Category: Jun2013

Union Building Pretoria, South Africa PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, good evening, everyone.  President Zuma, Madam Zuma, distinguished guests, thank you for your incredible hospitality.  When I was last here, as a Senator, my entourage was a little smaller.  (Laughter.)  By that I mean no entourage.  (Laughter.)  The Speaker just helpfully showed me a photograph of me…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornado, and flooding during the period of May 24-31,2013. Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private…

Today is National HIV Testing Day, when we encourage people across the United States to get tested.  Early detection and treatment for HIV saves lives, and yet over half of adults in the United States have never been tested. Nearly one in five people living with HIV in this country doesn’t know his or her…

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, President Obama nominated Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr., to serve as U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Kenneth Polite’s legal career has been distinguished and impressive,” said President Obama.  “I am confident that, as a US Attorney, he will be relentless in his pursuit of justice and serve the people of…

I am pleased that the Senate today voted unanimously to confirm Anthony Foxx as the next Secretary of Transportation.  Anthony knows firsthand that investing in our roads, bridges and transit systems is vital to creating good jobs and ensuring American businesses can grow and compete in a 21st century global economy.  I welcome Anthony to…

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: In accordance with section 502(f)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the “1974 Act”) (19 U.S.C. 2462(f)(2)), I am providing notification of my intent to suspend the designation of Bangladesh as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Section 502(b)(2)(G) of…

Today, with a strong bipartisan vote, the United States Senate delivered for the American people, bringing us a critical step closer to fixing our broken immigration system once and for all. I thank Majority Leader Reid, Senator Leahy, Senator Schumer, and every member of the ‘Gang of Eight’ for their leadership, and I commend all…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: Krysta Harden – Deputy Secretary, Department of Agriculture Alejandro Mayorkas – Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security Ron Binz – Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and upon appointment to be designated Chair Robert Bonnie – Under Secretary…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: James Costos, of California, to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Andorra. Ronald J. Binz, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2018,vice Jon Wellinghoff, term expiring.…