Category: 2013

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Brad R. Carson, of Oklahoma, to be Under Secretary of the Army, vice Joseph W. Westphal. Maureen Elizabeth Cormack, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Richard A.…

Eighty years ago, the Ukrainian people were subjected to unimaginable suffering as a result of the deliberate policies of the regime of Joseph Stalin.  Ukrainian men, women, and children died of starvation as the product of their labor was seized in an effort to break the will of a proud people.  On November 23, the…

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:59 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  It’s no secret that the American people have probably never been more frustrated with Washington.  And one of the reasons why that is, is that over the past five years, we’ve seen an unprecedented pattern of obstruction in Congress that’s prevented…

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the President signed into law: H.R. 2747, the “Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act,” which transfers statutory authority from the Government Accountability Office to the Department of Labor for processing and disbursing back wages owed to employees of Federal contractors that violated certain Federal wage requirements; S. 330,…

Earlier today, I signed into law the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that allows scientists to carry out research into organ donations from one person with HIV to another.  For decades, these organ transplants have been illegal. It was even illegal to study whether they could be safe and…

At Georgetown University, Gaston Hall Washington, D.C. Wednesday November 20, 2013 “America’s Future in Asia” Thank you, Victor, for all your exceptional work to advance American policy toward Asia — from your time on the NSC staff to your current contributions as Director of the Asia Studies Program at the School of Foreign Service.  I’d…

East Room 11:17 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning!  (Applause.)  Good morning, everybody!  Everybody, please have a seat.  Have a seat. Well, on behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House.  This is one of my favorite events every year, especially special this year, as I look at this extraordinary group of individuals…

National Museum of American History 7:26 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everybody.  Please have a seat.  Michelle and I are so pleased to join you tonight to honor the legacy of an American leader in a building dedicated to the preservation of our American history. And we are thrilled to be joined by so…

We are delighted that the United Kingdom is joining the United States in shifting public financing toward cleaner energy sources.  This is an important component of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, and we look forward to working with the UK to encourage other countries to implement similar polices. The President’s Climate Action Plan calls for…

The United States congratulates the people of Nepal on their November 19 Constituent Assembly elections. These elections mark a vital step in the peace process that began in 2006. Elections like these are a milestone not just for Nepal but for people around the world working to rebuild after conflicts and resolve disputes via constitutional…