Category: 2012

Today, on behalf of the American people, the President approved an additional $12 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance to support those most affected by the crisis in Syria.  After nearly 17 months of conflict, the humanitarian situation is dire and rapidly deteriorating.  The United Nations estimates that over 1.5 million people in Syria are in…

Today, despite the strong leadership of Senators Reid, Lieberman, Collins, Rockefeller and Feinstein, an overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, the only comprehensive piece of cybersecurity legislation that would have begun to address vulnerabilities in the nation’s critical infrastructure systems.  Senate Republican opposition to this vital national security…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Montana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a wildfire during the period of June 25 to July 10, 2012. Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maryland and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and straight-line winds during the period of June 29 to July 8, 2012. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Pamela Ki Mai Chen to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. “I am proud to nominate this outstanding candidate to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama.  “Pamela Chen has a long and distinguished record of…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Kingston, Jamaica to attend the Celebration marking the Fiftieth Independence Anniversary of Jamaica on August 6, 2012. The Honorable General Colin L. Powell, USA (Retired), Former U.S. Secretary of State, will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable Pamela Bridgewater,…

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE: Pamela Ki Mai Chen, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, vice Raymond J. Dearie, retired.

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Eric Kenneth Fanning, of the District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, vice Erin C. Conaton, resigned. Christopher J. Meade, of New York, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury, vice George Wheeler Madison, resigned. William J. Mielke, of Wisconsin, to be Member…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: • Kevin K. Washburn – Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior • Jenny R. Yang – Commissioner, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission President Obama said, “These individuals have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: John Hardy Isakson, of Georgia, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Patrick J. Leahy, of Vermont, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly…