Biden Fumbles Reporter’s Question About His Decision To End COVID Emergency

President Joe Biden Tuesday’s question about his plan to end COVID-19 emergency situations was a difficult one.

Biden was interviewed by reporters just before he left the White House on Marine One. He was asked about the reasons behind his decision. End the national and public emergency in health May 11th. Biden initially placed the responsibility on the Supreme Court and then stated that the declarations would be canceled on May 15, four days after the White House announced on Monday.

“What’s behind your decision to end the COVID emergency?” Kristen Welker, NBC News White House Correspondent, asked Biden when he walked up the gaggle of journalists.

Biden grabbed Welker’s hand and stood under her umbrella as he gave his answer. “Well, the emergency will end when the Supreme Court ends it,” He stated. “We’ve extended it to May the 15th to make sure we get everything done.  That’s all.  There’s nothing behind it at all.”

Biden claims COVID remains an emergency, while grasping a lady’s hands and breathing in her face.https://t.co/goyvWCWPSp”>pic.twitter.com/goyvWCWPSp

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 31, 2023

Biden did not mean what he said “get everything done.” Biden also made a mistake about the end date for emergency declarations. Monday’s policy memo by the White House indicated that the White House would not end emergency declarations until May 15, but May 11.

It is also not clear what Biden meant in bringing up the Supreme Court — but the fates of two pandemic-era policies are currently in the hands of the court: Title 42 and student loan forgiveness. The court decided in December to keep the Title 42 restrictions — which allowed border agents to turn away migrants at the southern border because of COVID — in place indefinitely, so that it could consider the arguments from both sides of the case. The court has not yet issued a final decision.

The Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan is also awaiting a final ruling from the Supreme Court. There are Two cases Court will hear the cases. Oral arguments in both cases are scheduled to begin on February 28. Final rulings are not expected before May or June.

The White House Office of Management and Budget Monday released a statement of policy. It stated that it would file one more extension of the national and emergency declarations of public and national health on April 11. These would then be terminated one month later on May 11.

“The COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were declared by the Trump Administration in 2020,” OMB made these statements in its statement. “They are currently set to expire on March 1 and April 11, respectively. At present, the Administration’s plan is to extend the emergency declarations to May 11, and then end both emergencies on that date. This wind-down would align with the Administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the PHE.”

The House of Representatives had two bills that would have ended emergency declarations by force, and the House of Representatives made the announcement. The first is H.R. 382, a.k.a. the ‘‘Pandemic is Over Act,” was introduced by Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie; it would terminate the public health emergency. The second, House Joint Resolution 7Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar authored the following: It would end the national crisis

The House Passed The Pandemic is Over Act will be voted on Tuesday, 220-210. Vote on H.J.Res. 7 is possible This week.

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