Category: May 2014

WASHINGTON, DC – In this week’s address, the President provided an update on the work his Administration has done to strengthen the economy and expand opportunity for hardworking Americans in this Year of Action. While Republicans in Congress are setting records in obstruction, the President is making progress for the American people and has taken…

10:21 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much, everybody.  Have a seat, have a seat.  Before I get started, can we get the new presidential setup out here? (Aides bring out two ferns.) It was worked before.  (Laughter and applause.)  That’s more like it. It is great to be back.  What a year, huh? …

Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Congressman Jim Oberstar. Jim cared deeply about the people of Minnesota, devoting his 36 years of service to improving America’s infrastructure, creating opportunity for hardworking Minnesotans, and building a strong economy for future generations of Americans. Jim will be deeply missed and Michelle and…

Rose Garden 12:07 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, good morning, everybody.  It is always a great pleasure to welcome my friend Chancellor Merkel to the White House.  Germany is one of our strongest allies, and Angela is one of my closest partners.  And with her indulgence, I want to start by making two brief comments.…

University of Texas, San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 12:39 P.M. CDT MRS. OBAMA:  Hey!  (Applause.)  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Let me tell you, I am thrilled to be here today — and not just because I get to wear a T-shirt, because I never get to wear a T-shirt to work.  I’m here because this is…

The United States and Germany are long-standing allies and friends, and our countries continue to deepen cooperation across a wide range of issues, enhancing a partnership that is instrumental to meeting the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.  Bilaterally and through multilateral mechanisms including NATO, the United Nations, the G-7, and the G-20, the…

This afternoon, President Obama met with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business and faith leaders in the Roosevelt Room to discuss the importance of taking action to pass commonsense immigration reform. The meeting coincides with the start of AAPI Heritage Month, an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the many contributions that AAPIs have…

Today, the President declared a major disaster in the State of Alabama and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding beginning on April 28, 2014, and continuing. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Baldwin, Jefferson,…

East Room 2:18 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Well, welcome to the White House.  Let me start off by saying thank you to a leader of unbelievable passion and expertise and dedication; somebody who every single day wakes up and thinks about three things — either his family, basketball — (laughter) — or how to give…

Today, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy to discuss Egypt’s political transition and regional security issues.  Ambassador Rice reaffirmed U.S. support for Egypt and underscored our commitment to maintain cooperation on shared security interests such as countering extremism and maintaining regional stability.  She also reiterated our deep, growing…