Joe Biden press conference today LIVE

Biden blasts Republicans

President Biden touted successes of his first year in office while also drawing attention to the challenges he’s faced with Republicans.

“I did not anticipate that there would be such a stalwart effort to make sure that the most important thing was that President Biden didn’t get anything done,” Biden said.

“Think about this: What are Republicans for? What are they for?”

Biden on Build Back Better challenges

President Joe Biden said there are two components of his Build Back Better plan that he’s not sure he will be able to get into the package — help for cost of community college and the child care tax credit.

“They are massive things that I have run on and care a great deal about,” he said.

Biden on 2024 running mate

President Biden fielded a question about seeking reelection in 2024.

He told reporters that Vice President Kamala Harris will run with him again, and that she’s “doing a good job” on voting rights.

Biden ‘very concerned’ about Russia

Several questions from reporters have surrounded the conflict in Ukraine as Russian military has amassed at its borders.

Biden said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, “I think he still does not want any full-blown war.”

“Do I think he’ll test the West? Test the United States and NATO as significantly as he can? Yes, I think he will.”

Second solo news conference at White House

The Wednesday news briefing is the second time President Biden has held a formal, solo news conference at the White House.

The first was held on March 25, 2021.

Biden has held nine formal news conferences, the lowest number since former President Ronald Reagan, ABC News reported while citing data from a University of California Santa Barbara project.

Biden asked about scaling Build Back Better

When discussing the Build Back Better plan, Biden told an ABC News correspondent that he doesn’t see a need to scale back the agenda.

“I’m not asking for castles in the sky,” Biden said.

“I’m asking for practical things the American people have been asking for for a long time, a long time. And I think we can get it done.”

Biden on second year in office

President Joe Biden was asked if he is satisfied and whether he plans to do anything differently in his second year in office.

“I am satisfied with the team. There’s three things I will do differently,” he said.

Biden said he wants to leave the White House and engage with the public more now that several hurdles are out of the way.

The second item involves seeking more advice from outside experts.

The last measure Biden said he wants to take is becoming deeply involved in off year elections, from raising money to making the case for what has been done and what needs to be done.

‘It will get better’

Early in his address, President Biden acknowledged the ongoing effects of the pandemic and vowed to continue fighting the coronavirus.

“After almost two years of physical, emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic, for many of us, it’s been too much to bear,” Biden said.

“Some people may call what’s happening now ‘the new normal.’ I call it a job not yet finished. It will get better.”

Midterm elections ‘report card’

President Biden addressed comments from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell about the midterm elections serving as a report card for Biden.

“I think the report card is going to look pretty good,” Biden said.

“I actually like Mitch McConnell. We like one another, but he has one straightforward objective. Make sure that there’s nothing I do that makes me look good … with the public at large.”

Biden continues to offer clarity

The President is speaking on his proposed legislation that he hopes to get passed, and answering questions from the press.

Voting rights legislation

When asked if he thinks results of the midterm elections will be fair, Biden said it depends on the circumstances surrounding counting and certifying results.

CBS News reports the Democrats’ voting rights legislation is likely to fail on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of Senators have discussed reforming the Electoral Count Act, which governs the way Congress certifies Electoral College votes.

Biden on Russia military action

President Biden said he anticipates Russia will make a move into Ukraine.

“My guess is he will move in, he has to do something,” Biden said.

He then paused and said he probably shouldn’t go any further in terms of Russia’s possible actions toward Ukraine.

President Biden answers questions

The President is still currently questions during his press conference at the White House.

First news conference this year

Wednesday marked President Biden’s first solo news conference of the year.

It came a day before the one-year anniversary of Inauguration Day.

He is taking questions from reporters during the news conference at the White House.

Breaking up the Build Back Better plan

President Biden said it’s clear that his administration will likely have to break the plan into pieces in order to get the items passed.

He said portions that may be able to get support include $500billion in climate change spending and early childhood education funding.

Build Back Better plan stalled

Biden’s plan stalled when Senator Joe Manchin announced in December that he would not support the legislation.

The legislation, which passed the House in November, includes an expanded child tax credit and child care, steps to address climate change, and a host of other services for Americans.

Build Back Better plan questioned

Biden took several questions about his Build Back Better plan and its progress.

President Biden said he is “confident” he can get “pieces, big chunks” of the bill passed before midterms.

Biden asked if he ‘overpromised’

A memorable moment during Wednesday’s news conference came when a reporter asked President Biden if he overpromised on what he could achieve while in office.

“I didn’t overpromise,” he said, while pointing to Republicans in Congress for their refusal to work with him. “I’m going to stay on this track.”

Biden on Russia sanctions

A reporter asked Biden why new sanctions against Russia when it comes to the Ukraine conflict should give President Vladimir Putin pause.

“He’s never seen sanctions like the ones I promise,” Biden said. “What you’re going to see is that Russia will be held accountable.”

Biden’s action on cybersecurity

Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on Wednesday to improve the cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community Systems.

It is part of Executive Order 14028, which focuses on improving the nation’s cybersecurity.

A White House statement said the NSM requires that, at minimum, National Security Systems employ the same network cybersecurity measures as those required of federal civilian networks in Executive Order 14028.

Covid-19 and school closures

A reporter asked Biden what he would say to parents and students at schools that are still closing because of Covid-19.

“95% are still open,” he said.

He highlighted technology and other mitigation efforts made available to schools.

Addressing empty shelves

When speaking about inflation, Biden said he supports the Federal Reserve in addressing spiking prices.

“I often see empty shelves on television. Eighty-nine percent are full,” he said as he detailed work done to address supply chain concerns.

‘Enormous progress’

When speaking of his first year in office, Biden said the US has made “enormous progress,” but he pointed out what he considered a shortcoming.

“One of the things that I think, is something that I haven’t done, is get my Republican friends in the game of making things better,” he said.

‘Laying the foundation’

Biden said the US is not only getting through the “biggest challenges that we’ve ever faced in this country,” but also laying the foundation for the future.

“We’re getting through and not only are we getting through it, we’re laying the foundation for a future where America wins the 21st century by creating jobs at a record pace and we need to get inflation under control.”

Biden’s infrastructure plan, continued

President Biden zeroed in on rising costs for families during his address.

“Bottom line, if price increases are what you’re worried about. The best answer is my Build Back Better plan.”

He went on to explain how the US will tackle fair competition to strengthen our economy.