Category: US Politics and Govt » White House
Press Releases: Joint Statement: U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue
2:06 pm Eastern | US Politics and Govt
Joint Statement: U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 22, 2013 Begin Text: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns opened the 2013 U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue with New Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade John Allen; Chief of Defence Force Rhys Jones; Secretary to the Treasury read more »
Press Releases: Remarks With Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh After Their Meeting
1:56 pm Eastern | US Politics and Govt
Remarks With Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh After Their Meeting RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amman, Jordan May 22, 2013 read more »
Press Releases: Remarks With Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh After Their Meeting
1:56 pm Eastern | US Politics and Govt
Remarks With Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh After Their Meeting RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amman, Jordan May 22, 2013 read more »
Remarks by the First Lady at Decatur House Visit
12:13 pm Eastern | US Politics and Govt
Decatur House Washington D.C. 11:19 A.M. EDT MRS. OBAMA: Good morning. (Applause.) Thank you so much. Good morning, everyone. Thank you. I am truly delighted to be here. But before I begin, I want to just take a moment to say that our thoughts and prayers are with all of the people in Oklahoma. And as you all know, my husband and his team continue to monitor the situation, and he has directed the full resources of the federal government to be there for the people of Oklahoma as they begin to recover and rebuild. And it's important to remember during these times that the spirit of unity and resolve and resilience that has defined that situation as we watch the people in Oklahoma recover and work together, that that’s the kind of resilience that has defined this country since its inception. It's who we are as Americans. And it’s that history that bread more »
USDA Designates 2 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Idaho
11:46 am Eastern | U.S. News
USDA Designates 2 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Idaho WASHINGTON, May 22, 2013 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated two counties in Montana as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. Those counties are: BeaverheadBroadwater “Our hearts go out to those Montana farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. Wread more »
USDA Designates 2 Counties in Texas as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
11:45 am Eastern | U.S. News
USDA Designates 2 Counties in Texas as Primary Natural Disaster Areas WASHINGTON, May 22, 2013 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated two counties in Texas as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. Those counties are: Anderson Pecos “Our hearts go out to those Texas farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Texas producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.” read more »
President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Dan Tangherlini as Administrator of the General Services Administration
10:22 am Eastern | US Politics and Govt
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Dan Tangherlini as Administrator of the General Services Administration. President Obama said, “As Acting Director, Dan helped restore the trust of the American people in the General Services Administration by making the agency more efficient, accountable and transparent. I want to thank Dan for his leadership over the past year and for agreeing to continue serving in the Administration." President Obama announced his intent to nominate Dan Tangherlini as Administrator of the General Services Administration: Dan Tangherlini, Nominee for Administrator, General Services Administration Dan Tangherlini is currently the Acting Administrator of the General Services Administration, a role he has held since April 2012. He was designread more »
Press Releases: Meets With Staff and Families of Embassy Muscat
8:12 am Eastern | US Politics and Govt
Meets With Staff and Families of Embassy Muscat RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Embassy Muscat Muscat, Oman May 22, 2013 AMBASSADOR HOLTZ: Good morning, everybody. It is my very great pleasure to welcome Secretary of State John F. Kerry to Oman. On behalf oread more »
Press Releases: Joint Statement by the United States and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman
8:06 am Eastern | US Politics and Govt
Joint Statement by the United States and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 22, 2013 The Governments of the Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America are pleased to announce a deal for the acquisition of a U.S. manufactured ground based air defense system. This system, which has been selected by the Sulread more »
Press Releases: Yemen National Unity Day
21 May 21:34 | US Politics and Govt
Yemen National Unity Day Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of State Washington, DC May 21, 2013 On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I extend my warmest wishes to the Yemeni people on their 23rd National Unity Day. Yemen has made important strides advancing the country’s democraread more »
Statement by the President
21 May 20:48 | US Politics and Govt
I congratulate the Senate Judiciary Committee on completing its work on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Leahy and a bipartisan group of eight Senators, the legislation that passed the Judiciary Committee with a strong bipartisan vote is largely consistent with the principles of commonsense reform I have proposed and meets the challenge of fixing our broken immigration system. The process for considering this legislation has been open and inclusive with multiple hearings, and more than a hundred amendments were considered and adopted, in many cases with bipartisan support. I applaud the Committee members for their hard work, especially “Gang of Eight” members Senators Schumer, Durbin, Graham and Flake. None of the Committee members got everything they wanted, and neither did I , but in the end, we all owe it to the American people to get the best possible resread more »
Statement by the President
21 May 20:48 | US Politics and Govt
I congratulate the Senate Judiciary Committee on completing its work on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Leahy and a bipartisan group of eight Senators, the legislation that passed the Judiciary Committee with a strong bipartisan vote is largely consistent with the principles of commonsense reform I have proposed and meets the challenge of fixing our broken immigration system. The process for considering this legislation has been open and inclusive with multiple hearings, and more than a hundred amendments were considered and adopted, in many cases with bipartisan support. I applaud the Committee members for their hard work, especially “Gang of Eight” members Senators Schumer, Durbin, Graham and Flake. None of the Committee members got everything they wanted, and neither did I , but in the end, we all owe it to the American people to get the best possible resread more »
Presidential Proclamation -- National Maritime Day, 2013
21 May 18:56 | Weather
NATIONAL MARITIME DAY, 2013 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Through every chapter of the American story, ordinary men and women have accomplished extraordinary things as members of the United States Merchant Marine. When the idea of America depended on the success of a revolution, mariners took on the world's most powerful navy and helped secure our future as a sovereign Nation. In the decades since, they have sustained critical supply lines for our troops abroad -- at times enduring profound losses to keep our sea lanes open. And through war and peace alike, the Merchant Marine has driven our economic growth by shipping our products all around the world. On National Maritime Day, we honor the generations of mariners who have served and sacrificed to make our country what it is today. To keep America moving forward in the 21st cread more »
Presidential Proclamation -- National Safe Boating Week, 2013
21 May 17:51 | US Politics and Govt
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK, 2013 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Every year, the United States Coast Guard joins partners nationwide to raise awareness about boating responsibly. We highlight that important work during National Safe Boating Week, and we encourage all boaters to take appropriate precautions before casting off this season. Safe boating starts onshore. Americans planning to spend a day on the water should prepare by filing a float plan with family or a friend, getting a free vessel safety check, and participating in a boating safety course. As they embark, boaters should make sure they have checked the marine forecast and all passengers are wearing a life jacket. And to put an end to preventable accidents that claim too many lives every year, individuals should never operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohread more »
Aspiring Americans Share their Stories as Senate Debates Immigration Reform
21 May 17:41 | US Politics and Govt
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with DREAMers who have received Deferred Action and U.S. citizen family members of undocumented immigrants, in the Oval Office, May 21, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) As the Senate debates bipartisan immigration reform legislation, the President and the Vice Presiread more »
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 5/21/2013
21 May 17:12 | Weather
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:08 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here. Before I take your questions I just wanted to say a couple of things. As you heard from the President, his thoughts and prayers are with the people of Oklahoma as they continue to respond and recover from devastating tornadoes and severe weather. Last night the President approved a major disaster declaration for Oklahoma, making federal funding available to support affected individuals, as well as additional federal assistance to support immediate response and recovery efforts. Since yesterday afternoon, the President has spoke with Governor Fallin, Representative Tom Cole, and the Mayor of Moore, Oklahoma, Glenn Lewis. Earlier today, the President received a briefing in the Oval Office from his team on the latest response efforts uread more »
Press Releases: Remarks to the Foreign Service Institute Overseas Security Seminar
21 May 16:32 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks to the Foreign Service Institute Overseas Security Seminar RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center Arlington, VA May 20, 2013 The video is available with closed captionread more »
Hoyer Delivers Remarks at Progressive Caucus Hearing on “Low-Wage Work on the Federal Dime: How Our Tax Dollars Drive Inequality”
21 May 16:13 | US Politics and Govt
Young, 202-225-3130 Hoyer Delivers Remarks at Progressive Caucus Hearing on “Low-Wage Work on the read more »
Press Releases: Special Envoy Hussain Travels to Holocaust Sites in Poland
21 May 16:05 | US Politics and Govt
Special Envoy Hussain Travels to Holocaust Sites in Poland Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 21, 2013 Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Rashad Hussain will join newly appointed Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Ira Forman, Ambassador Mike Kozak, and imams from around the world for a trip to Poland Mread more »
GSN: Nuclear Security Treaties Bill Clears House; Senate Prospects Unclear
21 May 15:59 | U.S. News
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read more »Executive Order -- Amendment to Executive Order 13639
21 May 15:59 | US Politics and Govt
EXECUTIVE ORDER - - - - - - - AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 13639 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Amendment to Executive Order 13639. Section 2 of Executive Order 13639 of March 28, 2013 (Establishment of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration), is amended by striking subsection 2(a) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "(a) The Commission shall be composed of not more than ten members appointed by the President. The members shall be drawn from among distinguished individuals with knowledge about or experience in the administration of State or local elections, as well as representatives of successful customer service-oriented businesses, and any other individuals with knowledge or experience determined by the Preread more »
Readout of the President and Vice President’s meeting with Dreamers and Family Members of Undocumented Immigrants
21 May 15:57 | US Politics and Govt
This morning, the President and the Vice President met in the Oval Office with young immigrants who received deferred action and with the siblings and spouses of undocumented immigrants. This meeting was an important opportunity for the President and the Vice President to meet with families who are directly affected by our nation’s broken immigration system. The President and the Vice President were moved by the stories of courage and determination of these young immigrants and their families. The Dreamers shared how their lives have been positively affected by the deferred action process and emphasized that they and their families need a permanent solution that will allow them to fully contribute to the country they call home. At the meeting, the President reiterated his commitment to passing a bipartisan, commonsense immigration reform bill this year. He made clear that while the current bill is not perfect, it does represent an important step towards the broadread more »
President Obama Responds to the Tornadoes in Oklahoma
21 May 15:15 | US Politics and Govt
Ed. Note: You can help people affected by the recent tornadoes through American Red Cross Disaster Relief. If you are in the affected areas, you can also register as "Safe and Well" to let your friends and family know you are okay. Check back here for more information — we'll continue updating this post as the response effort develops. 5/21/13 read more »
Press Releases: On the Occasion of Bermuda Day
21 May 15:12 | US Politics and Govt
On the Occasion of Bermuda Day Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of State Washington, DC May 21, 2013 On behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the Bermudian people as you celebrate Bermuda Day. Our relationship stretches back centuries, and is sustained through deep links rangiread more »
President Obama Announces His Intent to Appoint Individuals to the Presidential Commission on Election Administration
21 May 15:08 | US Politics and Govt
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint ten individuals to the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. The Presidential Commission on Election Administration was created following President Obama’s State of the Union pledge to identify non-partisan ways to shorten lines at polling places, promote the efficient conduct of elections, and provide better access to the polls for all voters. • Robert F. Bauer – Co-Chair, Presidential Commission on Election Administration • Benjamin L. Ginsberg – Co-Chair, Presidential Commission on Election Administration • Brian Britton – Member, Presidential Commission on Election Administration • Joe Echevarria – Member, Presidential Commission on Election Administration • Trey Graysonread more »
Press Releases: United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi
21 May 14:50 | US Politics and Govt
United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 21, 2013 In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with the Republic of Burundi, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, Dawn M. Liberi, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura today. Occupying a 10-acreread more »
Press Releases: Background Briefing on the Secretary's Trip to Amman
21 May 14:43 | US Politics and Govt
Background Briefing on the Secretary's Trip to Amman Special BriefingSenior State Department Official Via Teleconference May 21, 2013 MODERATOR: Thank you. So this is a conference call to preview the Secretary’s trip to Amman, Jordan tomorrow for his meeting with the London 11. We have on the phone [Senior State Department Official], who will be known here forward as a Senior State Department Official, who’ll give a quick overview and then take some questions. And we’ll read more »
Remarks by the President on the Tornadoes and Severe Weather in Oklahoma
21 May 10:48 | Weather
State Dining Room 10:08 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. As we all know by now, a series of storms swept across the Plains yesterday, and one of the most destructive tornadoes in history sliced through the towns of Newcastle and Moore, Oklahoma. In an instant, neighborhoods were destroyed. Dozens of people lost their lives. Many more were injured. And among the victims were young children, trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew -- their school. So our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today. Our gratitude is with the teachers who gave their all to shield their children; with the neighbors, first responders, and emergency personnel who raced to help as soon as the tornado passed; and with all of those who, as darkness fell, searched for survivors through the night. As a nation, our full focus right now is on the urgent work of rescue, and the hard work ofread more »
Press Releases: U.S. Department of State Signs Interagency Film Agreement
21 May 10:45 | US Politics and Govt
U.S. Department of State Signs Interagency Film Agreement Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 21, 2013 Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara Sonenshine and Acting Chairman Carole Watson of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) today signed an Interagency Agreement (IAA) that provides overseas embassies the right to use read more »
Press Releases: Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
21 May 07:08 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State White House Washington, DC May 17, 2013 The video is available with closed caread more »
Press Releases: Remarks With Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Before Their Meeting
21 May 07:07 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks With Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Before Their Meeting RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC May 17, 2013 The video is available with closed captioning on YouTube. read more »
Press Releases: Remarks With Foreign Minister of Brazil Antonio de Aguiar Patriota Before Their Meeting
21 May 07:06 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks With Foreign Minister of Brazil Antonio de Aguiar Patriota Before Their Meeting RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC May 20, 2013 The video is available with closed captioning on YouTube. read more »
Press Releases: Remarks to the Foreign Service Institute Overseas Security Seminar
21 May 07:05 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks to the Foreign Service Institute Overseas Security Seminar RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center Arlington, VA May 20, 2013 The video is available with closed captionread more »
Press Releases: Remarks With New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully Before Their Meeting
21 May 07:05 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks With New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully Before Their Meeting RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC May 20, 2013 The video is available with closed captioning on YouTube. read more »
Press Releases: Remarks on the Release of the International Religious Freedom Report
21 May 07:04 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks on the Release of the International Religious Freedom Report RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Washington, DC May 20, 2013 The video is available with closed captioning on YouTube. read more »
Press Releases: Remarks on the Release of the International Religious Freedom Report
21 May 07:04 | US Politics and Govt
Remarks on the Release of the International Religious Freedom Report RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of State Washington, DC May 20, 2013 The video is available with closed captioning on YouTube. read more »
Federal Aid Programs for State of Oklahoma Disaster Recovery
21 May 00:20 | U.S. News
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Oklahoma.Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required: Language English read more »
Federal Aid Programs for State of Oklahoma Disaster Recovery
21 May 00:20 | U.S. News
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Oklahoma.Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required: Language English read more »
President Obama Signs Oklahoma Disaster Declaration
20 May 23:41 | US Politics and Govt
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measuresread more »
Resources and Information for Those Affected by Oklahoma Tornadoes
20 May 22:02 | US Politics and Govt
Ed. Note: You can help people affected by the recent tornadoes through American Red Cross Disaster Relief. If you are in the affected areas, you can also register as "Safe and Well" to let your friends and family know you are okay. President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Oklahoma Goverread more »
Readout of President Obama’s Call with Prime Minister Letta of Italy
20 May 19:54 | US Politics and Govt
President Obama spoke by phone today with Prime Minister Letta of Italy to congratulate him on his new office and to reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds that the United States and Italy share. The President expressed support for Prime Minister Letta’s focus on reducing youth unemployment and looked forward to further discussions about promoting economic growth at the June G-8 Summit in Lough Erne. The two leaders also discussed, as allies and as friends, mutual cooperation on North African security and addressing the conflict in Syria, and they affirmed their mutual support for moving forward with the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. read more »
Readout of the President’s Call with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin
20 May 19:49 | US Politics and Govt
This evening the President spoke with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. While information is still coming in, the President made clear that his Administration, through FEMA, stands ready to provide all available assistance as the Governor’s team responds to the storm and that he has directed his team to ensure that they are providing available resources as the response unfolds. FEMA has deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team to the state emergency operations center in Oklahoma City to support state and local officials on the ground and additional personnel and resources stand ready to be dispatched as necessary. The President told Governor Fallin that the people of Oklahoma are in his and the First Lady’s thoughts and prayers and, while his team will continue to keep him updated, he urged her to be in touch directly if there were additional resourread more »
Readout of the President’s Call with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin
20 May 19:38 | US Politics and Govt
This evening the President spoke with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. While information is still coming in, the President made clear that his Administration, through FEMA, stands ready to provide all available assistance as the Governor’s team responds to the storm and that he has directed his team to ensure that they are providing available resources as the response unfolds. FEMA has deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team to the state emergency operations center in Oklahoma City to support state and local officials on the ground and additional personnel and resources stand ready to be dispatched as necessary. The President told Governor Fallin that the people of Oklahoma are in his and the First Lady’s thoughts and prayers and, while his team will continue to keep him updated, he urged her to be in touch directly if there were additional resourread more »
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 5/20/2013
20 May 19:01 | US Politics and Govt
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 2:15 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here. I have no announcements to make, so I will go straight to your questions. Julie Pace. Q Thank you. There seems to be a little bit of confusion about what exactly the White House Counsel’s Office was told the week of April 22nd about the IG report. Can you tell us what Kathy Ruemmler was told? MR. CARNEY: Sure. Well, I appreciate the question. (Laughter.) There have been a lot of questions this morning that we've gotten based on recent reports about when we here at the White House learned of the Inspector General’s report, what we learned and how we learned, so I'd like to back up and just go through the fundamentals here first, if I may. Number one, as the independent Inspector General testified and as his reporread more »
Remarks by President Obama and President Thein Sein of Myanmar After Bilateral Meeting
20 May 18:37 | US Politics and Govt
3:30 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA: I want to welcome President Thein Sein to the United States of America and to the Oval Office. Last year, I was proud to make a historic visit to Myanmar as the first U.S. President ever to visit that country. And now President Sein is able to return the favor by making a visit to the United States, and my understanding is that this is the first visit by a leader of Myanmar in almost 50 years. Obviously, during this period in between there have been significant bilateral tensions between our countries. But what has allowed this shift in relations is the leadership that President Sein has shown in moving Myanmar down a path of both political and economic reform. Over the last two years, we’ve seen a steady process in which political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, have been released and have been incorporated into the political process. read more »
Daily Press Briefings : Daily Press Briefing - May 20, 2013
20 May 18:20 | US Politics and Govt
Patrick Ventrell Acting Deputy SpokespersonDaily Press Briefing Washington, DC May 20, 2013 read more »
Press Releases: Visit of President U Thein Sein of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar / U.S. Assistance
20 May 17:55 | US Politics and Govt
Visit of President U Thein Sein of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar / U.S. Assistance Fact SheetWashington, DC May 20, 2013 The United States recognizes the important ongoing reform efforts underway by President Thein Sein, his government, Parliament, and key stakeholders among civil society to build a modern, peaceful, and democratic country. Building on a long legacy of support for the aspirations of the Burmese people, the United States is providing assistance to strengthen and accelerate the political, economic, and social transition; promote and strengthen respect foread more »
President Obama Announces Sally Ride as a Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
20 May 17:16 | US Politics and Govt
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced he will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to travel to space. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. President Obama said, “We remember Sally Ride not just as a national hero, but as a role model to generations of young women. Sally inspired us to reach for the stars, and she advocated for a greater focus on the science, technology, engineering and math that would help us get there. Sally showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve, and I look forward to welcoming her family to the White House as we celebrate her life and legacy.” Ameriread more »
Statement by the Press Secretary on a Meeting Between the President and President Xi of the People’s Republic of China
20 May 17:02 | US Politics and Govt
President Obama will meet with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China on June 7-8 in California, at Sunnylands, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Estate. This will be President Obama’s first meeting with Xi Jinping since he became China’s President. President Obama and President Xi will hold in depth discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues. They will review progress and challenges in U.S.-China relations over the past four years and discuss ways to enhance cooperation, while constructively managing our differences, in the years ahead. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon will travel to Beijing on May 26-28 to prepare for this meeting. read more »
Press Releases: Joint Statement on Good Governance and Transparency in the Energy Sector
20 May 16:35 | US Politics and Govt
Joint Statement on Good Governance and Transparency in the Energy Sector Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 20, 2013 The text of the following statement was released by His Excellency Union Minister of Energy U Than Htay of Myanmar and Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual. Begin Text: The energy sread more »
