5 Takeaways From Sean Spicer’s Press Briefing Today

The Biggest Takeaways From Sean Spicer’s Press Briefing Today

By Kaitlan Collins from the Daily Caller

WASHINGTON — Sean Spicer answered questions about the proposed GOP healthcare bill and the trove of CIA leaks released in recent days as he held the daily press briefing from the White House on Wednesday. Here are the highlights.

On whether the new healthcare bill is “conservative” enough

Spicer said they are “actually doing the very conservative thing here” by eliminating the healthcare mandate from the proposed GOP bill.
When a reporter noted that Spicer had no healthcare worries because he is a federal employee, Spicer responded, “I’m not fine. I think because of Obamacare, premiums on everyone have gone up, whether you’re in an employer-based system or not. Just because someone has healthcare doesn’t mean they can’t be empathetic for someone who doesn’t.”
“We are in a unique pace because we get to understand what the American people should get.”

On the president traveling to promote the GOP healthcare bill

“I think he’s in very much of a sell mode. Make no mistake, the president is very proud of the product we have produced. He is in sell mode.”

On a double standard between leaks about national security and Clinton’s emails

Spicer said there was more outcry when leaks were about Hillary Clinton than when they are about Trump.
“The idea that we are having these onging disclosures of national security should have everyone outraged” in the country because it “undermines our well being,” Spicer said. “When it dealt with Hillary Clinton, there was complete outrage. It’s interesting how there is a double standard, when the leaks occur, how much outrage there is.”
“Anybody who leaks classified information will be held to the highest degree of the law. We will go after anyone who leaks information and they will be prosecuted.”

“There is a big difference between releasing John Podesta’s emails and his personal thoughts on Hillary Clinton and the leak of classified information. There is a massive, massive difference. The outrage that occurred from Democrats last year is interesting when it comes to some of our issues now on national security.”
“I think there has been a big double standard when it comes to disclosures of national security.”

On the CIA leaks

“It’s U.S. government policy not to confirm this.”
When asked if the president is under investigation, Spicer said, “There is no reason to believe that there is any type of investigation with regards to the Department of Justice.”

On what’s on the menu for the president’s dinner with Sen. Ted Cruz tonight

“I think he is looking forward to a great dinner,” Spicer said. “The president is going to continue to have outreach to members of Congress — both parties. This is a president who wants to engage with members on both sides of the aisle. He looks forward to dinner tonight with Sen. and Mrs. Cruz.”

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org