The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 01, 2014

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the President's Authorization of Operations in Iraq

Today, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (WPR), the President transmitted to the Congress a report notifying the Congress that he had authorized U.S. Armed Forces to conduct targeted airstrikes in support of an operation to deliver humanitarian assistance to the town of Amirli, where thousands of Shia Turkomen have been cut off from receiving food, water, and medical supplies for two months by ISIL.

The United States Air Force delivered aid to the town of Amirli alongside aircraft from Australia, France and the United Kingdom, who also dropped much needed supplies.

This operation is consistent with the military missions we have outlined to date in Iraq – to protect U.S. personnel and facilities and to address the humanitarian situation on the ground.

These operations are limited in their nature, duration, and scope and are being undertaken in coordination with and at the request of the Government of Iraq.

The Administration will continue to consult with the Congress on the way forward in Iraq and our efforts against ISIL, and we will continue to provide appropriate reports to the Congress consistent with the War Powers Resolution.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 31, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani

This morning, Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani.  The Vice President and President Barzani discussed the humanitarian assistance and military strikes that the U.S. has provided to support the Iraqi people trapped in the town of Amirli.  Both leaders expressed their support for the ongoing efforts by Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga, with U.S. and international support, to break the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's siege of Amirli.  President Barzani underscored his commitment to forming a new Iraqi government as quickly as possible.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 30, 2014

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on European Council Meeting

 

We welcome the European Council's consensus today to show strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to prepare further sanctions for consideration in coming days. We are working closely with the EU and other partners to hold Russia accountable for its illegal actions in Ukraine, including through additional economic sanctions.  We remain committed to supporting Ukraine as it seeks a diplomatic resolution to the crisis and call on Russia to immediately remove its military, including troops and equipment, from Ukraine and end its illicit support to the separatists.

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 30, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Election of a New European Council President and High Representative

 

The President congratulates Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland on his election as President of the European Council, and Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini of Italy on being chosen as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.  As we advance security and prosperity around the world, the United States has no more important partner than Europe. We look forward to working closely with President Tusk and High Representative Mogherini, as well as Commission President Juncker and all of the new Commissioners.

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 30, 2014

Readout of the President's Phone Call with Prime Minister Harper of Canada

 

The President spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Harper today to discuss the upcoming NATO Summit and the situation in Iraq. Both leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring Alliance unity on measures to strengthen NATO's readiness and responsiveness to the full range of current and future threats.  The President stressed that agreement on increased defense investment in all areas is a top priority at the NATO Summit. 

 

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The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with President Aquino of the Philippines

Vice President Biden spoke with President Aquino of the Philippines today to express U.S. support for the Filipino peacekeepers currently surrounded by armed non-state groups in the Golan Heights. The two leaders discussed their shared interest in strengthening UN peacekeeping operations. The Vice President praised the commitment of the Philippines over many years to UN peacekeeping missions, including in Liberia, where the support of the international community remains critical to addressing the Ebola outbreak. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral alliance.

 

 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi

Vice President Joe Biden called Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi this afternoon. The Vice President emphasized that continuing progress, under Dr. Abadi’s leadership, toward forming a new government has been critical to rallying international support for Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Prime Minister-designate reviewed with the Vice President his ongoing efforts to form, as rapidly as possible, a government prepared to address the needs of all of Iraq’s communities once it takes office. They also discussed the ongoing cooperation between Iraq and the United States to address the security and humanitarian challenges confronting Iraq. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2014

Letter from the President -- Alternative Pay Plan for Federal Civilian Employees

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

I am transmitting an alternative plan for pay increases for civilian Federal employees covered by the General Schedule (GS) and certain other pay systems in January 2015.

Title 5, United States Code, authorizes me to implement alternative pay plans for pay increases for civilian Federal employees covered by the General Schedule and certain other pay systems if, because of "national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare," I view the adjustments that would otherwise take effect as inappropriate.

Civilian Federal employees have already made significant sacrifices as a result of a three-year pay freeze that ended in January 2014 with the implementation of a 1.0 percent pay increase -- an amount lower than the private sector pay increases and statutory formula for adjustments to the base General Schedule. However, as the country's economic recovery continues, we must maintain efforts to keep our Nation on a sustainable fiscal course. This is an effort that continues to require tough choices and each of us to do our fair share.

Accordingly, I have determined that it is appropriate to exercise my statutory alternative plan authority under 5 U.S.C. 5303(b) and 5304a to set alternative January 2015 across-the-board and locality pay adjustments. Specifically, I have determined that for 2015, across-the-board pay increases will be 1.0 percent, and the current locality pay percentages shown in Schedule 9 of Executive Order 13655 of December 23, 2013, will remain at their 2014 levels. This decision will not materially affect our ability to attract and retain a well-qualified Federal workforce.

The adjustments described above shall take effect on the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2014

Letter from the President -- Alternative Pay Plan for Uniformed Services

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

I am transmitting an alternative plan for monthly basic pay increases for members of the uniformed services for 2015.   

I am strongly committed to supporting our uniformed service members, who have made such great contributions to our Nation over the past decade of war.  As our country continues to recover from serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare, however, we must maintain efforts to keep our Nation on a sustainable fiscal course.  This effort requires tough choices, especially in light of budget constraints.

Accordingly, I have determined it is appropriate to exercise my authority under section 1009(e) of title 37, United States Code, to set the 2015 monthly basic pay increase at 1.0 percent.  This decision is consistent with my fiscal year 2015 Budget and it will not materially affect the Federal Government's ability to attract and retain well-qualified members for the uniformed services.

The adjustments described above shall take effect on January 1, 2015.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2014

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Iran Designations

Today we took additional steps in our effort to maintain pressure on the government of Iran. Specifically, the Departments of Treasury and State imposed sanctions on several companies and individuals engaged in activities such as assistance to Iran’s nuclear program, support for terrorism, or aiding Iran’s evasion of international sanctions. Just as we announced these measures and continue to enforce pre-existing sanctions on Iran, the United States remains committed to working with our P5+1 partners toward a long-term, comprehensive solution that provides confidence that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. Our actions today and since the start of the talks are consistent with our commitments under the Joint Plan of Action, which provided limited relief of certain sanctions in exchange for Iranians steps that halted its nuclear program and rolled it back in key respects.