Category: Dec-2014

The United States is deeply concerned by continued reports of human rights abuses in The Gambia.  Since October, the Government of The Gambia has denied access to UN Special Rapporteurs investigating reports of torture and extrajudicial execution, targeted individuals for arrest and detention because of their perceived sexual orientation or political position, and enacted legislation…

On Thursday, December 4, 2014, the President signed into law: H.J. Res. 129, which provides that the first regular session of the 114th Congress will begin at noon on Tuesday, January 6, 2015; H.R. 4067, which requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to continue through Calendar Year 2014 an instruction to refrain from enforcing a Medicare…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: Gilbert Cisneros – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Brodi L. Fontenot – Assistant Secretary for Management, Department of the Treasury W. Don Nelson – United…

On this first anniversary of the passing of Nelson Mandela, Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Mandela family and all South Africans.  One year ago the world lost a leader whose struggle and sacrifices inspired us to stand up for our fundamental principles, whose example reminded us of the enduring need…

This morning, the Vice President hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for a meeting at the Naval Observatory. The King and Vice President discussed a wide range of regional issues. They spoke about the ongoing international effort to degrade and defeat ISIL. They agreed on the need for sustained international support to meet…

President Obama will host Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, for a meeting in the Oval Office on Monday, December 8.  The Vice President and Dr. Biden will also host The Duke of Cambridge for a separate meeting in the White House.  The Duke of Cambridge, who is visiting New York with the Duchess of…

Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Brazil to lead the U.S. Delegation to the Inauguration of Her Excellency Dilma Rousseff on January 1st. Additional details about the Vice President’s trip will be released at a later date.

This afternoon, Vice President Biden hosted newly elected governors from Alaska, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas for a working lunch at the White House. The Vice President congratulated them on their successful campaigns and underscored his interest in working with each of them on a wide range of important issues. At the lunch, the Vice…

The United States strongly condemns the barbaric murder of Luke Somers at the hands of Al-Qa’ida terrorists during a rescue operation conducted by U.S. forces in Yemen in partnership with the Yemeni government.  On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Luke’s family and to his loved ones.  I also offer…

This morning, an ear, nose and throat specialist from Fort Belvoir Medical Center conducted a fiber optic exam, under my supervision, of the President’s throat based on symptoms of sore throat over the past couple weeks. The exam revealed soft tissue swelling in the posterior throat and I, in consultation with the specialist, determined that…