She was one of four lawmakers who sponsored bipartisan legislation to organize the conference, the first of its kind in more than 50 years. Before inquiring about Walorski, Biden had referenced the other three: Sens. Cory Booker (DN.J.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Rep. James P. McGovern (D-Mass.).
Asked later about Biden’s comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Walorski had been “a priority” for Biden as he planned to see his family on Friday at a ceremony. signing a bill that renames a veterans clinic after her.
In August, after Walorski’s death, Biden and first lady Jill Biden issued a statement expressing their condolences, saying they “appreciated his partnership” in facilitating the hunger conference.
Two members of Walorski’s staff, along with another motorist, also died in the crash in Indiana.
Responding to questions during a White House briefing, Jean-Pierre would not explicitly say that Biden made a mistake or perhaps forgot about Walorski’s death.
“The president was naming congressional champions on this issue and recognizing his incredible work,” Jean-Pierre said. “He had already planned to welcome the congresswoman’s family to the White House on Friday. … She was at the top of the list.
Jean-Pierre was pressed on several other points in the episode, including by a reporter who said John Lennon was “a priority” for him but was “not looking” for the late Beatles member. Lennon was killed in 1980.
Jean-Pierre replied that when the reporter is president and signs a bill for Lennon, “then we can have that conversation.”
Later, Jean-Pierre said that she was not going to answer the question differently just because it had been asked several times.
“You all may have opinions on how I answer it, but I’m answering the question the way he saw it,” she said, referring to Biden. “Again, she was top of mind. He’s going to see his family in two days to honor her, to honor the work she’s done.
