'We want to continue to focus on Bidenomics': Karine Jean-Pierre discusses upcoming challenges for President Biden on 'GMA'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Co-host George Stephanopoulos welcomed White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the January 2 episode of 'Good Morning America' to discuss President Joe Biden's priorities and challenges, as the United States officially steps into the election year.

Bringing up the issue of a possible rematch between former President Donald Trump and Biden, Stephanopoulos mentioned that many recent polls showed the incumbent president trailing behind or tying with his predecessor.

Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted President Joe Biden's achievements

Clarifying that she could not really talk about an upcoming election, Jean-Pierre stated, "If you think about the last three years, this President has achieved more than any other president has been able to do in two terms."

"We saw the data coming out of last year on the economy and 'Bidenomics' and how it's working," she explained. "If you think about 14 million jobs (being) created, you see unemployment at under 4% in 22 months, you see gas prices going down - it's under 3 bucks in 28 states, - those things matter."

"What we want to do is continue to focus on 'Bidenomics' and lower the cost and prices for the American people."

She further reminded viewers about Biden's promise of "finishing up the job," saying that the administration is determined to continue to "work for veterans, work on public health issues like cancer," as well as work towards making "Roe the law of the land" and addressing gun violence.

George Stephanopoulos raised the question of a wider war with Middle East

On the topic of the attacks made by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on the US troops in the Red Sea, Jean-Pierre said, "Obviously we take this very seriously, and the President has said that we are ready to act in self-defense if needed."

She did get into the details of the military operations but assured viewers that President Biden "is always and has always been committed to our service members, and protecting our service members abroad, and that's what he will always be committed to."

Hopes regarding Ukraine's aid package

When Stephanopoulos asked whether the supplementary aid to Ukraine, which has been stalled in Congress, may go through this year, Jean-Pierre replied, "We have to be confident it gets done."

She reminded viewers that the negotiations over the aid continued through the holidays and that it's important to keep in mind what Ukraine was fighting for.

She stated, "It's not just Ukraine that we have to worry here… we're talking about our NATO alliance. (Vladimir Putin) is not going to stop at Ukraine… the President understands this."

"We are going to do everything we can so that the brave people of Ukraine have what they need to fight for their democracy," she added.

Karine Jean-Pierre slams Texas Gov Greg Abbott over immigration issue

Claiming that Gov Abbott was using migrants for a political stunt, Jean-Pierre responded to Stephanopoulos' question on the issue of illegal immigration.

She mentioned that the administration "has been in touch with the mayors and governors in the northern parts of the country to provide resources that they need for the influx."

However, the President had passed legislation on border security on his very first day, she reminded, "and now we see conversations happening in a bipartisan way in the Senate."

"We hope that when Congress gets back, we are able to move forward on those conversations and get things done, to make sure that our border is secure," concluded Jean-Pierre.