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White House Press Briefing. Aired 1:30-2pm ET

Aired March 9, 2017 - 13:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


QUESTION: Out of that meeting, can you tell us whether the president was successful in twisting arms, getting these conservative groups to back this particular healthcare bill?

[13:30:00] And just separately, I see on the president's campaign website that there is an event, a campaign style rally planned in Nashville, Tennessee next week. Can you confirm that and why did you choose Nashville, Tennessee? There's a democratic Congressman who represents Nashville, it's Tim Cooper. Are you hoping to get some democrats behind this bill?

SEAN SPICER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: On the first part of that, you saw a lot of the statements that came out last night for some of the various groups, they were very encouraging. Their guiding principle is we want to get to yes.

I think one of the things that's really interesting and I addressed it earlier is that there's a lot of members, a lot of interested parties, a lot of groups that haven't fully heard the three-prong approach. I think Speaker Ryan did a phenomenal job today of really laying this out -- Dr. Price has done a good job -- that people need to understand the totality and the comprehensive nature of this, that there are three pieces of it.

I think what happens sometimes is that the reconciliation piece of this gets lost as defining the totality of it and people need to understand there are two other pieces that achieve many goals that health care advocates and conservatives have fought for a long time, that allow greater competition, that allows small businesses to pool those resources together.

But there's a lot of things that occur in phase two and phase three that help bring down costs and create greater choice. It's amazing when you listen to some of these meetings how often people say I didn't realize that and I didn't understand the full scope and totality of what the plan was. It's very encouraging.

And then I think, without getting into details, I think in a lot of cases they've shared some ideas with the President that we might be able to find some common ground on. We'll take it one step at a time.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: On the campaign-style rally? SPICER: I would refer that question to the campaign. I think the President is going to be travelling next week. But there will be -- the details of that are listed on the campaign site. There is going to be additional travel announced for next week on the official site, and as we get closer to the end of this week or the beginning of next week, I'll try to have more for you.

Katie (ph)?

QUESTION: Do you have any comments to immediately terminate (inaudible)...

(OFF-MIC)

QUESTION: ...nearly seven weeks tomorrow and you still haven't done it. Can you definitely say if he's going to get rid of JAKA (ph) and if not, is he giving them legal status? What's the plan for dreamers?

SPICER: We've talked about the status of that and how many steps we have to go through on immigration. In the past, I think we've made significant headway in achieving the President's priority of starting the wall, driving down illegal immigration.

The numbers that came out last night showed that even when seasonally- adjusted we see a 40 percent dip in the people crossing our southern border. That's a very promising sign.

That being said, the executive order, the second one, there was a lot of effort put into making sure that that was rolled out effectively and achieved the goal of protecting the country that the President sought out to do initially.

So, we're continuing to take steps on immigration, both legal and illegal immigration. And as I've mentioned in the past, we'll have more as we go forward.

QUESTION: So he does still plan to get rid of JAKA (ph)?

SPICER: I think the President has been very clear about how he plans to address immigration as a whole, both legal and illegal.

Katie (ph)?

QUESTION: The President (inaudible) opposition on the left.

SPICER: Yes.

QUESTION: Do they plan to (inaudible) bipartisanship (inaudible). Does the President plan to meet with the AMA, AARP, which supported Obamacare are not supporting this bill

SPICER: I don't -- it'd be ill-advised for me to start saying who he's going to but I think that what we've shown over the last couple of weeks is the President's willingness to meet with individuals, Senators, groups. So, I don't want to rule-in who's going to meet or not, but I think I've said before, with respect to members and I'll say it again with respective groups, that I think that if people have ideas that will help provide a more patient-center healthcare system that drives down cost, the President and the team here -- we'll be willing to meet with them.

So, I don't want to be prescriptive in terms of telling them who they have to meet with. Their day is pretty busy right now with the Hill. But I will get back to you on some of the other groups that they're going to meet with and we'll go from there.

Brian (ph)?

QUESTION: Two quick questions. One, this morning at the National Press Club, a local business in D.C. proper (ph) secured a suit (ph) against the President and regarding Trump Hotel. I don't expect you to speak to that issue specifically, but their feeling was as much as this Administration has supported small business, how can they divest and self-remiss and support small business in the District? First question.

SPICER: I'm really not sure -- how where these -- in terms of what?

QUESTION: Well, there's 25 small business -- restaurants in the area and they're saying that the Trump Hotel is taking all that business away from them. Could he walk away from it and help out the small business owners?

SPICER: As far as the president -- obviously the President has made very clear in that December press conference at Trump Tower he doesn't have conflicts and he's done everything in accordance with the guidance given and gone well-beyond what he ever needed to do.

[13:35:10]

But obviously, you know, you can't -- you -- your name's on certain things. And that's -- that's a very big difference in terms of some of the properties that he owns.

But, you know, he understands the importance of small business. That's why we're meeting with community banks this morning to talk about the lending that they need, whether it's small business, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers throughout the country.

You know, he understands the role of small business in our economy and -- and how many jobs they provide. And -- and I think he's been a -- a -- a champion of it.

April (ph)? OK.

QUESTION: My other question was in his speech before Congress last week, he said it wouldn't -- it's not too much to dream in some point in time. I'm paraphrasing RP (ph) could be on foreign soil and I'm guessing other planets. With the NASA budget being released yesterday I believe, is there a major initiative by this administration for space exploration? Or, is that -- are we just talking dreams?

SPICER: Yeah, look, I'm gonna let Director Mulvaney get into the details of the budget next week...

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

SPICER: ....or whenever that -- I'm trying to remember the -- the calendar here. But when -- when the director comes out, he'll talk about the specific funding levels.

As you know, we're in the middle of this we call pass-back provision where we sent them some top-light (ph) numbers. They're sending us back their recommendations and their observations and edits and questions with respect to their budget. So, we're gonna take this one step at a time.

QUESTION: But (INAUDIBLE), I mean does he -- when he said... SPICER: No, he's -- he's obviously -- he's -- he's very keen on America's role in space. And I -- I don't wanna get into specific budget priorities or numbers until we're ready to release them. John (ph)?

QUESTION: You called on me.

QUESTION: You called on me.

SPICER: I'm sorry -- I'm sorry, April. (INAUDIBLE) remember that.

QUESTION: It's very important.

SPICER: I know. I saw the hand (INAUDIBLE).

QUESTION: So, Sean, just really fast, following up on John. We're seeing the campaign information for next week in Nashville.

Who -- you said something about (INAUDIBLE). Who's the campaign?

SPICER: I -- I'll try to help you get a name or -- but we're -- there is a campaign infrastructure still in place. It's -- it would be inappropriate for me to be commenting on campaign activities from the podium.

So, there's a website up. The same one that was on the -- on the -- during the campaign. And I would suggest that you utilize that. But I don't -- I'm not here as a -- I'm only here as a -- an official in the government, so I don't wanna get into that.

QUESTION: Now, yesterday, going back to Congressman Cummings. You talked about some other issues that they talked in that meeting.

SPICER: Yeah.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) They talked in (ph) it (ph). I wanna hit two issues. The voter irregularities or fraud and voter suppression, where does the president see this coming together? We heard from Congressman Cummings.

But where does he see (ph)? We -- we understand he know -- he's saying that voter fraud is real when there are other people saying it's not. But then there are factual documented cases of voter suppression.

So, what does -- how does -- how is there a marrying of that in these pressing (ph) times?

SPICER: Well, I think that's why he's asked Vice President Pence to look into it.

I would disagree with the assertation. I think there -- there's also factual, you know, evidence of -- of people voting illegally. We saw that in Texas a couple weeks ago and in other places. So, part of the reason that he's asking Vice President Pence to chair this task is to look into the issue. But we welcome input and -- and other areas. And -- and it's an area that they'll continue to discuss. Sarah (ph)? How are you?

QUESTION: Nice to see you...

SPICER: OK.

QUESTION: Now, also Congressman Cummings said that when he talked with the president...

SPICER: Right.

QUESTION: ...and he brought up the issue of funding for age (ph) disease (ph), President Trump said to -- to Congressman Cummings that presidents did not ask for money.

Now, they came here, according to many of the president that I have hammered (ph), they came here with the intent of the fact that they were gonna get some money from this executive order. And...

SPICER: I don't think the executive order is the...

QUESTION: But that's -- but I'm -- they were -- that's what their belief was. But then what I understand that there was talk about investment in these colleges with Steve Bannon.

One president wrote this down saying that we are looking -- our (ph) full (ph) from you to invest in HBCUs. And we will execute it when we get it.

So -- and they're looking for full funding for title three, Pell (ph) Grant full funding, fall, spring, as well as the one-time $25 billion investment. What does this White House think about this plan that they're trying to get back to this White House, especially in a time when you're looking at cutting domestic spending?

SPICER: Well, I think when they were here, we were pleased to roll out the executive order that talked about making historically black colleges and universities and priority in this administration. Moving that sort of point person into the White House to, you know -- so that we could coordinate a whole of government opportunities for whole -- you know, we talked about this.

Looking at the different educations opportunity that expand government, whether it's -- it's health or investment in sciences, or even stuff like ROTC and NROTC programs that are some these that span out of the Department of Defense.

[13:40:09]

But we've gotta look at how we're providing government assistance in a whole host of ways to historically black colleges and universities. I think the issue of funding will be properly addressed in the budget and at that time. But obviously, this is something that has been discussed. The president...

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: ... funding request...

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: I don't -- April, I'm not going to negotiate the budget from here. But I think that the president has made very clear that -- the vital role that they play in our society. And I think he's shown that initially by the executive order that he unveiled, and we will have further information for you as we get close to the budget.

Sarah?

QUESTION: Thanks, Sean.

(inaudible) question about critics characterizing the budget reconciliation bill as the entirety of repeal-replace. How quickly does the president want (inaudible) Republicans move on phase three, the companion legislation? Does he envision those unfolding simultaneously?

And then given the early opposition to the budget reconciliation bill, does the president maybe want Republicans to recalibrate their strategy when it comes to that companion legislation?

SPICER: I am not going to start to tell Speaker Ryan or Leader McCarthy or the whip, Mr. Scalise, how to release and when to release legislation. But I think obviously we need to make sure that members and all Americans understand the totality of this.

So -- at a schedule that they see fit, and I'll let them unveil that schedule; that they talk about the totality of this plan and the comprehensive nature, and all three prongs that make up the repeal and replace part of this.

It's important I think, though, for people to do understand that there's a commitment to do all those things that we've talked about, whether it's pooling or across state lines. There's a lot of principles and things that we've discussed that I think are important to let people to know about.

I'm going to to (inaudible).

QUESTION: Thank you, Sean.

What (inaudible) Afghanistan? What is (inaudible) of Afghanistan? Because (inaudible) that this (inaudible)?

SPICER: So, on troops, I'd refer you to the Department of Defense on that one. I think we are in the middle of a comprehensive review on our policy in Afghanistan, that -- working with our Afghan partners and the Department of Defense and our key military leaders to create an approach to address Afghanistan to defeat ISIS.

So I -- I -- we're in the middle of that process. When we have more, we'll update you. But I think the Department of Defense is probably the best place to go to get that.

Trey?

QUESTION: Thanks, Sean.

Today, hundreds of U.S. Marines were deployed to Syria. So I'm wondering how involved was the president in that decision-making process? And is this part of his wider anti-ISIS strategy?

SPICER: Obviously, the president was made aware of that. This is something that was done in consultation. He understands the regional issues that need to be addressed there. And again, I would refer you back to the Department of Defense on that.

QUESTION: Sean, thank you.

I have a followup question to Haley's (ph) first set of questions on (inaudible).

My question is...

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: (inaudible) like eight questions (inaudible).

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: ... the Republicans are calling for Julian Assange to, you know, be in jail or be arrested. What about the tech companies that he says that he will work with to give them the CIA hacking techniques? Should there be any legal repercussions for tech companies willing to sort of embrace and use this technology that you're taking a stance against, if you will?

SPICER: So, number one, I'll go back to the statement that we don't comment on validating or authenticating allegations of this sort as a U.S. government, in terms of U.S. government policy.

I will say that, you know, the president obviously feels deep -- deeply concerned about anybody -- an individual or anybody that seeks to undermine the national security of our country. I don't want to, you know, staying within my purview here, but I do think that I would check with the Department of Justice in particular about if a program or a piece of information is classified, it remains classified regardless of whether or not it is released into the public venue or not.

And so I would just suggest that someone consult with them regarding the legal repercussions of any individual or entity using any piece of still-classified information or technique or product that hasn't been declassified. There's a reason that we have classification levels and that's to protect our country and our people.

And that's -- that's, you know, that's something that we have to maintain regardless of how (inaudible). Zeke?

QUESTION: Thanks, Sean. Two questions for you.

One, back to General Flynn, how concerning is it to the president and to the White House that a registered foreign agent was selected to become the -- was the national security adviser for a brief period of time?

[13:45:06]

SPICER: Look, I think this is -- this is what he did for a living. I mean, he talked to -- you know, and as the president said in the press conference, talking to individuals that are within the realm of the duties you're going to perform are -- is part of your job.

QUESTION: He was being compensated (ph).

SPICER: I understand that. But he was being compensated -- he wasn't -- he wasn't being compensated as part of the transition as far as I'm aware and so he was a private citizen at the time. And when you're a private citizen, you're allowed to engage in legal activities. I don't have anything further on that but I think there's a -- there's nothing nefarious about doing anything that's legal as long as the proper paperwork is filed.

QUESTION: Just real quick, there's just several reports out of the State Department from our colleagues there that on Secretary Tillerson's upcoming trip to Asia, he will not be taking any press with him on that trip. That's a breach of precedent certainly of the last several bipartisan administrations. Is it concerning to the -- to the White House that the -- the administration's foreign policy might not be effectively communicated to the American public and around the world because there isn't a press corps with the secretary of state?

SPICER: I -- this is the first I'm learning of it, I'd be glad to follow up with you. I don't know that -- I think you all know that we have been a very transparent administration in terms of access to the president and his activities here. I'd be glad to follow up with the Department of State and follow up that you can share that with your colleagues.

QUESTION: Yesterday you said the president has no reason to believe there's any type of investigation (ph) with respect to the Department of Justice. Did the Justice Department give you that assurance? Because they're telling the "New York Times" they did not.

SPICER: I'm not aware of it but that's my point is that we're not aware of anything and that's why...

QUESTION: ...You haven't been told by the Justice Department that there is no investigation?

SPICER: No.

QUESTION: So there might be one, you just don't know. SPICER: No, I said -- right, I said I'm not aware and -- we're not aware and that's why we want the House and Senate to do what the president has asked of them, to look into this. But no, we're not aware.

QUESTION: To discover if there is an investigation?

SPICER: No, to look into the situation.

QUESTION: The Justice Department is saying, though, that they never gave you the assurances that you gave us.

SPICER: OK. No, the assurance I gave you, Margaret (ph), was that I'm not aware and that is 100 percent accurate.

QUESTION: So when you said "no reason to believe," it was "I'm not aware there's an investigation..."

SPICER: ...That's right. Right, I mean I don't know that they're not interchangeable. I'm not aware, I don't believe. Look up in a thesaurus and find some other ways, but I don't know that there's a distinction there that's -- that's noteworthy but we're not aware, I don't believe that that exists.

QUESTION: What's that based on (ph)?

SPICER: That's based on that I've not been aware of.

(LAUGHTER)

I mean -- but that's the answer. Someone's asking me if I'm made aware of something and the answer is no then the answer is no.

QUESTION: But the question was whether he was the target of counterintelligence (ph)...

SPICER: ...Right and the answer is we're not aware. I don't know how much clearer we can be on this.

QUESTION: So it's just the White House is not aware if the president is the target of a counterintelligence post (ph)?

SPICER: Correct. I'm not sure what we're -- dancing around the same question.

QUESTION: Well because I think yesterday when you came out and corrected and clarified, people took that as a definitive answer that in fact that wasn't...

SPICER: ...No, it means we're not aware. I don't -- that should be the definitive answer.

QUESTION: I have two questions then a really quick follow-up to Zeke (ph).

SPICER: So that's three. QUESTION: Two and a half.

(LAUGHTER)

So can you elaborate a little bit on how and to what extent Michael Flynn was involved in shaping the current Turkey policy for...

SPICER: ...I don't know...

QUESTION: ...President Trump? I mean, was he engaging with the Turkish leaders and reasoning with them (ph)?

SPICER: I don't -- I don't have anything on that.

QUESTION: OK.

SPICER: You can contact NSC (ph) on that. I'm not aware.

QUESTION: OK. So my two real questions, first, is there any official response to the lawsuit in Hawaii over the revised travel ban?

SPICER: I think we feel very comfortable that the executive order that was crafted is consistent and we're going to go forward on this. But I think, by all means -- I don't want to -- we feel very confident with how that was crafted and the input that was given.

QUESTION: OK thank you. And the second thing is Nigel Farage was at the Ecuadorian embassy in London today.

SPICER: OK.

QUESTION: Where Julian Assange happens to be staying, don't know if they met or not. But was he there -- I mean, he's a close ally of President Trump. Was he there in any official capacity...

SPICER: ...We don't keep his schedule.

QUESTION: Was he delivering a message? Do you know if there was any contact on that (ph)...

SPICER: ...I have no idea. No, I -- I have my own concerns here keeping track of what everyone's doing, I generally don't worry about what's going on across the pond.

QUESTION: You already gave one but it's false but do you (ph)...

(LAUGHTER)

SPICER: ...Wow, all right, hey, hey. QUESTION: But -- but -- but on Farage -- the question's not what but Farage, can you tell us he wasn't there on behalf of the White House?

[13:49:51]

SPICER: Sure. I don't -- he's not -- I'm not -- this is silly. I really don't think asking where random foreign leaders are and whether or not they're there -- I'm sure he was there doing whatever on behalf of...

QUESTION: ...He's not a foreign leader (ph).

SPICER: He's a member of -- OK.

QUESTION: He had dinner with the president (ph).

SPICER: OK, I understand that but I -- I am not -- I don't keep his schedule. I'm not sure.

QUESTION: Thank you.

Sean, two questions on two different topics. First, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sent a letter to Congress saying that Congress should raise the debt ceiling. We know that the Office of (inaudible) Budget Director, Mick Mulvaney, when we was in Congress he voted against raising the debt ceiling multiple times. Is Mulvaney going to support the raising of the debt ceiling and does the President support that? He is going to push Congress to do that?

SPICER: I think we've got a few months to do that. I think the Secretary was making Congress very much aware we got into -- now been in the White House six weeks, we're approaching the 50th day here at this Administration. I don't -- I think we're trying to deal with the situation at-hand.

Part of the reason why the President has addressed our budget the way he has is try to get our nation's debt deficit and budget in order. I think he's continuing to show a tremendous respect for tax payer money, the way we spend money and bring it down.

But obviously, there are certain things that are a little beyond our control when we walked into this building and we're going to work with Secretary Mnuchin and Director Mulvaney to address this issue and obviously work with Congress.

QUESTION: Second question on another Cabinet Secretary. Scott Pruitt said today that carbon dioxide was not a primary contributor to global warming. That obviously is at odds with the global scientific consensus. Does the President agree that --

SPICER: Well, that's a snippet of what Administrator Pruitt said. He went on and said I don't think we know conclusively, this is what we know. I would suggest that you touch base with the EPA on that. But he had a very lengthy response and that is just one snippet of what the Administrator said.

Anita (ph)?

QUESTION: Two things. One, I think you mentioned at the top but I'm not sure that apprehensions were going down across the border. There was a question yesterday about the wall. Is the wall still needed if the apprehensions are down?

SPICER: I think so, sure. The President was very clear. It's not just needed. The President committed to doing it to the American people. I think while we can have a good month and I think we'll see if that continues, that the President made a commitment to the American people to make sure that this isn't just an anomaly and that while they may be down, I think we have to do what we can to protect our country both in terms of national security and economic security.

It's of course still needed and it's a commitment the President made and I think one of the things the American people, regardless of where they stand across the aisle appreciate about this President is he's a man who has kept his word. He talks -- he made commitments to them and he's fulfilling them to make the country better.

Cora (ph)?

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Sean, I said there was a second question.

SPICER: I'm sorry, you did.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: You have not -- I think you have been asked this before but have been reluctant to say whether President Obama and President Trump have spoken since the inauguration, although President Trump was very forthcoming about that during the transition, so I'm not sure why you wouldn't mention it. I'm just asking that again.

Then, there was a report yesterday that said aides for both Presidents have spoken. Can you talk to us about either of those things?

SPICER: I'll be glad to follow-up. I don't -- unfortunately, I did not ask the President whether or not he's spoken. I'll be back tomorrow and I --

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: Yes, I can.

QUESTION: -- aides?

SPICER: I will. QUESTION: Okay, thank you.

SPICER: I keep my words here.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: I was just -- (CROSSTALK)

SPICER: ...all the way in the back.

(LAUGHTER)

SPICER: Well get back.

QUESTION: You talked about Pocona (ph) and Guantanamo, how it may have changed (inaudible).

SPICER: Where, what, please?

QUESTION: On Guantanamo.

SPICER: Yes.

QUESTION: On whether the Guantanamo will be ended or whether the detainees will be brought to Guantanamo, will they be transferred out...

SPICER: I don't have anything to announce with respect to its expansion or its use -- expansion use. I think the President has commented on the importance of Guantanamo in the past and the need to maintain. If the people where they are not people who seek to do anyone good, they're there for a reason.

I think there's no plans to close it if that's what you're asking. As far as the future use goes, in terms of expansion, I don't have anything to comment on at this time.

All the way in the back, yes.

You got --

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: No, no, Goyle (ph).

(LAUGHTER)

SPICER: You keep trying to steal his question.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: One is that as for the attacks on the American Indian communities have got about (ph) nation. That's not new, that happened in the past also but the American Indian community recently has been candle visions and prayers and all and those things are now solved. An Indian American met with State Department officials and also with the President Trump recently. So, any Presidential message for the American Indian community how to stop these attacks against them?

SPICER: I think with respect to -- are you talking about the event in Kansas City specifically?

QUESTION: And another one also (inaudible).

SPICER: Yeah, I think the president, whether it's the event that happened in Kansas City, other events, the attacks on Jewish community centers that continue to plague us -- I guess we saw another report this morning, some unfortunate activity.

I think we've got to continue to call it out. We've got to continue to root it out. We've got to continue to engage law enforcement -- whatever the applicable level of law enforcement depending on the event.

But it's something that I think all Americans should be outraged and disgusted by and stand up for the principles that united us. And that's what the president spoke so eloquently about during his -- his joint address. He made it very clear that while certain policies may divide us as individuals, there are certain principles that can unite us.

John Frederick?

QUESTION: (inaudible) sorry.

As far as the U.S.-India relations are concerned, they have been great in the past and now we have two businessmen in India -- Prime Minister Modi is also a businessman. And here we have President Trump, of course, a very successful businessman. So (inaudible) high official visits have been going on from India to the U.S., meeting Trump -- President Trump (inaudible) officials, including (inaudible) secretary and commerce secretary and (inaudible) and also from the energy department for India.

So where -- where do we go -- what is the future under President Trump administration (inaudible) U.S.-India relations economically, trade and bilateral (inaudible)?

SPICER: I -- thank you. I think we, as talked about during the campaign and the transition, establishing a deeper relationship with Prime Minister Modi and U.S.-India businesses. And I think as we move forward in terms of our foreign policy, we'll have further updates on that. But he -- he, as you know very well, he spoke very clearly and frequently about the relationship that we have and hope to continue to grow with India.

John Frederick?

QUESTION: (inaudible) during the campaign, President Trump was not shy about his desire to get the United States out of these Middle Eastern wars. Yet to the question earlier, we just sent 250 Marines into Syria. Is President Trump committed to going to Congress to receiving authorization for an AUMF or a declaration of war if we continue to deploy United States troops overseas?

SPICER: Well, John, I think there's a big difference between an authorization of war and sending a few hundred advisers. And I think most in Congress would probably agree with that as well. I think that's a big difference between a hostile action and going in to address certain concerns, whether it's certain countries in the Middle East or elsewhere.

I would refer you to the Department of Defense on that one. I think the -- the actions that he has done and taken with -- with the advice that his generals have given him, his admirals as well...

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: Hold on.

... is something that we will continue to work on.

Yes?

QUESTION: Two questions. One, first off, kind of clarifying the difference between, you know, the campaign stops and also the healthcare rollout. So Nashville will be kind of the campaign stop. How will the White House kind of pick and choose how that goes, whether it's to be a presidential visit trying to sell the healthcare rollout, or one for the campaign?

And then a second question (inaudible).

SPICER: Well, I mean, I think the campaign will make decisions with respect to how they want to spend their money and where they want to go. And the official -- the White House will do the same. But I -- I think that's -- that's something that every president back as far as modern history has done as well.

The president will be visiting several cities over the next coming weeks to engage the American people on the need to repeal and replace and other steps that he's taking to deliver on the promises that he's made as commander in chief.

QUESTION: And a second question. I know Senator Cruz was here for dinner last night. Can you characterize the relationship between the two men? 2018 will be here before you know it. Do you anticipate the president will be there to support him in that effort?

SPICER: Well, I think we've got -- we've got a few battles to get through legislatively, but I know that he enjoyed welcoming Senator and Mrs. Cruz and their two daughters last night to the White House. They had a very enjoyable time and a very fruitful discussion.

But it's -- it's something that he is going to continue to do with members of both parties and both chambers, and not just here in Washington. I think you're going to see him engage -- continue to engage with governors and attorneys general and lieutenant governors.

The president truly enjoys this level of engagement. He likes to sit down and talk about ideas, talk about the future of this country and get their input and ideas. And I think they talked a little business and a lot of personal last night. And it was a very enjoyable thing.

With that, thank you, guys. Have a great day. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I think tomorrow's going to be one-question Friday.

(LAUGHTER)

Thank you all.

[13:59:55]