Category: Mar2015

Today, the President spoke with President Ashraf Ghani of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan by video conference, along with Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.  The President encouraged accelerated Afghan progress towards forming an inclusive national unity government and expressed his expectation that their visit to Washington later this month will demonstrate our mutual commitment…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: Ian C. Kelly – Ambassador to Georgia, Department of State Patricia M. Loui-Schmicker – Member, Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States President Obama also announced his intent to appoint the following…

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met today with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany.  Germany is playing an increasing and valuable role in global affairs, and this is a development that the United States, as a long-time friend an ally, warmly welcomes.  Ambassador Rice expressed appreciation for Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s efforts to address the…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maine and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm, snowstorm, and flooding during the period of January 26-28, 2015. Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments…

The Vice President and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff spoke on the phone this morning to review joint efforts to advance dialogue and cooperation between the United States and Brazil on a number of issues, including security, energy, trade, and global cooperation. The Vice President reaffirmed the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, and emphasized President…

Aboard Air Force One En Route Phoenix, Arizona 10:45 A.M. PDT MR. SCHULTZ:  Welcome aboard Air Force one en route to Phoenix, where the President later today will host a roundtable discussion with the Veterans Administration Secretary Bob McDonald, Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson, and veterans — VA employees, veterans organizations, members of Congress and other…

Phoenix VA Medical Center Phoenix, Arizona 1:16 P.M. MST THE PRESIDENT:  I want to thank everyone who is here not just about this particular facility or this particular state, but how do we make sure that the VA is working for every single veteran who’s put on a uniform and has made enormous sacrifices on…

Gilbert, Arizona 2:40 P.M. MST THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I just thought I’d stop by — I was in the neighborhood and I heard there was a barbecue going on.  (Laughter.)  I figured — I didn’t bring my swim shorts, though. That’s the only problem now that I look at this pool.  (Laughter.) I think a…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to discuss the implementation of the Minsk agreements of September 2014 and February 2015. Both leaders expressed their support for the agreements and called on Russia and Russia-backed separatists to fully implement the provisions of the agreements calling for a ceasefire and verified withdrawal…

“It’s the single-most significant and direct way to measure the character of a nation — when violence against women is no longer societally accepted, no longer kept secret, when everyone understands that even one case is too many.  That’s when it will change.” -Vice President Joe Biden, September 2014 Today, Vice President Biden will deliver…