Category: Oct2013

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Arnold A. Chacon, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Director General of the Foreign Service, vice Linda Thomas-Greenfield, resigned. Arun Madhavan Kumar, of California, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service,…

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama saidhat Republicans in the House of Representatives chose to shut down the government over a health care law they don’t like. He urged the Congress to pass a budget that funds our government, with no partisan strings attached.  The President made clear he will work with anyone…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to a-key Administration posts: Arnold A. Chacon – Director General of the Foreign Service, Department of State Arun M. Kumar – Assistant Secretary and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce Daniel…

On Friday, October 4, 2013, the President signed into law: H.R. 3233, which extends the Special Immigrant Visa Program for Iraqi Nationals; and S. 1348, the “Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act of 2013” which retroactively reauthorizes from October 1, 2013, until October 1, 2018, the Congressional Award Board, which administers the Congressional Award Program to…

M. Luis Construction Company, Rockville, Maryland 10:49 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Good to see all of you.  Please, please have a seat.  Well, hello, Rockville! Let me start by recognizing three public servants who fight hard every day for Maryland families and businesses.  First of all, Congressman Chris Van Hollen is here. …

Due to the government shut-down, President Obama’s travel to Indonesia and Brunei has been cancelled. The President made this decision based on the difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown, and his determination to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government. …

President Obama called President Yudhoyono of Indonesia tonight. The President expressed his appreciation for President Yudhoyono’s strong leadership of the APEC Summit. He expressed his regret that the ongoing government shutdown in the United States will prevent him from attending the Summit. He reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Indonesia partnership, and his personal affection for…

President Obama called the Sultan of Brunei tonight. The President expressed his appreciation for the Sultan’s strong leadership of the ASEAN and EAS Summits. He expressed his regret that the ongoing government shutdown in the United States will prevent him from attending the Summits. He reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between the United States…

Last night, President Obama called President Aquino of the Philippines to inform him that, due to the government shutdown, he will not be able to go forward with his planned travel to the Philippines. The President reaffirmed our strong alliance with the Philippines and respect for President Aquino’s leadership, and committed to travel to the…

Last night, President Obama called Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia to inform him that, due to the government shutdown, he will not be able to go forward with his planned travel to Malaysia. The President reaffirmed the close partnership that he has forged with Malaysia and respect for Prime Minister Najib’s leadership, and committed to…