Posts Tagged ‘BarackObama

05
Jun
13

Pelosi House Dems and the Headlines ~~ June 2013 ~~

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Pelosi ~ House Dems and the Headlines
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pelosi Statement on the Nomination of Jason Furman as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

“Following in the footsteps of Alan Krueger is no easy task, but Jason Furman has earned the trust of the President, the confidence of his colleagues, and the respect of economic leaders who will work with him to help navigate our country into a strong, vibrant, and resilient economic future.  We look forward to working with him to find long-term solutions that meet our challenges, reach our goals, and help move our country forward.”
Monday, June 10, 2013
“…From the Equal Pay Act signed by President Kennedy in 1963 to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act signed by President Obama in 2009, each generation has made strides toward the basic principle of equality in our country.  I salute the efforts of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to ensure that America’s women – especially our daughters – earn equal pay for equal work and call upon Congress to take the next step by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act.  We cannot wait another 50 years to see it become law.”
Monday, June 10, 2013
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“Today, we recognize Congressman John Dingell, a remarkable leader who is taking his place in history as the longest-serving Member of Congress.  As the Dean of the people’s House, he has given his constituents, his colleagues, and his country more than 57 years of extraordinary and effective leadership.”
Friday, June 7, 2013
“Republicans in Congress know how we can work together to restore Americans’ confidence in our economy: stop blocking measures to create jobs and appoint budget conferees so we can engage in an open and fair debate on our priorities for the future.  Americans cannot afford more Republican obstruction or partisan political games.  Our communities deserve a laser-like focus on solutions to grow the economy and bolster the middle class.”
Friday, June 7, 2013
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“…The King amendment, if enacted – well, it has passed the floor here – would require the President to strip the DREAMers of protection from deportation, even those who have undergone background checks already, and have already been granted deferred action.  Nearly half a million DREAMers have applied for deferred action under the President’s initiative.  To date, nearly 300,000 of them have been approved for deferred action, and today, the Republicans in the House passed an amendment that would undo all of that.”
Thursday, June 6, 2013
“Recognizing that our economy depends on women in workplace, he took what he called, presciently “a first step.”  [President Kennedy] knew it was a first step to end the “unconscionable practice” – in his words – of paying women less than men for the same amount of work. But in the course of fifty years loopholes in the Equal Pay Act were carved out and exploited.  Disparities among minority women widened…”
Thursday, June 6, 2013
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“And to be here with all, all of my colleagues.  [Congresswoman] Rosa DeLauro used the term “slavery.”  That is not a term to be used lightly but the fact is, it applies here.  The scale, brutality, and prevalence of sex trafficking demands that we recognize it for the atrocity that it is…”
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
“Today, President Obama named two strong, experienced, dedicated leaders to continue the Administration’s work of solidifying our alliances abroad, ensuring our national security at home, and promoting American leadership for peace, progress, and prosperity across the globe.”
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
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Pelosi Statement on 24th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre

“One of the most enduring images of the 20th century will forever be seared into our conscience – the picture of the lone man standing in the street, bringing the line of tanks to a grinding halt.  Today, the spirit of Tiananmen lives on in the hearts and minds of those continuing the struggle both in China and abroad.”
Monday, June 3, 2013
“Senator Lautenberg spent each day fighting to protect and improve the health, security, and well-being of every American.  His lifetime of service leaves a legacy we must follow, and an expectation we must meet.  We only hope it is a comfort to his wife Bonnie, his children and grandchildren that so many mourn their loss at this sad time.”
Monday, June 3, 2013
03
Jun
13

the White House … information and facts

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
Tags: , , , , , , ,

30
May
13

The official White House blog … get the facts

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Gautam Raghavan Gautam Raghavan

May 29, 2013 10:40 AM EDT

Last night, President Obama delivered remarks before over 200 members of the Asian
American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community at a White House celebration of
AAPI Heritage Month. The audience included national, state, and local community
leaders; elected officials; leaders of philanthropic, youth, and arts
organizations; and members of the President’s Administration, including Sri
Srinivasan, who was recently confirmed unanimously by the Senate to become the
first South Asian American federal appeals court judge.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration in the East Room of the White House, May 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

In his remarks, the President highlighted the contributions of generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who, in his words, “helped build this country, and helped to defend this country, and to make America what it is today.”  He said:

We value these voices because from the very beginning, ours has been a nation of immigrants; a nation challenged and shaped and pushed ever forward by diverse perspectives and fresh thinking.  And in order to keep our edge and stay ahead in the global race, we need to figure out a way to fix our broken immigration system — to welcome that infusion of newness, while still maintaining the enduring strength of our laws.  And the service and the leadership of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have proved that point time and again.

Dan Pfeiffer Dan Pfeiffer

May 29, 2013 09:00 AM EDT
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Republicans in the Senate have made no secret of their efforts to block the President’s constitutional responsibility to appoint federal judges. They have filibustered unquestionably qualified nominees, like Caitlin Halligan. And their obstruction of the confirmation process kept several nominees waiting more than a year for a vote.  In fact, on average, our judicial nominees wait more than three times as long as those of President Bush after being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  And for no good reason.  Earlier this year, four Circuit Court judges were confirmed by the Senate after waiting at least 250 days – even though each one was confirmed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

But now, Republicans are taking their attempts to manipulate the federal judiciary to an entirely new level. Right as our D.C. Circuit Court nominee Sri Srinivasan was confirmed unanimously, Republicans started pushing a proposal to reduce the number of judges on the D.C. Circuit from 11 to 8, a blatant attempt to shrink President Obama’s constitutional authority to fill this court. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt learned when he tried to pack the Supreme Court, the three branches of government are coequal for a reason. Neither the executive branch or the legislative branch should use the third branch to a pursue a partisan agenda.

And on the merits, Senator Grassley’s “court unpacking proposal” fails to make any sense. In fact, in 2005, the Senate – including Senator Grassley – voted to confirm Judge Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Circuit as the tenth active judge and Judge Thomas Griffith as the eleventh active judge.  In 2006, the Senate – again, including Senator Grassley – voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the tenth active judge. Voting for judicial nominees for court seats under one president while proposing to eliminate those same seats under the president of a different political party smacks of partisan politics.

Kasie Coccaro Kasie Coccaro

May 28, 2013 08:31 PM EDT
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Ed. Note: This is a cross post from the blog of LetsMove.gov. You can find the original post here.

First Lady Michelle Obama harvests vegetables with studentsFirst Lady Michelle Obama harvests vegetables with students in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn, May 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Today, a group of student helpers joined First Lady Michelle Obama for the summer White House kitchen garden harvest. For this harvest, the First Lady invited children from two New Jersey communities that were affected by Hurricane Sandy and invited back all the children who helped plant the garden in April so they could see the fruits of their labors. First Lady Michelle Obama and the students got their hands dirty picking produce from the garden.

So we’re here to harvest and we’re going to clear this out, right?  Right, Sam?  I know I’m going to be pulling up some radishes and doing some lettuce, but you guys are going to help harvest everything that’s over there.

After they were done harvesting they had a chance to try some of the vegetables they picked — on a grilled garden pizza.

We’re going to actually get to eat what we harvest today.  So in addition to doing some harvesting, you guys are going to help — we’re going to do some veggie flatbread pizzas with the vegetables from the garden.  You guys up for a little cooking, too?

Matt Compton Matt Compton

May 28, 2013 03:47 PM EDT
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Earlier today, President Obama sent the message below to the White House email list, asking Americans to support the rebuilding efforts in Moore, Oklahoma. If you didn’t get the email, be sure to sign up.

Good morning –

On Sunday, I was in Moore, Oklahoma. Today, I’m headed to the Jersey Shore. Those two communities are separated by half a continent but united by a common sense of purpose. Like Joplin, Tuscaloosa, and New Orleans, they are home to people who’ve seen nature at its worst and humanity at its best. And they’re filled with those who have made the choice to rebuild after disaster, to come back stronger than ever.

The scene on the ground this weekend was one we all know too well: homes wrecked and neighborhoods devastated. But the memories I’ll take away from Moore will be of people standing tall, of neighbor helping neighbor, of survivors working to ensure that no one suffers through tragedy alone. And that too, was strikingly familiar. I could have been back in Brigantine Beach after Hurricane Sandy. I could have been in Joplin in 2011.

  • Todd Park Todd Park

    May 28, 2013 12:40 PM EDT
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    Thomas Friedman’s New York Times column, Obamacare’s Other Surprise, highlights a rising tide of innovation that has been unleashed by the Affordable Care Act and the Administration’s health IT and data initiatives. Supported by digital data, new data-driven tools, and payment policies that reward improving the quality and value of care, doctors, hospitals, patients, and entrepreneurs across the nation are demonstrating that smarter, better, more accessible, and more proactive care is the best way to improve quality and control health care costs.

    We are witnessing the emergence of a data-powered revolution in health care. Catalyzed by the Recovery Act, adoption of electronic health records is increasing dramatically. More than half of all doctors and other eligible providers and nearly 80 percent of hospitals are using electronic health records to improve care, an increase of more than 200 percent since 2008. In addition, the Administration’s Health Data Initiative is making a growing supply of key government data on everything from hospital charges and quality to regional health care system performance statistics freely available in computer-readable, downloadable form, as fuel for innovation, entrepreneurship, and discovery.

    As Friedman describes, these trends, combined with efforts under the Affordable Care Act to change how we pay health care providers to better reward improving the quality and value of care, are creating a “new marketplace and platform for innovation.” Entrepreneurs and innovators across the country are developing and deploying new data-powered IT tools to help clinicians succeed at delivering better care at lower cost.

  • Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

    May 28, 2013 12:15 PM EDT
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    Ed. note: This is cross-posted from the HealthCare blog at HealthCare.gov. Read more about data-powered health care here.

    A recent New York Times column, Obamacare’s Other Surprise, by Thomas L. Friedman echoes what we’ve been hearing from health care providers and innovators: Data that support medical decision-making and collaboration, dovetailing with new tools in the Affordable Care Act, are spurring the innovation necessary to deliver improved health care for more people at affordable prices.

    Today, we are focused on driving a smarter health care system focused on the quality – not quantity – of care. The health care law includes many tools to increase transparency, avoid costly mistakes and hospital readmissions, keep patients healthy, and encourage new payment and care delivery models, like Accountable Care Organizations. Health information technology is a critical underpinning to this larger strategy.

    Policies like these are already driving improvements. Prior to the law, nearly one in five Medicare patients discharged from a hospital was readmitted within 30 days, at a cost of over $26 billion every year. After implementing policies to incentivize better care coordination after a hospital discharge, the 30-day, all-cause readmission rate is estimated to have dropped during 2012 to a low of 18 percent in October, after averaging 19 percent for the previous five years. This downward trend translates to about 70,000 fewer admissions in 2012.

    Insurance companies are also now required to publicly justify their actions if they want to raise rates by 10% or more. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the proportion of requests for double-digit rate increases fell from 75 percent in 2010 to 14 percent so far in 2013.

    Reforms like these have helped slow Medicare and Medicaid spending per beneficiary to historically low rates of growth.

    Mobilizing Use of Health Information Technology

    Last week, we reached an important milestone in the adoption of health information technology. More than half of all doctors and other eligible providers and nearly 80 percent of hospitals are using electronic health records (EHRs) to improve care, an increase of at least 200 percent since 2008.

Ezra Mechaber Ezra Mechaber

May 26, 2013 03:12 PM EDT
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It was just one week ago that tornadoes tore through Oklahoma, devastating the town of Moore.

Today, President Obama traveled to the area — visiting Plaza Towers Elementary School to offer a nation’s condolences, and a promise to help Moore rebuild.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks along side what remains of Plaza Towers Elementary SchoolPresident Barack Obama delivers remarks along side what remains of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma, May 26, 2013. Oklahoman Governor Mary Fallin, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, and local officials stand with him. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

The President thanked Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and Mayor Glenn Lewis of Moore for their quick, outstanding response, and praised other local officials instrumental in helping to save lives and jumpstart the town’s recovery efforts.

President Obama highlighted the everyday acts of heroism in Moore, thanking first responders and volunteers for embodying the “Oklahoma Standard”:

We’ve seen incredible outpourings of support from churches, from community groups who are helping folks begin to recover.

This area has known more than its share of heartbreak. But people here pride themselves on the “Oklahoma Standard” –- what Governor Fallin has called, “Being able to work through disasters like this, and [to] come out stronger on the other side.” And that’s what we’ve been seeing this week.

From the forecasters who issued the warnings, to the first responders who dug through the rubble, to the teachers who shielded with their own bodies their students, Oklahomans have inspired us with their love and their courage and their fellowship.

President Barack Obama talks with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in MoorePresident Barack Obama talks with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, and local officials as he tours tornado damage along a block of Eagle Drive in Moore, Okla., May 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Moore, like Joplin and New Jersey before it, will rebuild — and the nation is standing by to help. As President Obama said:

When we say that we’ve got your back, I promise you, we keep our word.  If you talk to folks in Alabama who have been affected over the last couple of years; you talk to the folks at Joplin, who I know have actually sent volunteers down here to Moore; if you talk to folks in New Jersey and New York, they’ll tell you that when we say we’re going to be there until you completely rebuild, we mean it.

The President closed by urging every American to step up and help the people of Oklahoma.

After visiting Plaza Towers, President Obama stopped by Moore Fire Department Station #1 to meet with first responders. The fire station has served as a command center throughout the disaster, first for search and rescue and now for survivor services.

President Barack Obama talks with first responders in MoorePresident Barack Obama talks with first responders and agency officials at Moore Fire Department Station #1 in Moore, Okla., May 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Ed. Note: You can help people affected by the recent tornadoes through American Red Cross Disaster Relief. If you are in the affected areas, click here to apply for assistance and learn about other resources that are available to you.

Connecticut Leads the Way on Protecting Children

Secretary Arne Duncan Secretary Arne Duncan

May 24, 2013 07:23 PM EDT
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At a town hall meeting today on school safety at the Classical Magnet School in Hartford, I got to hear firsthand how Connecticut is leading the nation in adopting common-sense solutions to reduce gun violence and improve school safety.

In the aftermath of the massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last December, the courage and resilience of teachers, parents, children, and communities in the Newtown area has been nothing short of remarkable.

From Governor Dannel Malloy to state lawmakers to the members of the Sandy Hook Promise, the entire state worked together to pass comprehensive legislation to reduce gun violence.

Unlike here in Washington, Connecticut’s lawmakers didn’t defend the status quo or shrink from tackling difficult questions. With bipartisan support, they enacted a comprehensive law to help curb gun violence and mass shootings that does not infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and hunt.

Connecticut’s leaders have set an example of political courage that can teach a lot to Congress and the rest of the nation. At today’s town hall meeting, Governor Malloy talked about how he decided to press ahead for new gun violence prevention measures, despite fierce attacks from the NRA.

By contrast, in Washington, Congress has so far failed to take the sensible step of expanding the background check system to close loopholes that allow criminals and the mentally ill to buy guns.

  • Jeanne Lambrew May 24, 2013 04:45 PM EDT
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    The Obama Administration has made improving the quality and efficiency of the health care system a priority. Already we have put in place new payment and care models that reward doctors and hospitals for providing high quality and efficient care to their patients. We are working with hospitals to identify gaps in patient safety and ways to reduce preventable readmissions that are harmful and expensive. Health information technology (IT) is critical to making these new models work.

    Until the President made investments in health information technology by signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, our health care system ran largely on paper. In 2008, only 17 percent of physicians were using advanced electronic health records and just 9 percent of hospitals had adopted electronic health records. Information is the lifeblood of modern medicine, but information can’t get where it needs to go when it’s on paper. That means doctors didn’t have the best information at their fingertips when making diagnosis and treatment decisions; that patients didn’t have easy access to their medical records; and that information is dropped when patients leaving a hospital transition to a nursing home or home care.

    That’s why the President put in place a series of policies to promote adoption of electronic health records as well as their deployment in ways that improve care quality while reducing costs.  This includes:

    • Medicare and Medicaid incentives for the adoption and use of electronic health records;
    • Technical assistance and direct support for primary care practices and rural practitioners to help them overcome barriers to adoption;
    • Creation of certification standards that give providers confidence in what they’re buying and to ensure Medicare and Medicaid dollars are well-spent.
21
May
13

Pelosi – House Dems and the Headlines : May 2013

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Pelosi ~ House Dems and the Headlines
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Pelosi Statement on LGBT Pride Month

“What emerged as a new chapter in the fight for civil rights at Stonewall in June 1969 continues today in the battle to secure basic, fundamental protections for LGBT families and workers everywhere – to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; to reject discrimination in our immigration system against LGBT families and foreign-born partners and spouses; and to make marriage equality not just a cause of one community, but the law of the land. In LGBT Pride Month, that drive endures as we act to keep the doors of opportunity and equality open for LGBT Americans and all Americans.”
Friday, May 31, 2013
 
“There is no greater way to safeguard the future of our country than to invest in the education of our children. Yet if Congress fails to act by July 1, interest rates on student loans will double, putting a college education well out of reach for millions of American students. With hardworking families already carrying $1 trillion in student loan debt, we must do more to ease – not exacerbate – that burden.
Friday, May 31, 2013
 

“As we mark another Memorial Day, we recommit to addressing the challenges of military families in our time: to ensure timely access to benefits; to end the claims backlog at the VA; to secure quality health care and good-paying jobs for our service members.  On this day and every day, we must reaffirm our solemn promise: just as the military leaves no one behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind at home.”Friday, May 24, 2013

 
“Thanks to the cooperation and commitment of California’s medical community, our health insurance marketplace will expand competitiveness, improve health care, protect the economic security of the middle class, and transform millions of lives.  I am proud to see that California is leading the way in establishing the bright and healthy future that the Affordable Care Act is meant to ensure.”
Thursday, May 23, 2013
 
“President Obama’s address reaffirmed our nation’s firm commitment to preserving our security while upholding our civil liberties.  As elected officials, we have no greater responsibility than protecting the American people; with the President’s statement today, we have a broad framework to meet that duty and maintain our commitment to our country’s highest ideals.”
Thursday, May 23, 2013
 
“Instead of working to enact a budget, or to create jobs, today the House Republicans will vote on the “Make College More Expensive Act.”  This is really stunning.  I hope you pay attention to the debate with the charts and the rest.  It clearly demonstrates how damaging this is to college affordability, to those who want to go to college, to their families who want to help them to do so…”
Thursday, May 23, 2013
 
“As we approach Memorial Day, the challenge to our conscience of that – meeting the needs of our veterans is heightened.  It is with us every day.  But it’s heightened on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and other times of the year.  As we say in our meetings all the time on the battlefield, the military says: ‘on the battlefield, we will leave no soldier behind.’  And all of us say together, in a bi-partisan way: ‘and when they come home, we will leave no veteran behind.’  And so, it is in that spirit that this backlog is a challenge to the conscience of our country…”
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
 
“On this Harvey Milk Day – on what would be his 83rd birthday – Harvey’s green light has opened doors for LGBT elected officials nationwide: from America’s first LGBT Senator in Tammy Baldwin to six LGBT Members of the House, each contributing their leadership to the most diverse Democratic Caucus in history.  These Members are a living testament to Harvey’s principle that LGBT people deserve a place at the table.”
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
 
“I am pleased that the more than 600,000 American citizens who reside in the District of Columbia will finally have a statue representing them in the U.S. Capitol.  While the District deserves to have two statues in the Capitol, like the states, since its residents pay federal taxes and have fought and died in every American war, a statue depicting Frederick Douglass could not be a more apt representative for the people of D.C.  Douglass fought for District residents to have self-government and Congressional representation, a fight our Caucus carries on today.”
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
 
Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Joe Crowley, Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey, and Congressman Rush Holt met with President U Thein Sein of Burma and his delegation.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
 
“So, I hope it is a comfort to the people of the region, that their loss is one that is shared, and mourned, by people across the world, certainly in our country, and definitely in this Congress of the United States.  Whatever it is in our power to be helpful to them, we will do, and we will do quickly.  And that most importantly, they will always, always, always, and ever, be in our prayers.”
Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Pelosi Statement on the Devastating Tornado in Oklahoma

“As rescue workers continue the search for survivors, Members of Congress stand ready to do what we can to support the communities in Oklahoma, the first responders, and state and local government in their efforts to recover, respond, and rebuild.”
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
 
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and senior House Democrats have sent letters to nine separate U.S. retailers calling upon them to join a broadening global coalition supporting a May 12 Accord on Fire and Building Safety, developed by the Worker Rights Consortium and a number of key stakeholders.
Friday, May 17, 2013
 
“Here we are, 134 days into the 113th Congress, without one vote on a jobs bill.  Fifty-four days after the Senate passed its budget, we still haven’t moved forward to the budget process with this do nothing agenda that does not reflect the priorities of the American people.  It is an agenda that only the Republicans are interested in pursuing.  So, you see a series of subterfuges, job evasions.  Today’s job evasion is that the Republicans have decided to vote on the Patient’s Rights Repeal Act, their 37th attempt to repeal our country’s landmark reform bill.  That’s 37 votes, 43 days, $52 million – $52.4 million – on an obvious evasion of our responsibility to work on the priorities of the American people.”
Thursday, May 16, 2013
 
“…[W]e believe there is simply no substitute for tough, comprehensive, uncompromising government support for legislation and fully-resourced law enforcement and administrative action… that both empowers workers and prevents more accidents from happening,” write the lawmakers in the letter.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
 
“First of all, it is our job to come here and act for the good of the American people.  And right now the American people see that good as the creation of jobs.  What is it, 134 days into this Congress?  And the Republican majority has yet to put forth one bill, vote one bill out to create jobs, to have evasion.  Here we are today with yet another one of their subterfuges: ‘let’s not talk about jobs.  Let’s use up time.’  And that adds to – what has been up until now – $54 million dollars, 43, some days spent on this – the 37th effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.  What we should be doing is what the Republicans have asked for: regular order, to go to the budget table, to reconcile the differences between the House and the Senate, so that we can put forth a product, a budget that creates jobs, that reduces the deficit, that strengthens the middle class…”
Thursday, May 16, 2013
 
“…it’s about how it affects women specifically, that we are talking about today, but those women are part of the nearly 13 million Americans benefitting from $1.1 billion in rebates from health insurance companies last summer…”
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
 
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced today that Catlin O’Neill, longtime aide and Chief of Staff in her Congressional office (CA-12), will be departing for the private sector.  Today, Leader Pelosi named Robert Edmonson, her current Legislative Director, as Ms. O’Neill’s successor.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
 
“Today, the Pentagon’s civilian employees join the growing list of Americans bearing the brunt of the devastating sequester cuts.  As long as House Republicans refuse to replace the sequester, hard-working Americans will see crippling cuts to services in education, health, and national security.”
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Boehner, Pelosi, Bipartisan Group of Members – Call for State Department to Address Plight of Chen Guangcheng & Family

Washington, D.C. – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and a bipartisan group of members sent the following letter to Secretary of State John Kerry expressing concern about the harassment and abuse inflicted upon Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng and his family by local officials in the Shandong Province of China.  The letter makes a series of recommendations for actions the State Department could take in its discussions with the Chinese government.
Monday, May 13, 2013
 
“While we look forward to reviewing the Inspector General’s report this week, it is clear that the actions taken by some at the IRS must be condemned.  Those who engaged in this behavior were wrong and must be held accountable for their actions.  Regardless of political affiliation or bias, there is no place for this type of activity by the IRS or its employees.”
Monday, May 13, 2013
 
“This week we gave mothers not a very good gift.  More work, less pay.  Happy Mother’s Day?  I don’t think so.  The bill that gives less flexibility to working people, more discretion to their bosses.  Here’s what the bill really does: it ends the 40 hour work week, it ends, it cuts pay for women, undermines the economic security of the middle class, gives an interest free loan, paid for by workers’ wages and unused comp time to the company…”
Thursday, May 9, 2013
 
“We feel very, very hopeful that we will be able to move forward on this before the session of this Congress is out.  That we will indeed have passed comprehensive immigration reform.  It couldn’t happen without you.”
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
 
“On Cinco de Mayo, we remember the extraordinary victory of a poorly-armed Mexican militia over larger, stronger, better-equipped French forces in the Battle of Puebla.  For 151 years, this date has been a source of pride to the people of Mexico – and here in the United States, it has been an opportunity to honor the contributions, heritage, and rich history of Mexican Americans and all Hispanic Americans.”
Friday, May 3, 2013
 
“Today’s jobs report shows signs of progress for our workers and our middle class.  Yet it is also a reminder that Americans cannot afford more Republican political games that protect the sequester, slow our growth, inject uncertainty into our economy, and create instability for our working families.  Members of Congress must work together to put people to work, invest in American businesses and manufacturers, and build a lasting recovery.”
Friday, May 3, 2013

Pelosi Statement on Nominees for Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Trade Representative

“Today, President Obama nominated two effective, passionate leaders to guide our efforts to grow our economy, strengthen the hands of American businesses and workers, and keep our nation number one on the global stage.”
Thursday, May 2, 2013
 
“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements, rich cultures, and extraordinary contributions of the AAPI community.  Americans from Asia and the Pacific Islands have risen above hardship, prejudice, and outright persecution to become an indelible part of the American story.”
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
“Jewish American Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate a community rich in achievement, central to American progress, bound together by the values of fairness and justice for all.”
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
“A proud son of North Carolina, Congressman Mel Watt has spent the last 20 years as a staunch and tireless advocate for the health, economic security, and prosperity of the people he represents.  As an economic development attorney and small business owner, he will bring the real-life expertise and unwavering dedication necessary to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency.”
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
30
Apr
13

White House Women’s Update: Empowering Women at Home and Abroad

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

The White House

President Obama spoke at the Planned Parenthood National Conference in Washington, DC, reaffirming the core principle that has guided the organization for nearly a century: that women should be allowed to make their own decisions about their own health. Speaking at the conference, he said, “No politician should get to decide what’s best for you. No insurer should get to decide what kind of care that you get. The only person who should get to make decisions about your health is you.”

This week the Senate took bipartisan action today to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The President released a statement, saying, “Sylvia has spent a career fighting for working families, and she was part of an OMB team that presided over three budget surpluses in a row… Sylvia will be a key member of my economic team, and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, participated in a number of events over the past week. Last week the White House, she joined with the World Bank and the U.S. Department of the Treasury to host a high-level dialogue of the Equal Futures Partnership – an initiative to break down barriers to women’s economic and political participation. Valerie Jarrett also wrote a blog about attending the launch of EMPOWERED, Alicia Keys’ new campaign to reach and inform women about HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for all that you do.

White House Council on Women & Girls

President Obama Speaks to the Planned Parenthood Conference

Today, President Obama spoke at the Planned Parenthood National Conference in Washington, DC, reaffirming the core principle that has guided the organization for nearly a century: that women should be allowed to make their own decisions about their own health.

President Obama thanked the doctors, nurses, advocates and staff who work tirelessly to keep the doors open for the millions of women who depend on the health services Planned Parenthood offers.

“Somewhere there’s a woman who just received a new lease on life because of a screening that you provided that helped catch her cancer in time. Somewhere there’s a woman who’s breathing easier today because of the support and counseling she got at her local Planned Parenthood health clinic. Somewhere there’s a young woman starting a career who, because of you, is able to decide for herself when she wants to start a family.”

“One in five women in this country has turned to Planned Parenthood for health care,” he said. “And for many, Planned Parenthood is their primary source of health care  — not just for contraceptive care, but for lifesaving preventive care, like cancer screenings and health counseling.”

When politicians threaten to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, they’re “talking about shutting those women out at a time when they may need it most — shutting off communities that need more health care options for women, not less.”

Read the President’s complete remarks.

Planned Parenthood 2013 National Conference

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the 2013 Planned Parenthood National Conference at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., April 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today’s Girls Are Tomorrow’s Leaders

Last week, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the Council on Women and Girls, wrote a blog about attending Equal Futures Partnership: From Promise to Progress event at the World Bank:

“Last week, I attended the Equal Futures Partnership: From Promise to Progress event at the World Bank, to share progress made by the Obama Administration since the launch of the Equal Futures Partnership last September. The Equal Futures Partnership is a multilateral initiative that seeks to break down barriers to women’s economic empowerment and political participation so that every woman and girl can reach her full potential. It is a response to the challenge issued by President Obama in September 2011 at the UN General Assembly. He said, “Next year, we should each announce the steps we are taking to break down economic and political barriers that stand in the way of women and girls. That is what our commitment to human progress demands.”

“During the meetings, I was greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of other countries to empower women. Together, I know that we can create a world where every woman and girl has the chance to live up to her potential.”

Also last week, as a part of the Equal Futures Partnership, the White House launched the Equal Futures App Challenge to spur the creation of apps that inspire girls to become leaders in our democracy.

Learn more about the App Challenge and the notable app, Girl emPower, and read Valerie’s complete blog about the Equal Futures Partnership.

Courage, Strength, Resilience: Women Fight AIDS

Last week, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the Council on Women and Girls, wrote a blog about attending the launch of EMPOWERED.

“I attended the launch of EMPOWERED, Alicia Keys’ new campaign with Greater than AIDS to reach and inform women about HIV/AIDS, at an event hosted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. This is the second event that Alicia Keys and I have attended at Kaiser within the last year, both focused on ending AIDS.”

“The HIV crisis touches every corner of the globe. And it’s personally touched so many of us, including here at home. We all have tragic stories about how HIV/AIDS has affected our family and friends, and these stories propel us all to continue to fight to end this disease.”

“On our end, President Obama has recognized the need for immediate action. Here are just a few of the steps we’ve already taken to defeat AIDS:”

“President Obama released the nation’s first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, a blueprint for how to make greater progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, through reducing health disparities and improving health and wellness for everyone living with HIV.”

“In addition to the progress that the Obama Administration is making on a policy level, Monday’s EMPOWERMENT launch by Alicia attests to the fact that all of us have the responsibility and ability to help end the disease. And that’s why Alicia’s campaign is so exciting.”

Read the blog here.

President Obama Honors the 2013 National Teacher of the Year

Twelve years ago, Zillah High School in Washington state had no engineering classes. The science curriculum was lagging behind, and students had to go off campus to take technology classes.

Jeff Charbonneau, who returned to his hometown 11 years ago to teach at Zillah High, was determined to change that. And he did. Science enrollment is way up. Kids are graduating with college-level science credits. The school expects to have to hire more teachers now to meet the demand.

And earlier this week, President Obama honored Jeff as the 2013 National Teacher of the Year.

President Obama said that what’s true for Jeff is also true for the other state Teachers of the Year, who stood behind President Obama at the event.

“They understand that their job is more than teaching subjects like reading or chemistry. They’re not just filling blackboards with numbers and diagrams. In classrooms across America, they’re teaching things like character and compassion and resilience and imagination. They’re filling young minds with virtues and values, and teaching our kids how to cooperate and overcome obstacles.”

Read more about this year’s National Teacher of the Year.

Young Scientists and Innovators Amaze President Obama at the White House Science Fair

On Monday, President Obama celebrated the remarkable achievements of student science fair winners and extraordinary kid innovators from across the nation in the third White House Science Fair. The Fair brought 100 students from more than 40 states to an all-day, hands-on celebration of the power and potential of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

As the President said in 2009, when he announced the first-ever White House Science Fair, “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you’re a young person and you’ve produced the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too.”

Read more about this year’s White House Science Fair.

30
Apr
13

First Lady Speaks at the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
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First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing. April 29, 2013.

19
Apr
13

The Veterans Full Employment Bill Signing

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The First Lady joins Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley for a formal bill signing ceremony at the Maryland state house. The legislation will make it easier for military spouses to transfer their licenses when they move from state to state, and it will require licensing units and public institutions of higher education to consider relevant military experience and training for licenses, credentials and academic credit.

19
Apr
13

Gun Violence ~ Dan Pfeiffer, The White House

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hello –During the State of the Union, President Obama called for a reasonable debate on a set of commonsense measures to help protect our kids by reducing gun violence. That night, Congress stood up and applauded. But now that the cameras are off and they aren’t forced to look the families of Newtown in the face, some in Congress aren’t backing up that show of support with action.

When it matters most, they’re hoping that you’re not paying attention.

But I know that’s not the case. In the past week, 17,000 people have told us that they’ll commit to adding their voices to this debate through social media — together, they’ll reach more than 15 million of their friends on Facebook and Twitter.

We’re planning to have them speak out today. And we could really use your help.

Pledge to speak out about the need to reduce gun violence.

If we have a simple vote in Congress, we can get this done. And this afternoon, we’ll begin to understand whether or not that’s possible.

The Senate is considering a proposal that would go a long way toward making our country safer and protecting our kids. This afternoon, lawmakers get a chance to offer amendments — some of them aimed at making the legislation better, some aimed at sinking it. One idea, closing loopholes in the background check system, has support from 90 percent of the public. In fact, even a majority of senators support this step. But we still need you to make your voice heard.

Vice President Biden will be talking through all of this today at 2:45 p.m. ET. He’ll lead a discussion with a group of mayors from around the country on the steps we can take to reduce gun violence. You can watch that as it happens at whitehouse.gov.

And while you’re doing that, take a minute to join the debate.

Pledge to speak out, and we’ll work to make sure you’re part of the conversation about guns here in Washington:


http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/preventing-gun-violence/action

Thanks,

Dan

Dan Pfeiffer Senior Advisor White House
15
Apr
13

CARE2

By Nativegrl77 Closed
Categories: ~ Political Action, Obama news and events
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

                                    A holiday to the beaches of Cornwall in the U.K. last summer has led to 10-year-old Bruno Debattista finding himself face-to-face with the path of a…
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                                    Obama’s budget proposal for 2014 would eliminate $39 billion of tax breaks for Big Oil companies over the next decade as part of comprehensive business…
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                                    The Senate deal to expand gun background checks is far short of perfect. Under the compromise brokered by Sens. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.; Joe Manchin, D-W.V.;…
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