Category: Jun2015
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Statement by the Press Secretary on the Introduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015
This August, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act. As the President has noted, ‘the Voting Rights Act was one of the crowning achievements of our democracy, the result of Republican and Democratic efforts.’ Yet 50 years later, laws are being passed across the country that make it…
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Readout of the President’s Meeting with China’s Special Representatives to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and Consultation on People-to-People Exchange
The President met today with China’s Special Representatives to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and Consultation on People-to-People Exchange, Vice Premier Liu Yandong, Vice Premier Wang Yang, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, and the Chinese delegation. The President acknowledged the importance of these annual ministerial-level mechanisms for expanding practical cooperation on regional and global challenges, while at the same…
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Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice’s Meeting with State Councilor Yang Jiechi of China
National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met today with State Councilor Yang Jiechi of China at the White House. Ambassador Rice and State Councilor Yang reviewed plans for President Xi’s visit in September and discussed outcomes that both sides commit to work toward for the visit. In reviewing the bilateral relationship, Ambassador Rice and State…
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FACT SHEET: U.S. Government Hostage Policy
Over the past decade, we have witnessed a significant shift in hostage-takings by terrorist organizations and criminal groups that has challenged the ability of the U.S. Government to secure the safe recovery of U.S. nationals taken captive. The wanton and brutal murder of several Americans held hostage over the past year lays bare the magnitude…
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Remarks by the President at LGBT Pride Month Reception
East Room 5:17 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hey! Hey! Hey! (Applause.) So this is rowdy crowd. (Applause.) I don’t want you guys to break anything while you’re here now. (Laughter.) Thank you, Megan, for the wonderful introduction and, more importantly, the great work that you are doing. We’ve got some outstanding members of Congress here…
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Support, Defend, and Sustain: The Relevance of U.S. Response to Closing Civic Space
Remarks by Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications “Support, Defend, and Sustain’: The Relevance of U.S. Response to Closing Civic Space” InterAction Annual Forum Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Washington Marriott Hotel, Wardman Park AS PREPARED Good Afternoon. Thank you to Sam Worthington and InterAction for inviting me to be here today. InterAction is…
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FACT SHEET: Obama Administration Announces Actions to Protect Communities from the Health Impacts of Climate Change at White House Summit
President Obama is committed to combating the impacts of climate change and protecting the health of future generations. We know climate change is not a distant threat, we are already seeing impacts in communities across the country. In the past three decades, the percentage of Americans with asthma has more than doubled, and climate change is…
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Expected Attendees at the White House Iftar Dinner
This evening, President Obama will continue a White House tradition by hosting an Iftar in observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the East Room. This is the seventh Iftar, the traditional breaking of the fast at sunset, hosted by the President. This year’s dinner will have a special focus on young leaders…
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Statement by the President
I commend the Rhode Island Legislature and Governor Raimondo for once again taking action to raise their state’s minimum wage. Since I first called on Congress to increase the federal minimum wage in 2013, 17 states have acted on their own, which will grow the paychecks of millions of American workers. Many private companies have…
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Obama Administration Releases Report on the Health and Economic Benefits of Global Action on Climate Change
President Obama is committed to protecting the health of future generations from the impacts of climate change. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing a report quantifying the vast economic, health, and environmental benefits that reducing global carbon pollution will have on the United States, reinforcing the need to act with a sense of…