CATEGORY: December 2011
We Can’t Wait: Nine States Awarded Race To The Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants
Awards Will Help Build Statewide Systems of High Quality Early Education Programs Today, the White House announced that nine states – California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington – will receive grant awards from the $500 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered... [Read more]
Statement by the Press Secretary on the President’s Phone Call with Russian President Medvedev
President Obama spoke with Russian President Medvedev today to congratulate him on the World Trade Organization’s decision to extend a formal invitation to Russia to join the WTO. The Presidents hailed this achievement as yet another result of the reset in bilateral relations, which will benefit both the United States and Russia. Russia’s membership in the WTO will lower tariffs, improve access... [Read more]
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: Dick Berner – Director, Office of Financial Research, Department of the Treasury Nancy J. Powell – Ambassador to India, Department of State President Obama said, “These fine public servants both bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their... [Read more]
Statement by the Press Secretary on the Lifting of Sanctions in Libya
Today, after careful consultation with the new Libyan government, the United States rolled back most U.S. sanctions on the Government of Libya to keep our commitment to the Libyan people. Just days after the Qadhafi regime’s attacks against the Libyan people, the United States imposed a complete freeze on Government of Libya assets. The international financial sanctions that followed prevented Libya’s... [Read more]
President Obama Nominates Two to Serve on the US District Court
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Judge John Thomas Fowlkes, Jr. and Mr. Kevin McNulty to serve on the United States District Court. “I am pleased to nominate these distinguished individuals to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama. “I am confident they will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.” Judge... [Read more]
Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: John Thomas Fowlkes, Jr., of Tennessee, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee, vice Bernice B. Donald, elevated. Kevin McNulty, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, vice Garrett E. Brown, Jr., retiring. Read More →
Presidential Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Richard B. Berner, of Massachusetts, to be Director, Office of Financial Research, Department of the Treasury, for a term of six years. (New Position) Nancy J. Powell, of Iowa, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Personal Rank of Career Ambassador, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to India. WITHDRAWAL SENT... [Read more]
Statement by White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer
The President said that Congress cannot go home without preventing a tax increase on 160 million hardworking Americans, and the deal announced tonight meets that test. This is an important step towards enacting a key provision of the President’s American Jobs Act and a significant victory for the American people and the economy, because as independent analysts have said, failing to extend this tax... [Read more]
Statement by the Press Secretary on H.J.Res.94
On Friday, December 16, 2011, the President signed into law: H.J.Res.94, which makes further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, through December 17, 2011, and for other purposes. Read More →
Readout of Vice President Biden’s Calls to Iraqi Leaders
Vice President Biden spoke on the phone today with Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani and Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi to mark the historic end of the U.S. war in Iraq and to discuss the recent visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Washington. The leaders discussed the current political climate in Baghdad, and the Vice President reiterated... [Read more]
