All right I have a little bit for you at the top Today, after giving the keynote address at the House Democratic issues conference, President Biden will visit a Philadelphia area majority Hispanic elementary school to highlight how the American rescue plan is delivering critical resources to keep schools safe and open, combat learning loss and address student mental health. When the President entered office, only 46% of schools were open today over 99%. That was not by accident. He was the product of his historic investments not just to get schools open, but ensure they have the resources to address the long term impact COVID has had on schools and students. Today's visit will highlight how American rescue plan dollars are enabling this school to help students catch up including hiring more school staff, providing tutoring and providing after school programs that are supporting student mental health and that is reflective of what has been achieved across the country on account of the American rescue plan, which again, every single Republican in Congress voted against President Biden will also speak with students directly to hear candidly about the issues they're facing today. And then, Judge Jackson just wrapped her second successful week of meetings with senators in both parties, all of whom have been gracious hosts and do the Ask engaging questions. As you know, the President chose her because she's an extraordinarily qualified jurist with experience at all levels of our justice system, who's devoted to the Constitution and the rule of law, and who assesses cases fairly neutrally, based solely on the facts and who has been confirmed three times on a bipartisan basis by the Senate already? In fact, Senator McConnell said last week, that there is quote, no question she's qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. Yesterday, Senator Cornyn highlighted her practical experience as Judge criteria, he said is important. And I want to just take a minute to appreciate the broad set of endorsements that have come in for her including from law enforcement. out of the gate Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement saying from our analysis of Judge Jackson's records and some of her cases we believe she has considered the facts and applied the law consistently and fairly. On a range of issues. There is little doubt that she has the temperament, intellect, legal experience. and family background to have earned this appointment that was followed shortly after by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. This week a large group of law enforcement officials from across the country, including a number of police chiefs, wrote to the Senate urging that she had that she be confirmed in a timely manner. We saw a group of former US attorneys do the same. Yesterday, a group of 83 former state attorneys general from both parties wrote to the Senate urging her confirmation. Retired DC Circuit Judge Thomas Griffith has heard sure confirmation as has retired Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals judge J. Michael Alutiiq, both of whom are highly respected conservatives. Conservative attorney William Burke, who represented Trump White House Counsel, Don McGann and a number of other senior Trump officials in court has said that she is as qualified as anyone can be. And I just want to take a minute to take stock of that. And then a quick preview of next week for you. The President will sign the bipartisan funding bill, which takes some time for Congress to process get to his desk. In the meantime, he will sign the short term continuing resolution resolution to keep the government open until the bipartisan funding bill is signed. On Monday, the President will address the National League of Cities congressional city conference on Tuesday Equal Pay Day. The president vice president First Lady and second gentleman will participate in an event in the East Room to celebrate Women's History Month. And on Thursday, I think it is a decent bet that we will commemorate St. Patrick's Day. And with that, happy to take your questions.
Two questions for you into thanks for doing this. First President Biden just a few hours ago said that Russia would face severe price, should they use chemical weapons against Ukraine? What exactly did he mean, especially when, after these waves of waves of sanctions already? It does not appear yet that President Putin has buckled under the pressure. And then second, just yesterday, US Ambassador un refilled. She said that what has done to Ukraine constitutes a war crime but already twice when asked Vice President ferrets hasn't matched national labor. So what does the White House believe that Russian actions against Ukraine constitute?
Well, like you just mentioned, you heard from the President clearly that if Russia uses chemical weapons, there will be severe consequences. I don't have anything to review on that front. But his his meaning was unmistakable. And when it comes to chemical weapons, specifically, as you know, one of the false flags or pretexts that Russia has been indicating they might attempt to employ here is chemical weapons. We've warned about that for some time. We decided to participate in the recent Security Council session about this, not just to forcefully debunk Russian gaslighting on this subject, but to further call Putin out as we have during this entire episode successfully at each juncture, where we have reason to believe they are trying to fabricate another false justification for more violence. The truth is, Russia is the only country in this equation With a chemical and biological weapons program and violation of international law, we're not going to be specific about intelligence which the President also mentioned this morning. But look no further than Russia's track record. They have used chemical weapons, which again, they are the only country in the mix here who possesses those that are in Syria. And time again, we have more about this particular pretext. And so it is something that we are being attentive to. When it comes to war crimes, we have all seen the devastating images coming out of Ukraine and are ready to proceed. In are appalled by Russia's brutal tactics, pregnant women on stretchers, apartment buildings, buildings shell, families killed while seeking safety from this terrible violence. We are also seeing reports of other types of potential abuses including sexual and gender based violence. These are disgusting attacks, civilian casualties are increasing. If Russia is intentionally targeting civilians, that would be a war crime. And as we are all seeing on live television evidence is mounting. And we are documenting it as as it takes place. There are strong indications that this is occurring, and and that the heinous way Russia is prosecuting this war. will result in war crimes. We are supporting the important work of human rights activists, civil society and independent media and you create Ukraine who are documenting, collecting and exposing evidence of possible war crimes, human rights abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law. We will share the evidence we gather with allies and partners. And with those investigations, investigators just support and accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions when appropriate. On the tray announcement today,
are you seeking higher tariffs on all Russian imports to the US are only certain ones and those tariff levels going to be coordinated with European allies?
So what I've got there is, like you mentioned, we're revoking Russia's most favored nation status, which is going to mean that Russian imports the United States face Taryn lane, lambing other other bears Why don't we take a seat to her right. Never mind just didn't want anybody to get get her. Just one seconds we are going to include seafood spirits vodka nonindustrial diamonds in terms of the Russian imports that are banned and we are I'm also going to be restricting US exports to Russia so that they are not receiving luxury items like high end watches, luxury vehicles, high end apparel, high end alcohol, jewelry, other goods frequently purchased by Russian elites. And I want to underscore that the countries with whom we're working in unison on this represent 50% of the global economy is going to take Take a significant toll on Russia in addition to the steps we have already taken, which have resulted in the ruble being worth less than a penny as resulted in their stock market being closed for an historic period of time that has resulted in their credit rating being labeled junk by by authorities
already have to get through right now guys okay.
I don't have updates for you on that. I can see if our national security team does a little bit of any updates on the status the remaining preclude sanctions related to trade So Russia has is taking some public positions attempting to tie the JCPOA to unrelated issues like Ukraine. So we're working through that with European allies. But the bottom line is, it is in our national security interests and the national security interests of everyone involved, including Russia to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Game of the sanctions exactly knowing that more have been imposed today. What does the US believe needs to be done in order to resolve this war in Ukraine?
Well, we have provided Putin with possible offerings from the beginning, and we will continue to do so. But he is the only one who can decide whether to take them. So far, every time he has had an opportunity to take an off ramp, he's instead gone full speed ahead. And the longer he forces his abused troops to attack Ukraine, the more he broadcasts his own profound weakness as a leader. Putin's only strategy has been escalation at every turn, but it's becoming increasingly clear that it's escalation without an end game, and his erratic brutality, which comes at the expense of the Russian people, and again, his own demoralize troops, is proving to be a disaster for his country. He has a clear plan to be savage toward Ukraine, but to what end, his initial military plan to quickly capture Ukraine enforcing capitulation is failed. Now he's turning to a strategy of laying waste to population centers to try and break the will of the Ukrainian people. But that strategy will make effective long term Russian control of Ukraine. Impossible. Meanwhile, the world is rallying around the Ukrainians. And we are exact exacting an enormous and historic toll on Russians and Russia's economy because of his war of choice. What future off ramps do you have in mind? I don't have anything more in preview. But as today's actions make clear, the more that this continues, not only is he losing people on the ground to whom he has lied about the cause for going into Ukraine unprovoked. But the Russian economy is in tatters. They have lost 30 years of economic progress when it comes to integrating their economy with the world in a matter of weeks. That is not going to stop until he stops.
And then the last thing is, yesterday, we heard President Biden accused Republicans of playing games with oil prices in mid color, a couple other accusations is does this amount to a preview of the midterm messaging? And how are you guys going to weather both inflation and rising oil prices?
I can't speak to midterm messaging directly from here. But factually, I think it's important to keep in mind, first of all, every action that we have taken to punish Russia for Putin's unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine has had strong bipartisan support and bias. And, of course, Russia's destabilizing actions have played an important role in recent increases in gas prices. But I'm glad you raised this, because the New York Times had a very conclusive fact check yesterday, headline was Republicans wrongly blamed Biden for writing rising gas prices. And so I think it's important to note that independent arbiters and in the press, have consulted experts, and they have deemed that these attacks are disingenuous, and that the rising gas prices you've seen all over the world beforehand, are due to the pandemic and pressures that he's put on international support. So thank you all. Sorry, we didn't have more time.
