Biden Praises Monoclonal Antibodies After Previously Restricting Them; Administration Asks for More COVID Billions “To Plan for the Future”

On 3/30/2022, Biden praised monoclonal antibody treatments — saying “they’ve helped save lives” and “this isn’t partisan, it’s medicine” — after his administration had previously restricted states’ access to the same treatments. The White House asked Congress for $22.5 billion more in COVID funding, with Psaki saying the money was needed “to plan for the future” and “to prepare to be ready” — after trillions had already been spent. A reporter noted the yield curve had inverted — a historic recession signal — and Psaki was caught in another contradiction about whether Biden had revealed that U.S. troops were training Ukrainians in Poland.

Monoclonal Antibodies: Now They’re Good

Biden’s praise for monoclonal antibodies drew attention because his administration had previously cut allocations to states like Florida that relied heavily on the treatment. “Take monoclonal antibodies, for example. They’ve helped save lives. This isn’t partisan, it’s medicine,” Biden said. “But Congress hasn’t provided enough money to keep purchasing these monoclonal antibodies.”

The turnaround was notable. Governor DeSantis had publicly battled the Biden administration over monoclonal antibody distribution, accusing it of restricting supplies to politically disfavored states.

$22.5 Billion More “To Plan”

Psaki delivered a circular explanation for why the administration needed more money. “We have the resources that we need in this current moment. What we need is this funding to be able to plan for the future, to prepare for — as I say, what we need to have this money for is to prepare to be ready for the future,” Psaki said. “The virus can be unpredictable, and we need to be prepared, and there’s an urgent need.”

Republicans argued the money was already there. “Republicans again today are saying the money for this is there — previously passed legislation, one figure they’re saying is $160 billion,” a reporter noted.

When pressed on whether the administration would accept less than $22.5 billion or allow offsets, Psaki hedged. “We’re hopeful that Congress is reaching a solution. Congress will determine ultimately where we net out on this,” she said.

Yield Curve Inverts — Recession Signal

A reporter raised the most significant economic development. “The yield curve for the 10-year Treasury note has inverted. Historically, this is viewed as a sign that investors are pessimistic about the long-term view of the economy and they expect a recession is nearing,” the reporter said.

Psaki cited Fed Chair Powell. “All signs are that this is a strong economy, and the probability of a recession within the next year is not particularly elevated,” she said, adding the administration looks at “a broad range of indicators.”

Training Ukrainians in Poland?

Biden had told troops in Poland “you’re going to see when you’re there” — suggesting they would enter Ukraine. But a separate comment appeared to reveal U.S. training of Ukrainian forces in Poland.

“The President said while he was in Europe that we are training Ukrainian forces in Poland. Is that accurate?” a reporter asked. “Jake Sullivan said we are not.”

“I do not believe that we are in the process of currently training military forces from Ukraine in Poland,” Psaki said. “There are liaisons that are there that are being given advice, and that’s different than training.”

When asked if Biden had “accidentally revealed” the training program, Psaki said: “No. The troops that he met with in Poland routinely interact with Ukrainians. That is something that’s known.”

Border Vaccinations

Psaki confirmed DHS was now “requiring age-appropriate vaccinations for noncitizens who are taken into border patrol custody” — a policy that contrasted with the administration’s refusal to reinstate Title 42 health screenings. She insisted “ICE has been providing vaccines to migrants since the summer of 2021.”

The Spending Contradiction

The request for $22.5 billion more in COVID funding highlighted a fundamental tension in the administration’s messaging. They claimed the pandemic was under control enough to lift Title 42 and end school masking, but simultaneously argued they needed billions more in emergency funding because “the virus can be unpredictable.” Republicans pointed to $160 billion in unspent prior appropriations as evidence the money was already there — the administration simply wanted new spending authority without accountability for how previous funds had been used.

Key Takeaways

• Biden praised monoclonal antibodies as lifesaving medicine after his administration had previously restricted states’ access to the treatments.
• The White House asked for $22.5 billion more in COVID funding “to plan for the future” after trillions had already been spent; Republicans said $160 billion was still available.
• The yield curve inverted — a historic recession signal — while Psaki cited Powell saying recession probability was “not particularly elevated.”
• Psaki said Biden did not reveal a secret program training Ukrainian forces in Poland, calling them “liaisons given advice” rather than training.
• DHS began requiring vaccinations for migrants in custody while the administration opposed Title 42 health screenings.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

• Take monoclonal antibodies. They’ve helped save lives. This isn’t partisan, it’s medicine. But Congress hasn’t provided enough money.
• We have the resources we need now. What we need is this funding to plan for the future, to prepare to be ready.
• The yield curve has inverted. Historically, this is viewed as a recession signal. The probability of recession is not particularly elevated.
• The President said we’re training Ukrainian forces in Poland. Jake Sullivan said we are not. There are liaisons being given advice. That’s different.
• Republicans are saying the money is there — $160 billion in previously passed legislation.
• DHS is now requiring vaccinations for noncitizens taken into border patrol custody.

Full transcript: 886 words transcribed via Whisper AI.