Category: May2013

Last year the President worked with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to secure a one-year extension to keep the student loan interest rate from doubling to 6.8 percent.  Absent Congressional action, interest rates on new subsidized student loans will double once again on July 1 of this year.  To keep rates from doubling, the President’s…

Dear Mr. Chairman: (Madam Chairman:) (Dear Representative:) (Dear Senator:) (Dear Mr. Vice Chairman:) This report to the Congress, under section 804(a) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. 1903(b)(1) (the “Kingpin Act”), transmits my designations of the following six foreign individuals and groups as appropriate for sanctions under the Kingpin Act and reports…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Iowa and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of April 17-30, 2013. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private…

Today, the President convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room with key members of his response team to receive an update ahead of the 2013 hurricane season, which begins this Saturday, June 1st. In the meeting, which was led by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco, the President…

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  Have a seat.  Have a seat.  Welcome to the White House.  I know it’s a little warm.  (Laughter.) One of my favorite things about this job is that I get to spend some time with remarkable young people from all across the country.  It inspires me.  It makes me feel…

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  It’s a great pleasure once again to welcome our Secretary of NATO, Anders Rasmussen.  He has been an extraordinary partner for us and, I believe, a great leader for NATO. Over the last several years, he has helped to orchestrate a very successful Lisbon summit, a very successful Chicago summit.  And, in between,…

VICE PRESIDENT TEMER: (As interpreted) It’s my pleasure to welcome Vice President Joe Biden. And on a more personal note, I’d like to say that some time ago as a representative of Brazil at taking office of the President of Mexico, I was happy to sit next to Vice President Biden.  And there we had…

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Chicago!  (Applause.) Michael Jordan — different Michael Jordan.  (Laughter.)  It is great to be home, and it is great to be among so many good friends.  Starting with Jan Schakowsky, what she does not mention is — in her introduction — that not too many folks gave me a chance to win…

THE PRESIDENT:   Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  No, no, no, don’t do that.  This is like old home week.  Yes.  We got — that’s because he’s got a relative here.  (Laughter.)  A good excuse to — AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.) THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, no.  Secret Service, can you have this man removed, please?  (Laughter.)  Oh,…