Category: Dec2013

I am pleased the Senate has confirmed Jeh Johnson as our next Secretary of Homeland Security with broad bipartisan support.  In Jeh, our dedicated homeland security professionals will have a strong leader with a deep understanding of the threats we face and a proven ability to work across agencies and complex organizations to keep America…

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Well, merry Christmas, everybody!  I want to thank our host, Hugh Jackman, for keeping our safety in mind and leaving Wolverine’s claws at home.  (Laughter.)  It can’t be easy to wrap presents with those things.  (Laughter.)  Good for carving the “roast beast,” though.  (Laughter.) I want to thank all the incredible…

National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken, along with senior officials from the Departments of State and Treasury, hosted Israeli National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen and other Israeli officials for meetings at the White House last week to discuss the P5+1’s efforts to pursue a lasting and comprehensive settlement that…

WASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama honored the memories of the 26 innocent children and educators who were taken from us a year ago in Newtown, Connecticut. The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, December 14, 2013. Remarks of President…

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, it is a great pleasure to welcome not only some of the most outstanding mayors in the country, but also folks who are representing incredible cities, world-class cities, that are going to be central to America’s economic growth and progress for years to come. I’ve always said that mayors don’t have time…

Miguel Rodriguez has served in my Administration from day one.  After a tour with Secretary Clinton at the State Department, he joined my staff in October 2011 before agreeing to serve as my Director of Legislative Affairs earlier this year.  And throughout some of this year’s most contentious legislative battles, Miguel worked tirelessly to bridge…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Thomas Edgar Rothman, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2016.  (New Position) Peter A. Selfridge, of Minnesota, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service, vice Capricia Penavic…

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat. MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM OBJECTIVES In…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the Rim Fire during the period of August 17 to October 24, 2013. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private…

I thank the Senate for confirming Nina Pillard to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which for the first time, will have five active female judges on the bench.  Throughout her career, Ms. Pillard has displayed an unwavering commitment to justice and integrity.  Her landmark accomplishments…