JANUARY 13, 2022
White House Daily Briefing
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki discussed President Biden’s agenda with reporters and responded to questions on several issues, including Russia-Ukraine tensions, the Supreme Court’s split rulings on vaccine mandates, voting rights legislation, COVID-19 tests, and the economy.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki discussed President Biden’s agenda with reporters and responded to questions on several issues, including Russia-Ukraine tensions, the Supreme Court’s split rulings on vaccine mandates, voting rights legislation, COVID-19 tests, and the economy.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, January 13, 2022
JANUARY 13, 2022•PRESS BRIEFINGS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Okay, we have another special guest today, our National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, who will give us some brief opening comments. We’ll take some questions, and then we’ll proceed with a briefing from there. With that, I will turn it over to Jake.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Jen. Thanks, everybody. I’m here to provide a brief update on the situation with respect to Russia and Ukraine.
We’ve now completed an intensive week of diplomacy in multiple formats: the Strategic Stability Dialogue, the NATO-Russia Council, and the OSCE.
Russia raised its concerns, we raised our concerns, including the actions Russia has taken to undermine European security that Secretary Blinken spoke so eloquently about last week. We stuck to our core premise of reciprocity. We were firm in our principles and clear about those areas where we can make progress and those areas that are non-starters.
Allied unity and transatlantic solidarity were on full display, and they remain on full display. The discussions were frank and direct. They were useful. They gave us and our allies things to consider. They gave Russia things to consider.
We will now reflect and consult with allies and partners on how to proceed.
We’re prepared to continue with diplomacy to advance security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic. We’re equally prepared if Russia chooses a different path.
We continue to coordinate intensively with partners on severe economic measures in response to a further Russian invasion of
Ukraine. We continue to work with Allies in NATO on changes in force posture and capabilities, especially on NATO’s eastern flank, if that scenario arises. And we continue to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the defense of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We have been very clear with Russia on the costs and consequences of further military action or destabilization in Ukraine.
So, we’re ready either way. We’re ready to make progress at the negotiating table — serious, tangible progress on important issues of concern to us, to Europe, and to Russia in an environment of de-escalation. And we’re ready to take the necessary and proper steps to defend our allies, support our partners, and respond robustly to any naked aggression that might occur.
In our view, diplomacy is the more sensible path. The Russians will have to make their own assessment.
In terms of next steps in the diplomatic process, we’ll remain engaged with allies and partners and with the Russians, and make determinations in the coming days about what comes next.
I’m going to leave it there and be happy to take your questions... more
JANUARY 13, 2022•PRESS BRIEFINGS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Okay, we have another special guest today, our National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, who will give us some brief opening comments. We’ll take some questions, and then we’ll proceed with a briefing from there. With that, I will turn it over to Jake.
MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you, Jen. Thanks, everybody. I’m here to provide a brief update on the situation with respect to Russia and Ukraine.
We’ve now completed an intensive week of diplomacy in multiple formats: the Strategic Stability Dialogue, the NATO-Russia Council, and the OSCE.
Russia raised its concerns, we raised our concerns, including the actions Russia has taken to undermine European security that Secretary Blinken spoke so eloquently about last week. We stuck to our core premise of reciprocity. We were firm in our principles and clear about those areas where we can make progress and those areas that are non-starters.
Allied unity and transatlantic solidarity were on full display, and they remain on full display. The discussions were frank and direct. They were useful. They gave us and our allies things to consider. They gave Russia things to consider.
We will now reflect and consult with allies and partners on how to proceed.
We’re prepared to continue with diplomacy to advance security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic. We’re equally prepared if Russia chooses a different path.
We continue to coordinate intensively with partners on severe economic measures in response to a further Russian invasion of
Ukraine. We continue to work with Allies in NATO on changes in force posture and capabilities, especially on NATO’s eastern flank, if that scenario arises. And we continue to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the defense of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We have been very clear with Russia on the costs and consequences of further military action or destabilization in Ukraine.
So, we’re ready either way. We’re ready to make progress at the negotiating table — serious, tangible progress on important issues of concern to us, to Europe, and to Russia in an environment of de-escalation. And we’re ready to take the necessary and proper steps to defend our allies, support our partners, and respond robustly to any naked aggression that might occur.
In our view, diplomacy is the more sensible path. The Russians will have to make their own assessment.
In terms of next steps in the diplomatic process, we’ll remain engaged with allies and partners and with the Russians, and make determinations in the coming days about what comes next.
I’m going to leave it there and be happy to take your questions... more
Remarks by President Biden After Meeting with the Senate Democratic Caucus
JANUARY 13, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKS
U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Q Mr. President, are you confident you can get this done?
Q Mr. President, why can’t you get these two votes?
Q What is the plan B?
Q Can you get this done?
THE PRESIDENT: First of all, y’all ask questions about complicated subjects like, “Can you get this done?” I hope we can get this done. The honest to God answer is: I don’t know whether we can get this done.
Is this mic on? I guess — anyway.
And — and --
Q We’re not sure.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I’m not sure either.
But, anyway, I hope we can get this done, but I’m not sure.
But one thing for certain — one thing for certain: Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we can come back and try it a second time. We missed this time. We missed this time.
And the state legislative bodies continue to change the law not as to who can vote, but who gets to count the vote — count the vote. Count the vote! It’s about election subversion, not just whether or not people get to vote. Who counts the vote? That’s what this is about. That’s what makes this so different than anything else we’ve ever done.
I don’t know that we can get it done, but I know one thing: As long as I have a breath in me, as long as I’m in the White House, as long as I’m engaged at all, I’m going to be fighting to change the way these legislatures have moving.
Thank you.
2:26 P.M. EST
JANUARY 13, 2022 | PART OF PRES. BIDEN MEETS WITH LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL
President Biden Remarks After Meeting with Senate Democratic Caucus
President Biden met with Democratic senators to discuss the pending voting rights bills on Capitol Hill. Following the meeting he acknowledged he doesn’t know if these bills will get done, but he stressed he will continue to fight for everyone’s right to vote.
President Biden Remarks After Meeting with Senate Democratic Caucus
President Biden met with Democratic senators to discuss the pending voting rights bills on Capitol Hill. Following the meeting he acknowledged he doesn’t know if these bills will get done, but he stressed he will continue to fight for everyone’s right to vote.
JANUARY 13, 2022 | PART OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESU.S. House of Representatives
House Debate on Voting Rights
The House approved a measure that combines two voting rights bills, 220-203. House passage starts a process that would allow the Senate to begin debate on voting rights legislati
House Debate on Voting Rights
The House approved a measure that combines two voting rights bills, 220-203. House passage starts a process that would allow the Senate to begin debate on voting rights legislati
JANUARY 13, 2022 | PART OF U.S. SENATEU.S. Senate
Senator Cruz on Sanctions for Russians Gas Pipeline
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said his bill sanctioning entities involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is the best way to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine. He said Russia wants the pipeline to be completed so it can use it as a cudgel against Europe and “wipe Ukraine off the map.” He said the only reason Russia didn’t take over all of Ukraine when it invaded Crimea in 2014 was because it wanted to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He said his bill would not hurt transatlantic relations because the European parliament voted 581-50 to oppose the pipeline.
Senator Cruz on Sanctions for Russians Gas Pipeline
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said his bill sanctioning entities involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is the best way to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine. He said Russia wants the pipeline to be completed so it can use it as a cudgel against Europe and “wipe Ukraine off the map.” He said the only reason Russia didn’t take over all of Ukraine when it invaded Crimea in 2014 was because it wanted to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He said his bill would not hurt transatlantic relations because the European parliament voted 581-50 to oppose the pipeline.
Cruz's Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill fails in U.S. Senate
Jan. 14 - The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to pass a bill to slap sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a day after Democrats unveiled their own legislation.
The tally was 55 in favor and 44 against the bill that needed 60 votes to pass, a major hurdle in the 50-50 Senate. The vote spanned nearly seven hours as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer considered options on voting rights legislation.
Senator Robert Menendez won the support of many of his fellow Democrats, including President Joe Biden, for an alternative bill he introduced on Wednesday. His legislation would impose sweeping sanctions on top Russian government and military officials and banking institutions if Moscow engages in hostilities against Ukraine. read more
more from Reuters
Jan. 14 - The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to pass a bill to slap sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a day after Democrats unveiled their own legislation.
The tally was 55 in favor and 44 against the bill that needed 60 votes to pass, a major hurdle in the 50-50 Senate. The vote spanned nearly seven hours as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer considered options on voting rights legislation.
Senator Robert Menendez won the support of many of his fellow Democrats, including President Joe Biden, for an alternative bill he introduced on Wednesday. His legislation would impose sweeping sanctions on top Russian government and military officials and banking institutions if Moscow engages in hostilities against Ukraine. read more
more from Reuters
JANUARY 13, 2022 | PART OF U.S. SENATEU.S. Senate
Senators Shaheen and Murphy on Russian Gas Pipeline to Europe
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) spoke against the legislation to sanction people and companies involved in Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Europe. She said she shares concerns about Russia’s threat to Eastern Europe and that she opposes the pipeline. But she opposes the bill because she says it would not stop Nord Stream 2 but would damage transatlantic relations.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) echoed those points, saying the bill won’t stop the pipeline but would be a “gift to Russia” by dividing the U.S. with European allies. He said Russia could easily get around the sanctions with legal changes to the companies working on the pipeline.
Senators Shaheen and Murphy on Russian Gas Pipeline to Europe
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) spoke against the legislation to sanction people and companies involved in Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Europe. She said she shares concerns about Russia’s threat to Eastern Europe and that she opposes the pipeline. But she opposes the bill because she says it would not stop Nord Stream 2 but would damage transatlantic relations.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) echoed those points, saying the bill won’t stop the pipeline but would be a “gift to Russia” by dividing the U.S. with European allies. He said Russia could easily get around the sanctions with legal changes to the companies working on the pipeline.
