145
00:49:30,767 --> 00:49:32,837
Goyal, I think that's
a good question.

1146
00:49:32,836 --> 00:49:36,876
I don't have specifics on
how any specific loans or

1147
00:49:36,873 --> 00:49:39,373
support structures that
Ex-Im has offered American

1148
00:49:39,376 --> 00:49:44,446
companies, specifically for
business in India.

1149
00:49:44,448 --> 00:49:46,888
But I'm sure my friends and
my counterparts at the Ex-Im

1150
00:49:46,883 --> 00:49:48,783
Bank could get that for you.

1151
00:49:48,785 --> 00:49:52,885
I think generally speaking,
the reason that Republicans

1152
00:49:52,889 --> 00:49:56,029
and Democrats support Ex-Im
Bank is because it is an

1153
00:49:56,026 --> 00:49:59,126
engine of economic growth
and American jobs for

1154
00:49:59,129 --> 00:50:01,129
American companies
here at home.

1155
00:50:01,131 --> 00:50:03,131
Generally speaking, in terms
of the U.S.-India

1156
00:50:03,133 --> 00:50:05,133
partnership, which you've
referenced, the President is

1157
00:50:05,135 --> 00:50:09,335
very enthusiastic about the
prospect of increased

1158
00:50:09,339 --> 00:50:13,439
collaboration, increased
economic growth for American

1159
00:50:13,443 --> 00:50:15,443
companies, and investments
in India.

1160
00:50:15,445 --> 00:50:18,045
I think you heard that from
his recent trip there a few

1161
00:50:18,048 --> 00:50:19,048
months ago.

1162
00:50:19,049 --> 00:50:21,789
But just because he is not
over there right now, that

1163
00:50:21,785 --> 00:50:24,255
doesn't mean we don't have
key members of our team

1164
00:50:24,254 --> 00:50:25,254
working on this.

1165
00:50:25,255 --> 00:50:28,955
So economic growth across
the country remains --

1166
00:50:28,959 --> 00:50:31,899
across the world, remains a
priority for this President

1167
00:50:31,895 --> 00:50:34,665
and oftentimes that
manifests itself in

1168
00:50:34,664 --> 00:50:37,304
investments in foreign
countries.

1169
00:50:37,300 --> 00:50:39,770
And India is very high
on that list.

1170
00:50:39,770 --> 00:50:42,170
The Press: And secondly, on
immigration, if I can follow

1171
00:50:42,172 --> 00:50:44,712
Jim's question differently.

1172
00:50:44,708 --> 00:50:49,248
After Presidential victories
on many issues, including

1173
00:50:49,246 --> 00:50:53,316
trade, health and also equal
rights among others, now

1174
00:50:53,316 --> 00:50:58,226
millions of undocumented
immigrants, they are seeking

1175
00:50:58,221 --> 00:51:01,291
and asking that this might
be the last victory for the

1176
00:51:01,291 --> 00:51:04,061
President before he leaves
office on immigration.

1177
00:51:04,060 --> 00:51:06,100
They are living
under the shadow.

1178
00:51:06,096 --> 00:51:08,866
If the President can bring
them out of the shadows and

1179
00:51:08,865 --> 00:51:12,665
if they see ever light in
their dark tunnel ever?

1180
00:51:12,669 --> 00:51:15,339
Mr. Schultz: Sure.

1181
00:51:15,338 --> 00:51:17,338
As you point out, millions
are living under the

1182
00:51:17,340 --> 00:51:19,680
shadows, and the best way
for them to get out of the

1183
00:51:19,676 --> 00:51:22,916
shadows and restore
accountability is for the

1184
00:51:22,913 --> 00:51:26,053
House to pass the Senate
bipartisan comprehensive

1185
00:51:26,049 --> 00:51:27,819
immigration reform package.

1186
00:51:27,818 --> 00:51:31,218
As you all recall, that was
a bill that was not written

1187
00:51:31,221 --> 00:51:33,221
by this President, but
the President never

1188
00:51:33,223 --> 00:51:34,223
called that perfect.

1189
00:51:34,224 --> 00:51:37,424
It's probably not precisely
the bill that he would have

1190
00:51:37,427 --> 00:51:40,967
passed if he was writing it,
but that it was the product

1191
00:51:40,964 --> 00:51:42,964
of compromise, it was the
product of bipartisan

1192
00:51:42,966 --> 00:51:45,106
compromise, where Democrats
and Republicans -- a rare

1193
00:51:45,101 --> 00:51:48,141
scene in this town -- came
together to pass a bill.

1194
00:51:48,138 --> 00:51:50,138
And we believe the House
should take that up

1195
00:51:50,140 --> 00:51:51,140
and pass it as well.

1196
00:51:51,141 --> 00:51:53,141
The Press: Any message you
think he has for them -- for

1197
00:51:53,143 --> 00:51:55,143
the immigrants, for these
undocumented?

1198
00:51:55,145 --> 00:51:56,245
Mr. Earnest: I see.

1199
00:51:56,246 --> 00:51:58,616
Well, the President has, as
we said when we took the

1200
00:51:58,615 --> 00:52:00,585
executive actions that I
think you're referencing,

1201
00:52:00,584 --> 00:52:06,524
that the President asked his
team to develop executive

1202
00:52:06,523 --> 00:52:10,823
actions, the boldest that
we could take within the

1203
00:52:10,827 --> 00:52:11,897
bounds of the law.

1204
00:52:11,895 --> 00:52:17,835
And he believes that his
team both the Secretary of

1205
00:52:17,834 --> 00:52:19,834
Homeland Security, Jeh
Johnson, working with our

1206
00:52:19,836 --> 00:52:22,536
Attorney General at the
time, Eric Holder, came up

1207
00:52:22,539 --> 00:52:26,709
with a set of policies
that he was proud of

1208
00:52:26,710 --> 00:52:27,980
and worked to implement.

1209
00:52:27,978 --> 00:52:29,978
Some of that is tied
up in courts and

1210
00:52:29,980 --> 00:52:30,980
litigation right now.

1211
00:52:30,981 --> 00:52:33,281
Other pieces, other
significant pieces are being

1212
00:52:33,283 --> 00:52:35,953
implemented, and
so our focus is on

1213
00:52:35,952 --> 00:52:37,892
continuing that work.

1214
00:52:37,888 --> 00:52:39,858
Thank you all.