Transcript of Pelosi Press Conference Today

Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi held her weekly press conference today. Below is a transcript of the press conference.

Leader Pelosi. Good morning. A little delay here. Thank you for your patience.

As you probably know, on the Floor of the House right now, the Republicans are putting forth their reconciliation bill, which, according to their own Members, skyrockets the deficit. We're not allowed a substitute, but we have a Motion to Recommit that talks about job creation and infrastructure. And it talks about middle income tax relief. That's the debate that we're engaged in now.

Of course, central to their budget reconciliation is the repeal of the ACA. It's really important to note that the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid are now wed. If you mess with the ACA, it directly impacts Medicare. And people whose families depend on Medicare, seniors whose economic and health security depend on Medicare, have reason to be concerned. Because what they will do is do serious damage to Medicare. And then accompanied by the Speaker's budget, which calls for the voucherizing of Medicare, the removing the Medicare guarantee. So I think families in our country have a lot at stake in what's happening in this budget reconciliation bill.

The three standards that we have hopefully go forward in some cooperative way, or we do not want to increase costs, diminish the benefit package, or lower the number of people who are covered right now by health care. It's important also to note, and hospitals are speaking out, hospitals would be devastated by the ACA repeal because they would be left with uncompensated care. This uncompensated care goes into the billions of dollars. And, you know, the way it has been paid for in the past has been by corporate America paying more for the policies for its own employees, adding between $1,000 [and] $3,000 a year to each policy for each employer, employee. So hospitals have a great deal to lose, to the tune of billions of dollars. And Members know the impact it has on individual hospitals in their districts.

Now we also talk about Medicaid. And Medicaid is now a health program that crosses the economic spectrum. People think of it as a poor people initiative. But 50 percent of the long term health care that exists in our country is paid for by Medicaid. It is – a large percentage of [long term health care funds], maybe 50 or more percent of it, is spent [through Medicaid]. So, you know, obviously the obvious thing is if seniors cannot be cared for under Medicaid, they're going to be moving home. It's going to impact the ability of families to invest in their children's future, to sustain their home, their own plans for dignified retirement. And again, just adjust the aspirations of their children. This is a very bad thing. That's why at least five of the governors, of the Republican governors, who have expanded Medicaid are asking for that not to happen, including the governor of Ohio.

Again, Medicaid comes into effect now when we're talking about opioids and addiction and all these other things. It's one of our best tools to address that.

Another part of overturning the Affordable Care Act is what it does to jobs. The recent estimates are between 3 and 3 1/2 million jobs will be lost that had been gained by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. So this is a really bad move on the part of the Republicans. But I come back to the point, their policy, in terms of replacement, again, repeal and replace, what are they going to replace it with? I've told you before, it's alliterative but it's not real, until we see their replacement. So far we see their replacement as cut and run. The Republican replacement plan is cut and run: cut benefits; cut investments in hospitals that care for our people; cut jobs. There's no positive up side to it. So, again, we are not going to identify ourselves with cut and run, cutting of benefits, cutting of those covered, and cutting the savings that we have there.

We just came from – on another subject, we just came from a Russian – an intelligence – as you know, last week, last time we met, I mentioned that that unclassified public report would be public later in the day, and it was. What's in the public domain is very clear. The Russian Government hacked us. Vladimir Putin himself ordered the operation to denigrate Hillary Clinton specifically. The operation sought to help Donald Trump. And the Russians intend to learn and do it again and again. Not only in our country, but in other countries as well. Our Members were briefed this morning. I had already a more complete briefing last week, as you know.

It's really very important for Congress to pass legislation to create an outside nonpartisan independent commission. National security, leaders in our country on both sides of the aisle, who are probably not even political in any way have called for this commission. Every House Democrat has cosponsored the Swalwell Cummings Protect Our Government Act. And Republicans are saying, Mitch McConnell is saying: Well, the Intelligence Committee can do that. Meanwhile, the GOP chair of the Senate Intel Committee, Senator Burr, announced he will not investigate links between Russia and the campaign in the U.S. That makes the Republicans accomplices, in my view, of President-elect Trump's praise of Putin. Tomorrow what's important is, let's hope for the best. Let's hope that any further investigation will remove all doubt that the Russians were not successful in affecting policy in the United States, as they affected the politics in the United States. You've heard me say, long before any of these briefings: I wonder what the Russians have on Donald Trump that they are so insistent on his election, a; and, b, so protective of information that – whether it's financial, personal, or whatever. We want our agencies of government to investigate what those connections are, and hopefully resolve it in our favor.

As you know, Ranking Members Elijah Cummings and John Conyers have been calling for the DOD Inspector General – excuse me, DOJ Inspector General, Department of Justice Inspector General, to have investigation about the FBI's conduct on Senator Clinton for some time. Well, that – and with those instances, if they – if they begin an inspection, we might not know. But they have announced that the Inspector General of the Department of Justice agreed that the review is necessary with everything that is now public with what the FBI knew for a find about Russia's brazen effort to help elect Donald Trump.

And, again, I have serious concerns about the Director of FBI saying he wouldn't sign a consensus document early in October because it was too late, it was too close to the election. But 11 days before the election, he decided to put forth something that he said might not be significant, but announcing a further investigation of Hillary Clinton's emails, which turned out to be nothing. But that was only announced right before – only hours before – well, while people were voting. A weekend before the election. So I think it – what I can say to you is that by the standards of the Department of the FBI as to whether they will tell us there is an investigation or not, sometimes it's not to let potentially guilty parties know. I don't know what all the standards are. But I know that one of them to announce an investigation is that is of high public interest. This is of high public interest.

Any questions? Yes, ma'am.

Q: Madam Speaker, Federal debt has increased more than $9 trillion during President Obama's time in office. Do you regret that President Obama never balanced the budget?

Leader Pelosi. Let me just say this: Do you want to talk budget? Save budget today for us. And as I've said over and over again. Show me your budget, show me your values. And when you see today on the reconciliation of a clue – we haven't seen the full budget, because that will come later. President – when President Obama became – when he stood on the steps of the Capitol 8 years from next week, the deficit was $1.4 trillion. One year deficit. It's reduced by 70 percent in his administration. Much of the increase in the national debt that's occurred during this time, still springs from two unpaid for wars, the cost that we owe our veterans following that, the giveaways that they gave to the pharmaceutical industry, and the high end tax cuts that have carried forward without any job reduction. Absent the work of President Obama, this national debt would be even higher.

Just to remind you, when President Clinton was in office, the last five of his budgets were in balance or in surplus. He had us on a path that $5.4 trillion in debt reduction. Debt reduction. Not deficit. Debt reduction, as opposed to annual deficit. A debt reduction. President Bush came to office, he reversed all of that. Under President Clinton, as well as under President Obama, we're operating on a pay as you go basis. You want to make an investment? You offset it or pay for it. But you cannot increase the deficit. And that is how we operated under President Clinton. That was what took the deficit down. President Bush became President, he threw pay as you go out the window and took us in a reverse path. $5.4 trillion in debt adding to that.

So it's like an $11 trillion dollar swing, $11 trillion swing in the national debt. Very irresponsible. Some of the reasons I mentioned, at the time CBO said it was two unpaid for wars, giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry, and tax cuts for the high end, which were not producing job creation, or revenue to the Treasury in the manner that a tax cut might geared to the middle class.

So coming back now, we had pay as you go. And the debt was coming down, the deficit was reduced. Republicans come in, throw pay as you go out the window. They make us pay for any investments in education that we might make. But they won't pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. So it's pay as you go for investments to grow our economy, et cetera, but no pay as you go for giveaways to a special interest, tax breaks, et cetera, unpaid for, to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.

So that's how we got to where we are. But without President Obama, the national debt would be even higher. And that's why even some of the Republicans today, Mr. Amash for one, is saying that what they're putting forth there adds, what, how many trillion – 4 trillion – $9 trillion to the deficit if you go down the path of the bill that they're putting on the floor?

And may I just add this one thing. Nothing sends more money to the Treasury, nothing, than the education of the American people. Early childhood, K through 12, higher education, post grad, lifetime learning for our workers. Nothing reduces the deficit more than investing in education. And that's something that they're not interested [in] investing in, make us pay for, while they give away tax cuts which do increase the deficit.

Q: Madam Leader, there are reports this morning that Michael Flynn, the incoming national security adviser is in regular contact with the U.S. – or the ambassador to the U.S. from Russia. Sean Spicer said on the transition phone call that they text each other. I'm wondering, are you aware of these contacts? And what's your reaction?

Leader Pelosi. No. I don't know about it. But I do think that communication with ambassadors is probably an okay – you know, that's why ambassadors are here, to communicate with an administration or an administration to-be. Of course, we have serious concerns about the President's National Security Adviser Flynn.

But what I'm more concerned about is what possible connection there was between the Trump campaign and the Russian Government as they, by order of Vladimir Putin, chose to denigrate Hillary Clinton. Putin has a vendetta against Hillary Clinton because she was very effective in promoting democracy in the region. He wants to undermine democracy in the world. So I can't – I don't know about those calls. And, you know, I would say the Administration should be talking to ambassadors of other countries. I don't know about this constant emailing. But that's why the FBI should be investigating this charge, because what is it that the Russians know or have about that communication during the campaign that increases their leverage over this new administration?

Q: And can I just follow up on that? The briefing today with FBI Director Comey and other officials, did he give you any indication that the FBI is investigating the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia?

Leader Pelosi. You know I can't talk about what happened in the meeting. I can just say publicly that I think he did – really, the American people are owed the truth. And there is a great deal of evidence to say that this is a high – an issue of high interest to the American people. The strength, the integrity of our own democracy. And that for that reason, the FBI should let us know whether they're making – doing that investigation or not. They're usually inscrutable, as you saw in the public testimony in the Senate.

Q: Madam Leader, on Director Comey, you say you welcome the inspector general's report.

Leader Pelosi. Definitely.

Q: But even if it does show wrongdoing, do you think that's too little too late? And secondly…

Leader Pelosi. Too little too late for what?

Q: For the impact on the election.

Leader Pelosi. Well, obviously. We have an inauguration in one week.

Q: So then welcoming it, what do you expect that to yield beneficially? And then, if I could ask the second question.

Leader Pelosi. I'm sorry.

Q: A bevy of President elect Trump's nominees have been testifying this week. A lot of them have various opinions regarding what he thinks, and it strays from what they think, including criticism of the intelligence community, threats from Russia, support for the Iran nuclear agreement, Muslim registry, the list goes on and on. Do you think those differences are a good thing or a bad thing?

Leader Pelosi. Well, your colleagues have allowed you two very distinct and long – important questions. What was the first one again? Okay. Here's the thing. All of this, in getting the truth to the American people about what happened in this election are only helpful as to what it means for the future. The integrity of our electoral system. And not to have the involvement, for example, the Director of the FBI saying it's inappropriate for me to sign a consensus intelligence briefing that the Russians were involved in our election in earlier October. And then at the end of October saying: 'I don't know if it's significant, but we're investigating emails on Hillary Clinton.' And why did – what's his name? Former Mayor of New York, Giuliani. Why does he know that in advance and give a clue something's coming? I think that was worthy of investigation. Because we have to – look. I'm an intelligence person, as you know. I have confidence and trust in all of the agencies of government in terms of protecting the American people, domestically, the FBI, in terms of their particular role, and globally with the other agencies.

It is a very important function in our country to protect the American people. Homeland Security, force protection for our troops if they're to go into harm's way, or to make a judgment as to whether they should and the rest. So I don't want to do anything that diminishes the confidence that we have in these agencies. That's why it's important for them to be on the level. And that's why it's important that we have answers. They might be benign answers. But let us know why one standard was applied to the Russians and another standard applied to Hillary Clinton. Again, not to relitigate the election, but to have confidence as we go forward that we all have the same goals; strength in our democracy, strength in the security of our people.

To your second point is I haven't been following the – all of the hearings because I have a day job. I have to do my own work here. But I can say that when you hear General Mattis say that we gave our word on the Iran agreement and we should keep our word – and what else did he say that was different about – was it about sanctions on Russia?

Q: To confront the Russians on certain issues.

Leader Pelosi. Yeah. I think we certainly have to do that. It's – so his testimony was not menacing, shall we say, in that regard. I don't know – what other inconsistencies were there?

Q: Muslim registry, support…

Leader Pelosi. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Secretary – I mean, Senator Sessions was very clear about that, and as was Donald Trump. So we'll see – President elect Trump. So we'll see where that goes. Hopefully they will have an impact on his thinking in terms of what is the law, what is the Constitution, what protects the American people. And I think that without any – I always respect people's position as to where they are. And I hope they respect mine. And then we try to negotiate or compromise. But to act on the basis of no information, that's a different story. And intelligence is information. And I hope that on the strength of what – the testimony of these witnesses is based on information. And hopefully, that will be shared and received humbly by the President-elect, as we all must be humbled in receiving new information and be current – be current in what we know.

Q: Madam Leader, on fiscal 2017, have you gotten a direction about the path forward from the House GOP? Can you talk about minibuses and…

Leader Pelosi. Excuse me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. They're just telling me my caucus is wrapping up. So I'm choosing you over my caucus.

Q: On fiscal 2017, have you gotten direction on the path forward from the House GOP? Can you talk about minibuses? And finally, have you heard from Senate Democrats about what would lead them to block legislation on spending in the Senate?

Leader Pelosi. No, no, no. No. I mean, the Senate acts – in other words, with the facts that are before us and the changing dynamic, the Senate will make its decision as to how to go forward. We're working closely with them to protect the Affordable Care Act, to protect Medicare and Medicaid, to protect jobs, protect the good health. As we say together, we want affordable care, not chaos. We want to work to make – to resist the Republican attempt to Make America Sick Again. We have no – I have no guidance about minibuses or any of the rest, but they are going to have to get with it, because the clock is ticking.

Q: Nothing on domestic or defense minibuses?

Leader Pelosi. No. We haven't gotten anything from them. I don't even know – I don't even know if they know. I mean, you have to ask them what they're – no. I mean, when something like that happens, it's in the public domain. You know, you probably know before we do?

Q: And Senate leaders haven't told you anything about what will lead them to block legislation?

Leader Pelosi. Well, I wouldn't share that with you anyway.

Q: Can I ask you about the FBI? Have you lost trust in the agency given the way that they handled Clinton's email investigation? And do you trust them to accurately and thoroughly investigate Trump's ties to Russia?

Leader Pelosi. Well, no, I haven't lost confidence in the agency. No. Look, let's talk about the United States of America. We are the great country in the world. We can withstand anything. I have confidence in our country. And when we inaugurate a new President, the peaceful transfer of power from one person to the next, from one Party to the next, that's a sign of the strength of our country, whether you support or like the other candidate, or his ideas or not. My concern about the FBI is the timing on their not signing one thing, signing another. And that was the judgment of Director Comey, unless it goes deeper. And that's what the investigation will find out.

But truth is always our best friend. It sets us free, as the expression goes. Let's find out how big – obviously it was a good idea to make the judgments they did. And understanding they knew full well that the Russians were actively engaged in disrupting our election to benefit Donald Trump, to denigrate Hillary Clinton, because of the personal involvement of Vladimir Putin. And that their success here would have an impact in other countries. Because undermining democracy is their major, major goal.

Q: On transportation, there has been some suggestions that there could be renewed interest in Chairman Shuster's idea for pulling air traffic control out of the FAA, and more broadly on infrastructure investment. Do you think that your Republican colleagues are serious about following through on Donald Trump's campaign promises?

Leader Pelosi. I have no idea. I don't know if they even know in the Transportation Committee. You said there's a renewed interest and they're going forward, that there was a bill that we all voted against already?

Q: Yeah. That there might be new interest in the administration. What do you think of that?

Leader Pelosi. I have no idea. I don't – I don't know if they know. I mean, they're being bombarded with so many things. And for that, they have my sympathy because the learning curve for somebody who served in public service for a long time is difficult enough. For somebody coming in from the outside, there's so many decisions to make. I have no idea about how receptive they will be to it.

I do, on the other hand, hope that we can have a transportation bill which would come from the same committee, a transportation infrastructure bill. And I've said before, we'd be interested in talking about that. We put it in our motion to recommit. That's the only parliamentary opportunity we had. Because every year we get a substitute. But this year, we couldn't do a substitute budget.

But in any event, I've said we'd be willing to talk about an infrastructure bill, eager to talk about infrastructure. As long as it's a real infrastructure bill that builds the infrastructure of America, creates good paying jobs, increases the paycheck of American workers. It is not a tax break at the high end disguised as an infrastructure bill. So as we go forward, as I said, we have our standards of that to cooperate. On the Affordable Care Act, as long as you don't diminish the number of people covered, reduce the benefit package and increase the cost, as long as you don't do damage to Medicare and Medicaid, then let's talk.

Right now in this CR today – I mean, reconciliation bill, budget bill today, it's really – let me end on this note. Of all the things they could be doing in a reconciliation bill: job creation, deficit reduction? No, forget that. What are they doing in this bill? Overturning the Affordable Care Act, undermining the health security and financial stability of America's working families, and defunding Planned Parenthood. That's their – that's their manhood thing, you know, defunding Planned Parenthood. How could they establish that as a priority unless they were coming at all of this through a very ideological standpoint? Let's get practical. Let's get the job done for the American people. Let's work together to create jobs, to keep America healthy, to reduce the deficit, to grow the economy, as we protect the American people globally, homeland, and in our neighborhoods. And let – you know, we again say, let's do it in a way that respects the voices of everyone. And we will resist where they try to shut us down, question on the issue of responsible, commonsense gun safety legislation.

Thank you all very much. I won't see you until after the Inauguration.

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