What Is Biden Doing About Soaring Rents? Jean-Pierre: 'I Don't Have Anything Right Now to Share' (November 10, 2022)

A reporter asked the White House about the rent. “And then, just on the CPI statement this morning from the President: Most of the increase that we saw in inflation last month was due to rising costs for shelter. President Biden’s statement didn’t mention that. What is the administration doing to contain the rampant run-up in rents right now?” the reporter asked at the briefing on Nov. 10, 2022 [1].

“Of shelter specifically?” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asked. “Shelter costs, yeah,” the reporter said [1].

“So, I don’t have anything right now to share with you on that specific piece of the data,” Jean-Pierre answered, according to the official White House transcript [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the Nov. 10, 2022, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript, a White House statement and the Supreme Court [1][2][3].

”A Step Forward”

Jean-Pierre talked about the overall number instead. “So, again, we think that the data that we saw with CPI is a — is a step forward. The President clearly is going to continue to do the work to bring down cost for the American people,” she said [1].

“We talked about the gas prices and also Inflation Reduction Act. So that will continue to be. But that particular piece of the data, I don’t have anything to share with you on that,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Meta and Twitter”

A reporter Jean-Pierre called Kristen asked about layoffs. “Inflation not as high as was expected, but we are hearing about these layoffs at these major companies, Meta and Twitter. What is the message to American companies who are concerned that those layoffs could be a sign that the economy could be headed toward a recession?” [1]

“So we are aware of the layoffs at Meta and other — other tech companies that you just laid out, Kristen. I don’t have a comment on the moves announced by Meta today, specifically,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Of Course He’s Going to Say That”

A reporter asked what Biden would compromise on. “I understand you don’t want to get ahead of the results, but it was the President who said yesterday that he’d be willing to compromise on certain issues. So has he not thought through what those issues would be? It’s just a general statement?” [1]

“And of course he’s going to say that; he’s the President of the United States. Of course he’s going to say, ‘I’m willing to work with the other side,’” Jean-Pierre said [1].

The reporter who asked about rent had started with the likely next Republican speaker. “Kevin McCarthy has said that he would love to lead a congressional delegation to Taiwan. I’m just curious if you would discourage him from doing that if he becomes Speaker,” the reporter said. “That’s not something I’m going to speak to about,” Jean-Pierre answered [1].

Crypto “Crash”

With the crypto market in turmoil, a reporter asked about regulation. “A question about cryptocurrencies. (Inaudible) the administration has seen those things crash. And, you know, should regulators be taking a harder look at these things to protect investors at this point?” [1]

“So I’m not able to comment on it — on what specific actions independent regular- — regulators should or should not take on this particular issue,” Jean-Pierre said. “But the most recent news further underscores these concerns and highlights why prudent regulation of cryptocurrencies is indeed needed.” [1]

“Codify Roe”

A reporter asked about a campaign promise. “Prior to the election, the President said that he would send a bill that would codify Roe v. Wade to Congress if Democrats gained two seats. At best, he may only gain one seat in the Senate, so is it still his intention to send a bill to codify it?” [1]

“They want to see their — their access to reproductive care protected, and they want to see Roe codified. And we’re going to do everything that we can to make that happen from here,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”We Strongly Disagree”

The same day, a federal district court ruled against Biden’s student loan plan. “We strongly disagree with the District Court’s ruling on our student debt relief program and the Department of Justice has filed an appeal,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement [2].

The statement blamed “our opponents – backed by extreme Republican special interests.” It said the Education Department “will hold onto their information so it can quickly process their relief once we prevail in court.” [2]

By the Numbers

26 million: borrowers who had applied for debt relief, per the White House [2].
16 million: of them already approved, per the White House [2].
$430 billion: the student loan principal the plan would have canceled, per the Supreme Court [3].
6-3: the Supreme Court’s vote against the plan [3].

What Happened Next

They did not prevail in court. On June 30, 2023, in Biden v. Nebraska, the Supreme Court ruled that the law Biden relied on “allows the Secretary to ‘waive or modify’ existing statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to financial assistance programs under the Education Act, but does not allow the Secretary to rewrite that statute to the extent of canceling $430 billion of student loan principal.” [3]

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the Court, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett [3].

For Biden’s news conference the day before, see HYGO News’ page on Nov. 9, 2022. For his “not a joke” speech promoting the plan, see the page on Oct. 1, 2022.