On 1/27/2023, a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “gas prices: It could hit $4.00 in the next couple of months — the national average — according to a lot of the experts, like GasBuddy. How likely is it that the President taps into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve again this year to try to lower prices?”
KJP: … the price of gas is still down about $1.50 since — since June peak … in contrast to what the White — the House Republicans want to do — we have that SPR bill that they put forward in trying to, you know, stop the President for doing everything that he can to lower cost. And so we’re doing the opposite …
Reporter: And what about refilling it? Especially now that oil prices are climbing again, it could get up to $110 a barrel. When do you see the timeline for refilling it?
KJP: So we had laid out the plan of how that was going to work. I don’t have anything updated on that. I would refer you to the Department of Energy for any specifics to that.
Reporter: Thanks. I wanted to ask about the student debt relief cases that the Supreme Court is going to consider next month.
KJP: Say that one more time? I’m so sor- —
Reporter: The — it’s okay, I’ll be louder. The student debt cases that the Supreme Court is going to consider next month —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m sorry, I still didn’t — didn’t hear you. The first part?
Reporter: Student debt.
KJP: Oh, student — (laughs) —
Reporter: Student debt.
KJP: It’s me. It’s not you.
Reporter: Okay. The student debt cases. One of the questions that’s at issue in both of the cases is whether the President went beyond his authority in pardoning all of that debt. Can you talk about more of what these cases mean for your broader agenda?
There’s been a lot of different executive actions that the President has taken that have been questioned by the Supreme Court — outside of the context of student debt, which I know is something you all really care about — but thinking about how these cases could impact, going forward, how the President uses his own authority on other issues?
KJP: So, look, I — you know, I’ll say — I’ll just speak to this more broadly. And, look, we’re confident in our legal authority to carry — carry out this program as it re- — as it relates specifically to the student debt. And, you know, we’re looking for — we’re looking for a plan — the President — this was a plan that the President put forward to move things forward … And if you think about his plan, it is working. It is indeed working. And he always is going to take steps and use his bully pulpit to — to make sure that Americans have an opportunity to really — to really not be left behind. That is so important, so that they can — If you think about loan program, it’ll give Americans who can buy a car, can start a family, can buy a home …
Reporter: On a separate topic: Regarding the debt ceiling, Senator Joe Manchin says in his recent private meeting with Speaker McCarthy that McCarthy said he has, quote, “no intention” on touching Medicare or Social Security. What is the White House reaction to hearing that? Do you agree with what the senator is saying there?
KJP: Well, look, for — for months and months and months now — and many of you have reported this — they have been saying that they are going to — they’re planning to cut Social Security and Medicare. This is what Republicans have been saying for months — for months … And this is what we have seen for months and months and months. This is what they have been saying for months and months and months.
Reporter: But doesn’t it seem like McCarthy is signaling he’s not going to be touching those?
KJP: … you know, it’s been very clear to us what they want to do. And — and it’s been very clear all through this week as well.
https://facebook.com/HygoNewsUSA/videos/1616605848779693
Q: gas prices going up, now do you deplete Reserve or refill it? Student loans to buy a car, to buy a home