Deese stresses need to ‘finish job on COVID’

White House National Economic Director Brian Deese said on Sunday that officials need to “finish the job on COVID” before the long-term impact of the Biden administration’s economic policies can be felt.

During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Deese was asked what the Biden administration can do to help families while the Democrats’ social spending bill is debated.

“I know you’re hoping to pass it, but even if it does pass, it’s going to take a while for the benefits to kick in. So what can Americans expect in the short term? Is inflation going to get worse before it gets better?” host George Stephanopoulos asked.

“We’re focused on addressing this in the short term and the medium term. Number one, we have to finish the job on COVID. We know that the more that people feel comfortable getting out into the economy, going to movies rather than buying a television at home, working in the workplace, the more we can return a sense of normalcy to our economy. Getting those shots out for five to 11-year-olds is going to provide a lot of comfort to American families,” Deese replied.

“We’re making a lot of progress on that front, getting more work places COVID-free is going to make more Americans comfortable getting back into the labor market as well,” he added.

Additionally, Deese stressed what the administration will do is focus on supply chain issues and is already working with ports on both coasts to find solutions.

Pressed by @GStephanopoulos what Biden admin can do in the short term to address inflation, National Economic Council director Brian Deese says “we have to finish job on COVID.”

“The second thing we can do right now is focus on the supply chain issues.” https://t.co/n5uk5SaxMd pic.twitter.com/n4uNL1J8zu

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 14, 2021

“Right now, the American economy is moving more goods through the economy than we ever have, but that’s creating some challenges. We’re working with the ports in L.A. and Long Beach, getting them to go 24/7 and getting right to work in implementing this historic infrastructure bill,” he said. 

He added that President Biden will be delivering on a bipartisan infrastructure bill with long-term benefits on Monday when he signs the legislation into law.

“In the long term, there are things that will go into effect right away to try to get money out to help upgrade our ports, upgrade our airports, upgrade our roads. We’re going to work without delay to get that money working for the American people,” Deese added.