Category: July 2012

President Obama called Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills of Ghana on Monday to express his condolences for the passing of her husband, President John Evans Atta Mills. President Obama expressed his admiration for President Mills’ tireless efforts on behalf of the Ghanaian people, and his efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Ghana relationship.  The President also recalled his…

The full text of the op-ed by Vice President Joe Biden is printed below. The piece, published online today by McClatchy Newspapers and in hard copies tomorrow, can be read HERE. An Issue Beyond Debate: Congress Should Act Now to Protect Women By Vice President Biden I’ve spent a lot of years in Washington, and…

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order (the “order”) that takes additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12957 of March 15, 1995. In Executive Order…

EXECUTIVE ORDER – – – – – – – AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO IRAN By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.…

Today, the United States is announcing two significant steps that strengthen our efforts to pressure and isolate the Iranian government for its continued failure to meet its international obligations. First, I have approved a new Executive Order that imposes new sanctions against the Iranian energy and petrochemical sectors.  This action is designed to deter Iran…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Eric J. Jolly, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board for a term expiring December 6, 2016, vice Karen Brosius, term expired. Susana Torruella Leval, of New York, to be a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board for a term…

The agreement reached by House and Senate leadership to fund the government through the first quarter of 2013 is a welcome development, and we are encouraged that both sides have agreed to resolve this issue without delay.  The President has made clear that it is essential that the legislation to fund the government adheres to…

The National Strategy for Biosurveillance promotes an all-of-Nation approach that brings together Federal, state, local, and tribal governments; the private sector; non-governmental organizations; and international partners to identify and understand threats as early as possible and provide accurate and timely information to support life-saving responses.  You can read the “National Strategy for Biosurveillance” HERE.

Via Telephone 2:34 P.M. EDT MS. MEEHAN:  Hi, everyone, this is Bernadette over at the National Security Council.  Thanks for joining us today for this on-the-record call regarding the President’s announcement earlier today regarding additional sanctions related to Iran.  Today we have three senior administration officials joining us.  We’ll do a brief introduction from each…

President Obama spoke with Italian Prime Minister Monti earlier today, continuing his discussions with European leaders on economic developments in the eurozone.  Their conversation follows recent statements by European officials regarding their commitment to preserve the euro.  The President has been in regular contact with Europe’s leaders on the state of the European economy, and…