President Barack Obama delivers remarks and awards the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom to honorees during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 20, 2013. Honorees are: Ernie Banks, Ben Bradlee, former President Bill Clinton, Daniel Inouye (posthumous), Daniel Kahneman, Richard Lugar, Loretta Lynn, Mario Molina, Sally Ride (posthumous), Bayard Rustin (posthumous), Arturo Sandoval, Dean Smith, Gloria Steinem, Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian, Patricia Wald, and Oprah Winfrey. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) The Presidential …
Category: Press Release
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Voting to Ensure Americans Can Keep Their Health Insurance
The Obamacare enrollment numbers were released last week and confirm what I have said all along— Obamacare was never ready for prime time. Reports are showing that enrollment numbers are only 1/5 of the previously stated White House projection, which isn’t nearly enough for the health care law to be sustainable, or affordable, long term. Only 1,662 people in North Carolina enrolled into Obamacare in October, and according to recent news reports, as many as 475,000 people in North Carolina …
White House Weekly Address: Taking Control of America’s Energy Future
In his weekly address, President Obama discusses progress in American energy and highlights that we are now producing more oil at home than we buy from other countries for the first time in nearly two decades. We reached this milestone in part not only because we’re producing more energy, but because we’re wasting less energy, and as a result, we are also reducing our carbon emissions while growing the economy. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything …
White House: Two Very Important Lines Crossed Last Month
For the first time in nearly two decades, we’re importing less foreign oil than we’re producing domestically — and we’re using less overall. That’s a really big deal. Get the facts below, and pass them on.
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Give to real typhoon relief, not to scams
Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the Philippines, and many people are eager to contribute money to help with recovery efforts. Unfortunately, some past catastrophes spawned scams that collected money that never reached the victims, and similar scams are likely following Typhoon Haiyan. Attorney General Roy Cooper encourages North Carolinians to give generously to relief efforts but to watch for charity scams. If you come across a potential scam, report it to us by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by filing a complaint …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Honoring Our Veterans
On Monday, we will recognize and honor the service our veterans have provided to our country. I am blessed to represent the Second District, which is home to so many of our nation’s heroes who sacrificed so much to defend our great country. The prevalence of active service members and veterans who refer to North Carolina as “home” has encouraged me to do something to protect those who have so nobly fought to defend our country. This is why, last …
White House Weekly Address: Honoring America’s Veterans
In this week’s address, President Obama commemorates Veterans Day Weekend by thanking the brave men and women who have worn this country’s uniform. The President says he is proud of their service and will do everything possible to ensure America always has their back and always honors their sacrifice. This week, the President worked to help consumers learn about and enroll in quality, affordable health insurance plans through the Marketplaces, welcomed Iraq’s Prime Minister, hosted the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago …
Senator Kay Hagan: We Must Honor Veterans By Finally Clearing the VA Backlog
I recently had the honor of presenting a long-overdue Bronze Star to Army Corporal Merle “Jack” Hammersley, a veteran of World War II. After Corporal Hammersley’s family contacted my office, we worked quickly to secure the medal to honor his contributions to our country. Part of the “Greatest Generation,” Corporal Hammersley represents the very best of our country, and the Bronze Star recognizes and honors his bravery, service and sacrifice. As we pay tribute to Corporal Hammersley and all our heroes …
Senator Angela Bryant: Grants available for Local Farmers
District 4 Halifax, Nash, Vance, Wilson, and Warren Counties Eligible $8,000 Farm Grants $10,000 for Collaborative Group Projects Deadline: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 The Rural Advancement Foundation International’s (RAFI) Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund announces 2014 grants for existing farm enterprises. If you are a North Carolina farmer earning at least 50% of your personal income from your farm operation you may be eligible to apply for a grant. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a way to replace …
White House: Cutting our deficit in half
Last week a new report had some big economic news you probably missed: Since 2009, we’ve cut our deficit in half — and it’s falling at its fastest rate since World War II. In addition to improving our nation’s long-term fiscal security by reducing the deficit, President Obama’s working hard to help strengthen the middle class. And in the past three and a half years, businesses have created more than 7.6 million new jobs.
Senator Angela Bryant: Two Grant Opportunities and a Workshop
Two Grant Opportunities and a Workshop: Revitalize neighborhoods & ignite local economies with art The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently posted guidelines and application materials for Our Town, the agency’s program that supports communities that are using the arts to revitalize neighborhoods and reignite local economies. Key information: · Pending availability of funding, grants will range from $25,000 to $200,000. · Application deadline is January 13, 2014 at 11:59 pm. · Projects may include …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Questioning Secretary Sebelius about the Obamacare Debacle
In the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, we are asking questions and demanding answers to explain how hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars were spent on a product that does not work. The failed Healthcare.gov website is a national embarrassment. and it is important that we find out just what happened and who is responsible. Last week, in the Energy and Commerce Committee, we heard testimony from government contractors who developed the Healthcare.gov website. This week, HHS Secretary Kathleen …
Butterfield Concerned About Nationwide Reductions to SNAP
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding a nationwide reduction in benefits to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps: “Today is a sad day for many low-income families in North Carolina and across the country that struggle daily to put food on their tables. In 2009, Congress passed the Recovery Act which temporarily increased food stamps benefits for millions of Americans. However, today, that modest increase ends. “While …
White House Weekly Address: Passing a Budget that Reflects Our Priorities
In this week’s address, President Obama says that in order to keep growing the economy and creating good jobs, Washington must end its cycle of manufactured crises and self-inflicted wounds. It’s time for both parties to work together to pass a budget that reflects our priorities — making smart cuts in things we don’t need and closing wasteful tax loopholes, while investing in areas that create opportunities for the middle class and our future generations. Welcome to the West …
Butterfield Disappointed in Senate’s Failure to Confirm Congressman Mel Watt as FHFA Director
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate failed to reach cloture on the nomination of Congressman Mel Watt (NC-12): “I am utterly disappointed that Senate Republicans have blocked a straight up or down vote on the confirmation of Congressman Mel Watt, who clearly had the support of the majority of the Senate. “As a former real estate attorney, the representative of the second largest banking center in the nation, and …
Butterfield Cheers House Passage of Bill to Honor Service of World War II Merchant Mariners
WASHINGTON, DC – Late yesterday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a provision authored by Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) that expands the list of documents accepted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prove service and to grant honorary veterans status to a forgotten segment of the World War II Merchant Marine, the Coastwise Merchant Seamen. H.R. 1288, the World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act, was passed by a vote of 404-1 as part of H. …
White House Weekly Address: Enrolling in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace
In this week’s address, President Obama discusses the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace for the Affordable Care Act, which gives millions of Americans the opportunity to have access to affordable and reliable healthcare — many for the first time. This week, the President announced his nominee for the next Secretary of Homeland Security, spoke on the Affordable Care Act and immigration reform, and welcomed the Prime Minister of Pakistan and this year’s Sammy Award winners to the White House.
Butterfield’s Statement on Republicans’ Attempt to Disparage the Affordable Care Act during Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC — Earlier Thursday, during the Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing criticizing the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) offered the following statement: “Today’s hearing would be appropriate if my Republican colleagues would have approached it in a constructive way so as to learn about the rollout challenges of Healthcare.gov. It would be appropriate to work in a bipartisan way to support the administration’s efforts to fix the problems with the website. …
White House: How the Affordable Care Act Improves the Lives of American Women
From Kathleen Sebelius the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thursday, we join our White House colleagues in celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness month; and almost four weeks into the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace, I’m reminded of the tremendous impact the Affordable Care Act has on the lives of American women. As the President said, the law is much more than just a website – it’s affordable, quality health insurance made available to everyone. Through the Marketplace, …
White House: If Every State Expands Medicaid Coverage
This Monday, Ohio announced they will join the majority of states and move forward with expanding the Ohio Medicaid program, as supported by the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to Obamacare, nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americans will have access to health coverage for $100/month or less next year — and it could be even more if every state expanded Medicaid coverage like Ohio, ensuring all its residents can benefit from the security of quality health insurance. Read more by clicking the …