Category: Dec-2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today President Barack Obama granted clemency to twenty individuals, consisting of eight commutations and twelve pardons. The President granted commutations of sentence to the following eight individuals: Sidney Earl Johnson, Jr. – Mobile, AL Offense:  Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine…

Jill and I want to thank Raj Shah for the leadership and determination he has shown through five years as one of the most effective USAID Administrators in our nation’s history. Both of us have had the honor of working directly with Raj on issues like food security, disaster relief, Ebola response, economic development and…

Cabinet Room 12:01 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon.  Today, the United States of America is changing its relationship with the people of Cuba. In the most significant changes in our policy in more than fifty years, we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests, and instead we…

Today, the Vice President called Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to discuss the President’s announcement on U.S. Cuba policy changes. The Vice President discussed the President’s historic changes to U.S. Cuba policy, including re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba; facilitating travel and increasing remittances; increasing U.S. participation in Cuba’s telecommunications…

This afternoon, Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani. The Vice President and President Barzani discussed recent security and political developments. The Vice President discussed with President Barzani the passage of congressional legislation that removes certain undue restrictions on members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union…

The Vice President spoke last night with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to congratulate him on his party’s success in the December 14th elections. The Vice President expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Abe’s efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, and the leaders agreed on the importance of concluding the revision of U.S.-Japan defense guidelines and…

Today, I have signed H.R. 5859, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, into law. Signing this legislation does not signal a change in the Administration’s sanctions policy, which we have carefully calibrated in accordance with developments on the ground and coordinated with our allies and partners.  At this time, the Administration does not intend…

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 669, H.R. 1067, H.R. 1204, H.R. 1206, H.R. 1281, H.R. 1378, H.R. 1447, H.R. 2591, H.R. 2640, H.R. 2719, H.R. 2952, H.R. 3027, H.R. 3044, H.R. 3096, H.R. 3329, H.R. 3374, H.R. 3468, H.R. 3572, H.R. 4007, H.R. 4193, H.R. 4199, H.R. 4276, H.R. 4416, H.R. 4651, H.R. 4771,…

WASHINGTON, DC – President Obama took office in the depths of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.  Six years later, thanks to the grit and determination of the American people, and the decisive actions he took early on – to bring the economy back from the brink, to save the auto industry, and…

President Obama spoke with Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi today to discuss the U.S.-Egyptian bilateral relationship and developments within the region.  The President affirmed the United States’ continuing commitment to the strategic partnership with Egypt and emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation to promote shared interests in counterterrorism and regional security.  President Obama expressed his condolences…