Statements and Releases

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 4/17/2009

Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Christine M. Griffin, Deputy Director of Office of Personnel Management; Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture; Rajiv Shah, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, United States Department of Agriculture; Michael Nacht, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs), Department of Defense; Mercedes Márquez, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training, Department of Labor; Robert S. Litt, General Counsel, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and William F. Brinkman, Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy.

Middle Class Task Force Holds Meeting on College Affordability

Today in St. Louis, Missouri, the Middle Class Task Force is holding a meeting, titled “Making College More Affordable for our Families.”

Fact Sheet: US-Mexico Discuss New Approach to Bilateral Relationship

On April 16, President Obama made his first trip to Mexico and his first to Latin America to highlight and reinforce the United States’ commitment to work with Mexico on a broad range of issues, in particular on meeting our shared security challenges. The United States and Mexico are committed to a new approach in our bilateral relationship based on comprehensive engagement and shared responsibility.

U.S. Mexico Announce Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change

President Obama and President Calderon today announced plans to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation by establishing the US-Mexico Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change. During their first conversation in January 2009, then President-elect Obama and President Calderon discussed the need for joint efforts to reach our common goal of achieving a low carbon future and a clean energy economy.

Advisory: Vice President Biden to Visit Mathews Dickey Boys and Girls Club

Tomorrow, FRIDAY APRIL 17th, following the Middle Class Task Force event at University of Missouri St. Louis, Vice President Joe Biden will visit the Mathews Dickey Boys and Girls Club.

Vice President Biden Outlines Funding for Smart Grid Initiatives

Vice President Joe Biden, on a visit to Jefferson City, Missouri, today with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, detailed plans by the Department of Energy to develop a smart, strong and secure electrical grid, which will create new jobs and help deliver reliable power more effectively with less impact on the environment to customers across the nation.

President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary LaHood Call for U.S. High-Speed Passenger Trains

President Barack Obama, along with Vice President Biden and Secretary LaHood, announced a new U.S. push today to transform travel in America, creating high-speed rail lines from city to city, reducing dependence on cars and planes and spurring economic development.

Briefing Room