Biden wants Congress to take action on gun reform

Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, at Thursday's White House press briefing said Biden would announce "an end to American support for offensive operations in Yemen" in afternoon remarks at the State Department.

Sullivan said the move was aimed at stopping support for "the types of offensive operations that have perpetuated a civil war in Yemen that has led to a humanitarian crisis."

Under then-President Donald Trump, the United States backed a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen that has been widely criticized for alleged human rights abuses.

Sullivan noted that the Biden administration had frozen two U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates the Trump administration had green-lighted; the U.A.E. is part of the coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen.

That halt would not include U.S. action against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Sullivan said.

Biden will also name a special envoy for Yemen Thursday, Sullivan added.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson and Justin Gomez

Biden is set to announce "a presidential memorandum on protecting the rights of LGBTQ individuals worldwide" during his remarks at the State Department later Thursday, said Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan announced the imminent memo while previewing the president's visit to the State Department and answered several national security-focused questions at Thursday's White House press briefing. 

"It reflects his deep commitment to these issues both here in the United States and everywhere around the world," Sullivan said. "And the United States will speak out and act on behalf of these rights as we go."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson and Justin Gomez

During her weekly press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended the decision to impeach then-President Donald Trump, insisting the trial set to begin on Tuesday is not a waste of time. She said she believes Republicans could be swayed to convict the former president once the evidence is presented.

She also responded to critics who say "why bother" with the Trump impeachment trial now that he's out of office.

"'Why bother?’ Ask our founders why bother. Ask those who wrote the Constitution. Ask Abraham Lincoln," Pelosi said. "Ask anyone who cares about our democracy why we are bothering. You cannot go forward until you have justice."

Pelosi pushed back when reporters noted that the House impeachment managers are walking into a Senate that is poised to acquit Trump.

"They don't know that. They don't know that. They haven't heard the case," Pelosi said. "We'll see if it will be a Senate of courage or cowardice."

On COVID-19 relief, Pelosi defended the price tag of the $1.9 trillion plan Biden is pushing for. She signaled she's not going to support the GOP slimmed down rescue package offer of $600 billion.

"Are we going to feed fewer children?" Pelosi said. "I just don't see how you have to make those choices on who you cut out when you decide to cut the funding."

Pelosi also said Congress can take up a bill raising the minimum wage to $15 in bills other than the COVID-19 relief bill if it doesn't pass muster with the Byrd rule during the reconciliation process. The Byrd Rule ensures other legislation not related to the budget doesn't make it into the final bill.

"It’s not the last bill we’ll pass. This is the rescue package," Pelosi said.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan

It's been two weeks since Biden's inauguration and the Senate has so far confirmed six of his Cabinet nominees.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Biden's pick to lead the Department of Labor, is testifying Thursday morning before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who Biden had said he was also considered for the role of labor secretary, asked Walsh where he stood on the minimum wage on a federal level.

“I definitely support raising the minimum wage. I know that President Biden has made that part of his economic plan as well," Walsh said, to which Sanders replied, "Good."

Asked about Biden's Cabinet confirmations at Wednesday's press briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there has "certainly" been a delay in the confirmation of his nominees, saying, "Some of them were slower-paced than they should have been, early on," and calling out Republicans for so far blocking a hearing for Attorney General-designate Merrick Garland.

Since Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reached a power-sharing agreement Wednesday, Democrats will not get the gavel at all committees, likely speeding up the confirmation process for Biden's Cabinet picks.