Category: Mar2014

As part of the United States’ ongoing consultations with our allies, President Obama will travel to Poland, Belgium, and France in June 2014.  While in Warsaw, the President will hold bilateral meetings and join other world leaders in commemorating the Polish Day of Freedom, marking the 25th anniversary of Poland’s emergence from Communism.  From Poland,…

President Obama looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia to the White House on June 12, 2014. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Australia’s leadership of the G-20 this year, the future of Afghanistan, and the growing bilateral defense relationship, including…

Today, the President declared a major disaster in the State of North Carolina and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm during the period of March 6-7, 2014. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Elliot F. Kaye, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2013, vice Inez Moore Tenenbaum, resigned. Elliot F. Kaye, of New York, to be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, vice Inez Moore Tenenbaum,…

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, Vice President Biden discusses the importance of raising the federal minimum wage. It’s good for workers, it’s good for business, and it would help close the gender pay gap, as women make up more than half of the workers who stand to benefit from a raise. And as the…

We welcome the selection of former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as NATO’s next Secretary General, beginning October 1, 2014.  Mr. Stoltenberg is a proven leader with a demonstrated commitment to the transatlantic Alliance.  As Prime Minister, he built Norway’s military capabilities and actively contributed to NATO operations and political dialogue.  We are confident he…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Kingdom of Spain to attend the State Funeral for former President Adolfo Suarez Gonzalez, on March 31, 2014. The Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the United States Navy, will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable James Costos, United…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Rwanda to attend the 20th Commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide on April 7, 2014. The Honorable Samantha Power, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable Donald W. Koran, United…

President Putin called President Obama today to discuss the U.S. proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, which Secretary Kerry had again presented to Foreign Minister Lavrov at the meeting at the Hague earlier this week, and which we developed following U.S. consultations with our Ukrainian and European partners.  President Obama suggested…

The United States welcomes the preliminary agreement between the Government of Ukraine and International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff on a loan program of $14-18 billion.  This represents a powerful sign of support from the international community for the Ukrainian government, as we help them stabilize and grow their economy, and move their democracy forward.  The…