the winners in america are upset, the losers are. >> you brought spring. >> a lot of bees and the vatican. >> thank you for being here. >> thank you for having me. >> have a fabulous day, go to foxnews.com/outnumbered, "happening now" now. >> jon: fox news alert, 1:00 p.m. on the east coast, white house press secretary sean spicer set to take the podium any moment now. >> melissa: as the present weighs in on the push to replace and repeal obamacare, we are covering the news "happening now." >> jon: scoring a victory in the fight to repeal and replace obamacare as g.o.p. leaders try to rally more support on the hill. plus, new polling shows voters strongly favor upgrading our infrastructure. a major campaign promise by president trump, but there has not been much action yet. why our guest says that has to change and soon. and luxury on the high seas.

an inside look at royal caribbean's massive new cruise ship. it is all "happening now." ♪ ♪ >> melissa: we begin with the white house press secretary sean spicer getting ready for the daily briefing as republicans make a major push on capitol hill. to repeal and replace obamacare. welcome to the second hour of "happening now," i am melissa francis info jenna lee. thank you for having me. >> jon: great to have you here, i am jon scott. house republicans literally debating around the clock as a marathon session continues. they finally have cleared the first hurdle in a bid to fulfill their party's campaign promise, and with a long way to go and this political battle, president trump just tweeting this: "despite what you hear in the press, healthcare is coming along great. we are talking to many groups and it will end in a beautiful picture!" peter doocy live on capitol hill now outside the house. energy and commerce committee

where they are holding those hearings, some of them anyway, peter? >> the hearing still going on behind this door that this gentleman is about to open up and on the other side of this. it started at 10:30 yesterday, and even though they are still going through the american healthcare act word by word, there is still a lot of gray area because nobody knows officially how much this thing is going to cost. nobody knows how many people may lose their health insurance coverage, and nobody from leadership knows for sure how many republicans plan right now to vote for this obamacare repeal and replace measure because they have it whipped the vote yet which means they have not asked members how they plant about officially. senator rand paul says he thinks the speaker of the house paul ryan has been misleading president trump about the odds of getting this will passed. >> i don't think this is going to be an easy passage with the obamacare lite provisions and it, and so i think every time

the speaker goes on television to say it is a slam dunk, we have the votes, i don't think that is accurate. >> that claim is being strongly denied, though, by the house the house majority leader kevin mccarthy who insist the republicans on capitol hill are being upfront with the republicans in the white house. >> that is just not true, i've been in those meetings with paul ryan, with the president, the president supports this plan, working with this plan, i think everyone should get on board. this is 1 of 3 phases. if you want to see obamacare replaced, this is the best opportunity to do it. >> president trump is trying to get members of the conservative house of freedom caucus on board with this american healthcare act. he needs their support, and so he is having up to 100 lawmakers over to the white house tonight for bowling and pizza. we don't know yet how many exactly are going to show up or how many may be swayed by that but we do know it's not just republicans that have a problem

with this measure. nancy pelosi the house minority leader said a little while ago she doesn't think the president knows what he is talking about with healthcare in think the bill he is supporting is cruel. >> jon: to me, the headline is they still have a bowling alley in the white house. i thought they tore it out to make room for the brady briefing room once upon a time. peter doocy, you have a long day ahead. thank you. >> melissa: investigators believe an insider may be responsible for what is being called the largest data breach into cia history. thousands of documents purportedly detailing secret surveillance techniques, all published on wikileaks. shiva judges correspondent catherine herridge has the latest from washington, what can you tell us? >> as this morning, whether these documents should any new light in the the presidents allegations that trump tower was wiretapped, wikileaks julian assange offered no direct evidence then throughout this allegation. >> i think there is a real

question whether that technology is being used or has been used these types of investigations. that is a separate question to whether the cia offices have been pressing the button on that technology. >> meantime, the fbi is deploying a highly specialized team created after the 2013 nsa leaks, and with breaking news i will send it back to you. >> melissa: i get so much, were going to listen in to sean spicer for the daily briefing. >> press secretary spicer: good morning, everyone. i appreciate it. john roberts fact-checking from the seats. good afternoon. it is not my fault. it is on the paper. after receiving his daily intelligence briefing this morning, the president led a national economic council listening session with ceos of small and community banks. since 2008, the number of small banks has declined 30%. the dramatic increase in regulation following the financial crisis has been a major driving force in the decline of these banks.

dodd-frank alone has resulted in 22,000 pages of new regulations. while large banks can hire armies of compliance officers whose sole purpose it is to ensure they meet the ever-growing number of regulations, it increases the cost of doing business for community banks, leaving some not to engage in some forms of lending or simply due to the time and cost involved. our community banks are key funding sources for small business owners, entrepreneurs, farmers and ranchers across the country, many of whom cannot qualify for traditional loans. they provide approximately half of all loans to small businesses. by reforming the regulatory system so that it is efficient, effective and appropriately tailored, we will stop treating these critical institutions in our community the same as banks that have exponentially more in assets and enabling them to engage even more with small businesses and entrepreneurial things that stimulate local economies paid their banks participating in a listening session are members of the

american banking associate and independent community bankers of america. a full predicament list is available to those interested. yesterday, i noticed the continued signs of good news in terms of hiring, in the morning reports show that consumer comfort has risen to the highest level and a decade. i am sure last night you also saw the report that illegal southwest border crossings are downed by an action ordinary 40%, a significant deviation even when you consider the seasonal trends. these measures reflect both the economy and porter are already responding to the president's agenda even while we are still in the beginning stages of putting his policies in place. the country and the world are clearly ready and waiting for the change the president campaigned on and is already delivering. right now, the president is holding legislative affairs lunch with director mick mulvaney and keying in on his plans for the federal budget and repeal and replace that we have talked about. this is just the latest opportunity to continue the dialogue between the president members on capitol hill on

turning his ambitious agenda into action. the strong relationship between president and congressional leaders will be key as the budget process moves along. as director mick mulvaney has been saying, our budget reprint will be released in mid-march in the president is working collaboratively with both the cabinet and congress to create a budget that keeps the president's promises to secure the country and to make the most efficient use of taxpayer money. in attendance at the meeting from capitol hill are senator, chairman of the banking committee, chairman cochran, senate chairman of the appropriations committee, senator mike, the chairman of the senate budget committee, bob corker of the budget committee, congresswoman black, chairman of the house budget committee, congressman thornberry, chairman of the house armed services committee, jim jordan of ohio, congressman meadows of north carolina, that chairman of the house freedom caucus, and congressman of indiana. later this afternoon, the president will meet with former

secretary of commerce peterson then the president has a meeting with secretary of homeland security kelly and the director of the cia mike pompeo. finally, the president will make remarks to the senate youth program around 4:00 today, a tradition that began with president kennedy and has continued through every administration. the president is honored to be speaking to this distinguished group of young men and women who are interested in pursuing careers in public service. i also want to imagine that right about now the vice president is giving the keynote remarks at the latino coalition's policy summit. his remarks focused on the particularly negative impact of obamacare on small businesses, many of whom have been unable to hire more workers or are forced to scale down their operations due to high taxes and burdensome requirements that would be imposed by the lobby of the president is dedicated to improving healthcare systems for every american including small business owners who have especially had to suffer through complying with thousands of pages of regulations and rules. that is exactly why he is working with congress to enact

the american healthcare act, which he was glad to wake up this morning ansi approved by the house ways and means committee. also today, the president was pleased to see his ambassador to israel david freeman voted out of committee pair we had hoped to see another confirmation as the administrator of health centers for medicare and medicaid services at the department of health the department of health and human services. unfortunately, senate democrats continue to nest unnecessarily delay her confirmation at this critical time while we are talkg about healthcare, is ironic they refused to consider someone with such amazing expertise in this area. she has worked for over 20 years and healthcare policy, she has redesigned medicaid programs in several states including indiana, iowa, ohio, kentucky. she has worked with governor's offices, state medicaid agencies, state health department's, departments of insurance as well as private companies and foundations. she is unquestionably and uniquely qualified for her

position and especially now that health reform is at the top of the president's agenda. it is time to get her and place. this delay by senate democrats at this critical time is unacceptable. on a scheduling note for the weekend, the vice president announced yesterday he will be in louisville, kentucky, on saturday with governor bevan, the vice president's office will have further details for you on that trip as we get closer. finally, want to take a moment to acknowledge that today is the 10-year anniversary of the disappearance of former fbi agent robert levinson from iran, the trump admission remains unwavering and our commitment to relocating mr. levinson and bring him home. the family has suffered too long and we will not rest until his case is resolved. with that, i will take your questions. >> reporter: i have a couple topics for you. julian assange said the cia has lost control of the entire cyber weapons arsenal. >> press secretary spicer: i think as we have commented

before, there is grave concern that the president has about the release of national security and classified information that threatens and undermines our nation's security. obviously, he believes that the systems at the cia are outdated and need to be updated. we are not commenting on the current situation as it is u.s. government policy, but i think that the situation technology wise at the cia, the president has acknowledged it needs to be updated. the cia put out a statement regarding the current situation, and i would refer you to that. >> reporter: are you going to talk about that with mike pompeo today? speed when he gets a daily briefing from the director, and i am not privy to the contents of the destruction but -- discussion of obviously national security issues are probably something that gets di. reporter mike some republicans say that julian assange should be imprisoned, does the president agree? speed when the government has had a position on his status in the past, and i don't think that has changed, he has come revised

in the past and undermines our national security, i leave it to the department of justice to further comment on their disposition. >> reporter: my second topic is healthcare. >> press secretary spicer: this is an interview, not a press conference. >> reporter: the president says that he believes that healthcare is coming along great, paul ryan did a pretty lengthy powerpoint presentation to get republicans on board, is that a sign that it is not actually coming along great? >> press secretary spicer: anyone who has been in washington for a few days or longer recognizes that any major piece of legislation takes a lot of explanation. the president has been very committed to talking to members of congress, had another meeting last night. something as complicated as this that deals with one fifth of our economy and a major healthcare system take over, it's not simple, it's a major complicated piece of legislation that has three prongs to it. this is the first one, the

reconciliation piece that starts to chip away at finally repealing obamacare. when they passed obamacare, they rushed so quick, they gave the then secretary of health and human services authority to enact a certain aspects of it, that would be our phase two is having second price go through the pieces of obamacare that he has been given the authority to when they pass it to help unwind a lot of the things they did and then phase three is the stuff that has to be done through other pieces of legislation that does stuff like allow people to sell insurance across state lines and small businesses to pool. there are a lot of facets to getting this pushed through. i think that one of the things we have been able to do quite effectively is to talk to members, especially in the house, the vice president has been very active on both sides of the chambers to communicate how this is a conference of strategy, three prongs to repeal and replace it with something more effective. >> reporter: rolling back medicaid expansion -- >> press secretary spicer: i

think this is going to the process -- working its way through ways and means today, today there is a markup on the house energy and commerce committee, anything that is where we will continue to see action in the house then when it goes to the senate, the president will continue to engage very actively with the house and senate to get this done. >> reporter: near the city first lady said in a statement that donald trump should keep his hands off women's bodies, women's healthcare and planned parenthood which has done just fine without president trump's advice. i wanted to know what the response from the white house was on that. >> press secretary spicer: with respect to planned parenthood specifically, the president has been very clear he is pro-life. we have worked with them to talk about making sure that there is a difference between taxpayer funding of abortion and women's health services. the president has committed to making sure that funds for

women's health community centers is going to be reflected by a substantial increase in his budget. he is committed to doing that. he is trying to figure a way to make sure that the focus of taxpayer money is spread toward community centers that provide vital health services to women and that we are not using taxpayer funds for abortion. john roberts? >> reporter: follow-up on halle then and a related topic. on healthcare, senator tom cotton of arkansas today sent a series of tweets where he basely said this is dead on arrival in the senate, go back to the drawing board, adding that it is absurd for committees to be voting a summing that has not even been scored yet. what does the president think of what senator cotton said today? does he plan on having a conversation with him? >> press secretary spicer: we are going to engage. he hasn't talked to senator cotton, we will continue to talk to any senators who have questions or concerns or ideas. it went through through the wad means committee last night. i think they started at something like 10:15 yesterday

morning. i don't believe he has talked to senator cotton, he is meeting with members right now as i mentioned, had dinner last night with senator ted cruz, continue to work both sides of the aisle and chambers. as mentioned yesterday, you will see a very aggressive and robust push, we continue to have the team out talking to local media, local radio, op-ed's, talking to local leaders. we believe that the more we talk about the comprehensive three-pronged approach that we have two doing a lot of the things that conservatives have talked about to bring back cost containment, get people to be more patient-centered and the health care decisions they make, allow more choices is going to bring people on board. the thing that is really interesting about the current approach is that no matter where you are, especially on the conservative side, you cannot possibly believe that the current healthcare system is an effective program. it is a monstrosity. it is a government gone wrong.

>> reporter: i hear that, but i understand -- >> press secretary spicer: we will continue to engage with him and other members of the house and senate that have ideas but it will continue to work its way through the process. i mentioned it went through the ways and means committee, currently going through energy and commerce. when the house passes that then goes to the senate, i am sure senator cotton and others will have an opportunity to have their say. that is part of the process. we welcome his ideas and his thoughts as we do with other senators. the president has continued to do tremendous outreach and our staff has continued to do that and mick mulvaney has been on the hill, vice president pence has maintained a very aggressive schedule as well as well as other numbers of the initiation to get this thing pass without their input and ideas. >> reporter: was the president aware that lieutenant general michael flynn is acting as a foreign agent when he appointed him to be the national security advisor? >> press secretary spicer: i do not believe that was known. i would refer you to general flynn in the department of justice in terms of the filings that have been made. >> reporter: had the president

know that, would he have appointed him? >> press secretary spicer: i don't know, that's a hypothetical i am not prepared to ask. i don't know what he discussed prior to being appointed in terms of his background, resume, client base. i don't know any of that. i know from what i read that he has filed the appropriate forms with the department of justice, and i think you should ask him and subsequently them if you have any questions about that specific filing. >> reporter: following up on senator cotton, he told me just a short while ago that he believes that this bill might actually make things worse in the current -- the end the current obamacare meant, what do you say to senator cotton? >> press secretary spicer: i respectfully disagree, and hope we continue to not only talk about it to him about what we are trying to do and how to do it, but we would love to hear his ideas. as i mentioned the previous few days, were not jamming this down people's throats, we encourage people's ideas and thoughts, we

think it's a great vehicle to restore a patient-centered health care bill to drive down costs. i think senator cotton really recognizes that the current version of healthcare out there right now is not sustainable. we welcome him, his input into this process. we think that the work we have done prior to putting this together with the house is something that reflects a lot of the best ideas, and we will continue to welcome his input on this. hold on, charlie. i am not -- >> reporter: are there going to be major changes? >> press secretary spicer: the president hasn't said before he wants to hear member ideas come he believes the bill encompasses the best of ideas and the best way forward. but again, we are going to let the process work its will through the house and subsequently through the senate. if members have ideas, we want to hear them and want them to be part of it. this is not getting jammed through. we welcome that. that is why the president continues to meet with folks. he met with individuals yesterday, continues to meet with them today, it going to be hitting the road.

he wants to hear members of congress, outside groups, physicians, health care providers, patients, but he wants people to have an input in this to make sure we have the best possible bill that serves their needs and that we don't look back like we do now with obamacare and say, i wish we had done this right. we have a system that frankly is not working. i think no matter where you are on the political spectrum, you have to admit that either you or a loved one or a friend or colleague is not getting the care they deserve or is not paying what they thought they would be paying. i think we have to do this right so we don't look back the way we do now and regret the way that it was done. >> reporter: senate and house conservatives say they want a return to the 2015 repeal obamacare effort, that effort landed on the president's desk, would he sign it? >> press secretary spicer: the effort going through right now is the vehicle -- is what people are on board with. one of the things we have to remember is the process, the

three-pronged process is done for a particular reason. the reconciliation process, which i know for most people sounds like a very arcane inside baseball congressional term, but it only allows for certain things to happen and that repeal process. that is why we have been very clear, and i think paul ryan laid out, dr. price has laid it out, mick mulvaney is laying it out when they go to the hill, there is a reason we keep talking about it in three prongs. because there is only so many things you are legally allowed to do through the reconciliation process. when the democrats jammed this through, they did it in a way -- they basically did in two steps, jammed into the reconciliation process number one, and number two, they gave broad authority to the secretary of health and human services at the time so she could unilaterally do certain things with healthcare and limit certain things that we now have to undo in the same way. what we have done that is different is adding a third prong which allows for additional legislative vehicles

that will go through the house than the senate that will allow some of the core conservative principles that we have talked about for frankly decades about allowing more competition, allowing people to pool, allowing people to do things that we think will allow lower prices to come out of the process. i think that is a big difference -- >> reporter: so if replace and repair lands on the president's desk? >> press secretary spicer: it's going to land on his desk because were going through the process. reporter mike repeal without replace. >> press secretary spicer: the way we're doing now is the right and responsible way to do it. this bill will land on the president's desk, he will sign it, we will repeal obamacare and put in place a system that will be patient-centered that will allow the american people to have greater choice and lower cost. >> reporter: the pushback you're getting so far with healthcare, do you think it is realistic to have both healthcare and tax reform done in 2017? i ask you that because mitch mcconnell was asked about this today, and he talked about there being certain constraints and

that the tax reform portion of it could be a 2018 item. >> press secretary spicer: i think we feel very comfortable doing my confident we will get a lot done and continue to get a lot done this year, tax reform is high on the president's prioy list, high on the american people's piety list especially as april grows closer and closer, and people look down at their federal tax forms and realize how much they are paying. we see companies pledging to come back, recognizing that these companies bought into the president's vision and agenda to make america more tax and regulatory friendly so that they would create jobs, manufacture more here. that is said that he is committed to. he understands how important it is. look, the president is qualified as a businessman, successful business man to understand what a good business climate does to job creation anti-manufacturing. i think his commitment is not just a campaign promise, it is something he has lived by for decades now, understanding that

is what spurs economic growth, that makes one place more attractive to invest in or hire more people or to grow jobs. so for him, this is deeply personal. i think you're going to see second steven mnuchin and others work on the contours of that in the next several weeks, but we maintain the schedule he laid out. >> reporter: so august is still the timeline? >> press secretary spicer: yes. >> reporter: representative elijah cummings was here yesterday, he said the president was enthusiastic about for a bill in the process, and if he is, how much pain should john -- drug companies be able to handle? >> press secretary spicer: funny and ironic you are talking about drug companies, maybe there is a pill for that. the president as you know, one of the reasons he reached out to elijah cummings originally was they shared that and yesterday

came to a lot of other areas where they can find common ground and work on issues. i know that drug prices is something that he understands near and dear is helping many people get the care that they need, but the rising cost is something that -- i think as we look at their vehicle in terms of specific legislation, they share a commitment to it. i think there will be continued follow-up not just between congressman cummings but others as to what the best piece of legislation is to how we get that home. >> reporter: is the president prepared to push? >> press secretary spicer: that is a bigger conversation we have to have. with house leadership in terms of maybe it is the right vehicle, may be speaker and leader mccarthy and chairman brady have other ways to achieve the same goal or work with congressman cummings. i don't want to be prescriptive to the house as to how they work their will, but i know the president has a commitment to that topic, and he wants to work with congressman cummings and

others who share the same commitment. john, you're both good looking. i will come back to you. >> reporter: thank you. two questions. first, a japanese news service is reporting this morning that the president will have a meeting with the president of china in april. does this mean that there is a new meeting before their scheduled meeting at the g20 and july? >> press secretary spicer: i am not going to comment on the president's schedule of foreign leader visits at this time. i have pretty much gotten that one down. until i have something further for you, i'm just going to let you get onto your next question. >> reporter: thank you. going back to that meeting and your opening statement about the banks. in the last campaign, candidate trump campaigned hard on restoring the glass-steagall act

which would put a barrier between commercial and major investment banks. it was repealed in 1999, and it was signed by president clinton. senator sanders campaigned on this as well, noted that it was in the republican platform in cleveland and said in december he would be happy to work with the trump administration on restoring glass-steagall. is there any plan for the president to meet with senator senator sanders, and is repeal of glass-steagall on his agenda? >> press secretary spicer: there is no current schedule to meet with him. i am sure as he has done with other members of congress, from both sides of the aisle come at some point, that will be scheduled. we don't have anything on the books for now. he has shown and yesterday was another example, today another example of his willingness to reach across the aisle, willingness to look into both chambers and not just business

but labor unions and other industries where we can find common ground. if senator sanders and others want to work with the white house on areas of ways we can improve the financial industry, we are going to do that. >> reporter: committed to restoring glass-steagall? >> press secretary spicer: yes yes. >> reporter: can you tell us where it is on the priority list and if these new reports that say the infrastructure is in really bad shape, is that in the order? >> press secretary spicer: the president mentioned in the joint address that we are looking at a public-private partnership as a funding mechanism. there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes. i don't want to put a timeline on that obviously as i just mentioned to blake, we are currently dealing with the repeal and replace of healthcare. i think we need to move onto tax reform, but that is definitely somewhere we are trying to figure out how to move that vehicle. there will be further discussion of that as we get close to the budget as far as where that fits into the piece. john decker.

reporter mike the president had a meeting last evening with some conservative groups, out of that meeting, can you tell us whether the president was successful and twisting arms of the conservative groups to back this particular health care bill and separately, i see on the president's campaign web site that there is a campaign style rally planned in nashville, tennessee, in the next week. can you confirm that, and why did you choose nashville, tennessee? there is a democratic congressman that represents nashville, cooper, are you hoping to get democrats behind the bill? >> press secretary spicer: on the first part of that, he saw a lot of statements coming out last night for some of the various groups that were very encouraging. they are guiding principle is that we want to get to yes. one of the things that is really interesting, and i adjusted earlier is that there is a lot of members, a lot of interested parties, and a lot of groups that have not fully heard that three-pronged approach. i think speaker ryan did a

phenomenal job today of really laying it out, dr. price has done a good job. people need to understand the totality and competence of nature of it. there are three pieces of it. i think would happen sometimes is the reconciliation piece of this gets lost as defining the totality of it, and people need to understand the two other pieces that achieve many goals, healthcare advocates and conservatives have fought for for a long time, that allow greater competition, allow small businesses to pool those resources together. but there is a lot of things that occur in phase ii and phase three that help bring down costs and create better choice. it's amazing when you listen to some of these meetings how often people say i did not realize that. i did not understand the full scope and totality of what the plan was. it is very encouraging, and i think that without getting into detail, i think in a lot of cases they shared some ideas with the president that we might be able to find some common ground on. we will take it one step at a time.

go ahead. >> reporter: on the campaign style rally? >> press secretary spicer: ever for that question to the campaign for the president is going to be traveling next week. the details of that are listed on the campaign site. there's going to be additional travel announced for next week on the official site, and as we get closer to the end of this week and beginning of next week, i will try to have more for you. >> reporter: after the promise to immediately eliminate daca, it's been nearly seven weeks tomorrow. can you definitively say if he's going to get rid of it and if not, is he giving them legal status, what is the plan for "dreamers?" >> press secretary spicer: we talked about the status of that and have any steps we have to go through on immigration in the past. we have made significant headway in achieving the president's priorities, starting the wall, driving down illegal immigration. the numbers that came out last night showed when even seasonally adjusted, there's a 40% tip for people coming across

the southern border, that's a promising sign. that being said, the second executive order, there was a lot of effort being put into making sure that was rolled out effectively and achieved the goal of protecting the country as the president sought out to do initially. we are continuing to take steps on immigration both legal and illegal immigration, and as i mentioned in the past, we will have more as we go forward. >> reporter: so he doesn't still plan to get rid of daca? >> press secretary spicer: the president has been very clear about how he plans to address immigration as a whole both legal and illegal. the presidens meeting with conservative groups but there is also opposition on the left. you brought bipartisan up, but the president plan to meet with groups like ama, aa rp who did the support obamacare and do not support this? >> press secretary spicer: i cannot say who he is meeting with, but what we have shown over the past couple weeks is that presidents willingness to meet with individuals, senators, groups, so i don't want to rule

and who's going to meet or out, but i've said before with respects to a member and i will say it again with respect to groups that if people have ideas that will help provide a more patient-centered healthcare system that drives down costs, the president and team here will be willing to meet with them. 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 they are going to meet with and then go from ther there. >> reporter: two quick questions peered one, this morning the local business in d.c. filed a superior court suit against the president regardingp 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, couldn't he redressed himself from this and address small business in the district? first question. >> press secretary spicer: in terms what?

>> reporter: small businesses in restaurants in the area are saying the trump hotel is taking other business away from them, and couldn't he walk away from it and have out the small businesses. >> press secretary spicer: obviously, the president has made very clear in the december press conference at trump tower he does not have conflicts, and he has done everything in accordance with the guidance he was given and gone well beyond what he ever needed to do, but obviously, your name is on certain things. that is a very big difference in terms of some of the properties he owns. he understands the importance of small business. that is why we are meeting with community banks this morning to talk about the lending that they need, whether it is small business, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers throughout the country. he understands the role of small business and our economy, and how many jobs they provide. i think he has been a champion of it. >> reporter: my second question was in his speech before congress last week, he

said it is not too much to dream at some point in time that -- i am paraphrasing, that with the nasa budget being released yesterday, is there a major initiative by this administration for space exploration, or are we just talking dreams? >> press secretary spicer: i'm going to let director mick mulvaney get into the details of the budget next week. or whenever it -- i'm trying to remember that calendar here. when the director comes out, he will talk about that specific funding levels. as you know, we are in the middle of what we call the past back provision where we sent them top-flight numbers, they are sending us back their recommendations and observations and edits and questions with respect to the budget. so we're going to take this one step at a time. he's obviously very keen on america's role in space. i don't want to get into specifics with budget priorities in numbers until we are ready to release them. i am sorry.

remember that. i know, i saw the hand. >> reporter: following up, we've seen the campaign information for next week in nashville. whose campaign? >> press secretary spicer: i will try to get you a name, there is a campaign infrastructure still in place, it would be inappropriate for me to be commenting on campaign activities from the podium. there is a web site up, scene one during the campaign, and i would suggest you utilize that, but i am not here -- i'm only here as an official of the government, i don't want to get into that. >> reporter: yesterday, going back to congressman cummings, talking about some issues they talked about in that meeting, and i wanted to talk about two issues. voter irregularities, fraud and oppression, where does the president see this coming together? we have heard from congressman cummings, but where does he see this? he is saying that voter fraud is

real whether other people saying it is not, but then there are factual documents and document in cases of voter suppression, so how is there a marrying of this in the president's eyes? >> press secretary spicer: that is why he asked vice president pence to look into it. i would disagree with the accusation. there is also factual evidence of people voting illegally. we saw that in texas a couple weeks ago. an end other places, so part of the reason he is asking vice president pence to chair the task force is to look into the issues, we welcome input in other areas. >> reporter: also, congressman cummings said that when he talked to the president, he brought up the issue of funding for hbc you, president trump said congressman cummings said that he did not ask for money. they came here with the intent

of the fact they were going to get some money from this executive order. >> press secretary spicer: i don't think the executive order -- >> reporter: that is what their belief was. what i understand is there was talk about investment in these colleges, and one president wrote this down "we looking for you to invest in hbcu care less and we will execute it when we get it" here they are looking for a full funding for tidal trainees, pell grants full funding, fall, spring, summer and a one-time $25 million investment. what does this white house think about this planned that they are trying to get back to the white house especially at a time when you're looking at cutting budget spending? >> press secretary spicer: when they were here, we were pleased to roll out the executive order that talked about making historically black colleges and universities a priority in this administration,

moving that point person into the white house so that we could coordinate you whole of government opportunities, we talked about this prayer looking at different educational opportunities to expand in government whether it is health, investment in scientist, even stuff like rotc programs that span out of the department of defense, but we have to look at how we are providing government assistance and a hose doing my in a whole host of ways to historically back colleges and universities. the issue of funding will be properly addressed in the budget, but this is some of that has been -- april, i'm not going to negotiate the budget from here. i think the president has been very clear that the vital role that they play in our society and he has shown that initially by the executive order that he unveiled, and we will have further information for you as we get closer to the budget. >> reporter: circling back to

what you said about characterizing the budget reconciliation bill as the entirety of repeal and replace, how quickly does the president want republicans to move on phase three, does he envision that unfolding simultaneously? been given the early opposition to the budget reconciliation bill, does the president want republicans to recalibrate their strategy when it comes to that pending legislation? >> press secretary spicer: i am not going to start to tell speaker ryan or leader mccarthy or the whip how to release or when to release legislation. i think obviously we need to make sure that members and all americans understand the totality of this, so at a schedule they see fit, i will let them unveil that schedule. they talk about the totality of this plan and the competence of nature and all three prongs that make up the repeal and replace part of it. it is important, i think, for

people to understand there is a commitment to do all the things we have talked about whether it is cooling come across state lines, there are a lot of principles and things we have discussed that i think are important to let people know about. i'm going to go over here. >> reporter: what is the position of the president? are there going to be additional troops to afghanistan? >> press secretary spicer: on troops, i refer you to the department of defense. we are in the middle of a comprehensive review on our policy in afghanistan come over you with our afghan partners and department of defense and are key leaders to approach afghanistan to defeat isis, so e are in the middle of that process and will have more, we will update you but the department of defense is the best place to go to get that.

>> reporter: today, hundreds of u.s. marines were deployed to syria. i'm wondering how involved with the president in that decision-making process and is this part of have his wider antiracist strategy is being done? >> press secretary spicer: obviously, the president was aware and it was done in consultation. he understands the regional issues and i again refer you back to the department of defense. >> reporter: i have a follow-up question to hailey's first set of questions on wikileaks. >> press secretary spicer: she gets eight questions. report again republicans are calling on julian assange to be in jail or arrested. what about the tech companies that he said he will work with to give them these cia hacking techniques? should there be any legal repercussions for tech companies willing to embrace and use this technology that you are taking a stance against, if you will? >> press secretary spicer: number one, i will go back to the statement that we do not

comment on validating or authenticating allegations of this sort in terms of u.s. government policy. i will say that the president obviously feels deeply concerned about anybody, any individual that seeks to undermine the national security of our countr country. i want to stay within my purview here, but i do think i would check with the department of justice in particular about if a program or piece of information is classified, it remains classified regardless of whether or not it is released into the public venue or not. so i would 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 has not been declassified. there is a reason that we have classification levels, and that is to protect our country and our people.

that is something we have to maintain regardless of how. >> reporter: a few questions for you, back to general flynn, how concerning is it to the president and white house that a registered foreign agent was elected to become national security advisor for a brief period of time? >> press secretary spicer: i think this is what he did for a living. as the president said in the press conference, talking to individuals that aren't within the realm of the duties you are going to perform as part of your job. i understand, he was being compensated, he was not being compensated as far as the transition as far as i am aware. he was a private citizen at the time. when you are a private citizen, you are allowed to engage in legal activities. i don't have anything further on that. i think there is nothing nefarious about doing anything legal as long as the proper

paperwork and is filed. >> reporter: report on the state department from our colleagues there that second rex tillerson's upcoming trip to asia will not be taking any press with him on that trip. that is a breach of precedent certainly of the several past administrations, is it concerning to the white house that the administration's foreign policy may not be effectively communicated to the american public in around the world because there is no press corps with the secretary of state? >> press secretary spicer: this is the first i'm learning of it, i would be glad to follow up with you. i think you all know that we have been a very transparent administration in terms of access to the president and his activity here. i would be glad to follow-up with the department of state and you can share that with your colleagues. >> reporter: yesterday, he said the president has no reason to believe issues with the

department of justice, did they give you that assurance or did they speak to "the new york times" chris mike you've been told by the department there is no investigation? you just don't know? >> press secretary spicer: i am not aware. that is why we want the house and senate to do what the president has asked of them to look into this, but we are not aware. >> reporter: is their investigation? >> press secretary spicer: we're looking into the situation. >> reporter: the department of justice said that they never gave you the assurances you gave us. >> press secretary spicer: the assurance i gave was that i am not aware, that is what the limit -- 100% accurate. i don't know that they are not interchangeable. i don't believe, i am not aware, look it up in a thesaurus, but i don't know there's a distinction there that is noteworthy. we are not aware. i don't believe that exists. that is something i'm not aware of, that is the answer.

if someone asked if i am made aware of something, the answer is no come then the answer is no. >> reporter: that question is whether he was the target of counterintelligence -- >> press secretary spicer: the answer is we were not aware, that is the clearest i can be. >> reporter: so the white house is not aware if the president is the target of a counterintelligence probe. >> press secretary spicer: i'm not sure what we are dancing around the same question. >> reporter: i think yesterday when it came out corrected and clarified, people took that as a definitive answer that in fact that was it. >> press secretary spicer: we are not aware, that should be the definitive answer. >> reporter: i have two questions that are follow-ups. 2.5. can you elaborate a little bit on how and to what extent michael flynn was involved in shaping the current turkey policies for president trump, engaging with turkish leaders? >> press secretary spicer: i don't have anything on that. you can contact that an essay on that, i am not aware. >> reporter: my two real

questions, first, is there an official response to the lawsuit in hawaii over the revised travel ban? >> press secretary 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. i think by all means, we feel very confident with how that was crafted and the input that was given. >> reporter: thank you. the second thing is nigel farage was at the ecuadorian embassy today where joe yunus on campus to be staying, don't know if they met or not, but he is a close ally of president trump's, was he there in any official capacity, carrying a message? >> press secretary spicer: i don't keep his official schedule, i have no idea. i have my own concerns here keeping track of what everyone is doing, i don't generally worry about what is going on across the pond. >> reporter: he artie gave some -- >> press secretary spicer: hey. >> reporter: the question is

about farage, so can you tell us he was not there on behalf of the white house. >> press secretary spicer: he has not -- i am not -- this is silly. and nothing asking where random foreign leaders are and whether or not they are there -- i am sure he was there doing whatever on behalf of either -- he is a member of -- okay, i understand. i do not keep his schedule. >> reporter: two questions on two different topics. first treasury secretary steven mnuchin said a letter to congress saying that congress should raise the debt ceiling, we know that that budget director mick mulvaney was in congress, he voted against raising the debt ceiling multiple times. is mick mulvaney going to support the raising of the debt ceiling, and asked the president support that and will push congress to do that? >> press secretary spicer: we have a few months to do that. the secretary in congress are very well, we've now been in the

white house six weeks, approaching the 50th day of this administration. i think we are trying to deal with the situation at hand. part of the reason the president has addressed the budget the way he has is to try to get our nations debt, deficit and budget in order. he's continuing to so a tremendous respect for taxpayer money, the way we spend money and bring it down. obviously, there are certain things that will be out of our control when we walk into this building, and we are going to work with secretary steven nugent and mick mulvaney to address the issue and work with congress. reporter mexican question, scott pruitt said today that carbon dioxide was not a contributor to global warming, in obvious event is at odds with global nsus. does the president agreed? >> press secretary spicer: that is a snippet of what admission reader scott pruitt said, he went on to say i don't think we know conclusively, this is what we know. i would suggest you touch base with the epa on that. he had a very lengthy response,

and so that is just one snippet of what the administrator said about that. >> reporter: two things, i think you may have addressed this at the top, but apprehensions are down across the boarded. there was a question yesterday about the wall. is the while still moving? >> press secretary spicer: the president is committed to doing it, it is not just needed, and while we can have a good month, and we can see if that continues, the president made a commitment to the american people to make sure that this is not 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. of course, it is still needed and a commitment the president made. one of the things the american people regardless of where they stand across the aisle appreciate about this president is he is a man that has kept his word. he made commitments to them, and

he is fulfilling them to make the country better. >> reporter: i said there was a second. >> press secretary spicer: i'm sorry, you did. >> reporter: i think you've been asked this before but have been reluctant to say whether president obama and president trump have spoken since the inauguration all the president trump was very forthcoming about that during the transition, so i'm not sure why he would not mention it. i'm just asking again, there was a report yesterday that said assistance from both presidents have spoken, can you talk to us about either of those things? >> press secretary spicer: i would be glad to follow-up, unfortunate i did not ask the present whether or not he spoke with him. i will be back tomorrow. i keep my word come too. all the way in the back. >> reporter: talking about policy in guantanamo how it

might have changed? whether it will be expanded, detainees will be brought to guantanamo are transferred out? >> press secretary spicer: i don't have anything to announce with response to its expansion or use, i think the president has commented on the importance of guantanamo in the past and the need to maintain the people who are there are not people that seek to do anyone good. they are there for a reason. i think he has no plans to close it if that is what you are 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 to the back. now, him. you keep trying to steal his question. >> reporter: there have been attacks on committees across the nation, it is not new, but

african-americans recently, muslim americans, -- an investor met with the state department officially to talk about president trump recently. any presidential message for how to stop these attacks? >> press secretary spicer: are you talking about the event in kansas city specifically? >> reporter: another one also. >> press secretary spicer: the president, whether it is the event that happened in kansas city, other attacks on jewish committee centers that continued to plague us, saw another report this morning of some unfortunate activity. we have to continue to call it out. we have to continue to root it out. we have to continue to engage law enforcement and whatever the applicable level of law enforcement depending on the event, but it is something i think all americans should be outraged and disgusted by and stand up for the principles that unite us, and that is what the

president spoke to eloquently during his joint address and made it very clear that while certain policies may divide us as individuals, there are certain principles that can unite us. >> reporter: plans for u.s.-india relations are concerned, now we have two businessmen in india, and we hear we have president trump, so recently, officials have been going from the india to the u.s. meeting trump and the administration including the foreign secretary, commerce secretary among others from the energy department for india. where do we go, what is the future under president trump's admonition of u.s.-india relationships, economically, trade and more? >> press secretary spicer: thank you. i think we as talked about during the campaign and transition establishing a deeper

relationship with prime minister modhi an u.s.-indian businesses, and as we move further and are fully in policy, we will have more updates on that. as you know very well, he spoke very clearly and frequently about their relationship that we have and hope to continue to grow with india. >> reporter: thank you. during the campaign, president trump was not shy about his desire to get the united states out of these middle eastern wars, but there was a question earlier that week sent 250 marines into syria. is president trump committed to going into congress to receiving authorization for an au web map or declaration of war if we continue to deploy united states troops overseas? >> press secretary spicer: i think there is a big difference between authorization of war and sending a few hundred advisors. most and congress would probably

agree with that as well. that is a big difference between a hostile action and going into addressed the certain concerns whether it is certain countries in the middle east or elsewhere. i would refer you to the to the department of defense on that one. i think the actions he has done and taken with the advice that his generals have given him, admirals as well. hold on. it is something we will continue to work on. >> reporter: two questions. first off, clarifying the difference between the campaign stop and also the healthcare rollout. nashville will be a campaign stop. how will the white house pick and choose how that goes whether it is going to be a presidential visit trying to sell the healthcare rollout or one for the campaign? than a second question. >> press secretary spicer: i think the campaign will make decisions with respect to how they want to spend their money and where they want to go. the white house will do the sam same.

that is 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 needs to repeal and replace and other steps he is taking to deliver on the promises he has made as commander-in-chief. >> reporter: second question, senator ted cruz was here for dinner last night, can you characterize the relation between the two men? 2018 will be here before you know it, and do you think the president will be there to support him in that effort? >> press secretary spicer: we've got a few battles to get through legislatively, but i know that he enjoyed welcoming senator in mrs. cruz and her two daughters last night to the white house. they had a very productive time and fruitful discussion, and it's something he's 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 continue to engage with governors and attorneys general, 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. it was a very enjoyable thing paired with that, thank you, guys for it have a great day. i look forward to seeing you tomorrow. i think tomorrow is going to be one question friday. thank you did he say tomorrow would be one question friday? we'll see about that. these press briefings have been lasting quite a long time. republicans feuding over obama care. you heard ab that. and what to replace it with, if anything. i'm sandra smith. many conservatives are serious, accusing them of going back on years of campaign pledges to kill the affordable care act