Category: Press Release

During this holiday season, President Obama gives thanks in his weekly address for all of the blessings we share as Americans, and expresses his gratitude to the brave men and women who are defending our freedom around the world. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President made an historic trip to Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia, attended the East Asia Summit, and pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey at …

Turkeys have been carving out a special place in American history since 1963. That’s when John F. Kennedy became the first U.S. President to “pardon” a turkey at the White House — a tradition that’s grown to be known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. On Wednesday, President Obama will pardon the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey and this year, for the first time ever, the American public will get its say. People all across the country are flocking to cast …

Since taking office, President Obama has noted that the United States is a Pacific nation — and that Asia will play an increasingly important role in the future of world events. On a historic trip, his fifth to the region, President Obama is making the first-ever visit by a U.S. President to Burma and Cambodia. Before the trip, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes put together a video to give us an overview of President Obama’s trip to Thailand, Burma, …

In this week’s address, President Obama urges Congress to act now on one thing that everyone agrees on — ensuring that taxes don’t go up on 98 percent of all Americans and 97 percent of small businesses at the end of the year. On Friday, the President had a constructive meeting with Congressional leaders on finding ways to reduce our deficit in a way that strengthens our economy and protects our middle class, and he looks forward to working together …

President Obama says that it’s time for Congress to pass the middle class tax cuts for 98 percent of all Americans. Both parties agree that this will give 98 percent of families and 97 percent of small businesses the certainty that will lead to growth, and so there is no reason to wait. On Tuesday, the American people voted for compromise and action, and the President calls on Congress to come together in that spirit to help create jobs and strengthen our economy …

In this week’s address, President Obama thanks the brave first responders and National Guardsmen for their tireless work following one of the worst storms in our nation’s history, and reassures the millions of Americans affected by Hurricane Sandy that their country will be there for them during the long road to recovery. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, with the arrival of the historic Super Storm Sandy, the …

Two days after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in southern New Jersey, President Obama was on hand to witness the devastation, comfort residents, and pledge the full support of the federal government in the recovery effort. The President and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie surveyed the effects of the hurricane from Marine One, and then walked the streets of Brigantine, a town near Atlantic City. The two leaders also visited a community center now serving as a shelter for displaced residents. …

As communities up and down the East Coast prepare for Hurricane Sandy to make landfall, President Obama is urging residents in the path of the storm to heed warnings from state, local, and tribal officials and make final preparations. Earlier today, he spoke from the White House Briefing Room. Watch President Obama speak about Hurricane Sandy. We also want to make sure you have the latest guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If you don’t live in an area affected by …

In this week’s address, President Obama highlights the work of the new independent consumer watchdog he fought to create. This agency’s mission is to stand up for consumers and includes protecting every American from mistakes made by the companies who determine their credit scores. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President urged Congress to join him in helping responsible homeowners refinance, Cecilia Muñoz reflected on the importance …

Tens of thousands of letters, faxes, and emails from Americans across the country arrive each day at my office, the Office of Presidential Correspondence. We do our best to reply to these in a timely fashion, and a handful—just ten a day—are chosen for President Obama to personally read and respond to. The “Letters to the President” video follows the journey of your message as it winds its way from your home to the President’s desk in the Oval Office. …

President Obama urges Congress to act to build on the momentum we are seeing in the housing market by helping responsible homeowners refinance, saving $3000 a year. Construction workers are building new homes at the fastest pace in more than four years, home values are rising, and foreclosure filings are at the lowest point since the housing bubble burst five years ago. The steps that the President has already taken have given hundreds of thousands of Americans with high-interest loans …