By Jueseppi B.
Watch at 2:30 p.m. ET: President Obama speaks on American energy on WhiteHouse.gov/Live.
West Wing Week: “Stay With It!”
This week, the President met with the Sultan of Brunei, his Export Council, Intel Science Fair finalists, and Israel Channel 2. He also discussed cyber-security and immigration reform with CEO’s and traveled to the Capitol to meet with Congressional Caucuses. Meanwhile, the First Lady honored Women of Courage, held a Twitter Q&A, and challenged CEO’s to find innovative ways to hire veterans.
West Wing Week: 03/15/13 or “Stay With It!”
Friday, March 8th
- The First Lady and Secretary of State honored the recipients of the International Women of Courage Awardat the State Department.
Monday, March 11th
- The First Lady held a Twitter Q & A to answer questions on her Let’s Move campaign.
Tuesday, March 12th
- The President met with his Export Council.
- The forty high school students who were finalists in the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search visited the White House. West Wing Week caught up with some of the finalists to hear about their research.
- The President hosted the Sultan of Brunei in the Oval Office.
Wednesday, March 13th
- The President sat down with Israel Channel 2 for an interview.
- The President then traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with Republican and Democratic House and Senate Caucuses.
- Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling held an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit.
- The President dropped by the Situation Room for a meeting with CEOs to discuss cybersecurity, and then it was on to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to discuss the relationship between immigration reform and business with a gathering of CEOs.
- The First Lady met with the Business Roundtable andchallenged these leaders to make bold commitments to hire veterans and military spouses.
Thursday, March 14th
- The President met with his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
- The President returned to the Roosevelt Room to meet with Tech CEOs.
- The President ended the day with a visit with the members of the United States Senate Youth Leadership Program.
In Case You Missed It
Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:
A Preview of the 2013 Economic Report of the President
This year’s Economic Report of the President highlights the progress that has been made in recovering from the deepest recession since the Great Depression, together with the policies that the Obama Administration is advancing to address the fundamental imbalances and threats that have built up for decades and that have created severe stress on the middle class and those striving to get into the middle class.
Nominate a Hero for the 2013 Citizens Medal
Do you know someone whose exemplary deeds are an inspiration for others to serve? If so, we want to hear from you.
Vice President Biden Launches Audio Series “Being Biden”
Yesterday, Vice President Biden launched an audio series called “Being Biden.” From meetings at the White House to travels around the country, the Vice President will share his perspective in candid, behind-the-scenes snapshots. In other words, he’ll explain what it’s like “Being Biden.”
Today’s Schedule
All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
10:10 AM:The President departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews.
10:25 AM:The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route to Chicago, Illinois.
12:15 PM:The President arrives in Chicago, Illinois.
12:55 PM:The President tours the Argonne National Laboratory.
2:30 PM:The President delivers remarks on American energy.
3:45 PM:The President departs Chicago, Illinois.
5:20 PM:The President arrives at Joint Base Andrews.
5:35 PM:The President arrives at The White House.
The White House Office of the Press Secretary
Statement by the President
I thank the Senate for taking another step forward in our common effort to help reduce gun violence by advancing a bill that would reinstate and strengthen a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and set a 10-round limit for magazines. These weapons of war, when combined with high-capacity magazines, have one purpose: to inflict maximum damage as quickly as possible. They are designed for the battlefield, and they have no place on our streets, in our schools, or threatening our law enforcement officers.
The Senate has now advanced legislation addressing three of the most important elements of my proposal to help reduce the epidemic of gun violence in this country. Now the full Senate and the House need to vote on this bill, as well as the measures advanced in the past week that would impose serious penalties on anyone who buys a gun as part of a scheme to arm criminals, improve school safety, and help keep guns out of the hands of criminals, people with a severe mental illness, and others who shouldn’t have them. Each of these proposals deserves a vote.
President Obama Speaks at President’s Export Council Meeting
Published on Mar 12, 2013
President Obama discusses progress toward the goal to double U.S. exports and how to sustain this momentum. March 12, 2013.
President Barack Obama greets House leaders before a meeting with the House Democratic Caucus at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 14, 2013. Standing with the President, from left, are: Assistant Democratic Leader James “Jim” Clyburn, D-S.C.; Chairman Xavier Becerra, D-Calif.; Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y.; Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Vice Chairman Joe Crowley, D-N.Y.; and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md.(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
A Preview of the 2013 Economic Report of the President
This year’s Economic Report of the President describes the progress we have made recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over six million new jobs. As a nation, we now buy more American cars than we have in 5 years, and less foreign oil than we have in 20 years. Our housing market is healing, and homeowners and consumers enjoy stronger protections than ever before. But there are still millions of Americans whose hard work and dedication have not yet been rewarded. Our economy is adding jobs, but too many of our fellow citizens still can’t find fulltime employment. Corporate profits have reached all-time highs, but for more than a decade, wages and incomes for working Americans have barely budged. As President Obama has said, “A growing economy that creates good, middle-class jobs–that must be the North Star that guides our efforts.”
Although economics has long been called “the dismal science,” it is more appropriately viewed as a “hopeful science.” The right mix of economic policies and leadership can help a country to recover from a deep recession and point to the investments and reforms that will build a stronger, more stable, and more prosperous economy that works for the middle class. Conversely, government dysfunction or misguided fiscal policy can cause self-inflicted wounds to the economy. This year’s Economic Report of the President highlights the progress that has been made in recovering from the deepest recession since the Great Depression, together with the policies that the Obama Administration is advancing to address the fundamental imbalances and threats that have built up for decades and that have created severe stress on the middle class and those striving to get into the middle class.
This Report reviews the progress of the ongoing economic recovery during 2012 and highlights the main goals of the President’s economic agenda. These goals include strengthening the foundations of economic growth by investing in education, research, and infrastructure, and by fixing a broken immigration system through commonsense immigration reform; ensuring fairness for the middle class by reforming the tax code and health insurance system; and bolstering the economy’s resilience to future challenges by addressing the dangers of climate change, moving toward energy independence, pursuing a balanced approach to deficit reduction, adding safeguards to the financial system, opening up new markets for U.S. exports, and equipping American workers to compete in the global economy.
Finally, given the importance of economic data in driving economic policy and in helping households and businesses to make sound decisions, this year’sEconomic Report of the President continues the tradition of highlighting areas where economic data have improved or could improve further.
To read the entire Report, click HERE.
A Visit with Ordinary Heroes
By Ms. Valerie Jarrett March 14, 2013
A mother survives domestic abuse, but realizes she needs a civil protection order, as well as custody of her child, but she may not be able to afford legal representation.
Five years ago, a group of lawyers came together to support clients like her. They founded the DC Volunteers Lawyer Project (DCVLP) to recruit, train, and support attorneys to provide pro-bono services in three areas: (1) domestic violence, including with divorce, custody, child support, and immigration matters, (2) high-conflict child custody cases, and (3) assisting foster parents.
The DCVLP now has more than 700 volunteer lawyers who provide pro-bono services.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting the DCVLP. I met with the remarkable founders and staff, listened to the story of a former client serving on the board, and heard about all the great work they are doing every single day here in Washington, DC.
White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett with the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project team.
I was especially delighted to visit just one week after President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization into law.
As he said during his remarks:
So today is about all the survivors, all the advocates who are standing on this stage. But it’s also about the millions more they represent — that you represent. It’s about our commitment as a country to address this problem — in every corner of America, every community, every town, every big city — as long as it takes.
That commitment is reflected in DCVLP and so many other organizations like it all across the country. I left the visit feeling so inspired and moved by the actions of these citizens to help their fellow Americans. They are a wonderful example of what happens when a few people come together to live out the truth of “I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper.”
For more information on the VAWA reauthorization, click here.
Nominate a Hero for the 2013 Citizens Medal
By Ms. Kasie Coccaro March 14, 2013
For more 40 years, the Presidential Citizens Medal has recognized Americans who have “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.” The Medal is among the highest awards a civilian can receive.
In February, at a ceremony in the East Room, President Obama honored the recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, including twelve individuals and six educators from Sandy Hook Elementary. You can read more about them here and hear their stories.
The 2013 Citizens Medal nomination period is now open. Help us recognize the exemplary citizen from your community — and bring them the public attention they deserve by taking a moment tonominating them for this year’s medal by March, 31st 2013.
Nominees must be citizens of the United States, as required by the 1969 Executive Order. If you want to nominate someone for the 2013 Citizens Medal, please review the full criteria for this year’s Medal. The deadline to submit is Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
Vice President Biden Launches Audio Series “Being Biden”
By Mr. Macon Phillips March 14, 2013
Today, Vice President Biden launched an audio series called “Being Biden.”
The series will combine a photo that offers a glimpse into the Vice Presidency with an audio recording of the Vice President narrating the moment and its significance. He will tell the story behind the story – of where he was when the photo was snapped, why it matters to him, and how the experience fits into the broader narrative of this Administration. From meetings at the White House to travels around the country, the Vice President will share his perspective in candid, behind-the-scenes snapshots.
In other words, he’ll explain what it’s like “Being Biden.”
Check out the first installment at whitehouse.gov/beingbiden. The series will be available at whitehouse.gov/beingbiden, and will also be shared through the @VP Twitter account. To recieve an email update when new stories are posted, sign up here.
What You Need to Know About the Energy Security Trust
By Ms. Colleen Curtis
America’s scientists are a national treasure. Every day, idea by idea, innovation by innovation, they are developing new technology that will help secure our energy future. If we want to keep moving forward, we need scientists to keep inventing and innovating, to keep unlocking new solutions and pushing new breakthroughs.
In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to create an Energy Security Trust Fund, which would free American families and business from painful spikes in gas prices. The President’s plan builds on an idea that has bipartisan support from experts including retired admirals and generals and leading CEO’s, and it focuses on one goal: shifting America’s cars and trucks off oil entirely.
So how does it work? The Energy Security Trust will invest in research that will make future technologies cheaper and better – it will fund the advances that will allow us to run cars and trucks on electricity or homegrown fuels, and on the technology that will enable us to drive from coast-to-coast without a drop of oil.
Over 10 years, the Energy Security Trust will provide $2 billion for critical, cutting-edge research focused on developing cost-effective transportation alternatives.The funding will be provided by revenues from federal oil and gas development, and will not add any additional costs to the federal budget. The investments will support research into a range of technologies – things like advanced vehicles that run on electricity, homegrown biofuels, and domestically produced natural gas. It will also help fund a small number of real-world experiments that try different transportation techniques in cities and towns around the country using advanced vehicles at scale.
In each of the last four years, domestic production of oil and gas has gone up and our use of foreign oil has gone down. And while America uses less foreign oil now than we’ve used in almost two decades, there’s more work to do. That’s why we need to keep reaching for greater energy security. And that’s why we must keep developing new energy supplies and new technologies that use less oil. The Secure Energy Trust will ensure American scientists and research labs have the support they need to keep our country competitive and create the jobs of the future.
Statements and Releases
FACT SHEET: President Obama’s Blueprint for a Clean and Secure Energy Future
Vice President Biden to Lead Presidential Delegation to Attend the Mass for the Inauguration of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Francis
Statement by the President
Readout of the President’s Phone Call with Chinese President Xi Jinping
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Jueseppi B.
