Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

January 4, 2023

The President. I've got good news for you: They just elected you Speaker. [Laughter] [At this point, the President pointed to Reuters White House Correspondent Steve A.

Holland.]

Senate Minority Leader A. Mitchell McConnell

Q. Hey, what did you and Senator McConnell talk about in the limo ride?

The President. We talked about foreign policy, about Ukraine, about keeping everybody togetherânot in the Congress, but just internationally.

The President's Travel Plans

Q. Are you going to be visiting the border when you head down to Mexico?

The President. That's my intention. We're working out the details now.

National Football League Safety Concerns

Q. Do you think the NFL is getting too dangerous?

The President. No. Look, the idea that you're going to haveâlook, you've got guys that are 6'8", 340 pounds running a 4.8 40. I mean, you know, you hit somebody with that kind of forceâ now, that's not what happened here.

But I just think it's aâI don't know how you avoid it. I don'tâI think working like hell on the helmets and the concussion protocolsâthat all makes a lot of sense. But it'sâyou know, it is dangerous. You've got to just acknowledge it.

Q. [Inaudible]âChina is handling COVID?

House of Representatives Vote for Speaker

Q. Mr. President, are you concerned about the implications of there not being a functioning House of Representatives at this point?

The President. Well, obviously, I am. In terms ofâI'll put my hat on here.

For two reasons. One, it's embarrassing for the country. I mean, literally. Now, I'm not making a partisanâit's just the reality is that, you know, to be ableâhave a Congress that can't function is just embarrassing. We're the greatest nation in the world. How can that be?

And we've had a lot of trouble withâI'm sorry for the noiseâa lot of trouble with the attacks on our institutions already. And it justâthat's what worries me more than anything else.

Ukraine

Q. What about Bradley Fighting Vehicles for Ukraine? Is that on the table?

The President. Yes.

Q. How soon?

China/Coronavirus Prevention Efforts

Q. Are you worried about how China is handling COVID right now?

The President. Well, yes, I am. But I think we've just got to make the protocol we set out: that if you're flying from China, you've got to be tested and so on.

China has not beenâI know they're very sensitive aboutâwhen we suggest they haven't been that forthcoming.

Q. Thank you, sir.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Thanks, everybody. Thank you.

Senate Minority Leader A. Mitchell McConnell

Q. Mr. President, can you talk about the significance of having Mitch McConnell here with you today? Andââ

The President. Well, that's for all you to decide.

Q. Andâ[laughter]âand how youââ

Q. No, but for youââ

Q. ââand how your relationship will beâwillâhow the relationship will matter in this next Congress with House Republicans being what they are?

The President. Look, I've had a relationship with Mitch McConnell for years. And when, in the Obama administration, they were going toâweren't going to pay the debt, you know, McConnell and I stayed up, as you remember, on New Year's Eve night untilâyou know, late at night to finish it.

I'veâwe've always been able to work together. All right, thank you very much.

Press Secretary Jean-Pierre. Thanks, everybody.

NOTE: The President spoke at 2:45 p.m. on the tarmac at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport prior to boarding Air Force One.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Hebron, KY. Locations: Hebron, KY.

Names: Jean-Pierre, Karine; McConnell, A. Mitchell; Obama, Barack.

Subjects: COVIDâ19 pandemic; Football; Kentucky, President's visit; News media, Presidential interviews; Senate minority leader; Speaker of the House of Representatives; Ukraine, U.S. assistance; White House Press Secretary.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300005.