(ABC NEWS)—Marking St. Patrick’s Day in Washington, President Joe Biden began a day of festivities by welcoming Ireland’s prime minister to the White House. “We have a lot to talk about.”However, Biden and Varadkar did not hold a joint news conference following their meeting. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, when asked Thursday by ABC News’ Karen Travers why one wasn’t planned, said it’s something done “in coordination” with the visiting head of state. After their Oval Office meeting, Biden and Varadkar went to Capitol Hill for a Friends of Ireland luncheon hosted by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Varadkar began the day at Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence for breakfast with her and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Source: ABC News March 17, 2023 19:23 UTC