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The Time is Now: President Obama Meets with Business Leaders on Immigration Reform

November 05, 2013
08:20 PM EST

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with business leaders to discuss immigration reform to bolster U.S. economic growth, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Nov. 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, I joined the President, Vice President and senior Administration officials for a meeting at the White House with a group of top U.S. business leaders to discuss the importance of commonsense immigration reform to bolster U.S. economic growth, and improve the climate for business, and job creation. These leaders shared with the President their desire to see our broken immigration system fixed, both because it is the right thing to do, and because it will be good for the U.S. economy.

In addition to the 7.5 million jobs we have created in the U.S. over the past three and a half years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), over the next two decades, the bipartisan bill that has already passed the Senate would grow our economy by an additional $1.4 trillion, and shrink our deficits by nearly $1 trillion. The Senate bill would modernize our legal immigration system.

With common sense immigration reform, American colleges, universities, and businesses can attract the brightest minds in the world to our shores to start new businesses, and spur economic growth for all Americans. And, reform would also make sure everyone plays by the same rules, providing a pathway to earned citizenship for those who are living in the shadows, including passing a background check, learning English, paying taxes and a penalty, and getting in line behind everyone else.

Valerie B. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She oversees the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chairs the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Statement by the Vice President on Iraq’s Progress Toward 2014 Elections

The United States welcomes the passage of legislation today by the Council of Representatives (COR) to govern Iraq’s parliamentary elections. These elections have now been set for April 30, 2014, and the law that passed today was the result of many weeks of negotiation and compromise by all of Iraq’s major political blocs. I applaud the leadership of Prime Minister Maliki, Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Barzani, and COR Speaker Nujaifi in achieving this result.

Upcoming elections give the Iraqi people an opportunity to choose the direction of their country, and the compromises reached today demonstrate the strength of Iraq’s democratic institutions, even in the face of terrorism that seeks to heighten sectarian tension and provoke broader conflict.

As noted in the Joint Statement concluded last week following the visit of Prime Minister Maliki to Washington, the United States is prepared to work as appropriate with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to help ensure that the elections are well prepared and produce a result that reflects the will of the Iraqi people.

The United States remains committed to enhancing bilateral relations across all areas covered by the Strategic Framework Agreement, including efforts to “support and strengthen Iraq’s democracy and its democratic institutions as defined and established in the Iraqi Constitution.” It was in this spirit that we welcomed Prime Minister Maliki’s commitment last week to holding these important elections on time.

Iraq today reminded the world that its leaders are determined to find areas of compromise and move their country forward. We congratulate them on this important step, and look forward to further cooperation in the months ahead.

Vice President Meets with Disabilities Leaders on the Administration’s Strong Support for the Disabilities Treaty

Stephen Pomper
November 01, 2013
03:00 PM EST

Vice President Joe Biden meets with disability advocates in his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Nov. 1, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Today, Vice President Biden met with the leaders of 20 disabilities and veterans advocacy groups at the White House to discuss the Disabilities Treaty. In the coming weeks, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will begin considering the Treaty, and the Vice President’s meeting served as an opportunity to explain the Administration’s strong support for ratification of this important Treaty and to discuss next steps in the ratification process. The Vice President was joined by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, and Judith Heumann, the State Department’s Special Advisor for International Disability Rights.

The group met in the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office, where Vice President Biden discussed his longtime personal commitment to ensuring that Americans with disabilities enjoy the same opportunities as their fellow citizens to live, work, and travel overseas. He made the case that ratifying the Disabilities Treaty is important because many countries around the world don’t have the same high standards as the United States. In many countries, wheelchair ramps, sign language interpreters, service animals, and other accommodations are the exception, not the rule. That makes it more difficult, or even impossible, for people with disabilities – including our veterans and wounded warriors – to work, study, and travel abroad.

Stephen Pomper is the NSS Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting on the Disabilities Treaty

This morning, the Vice President and Valerie Jarrett met with leaders of national disabilities and veteran’s advocacy groups to express the Administration’s strong support for ratification of the Disabilities Treaty. The United States has long been a global leader in promoting equality and dignity for people with disabilities. In his meeting, the Vice President reinforced the Administration’s commitment to carrying forward that important legacy by urging Senate approval of the Treaty. He noted that ratifying the Treaty would help ensure that Americans with disabilities, including our veterans and wounded warriors, have the same opportunities to work, study, and travel in other countries as any other American. Vice President Biden stressed his strong belief that people with disabilities around the world should enjoy the same access and opportunity as their fellow citizens, and that the United States should stand at the forefront, encouraging other countries to meet the same high standards that the United States has already put in place.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

October 31, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

This afternoon, Vice President Biden hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a one-on-one meeting that lasted two hours. The two spoke about the next steps in building a strong and enduring partnership between the United States and a unified, federal, and democratic Iraq.

Prime Minister Maliki outlined his efforts to pursue a holistic strategy to combat threats to Iraqi security, building on the lessons our countries have learned fighting terrorist groups together. In this regard, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of enlisting local leaders and the Sons of Iraq to isolate terrorist networks. The two leaders discussed how additional U.S. cooperation might help Iraq advance this strategy. The Vice President underscored America's commitment to Iraq's success in defeating al Qaeda and protecting its people.

The two leaders also discussed the importance of elections to consolidate Iraq's democracy, and the Vice President welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to ensuring that parliamentary elections are held on time.

Tomorrow, Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Maliki will lead the U.S. and Iraqi delegations in a meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee to discuss the implementation of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.

Vice President Biden Visits the National Domestic Violence Hotline

Posted by Lynn Rosenthal on October 31, 2013 at 05:12 PM EST

Yesterday, Vice President Biden visited the National Domestic Violence Hotline to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Vice President Biden created the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 (VAWA) and has long championed the cause of ending domestic violence. The Vice President was accompanied by actress Mariska Hargitay, a key advocate working against abuse. Together Vice President Biden and Mariska toured the Hotline, met with frontline advocates, and observed these life-saving services in action.

Vice President Joe Biden and Mariska Hargitay watch as an advocate demonstrates the new web chat feature, at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, in Austin, Texas, Oct. 30, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

The Hotline -- which provides around the clock services in 170 languages -- answered its 3 millionth call this summer. Today, the Hotline receives an average of 22,000 calls a month, and serves as a critical lifeline for women and men experiencing violence. The Hotline can connect callers directly to domestic violence shelters, help victims find legal services, and provide the comfort and support needed in a time of crisis. The Vice President announced the Hotline’s expansion to new digital services that will allow victims and survivors to reach out for help through online chatting. This new service helps survivors reach out for help in the way they feel the most comfortable. One chatter said: “I feel so much better now…I wish everyone knew about you.” We hope that because of the Vice President’s visit, more women will reach out for help online. Visit www.thehotline.org for more information.

Vice President Biden also announced a grant of $500,000 from the Department of Justice for the National Dating Abuse Helpline, also operated by the Hotline. The Helpline is geared towards teens and young adults, and is available 24/7 by text, chat, and phone. Two years ago, the Vice President kicked off the Helpline’s text messaging services, and last year, the Helpline was contacted by nearly 40,000 teens and young adults seeking information and support. During his visit, the Vice President met with the peer advocates working on the Helpline, and thanked them for their incredible work.

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Vice President Biden Visits The National Domestic Violence Hotline

October 31, 2013 | 2:00 | Public Domain

Vice President Biden is joined by actress and activist Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: SVU as they visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline in Austin, Texas to thank workers and promote the new chat functionality tat gives victims another way to reach out for help.

Download mp4 (167.2MB)

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

October 30, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

This morning, Vice President Biden hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his delegation for breakfast at the Naval Observatory. The Vice President and Prime Minister had a friendly, constructive exchange. They spoke about the security challenges facing Iraq and the entire region. Vice President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to equip Iraqis to fight Al Qaeda, and Prime Minister Maliki made clear that he views the United States as Iraq’s security partner of choice. The two leaders discussed the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to Iraq’s security challenges, to include political outreach to local leaders, as well as targeted security efforts. They also discussed regional issues and agreed to work to continue the progress Iraq has made in strengthening its relations with Kuwait, Jordan, Turkey, and other states in the region.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

October 28, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani

Vice President Biden spoke today with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani. The Vice President expressed his condolences to the recent victims of terrorist violence in Iraq, including the September 29 attack in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region capital of Erbil. Both leaders discussed the political and security challenges facing Iraq, and agreed on the need for close coordination between Iraqi political and security leaders to isolate al Qaida networks. The Vice President emphasized the importance of holding 2014 parliamentary elections on time, and urged all Iraqi leaders to finalize a compromise as soon as possible on the law to govern those elections.

Vice President Biden Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Community Mental Health Act

Stefanie Feldman
October 25, 2013
04:20 PM EST

Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on Wednesday evening as part of The Kennedy Forum’s event commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Community Mental Health Act.

The Vice President was there to reaffirm the Administration’s commitment to increasing access to mental health and substance abuse treatments, eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness, and supporting research to better understand the functioning of the human brain.

He highlighted a recent proposal by the Obama Administration to dedicate $100 million to jump start an initiative to map the human brain.

“It’s truly amazing what we don’t know, and it’s even more astounding what we might learn.”

The Vice President also stressed the need for continuing a national effort to eliminate stigma surrounding mental illness:

“There are treatments and therapies available to help those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse that go unused. Too many people in this country still suffer silently. Too many mental health problems, for which there are treatments, are left untreated.”

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