Jean-Pierre Names Republicans From the Podium, Stumbles on 'Congresswoman Majority' Taylor Greene (April 20, 2023)

From the White House podium, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre went after House Republicans by name, and she stumbled on the first one. “Will Congresswoman Majority [sic] — Marjorie Taylor Greene vote to eliminate the investments helping to create 2,500 solar manufacturing jobs in her district?” she asked [1].

“Will Congressman Mike Carey risk the more than 2,000 electric — electrical vehicle investment-related jobs coming to his district?” she went on [1].

Six days later, both Republicans voted for Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s plan, and it passed the House [2].

The video above shows Jean-Pierre’s opening remarks at the April 20, 2023, White House briefing. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project, which marks her slip with “[sic]” [1].

”Happy 4/20”

The briefing opened with a reporter’s joke. “Happy 4/20,” the reporter said. “What is that?” Jean-Pierre answered, laughing [1].

Then she read her statement. The day before, she said, “Speaker McCarthy unveiled his plan to cut benefits for American veterans and take a two-by-four to America’s manufacturing resurgence” [1].

The plan, she said, “would repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s investment in manufacturing in clean energy — investments that have created 100,000 manufacturing jobs, many of them in Republican-led states and congressional districts” [1].

”Extreme MAGA Agenda”

She previewed the president’s next event. Biden, she said, would “highlight how Speaker McCarthy’s extreme MAGA agenda would be a disaster for American families” [1].

“The Speaker’s plan raises crucial questions for dozens — dozens of House Republicans: Will they vote to kill manufacturing jobs in their own home districts and reverse the reshoring of manufacturing from China?” Jean-Pierre said [1].

She closed by accusing Republicans of putting forward “these proposals to cut jobs and benefits so the super-wealthy and big corporations can enjoy a tax welfare” [1].

Less than two months later, the federal Office of Special Counsel warned that “MAGA remains the campaign slogan of a current candidate for partisan political office, and therefore, its use constitutes political activity,” Fox News reported [3]. For the watchdog’s finding against Jean-Pierre, see HYGO News’ page on the Hatch Act ruling.

”Tomorrow, If He Has His Budget”

Reporters asked whether Biden would now meet with McCarthy. One reminded Jean-Pierre of the president’s own promise. Biden had said, “I’m ready to meet with the Speaker anytime — tomorrow, if he has his budget.” “He has now put forward a proposal. So will there be a meeting?” the reporter asked [1].

“Well, I just said we’re going to look at the impact of the plan that they put forward,” Jean-Pierre answered. Then she repeated her charge about “the 22 percent spending cuts”: “It’s going to hurt education, it’s going to hurt veterans’ meda- — veterans’ medical — medical care, Meals on Wheels, food safety” [1].

“So you’re not ruling out a meeting but you’re also not accepting a meeting?” the reporter asked. “I’m just saying that one thing that we know for sure is they need to make sure that we do not default,” she said [1].

Another reporter tried: “But you’re also no longer saying there will be a meeting at some point.” “I’m just saying we don’t have a meeting to announce at this time,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”MAGA Extremists”

Jean-Pierre also went after Florida. She attacked the state Board of Education’s decision to expand what she called “the state’s dystopian” law, using the critics’ label for it [1]. The law’s official title is “Parental Rights in Education,” and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it on March 29, 2022, according to the Florida Senate [5].

“Conservative politicians love to complain about the so-called ‘cancel culture,’ all while threatening teachers with losing their jobs if they teach something that the MAGA extremists don’t agree with,” she said [1].

She also pressed for the confirmation of Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su. “We are working hard for every vote and feel confident about Julie’s confirmation,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”The President Respects the Rule of Law”

A reporter raised a new problem for the President’s son. “And the last question is: An IRS special agent wants whistleblower protection to talk about the investigation on Hunter Biden’s taxes. What is the White House’s message to employees who wonder if there should be political considerations when things affect the President’s family?” [1]

“So, look, I want to be very clear here. As you know, the President respects the rule of law and the dep- — the independence of the Department of Justice,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

A reporter she called Kristen tried again. “Just to be very clear, for the sake of transparency, which the President says he values: Does the White House support giving this IRS agent whistleblower protections?” [1]

“For the state of transparency and so that we do not politicize any of this, the President has been very clear that this is something for the Department of Justice, which is independent,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

Less than four months later, “Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday appointed U.S. Attorney David Weiss a special counsel in the Hunter Biden probe,” Fox News reported [9].

Later That Day: “Did Not Respond to Shouted Questions”

After the briefing, Biden hosted Colombian President Gustavo Petro in the Oval Office, a day after Petro’s birthday. “Well, it’s very difficult turning 40 years of age. [ Laughter ]” Biden said. “They say that, in this generation, being 63 is like being 40 in the old generation,” Petro answered. “I fully subscribe to that. [ Laughter ]” Biden said [7].

Then the questions started. “Both leaders stopped speaking at 2:54pm. They did not respond to shouted questions and pool was escorted out,” the White House pool reporter wrote [8].

Petro later spoke to reporters outside. Asked about refusing a U.S. proposal to send Russian-made weapons to Ukraine, he said, as the pool reported it: “The position of the current government is they’re not going to be used in war. They’re not going to Ukraine, they’re not going to Russia.” [8]

By the Numbers

2: House Republicans Jean-Pierre named from the podium [1].
2,500: solar manufacturing jobs she credited to Greene’s district [1].
100,000: manufacturing jobs she credited to the Inflation Reduction Act [1].
217-215: the House vote for McCarthy’s bill [2].
4: Republicans who voted against it [2].

What Happened Next

Both voted yes. On April 26, 2023, the House passed McCarthy’s Limit, Save, Grow Act, 217 to 215. Greene and Carey both voted yes, according to the House Clerk [2].

Four Republicans voted no: Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ken Buck of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Matt Gaetz of Florida. Every Democrat who voted said no [2].

The meeting came later. On May 9, 2023, 19 days after the briefing, Biden met with congressional leaders on the debt limit. “I just finished, I thought, a productive meeting with the congressional leadership about the path forward to make sure America does not default,” he said [6].

Trump ended the subsidies. On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Public Law 119-21. Its energy chapter is titled “Ending Green New Deal Spending, Promoting America-First Energy, and Other Reforms,” under a subchapter called “Termination of Green New Deal Subsidies” [4].

For how the debt limit fight ended, see HYGO News’ page on Biden’s “B-I-L-L-I-O-N”. For Julie Su’s record, see the page on Su and California’s unemployment fraud.