Statements and Releases

Background Briefing With Senior Administration Official

A senior administration official will host a background briefing for reporters this evening at 7:15PM EDT to discuss tomorrow’s White House announcement about auto emissions and efficiency standards. The briefing will be embargoed until 9:00PM EDT tonight.

Statement by the Press Secretary on Upcoming Travel by the President

The President is scheduled to travel to Moscow, Russia, July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Medvedev. The summit meeting will provide an opportunity for the United States and the Russian Federation to deepen engagement on reducing nuclear weapons, cooperating on non-proliferation, exploring ways to cooperate on missile defense, addressing mutual threats and security challenges, and expanding the ties between American and Russian society and business.

Statement by the Press Secretary on Elections in India

President Obama congratulates India on its historic national elections. By successfully completing the largest exercise of popular voting in the world, the elections have strengthened India’s vibrant democracy and upheld the values of freedom and pluralism that make India an example for us all.

Background Obama to nominate Republican Utah Governor Jon Huntsman to be Ambassador to China

This morning, the President will nominate Utah’s Republican Governor Jon Huntsman to be Ambassador to China. Below please find some background on why the President nominated Governor Huntsman, and why the job of Ambassador to China is so important.

EMBARGOED: WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Says Progress on Clean Energy and Healthcare Reform Will Lay New Foundation

WASHINGTON – This week, President Barack Obama praised individuals representing different perspectives for coming together to address the challenges of building a clean energy economy, reforming the healthcare system and laying a new foundation for the long-term strength of our economy. Utility companies and corporate leaders are working with environmental advocates and labor leaders to find a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil, to fight climate change, and to create millions of new jobs in America.

President Obama Signs Tennessee Disaster Declaration, 5-15-09

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on April 10, 2009.

Message from the President and Notice regarding Burma

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.

Notice - Message from the President and Notice regarding Burma

On May 20, 1997, the President issued Executive Order 13047, certifying to the Congress under section 570(b) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-208), that the Government of Burma has committed large-scale repression of the democratic opposition in Burma after September 30, 1996, thereby invoking the prohibition on new investment in Burma by United States persons contained in that section.

Statement by the Press Secretary regarding S. 735

Today, on Friday, May 15, 2009, the President signed into law: S. 735, the "Protecting Incentives for the Adoption of Children with Special Needs Act of 2009," which ensures that States receive incentive payments for adoptions made in fiscal years 2008 through 2012 in accordance with the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.

President Obama Signs West Virginia Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides beginning on May 3, 2009, and continuing.

Briefing Room