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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 26, 2013

Statement by the President on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act

I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.

This ruling is a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law; for children whose parents’ marriages will now be recognized, rightly, as legitimate; for families that, at long last, will get the respect and protection they deserve; and for friends and supporters who have wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and have worked hard to persuade their nation to change for the better.

So we welcome today’s decision, and I’ve directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly.

On an issue as sensitive as this, knowing that Americans hold a wide range of views based on deeply held beliefs, maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom is also vital. How religious institutions define and consecrate marriage has always been up to those institutions. Nothing about this decision – which applies only to civil marriages – changes that.

The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

Statement by the President on the Special Election for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts

Tonight, I spoke to Ed Markey to congratulate him on his election to the United States Senate.

During more than 36 years as a Congressman, Ed has distinguished himself as a leader on many of the key challenges of our time—from fighting carbon pollution to protecting our children from gun violence to creating good, middle-class jobs. He’s earned a reputation as an effective, creative legislator, willing to partner with colleagues across the aisle to make progress on the issues that matter most. The people of Massachusetts can be proud that they have another strong leader fighting for them in the Senate, and people across the country will benefit from Ed’s talent and integrity.

I also want to thank Mo Cowan for his hard work and dedication over the last five months. And I want to thank John Kerry for his nearly three decades of extraordinary service to the people of Massachusetts in the Senate, and for agreeing to continue to serve the American people as Secretary of State. I’m confident Ed will help carry on that legacy, and I look forward to working with him to strengthen our economy, protect the middle class, and expand opportunity.

President Obama Speaks on Climate Change

June 25, 2013 | 48:46 | Public Domain

President Obama lays out his vision for a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare our country for the impacts of climate change, and lead global efforts to fight it.

Download mp4 (1843MB) | mp3 (117MB)

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

Readout of President Obama’s Video Teleconference with President Karzai

This morning, the President spoke with President Karzai of Afghanistan as a part of their regular consultations. They discussed a range of issues, including the transition of operational lead from coalition to Afghan security forces earlier this month, the importance of Afghan-led reconciliation efforts, preparations for Afghanistan’s 2014 elections, and the negotiation of a Bilateral Security Agreement.

Specifically, the President welcomed the passage on June 18^th of milestone 2013, which the two leaders agreed to during their January summit in Washington as the point at which Afghan security forces would take the lead for operations countrywide. The leaders reaffirmed that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process is the surest way to end violence and ensure lasting stability in Afghanistan and the region, and they reiterated their support for an office in Doha for the purpose of negotiations between the High Peace Council and authorized representatives of the Taliban. President Karzai updated the President regarding preparations for Afghanistan’s 2014 elections, including the status of electoral legislation under review by Afghan leaders. The two Presidents reaffirmed that free, fair, and credible elections would be critical to Afghanistan’s future.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 475

On Tuesday, June 25, 2013, the President signed into law:

H.R. 475, which expands the list of vaccines covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services by adding all seasonal influenza vaccines to the list of vaccines on which a Federal excise tax of 75 cents per dose must be imposed.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

President Obama Amends New Jersey Disaster Declaration

The President today made additional disaster assistance available to the State of New Jersey by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for Public Assistance projects undertaken in the State of New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy during the period of October 26 to November 8, 2012.

Under the President’s major disaster declaration issued for the State of New Jersey on October 30, 2012, assistance was made available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance at 75 percent federal funding.

The President previously authorized 100 percent federal funding for fifteen days for emergency power restoration assistance and emergency public transportation assistance, including direct federal assistance, for those areas within New Jersey counties designated for Public Assistance.

Under the President's order today, the federal share for Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance, has been increased to 90 percent of the total eligible costs, except for the assistance previously authorized at 100 percent federal funding.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV

President Obama's Plan to Cut Carbon Pollution and Address Climate Change

Megan Slack

June 25, 2013
06:15 PM EDT

Today, in a speech at Georgetown University, President Obama laid out his comprehensive plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare our country for the impacts of climate change, and lead global efforts to fight it. Watch his speech, and check out the infographic below to learn more about the plan.

Here's President Obama's plan to combat carbon pollution

Read his remarks here, or learn more about his plan here.

President Obama Signs Arkansas Disaster Declaration

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 affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period May 30 to June 3, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in the counties of Cleburne, Cross, Independence, Montgomery, Poinsett, Polk, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren, and Woodruff.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Kenneth K. Suiso as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

President Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

The President today declared a major disaster exists for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of May 25 to June 1, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2013

President Obama Signs Alaska Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding during the period of May 17 to June 11, 2013.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the Alaska Gateway REAA, Lower Yukon REAA, Yukon Flats REAA, and the Yukon-Koyukuk REAA.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the Alaska Gateway REAA, Copper River REAA, Lower Yukon REAA, Yukon Flats REAA, and the Yukon-Koyukuk REAA.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Dolph A. Diemont as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV