Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

October 5, 2021

Budget Reconciliation Process

Q. Mr. President, are you okay if the Hyde Amendment is in the reconciliation bill?

The President. Is it in the reconciliation bill?

Q. Are you okay ifâthe progressives want it in there, but Joe Manchin has said he does not want it in there.

The President. I want to get the bill passed.

Hyde Amendment Restricting the Use of Federal Funds for Abortion Services

Q. So whatâwould you sign it if the Hyde Amendment is included?

The President. I'd sign it either way because the Hyde Amendment isâanyway.

Budget Reconciliation Process

Q. What do you think is going to get cut from the final bill now that there is this agreed uponâ[inaudible]ââ

The President. Oh, I'm not sure yet. We're notâit's not finished yet.

Public Debt Limit

Q. Are Democrats considering using the nuclear option to raise the debt limit, using a carve- out with the filibuster to raise the debt limit?

The President. Oh, I think that's a real possibility.

The President's Outreach to Members of Congress

Q. Mr. President, are you meeting with other groups of lawmakers this weekendâwill you be meeting with more lawmakersââ

The President. Yes.

Q. ââwith more Democrats?

The President. I'll be on the phone until this is finished and maybe meeting in person.

China/Taiwan

Q. Any comment towards ChinaâChina's provocation over Taiwan?

The President. Look, China hasâI've spoken with Xi about Taiwan. We agree weâwe'll abide by the Taiwan agreement. That's who we are. And we made it clear that I don't think he should be doing anything other than abiding by the agreement.

Commissioner of Food and Drugs

Q. Mr. President, the FDA CommissionerâMr. President, the FDA CommissionerâMr. President, FDA Commissionerââ

The President. Why can't I walk away from you? You're trouble.

Q. I know, but I have more questions. Do you have a nominee for the FDA Commissioner job yet?

The President. We'll be talking about that in a little bit.

NOTE: The President spoke at 6:42 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Xi Jinping of China. A reporter referred to Sen. Joseph A. Manchin III.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Xi Jinping.

Subjects: Budget, Federal : Fiscal year 2022 budget; Budget, Federal : Public debt limit; China : President; China : Taiwan, political status; Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Health and Human Services, Department of : Food and Drug Administration; Health and medical care : Abortion; Taiwan, relations with mainland China.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100815.