Number three is not a safe place to travel to pre and Economic Development strategy has been based upon tourism is really bringing into question young gent. Enticing Foreign Investment as of remove to as provocation cycle, missile launches, and a clear test, not the conducive environment one would think one would be needed in order to bring in international investment. This type of consensus is built internationally. Mom it need not be an inyourface denuclearize charles threat, but it is when north korea is the unanimous voice which it is hearing, the should be more inclined toward a type of behavior and decisions that our policies are designed to elicit. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. Tonight on cspan2 book tv in primetime then the first muslim member of Congress Talks about his biography at 9 00 eastern. Later author of what is inside the bubble, a top ranked Cigarette Service agent walked away from metal. The all new cspan. Org website is now mobilefriendly which means you can access our comprehensive coverage, politics , nonfiction books, and American History where you want to, when you want, and how you want. Our news sites responsive design scales to fit any of your screens, on the monitor of your desktop computer, to your desktop and laptop or smart phone, whether at home, at the office, are on the go. Check our Program Schedules or search our extensive Video Library whenever and wherever you want. The new cspan. Org. Standards for large trucks such as 18 whalers. He made the announcement at a Grocery Distribution Center outside washington. Today we are taking the next step. Heavyduty trucks and account for just 4 percent of all the vehicles on the highway. I know when you are driving sometimes it feels like mark, but it is more like 4 percent of all the vehicles. But they are responsible for about 20 percent of coverage pollution in the transportation sector. So trucks like these are responsible for about 20 of our onrun fuel consumption. And because they all about 70 percent of all domestic freight and a 70 of the stuff we use, everything from glass screen tvs to diapers the produce to the, you name it, every mile that we gain in fuel efficiency is worth thousands of dollars of savings every year. So that is why we are investing in research to get more fuel economy gains. And thanks to our partnership between industry and my administration, the truck behind me was able to achieve a 75 improvement in fuel economy over the last year, 75 . That is why i call this the super truck. It is impressive. This one right here as well. I mean, these are first of all, there are really big. [laughter] but you can see how they redesigned the trucker in order for us to save fuel economy. And improving gas mileage for these trucks is going to drive down our oil imports even further which reduces Carbon Pollution even more, cuts down on businesses fuel cost, which should pay off in the lower prices for consumers. So it is not just a winwin, it is a winwinwin. An hour and a half after president obamas remarks on fuel efficiency standards for large trucks press secretary jay carney brief reporters back at the white house. The topics included the syrian soul war, human rights abuses in north korea, health care, and the midterm elections. Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you had a relaxing holiday weekend. Before i take your questions, i just wanted to know that the my brothers keeper event, which was postponed last week due to weather has been rescheduled for thursday, fed youre a 27. With that i take your questions. The geneva conference has officially closed down over the weekend with no plans at this but for them to resume. Is the geneva process remains the administrations main focus in terms of a resolution on syria, or are you looking even just diplomatically for another process . Well, the talks are in recess. Thats correct. The International Community needs to use this time determine how to use or rather, needs to move toward determining how to use this time, and most effectively in order to bring about a political solution. In answer to your question, it is still our view, absolutely, that there is not a military solution to this concept and debt negotiated political settlement is the only path for for syria and the geneva process is a process by which that is personable and achievable at this time. There is no question that it has not been a great amount of progress. It is important that the two sides sat down across from each other, but the International Community needs to focus on how we can move this process forward what do you mean by using it most effectively . Again, to Work Together to push the process forward, to make the diplomatic channel and the negotiation channel more productive so that progress can be made toward a solution that allows syria to move forward, allows for an end to the military violent conflict so that there is transition in syria away from civil war. And would be some of the things that the u. S. Might look to do in this time and ordered to try to make those talks more effective . I dont have any announcement to make in terms of policy. We as a rule are always looking at all of our options and reviewing all options and new options when it comes to a situation like we find in syria. It should not be forgotten that the obstacle to progress here has been the regime, the opposition attended the geneva talks and conducted themselves appropriately. The regime, however, made clear that it is throwing up obstacles to moving forward and making progress. The disagreement with u. S. Officials say that the discussion of these obscenities of options has taken on if not increased urgency but the renewed focus and looking at options that may be have been shelled previously . We get this question last week. I think that it is a standing proposition that the president is always looking for options available to him. Nothing different about that process currently that there was a month ago . Correct. There is not a new review of policy under way because of the assessments of where we are and the options that we have available to us to get where we need to be is ongoing. The fact of the matter is that the situation in syria is horrendous, as the president has said. You know, we are going to continue to work with our International Partners to try to push this process forward. We should note that when it comes to the urgent need to allow for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian People, we have been working with partners on the United NationsSecurity Council to move forward on our resolution that would advance that cause. Russia has been a holdout. It is notable that if you are going to of but proclaim your concern about the fate of the Syrian People, one way to act on that concern as to not block progress in the United NationsSecurity Council on a resolution that would provide humanitarian assistance that the Syrian People so desperately need. Is there any white house reaction to the u. N. Report on confrontation escalation . I dont have any at this time. Perhaps the state department does. There is no white house reaction to this report in north korea . This you and report about all the atrocities . As a matter of course, chuck, we are extremely vocal and critical about the appalling conduct of the number three in regime. I dont have a specific reaction to this report. Im sure we can provide one to you, but it should come as no surprise to anyone that the United States and this administration is highly critical of the conduct of human rights in north korea and the persecution of people in north korea. And the highlight our differences in north korea on our range of issues constantly. Yes. The president said that there are shortterm steps and some intermediate steps to take on syria. What was the talk about . Again, we are looking at the situation in syria understanding that the only resolution to this conflict is through negotiation. We absolutely recognize that the situation on the ground is terrible and that the Syrian People are still under constant assault from the regime. We provide significant assistance to the opposition, including to the military opposition. We provide far and away the most significant amount of humanitarian assistance to the syrian civilian population. And we are at the forefront of the process in trying to produce a negotiated political stock to the settlement and syria. What i think we have been discussing over last several days, and the president was referencing is that we are constantly looking at options available to make no progress on the humanitarian front, on the effort to push forward on the geneva process, the negotiated settlement process because, again, that is the only way out of this for the Syrian People and for the future of syria. And there is no question that we are all pained by what we see in syria. Enormously frustrated by the obstructionism that the Syrian Regime participate send, the un helpful approach that russia has taken on the Security Council when it comes to the resolution regarding the humanitarian aid access. Were looking for ways to advance the policies that is a National Security interest in the ad states and that it helps syria per restaurant negotiated political settlement. Pressing the regime to engage constructively in an Initiative Political settlement. And that includes our partners and the Security Council and our partners elsewhere. The most important part of your question, i think, steve, is the sort of military engagement. And i think that while everyone is honestly concerned about and frustrated by the situation in syria, it should be on everyones mind that when we look at the situation we are and we have to examine what the alternatives some might be proposing are and whether they are in our National Security interest and whether a desire to do something about it could lead us or the United States to take action that can produce the kind of unintended consequences we have seen. Is one other thing. Vice President Biden sounded very pessimistic. Is there a recognition that this is not going to move forward . You know, steve, i think we talked about this of fair amount last week. It is the case today the value and the kinds of trade agreements that we are trying to negotiate is, i think race selfevident when you look at the Economic Growth that the region represents and the potential for American Workers and businesses through exports to capitalize on that growth through a trade agreement that will protect American Workers and the environment. That is why we think it is in the best interest of the United States. We are going to continue to press forward with priority, as we have in the past, and folks of recognizing that there are different views on these issues in both parties, not just the Democratic Party. Move around a little bit. Yes. Of followup. Remind us, and seat from control in syria . The United States policy is that and position is that serious future cannot include russia are autozone because the Syrian People have so clearly shown that he cannot be a part of the future or Transitional Government in syria. That is not a decision that we make here in the United States. That is a decision that the Syrian People have made and suffered in the past several years. At the hands of the brewing regime. There is no possibility in our view, and this is simply a reflection of the view of the Syrian People and certainly of the opposition that a Transitional Government or governing authority could include the leader as part of it. But the purpose of the talks that have started, albeit without significant progress is to find a path toward and a Transitional Governing Authority that can be agreed upon. The only way that can be agreed upon is that it not include the leader as far as the opposition is concerned and we certainly support that. Our goal is to bring an end to the conflict through a negotiated political settlement and that, again, cannot be possible. If theyre interested in supporting the opposition, is that in the president s the military intervention . Is that extending the conflict . We do support the opposition and have supported the opposition for some time now in a variety of ways. We have made clear our views on different kinds of support and our concern over the course of this conflict when it comes to some provision of weapons that some people have suggested and others have proposed or engaged in that there is concern about that kind of weaponry falling into the wrong hands in a way that could pose a challenge or a threat to our National Security interest of the National Security interest of our allies in the region. The difficulties with the rollout as you look at midterms, would you regarded as overall an asset or an albatross with the democrats . It is a Campaign Press conference. A political question for you. I think that we have made enormous progress in the enrollment of millions of americans across the country. And i think that that tract is reflected in the diminished coverage of the Health Care Website and the process involved in getting people enrolled. The problems that we had with the website obviously set back the effort, but the significant improvements we have seen in enrollments since the website began functioning effectively have been very welcome, obviously and, i think, demonstrates that the exchange is working in that the interest among millions of americans in getting quality of board above concerns remain intense. I think that as a general principle without gaining out election strategies, it is a difficult case to make despite the welldocumented polling data on obamacare for republicans to say they want to take away the benefits that the Affordable Care act provides. It is a concrete reality now we have millions of americans who have quality Affordable Health insurance. You have millions more who have access to medicaid and those that have expanded it that they did not have before. And you have all of us across the country you enjoy other benefits from the Affordable Care act including the ability to keep our children on our health plans to the age of 26, including the fact that and see five Insurance Companies can no longer deny you booktv id coverage based on a preexisting condition. In a letter charging prices much as it would charge a twin brother to begin your woman. The millions of americans across the country. This has gone from an abstract debate is an effort to take away the efforts that they enjoy, and that is a difficult argument to make. Im sure that it can be made here. Not quite in allegis made it. I think everybody who is running on a repeal platform needs to explain why their constituents, the ones they currently represent the one they want to represent should have those benefits taken away so that the Insurance Companies can be put back in charge of their health care. Negotiating with terror. We are hearing that talks have now rail on the release of bird dog. As the u. S. Position changed . Supported an afghanled Peace Process and will continue to do so when it comes to sergeant burdock, our hearts go out to his family. He has been gone for far too long, and we continue to call for his immediate release. We cannot discuss all the details, but there shall be no doubt that we worked every day hes here military commandos as command diplomatic tools to see the sergeant returned home safely. We are not to go directly to your question, involved in active negotiations with the taliban. Clearly of negotiations to resume at some point and we will want to talk about the safe return. We continue to call for and work toward the safe and immediate release. A concern about setting a new president . A special and unusual case . Again, he is a special case in the sense that he had been gone far too long and we are concerned about an hours drive his family. We have great sympathy for them. Going through quite an ordeal. Weve long seven support net kendis lead process of reconciliation with the taliban. We are not involved in any negotiations with the taliban. After negotiations. Is the nest its open to the idea of a Prisoner Exchange . I know the story you are referring to and can tell you that we will not discuss all the details of our efforts. With respect to guantanamo the president reiterated the need is a sign the fiscal year 2014 Defense Authorization act at this administration will not transfer a detainee unless the threat detainee may pose can be sufficiently mitigated in only one consistent with our humane treatment policy. So just to try to see thi