Category: White House

Go behind the scenes as volunteers decorate the White House for the holidays. See Bo inspect the decorations, the 2012 White House Menorah, holiday ginger crinkles recipe from the White House pastry chef and more at www.whitehouse.gov/holidays The First Lady Reads “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” White House Time-Lapse: The 2012 Gingerbread Dough White House

n this week’s address, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and thank our brave troops and their families for their service. The President and First Lady ask the American people to visit JoiningForces.gov to find ways to honor and support our veterans and military families, and say that we must all come together, as we always do, to care for each other during this holiday season. Welcome to the West Wing …

With tax cuts for middle-class families set to expire soon, Republicans in Congress have proposed legislation known as “Plan B” that not only raises taxes on 25 million middle-class families, but cuts taxes for households making more than $1 million each year.  We’ve put together a graphic to help explain what’s in the proposed legislation. Check it out: President Obama has put forward a proposal that addresses both taxes and spending and is good for American families, the economy, and …

Five days after the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, President Obama said that he is committed to reducing the epidemic of gun violence that plagues this country every single day. At a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, the President announced that Vice President Joe Biden will lead a new initiative that has been tasked with identifying concrete proposals for real reform by January. The Vice President, …

President Obama traveled to Newtown, CT to meet with the families of those who were lost in Friday’s tragic shooting, and to thank first responders for their work. This evening the President spoke at an interfaith vigil for families of the victims, and all families from Sandy Hook Elementary School. He offered the love and prayers of a nation grieving alongside Newtown: Here in Newtown, I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation.  I am very mindful …

The President says the nation’s thoughts and prayers are with those who lost a loved one during Friday’s tragic shooting in Newtown, CT. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the First Family attended the annual Christmas in Washington concert, the Vice President talked #My2k over lunch with middle-class Americans and attended the Army Navy football game with Dr. Biden, while the President signed the Child Protection Act into …

President Obama urges Congress to extend the middle class income tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses without delay, making it clear that a balanced approach to deficit reduction means that Republicans in Congress must agree to ask the wealthiest Americans to pay higher tax rates. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President visited a toy factory, hosted Kennedy Center Honorees, …

President Obama speaks to the American people from a busy factory floor in Pennsylvania about the urgent need to pass the middle class tax cuts, which will give families and businesses preparing for the holidays the certainty they need going into the New Year. Democrats and Republicans must come together to pass one thing that everyone agrees on—extending income tax cuts for 98 percent of American families and 97 percent of small businesses, and there is no reason to wait. …

Today, as we move into the holiday shopping season, the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers released a report called The Middle-Class Tax Cuts’ Impact on Consumer Spending and Retailers. This report provides new analysis on the impact to retailers and consumer spending if Congress fails to act to avoid taxes going up on 98 percent of Americans at the end of the year. If Congress doesn’t act, middle-class families will see their income taxes go up …

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. …