Biden wants Congress to take action on gun reform

During his initial remarks in the Oval Office Thursday morning, Biden told reporters that his phone call with China’s President Xi Jinping Wednesday lasted for “two straight hours,” and if the United States does not get a move on infrastructure, China will “eat our lunch.”

He went over some of China’s initiatives and investments in transportation like high-speed rail and automobiles, saying the U.S. has to “step up.”

Biden and Harris met Thursday morning with a bipartisan group of Senators to discuss infrastructure, along with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (virtually since he is in quarantine).

Also in attendance were Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., former Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and current Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and Chair of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

At the top of a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators, Harris and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on infrastructure, Biden said “my guess is some minds may have been changed” on impeachment after saying he saw the newly unveiled video evidence used at Wednesday’s Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

Biden initially tried to avoid directly answering if he watched any of the new videos, saying he’s focused on seeing through some of his policy priorities, but then admitted he “didn’t watch any of the hearing live” but got up to speed through news coverage.

“I think the Senate has a very important job to complete and I think -- my guess is -- that some minds may have been changed, but I don’t know,” he said.

Biden’s remarks on impeachment Thursday are the most he's publicly weighed in on the trial after his administration has repeatedly tried to avoid all questions on the matter and stay focused on seeing through a COVID-19 relief bill.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

Before the impeachment trial starts at noon, a bipartisan group of senators is meeting at the White House to discuss infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure on his staff, will join virtually.

At 3:45 p.m. the president visits the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health, and at 4:30 p.m. he delivers remarks to NIH staff.

President Joe Biden announced during a visit to the Pentagon that his administration will establish a task force that focuses on U.S. dealings with China.

Biden gave some details about the group, stating that it will look at a broad array of China-related issues, including technology, alliances, partnerships and intelligence.

The task force will be made up of 15 uniformed and civilian officials and will report its findings to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in order to better inform U.S. policy toward China. 

"That's how we'll meet the China challenge and ensure the American people win the competition of the future," Biden said.

During his meeting, Biden praised the military and armed service members, and he reflected on his late son Beau's service.

Lloyd also complimented Beau Biden's service calling him "an absolutely outstanding officer."

"Capt. Biden’s colleagues admired him, and they looked up to him, and he looked after them," Lloyd said. "That dedication lives on in his parents."

In his remarks, Biden emphasized the importance of Black military members throughout history and reflected on the importance of Lloyd's appointment for the community.

"So often, our armed forces and the Department of Defense staff are how the rest of the world encounters America. And you all know as well as anyone that our country is safer and stronger when we lead not just with the example of our power, but with the power of our example," the president said.

-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky