White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tried to downplay supply chain clogs that are taking a toll on the U.S. economy by claiming that the problem was happening because President Joe Biden had achieved a “historic economic recovery.”
“You know, there’s a lot to talk about Christmas presents not arriving on time. But the issue is more severe and critical than that. I mean, it’s affecting small businesses. Autobody shops can’t get parts to fix cars, so they can’t make money,” a reporter said during Thursday’s press briefing. “Ninety percent of school nutrition programs say they’re worried about continued supply chain issues, according to a School Nutrition Association survey. Some schools are making last-minute grocery store trips just to feed their students.”
“So, if this is an issue that the White House has been working on and aware of since February, why does it seem like this is a problem that is getting worse, not better?” the reporter asked.
“I would say this: When it comes to the supply chain, you know, it’s a — there are complexities there when you think about, you know, the — when we learn about the global supply chain as well — right? Those are — so that’s one thing that you kind of have to put it in the — in the bigger picture,” Jean-Pierre claimed. “There are port directors, terminal operators, ocean carriers, railroad, truckers, warehouse — warehouses, and retailers, and let’s not forget consumers who have a record level of demand as we have made a historic economic recovery.”
“Because we have — we have — the forecasters — the economic forecasters did not see — did not think we would be where we are today; we have surpassed that,” she claimed. “So, we have had some historic economic recovery.”
WATCH:
FBN's @Hillary__Vaughn: "There's…talk about Christmas presents not arriving on time, but the issue is more severe and critical than that…[T]his is an issue the WH has been working on and aware of since Feb. Why does it seem like this is a problem getting worse, not better?" pic.twitter.com/QBai1aU3yM
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 21, 2021
TRANSCRIPT:
REPORTER: And then, just quickly, on the supply chain. You know, there’s a lot to talk about Christmas presents not arriving on time. But the issue is more severe and critical than that. I mean, it’s affecting small businesses. Autobody shops can’t get parts to fix cars, so they can’t make money.
Ninety percent of school nutrition programs say they’re worried about continued supply chain issues, according to a School Nutrition Association survey. Some schools are making last-minute grocery store trips just to feed their students.
So, if this is an issue that the White House has been working on and aware of since February, why does it seem like this is a problem that is getting worse, not better?
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY: I would say this: When it comes to the supply chain, you know, it’s a — there are complexities there when you think about, you know, the — when we learn about the global supply chain as well — right? Those are — so that’s one thing that you kind of have to put it in the — in the bigger picture.
So — but it is a complex system that requires private sector collaboration and coordination to improve efficiency and get through the backlog. And that’s what we’re seeing currently as we’re talking about the supply chain. These are just some of the players in the game.
There are port directors, terminal operators, ocean carriers, railroad, truckers, warehouse — warehouses, and retailers, and let’s not forget consumers who have a record level of demand as we have made a historic economic recovery.
Because we have — we have — the forecasters — the economic forecasters did not see — did not think we would be where we are today; we have surpassed that. So, we have had some historic economic recovery.
Do we have more work to do? Absolutely. That’s why we’re trying to get this Build Back Better plan. But the Biden administration, as it comes to the supply chain, continues to serve as an honest broker — I mentioned this before — making sure that we find areas of collaboration to ensure we can move goods movement supply chain toward a 24/7 model.
But again, you know, we want — the president understands. He understands the squeeze that people are feeling — everyday Americans are feeling. That’s why he’s working every day to make sure that we pass his economic policies.