Category: 2013

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists for the Santa Clara Pueblo and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of September 13-16, 2013. Federal funding is available to the Santa Clara Pueblo and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing…

Vice President Biden met this morning with the Senator Pietro Grasso, President of the Italian Senate.  The two leaders discussed their shared commitments to countering terrorism and organized crime, strengthening regional security from North Africa to Afghanistan, and creating new jobs and economic growth on both side of the Atlantic, including through the Transatlantic Trade…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: ·       Luke J. McCormack – Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security ·       Edmund J. Malesky – Member, Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation ·       Elisa Spungen Bildner – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council…

Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs and International Relations, Dr. Yuval Steinitz, discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues with the Vice President in his office today.  They reiterated their mutual commitment to a strong, unshakable partnership between the United States and Israel.

Oval Office 4:16 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA:  It’s a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Sharif to the Oval Office.  He was reminding me that the last time he visited here was quite some time ago, and we’re glad to have him back after a historic election that took place in Pakistan. To see a…

Thirty years ago today, 220 Marines, 18 sailors, and 3 soldiers lost their lives to a Hizballah suicide bomber who attacked the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.  Minutes later, 58 French paratroopers lost their lives when a second Hizballah suicide bomber attacked the French barracks.  This despicable act of terrorism was the deadliest single-day death…

Vice President Biden hosted breakfast this morning for Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  The Vice President congratulated the Prime Minister on his historic election in May, which led to the first democratic transfer of power between elected governments in Pakistan’s history.  The Vice President reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in support of…

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, November 20, President Barack Obama will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is our Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public…

Today, President Obama and Chancellor Merkel spoke by telephone regarding allegations that the U.S. National Security Agency intercepted the communications of the German Chancellor.  The President assured the Chancellor that the United States is not monitoring and will not monitor the communications of Chancellor Merkel. The United States greatly values our close cooperation with Germany…