Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

May 12, 2021

The President. Well, I'm happy to have the House and Senate leadership here. You can see Senator McConnell and Leader McCarthy and Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer. And what we're going to talk about today isâyou know, when I ran, I said: "I wasn't going to be a Democratic President. I was going to be a President for all Americans."

And what the bottom line here is: We're going to see whether we can reach some consensus on a compromise on moving forward. And we're going to talk a lot about infrastructure today to see if there's any way we can reach a compromise that gets the people's work done and is within the bounds of everyone agreeing. And that's the purpose of this meeting.

Not much more to say right now, but we'llâwe're going to get going. That's it.

Infrastructure and Jobs Legislation

Q. How do you expect to do that, sir? How do you expect to come to a compromise?

The President. Easy. Just snap my fingers. It will happen. [Laughter] Thank you.

Q. Mr. Presidentââ

[*At this point, several reporters spoke at once*.]

Q. [Inaudible]âconcerned about inflation?

The President. Thank you. [Laughter]

House Minority Leader Kevin O. McCarthy

Q. Mr. President, you know what is happening with Kevin McCarthy and his leadership? Can you trust him and work with him?

The President. Yes. [Laughter] Come on, guys.

Q. On inflation, thoughââ

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:12 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White House.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Congressional leadership, meeting with President; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House.

Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: McCarthy, Kevin O.; McConnell, A. Mitchell; Pelosi, Nancy; Schumer, Charles E.

Subjects: Congress : Bipartisanship; Congress : House of Representatives :: Minority leader; Congress : House of Representatives :: Speaker; Congress : Senate :: Majority leader; Congress : Senate :: Minority leader; Infrastructure, national improvement efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100399.

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