Biden defends Ohio derail response as he leaves Capitol

(2 Mar 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: POOL Washington, DC - 2 March 2023 ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++ 1. President Joe Biden walks out of Senate luncheon with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as reporters yell questions 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Majority Leader: "We had a great meeting, talked about implementing the great accomplishments of the president the last two years. We believe we can get a lot of good bipartisan stuff done these two years. We are filled with unity, optimism and optimism about 2024." 3. Biden walks through Capitol hallway as reporters yell questions, stops to answer two questions 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, U.S. President: "(Reporter: When will you announce your re-election sir?) When I announce it. (Reporter: Mr. President, do you plan to visit Ohio... train derailment) (inaudible) I've spoken with every official in Ohio, Democrat and Republican on a continuing basis, as with Pennsylvania. I laid out a little bit in there what I think the answers are that we can do together. And we will be implementing an awful lot between the legislation here and I will be out there at some point." 5. Biden walks away, down Capitol hallway 6. Biden departs the Capitol STORYLINE: President Joe Biden defended his administration's response to last month's train derailment in Ohio, insisting he''s "spoken with every official in Ohio, Democrat and Republican on a continuing basis." "I laid out a little bit in there what I think the answers are," Biden told reporters as he left a closed-door luncheon with Senate Democrats at the Capitol. Biden has been criticized by some for not visiting the site of the toxic derailment in East Palestine, Ohio as concerns over contamination continue to grow. Republicans say the federal response to the derailment shows Democrats are not focused on policy at home. Biden insisted his administration "will be implementing an awful lot" and said he "will be out there at some point." Biden was having lunch with Senate Democrats Thursday as he looks to implore his party to go out and sell the Democratic accomplishments of the last two years to voters. Biden is rallying the lawmakers at a time when their party is confronting the limits of its power in a newly divided Washington. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...