legislation to pass a controversial ideological policy proposal, that would not otherwise pass congress is not responsible. that's what we object to. frankly, that is what republicans are risking when they continue to insist on the inclusion of those kinds of measures. >> do you have any update on the tax vendors package? >> i do have an update on those talks. their demo kratz and republicans engaged on these topics. the white house is interested in these conversations to the extent that we believe that if we are looking to extend a tax benefit that is enjoyed by large companies, we would make sure there's tax benefits for middle-class families to. it remains to be seen what those negotiations will yield. >> thank you. first, i want to ask whether

you're telling us that there will, inevitably be some changes made to these programs it's a matter of needing some more time and information out of san bernadino. >> that certainly seems the likely outcome. given what has transpired. he entered the united states to the k-1 visa program that program is at a minimum with a very close look. that is exactly what the department state and the department of homeland security are doing. if there are changes that are necessary, that can strengthen the program and greater ensure our security, then the president will direct those agencies to implement. >> longmore journal has published a story reporting that

a former detaining at one time zero has resumed an act of war fighting war with al qaeda in yemen. can you confirm that story? >> i have seen those reports but i'm not in a position to confirm that particular story. any report about a former gitmo detainee, reengage in in the fight, would be a source of significant concern is something we would take quite there's lee. based on what we know so far, more than 90% of those who have been transferred from guantánamo bay have not reengage in the fight. we are certainly paying close attention, even if we find unconfirmed reports about those who may. >> are you investigating the claims? >> i can issue you the u.s. government is taking a look.

>> i hear from lawmakers about the strike is my. >> not that i'm aware of. i would not rule it out. >> lastly i like to to follow up on the exchanges of yesterday's briefing. ideally without leading us -- secretary carter's testimony reaffirmed that the united states along with coalition partners are at work with isis. does president obama conceive this as a wartime? >> i guess he would have to ask a metric question. we have been saying more than a year. >> does he said to you in your dealings with him? >> based on the fact that he gave an oval office address to the country to talk about the significant military steps that have been taking against terrorist organizations with whom we are at war, i suppose you could apply that label to him with a lot of credibility. in terms of how he considers himself and how he would describe his own posture, you

probably have to ask him that. >> you, for example would not quarrel with my describing him as a wartime commander-in-chief? >> again, we have acknowledged for more than a year that isis has declared war on the rest of the world, the united states is leading the effort to degrade and ultimately destroy them. i think if you are to use that description it would be reasonable. >> i know that yesterday you did quarrel with the assertion that between the president telling abc that isis was contained and carter telling that it is not contained. there there is some contradiction there because of what the president met. so just to clarify, the president said that isis was contained just a few hours before the paris attacks is not referring to the groups a geographic reach or terror capabilities, that in essence or office space.

>> if you go back to the transcript, you do not have to discern what the president met. he did make a specific reference to the fact that the amount of territory that isil has been able to take over in iraq and syria, has been contain and in fact rolled back. there's about 25%% of the populated areas they previously controlled have not been taken or retaken by iraqi forces and buy some opposition fighters inside syria. >> is it appropriate to use the work contained winchester pr's later they demonstrated their ability to cause mash casualty attack. >> the reason the president ordered fighting against them is because he is concerned that they would use that safe haven

to carry out attacks against the united states or allies, or interest from the world. this is the very reason that we are engaged in a campaign right now that is making progress to degrade and ultimately destroy isil. >> can you provide a historical analog when in recent memory a wartime commander-in-chief issued publicly that was so directly undercut and testimony? >> as i pointed out, i i do not agree with your assessment. of what secretary had to say and what the president had to say. >> they were going to put a deadline on the omnibus, the president opens a short-term extension beyond the five days or? >> i think as we described yesterday the president is not willing to give members of congress additional weeks or months to negotiate a bipartisan budget agreement.

the fact is, they already had weeks and months to negotiate a bipartisan budget agreement. we would probably be very close to or at an agreement today if republicans were not continuing to assist on the inclusion of ideological writers in a budget bill. >> on another topic how has the arm service committee announced its investigation with the administration broke the law and not notifying congress ahead of the transfer of the taliban and, it does in menstruation stand by its actions still surrounded? >> absolute. the president believes strongly in the principle of ensuring that anybody who puts on the military uniform of the united states is not some of his going to left behind by the commander-in-chief. there is a unique opportunity that was presented to safely recover the sergeant, that's exactly what we did. >> do think the k-1 visa process

should continue while the investigation is ongoing. should people be be allowed in this country now on k-1 visa's? >> this is exactly what the department of state and department of homeland security are taking a close look at. i'm confident that as they review the program and determine that it is not in our national security interests to continue the program, they will for that recommendation to the president. that is still ongoing. >> for the moment, you don't think i should be closer stopped until is pinpointed exactly why flashing maleic came through quest mark. >> at this point what is underway as a careful review of the process by the state department and department of homeland security. if changes need to be made to strengthen our national security based on the vulnerabilities that have been exposed than the president will need to order those reforms. >> and sound like what you're

saying until we know more we are not stopping the k-1 visa is quest mark. >> what i'm saying is it is under careful review and investigation by the two agencies responsible for administering the program. >> i task you specifically, he said there is a willingness to perhaps work with the abilities and agencies if there is a hole in the process. in looking at some of the questions that testing maleic would have been asked, are you a member of tare's group, have you you given financial support to a terrorist group, you seem to be focused on self reporting. is it fair to assume that there will be people who are not revealing what they're thinking and it's impossible to completely filter out potential security risk? >> first of all, i think it's entirely reasonable to ask those questions. it would be foolish not to. it would also be foolish to rely

only on those questions and conducting a thorough background check of the seeking ten to the united states. the process involves more than just asking those questions of that individual. but, it would be foolish not to. >> when you said the throw back do you think her background check. >> this is precisely the subject of ongoing inquiries. >> on a different topic can i ask you is the president being briefed and is he watching the events in chicago? >> i don't know if he's being briefed on it. i know he is following the events that are taking place in his hometown. he has great affection for the city of chicago. i do like other citizens of that city, he's concerned. i think the mayor himself has acknowledged that a lot of work needs to be done to rebuild

trust between chicago police department and the citizens of that fine city that they were sworn to protect. that is work that the mayor has indicated he has committed to. he acknowledged that those are reforms that cannot be implemented overnight. he acknowledge those reforms will require conscientious and long-term focus of those in leadership positions in the city. the mayor himself took responsibility both for the shortcomings that were observed and on fixing it. ultimately, the citizens of chicago have to determine exactly how they feel about that. >> has the president given personal relationship with the mayor and talk to him about what is going on?

>> the last that i heard which was a few days ago, he had not spoken to the mayor. so i'm not aware of any conversation at this point. >> can you tell us what your role is right now in the omnibus spending bill in the white house. the president has some discussion with members of congress at the holiday party, what about the staff, are you vetting these writers? how direct their the above? >> for supplies being lighthearted earlier. i will put a lotta stock into cocktail party conversations regarding omnibus. so i felt the need to clarify. there has been for robe -- focus of the negotiation is between democrats and republicans. because of the need for the

president to sign off on their agreement the white house has been closely monitoring those conversations and occasionally offering a view on them. i don't have specific members of the white house staff to identify this point you'd say the usual suspects are involved you will have to see where this ends up. it continues to be based on the democrats and republicans, it's not good way to run the country. i am optimistic that we will be able to find a bipartisan budget agreement if republicans abandon that effort. >> at this point you have any breadline, have been very good

about characterizing the riders broadly as on helpful. clearly clearly there'll be some writers in the year perhaps a dozen, can you tell us where you want to get on that in terms of the writer review process. >> that's a creative way of suggesting that you and i should engage in these negotiations. and what what would be appropriate or acceptable. i've often remarked that if it was just on to you and me we could figure this out before the end of the day today. there are other people involved. ultimately, they will be the ones to determine the outcome. the other thing i would say is and i think it gets lost sometimes is the fact that we are not at loggerheads over specific funding levels represent significant progress. we have had budget negotiations in the past that have broken

down based on disputes about numbers. so the fact that democrats and republicans have been able to work together to negotiator differences and find some common ground about spending levels is an indication that we made some important progress. so i don't want to be all dark here. in order to reap the benefits of that effective, of those affective negotiations, republicans will have to stop insisting on the inclusion of ideological provisions in the budget process. [inaudible]

[inaudible] [inaudible] >> the relationship between the united states and ethiopia something that president obama had the opportunity to discuss with the ethiopian president on his trip there earlier this year. we are keenly aware that el niño has comes on the hills of poor harvests. that has exacerbated a drought condition and ethiopia. racine that drought is having an

impact on the food supply that millions of ethiopians rely on. i can tell you that usaid has committed to provide more than $120 million in assistance. that has been provided in just the last four or five months. that assistance can be used to try to meet the food needs of 3.5 million people. there is additional rapid response capabilities that usaid has that are being deployed. these include things like providing safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, some nutrition systems as you would expect, and other emergency relief supplies in those communities where they are most acutely needed.

[inaudible] >> it it was really not, we would welcome congress. >> what are your recommendations might be, anything that you think legislatively could be called for. the set of recommendations -- >> i think the set of recommendations that valerie is talking about is something the president has been talking about for a few months. these are recommendations to present has asked for for his step based on their review of available executive authority. i think the working assumption of this ongoing review is that congress has not acted. they have not acted. that has been the source of frustration for the president and a lot of people in the executive branch. and and frankly lotta people across the

country. given the congressional inaction, the the question that has been raised is what more can the obama administration do and that is the substance of this review. >> beyond congress and the presidential candidates there'd been conversations on what we can expect the said student should be allowed to bring concealed weapons and dormitories, sheriffs had waited across the country's and would appreciate the help of the public who have legal guns to carry them in situations like this. others suggest that what happened in san bernardino and certain gun-control logs don't work. i'm wondering if the president feels that if what is happened is giving motivational momentum to gun advocates? >> i guess there is some evidence to indicate that the fbi put out information a week

or so ago that black friday, the day after thanksgiving when people go shopping, they actually processed the largest number background checks for gun purchases in history. so, i described this in a briefing earlier earlier this week is a tragic irony. the more we see this kind of violence on our street, the more people go out and buy guns. that is both ironic and tragic. i think the president's view view is he is going to forcefully advocate for the kind of gun safety measures the common sense tells us will not prevent every active gun violence, but even if it makes some acts of gun violence less likely, and we can do all of that without undermining the constitutional right of law-abiding americans, then why would we do it.

>> well with what i just mentioned, are they an indication that your message is not getting out? >> again, i think if you take a look at the intensity of this debate. typically this debate has been characterized by a majority of americans who believe in gun safety measures. a minority of americans who are extraordinarily vocal, prevailing and congressional debates because they are more effective in making their voices heard. right now, there is a gun debate going on in this country and i think the voices that agree with the majority of americans and in some cases the majority of gun owners to take commonsense steps of keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.

i think i've been encouraged by the way that those voices has spoken out. i marshaled evidence to indicate that clearly there has been a reaction on the other side of this debate. they're always been an intensity of opinion on that side of the debate. i think what's different is we're starting to see those who support morgan safety becoming more outspoken, becoming more insistent on their point of view. >> on another topic he didn't mention you by name but much of the speech yesterday was aimed at donald trump? >> know most of the speech yesterday was listing the kinds of values the vast majority of americans agree with and i think that is the reason the president

got a bipartisan standing ovation when he lived that speech. >> so when he said a question. >> instantly stands in direct contrast to some of the views that are being expressed by a variety of republican candidates. the views that the president is one such advocate and the views that the president articulated yesterday are consistent with the agenda that he has spent his career in public service trying. >> any reaction to trump's announcement today about his trip to israel? >> when it comes to his considered trip to israel, guess at this point i would say that most people are relieved that he has reconsidered. he is a private citizen so he can travel anywhere he wants under u.s. law. but the situation in israel is particularly volatile, so i

think in this case his decision to reconsider that trip is a good outcome for all those involved. >> most people are relieved is does that include the white house? >> well yeah, i think that. it may also include the prime minister of israel who had his own concerns to express about mr. trump's coming. >> did the u.s. government advise mr. trump not to go? >> i am not aware of any conversations. >> senator marco rubio said recently that none of the recent mass shootings have been stopped by the kind of stricter gun laws. those in the washington post back tractor, there is not a single mass shooting that would

stop with gun-control measures. >> i think we have been pretty direct and upfront about the fact that there is no peaceful legislation that legislation can pass that would prevent every single active gun violence. the case that we had made dress primarily on our concern about national security and are careful consideration of commonsense. let's look at the no-fly know by loophole. i think it's common sense, the present think it's common sense to prevent those who are deemed by the government to dangerous to board an airplane, that we should pass a law that prevents those people from purchasing a gun. until such time as they can resolve the concerns the government has about their potential links to terrorism. there is a process that is administered by the department of homeland security that can be considered unresolved and again,

when it comes to gun safety that seems like a commonsense step. in response to senator rubio, i would simply say, if you see suggesting that we should wait until someone who is on the no-fly list walks into a it purchases a firearm and kills a bunch of americans? i don't think that passes a commonsense test either. >> while pointing to a recent mass shooting that could've been stopped with stricter background check, the evidence seems to be that in all these recent shootings either pass background checks -- does a point to any that would have been prevented or stop by the rules? >> again, i think the the same thing applies here which is, it is not our view that we should

wait until someone who is on the no-fly list walks into a gun store, legally purchase a good a gun, and kills americans before we pass a law preventing it. that's a commonsense view. the president believes it's under international security and that's why we believe they should close that loophole. >> where any the shooters on that no-fly know by loophole? >> not that i'm aware of. you would have to ask the director of national intelligence to come from that. >> went to clarify you said that so many people bought the guns on black friday, what is that necessarily mean? they bottom legally then went to the background process, is that

what you want. you not so much worried about the numbers for the guns falling in the wrong hands? by? >> i think it's tragic, the immediate aftermath of a series of high profile mass shootings and people feel like they have to go out and purchase a gun. because it is our view and i think that is backed up by common sense. our nation -- there are statistics about the large quantity of guns that are rather readily available on street corners and in gun stores across america. that ready access to guns and

that proliferation of violent weapons has not led to fewer gun deaths. in fact, we are seeing that those, that doesn't seem to be the effect where witnessing here. it's tragic even in the situation where we have lots of guns on the street that lead to lots of innocent americans being killed and the response to that is a lot more guns and up on the streets. it's tragic. and ironic. >> in a column in the wall street journal today that a gop nominee would be a nightmare,.

[inaudible] >> .. >> >> the president obviously

with respect mayor emanuel but rendering judgment to lead the city of chicago there will have to make that decision for themselves and is quite clear there will make that determination how he takes responsibility to follow through on his commitment with the chicago police department. he has accepted the responsibility to offer that commitment to see through but ultimately the most appropriate judge is the citizens of the city and chicago. >>. >> [inaudible] >> it maybe.

>> even though you don't have plans to announce what they think about doing? >> asking this question directly with the aftermath with the communities so i would rule out of future presidential trip but now this point. >> with that statewide to being consultations or discussions about this can you say anything more about that about the statewide of laws if not executive

actions? >> i cannot speak to any specific conversations that i wouldn't contradict what he said it isn't uncommon for white house officials to be engaged the state and local officials about the bidding share priories there are quite concerned about the impact of the violence on the communities that they govern. particularly the vice president's office with officials across the country they can take to reduce the violence in the country. >>. >> with that approach with safety legislation. >> it is fair for you to assume the white house is actively engaged with leaders across the country at the state and local level

about the steps to protect communities from gun violence. the studies have shown there are shortcomings to that approach. that can be too easy for that jurisdiction and then drive back into the city that is why the success that state and local jurisdictions have with the president's commitment of those you should not have them continues to be a priority of his federal legislative strategy.

>> to be released in 2012 and appears with the leadership of this group if you can confirm or deny? >> i have seen the reports but i cannot confirm them. >> just to follow up talking about those who support speaking out with obama's the birds -- efforts, i can i clarify? when you made that statement there is evidence of that?

>>. >>. >> my perception of the ongoing debate in the intensity of those who are opposed that far outweighs the intensity of the argument made by those who support measures of criminals or mentally ill there is a lot more intensity and there usually is. and i welcome that.

>> with the san bernardino families and victims next week made a stop? >> better to have an update on the president's schedule right now. >> the you know, of in the interim. [inaudible] >> nothing that i have to share from year. i don't have any information to share. >> [inaudible] >> i don't know. i really don't. my guess is the 185,000 probably had a few different reasons.

>> but these individuals believe they need to buy guns to better protect themselves and in some cases the black friday purchase a gift for a friend or a loved one who is a gun enthusiast. there are a variety of reasons but i am pointing out there is or the and astonishing number of guns on the streets in america. far too many innocent americans are being killed by them. so our idea is to jump 185,000 more is tragically ironic. we will see you tomorrow.

>> health care will only get more and more complex. we will need better and better nurses how to keep the strong and healthy is a huge.

but really we don't emphasize that. >> politics is not so different from the world of the racketeers and less obvious. for those 25 years i look at america as the idea to defend the principles the american dream the american founding but the democrats believe in equality democrats liberty. republicans equality of rights democrats equality of outcome is. with that criminal underclass but that is complete and total nonsense.

>>. >> we are supposed to have a democracy. that a system of members of congress they cannot help the concern on the interest of that fraction. >> so that is the system. >>