Statements and Releases

January 30, 2009

Obama Declares Major Disaster in Washington State

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Washington and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm, landslides, mudslides, and flooding during the period of January 6-16, 2009.

January 30, 2009

Statement From Christina Romer

This is a statement from Christina D. Romer, Chair, Council of Economic Advisors on the Fourth Quarter 2008 Advance GDP Estimate.

January 30, 2009

Obama Announces Middle Class Task Force

President Barack Obama today announced the creation of a White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families to be chaired by Vice President Joe Biden. The Task Force is a major initiative targeted at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America.

January 29, 2009

Statement from President Obama on Rod Blagojevich

Today ends a painful episode for Illinois. For months, the state had been crippled by a crisis of leadership. Now that cloud has lifted. I wish Governor Quinn the best and pledge my full cooperation as he undertakes his new responsibilities.

January 29, 2009

Readout on the President's Call to Prime Minister Aso of Japan

The President last evening had a substantive and wide-ranging telephone discussion with Prime Minister Aso of Japan.

January 28, 2009

Obama Announces Key Additions to the Office of the White House Counsel

Today, President Barack Obama announced more key members of the Office of the White House Counsel, including Deputy Counsels and Special Counsel, Associate Counsels, Deputy Associate Counsels, Research Director, and Staff Assistants and Administrative Assistants.

January 28, 2009

President Obama Announces Deputy Directors for Intergovernmental Affairs

Today, President Barack Obama announced that David Agnew and Sean McGrath will serve as Deputy Directors for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

January 28, 2009

Obama Announces Deputy Directors for the National Economic Council

Today, President Barack Obama announced that Diana Farrell and Jason Furman will serve as Deputy Directors of the National Economic Council (NEC).

January 28, 2009

President Obama Speaks with Governors Beebe and Beshear; Signs Emergency Declarations for Arkansas and Kentucky

Earlier this evening President Obama made phone calls to Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear about the severe winter storm in both states. The President asked the governors for updates on the situation in their states and for the status of emergency response efforts.

January 28, 2009

Statement of the President on the House Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

I am grateful to the House of Representatives for moving the American Recovery and Reinvestment plan forward today. There are many numbers in this plan. It will double our capacity to generate renewable energy. It will lower the cost of health care by billions and improve its quality. It will modernize thousands of classrooms and send more kids to college. And it will put billions of dollars in immediate tax relief into the pockets of working families.

Briefing Room