President Joe Biden on Wednesday spoke at a news conference marking his first year in office. The commander-in-chief touched upon the key issues, mainly COVID-19, inflation, stalled domestic agenda and international relations, his administration has faced, is facing in the term so far.

However, when asked about the challenges the White House faced during his first year, Biden said he didn’t overpromise

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“I didn’t overpromise. What I have probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen. The fact of the matter is that we’re in a situation where we have made enormous progress. You mentioned the number of deaths from COVID. Well, it was three times that not long ago. It’s coming down. Everything is changing. It’s getting better,” Biden said. 

Here are the key takeaways:

Kamala Harris as 2024 running mate: 

When asked if he was satified with the Vice President’s work on voting rights and if she would be his running mate in 2024, Biden said, “Yes, and yes.”

“She’s going to be my running mate, number one. And number two, I did put her in charge [of voting rights]. I think she’s doing a good job,” he added.

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Build Back Better:

President Biden said that big chunks of the Build Back Better Plan will pass the Congress test. He added that the administration is willing to break up the domestic Act and pass sections of the law separately.

 “I think we can break the package up, get as much as we can now, come back and fight for the rest later,” the President said.

Biden said he believes important parts of his agenda will be passed before the 2022 midterm elections and voters will back Democrats if they are fully informed — an assignment he said he will pursue by traveling the country.

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Inflation:

The President called on the Federal Reserve to lessen its monetary boosting of the economy by raising interest rates, which would in theory help to reduce inflation.

“Given the strength of our economy, and the pace of recent price increases, it’s important to recalibrate the support that is now necessary,” Biden said. “Now, we need to get inflation under control.”

Voting rights:

Joe Biden admitted that the current legislation will likely not pass, adding that it will be difficult to fair elections if it doesn’t. 

“It’s going to be difficult. I make no bones about that, it’s going to be difficult, but we’re not there yet. We’ve not run out of options yet and we’ll see how this moves,” he said.

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Russia and Ukraine: 

Biden addressed the brewing crisis on the Ukraine border, where Russia has massed some 100,000 troops and raised concerns that Moscow is ready to launch a further invasion.

The president said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t want full-blown war and would pay a “dear price” if he moves forward with a military incursion.

Biden did suggest a “minor incursion” might elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country, saying” it’s very important that we keep everyone in NATO on the same page.”

With inputs from the Associated Press