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The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

February 24, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili of Georgia

President Obama joined Vice President Biden’s meeting today with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. The President and Vice President both congratulated the Prime Minister for Georgia’s success in completing the country’s first peaceful, democratic transition of power, and urged the Prime Minister to continue working with all of Georgia’s leaders and with civil society to advance the rule of law and to consolidate Georgia’s significant democratic achievements. They also thanked Georgia for being a valued friend and reliable partner in supporting our most challenging regional and global priorities. In doing so, the President expressed the United States’ deep appreciation for Georgia’s significant contributions to the NATO mission in Afghanistan and honored the sacrifices made by Georgian soldiers and their families. The President and Prime Minister further discussed opportunities for strengthening U.S.-Georgia strategic cooperation, including on increasing trade and investment ties between our two economies. The President and Vice President also reaffirmed the United States’ strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. They also assured the Prime Minister that the Georgian people had the United States’ unwavering support as they pursue their Euro-Atlantic aspirations and pledged continued U.S. assistance to help the new Georgian government as it pursues political, economic, and defense reforms.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

February 24, 2014

Statement by the Vice President on the Retirement of Congressman John Dingell

House Speaker Tip O’Neill used to say “All politics is local”, but in John Dingell’s case, all politics has always been personal. It’s only when you have a personal relationship with someone that you establish trust, even when you’re on opposite sides of an issue. Through 59 years of public service, John fought for what he believed in, and got things done through relationships and his deep respect for others.

And there was no one he respected more than his constituents. He respected their hopes, their dreams, and their values. He has been relentless in his efforts to secure for them the right to live a decent middle-class life.

He has always been a staunch advocate for health care for every American, and he has been a player on every significant piece of legislation that has helped make America a more just, fair, and free country for over half a century.

It was a privilege walking the floor of the Detroit Auto Show with John this past January. I’ve never known a man who has been a better champion of the American worker, and he deserves a great deal of credit for the resurgence of the iconic American automobile industry.

The House and the American people are losing a great public servant. But John is gaining a well-deserved retirement, and I wish him many happy years with his family.

John has always been more than Mr. Chairman to me. He’s been Dean, the longest serving Member of Congress and one of the most effective in our history. There’s never been a colleague I’ve admired more. Happy retirement, John, and thank you for your service.

Governors Come to D.C. for the National Governors Association Winter Meeting

David Hudson

February 24, 2014
04:01 PM EST

President Barack Obama meets with the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 24, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This weekend, governors from across the nation gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 2014 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting. The meeting gives governors an opportunity to talk about issues affecting states and discuss innovative solutions.

Last night, the President and the First Lady welcomed the NGA to the White House for the 2014 Governors' Dinner. The President told the governors in attendance that he looked forward to working with them, "not just in our meetings tomorrow, but throughout this year – what I hope to be a year of action. Our partnership on behalf of the American people, on issues ranging from education to health care to climate change, runs deep, deeper than what usually hits the front page."

This morning, President Obama and Vice President Biden both delivered additional remarks to the NGA in the State Dining Room at the White House.

Readout of the Obama Administration’s Meeting with Governors Inslee, Malloy, O’Malley, and Quinn on Minimum Wage

Today the Vice President dropped by a meeting with Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling and Governor Inslee of Washington, Governor Malloy of Connecticut, Governor O’Malley of Maryland, and Governor Quinn of Illinois to discuss the President’s call to action on raising the minimum wage.

The Vice President reiterated the Administration’s strong support of the efforts of these Governors to raise the minimum wage in their states. The Vice President stated that action from Congress is needed to make a difference nationwide, and boost the wages of millions of workers. Legislation before both the House and the Senate would raise America’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. The Vice President and the Administration look forward to continuing to work closely with Congress, Governors, businesses, and partners all across the country to give hardworking Americans a raise.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

February 20, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Prime Minister Tusk of Poland

Vice President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Tusk by phone today to consult on the situation in Ukraine. They discussed steps the United States, Poland, and the European Union are taking to support an end to the violence and a political solution that is in the best interests of the Ukrainian people. The Vice President and Prime Minister agreed to stay in close touch in the days ahead.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

February 20, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych

The Vice President and President Yanukovych spoke by telephone this afternoon. The Vice President strongly condemned the violence against civilians in Kyiv. He called upon President Yanukovych to immediately pull back all security forces – police, snipers, military and paramilitary units, and irregular forces. The Vice President made clear that the United States is prepared to sanction those officials responsible for the violence. The Vice President urged President Yanukovych to take immediate and tangible steps to work with the opposition on a path forward that addresses the legitimate aspirations of the Ukrainian people. The Vice President underscored that the United States supports an independent, democratic Ukraine that pursues the future its people choose.

Vice President Biden Speaks at America’s Central Port on the Fifth Anniversary of the Recovery Act

Marc Aidinoff
February 20, 2014
01:15 PM EST

Vice President Joe Biden marks the fifth anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by delivering remarks on the need for continued investment in infrastructure, at America's Central Port Intermodal Hub, in Granite City, Illinois, Feb. 19, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

“The Recovery Act is the largest public works project since President Eisenhower laid out our nation’s interstate highway system—and all of you here at America’s Central Port are continuing this American story of boldness and doing big things that are so deeply ingrained in our history,” Vice President Biden said at an event marking the fifth anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which saved our country from an economic depression and helped rebuild the middle class.

Speaking on the Mississippi River at America’s Central Port in Granite City, Illinois on Wednesday. February 19, the Vice President outlined how the Recovery Act’s TIGER grants at the port and across the country have modernized the way we do business, created good-paying middle-class jobs, and strengthened our global economic competitiveness.

Joined by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, current Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, along with local and port officials, the Vice President described how the grants significantly improve the way we finance and strengthen the capacity of our nation’s ports, railroads, and highways. At America’s third largest inland port, the TIGER program has already helped hire workers who installed new levee relief wells, laid down a new rail track, and started work on a new harbor, all of which help increase the Port’s efficiency and reduce shipping costs.

Marc Aidinoff is a Policy Analyst in the Office of the Vice President

Related Topics: Jobs, Trade and Exports, Economy, Illinois, Mississippi

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West Wing Week 02/21/14 or “Don’t Make Small Plans, Make Big Plans”

New Funding to Increase Access to Mental Health Services and New Protections Under the Health Care Law

Stefanie Feldman
February 18, 2014
07:22 PM EST

So far this year, the Administration has taken three key steps as part of our ongoing effort to increase access to mental health services.

First, the President signed an omnibus appropriations bill, securing $115 million for new mental health initiatives that the President and Vice President proposed in January 2013 as part of their comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence. This funding will have a real impact in communities across the country, where it will be used to train more mental health professionals and help educators and other adults who work with youth recognize the early signs of mental health problems and refer young people to appropriate help when needed. The funds will also be used for a new initiative which will support innovative state-based approaches to making sure young people ages 16 to 25 who are at high risk for mental illness don’t fall through the cracks of our mental health system when they leave school or home.

Second, on January 31, with funding from the Affordable Care Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made $50 million available to help Community Health Centers across the country establish or expand mental and behavioral health services for people living with mental illness or addiction. Using these funds, Health Centers can hire new mental health professionals and add mental health and substance use disorder services. This new funding was first announced by Vice President Biden last December. At that time, the Vice President also announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set a new goal of financing $50 million for the construction, expansion, or improvement of mental health facilities in rural areas over the next three years.

Stefanie Feldman is the Assistant Director for Policy in the Office of the Vice President

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych

Vice President Biden called Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych today to express grave concern regarding the crisis on the streets of Kyiv. He called on President Yanukovych to pull back government forces and to exercise maximum restraint. The Vice President made clear that the United States condemns violence by any side, but that the government bears special responsibility to de-escalate the situation. The Vice President further underscored the urgency of immediate dialogue with opposition leaders to address protesters’ legitimate grievances and to put forward serious proposals for political reform. The United States is committed to supporting efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis that reflects the will and aspirations of the Ukrainian people.

West Wing Week 2/14/14 or, "The Red, White, and Blue -- and the Blue, White, and Red"

Adam Garber

February 14, 2014
12:00 AM EST

This week, the President hosted the first state visit for the French President in 20 years, signed the farm bill and raised the minimum wage for federal contractors. That's February 7th to February 13th or, "The Red, White, and Blue -- and the Blue, White, and Red."