Barack Obama

Vilsack Announces $30 Million for 36 Community Facility Projects in 22 States

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA is providing $30 million for 36 community facilities projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many of which are for healthcare facilities.

To date, USDA has announced more than $335 million in Recovery Act funding for community facilities projects. Altogether, the Department has provided more than $94 million in Recovery Act loans and grants for 146 healthcare projects across the country.    » read more »

Urges Congress to Act Quickly in Light of Anticipated No COLA for 2010

Washington, DC – AARP CEO A. Barry Rand offered the following statement in reaction to the White House’s announcement this afternoon, calling on Congress to extend previous $250 economic relief provided for older Americans, veterans and persons with disabilities for 2010.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today submitted final comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration concerning proposals for broadband expansion in Maine.

The comments are the final step in a State process to recommend projects for funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will review the recommendations over the coming months and make the decision on funding through the Recovery Act.

In total, the Governor supported $42.7 million in proposed projects recommended by the Broadband Strategy Council and the ConnectME Authority.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama met the first deadline set by Congress for states to report their use of federal stimulus dollars, Alabama Governor Bob Riley said today.

State agencies reported their use of stimulus dollars and the number of jobs “created or retained” to the federal government over the weekend. It is the first of what will be quarterly updates on how Alabama spends its allotment of stimulus funds.

The federal government will post complete stimulus reports from all states on the Internet on October 30, but Alabama’s stimulus report is already available online at www.stimulus.alabama.gov, Governor Riley said.

Using formulas from the federal government, the stimulus is credited with creating or retaining 4,505 jobs so far.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins:

“I applaud President Obama’s statement today announcing his support for a $250 payment to seniors to offset the 2010 Social Security COLA freeze. This news will give seniors in Western New York and across this nation peace of mind in knowing that there will be a little extra money available to cover the basics – including housing, food and medical expenses.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House of Representatives Ways & Means Committee to take swift action on this matter to ensure seniors receive the relief they need and deserve in the upcoming year.”

Background:    » read more »

Whitehouse-Supported Legislation Would Provide This Payment

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - President Obama today announced his support for a plan to provide seniors in Rhode Island and across the country with a one-time payment of $250 in 2010 in addition to regular Social Security payments. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is a cosponsor of the Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act (S. 1685), which would provide such a payment.

"Fixed incomes and a reliance on costly prescription drugs make it tough for seniors and disabled Rhode Islanders to make ends meet," said Whitehouse. "For these hard-hit Americans, every dollar counts, and I'm hopeful these payments will provide relief to our most vulnerable citizens."    » read more »

WASHINGTON, October 14 – Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) today welcomed President Barack Obama’s support for a one-time, $250 payment next year to more than 50 million seniors to keep Social Security benefits from shrinking.

“Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession,” Obama said. “I want to compliment all the members of Congress who have been working to address these challenges, especially Senators Reid, Baucus, Sanders, and Lincoln, Speaker Pelosi, and Representatives Rangel, McCarthy, and DeFazio.”    » read more »

Last month, Sen. Casey endorsed legislation to provide a $250 payment

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today welcomed the support of President Obama for legislation to provide a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security recipients to offset the expected lack of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Last month, Senator Casey cosponsored the Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act that would provide such a payment to Social Security recipients.    » read more »

In Oval Office meeting, discusses proposal to create special process to get deficits under control

October 14, 2009 -- Washington –One day after a private Oval Office meeting with President Obama to discuss his concerns about mounting federal deficits, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) today urged the leader of the Senate to endorse an independent debt-fighting panel to get America’s fiscal house in order.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- Rose Garden -- THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Today we reached a critical milestone in our effort to reform our health care system. After many months of thoughtful deliberation, the fifth and final committee responsible for health care reform has passed a proposal that has both Democratic and Republican support. This effort was made possible by the tireless efforts of Chairman Max Baucus and the other members of the Senate Finance Committee. It's a product of vigorous debate and difficult negotiations.    » read more »

Meets Federal Deadline, Continues National-Leading Efforts in Accountability, Transparency

October 13, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment on Saturday filed a comprehensive report with the federal government detailing Recovery money spent through the state of Wisconsin, and what impact these dollars are having in Wisconsin communities.    » read more »

Thousands of Jobs Created or Retained

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Office of Budget and Management Director Pari Sabety today announced that Ohio has met the first federal reporting requirement for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) loans, grants and contracts spending data.

Of the more than $8.5 billion that the state is expected to receive during this multi-year program, approximately $1.6 billion has been expended – only $335.6 million of which falls within the requirements to be reported during this period, the first of quarterly reporting periods (through September 30).    » read more »

Oct. 13, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today announced that more than 20 state agencies and higher education institutions across Colorado have successfully submitted spending and job information to the federal government for more than $1 billion in grants and loans awarded to the State of Colorado through Sept. 30 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The state used a new centralized process at no extra cost to report more than 25,000 pieces of required data that will be made public later this month.    » read more »

Act on Multiple Peril Insurance legislation

October 13, 2009 -- Bay St. Louis, Miss. -- With the President's upcoming visit to New Orleans on October 15, 2009, Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) wrote Mr. Obama urging the Administration to reform the National Flood Insurance Program and revisit the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009, his proposed solution to the homeowner insurance crisis that is sweeping America's homeowners throughout the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states.

Rep. Taylor urged the Administration to engage "more actively in reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, providing for better disaster insurance coverage, and improving other disaster response and recovery programs."    » read more »

Additional $12 million will help reduce energy use and carbon pollution, improve energy efficiency, and create green jobs

October 13, 2009 -- (The Following Was Released By The Department Of Energy):

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced that Hawaii has received all of the State Energy Program funding allocated to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Department of Energy delivered an additional $12 million to the state, which has now received a total of $25 million through the State Energy Program to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state, while creating jobs and reducing carbon pollution.    » read more »