Statements and Releases

Statement from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 2/6/2009

"On the day when we learned 3.6 million people have lost their jobs since this recession began, we are pleased the process is moving forward and we are closer to getting Americans a plan to create millions of jobs and get people back to work," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Statement on Today's Employment Numbers from Christina D. Romer, Chair, President's Council of Economic Advisers

Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is the latest evidence that the U.S. economy is contracting greatly. Payroll employment declined by 598,000 in January, bringing the total job loss since the recession began in December 2007 to 3.6 million. This is the largest 13-month job loss since the payroll employment series began in 1939. The unemployment rate rose from 7.2 to 7.6%, bringing the number of unemployed Americans to 11.6 million.

President Obama Signs Major Disaster Declaration for Arkansas

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 26, 2009, and continuing.

Readout on the President’s Meeting with Family Members of the Victims of the Attacks of September 11th and the Attack on the USS Cole

Obama Announces White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

President Barack Obama today signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs.

Vice President Biden: "400,000 Jobs to Be Created Nationwide by Investing in our Country's Infrastructure"

Washington, DC – After touring the Laurel, Maryland MARC Train Station, one of the thousands of rail and commuter stations all across the country in dire need of improvements, Vice President Joe Biden discussed why we must invest in our nation’s infrastructure in order to build a 21st century economy. He was joined by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

President Obama Signs Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and flooding beginning on January 26, 2009, and continuing.

White House Releases Additional State-Specific Impacts of American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

The White House today released additional state-specific details on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. The recovery plan will create and save jobs in the near future while addressing long-neglected needs that are critical to laying the foundation for a strong economic future.

State-By-State Employment Data on Impact of American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

Briefing Room