Sunday, September 4, 2011
White House Announces We the People
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
New Online Engagement Feature Invites Public To Petition The White House
Today, the White House announced We the People, a new online engagement feature. On this innovative WhiteHouse.gov platform, individuals will be able to create and sign petitions seeking action from the federal government on a range of issues. If a petition gathers enough signatures, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.
Visitors to WhiteHouse.gov can begin submitting petitions later this month. To sign up for an alert when it launches and preview the feature, visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople.
“When I ran for this office, I pledged to make government more open and accountable to its citizens. That’s what the new We the People feature on WhiteHouse.gov is all about – giving Americans a direct line to the White House on the issues and concerns that matter most to them,” said President Obama.
To create and build support for a petition, WhiteHouse.gov visitors will simply need to create an account and gather signatures by reaching out to friends, family and coworkers. If a petition reaches a certain threshold – the initial level will be 5,000 signatures within 30 days – it will be sent to the appropriate policy makers throughout the Administration, reviewed, and an official response will be published to WhiteHouse.gov and emailed to all signers of the petition.
For Immediate Release
New Online Engagement Feature Invites Public To Petition The White House
Today, the White House announced We the People, a new online engagement feature. On this innovative WhiteHouse.gov platform, individuals will be able to create and sign petitions seeking action from the federal government on a range of issues. If a petition gathers enough signatures, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.
Visitors to WhiteHouse.gov can begin submitting petitions later this month. To sign up for an alert when it launches and preview the feature, visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople.
“When I ran for this office, I pledged to make government more open and accountable to its citizens. That’s what the new We the People feature on WhiteHouse.gov is all about – giving Americans a direct line to the White House on the issues and concerns that matter most to them,” said President Obama.
To create and build support for a petition, WhiteHouse.gov visitors will simply need to create an account and gather signatures by reaching out to friends, family and coworkers. If a petition reaches a certain threshold – the initial level will be 5,000 signatures within 30 days – it will be sent to the appropriate policy makers throughout the Administration, reviewed, and an official response will be published to WhiteHouse.gov and emailed to all signers of the petition.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
President Obama Signs New Jersey Disaster Declaration
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene beginning on August 27, 2011, and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, and Somerset.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene in the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named William L. Vogel as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV
For Immediate Release
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Irene beginning on August 27, 2011, and continuing.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, and Somerset.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene in the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named William L. Vogel as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV
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Presidential Proclamation--Labor Day
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Every day, hard-working men and women across America prove that, even in difficult times, our country is still home to the most creative, dynamic, and talented workers in the world. Generations of working people have built this country -- from our highways and skylines, to the goods and services driving us in the 21st century. On Labor Day and throughout the year, we celebrate our Nation's workers, and we commit to supporting their efforts in moving our economy forward.
The right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value. Since its beginnings in our country, organized labor has raised our living standards and built our middle class. It is the reason we have a minimum wage, weekends away from work to rest and spend time with family, and basic protections in our workplaces. Many Americans today are given opportunities because their parents and grandparents fought for these basic rights and values. The principles upheld by the honorable laborers of generations past and their unions continue to fuel the growth of our economy and a strong middle class.
This year has seen a vigorous fight to protect these rights and values, and on this Labor Day, we reaffirm that collective bargaining is a cornerstone of the American dream. From public employees -- including teachers, firefighters, police, and others who perform public services -- to workers in private industries, these men and women hold the power of our Nation in their hands.
In the last several years, we have pulled our country back from the brink, through a series of tough economic decisions. While we have come far, great challenges still face us. Many Americans are still struggling, and many are unemployed. My Administration is working tirelessly each day to promote policies that get Americans back to work. We will always strive to keep our fundamental promise that, in America, anyone who works hard and acts responsibly can provide a better future for their children. When we come together, there is no limit to what the American workforce can do.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 5, 2011, as Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe
this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the tremendous contributions of working Americans and their families.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
Every day, hard-working men and women across America prove that, even in difficult times, our country is still home to the most creative, dynamic, and talented workers in the world. Generations of working people have built this country -- from our highways and skylines, to the goods and services driving us in the 21st century. On Labor Day and throughout the year, we celebrate our Nation's workers, and we commit to supporting their efforts in moving our economy forward.
The right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value. Since its beginnings in our country, organized labor has raised our living standards and built our middle class. It is the reason we have a minimum wage, weekends away from work to rest and spend time with family, and basic protections in our workplaces. Many Americans today are given opportunities because their parents and grandparents fought for these basic rights and values. The principles upheld by the honorable laborers of generations past and their unions continue to fuel the growth of our economy and a strong middle class.
This year has seen a vigorous fight to protect these rights and values, and on this Labor Day, we reaffirm that collective bargaining is a cornerstone of the American dream. From public employees -- including teachers, firefighters, police, and others who perform public services -- to workers in private industries, these men and women hold the power of our Nation in their hands.
In the last several years, we have pulled our country back from the brink, through a series of tough economic decisions. While we have come far, great challenges still face us. Many Americans are still struggling, and many are unemployed. My Administration is working tirelessly each day to promote policies that get Americans back to work. We will always strive to keep our fundamental promise that, in America, anyone who works hard and acts responsibly can provide a better future for their children. When we come together, there is no limit to what the American workforce can do.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 5, 2011, as Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe
this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the tremendous contributions of working Americans and their families.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
Blue Dog Coalition to Face Post-Election Shake-up
The Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally conservative Democratic House members is likely to face a major upheaval after the election. That?s because the drubbing that Democrats might receive should send some Blue Dogs back home, Roll Call reports. In addition, one of the group?s main founders, Rep. John Tanner of Tennessee, is retiring.
?We don?t know what the leadership positions will be like, because we don?t know the outcome of the election,? says Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., a senior blue dog who said the group may well lose half of its 54 members in a Republican blowout.
With Tanner out, Rep. Allen Boyd of Florida may be elevated to a leadership role. The blue dogs respect him for his policy and fundraising skills. And he?s close to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who consistently has sought good relations with the group. Moderate Democrats formed the coalition after Republicans seized control of Congress in the 1994 elections.
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Presidential Proclamation--National Preparedness Month
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Whenever our Nation has been challenged, the American people have responded with faith, courage, and strength. This year, natural disasters have tested our response ability across all levels of government. Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been impacted by recent storms, and we will continue to stand with them in their time of need. This September also marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which united our country both in our shared grief and in our determination to prevent future generations from experiencing similar devastation. Our Nation has weathered many hardships, but we have always pulled together as one Nation to help our neighbors prepare for, respond to, and recover from these extraordinary challenges.
In April of this year, a devastating series of tornadoes challenged our resilience and tested our resolve. In the weeks that followed, people from all walks of life throughout the Midwest and the South joined together to help affected towns recover and rebuild. In Joplin, Missouri, pickup trucks became ambulances, doors served as stretchers, and a university transformed itself into a hospital. Local businesses contributed by using trucks to ship donations, or by rushing food to those in need. Disability community leaders worked side-by-side with emergency managers to ensure that survivors with disabilities were fully included in relief and recovery efforts. These stories reveal what we can accomplish through readiness and collaboration, and underscore that in America, no problem is too hard and no challenge is too great.
Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and my Administration is dedicated to implementing a "whole community" approach to disaster response. This requires collaboration at all levels of government, and with America's private and nonprofit sectors. Individuals also play a vital role in securing our country. The National Preparedness Month Coalition gives everyone the chance to join together and share information across the United States. Americans can also support volunteer programs through www.Serve.gov, or find tools to prepare for any emergency by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign website at www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov.
In the last few days, we have been tested once again by Hurricane Irene. While affected communities in many States rebuild, we remember that preparedness is essential. Although we cannot always know when and where a disaster will hit, we can ensure we are ready to respond. Together, we can equip our families and communities to be resilient through times of hardship and to respond to adversity in the same way America always has -- by picking ourselves up and continuing the task of keeping our country strong and safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans to recognize the importance of preparedness and observe this month by working together to enhance our national security, resilience, and readiness.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Whenever our Nation has been challenged, the American people have responded with faith, courage, and strength. This year, natural disasters have tested our response ability across all levels of government. Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been impacted by recent storms, and we will continue to stand with them in their time of need. This September also marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which united our country both in our shared grief and in our determination to prevent future generations from experiencing similar devastation. Our Nation has weathered many hardships, but we have always pulled together as one Nation to help our neighbors prepare for, respond to, and recover from these extraordinary challenges.
In April of this year, a devastating series of tornadoes challenged our resilience and tested our resolve. In the weeks that followed, people from all walks of life throughout the Midwest and the South joined together to help affected towns recover and rebuild. In Joplin, Missouri, pickup trucks became ambulances, doors served as stretchers, and a university transformed itself into a hospital. Local businesses contributed by using trucks to ship donations, or by rushing food to those in need. Disability community leaders worked side-by-side with emergency managers to ensure that survivors with disabilities were fully included in relief and recovery efforts. These stories reveal what we can accomplish through readiness and collaboration, and underscore that in America, no problem is too hard and no challenge is too great.
Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and my Administration is dedicated to implementing a "whole community" approach to disaster response. This requires collaboration at all levels of government, and with America's private and nonprofit sectors. Individuals also play a vital role in securing our country. The National Preparedness Month Coalition gives everyone the chance to join together and share information across the United States. Americans can also support volunteer programs through www.Serve.gov, or find tools to prepare for any emergency by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign website at www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov.
In the last few days, we have been tested once again by Hurricane Irene. While affected communities in many States rebuild, we remember that preparedness is essential. Although we cannot always know when and where a disaster will hit, we can ensure we are ready to respond. Together, we can equip our families and communities to be resilient through times of hardship and to respond to adversity in the same way America always has -- by picking ourselves up and continuing the task of keeping our country strong and safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Preparedness Month. I encourage all Americans to recognize the importance of preparedness and observe this month by working together to enhance our national security, resilience, and readiness.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
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President Obama to Travel to New York City
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON – On Monday, September 19, the President will travel to New York City, returning to Washington, DC, on Wednesday, September 21. While in New York City, the President will participate in the United Nations General Assembly, attend additional bilateral and multilateral meetings on the margins of UNGA, and deliver remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative.
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON – On Monday, September 19, the President will travel to New York City, returning to Washington, DC, on Wednesday, September 21. While in New York City, the President will participate in the United Nations General Assembly, attend additional bilateral and multilateral meetings on the margins of UNGA, and deliver remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative.
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California?s Brown Leads Whitman Among Female Voters
Jerry Brown, the Democrat running for governor of California, is drawing more support from women than Republican Meg Whitman even as a recording of an aide calling her a ?whore? hangs over their final scheduled debate.
Brown led Whitman among likely women voters 47 percent to 37 percent in the latest Rasmussen Reports poll Oct. 3, up from a virtual tie, 45 percent-44 percent, on Sept. 20. The results came after Whitman was accused of employing an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper, though before the Los Angeles Times published the ?whore? recording Oct. 8.
Whitman, 54, the former EBay Inc. chief executive officer, has spent $119 million of her own fortune, a U.S. record by a self-funded candidate, as she battles Brown, 72, to run the state with the most people and the biggest economy in the nation. The two are to appear in a debate tonight moderated by former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw.
?Brown supporters will stay with Brown, Whitman supporters will be somewhat outraged and continue supporting Whitman,? said Ann Crigler, a professor of politics at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Brown spent $10.7 million on his campaign from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 and had a fund balance of $22.6 million, according to the California secretary of state?s office. Whitman spent $120.6 million in that period, with $9.2 million remaining.
?An Insult?
The recorded slur won?t change Brown?s standing with women voters since Brown himself didn?t say it, Crigler said in a telephone interview.
Brown, California?s governor for two terms, from 1975 to 1983, and now attorney general, was inadvertently recorded by voicemail after leaving a message for a Los Angeles police union official. In a conversation about a potential advertisement over pension issues, an aide says, ?What about saying she?s a whore?? according to the Times.
?The use of the term ?whore? is an insult to both Meg Whitman and to the women of California,? Whitman spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said in an Oct. 7 statement. ?This is an appalling and unforgivable smear.? The release of the recording prompted an apology from the Brown campaign.
Sterling Clifford, a Brown spokesman, said the candidate didn?t make the comment.
?As to who it was, it?s not the best recording in the world,? Clifford said in an interview. ?It?s hard to say.?
Regret Expressed
If the comment is raised at tonight?s debate at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, he said, the campaign has already expressed regret ?and I don?t think we?ll go much beyond that.?
Darrel Ng, a Whitman spokesman, declined to comment when asked whether the remark would sway female voters and declined to say whether Whitman would raise the issue.
?I certainly expect Whitman to press it hard as a way of communicating to female voters and emphasizing her status as the potential first female governor of California,? Jack Pitney, a Claremont McKenna College politics professor, said in a telephone interview. Claremont is located east of Los Angeles.
?It?s hard to say that this is going to be a decisive issue,? Pitney said. ?Voters know that politicians and political operatives use bad language in private. That?s not a revelation.?
?Anti-Women Candidates?
The controversy didn?t stop the California chapter of the National Organization for Women from endorsing Brown the day after the tape was made public.
Patty Bellasalma, the group?s president, called Whitman one of ?the most anti-women candidates to run in California in decades? and cited Brown?s record for hiring women.
?When you are armed with the facts and record of these two candidates, the choice is very easy, the choice is Jerry Brown,? Bellasalma said in a telephone interview.
Bruce Cain, a professor of politics at the University of California, Berkeley, said Whitman may use the remark to distance herself from her former housekeeper?s claim that Whitman kept her on while aware that she was in the U.S. illegally -- an issue that dominated the last debate.
Whitman accused Brown of engineering the housekeeper?s Sept. 29 news conference as a political stunt. She said she dismissed Nicky Diaz Santillan immediately after the woman admitted falsifying immigration documents.
?I?m sure she?ll ask for an apology or something,? Cain said. Still, the aide?s remark isn?t likely to gain as much traction as the immigration flap, he said.
?There?s so much going wrong in California right now, it doesn?t really tie into the pressing issues,? Cain said. ?The undocumented issue ties into a major issue, which is: What are we going to do about immigration reform? I?m not sure how you tie this one in, in a way that helps Meg Whitman.?
� Copyright 2010 Bloomberg News. All rights reserved.
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Friday, September 2, 2011
Presidential Proclamation--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs takes strength, faith, and commitment. Men and women in recovery showcase the power each of us holds to transform ourselves, our families, and our communities. As people share their stories and celebrate the transformative power of recovery, they also help dispel myths and stigmas surrounding substance abuse and offer hope for lifestyles free from alcohol and other drugs.
This month and throughout the year, we must promote recovery and support the growth of healthy, resilient individuals and families in the United States. Today, alcohol and other drugs threaten the future of millions of Americans. Abuse of prescription medication has reached epidemic levels, drunk and drugged driving pose significant threats to public safety, and individuals in recovery continue to confront barriers to full participation in our society. My Administration is committed to reducing substance abuse, and this year we released our 2011 National Drug Control Strategy, which supports successful, long term recoveries through research, education, increased access to treatment, and community-based recovery support.
As a Nation, we must strive to promote second chances and recognize each individual's ability to overcome adversity. We laud and support the millions of Americans in recovery from substance abuse, their loved ones, and the communities that help them sustain recovery, while encouraging those in need to seek help. As we celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we pay tribute to the transforming power of recovery, which will continue to heal individuals and communities across our country.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority invested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs takes strength, faith, and commitment. Men and women in recovery showcase the power each of us holds to transform ourselves, our families, and our communities. As people share their stories and celebrate the transformative power of recovery, they also help dispel myths and stigmas surrounding substance abuse and offer hope for lifestyles free from alcohol and other drugs.
This month and throughout the year, we must promote recovery and support the growth of healthy, resilient individuals and families in the United States. Today, alcohol and other drugs threaten the future of millions of Americans. Abuse of prescription medication has reached epidemic levels, drunk and drugged driving pose significant threats to public safety, and individuals in recovery continue to confront barriers to full participation in our society. My Administration is committed to reducing substance abuse, and this year we released our 2011 National Drug Control Strategy, which supports successful, long term recoveries through research, education, increased access to treatment, and community-based recovery support.
As a Nation, we must strive to promote second chances and recognize each individual's ability to overcome adversity. We laud and support the millions of Americans in recovery from substance abuse, their loved ones, and the communities that help them sustain recovery, while encouraging those in need to seek help. As we celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we pay tribute to the transforming power of recovery, which will continue to heal individuals and communities across our country.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority invested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
Readout of the President's Call with General David Petraeus
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
President Obama called General David Petraeus today on the occasion of his retirement from the U.S. military. President Obama congratulated General Petraeus on an historic career of service in the United States Army, including extraordinary contributions to our national security in Iraq and Afghanistan. The President also welcomed General Petraeus’ continued commitment to public service as he prepares to take on his new role as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
For Immediate Release
President Obama called General David Petraeus today on the occasion of his retirement from the U.S. military. President Obama congratulated General Petraeus on an historic career of service in the United States Army, including extraordinary contributions to our national security in Iraq and Afghanistan. The President also welcomed General Petraeus’ continued commitment to public service as he prepares to take on his new role as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Presidential Proclamation--National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Ovarian cancer continues to have one of the highest mortality rates of any cancer, and it is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. This month, we remember the mothers, sisters, and daughters we have lost to ovarian cancer, and we extend our support to those living with this disease. We also reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness about ovarian cancer, and to advancing our screening and treatment capabilities for the thousands of American women who will be diagnosed this year.
Ovarian cancer touches women of all backgrounds and ages. Because of a lack of early symptoms and effective screening tests, ovarian cancer is often not detected in time for successful interventions. It is crucial that women know how to recognize the warning signs of gynecological cancers and can detect the disease as early as possible. I encourage all women to learn about risk factors, including family history, and to discuss possible symptoms, including abdominal pain, with their doctor. Now, because of the Affordable Care Act, a wide range of preventive screenings are available to women without any copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.
My Administration is committed to supporting the women, families, and professionals working to end this disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services have started a campaign to educate women on cancers affecting reproductive organs. The National Cancer Institute is researching new ways to detect ovarian cancer, publishing a comprehensive study of the most aggressive types of ovarian cancer, and conducting clinical trials for new combinations of therapy. And this year, agencies across the Federal Government, from the National Institutes of Health to the Department of Defense, have committed to supporting ovarian cancer prevention and treatment research.
So many lives have been touched by ovarian cancer -- from the women who fight this disease, to the families who join their loved ones in fighting their battle. In the memory of all the brave women who have lost their lives to ovarian cancer, and in support of generations of women to come, let us recommit to reaching a safer, healthier future for all our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government agencies, organizations, health-care providers, and research institutions to raise ovarian cancer awareness and continue helping Americans live longer, healthier lives. And I urge women across the country to talk to their health-care providers and learn more about this disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Ovarian cancer continues to have one of the highest mortality rates of any cancer, and it is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. This month, we remember the mothers, sisters, and daughters we have lost to ovarian cancer, and we extend our support to those living with this disease. We also reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness about ovarian cancer, and to advancing our screening and treatment capabilities for the thousands of American women who will be diagnosed this year.
Ovarian cancer touches women of all backgrounds and ages. Because of a lack of early symptoms and effective screening tests, ovarian cancer is often not detected in time for successful interventions. It is crucial that women know how to recognize the warning signs of gynecological cancers and can detect the disease as early as possible. I encourage all women to learn about risk factors, including family history, and to discuss possible symptoms, including abdominal pain, with their doctor. Now, because of the Affordable Care Act, a wide range of preventive screenings are available to women without any copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance.
My Administration is committed to supporting the women, families, and professionals working to end this disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services have started a campaign to educate women on cancers affecting reproductive organs. The National Cancer Institute is researching new ways to detect ovarian cancer, publishing a comprehensive study of the most aggressive types of ovarian cancer, and conducting clinical trials for new combinations of therapy. And this year, agencies across the Federal Government, from the National Institutes of Health to the Department of Defense, have committed to supporting ovarian cancer prevention and treatment research.
So many lives have been touched by ovarian cancer -- from the women who fight this disease, to the families who join their loved ones in fighting their battle. In the memory of all the brave women who have lost their lives to ovarian cancer, and in support of generations of women to come, let us recommit to reaching a safer, healthier future for all our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government agencies, organizations, health-care providers, and research institutions to raise ovarian cancer awareness and continue helping Americans live longer, healthier lives. And I urge women across the country to talk to their health-care providers and learn more about this disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
White House Announces We the People
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
New Online Engagement Feature Invites Public To Petition The White House
Today, the White House announced We the People, a new online engagement feature. On this innovative WhiteHouse.gov platform, individuals will be able to create and sign petitions seeking action from the federal government on a range of issues. If a petition gathers enough signatures, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.
Visitors to WhiteHouse.gov can begin submitting petitions later this month. To sign up for an alert when it launches and preview the feature, visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople.
“When I ran for this office, I pledged to make government more open and accountable to its citizens. That’s what the new We the People feature on WhiteHouse.gov is all about – giving Americans a direct line to the White House on the issues and concerns that matter most to them,” said President Obama.
To create and build support for a petition, WhiteHouse.gov visitors will simply need to create an account and gather signatures by reaching out to friends, family and coworkers. If a petition reaches a certain threshold – the initial level will be 5,000 signatures within 30 days – it will be sent to the appropriate policy makers throughout the Administration, reviewed, and an official response will be published to WhiteHouse.gov and emailed to all signers of the petition.
For Immediate Release
New Online Engagement Feature Invites Public To Petition The White House
Today, the White House announced We the People, a new online engagement feature. On this innovative WhiteHouse.gov platform, individuals will be able to create and sign petitions seeking action from the federal government on a range of issues. If a petition gathers enough signatures, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.
Visitors to WhiteHouse.gov can begin submitting petitions later this month. To sign up for an alert when it launches and preview the feature, visit http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople.
“When I ran for this office, I pledged to make government more open and accountable to its citizens. That’s what the new We the People feature on WhiteHouse.gov is all about – giving Americans a direct line to the White House on the issues and concerns that matter most to them,” said President Obama.
To create and build support for a petition, WhiteHouse.gov visitors will simply need to create an account and gather signatures by reaching out to friends, family and coworkers. If a petition reaches a certain threshold – the initial level will be 5,000 signatures within 30 days – it will be sent to the appropriate policy makers throughout the Administration, reviewed, and an official response will be published to WhiteHouse.gov and emailed to all signers of the petition.
John Boehner Speaker Pelosi stimulus bill recession Rick Santorum
Presidential Proclamation--National Wilderness Month
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL WILDERNESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The mystery and wonder of wilderness is deeply rooted in our national character. For many of the first Americans --American Indians and Alaska Natives -- the wilderness provided a source of sustenance and a foundation for their ways of life. Later, as explorers and the pioneers of a young country moved west, they found adventure and new beginnings in the landscapes of our Nation.
As we continue our country's proud journey and explore new opportunities in the 21st century, the importance of maintaining our wilderness has only grown. Protecting our wilderness areas and their riches -- clean water, stretches of undisturbed land, thriving wildlife, and healthy ecosystems -- is critical to the health of our environment and our communities. Today, wilderness areas serve as places for us to roam, hunt, fish, and find solitude. They are also strong engines of local economies, providing tourism and recreation revenue for communities.
To help preserve our natural surroundings, I established the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to advance a conservation agenda for the 21st century, with ideas stemming directly from the American people. We are working with State, local, and tribal communities to support community-driven initiatives that embody the values and character of our wilderness heritage and other landscapes. And in recognition of the importance of our wilderness, my Administration has expanded protected wilderness areas by 2 million acres.
From our earliest days, America's identity has been tied to the powerful waterfalls, soaring peaks, and vast plains of its land. As a people, we are defined by its diversity and empowered by its richness. This month, we honor this land that we love, and commit to ensuring our wilderness remains a place where all can experience the spirit that has shaped America. During National Wilderness Month, let each of us embrace our Nation's legacy of protecting and preserving our vast wilderness for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL WILDERNESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The mystery and wonder of wilderness is deeply rooted in our national character. For many of the first Americans --American Indians and Alaska Natives -- the wilderness provided a source of sustenance and a foundation for their ways of life. Later, as explorers and the pioneers of a young country moved west, they found adventure and new beginnings in the landscapes of our Nation.
As we continue our country's proud journey and explore new opportunities in the 21st century, the importance of maintaining our wilderness has only grown. Protecting our wilderness areas and their riches -- clean water, stretches of undisturbed land, thriving wildlife, and healthy ecosystems -- is critical to the health of our environment and our communities. Today, wilderness areas serve as places for us to roam, hunt, fish, and find solitude. They are also strong engines of local economies, providing tourism and recreation revenue for communities.
To help preserve our natural surroundings, I established the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to advance a conservation agenda for the 21st century, with ideas stemming directly from the American people. We are working with State, local, and tribal communities to support community-driven initiatives that embody the values and character of our wilderness heritage and other landscapes. And in recognition of the importance of our wilderness, my Administration has expanded protected wilderness areas by 2 million acres.
From our earliest days, America's identity has been tied to the powerful waterfalls, soaring peaks, and vast plains of its land. As a people, we are defined by its diversity and empowered by its richness. This month, we honor this land that we love, and commit to ensuring our wilderness remains a place where all can experience the spirit that has shaped America. During National Wilderness Month, let each of us embrace our Nation's legacy of protecting and preserving our vast wilderness for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Statement by the Press Secretary
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
After consulting with the Speaker’s office, the President has accepted an invitation to address a Joint Session of Congress at 7pm on Thursday, September 8th.
For Immediate Release
After consulting with the Speaker’s office, the President has accepted an invitation to address a Joint Session of Congress at 7pm on Thursday, September 8th.
Juan Williams racial controversy U.S. banks Charlie Rangel Arizona
Murkowski Lauds Democrats
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who is running as a write-in candidate for re-election after losing in the Republican primary, lists two Democrat senators among those she admires the most. Murkowski was asked the question by the Anchorage Daily News, The Hill reports.
"The [senators] that immediately come to mind are those that are on the other side of the aisle and I have a good working relationship with," she says. Murkowski then listed Sen. Tom Carper, D-Delaware, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who like Murkowski sits on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Murkowski has lost her leadership position in the Senate Republican Conference for running against Joe Miller, who beat her in the primary. She says he is too extreme.
Murkowski has said she would remain a Republican if she is re-elected, but she repeatedly makes overtures to Democrats, obviously hoping for more votes.
� Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Presidential Proclamation--National Wilderness Month
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL WILDERNESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The mystery and wonder of wilderness is deeply rooted in our national character. For many of the first Americans --American Indians and Alaska Natives -- the wilderness provided a source of sustenance and a foundation for their ways of life. Later, as explorers and the pioneers of a young country moved west, they found adventure and new beginnings in the landscapes of our Nation.
As we continue our country's proud journey and explore new opportunities in the 21st century, the importance of maintaining our wilderness has only grown. Protecting our wilderness areas and their riches -- clean water, stretches of undisturbed land, thriving wildlife, and healthy ecosystems -- is critical to the health of our environment and our communities. Today, wilderness areas serve as places for us to roam, hunt, fish, and find solitude. They are also strong engines of local economies, providing tourism and recreation revenue for communities.
To help preserve our natural surroundings, I established the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to advance a conservation agenda for the 21st century, with ideas stemming directly from the American people. We are working with State, local, and tribal communities to support community-driven initiatives that embody the values and character of our wilderness heritage and other landscapes. And in recognition of the importance of our wilderness, my Administration has expanded protected wilderness areas by 2 million acres.
From our earliest days, America's identity has been tied to the powerful waterfalls, soaring peaks, and vast plains of its land. As a people, we are defined by its diversity and empowered by its richness. This month, we honor this land that we love, and commit to ensuring our wilderness remains a place where all can experience the spirit that has shaped America. During National Wilderness Month, let each of us embrace our Nation's legacy of protecting and preserving our vast wilderness for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
NATIONAL WILDERNESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The mystery and wonder of wilderness is deeply rooted in our national character. For many of the first Americans --American Indians and Alaska Natives -- the wilderness provided a source of sustenance and a foundation for their ways of life. Later, as explorers and the pioneers of a young country moved west, they found adventure and new beginnings in the landscapes of our Nation.
As we continue our country's proud journey and explore new opportunities in the 21st century, the importance of maintaining our wilderness has only grown. Protecting our wilderness areas and their riches -- clean water, stretches of undisturbed land, thriving wildlife, and healthy ecosystems -- is critical to the health of our environment and our communities. Today, wilderness areas serve as places for us to roam, hunt, fish, and find solitude. They are also strong engines of local economies, providing tourism and recreation revenue for communities.
To help preserve our natural surroundings, I established the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to advance a conservation agenda for the 21st century, with ideas stemming directly from the American people. We are working with State, local, and tribal communities to support community-driven initiatives that embody the values and character of our wilderness heritage and other landscapes. And in recognition of the importance of our wilderness, my Administration has expanded protected wilderness areas by 2 million acres.
From our earliest days, America's identity has been tied to the powerful waterfalls, soaring peaks, and vast plains of its land. As a people, we are defined by its diversity and empowered by its richness. This month, we honor this land that we love, and commit to ensuring our wilderness remains a place where all can experience the spirit that has shaped America. During National Wilderness Month, let each of us embrace our Nation's legacy of protecting and preserving our vast wilderness for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
Jobs Speeches vs. Jobs Plans
I'm on board with those upset over the infuriating optics of the President asking for a speech, Republicans shouting we don't wanna, and the President backing down. Again. First reaction, for some reason it riled me more than Democrats rolling over in the debt-ceiling debate. Second, the win here was nil, save a few -- admittedly too rare -- headlines like "The President Actually Tells Republicans No."
Republicans don't want to detract from their debate. Fine. The President shouldn't want to detract from that debate either. It's Rick Perry's big moment, and smart money says that's comedy gold. No one outside the beltway is going to care about the reschedule, or who looks like the adult in the room by next week.
In fact the speech itself will be a minor blip on the radar compared to any jobs plan itself, if -- a big if -- the President gets real. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, via LA Times:
Who knows what's politically achievable until we try?" Trumka said. "The president should articulate a solution of the size and scale necessary to solve the problem. We have a jobs crisis. … If you do only what you think the other side and the 'tea party' will agree to, then they control the agenda."
[...]
For those worried about the deficit, Trumka insists that job creation and deficit reduction go hand in hand.
"They complement one another," he said. "You want to get rid of the deficit? Put 25 million people back to work and you won't have a deficit problem."
Trumka gives the Times a detailed plan worth reading, but the point here is behind the details: Set the bar on a jobs plan as high as you can, and use that as a starting point.
Just like was said in the stimulus debates. And the health care debates. And the Bush Tax Cuts debates. And the debt ceiling "debates." And...
Republicans will oppose and roll out the hyperbole cannons, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann will say dumb things. But economically this is a chance to set an agenda and begin addressing an actual problem. Politically this is the Democrats' last chance before the 14 month circus is in full swing to reset the narrative ceded the GOP.
Voters have already reset, Republicans have shown their hand with Bush's Cantor's jobs plan deregulatory orgy which managed to be even more sucktastic than his last "jobs" plan. It's not going to take a committee to find a more popular and effective first step:
Over much of the 20th century, America's strong infrastructure investment was a major factor attracting global corporations headquartered in other countries to invest and create jobs here. Rising U.S. standards of living were fueled by a strong infrastructure system that facilitated the growth of companies in America, both global and domestic alike: transportation systems to move people and products, electrical systems to power plants and offices, communications backbones to drive computers and creativity. By 2008, the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies employed over 5.6 million Americans -- nearly 2 million in manufacturing -- and exported $232.4 billion in goods. That's 18.1% of America's total.
(h/t Think Progress)
Republicans don't want to detract from their debate. Fine. The President shouldn't want to detract from that debate either. It's Rick Perry's big moment, and smart money says that's comedy gold. No one outside the beltway is going to care about the reschedule, or who looks like the adult in the room by next week.
In fact the speech itself will be a minor blip on the radar compared to any jobs plan itself, if -- a big if -- the President gets real. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, via LA Times:
Who knows what's politically achievable until we try?" Trumka said. "The president should articulate a solution of the size and scale necessary to solve the problem. We have a jobs crisis. … If you do only what you think the other side and the 'tea party' will agree to, then they control the agenda."
[...]
For those worried about the deficit, Trumka insists that job creation and deficit reduction go hand in hand.
"They complement one another," he said. "You want to get rid of the deficit? Put 25 million people back to work and you won't have a deficit problem."
Trumka gives the Times a detailed plan worth reading, but the point here is behind the details: Set the bar on a jobs plan as high as you can, and use that as a starting point.
Just like was said in the stimulus debates. And the health care debates. And the Bush Tax Cuts debates. And the debt ceiling "debates." And...
Republicans will oppose and roll out the hyperbole cannons, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann will say dumb things. But economically this is a chance to set an agenda and begin addressing an actual problem. Politically this is the Democrats' last chance before the 14 month circus is in full swing to reset the narrative ceded the GOP.
Voters have already reset, Republicans have shown their hand with Bush's Cantor's jobs plan deregulatory orgy which managed to be even more sucktastic than his last "jobs" plan. It's not going to take a committee to find a more popular and effective first step:
Over much of the 20th century, America's strong infrastructure investment was a major factor attracting global corporations headquartered in other countries to invest and create jobs here. Rising U.S. standards of living were fueled by a strong infrastructure system that facilitated the growth of companies in America, both global and domestic alike: transportation systems to move people and products, electrical systems to power plants and offices, communications backbones to drive computers and creativity. By 2008, the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies employed over 5.6 million Americans -- nearly 2 million in manufacturing -- and exported $232.4 billion in goods. That's 18.1% of America's total.
(h/t Think Progress)
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One en route Minneapolis, Minnesota
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Minneapolis, Minnesota
10:26 A.M. EDT
MR. CARNEY: Good morning, everyone. How are you?
Q Good. How are you?
MR. CARNEY: I'm terrific. I'm glad you're joining us today on our flight to Minneapolis, where the President will address the 93rd Annual Conference of the American Legion. It's his distinct honor and pleasure to do so.
His remarks will focus on the incredible sacrifice and commitment demonstrated by the service to their country that veterans -- American veterans have made throughout our history, and he will emphasize the sacrifice and commitment of the 9/11 generation of veterans, and the efforts that his administration is making to ensure that all veterans, and in particular the 9/11 generation, are given the assistance and due respect that they deserve.
And as you know, one of the initiatives that the President announced recently was -- is designed to help integrate returning veterans into the workforce, working with the private sector, working with the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. So he will mention those efforts as well.
With that, I will take your questions.
Q Jay, can you confirm the reports about the administration, the White House specifically, having sent out guidelines to agencies and U.S. embassies around the world on how to discuss 9/11?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have anything -- I mean, beyond being surprised that The New York Times thinks what might be called talking points qualifies as news. I would just say that we obviously think that this upcoming anniversary is significant and the approach that we're taking to commemorating that tragedy and the remarkable resilience of the American people in its wake is one that we think is appropriate.
As you know, the President will travel to all three sites -- New York, Shanksville, and the Pentagon -- on 9/11. He will also -- on the evening of Sunday, September 11th, he and the First Lady will attend a concert for hope, interfaith prayer and concert service at the Washington National Cathedral. The President will deliver remarks at that event. So --
Q -- be there?
MR. CARNEY: Yes, he will.
Q Jay, since we're discussing that, The New York Times story wasn’t new, I mean talking about the Arab Spring is the future and al Qaeda is the past. I mean, that doesn’t seem different than what you guys have already been saying. But can you describe why it's important to frame it that way?
MR. CARNEY: Well, it's hardly -- it would hardly be expected to have -- things that were true yesterday are true tomorrow. I mean, what we have seen happen in this past decade is the utter rejection of the ideology of al Qaeda by the very region of the world that was supposed to be its foundation and where it was supposed to get the most support.
We obviously find that encouraging, even as we remain absolutely vigilant in protecting the American homeland, protecting the American people, and taking the fight to al Qaeda and its affiliates.
Q Will the President's jobs plan be a mix of things he can do through executive action and also things he has to go through Congress to get done? And any update on the timing and the location of the announcement?
MR. CARNEY: I have no updates on timing and location beyond what the President said yesterday. The President's proposal will be a combination of things that, in a world less riven by partisan politics, would garner broad bipartisan support. The President hopes that members of Congress of both parties, having returned from their August recess, will come back imbued with the spirit of bipartisan compromise, and imbued with the urgency required to address the needs of our economy and the needs of our workforce.
So I'm not going to get into what the mix is, but you can be sure that these are things that should have, and we believe will have, significant and broad support, which will be judged by independent economists and analysts to have, if implemented, a positive effect on growth and job creation.
Q But is the purpose of the proposals to pass Congress --
MR. CARNEY: Yes.
Q -- or is it to lay out the President’s vision of what he --
MR. CARNEY: Absolutely, the purpose is -- well, the purpose is both. But the proposals are, as I’ve just said, ones that should and historically have received bipartisan support.
Q -- 6 million jobs, the pre-recession peak of 6 million?
MR. CARNEY: I don’t have a numerical figure or goal to give you on growth or job creation.
Q Jay, is it something that you would want -- that the President would want to have passed this year?
MR. CARNEY: I think the President would absolutely want it passed as soon as possible -- the entire package.
Q Was there anything in Eric Cantor’s proposals yesterday the White House could support?
MR. CARNEY: I didn’t get a chance to review them and so I don’t -- I can’t really respond.
Q What about the idea of offsetting --
Q A couple of days ago, Eric Cantor mentioned that he wanted to see a pay-for when it came to hurricane disaster relief. What do you guys think about that?
MR. CARNEY: Well, we are, as we said yesterday -- as I said, and I believe Administrator Fugate said, we’re in the process still of assessing what the damages and costs associated with Hurricane and Tropical Storm Irene will be. So it’s premature to make a determination yet about what kind of costs could be incurred at the federal level.
Q What about the offset -- the idea of offsets?
MR. CARNEY: Well, again, I don’t want to get ahead of an estimate about whether or not additional funding will be required. I think the principle that when we have a national -- a natural disaster and an emergency situation in, in this case, a significant stretch of the country, our priority has to be with -- has to be responding to the disaster and then helping those regions and states recover.
I mean, this President is very committed to fiscal discipline, and it’s -- obviously we applaud those who are committed also. I guess I can’t help but say that I wish that commitment to looking for offsets had been held by the House Majority Leader and others, say, during the previous administration when they ran up unprecedented bills and not paid -- and never paid for them.
Q On Libya, does the U.S. support the TNC's call for Algeria to return Qaddafi's wife and his kids to Libya? And then, also, do you have any update on Qaddafi's location from yesterday?
MR. CARNEY: I have no update on Qaddafi's location. As I said -- what I said yesterday stands, which is that we do not believe -- we see no indication that he left the country. And as for -- I think it's important to -- as the TNC oversees the democratic transition and obviously the international community has, in large portion, recognized the TNC's place, they're -- they begin to speak for and are speaking for the Libyan people. So I don't have a position that we have on members of his family that are outside of the country right now.
Q Jay, there's been a lot of dissatisfaction expressed by members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other African American leaders. We had a story today in which both Laura Richardson* and Roland Martin and other people said that there's some concern that the President doesn’t want to be perceived as being too close to the African American community because he doesn’t want to alienate white independents. Is there any truth to that argument?
MR. CARNEY: This is -- a lot of people have suffered through this great recession -- a lot of Americans. And certain communities have obviously suffered significantly. And this President has been committed since the day he was sworn into office to helping the country recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression and doing everything he can to spur growth and job creation, and to assist those communities that have been hardest hit by job loss and economic contraction that we experienced during the recession.
So this is not a political issue. It's been -- the American economy is the primary focus of this President -- the economy and national security, obviously. And he's very committed to assisting African Americans and Americans of all --
Q But what about --
MR. CARNEY: -- recover from this terrible recession.
Q You had the mayor of Atlanta, who is a supporter of the President, say yesterday on MSNBC that he thought it would be “adverse” if white independents perceive the President as being too close to the African American community.
MR. CARNEY: I think that this is a kind of a -- I mean, your point, not the point -- the expressions of frustration that people have over the need to continue to create jobs and reduce our unemployment rate is one we feel obviously, as well. But the political analysis you’re making is one I remember as a journalist being made back when Senator Obama was running for President. It certainly did not bear out then, and it doesn't bear out now.
Q Jay, one of the things that the President will talk about today, I guess, are the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is there any update about whether or not Iraq has asked the U.S. to keep troops there longer than the end of this year?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have any update on that beyond what I said previously that we have an agreement in place. We have also said that we will consider a request if the Iraqi government makes it. And beyond that, I don't have anything to --
Q Does the White House have any reaction to the selection of the new Japanese Prime Minister? And would you expect the President to call him at a fairly early stage?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have an announcement to make about a phone call. But we obviously -- the President congratulates the new Prime Minister and looks forward to working with him. We have a long-term and vital alliance with Japan and the Japanese people. And the strength of those bonds will remain, obviously, with the change in government.
The President also obviously worked closely with and spoke on numerous occasions with the outgoing Prime Minister, and thanks him for his service during the obviously difficult time that Japan has gone through this year.
Q Do you anticipate any more states being declared disasters?
MR. CARNEY: Well, you know how this process works. If there’s emergency declarations in anticipation of a natural disaster or a storm like this, of which there were many, and then as assessments are made about damages and costs and what costs exceed a state’s ability to handle them, that requests for disaster declarations are made. And we -- I mean, obviously, there’s at least one that is in and there may be others. But this President is committed to, as he has been throughout this process, to ensuring that bureaucracy and red tape is not a factor in making sure that assistance is provided where it's needed.
Q Jay, is there any reaction to the House Republican plan to require the U.N. to adopt a voluntary budget model, which would end funding for Palestinian refugees? Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is proposing it, and I’m wondering if you have any reaction to this new proposal.
MR. CARNEY: I’m not aware of that proposal, so I don't have a reaction. I can take the question, though.
Q Also, anything on these protests outside the White House on this pipeline? Has the President decided against TransCanada’s permit for the pipeline? It’s the tar sands pipeline. There have been a lot of arrests outside the White House about it.
MR. CARNEY: I don't have anything new on that. I believe the State Department has -- that's under the purview of the State Department presently, but I don't have anything new on that.
Q Is the President aware of the protests?
MR. CARNEY: I haven’t talked to him about it.
Q Jay, does the President have any plan to visit any of these flood-stricken areas, Vermont, New Jersey?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have any update -- travel updates. Obviously, the focus in all these areas right now is on -- there’s still a response focus in some states, and now a recovery focus. And the President, working with FEMA Administrator and other members of his team, Secretary Napolitano and others, is primarily focused on that. If we have a scheduling update to make, we’ll let you know.
Q Will he be meeting with them today after they get back from North Carolina and Virginia --
MR. CARNEY: I don't have any meetings to announce. I believe he’s gotten some updates this morning, on paper, and will be in communication as the day progresses.
Q What other senior staff are on the plane, on the trip today?
MR. CARNEY: You’re looking at him.
Q We’re looking at him. (Laughter.)
MR. CARNEY: Well, we have obviously other staff here.
Q We didn't see anyone. That's why I’m asking.
MR. CARNEY: We have the national security staff aide and others onboard.
Q We just didn't want him to be lonely, you know? (Laughter.)
MR. CARNEY: I'm sitting all alone in the senior staff cabin -- it’s kind of -- I’ve tried every seat to see which is most comfortable. (Laughter.)
Q Can you offer any insight into who the President is talking to ahead -- I mean, you said that he’s talking to Republicans ahead of the jobs plan, right? So who is he consulting in Congress?
MR. CARNEY: -- wide array of people, obviously, within the administration and beyond. And I think I was asked yesterday if he’s spoken to Republican members of Congress, and I wasn’t going to characterize it beyond what I said yesterday. But, I mean, some of them you know. He’s brought in CEOs that we’ve announced that are part of his ongoing conversations with people with important perspectives about the economy outside the administration, and that includes lawmakers, as well as CEOs, small businessmen and women and others.
Q So it’s accurate to say he’s consulting Republican Congress people right now?
MR. CARNEY: I don't want to characterize -- I mean, he’s obviously had numerous conversations over these weeks and months with members of Congress in both parties, but I don't want you to go on -- try to ferret out members of Congress he might have spoken to. You can do that, but I don't have any -- I’m not going to help.
Anything else?
Q Thank you.
MR. CARNEY: Thanks for coming.
Q Thanks for having us.
END
10:43 A.M. EDT
For Immediate Release
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Minneapolis, Minnesota
10:26 A.M. EDT
MR. CARNEY: Good morning, everyone. How are you?
Q Good. How are you?
MR. CARNEY: I'm terrific. I'm glad you're joining us today on our flight to Minneapolis, where the President will address the 93rd Annual Conference of the American Legion. It's his distinct honor and pleasure to do so.
His remarks will focus on the incredible sacrifice and commitment demonstrated by the service to their country that veterans -- American veterans have made throughout our history, and he will emphasize the sacrifice and commitment of the 9/11 generation of veterans, and the efforts that his administration is making to ensure that all veterans, and in particular the 9/11 generation, are given the assistance and due respect that they deserve.
And as you know, one of the initiatives that the President announced recently was -- is designed to help integrate returning veterans into the workforce, working with the private sector, working with the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. So he will mention those efforts as well.
With that, I will take your questions.
Q Jay, can you confirm the reports about the administration, the White House specifically, having sent out guidelines to agencies and U.S. embassies around the world on how to discuss 9/11?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have anything -- I mean, beyond being surprised that The New York Times thinks what might be called talking points qualifies as news. I would just say that we obviously think that this upcoming anniversary is significant and the approach that we're taking to commemorating that tragedy and the remarkable resilience of the American people in its wake is one that we think is appropriate.
As you know, the President will travel to all three sites -- New York, Shanksville, and the Pentagon -- on 9/11. He will also -- on the evening of Sunday, September 11th, he and the First Lady will attend a concert for hope, interfaith prayer and concert service at the Washington National Cathedral. The President will deliver remarks at that event. So --
Q -- be there?
MR. CARNEY: Yes, he will.
Q Jay, since we're discussing that, The New York Times story wasn’t new, I mean talking about the Arab Spring is the future and al Qaeda is the past. I mean, that doesn’t seem different than what you guys have already been saying. But can you describe why it's important to frame it that way?
MR. CARNEY: Well, it's hardly -- it would hardly be expected to have -- things that were true yesterday are true tomorrow. I mean, what we have seen happen in this past decade is the utter rejection of the ideology of al Qaeda by the very region of the world that was supposed to be its foundation and where it was supposed to get the most support.
We obviously find that encouraging, even as we remain absolutely vigilant in protecting the American homeland, protecting the American people, and taking the fight to al Qaeda and its affiliates.
Q Will the President's jobs plan be a mix of things he can do through executive action and also things he has to go through Congress to get done? And any update on the timing and the location of the announcement?
MR. CARNEY: I have no updates on timing and location beyond what the President said yesterday. The President's proposal will be a combination of things that, in a world less riven by partisan politics, would garner broad bipartisan support. The President hopes that members of Congress of both parties, having returned from their August recess, will come back imbued with the spirit of bipartisan compromise, and imbued with the urgency required to address the needs of our economy and the needs of our workforce.
So I'm not going to get into what the mix is, but you can be sure that these are things that should have, and we believe will have, significant and broad support, which will be judged by independent economists and analysts to have, if implemented, a positive effect on growth and job creation.
Q But is the purpose of the proposals to pass Congress --
MR. CARNEY: Yes.
Q -- or is it to lay out the President’s vision of what he --
MR. CARNEY: Absolutely, the purpose is -- well, the purpose is both. But the proposals are, as I’ve just said, ones that should and historically have received bipartisan support.
Q -- 6 million jobs, the pre-recession peak of 6 million?
MR. CARNEY: I don’t have a numerical figure or goal to give you on growth or job creation.
Q Jay, is it something that you would want -- that the President would want to have passed this year?
MR. CARNEY: I think the President would absolutely want it passed as soon as possible -- the entire package.
Q Was there anything in Eric Cantor’s proposals yesterday the White House could support?
MR. CARNEY: I didn’t get a chance to review them and so I don’t -- I can’t really respond.
Q What about the idea of offsetting --
Q A couple of days ago, Eric Cantor mentioned that he wanted to see a pay-for when it came to hurricane disaster relief. What do you guys think about that?
MR. CARNEY: Well, we are, as we said yesterday -- as I said, and I believe Administrator Fugate said, we’re in the process still of assessing what the damages and costs associated with Hurricane and Tropical Storm Irene will be. So it’s premature to make a determination yet about what kind of costs could be incurred at the federal level.
Q What about the offset -- the idea of offsets?
MR. CARNEY: Well, again, I don’t want to get ahead of an estimate about whether or not additional funding will be required. I think the principle that when we have a national -- a natural disaster and an emergency situation in, in this case, a significant stretch of the country, our priority has to be with -- has to be responding to the disaster and then helping those regions and states recover.
I mean, this President is very committed to fiscal discipline, and it’s -- obviously we applaud those who are committed also. I guess I can’t help but say that I wish that commitment to looking for offsets had been held by the House Majority Leader and others, say, during the previous administration when they ran up unprecedented bills and not paid -- and never paid for them.
Q On Libya, does the U.S. support the TNC's call for Algeria to return Qaddafi's wife and his kids to Libya? And then, also, do you have any update on Qaddafi's location from yesterday?
MR. CARNEY: I have no update on Qaddafi's location. As I said -- what I said yesterday stands, which is that we do not believe -- we see no indication that he left the country. And as for -- I think it's important to -- as the TNC oversees the democratic transition and obviously the international community has, in large portion, recognized the TNC's place, they're -- they begin to speak for and are speaking for the Libyan people. So I don't have a position that we have on members of his family that are outside of the country right now.
Q Jay, there's been a lot of dissatisfaction expressed by members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other African American leaders. We had a story today in which both Laura Richardson* and Roland Martin and other people said that there's some concern that the President doesn’t want to be perceived as being too close to the African American community because he doesn’t want to alienate white independents. Is there any truth to that argument?
MR. CARNEY: This is -- a lot of people have suffered through this great recession -- a lot of Americans. And certain communities have obviously suffered significantly. And this President has been committed since the day he was sworn into office to helping the country recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression and doing everything he can to spur growth and job creation, and to assist those communities that have been hardest hit by job loss and economic contraction that we experienced during the recession.
So this is not a political issue. It's been -- the American economy is the primary focus of this President -- the economy and national security, obviously. And he's very committed to assisting African Americans and Americans of all --
Q But what about --
MR. CARNEY: -- recover from this terrible recession.
Q You had the mayor of Atlanta, who is a supporter of the President, say yesterday on MSNBC that he thought it would be “adverse” if white independents perceive the President as being too close to the African American community.
MR. CARNEY: I think that this is a kind of a -- I mean, your point, not the point -- the expressions of frustration that people have over the need to continue to create jobs and reduce our unemployment rate is one we feel obviously, as well. But the political analysis you’re making is one I remember as a journalist being made back when Senator Obama was running for President. It certainly did not bear out then, and it doesn't bear out now.
Q Jay, one of the things that the President will talk about today, I guess, are the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is there any update about whether or not Iraq has asked the U.S. to keep troops there longer than the end of this year?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have any update on that beyond what I said previously that we have an agreement in place. We have also said that we will consider a request if the Iraqi government makes it. And beyond that, I don't have anything to --
Q Does the White House have any reaction to the selection of the new Japanese Prime Minister? And would you expect the President to call him at a fairly early stage?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have an announcement to make about a phone call. But we obviously -- the President congratulates the new Prime Minister and looks forward to working with him. We have a long-term and vital alliance with Japan and the Japanese people. And the strength of those bonds will remain, obviously, with the change in government.
The President also obviously worked closely with and spoke on numerous occasions with the outgoing Prime Minister, and thanks him for his service during the obviously difficult time that Japan has gone through this year.
Q Do you anticipate any more states being declared disasters?
MR. CARNEY: Well, you know how this process works. If there’s emergency declarations in anticipation of a natural disaster or a storm like this, of which there were many, and then as assessments are made about damages and costs and what costs exceed a state’s ability to handle them, that requests for disaster declarations are made. And we -- I mean, obviously, there’s at least one that is in and there may be others. But this President is committed to, as he has been throughout this process, to ensuring that bureaucracy and red tape is not a factor in making sure that assistance is provided where it's needed.
Q Jay, is there any reaction to the House Republican plan to require the U.N. to adopt a voluntary budget model, which would end funding for Palestinian refugees? Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is proposing it, and I’m wondering if you have any reaction to this new proposal.
MR. CARNEY: I’m not aware of that proposal, so I don't have a reaction. I can take the question, though.
Q Also, anything on these protests outside the White House on this pipeline? Has the President decided against TransCanada’s permit for the pipeline? It’s the tar sands pipeline. There have been a lot of arrests outside the White House about it.
MR. CARNEY: I don't have anything new on that. I believe the State Department has -- that's under the purview of the State Department presently, but I don't have anything new on that.
Q Is the President aware of the protests?
MR. CARNEY: I haven’t talked to him about it.
Q Jay, does the President have any plan to visit any of these flood-stricken areas, Vermont, New Jersey?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have any update -- travel updates. Obviously, the focus in all these areas right now is on -- there’s still a response focus in some states, and now a recovery focus. And the President, working with FEMA Administrator and other members of his team, Secretary Napolitano and others, is primarily focused on that. If we have a scheduling update to make, we’ll let you know.
Q Will he be meeting with them today after they get back from North Carolina and Virginia --
MR. CARNEY: I don't have any meetings to announce. I believe he’s gotten some updates this morning, on paper, and will be in communication as the day progresses.
Q What other senior staff are on the plane, on the trip today?
MR. CARNEY: You’re looking at him.
Q We’re looking at him. (Laughter.)
MR. CARNEY: Well, we have obviously other staff here.
Q We didn't see anyone. That's why I’m asking.
MR. CARNEY: We have the national security staff aide and others onboard.
Q We just didn't want him to be lonely, you know? (Laughter.)
MR. CARNEY: I'm sitting all alone in the senior staff cabin -- it’s kind of -- I’ve tried every seat to see which is most comfortable. (Laughter.)
Q Can you offer any insight into who the President is talking to ahead -- I mean, you said that he’s talking to Republicans ahead of the jobs plan, right? So who is he consulting in Congress?
MR. CARNEY: -- wide array of people, obviously, within the administration and beyond. And I think I was asked yesterday if he’s spoken to Republican members of Congress, and I wasn’t going to characterize it beyond what I said yesterday. But, I mean, some of them you know. He’s brought in CEOs that we’ve announced that are part of his ongoing conversations with people with important perspectives about the economy outside the administration, and that includes lawmakers, as well as CEOs, small businessmen and women and others.
Q So it’s accurate to say he’s consulting Republican Congress people right now?
MR. CARNEY: I don't want to characterize -- I mean, he’s obviously had numerous conversations over these weeks and months with members of Congress in both parties, but I don't want you to go on -- try to ferret out members of Congress he might have spoken to. You can do that, but I don't have any -- I’m not going to help.
Anything else?
Q Thank you.
MR. CARNEY: Thanks for coming.
Q Thanks for having us.
END
10:43 A.M. EDT
Changing the Game: Your Part, My Part
In an era when the oil and gas industry poured more than $22 million into candidates? coffers in the�2010 election cycle, it is easy to believe polluters hold all the cards. The truth is there are still ways to gain political power that don?t involve writing a fat check.
But in order to get in the game, you have to show up.
You have to get on your feet and make your presence known at lawmakers? district offices, hometown rallies, or Washington events.� Some folks make their presence known through civil disobedience. I am too much of rule-bound first-born to take that path; being my mother?s daughter and having an arrest warrant just don?t jibe. But I have great respect for those who use this peaceful technique to capture politicians? attention.
This week, for instance, environmental activist Bill McKibben, has organized daily sit-ins at the White House to call on President Obama to reject the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline . The pipeline, which would run 1,700 miles from Alberta to Texas, would lock America into using more dirty tar sands oil?a fuel that generates three times as much global warming pollution as regular crude.
The people risking arrest include farmers, ranchers, businesspeople, and landowners from along the proposed pipeline route. They include religious leaders, labor activists, and others. And they include the renowned Gus Speth, one of the co-founders of NRDC, the chair of President Carter?s Council on Environmental Quality, and the former director of the United Nations Development Programme.� Speth was arrested during the sit-in, along with 161 other people so far. In a statement� from the Central Cell Block of the D.C. Jail, he said, ?I?ve held numerous positions and public offices in Washington, but my current position feels like one of the most important.?
Having respected citizens like Speth invite arrest?during the same week the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is being dedicated in Washington no less?gets attention. It makes it harder for leaders to pretend constituents don?t care about the tar sands oil pipeline.
But civil disobedience is just one approach. If that?s not your style, you can find other ways to step up.
Because this is the season to get involved. It is the season of candidates riding around on bus tours. It is the season of new candidates joining races every other week. And it is the season of Member of Congress fighting to keep their jobs.
It is a political truism that even when people hate Congress as a whole, they still like their own members. The 112th Congress has blasted that pattern to bits. Earlier this month, CNN released a poll that showed for the first time ever that people are ready to throw their elected officials out of office regardless of party. This is sobering news for lawmakers. �It also means members will be spending more time in their home districts trying to shore up support. I encourage you to attend their public events (you can often find schedules on their websites) and ask them where they stand on key environmental issues.
Posing questions accomplishes two things. First, you find out what their position is. �One of the most powerful images for me in the 2010 election was from a video on YouTube of a young woman from St. Louis asking Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill: are you on the side of polluters or are you on the side of the people? McCaskill said she stood with people, but then she wound herself up into an agitated response, acknowledging the political contributions she gets from coal companies and even saying that the young woman?s question ?irritates? her. Well, at least we know more about where she stands.
Second, asking questions show lawmakers that voters value environmental protections. Polluters are very busy trying to tell them otherwise. As the New York Times pointed out recently, candidates for the GOP presidential nomination have turned bashing the Environmental Protection Agency into a part-time sport. I think they do it because they think no one cares about environmental and public health safeguards.
We have to show them that we do care.
Politics is about repetition, and we need to use every town hall meeting, every bus-tour stop, and every ribbon cutting ceremony to tell our representatives that we care about environmental protection. And then we need to do it again.
The more we show up, the harder it is for them to ignore us. And the more we speak up, the sooner they will have to respond.
But in order to get in the game, you have to show up.
You have to get on your feet and make your presence known at lawmakers? district offices, hometown rallies, or Washington events.� Some folks make their presence known through civil disobedience. I am too much of rule-bound first-born to take that path; being my mother?s daughter and having an arrest warrant just don?t jibe. But I have great respect for those who use this peaceful technique to capture politicians? attention.
This week, for instance, environmental activist Bill McKibben, has organized daily sit-ins at the White House to call on President Obama to reject the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline . The pipeline, which would run 1,700 miles from Alberta to Texas, would lock America into using more dirty tar sands oil?a fuel that generates three times as much global warming pollution as regular crude.
The people risking arrest include farmers, ranchers, businesspeople, and landowners from along the proposed pipeline route. They include religious leaders, labor activists, and others. And they include the renowned Gus Speth, one of the co-founders of NRDC, the chair of President Carter?s Council on Environmental Quality, and the former director of the United Nations Development Programme.� Speth was arrested during the sit-in, along with 161 other people so far. In a statement� from the Central Cell Block of the D.C. Jail, he said, ?I?ve held numerous positions and public offices in Washington, but my current position feels like one of the most important.?
Having respected citizens like Speth invite arrest?during the same week the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is being dedicated in Washington no less?gets attention. It makes it harder for leaders to pretend constituents don?t care about the tar sands oil pipeline.
But civil disobedience is just one approach. If that?s not your style, you can find other ways to step up.
Because this is the season to get involved. It is the season of candidates riding around on bus tours. It is the season of new candidates joining races every other week. And it is the season of Member of Congress fighting to keep their jobs.
It is a political truism that even when people hate Congress as a whole, they still like their own members. The 112th Congress has blasted that pattern to bits. Earlier this month, CNN released a poll that showed for the first time ever that people are ready to throw their elected officials out of office regardless of party. This is sobering news for lawmakers. �It also means members will be spending more time in their home districts trying to shore up support. I encourage you to attend their public events (you can often find schedules on their websites) and ask them where they stand on key environmental issues.
Posing questions accomplishes two things. First, you find out what their position is. �One of the most powerful images for me in the 2010 election was from a video on YouTube of a young woman from St. Louis asking Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill: are you on the side of polluters or are you on the side of the people? McCaskill said she stood with people, but then she wound herself up into an agitated response, acknowledging the political contributions she gets from coal companies and even saying that the young woman?s question ?irritates? her. Well, at least we know more about where she stands.
Second, asking questions show lawmakers that voters value environmental protections. Polluters are very busy trying to tell them otherwise. As the New York Times pointed out recently, candidates for the GOP presidential nomination have turned bashing the Environmental Protection Agency into a part-time sport. I think they do it because they think no one cares about environmental and public health safeguards.
We have to show them that we do care.
Politics is about repetition, and we need to use every town hall meeting, every bus-tour stop, and every ribbon cutting ceremony to tell our representatives that we care about environmental protection. And then we need to do it again.
The more we show up, the harder it is for them to ignore us. And the more we speak up, the sooner they will have to respond.
White House Announces Steps to Expedite High Impact Infrastructure Projects to Create Jobs
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum directing departments and agencies to identify high impact, job-creating infrastructure projects that can be expedited through outstanding review and permitting processes. At the President’s direction, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior and Transportation will each select up to three high priority infrastructure projects that will create a significant number of jobs, have already identified necessary funding, and where the significant steps remaining before construction – including permit decisions, reviews, and consultations – are within the control and jurisdiction of the federal government and can be completed within 18 months.
Today’s announcement is a common-sense step to speed job creation in the near term while increasing our competitiveness and strengthening the economy in the long term. Investments in our Nation’s infrastructure will ensure that America has the fastest and most reliable means to move people and goods, energy and attract business-making investment choices in a global economy. The President also directed the creation of a Projects Dashboard to ensure the details of each project identified as a result of today’s announcement are available to the public. The Projects Dashboard will allow users to follow each project through the expedited approval process and facilitate public input.
“Creating jobs is my highest priority as President, and investing in our nation’s infrastructure can help create those jobs and grow our economy,” said President Obama. “That’s why I’m asking agencies across the federal government to identify infrastructure projects that will put folks back to work and help make our country stronger, and take immediate steps to push these projects across the finish line.”
While today’s announcement is focused on a select number of high-priority projects, the President also directed agencies to deploy information technology tools that improve the efficiency of Federal permitting and review processes, and use the lessons learned from expediting the high-priority projects to develop best practices that can be applied more broadly to permitting and review processes going forward.
This initiative was recommended to the President by his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness during their meeting together in June. Tomorrow, the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness will hold a meeting in Dallas with local business owners to discuss the steps we have taken to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure and come up with initiatives and policies to further grow the economy and accelerate hiring.
As the federal government expedites the review of these high impact projects, agencies will fully and effectively implement their responsibilities to protect safety, public health and the environment. In fact, many agencies across the federal government have already taken important measures to improve review and permitting processes and make them more efficient and effective. Some of the many steps taken since the beginning of the Obama Administration include:
Finding innovative approaches to make environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) more efficient: In November 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued guidance to help agencies reduce unnecessary paperwork and delay by identifying and establishing “categorical exclusions” for activities like routine facility maintenance that do not need to undergo intensive review because they do not, individually or cumulatively, have significant environmental impacts. In March 2011 CEQ launched a NEPA pilots program, inviting federal agencies and the public to nominate projects employing innovative approaches to completing environmental reviews more efficiently and effectively. CEQ will work with the relevant federal agencies to implement up to five selected pilots, and to replicate time- and cost-saving approaches learned from the implementation of the pilots.
Speeding up highway project delivery to ensure that Every Day Counts: The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts initiative is identifying and deploying innovative approaches to shorten project delivery, enhance the safety of the nation’s roadways, and protect the environment. EDC’s website features a Shortening Project Delivery Toolkit to encourage greater use of current regulatory flexibilities and accelerated project delivery methods. EDC employs a comprehensive set of tools including additional technical assistance to help overcome major challenges on ongoing projects requiring Environmental Impact Statements. FHWA teams focus on facilitating interagency coordination and collaboration to resolve outstanding issues and provide peer-to-peer activities, workshops, training, or specialized on-site assistance.. On the construction side, the agency is encouraging State use of acceleration techniques like design-build and pre-fabricated bridge elements.
Breaking down policy barriers to build sustainable communities: Over the past two years, HUD, DOT, and EPA have worked together to promote better outcomes for communities and more effective federal investments through better targeting of resources, removal of existing federal regulatory and policy barriers to smart and sustainable development, and improved alignment of the partner agencies’ policy priorities. Beyond promoting synergies among grant various programs, the agencies provide technical assistance to communities facing process obstacles. For example, EPA helps local governments, the development community, and other building professionals identify and remove barriers to sustainable design and green building in their permitting processes by educating them about local codes of ordinances that affect the design, construction, renovation, and operation and maintenance of a building and its immediate site.
Making air and water permitting leaner by eliminating unnecessary process steps: EPA’s Lean Government Program is using Lean techniques such as value stream mapping, kaizen rapid improvement events, and Six Sigma to identify and eliminate unnecessary and non?value added process steps to improve water quality standard setting and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NDPES) processes, achieving dramatic reductions in review steps. Lean techniques have also been used to improve air permitting, by developing new permit applications, installing visual permit tracking boards, and implementing a “First In, First Out” system.
Elevating and troubleshooting challenges through interagency Rapid Response Teams (RRTs): Ten federal agencies have designated senior staff to serve on RRTs, which coordinate rapid response capability across the Federal agencies for both renewable energy and transmission projects at critical agency review points. Key agency personnel are “on call” to resolve or elevate issues as they arise.
Making transmission siting and permitting more efficient: In October 2009, nine federal agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve coordination among project applicants, federal agencies, states, and tribes involved in siting and permitting electric transmission facilities on Federal land. The MOU pre-designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead agency to coordinate all federal environmental reviews necessary to site a transmission project on federal lands. DOE now tracks all pending projects covered by the MOU on a public website, including a schedule and current status for required Federal authorizations and noting missed deadlines, which must be explained by a project manager.
Making offshore wind development “Smart from the Start”: In the fall of 2010, the Department of the Interior (DOI) launched the “Smart from the Start” initiative to spur rapid and responsible siting, leasing and construction of new wind projects that will create jobs. The initiative is focused on improving coordination with state, local, and federal partners; identifying and refining priority areas that appear most suitable for development; and making the environmental review associated with commercial leasing more efficient through measures like conducting earlier and better coordinated reviews.
Coordinating Safe and Responsible Energy Development in Alaska: Formalizing a step announced in the spring of 2011 to increase safe and responsible domestic oil and gas production, President Obama signed an Executive Order forming a new, high-level interagency working group to coordinate on energy development and permitting in Alaska, chaired by the Deputy Secretary of the Interior and including senior officials from a range of other agencies. This group will help: simplify decision-making processes by ensuring collaboration as agencies evaluate permits and conduct rigorous environmental reviews; ensure that decisions are made with a recognition of long term issues including oil spill readiness and infrastructure development; and coordinate work with partners outside of the Federal government.
Improving coordination to support energy development and safeguard air quality: In June 2011, DOI, EPA, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed to establish a common process analyzing the potential air quality impacts of proposed oil and gas activities on federally managed public lands in order to increase efficiency, certainty, and transparency. Previously, these agencies had used different approaches when determining the adequacy and timing of air quality analyses and mitigation and the appropriate thresholds and resource conditions to use when analyzing potential impacts of development. To alleviate delays caused by these differences, participating agencies worked to establish mutually acceptable procedures for conducting air quality analyses as part of the environmental review required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum directing departments and agencies to identify high impact, job-creating infrastructure projects that can be expedited through outstanding review and permitting processes. At the President’s direction, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior and Transportation will each select up to three high priority infrastructure projects that will create a significant number of jobs, have already identified necessary funding, and where the significant steps remaining before construction – including permit decisions, reviews, and consultations – are within the control and jurisdiction of the federal government and can be completed within 18 months.
Today’s announcement is a common-sense step to speed job creation in the near term while increasing our competitiveness and strengthening the economy in the long term. Investments in our Nation’s infrastructure will ensure that America has the fastest and most reliable means to move people and goods, energy and attract business-making investment choices in a global economy. The President also directed the creation of a Projects Dashboard to ensure the details of each project identified as a result of today’s announcement are available to the public. The Projects Dashboard will allow users to follow each project through the expedited approval process and facilitate public input.
“Creating jobs is my highest priority as President, and investing in our nation’s infrastructure can help create those jobs and grow our economy,” said President Obama. “That’s why I’m asking agencies across the federal government to identify infrastructure projects that will put folks back to work and help make our country stronger, and take immediate steps to push these projects across the finish line.”
While today’s announcement is focused on a select number of high-priority projects, the President also directed agencies to deploy information technology tools that improve the efficiency of Federal permitting and review processes, and use the lessons learned from expediting the high-priority projects to develop best practices that can be applied more broadly to permitting and review processes going forward.
This initiative was recommended to the President by his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness during their meeting together in June. Tomorrow, the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness will hold a meeting in Dallas with local business owners to discuss the steps we have taken to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure and come up with initiatives and policies to further grow the economy and accelerate hiring.
As the federal government expedites the review of these high impact projects, agencies will fully and effectively implement their responsibilities to protect safety, public health and the environment. In fact, many agencies across the federal government have already taken important measures to improve review and permitting processes and make them more efficient and effective. Some of the many steps taken since the beginning of the Obama Administration include:
Finding innovative approaches to make environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) more efficient: In November 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued guidance to help agencies reduce unnecessary paperwork and delay by identifying and establishing “categorical exclusions” for activities like routine facility maintenance that do not need to undergo intensive review because they do not, individually or cumulatively, have significant environmental impacts. In March 2011 CEQ launched a NEPA pilots program, inviting federal agencies and the public to nominate projects employing innovative approaches to completing environmental reviews more efficiently and effectively. CEQ will work with the relevant federal agencies to implement up to five selected pilots, and to replicate time- and cost-saving approaches learned from the implementation of the pilots.
Speeding up highway project delivery to ensure that Every Day Counts: The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts initiative is identifying and deploying innovative approaches to shorten project delivery, enhance the safety of the nation’s roadways, and protect the environment. EDC’s website features a Shortening Project Delivery Toolkit to encourage greater use of current regulatory flexibilities and accelerated project delivery methods. EDC employs a comprehensive set of tools including additional technical assistance to help overcome major challenges on ongoing projects requiring Environmental Impact Statements. FHWA teams focus on facilitating interagency coordination and collaboration to resolve outstanding issues and provide peer-to-peer activities, workshops, training, or specialized on-site assistance.. On the construction side, the agency is encouraging State use of acceleration techniques like design-build and pre-fabricated bridge elements.
Breaking down policy barriers to build sustainable communities: Over the past two years, HUD, DOT, and EPA have worked together to promote better outcomes for communities and more effective federal investments through better targeting of resources, removal of existing federal regulatory and policy barriers to smart and sustainable development, and improved alignment of the partner agencies’ policy priorities. Beyond promoting synergies among grant various programs, the agencies provide technical assistance to communities facing process obstacles. For example, EPA helps local governments, the development community, and other building professionals identify and remove barriers to sustainable design and green building in their permitting processes by educating them about local codes of ordinances that affect the design, construction, renovation, and operation and maintenance of a building and its immediate site.
Making air and water permitting leaner by eliminating unnecessary process steps: EPA’s Lean Government Program is using Lean techniques such as value stream mapping, kaizen rapid improvement events, and Six Sigma to identify and eliminate unnecessary and non?value added process steps to improve water quality standard setting and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NDPES) processes, achieving dramatic reductions in review steps. Lean techniques have also been used to improve air permitting, by developing new permit applications, installing visual permit tracking boards, and implementing a “First In, First Out” system.
Elevating and troubleshooting challenges through interagency Rapid Response Teams (RRTs): Ten federal agencies have designated senior staff to serve on RRTs, which coordinate rapid response capability across the Federal agencies for both renewable energy and transmission projects at critical agency review points. Key agency personnel are “on call” to resolve or elevate issues as they arise.
Making transmission siting and permitting more efficient: In October 2009, nine federal agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve coordination among project applicants, federal agencies, states, and tribes involved in siting and permitting electric transmission facilities on Federal land. The MOU pre-designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead agency to coordinate all federal environmental reviews necessary to site a transmission project on federal lands. DOE now tracks all pending projects covered by the MOU on a public website, including a schedule and current status for required Federal authorizations and noting missed deadlines, which must be explained by a project manager.
Making offshore wind development “Smart from the Start”: In the fall of 2010, the Department of the Interior (DOI) launched the “Smart from the Start” initiative to spur rapid and responsible siting, leasing and construction of new wind projects that will create jobs. The initiative is focused on improving coordination with state, local, and federal partners; identifying and refining priority areas that appear most suitable for development; and making the environmental review associated with commercial leasing more efficient through measures like conducting earlier and better coordinated reviews.
Coordinating Safe and Responsible Energy Development in Alaska: Formalizing a step announced in the spring of 2011 to increase safe and responsible domestic oil and gas production, President Obama signed an Executive Order forming a new, high-level interagency working group to coordinate on energy development and permitting in Alaska, chaired by the Deputy Secretary of the Interior and including senior officials from a range of other agencies. This group will help: simplify decision-making processes by ensuring collaboration as agencies evaluate permits and conduct rigorous environmental reviews; ensure that decisions are made with a recognition of long term issues including oil spill readiness and infrastructure development; and coordinate work with partners outside of the Federal government.
Improving coordination to support energy development and safeguard air quality: In June 2011, DOI, EPA, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed to establish a common process analyzing the potential air quality impacts of proposed oil and gas activities on federally managed public lands in order to increase efficiency, certainty, and transparency. Previously, these agencies had used different approaches when determining the adequacy and timing of air quality analyses and mitigation and the appropriate thresholds and resource conditions to use when analyzing potential impacts of development. To alleviate delays caused by these differences, participating agencies worked to establish mutually acceptable procedures for conducting air quality analyses as part of the environmental review required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
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