Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

April 15, 2021

The President. Hey, everybody.

National Economy

Before we get started, I want to make it clear that we have some good news today, and that is that retail sales this last month have surged by 9.8 percent as American families received that

$1,400 check because of the people in this room are getting it done for me. And auto sales are up 15 percent. Things are moving.

And these checks are providing a heck of a lot of needed relief for families and, in turn, needed support for our economic recovery. And today's news comes on top of the recent news that we created 900,000 jobs in thisâin the month of March.

The first 2 months of our administration, we've created more jobs than the first 2 months of any administration in American history. And againâI'm not being solicitousâit's because of you all. I really mean it. The way you fought like the devil to getâyou really didâto get that package passed. I mean, it really did.

And I want to thank the Members for supporting the American Rescue Plan. And we still have a long way to go. We're 8 million jobs down from what it was more thanâbefore the pandemic began, but America is coming back.

Meeting With the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Executive Committee

And with regard toâI want to express my gratitude to the group we have here today from the House representing this Caucus, which represents vital communities and very diverse communities within the Asian American, Hawaiianâexcuse meâand Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders community.

And what I think what most people don't realize is just how diverse it is; how broad it is; how many different dialects, languages, and the like are spoken, which is part of what we have to deal with and solve. And we need to stand with the AAPI community and the whole-of- Government response with what we have to get done.

When I came into office, the first bill I signed related to racial equity throughout the Government. That's still the plan. That's my objective. And Kamala and I are heartened by the Senate's overwhelming bipartisan effort yesterday, Senator, for the passage of the Hate Crimes Act. That's a big deal. I mean, it was really close. Onlyâwhat?â98 votes. [*Laughter*]

Senator Mazie K. Hirono. Long way to go yet.

The President. But I'll tell you whatââ

Sen. Hirono. But it was really nice. [Laughter]

The President. Well, it was now. I thought it was going to pass, but, my Lord, youâI tell you. Iâand we took a vote here in the administration: You're going to handle the jobs billâ [laughter]âbecause anybody who can get 98 votes for anythingââ

Sen. Hirono. Why, sure. [Laughter]

The President. So, anyway, I'm looking forward to our discussion with the Caucus. And I just want to thank you all for being here. And thank you for coming in, press.

U.S.-Russia Relations

Q. Mr. President, do you see a path forward to a stable relationship with Russia?

The President. Folks, I'm going to be speaking to Russia, and my conversation with President Putin shortly after this meeting is overâyou'll be notified of that, and I'll be happy to talk to you then. Okay?

NOTE: The President spoke at 2:33 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Vice President Kamala D. Harris.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus executive committee, meeting with President; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters

:: White House*.*

Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Harris, Kamala D.; Hirono, Mazie K.; Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Subjects: Congress : Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; Economy, national : Improvement; Economy, national : Strengthening efforts; Employment and unemployment : Job creation and growth; Russia : President; Russia : Relations with U.S.; White House Office : Vice President.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100315.