White House

October 27, 2009 -- Aboard Air Force One, En Route Norfolk, Virginia -- Q Hey, Robert, some of the moderates in the Senate -- moderate Democrats -- are really balking at the health care plan that Senator Reid announced. What's the President going to do to try to help him line up the support he'll need to get that through the Senate?

MR. GIBBS: Well, obviously right now, I mean, the President is working to ensure we get this through. I don't -- I have not heard of any specific calls that the President has made, and obviously Senator Reid is working this through the caucus. But I'm sure we'll get involved in due time.

But look, I think we've been -- we've been working through these issues for many months, and we'll continue to do so to make progress.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Today’s announcement that auto production will be returning to the old GM’s assembly facility in Wilmington, DE, is an example of how successful partnerships can help transform the American auto industry of the future.

The White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers has worked closely with the state of Delaware, federal agencies and the old GM to help support this successful announcement, and will continue working with states and agencies across the country to support positive economic transitions in auto communities.

Mission of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers    » read more »

Applicants say investments will create tens of thousands of jobs, save energy and empower consumers to cut their electric bills

October 27, 2009 -- ARCADIA, FLORIDA – Speaking at Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, President Barack Obama today announced the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history, funding a broad range of technologies that will spur the nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system.

The end result will promote energy-saving choices for consumers, increase efficiency, and foster the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Washington, DC — The Obama Administration is moving quickly to crack down on mismanaged and wasteful federal contracting practices while strengthening oversight and accountability capacity across the government.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance today that requires federal agencies to increase the capability and capacity of the civilian agency acquisition workforce to ensure sufficient management and oversight of acquisition dollars. The guidance also provides specific instructions for agencies to avoid high-risk contracts that can result in excessive costs being passed on to taxpayers.    » read more »

Transportation Agreement Mandates Jobs for U.S. Mariners

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda today approved the construction of a deepwater port for liquefied natural gas (LNG) off the coast of Florida. As part of the approval agreement, officials for Port Dolphin Energy, LLC, agreed to provide employment and training opportunities to American mariners on ships using the port. The Maritime Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“This energy project is a win for Florida consumers, and for U.S. maritime workers,” said Transportation Secretary LaHood. “We will continue our focus on creating job opportunities for American seafarers and other maritime workers.”    » read more »

Applicants say investments will create tens of thousands of jobs, save energy and empower consumers to cut their electric bills

October 27, 2009 -- ARCADIA, FLORIDA – Speaking at Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, President Barack Obama today announced the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history, funding a broad range of technologies that will spur the nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The end result will promote energy-saving choices for consumers, increase efficiency, and foster the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE – As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles.

The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- (Arcadia, Florida) - Today, President Obama spoke at the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida where he delivered the below remarks:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, guys. Thank you very much. Please, have a seat. Thank you so much.

Well, first of all, let me thank Lew Hay and his visionary leadership at Florida Power & Light. It's an example of a company that is doing well by doing good. And I think it's a model for what we could duplicate all across the country.    » read more »

Also Deputy Assistant To The President On Economic Policy Dr. Jared Bernstein; And Director Of The Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes

October 19, 2009 -- James S. Brady Press Briefing Room -- MR. GIBBS: Good after -- or good morning, I should say. Sorry, I'm used to doing this in the afternoon. Before we get started with our regularly scheduled programming, Jared Bernstein and Melody Barnes are here to discuss the report that released this morning on the jobs saved in the recovery plan by teachers. So I'm going to turn it over to Jared and Melody.    » read more »

State Governments Expected to Credit Recovery Act with Creating, Saving At Least 250,000 Education Jobs Nationwide

October 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Obama Administration today announced that preliminary indications are that state governments will credit the Recovery Act with creating and saving at least 250,000 education jobs across the country when reports filed on Recovery Act education spending to-date are posted online later this month.

"This is one more indication of how the Recovery Act is helping soften the blow of tough times, by keeping educators on the job and teachers in the classroom," said Vice President Joe Biden.    » read more »

Retrofitting Plan Will Create Jobs, Save Money, and Combat Global Warming

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Vice President Biden announced the release today of the "Recovery through Retrofit" report, which lays out a federal plan for capturing energy savings by retrofitting homes.

"This report represents a huge step forward," said Sierra Club Clean Energy Solutions representative Allison Forbes. "By committing to ambitious residential energy efficiency measures, the Obama administration can help create good, family-supporting jobs, save families money on their energy bills, and combat global warming."    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- (New York) - The Obama administration's new Sudan policy, announced this morning, represents a positive step toward improving human rights and securing justice in Sudan, Human Rights Watch said today. The policy aims to end conflict in Darfur and ensure implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

It recognizes the need to apply continued and increased pressure on Sudan to obtain progress on human rights and justice for atrocities committed in Darfur to ensure lasting peace in Sudan.    » read more »

Washington, DC - 10/19/2009 - Sixteen Americans who have been directly affected by foodborne illness gathered at the White House recently to share their personal stories and meet Sam Kass, assistant White House chef, who cooks for the Obama family and is an advisor on food policy; Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, who is the lead staffer for the White House Food Safety Working Group; and David Lazarus, senior advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture, who coordinates with the White House on food safety issues.

Representing the millions of Americans who fall ill each year from contaminated food, the victims and relatives of victims appealed to the Obama administration to urge congressional lawmakers to pass food safety legislation this year.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC –Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement in response to the Obama Administration’s announcement that the U.S. will seek to end “gross human rights abuses” in Darfur, ensure implementation of a peace deal that ended war between northern and southern Sudan, and ensure Sudan does not provide a safe haven for terrorists.

"I am encouraged by the announcement of President Obama’s new policy toward Sudan and that existing sanctions against Khartoum will remain in place. The implementation of this policy is a necessary step towards ensuring stability and peace in the region and for the people of Sudan.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Westin St. Francis Hotel -- San Francisco, California -- THE PRESIDENT: Nancy Pelosi! Hello, San Francisco! (Applause.) Hey! How are you? Hello. It’s good to see all of you. Thank you. Thank you. Just a couple of quick special thank yous. I love all of you. (Applause.) But there are a couple people I want to make sure to acknowledge.

First of all, thank you Tracy Chapman for performing tonight. (Applause.) Love Tracy Chapman. Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, who is running for the California 10 upcoming election –- everybody has got to go out there and work for John. (Applause.) There he is right –- stand up, John, so everybody can see you. (Applause.) Fantastic.    » read more »