Category: Aug2014

Today, the United States will provide approximately $180 million to help feed the people of South Sudan, who now face the worst food security situation in the world. This food aid includes a release from the Department of Agriculture’s Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust as well as funds for the U.S. Agency for International Development to…

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Washington and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by wildfires during the period of July 9 to August 5, 2014. Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and local governments and certain private nonprofit…

Vice President Joe Biden called Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani to discuss recent political and military developments in Iraq. The Vice President discussed his and President Obama’s Monday calls with Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, and encouraged President Barzani to work closely with Dr. Abadi as he works to build a diverse, inclusive government representative…

The President spoke today with Prime Minister Erdogan to congratulate him on his election as the 12th President of the Republic of Turkey and wish him well as he begins his term later this month.  The President praised the Prime Minister’s speech on Sunday and noted that as Turkey’s first directly elected President, the Prime…

President Obama spoke by phone with Prime Minister Stephen Harper regarding the situation in Iraq. The two leaders agreed to work with other partners in the international community to provide additional, immediate humanitarian assistance, and to continue developing options to secure the safety of the civilians on Mount Sinjar.  They discussed efforts to counter the threat…

Vice President Joe Biden called Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Salim al-Jabouri to discuss the selection of Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi and the ongoing government formation process. Vice President Biden commended Speaker Jabouri for his efforts in leading the new Iraqi parliament, whose 328 members represent the will of the nearly 14 million citizens who…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Osama al-Nujaifi, the Speaker of the previous session of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, to discuss the next steps in Iraq’s government formation process following the nomination of Haider Al-Abadi as Prime Minister-designate. Vice President Biden praised Mr. Nujaifi’s statement yesterday welcoming the nomination and emphasized the strong support of…

The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time.  As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as…

Martha’s Vineyard, MA 5:08 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I wanted to provide an update on recent developments in Iraq, including some important steps forward as Iraqis form a new government. Over the past few days, American forces have successfully conducted targeted airstrikes to prevent terrorist forces from advancing on the city of…

Private Residence Tisbury, Massachusetts 6:05 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Well, first of all, can we all thank Roger and Linda for this unbelievable setting?  (Applause.)  This is absolutely gorgeous.  And I understand that we also have some outstanding young musicians from the Berklee school.  So let’s give them a…