CATEGORY: February 2012
Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 3630
On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, the President signed into law: H.R. 3630, the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012,” which extends through December 31, 2012: (1) a reduction in employment tax rates for employees and the self-employed: (2) an initial eligibility for emergency unemployment compensation and 100 percent Federal funding for extended unemployment insurance benefits:... [Read more]
Will Obama win over independent voters in November 2012?
One of the biggest factors to influence the Obama Presidency was the winning over of independent voters in the 2008 elections. According to statistics, 52 % of independents voted for him, and continue to remain a force to be reckoned with if the President wants a second term in the White House. In describing the importance of independent voters, two analysts from the centrist think tank, Third Way,... [Read more]
Remarks by the President on the Payroll Tax Cut
South Court Auditorium 11:41 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Hello! Good to see everybody. Please, have a seat. Have a seat. (Applause.) Good morning. I want to thank all of you for coming. I want to thank my outstanding Vice President, Joe Biden — (applause) — who is here today, and members of my administration for joining us. But most of all, I want to thank the men and women who... [Read more]
Remarks by the First Lady at Blues Music Clinic
State Dining Room 2:41 P.M. EST MRS. OBAMA: Hey! (Applause.) You guys, rest yourselves. Welcome to the White House. (Laughter.) What do you think? (Applause.) Do you like our house? AUDIENCE: Yes. MRS. OBAMA: It’s the State Dining Room; there’s state dining that goes on here. But now it’s for you. We’re so excited today as we kick off this latest edition... [Read more]
Remarks by the President at “In Performance at the White House” Blues Event
East Room 7:22 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Everybody, please have a seat. That sounded pretty good. (Laughter.) I might try that instead of ruffles and flourishes. (Laughter.) Well, first of all, I want to wish everybody a happy Mardi Gras. I hear Trombone Shorty brought some beads up from New Orleans. And I see that... [Read more]
We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Announces Steps to Boost the Rural Economy, Promote Job Creation
WASHINGTON, DC – As part of the Obama Administration’s “We Can’t Wait” efforts to strengthen the economy, create jobs and support business growth, Administration officials announced three significant actions to expand the government’s purchase of biobased products, promote regional rural job creation efforts, and develop a rural healthcare workforce, all of which build on the historic investments... [Read more]
Readout of the President’s Call with Chancellor Merkel of Germany
The President and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone this morning to discuss the latest developments concerning the financial situation in the eurozone. The President thanked the Chancellor for her leadership and welcomed last night’s agreement in Europe on a new rescue program for Greece to help reduce its debt to sustainable levels. The President and Chancellor agreed that the planned... [Read more]
Vice President Biden Thanks First Responders and Releases Report on the Economic Value of Increasing Spectrum
Today, Vice President Biden met with first responders to thank them for their service and to discuss the new nationwide public safety broadband network included in the Payroll Tax Extension legislation. In addition, he announced the release of a new report from the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), The Economic Benefits of New Spectrum for Wireless Broadband), describing the substantial economic... [Read more]
President Obama Says That Israel Has Not Yet Decided To Attack Iran
With the Iranian regime posing a threat to the security of Israel and its disputed nuclear program making matters worse, President Obama says that an imminent Israeli attack on Iran has not been decided yet, as the United States continues to work closely with Israel. In describing his government’s efforts to prevent an attack, the President says, “I don’t think that Israel has made a decision... [Read more]
Readout of the National Security Advisor’s Trip to Israel
National Security Advisor Tom Donilon concluded a three day visit to Israel today for consultations with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak, Chief of the General Staff Gantz, and National Security Advisor Gen. Yaakov Amidror. Mr. Donilon and his delegation addressed the full range of security issues of mutual concern. The visit is part of the continuous... [Read more]
