Category: Dec2013

Earlier this year I directed Secretary Hagel, Chairman Dempsey and our entire defense leadership team to step up their game exponentially in preventing and responding to the serious crime of sexual assault in our military.  As Commander in Chief, I’ve made it clear that these crimes have no place in the greatest military on earth. …

I applaud the bipartisan majority of Senators who today confirmed John Koskinen as the next commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.  John has decades of private and public-sector experience, and he has led institutions in challenging times.  Throughout his career, John has always acted with the absolute integrity Americans demand from those in public service,…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Texas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of October 30-31, 2013. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations…

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY SUBJECT: Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy I have considered the proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the American Institute in Taiwan and the…

WASHINGTON, DC — President Obama today named 102 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This year’s awardees represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. The educators will receive their awards at a Washington,…

On Friday, December 20, 2013, the President signed into law: H.R. 185, which designates the United States courthouse located in Sherman, Texas, as the Paul Brown United States Courthouse; H.R. 1402, the “VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013,” which makes changes to benefits and programs related to adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and…

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Washington, D.C. 2:38 P.M. EST MRS. OBAMA:  Hello everyone, how are you all doing?  You excited?  It’s almost Christmas!  Do you feel the excitement? CHILDREN:  Yes! MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  Are you guys out of school yet?  Are you on vacation? CHILDREN:  No. MRS. OBAMA:  When do you get out?  On Friday, tomorrow?…

We commend the House and Senate for passing the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement as a part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.  This agreement will establish an environmentally safe and responsible framework to explore, develop, and share revenue from hydrocarbon resources that lie in waters beyond each country’s exclusive, economic zones.  The Administration appreciated…

The White House released a report today underscoring the costs of repealing the Affordable Care Act for millions of Americans. The benefits of the health care law – lower costs, new protections, and expanded access to quality, affordable care – are real, and the repeal plan pushed by some Republicans in Congress would undermine or…

The Administration appreciates the bipartisan work of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, and their continued support of our service members and national defense.  The bill will, among other things, assist the Armed Forces in operating in unconventional and irregular warfare and countering unconventional…