The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

President Obama to Recognize Emerging Global Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, May 11th, the White House will bring together emerging entrepreneurs from across the United States and around the world to highlight the importance of investing in women and young entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges, including poverty, climate change, extremism, as well as access to education and healthcare. This event comes ahead of the President’s travel to this summer’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya and provides a unique opportunity to galvanize global attention on emerging women and young entrepreneurs.  

The event will recognize the impact made by a number of U.S. government-led initiatives. In 2014, the Administration set a goal for its best entrepreneurship programs, now to be led under the umbrella of the Spark initiative, to generate over a billion dollars in private investment for emerging entrepreneurs by the end of 2017, with half of this goal to be raised for women and young entrepreneurs.  The White House will name nine more top American entrepreneurs to be named as Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship to contribute to this goal. The world’s brightest entrepreneurs still require further support through the commitments and collaboration of governments, investors, businesses, organizations and individuals. The event will also recognize the creation of the Spark Global Entrepreneurship coalition to further these objectives.                                                                                                

Speakers for the event will include five entrepreneurs from around the world and from various U.S. government programs, cast members of ABC’s TV series Shark Tank and other organizations. The event will be live streamed on the White House website. To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live at 2:00 pm ET on May 11th.  Additional details about the event will be made available in the coming days.

Guest Speakers

  • Mark Cuban, Investor on “Shark Tank” & Owner of the Dallas Mavericks
  • Barbara Corcoran, Investor on “Shark Tank” & Founder of Barbara Corcoran Venture Partners
  • Daymond John, Investor on “Shark Tank” & CEO and Founder of FUBU
  • Tony Elumelu, Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation
  • Antonio Gracias, Founder of Valor Equity Partners
  • Julie Hanna, Founder of Kiva

Entrepreneurs participating in the Event include:

Jimena Flórez, Bogota, Colombia

Jimena Flórez is an entrepreneur in the agribusiness and food industry who founded Crispy Fruits in 2012. Her company was formed entirely by women entrepreneurs and is now operated by a majority of women.  Crispy Fruit’s purpose is to design and develop healthy and functional products to meet consumers’ demand for a nutritious and balanced diet, and in the process, empower farmers.  Her company is developing new products with natural ingredients to enhance people’s health.  She started her business with the mission of increasing the quality of life for Colombian farmers by improving their access to technology and capacity building opportunities, and developing sustainable agricultural practices to produce higher quality products that garner fair trade prices. Through President Obama’s Women's Entrepreneurship in the Americas (WEAmericas) initiative, which leverages public-private partnerships to increase women’s economic participation, Jimena received mentorship and training, and access to new trade opportunities, which helped her expand her business. Through her company Crispy Fruits, Jimena empowers cacao farmers in Tumaco, a predominantly Afro-Colombian community, by building the capacity of farmers to adopt organic agricultural processes, secure organic certification and ultimately access direct trade opportunities.

Felipe del Campo, Weston, FL, USA

Originally from Mexico City, Felipe Gomez del Campo founded FGC Plasma Solutions in 2013 and is currently a junior at Case Western Reserve University. From a research project started at a high school science fair to launching it into a company, Felipe is focused on improving the safety and efficiency of jet engines with a plasma assisted fuel injector. Felipe’s research has found that his product can result in a 10 percent decrease in fuel consumption which will result in significant savings, reduce harmful gas emissions for both jet engines on airliners and industrial gas turbines used to generate power. As a recent recipient of a regional prize in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition, Felipe plans to further test and develop the injector at both the NASA Glenn Research Center. Felipe’s efforts to expand his business have benefited from an ecosystem of innovation, mentorship and capital. Felipe aspires to help set up a similar entrepreneurial ecosystem in Mexico as well to afford Mexican entrepreneurs the chance to develop their innovative ideas. Felipe also serves as President and co-founder of the Case Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Adepeju Jaiyeoba, Lagos, Nigeria

Adepeju Jaiyeoba founded Mothers Delivery Kits in 2013, after losing a close friend to childbirth, to address maternal and child mortality resulting from unhygienic and unsafe deliveries in Nigeria. With the aim of economically empowering women and teaching behavioral changes in healthcare, her business connects women in rural communities to the lifesaving supplies they need at childbirth at an affordable cost. As a Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders (YALI), an initiative introduced by President Obama in 2013, Adepeju has been able to collaborate with other entrepreneurs, build employee capacity through YALI courses, and receive seed capital and mentorship from the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). She is currently partnering with another YALI Fellow in Cote d’Ivoire to develop a mobile application to improve communications capabilities, and working with a YALI Fellow in Ghana to begin to expand her business to Ghana. With the support of the USADF entrepreneurship grant, her business has doubled its distribution in the last four months and expanded its services to internally displaced victims of Boko Haram. The grant has also enabled the company to acquire new machinery, establish a storage facility in northern Nigeria to address transportation challenges, increase its Lagos-based staff, and reach nearly 80 community midwives and healthcare provider across 23 states in Nigeria. Adepeju hopes to expand her work and continue to mentor other young entrepreneurs with her passion for change.

Aazia Mickens-Dessaso, Hampton, VA, USA

Aazia Mickens-Dessaso is the cofounder of FreePing, a software company launched in 2014 that provides free streams of utility information to prepaid mobile phone subscribers in emerging markets. Aazia developed the concept while observing the intersection of social movements and technology in Brazil as a U.S. Department of Education Foreign Languages and Area Studies Fellow. It was there that she discovered the benefits of easily-accessible information on personal and organizational productivity, and observed the ways Brazilians used their phones to interact without using prepaid credits. FreePing has been incubated by a Small Business Administration Growth Accelerator Fund Competition recipient, through which her business has received business acumen, access to capital, and mentorship. Currently, FreePing has a presence in Brazil, South Africa, and Kenya. As a young African American woman in the tech industry, Aazia has led efforts to connect underserved groups to programming and engage, inspire and celebrate women and minorities in entrepreneurship. She organized this year’s International Space Apps Challenge, the first her hometown organized in the challenge’s four-year history, to allow local coders to access NASA’s open data and solve the Agency’s mission-related challenges, and to encourage girls in STEM. Aazia seeks to give voice to a startup ecosystem that is reflective of the country’s rich demographic makeup to produce solutions and products.

Ziad Sankari, Beirut, Lebanon

From Lebanon, Ziad Sankari started CardioDiagnostics in 2012. Ziad lost his father to a heart attack when he was seventeen and his family lacked access to proper healthcare.  He decided to pursue his studies in understanding the electrical activity of the heart and how monitoring and analyzing that activity can save lives. Today, the company uses FDA-approved wearable devices that are 24/7 GPS-enabled heart rate monitors allowing for heart monitoring centers to communicate diagnostic and preventive information to patients in the United States, where the center has over 40 employees, and in Lebanon. In 2008, Ziad attended Ohio State University on a U.S. Fulbright scholarship. After returning to Lebanon, he was selected to pitch his idea at the 2011 Global Innovation through Science and Technology’s (GIST) Tech-I competition where he won first place. Through GIST, a U.S. Department of State funded initiative, Ziad received his first round of seed funding and traveled through various U.S. cities to expand his network, learn how to negotiate, and connect with mentors. Given his experiences, Ziad sees education as essential to successful entrepreneurship and to combat rising issues of poverty and extremism. He hopes to support other startups and build a high-performing educational system in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East that leverages U.S. expertise and connections to open a world of opportunities to younger generations.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • Karen DeSalvo  – Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services
  • Jennifer Zimdahl Galt – Ambassador to Mongolia, Department of State
  • David R. Gilmour – Ambassador to the Togolese Republic, Department of State
  • James Desmond Melville, Jr. – Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, Department of State
  • Peter F. Mulrean – Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Department of State
  • Edwin Richard Nolan, Jr. – Ambassador to Suriname, Department of State 

President Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country.  I look forward to working with them.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Karen DeSalvo is the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a position she has held since 2014.  In October 2014, Dr. DeSalvo was designated as Acting Assistant Secretary for Health at HHS.  Before joining HHS, she served as Health Commissioner for the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, and also as Senior Health Policy Advisor for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu from 2011 to 2014.  From 1996 to 2011, Dr. DeSalvo was a practicing internal medicine physician and professor of medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine.  Dr. DeSalvo has also held various leadership positions at Tulane University School of Medicine, including Chief of the Section of General Medicine from 2000 to 2011, Chief of the Section of General Medicine and Geriatrics from 2003 to 2011, Executive Director of the Tulane University Community Health Centers from 2005 to 2011, and Vice Dean for Community Affairs and Health Policy from 2008 to 2011.  Her career has also included a number of leadership roles at the affiliate hospitals of Tulane School of Medicine, including Director of the Tulane Medicine Clinic from 1997 to 1999 and Associate Chief of the Tulane Medicine Service from 1996 to 1999 at the Medical Center of Louisiana (MCLNO).  She has been a member of numerous professional boards, including the National Association of City and County Health Officers, the Louisiana Public Health Institute, and the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum, of which she is a past president and founding board member, the Society of General Internal Medicine, and she was past President of the Association of Chiefs and Leaders of General Internal Medicine.  She continues to be clinically active in Louisiana.  Dr. DeSalvo received a B.A. from Suffolk University, an M.Sc. from Harvard University, and an M.P.H. and M.D. from Tulane University.
 
Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, Nominee for Ambassador to Mongolia, Department of State
Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, China, a position she has held since 2012.  Previously, Ms. Galt served as a Senior Advisor in the Bureau of Public Affairs from 2011 to 2012 and as a Public Affairs Advisor at the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels, Belgium from 2010 to 2011.  From 2008 to 2010, she served as Deputy Director in the Office of Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.  Ms. Galt also served as a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, China from 2003 to 2007 and as Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China from 2000 to 2003.  After joining the Foreign Service in 1988, her early assignments included posts in India, Taiwan, and the former Yugoslavia.  Ms. Galt received a B.A. from Colorado College, an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, and an M.S. from the National Defense University.
 
David R. Gilmour, Nominee for Ambassador to the Togolese Republic, Department of State
David R. Gilmour, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2013.  Previously, Mr. Gilmour served as the Director of the Office of Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of African Affairs from 2011 to 2013, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, Panama from 2008 to 2011, and Public Affairs Counselor at the U.S. Mission in Geneva, Switzerland from 2007 to 2008.  He also served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi from 2004 to 2007 and as Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney, Australia from 2000 to 2004.  Mr. Gilmour’s earlier assignments include posts in Cameroon, Costa Rica, Senegal, and South Africa.  Mr. Gilmour received a B.A. from Saginaw Valley State University and an M.A. from the University of Texas, Austin.
 
James Desmond Melville, Jr., Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, Department of State
James Desmond Melville, Jr., a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany, a position he has held since 2012.  He previously served as Executive Director of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the Bureau of International Organization Affairs from 2010 to 2012.  Prior to that, Mr. Melville served as Minister-Counselor for Management at the U.S. Embassy in London, United Kingdom from 2008 to 2010 and at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia from 2005 to 2008.  Mr. Melville also served as Management Officer and Supervisory General Services Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France from 2001 to 2005 and as Administrative Officer at the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels, Belgium from 1997 to 2001.  His earlier positions with the Department of State include service as a Foreign Service Examiner, Senior Watch Officer in the Executive Secretariat Operations Center, and Legislative Management Officer in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs.  Mr. Melville received a B.A. from Boston University and a J.D. from Rutgers University.
 
Peter F. Mulrean, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Department of State
Peter F. Mulrean, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Counselor, is the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, a position he has held since 2012.  Previously, Mr. Mulrean served as Director of Interagency Provincial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012, Counselor for Refugee and Migration Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva from 2008 to 2011, and Regional Director of the Middle East Partnership Initiative at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia from 2004 to 2008.  He also served as Deputy Director of the Office for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy at the Department of State from 2002 to 2004, Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium from 1999 to 2002, and Exchange Diplomat at the European Commission in Brussels from 1998 to 1999.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was an English teacher in Japan and China and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco.  Mr. Mulrean received an A.B. from Harvard University.
 
Edwin Richard Nolan, Jr., Nominee for Ambassador to Suriname, Department of State
Edwin Richard Nolan, Jr., a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, a position he has held since 2013.  Previously, Mr. Nolan served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands from 2010 to 2013, Director of the Office of Canadian Affairs in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs from 2008 to 2010, Political Officer in the Office of European Union Affairs in the Bureau of European Affairs from 2007 to 2008, and Deputy Director of the Office of United Kingdom, Benelux, and Ireland in the Bureau of European Affairs from 2005 to 2007.  Mr. Nolan’s earlier assignments include service as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus from 2002 to 2005, Chief of the Political/Economic Section at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland from 1998 to 2002, and Deputy Director and Political Officer in the Office of Policy, Planning and Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs from 1996 to 1998.  Mr. Nolan received a B.A. from Boston College.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

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

This morning, Vice President Joe Biden hosted Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani at the Naval Observatory for breakfast. The Vice President underscored the United States’ strong commitment to working with the global coalition and the Iraqi people to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive campaign including military, political, economic, and humanitarian efforts. Vice President Biden and President Barzani discussed ongoing U.S. security assistance to the Kurdish Peshmerga in full coordination with the Government of Iraq. Both leaders agreed on the profound need for close cooperation between the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the global coalition in the ongoing fight against ISIL, particularly with respect to the liberation of Mosul. They also agreed on the need for close coordination between Baghdad and Erbil to advance key elements of the Government of Iraq’s national program. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

Statement by the President on the Passing of Jim Wright

Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Former Congressman and Speaker of the House Jim Wright.  Jim represented the people of his beloved Texas for over three decades.  He was a committed public leader and a proud World War II veteran who dedicated much of his life to serving his country.  As a Representative from Texas and Speaker of the House, Jim was passionate about investing in infrastructure, and he worked tirelessly to promote peace in Central America.  Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family and friends, and the people he represented in Congress for so many years.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades about the conflict settlement process, bilateral relations, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Vice President underscored the importance of seizing the opportunity to work with newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to conclude a settlement as soon as possible to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which is in the overwhelming interest of all Cypriots. The Vice President and President Anastasiades also agreed to continue strengthening our strategic partnership to deepen and expand areas of bilateral cooperation. Finally, on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining transatlantic solidarity and support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.   

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

Letter -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Actions of the Government of Syria

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

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency, unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria declared in Executive Order (E.O.) 13338 of May 11, 2004 -- as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in E.O. 13399 of April 25, 2006, E.O. 13460 of February 13, 2008, E.O. 13572 of April 29, 2011, E.O. 13573 of May 18, 2011, E.O. 13582 of August 17, 2011, E.O. 13606 of April 22, 2012, and E.O. 13608 of May 1, 2012 -- is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2015.

The regime's brutal war on the Syrian people, who have been calling for freedom and a representative government, not only endangers the Syrian people themselves, but could yield greater instability throughout the region.  The Syrian regime's actions and policies, including pursuing chemical and biological weapons, supporting terrorist organizations, and obstructing the Lebanese government's ability to function effectively, are fostering the rise of extremism and sectarianism and continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue in effect the national emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force the sanctions to address this national emergency.

In addition, the United States condemns the Asad regime's use of brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Asad regime to stop its violent war and allow a political transition in Syria that will forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice.

The United States will consider changes in the composition, policies, and actions of the Government of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency in the future.

 

                              Sincerely,

                              BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

Notice -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Actions of the Government of Syria

NOTICE

- - - - - - -

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO

ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA

On May 11, 2004, pursuant to his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 17011706, and the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003, Public Law 108-175, the President issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13338, in which he declared a national emergency with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria.  To deal with this national emergency, E.O. 13338 authorized the blocking of property of certain persons and prohibited the exportation or re-exportation of certain goods to Syria.  The national emergency was modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in E.O. 13399 of April 25, 2006, E.O. 13460 of February 13, 2008, E.O. 13572 of April 29, 2011, E.O. 13573 of May 18, 2011, E.O. 13582 of August 17, 2011, E.O. 13606 of April 22, 2012, and E.O. 13608 of May 1, 2012.

The President took these actions to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of the Government of Syria in supporting terrorism, maintaining its then-existing occupation of Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining U.S. and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq.

The regime's brutality and repression of the Syrian people, who have been calling for freedom and a representative government, not only endangers the Syrian people themselves, but also is generating instability throughout the region.  The Syrian regime's actions and policies, including with respect to chemical and biological weapons, supporting terrorist organizations, and obstructing the Lebanese government's ability to function effectively, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  As a result, the national emergency declared on May 11, 2004, and the measures to deal with that emergency adopted on that date in E.O. 13338; on April 25, 2006, in E.O. 13399; on February 13, 2008, in E.O. 13460; on April 29, 2011, in E.O. 13572; on May 18, 2011, in E.O. 13573; on August 17, 2011, in E.O. 13582; on April 22, 2012, in E.O. 13606; and on May 1, 2012, in E.O. 13608; must continue in effect beyond May 11, 2015.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria.

In addition, the United States condemns the Asad regime's use of brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Asad regime to stop its violence against the Syrian people and allow a political transition in Syria that will forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice.

The United States will consider changes in the composition, policies, and actions of the Government of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency in the future.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2015

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice’s Meeting with Ugandan President Museveni

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met today in New York City to exchange views on regional developments. They discussed the devastating humanitarian as well as regional economic costs of continued conflict in South Sudan. They agreed on the need for the international community and South Sudan’s regional partners to work quickly to achieve peace in the face of the intransigence of the country’s leaders. Ambassador Rice reiterated the United States’ deep concern over the increasing level of conflict in Sudan, specifically the continued conflict in Darfur and the vicious bombing of civilians in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States. Additionally, they reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing regional efforts to defeat the Lord’s Resistance Army and continuing cooperation to support the vital work of the African Union Mission in Somalia. Finally, they discussed the important cooperation between the United States and Uganda to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism in the region.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2015

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

President Obama participated in a meeting at the White House with Vice President Biden and Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. They discussed a range of issues, including the campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL and the status of ongoing political initiatives to address the needs of the Iraqi people and foster cooperation across all communities. President Obama and Vice President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ strong and continued support to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish people. They also reaffirmed the United States’ enduring commitment under the Strategic Framework Agreement to a united, federal, and democratic Iraq, as defined in the Iraqi constitution.

President Obama and Vice President Biden each commended the bravery of the Kurdish Peshmerga and expressed condolences to the victims of ISIL throughout Iraq. President Barzani thanked President Obama and Vice President Biden for the significant military support that the United States has provided to Kurdish Peshmerga in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces, including the military action taken to protect Erbil and other parts of Iraqi Kurdistan following the fall of Mosul. Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening relations between Baghdad and Erbil and underscored their continued shared commitment to provide support to the millions of civilians displaced by the violence in the region.

A photograph of this meeting can be found HERE.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2015

Statement by the Press Secretary

The Congressional Republican budget conference agreement that Senate Republicans passed this evening serves as a reminder of what Republicans in the House and Senate can agree on: underfunding investments that benefit middle-class families and contribute to economic growth; stripping away health insurance coverage from millions; making it harder for students to afford college; and funding national defense through a temporary budget gimmick – while shortchanging it altogether in later years.

Senate Republicans joined their House Republican colleagues in adopting a budget framework that locks in sequestration, bringing base defense and non-defense discretionary funding to the lowest levels in a decade, adjusted for inflation.

In order to make their budget work at those low levels, Congressional Republicans propose drastic cuts to programs that support the middle class and provide ladders of opportunity for those seeking to reach the middle class. For example, Republicans are proposing severe cuts to the community revitalization program known as Choice Neighborhoods, with the House bill providing less than 10 percent of the President's proposal, leaving the program able to fund only one small implementation grant. They would cut the TIGER transportation grants by 80 percent from current funding levels, shortchanging the President’s Budget request by over a billion dollars less than the Administration’s request. In addition, the Republicans’ Budget proposals insufficient levels will put in jeopardy funding for a range of programs that provide critical support including criminal justice assistance to state and local jurisdictions. Republicans have started talking the talk about issues like inequality and criminal justice reform but their budget shows they are not walking the walk.

In contrast, the President has put forward a Budget that would reverse sequestration, replacing the savings with commonsense spending and tax reforms, and would make the investments needed to bring middle class economics into the 21st Century and strengthen our national security. The President’s Budget builds on the progress we’ve made and shows what we can do if we invest in America's future, and end sequestration, by cutting inefficient spending and reforming our broken tax code to make sure everyone pays their fair share. It lays out a strategy to strengthen our middle class with investments in research, education, training, and infrastructure, while also fulfilling our most basic responsibility to keep Americans safe. It also calls for investments in programs to revitalize communities and transform areas of concentrated poverty.

The President has made clear that he will not accept a budget that locks in sequestration going forward, nor one that reverses sequestration for defense – whether explicitly or through backdoor gimmicks – without also reversing sequestration for non-defense.

There is bipartisan support for a commonsense deal. The Administration looks forward to working with Congress on an agreement that will allow us to invest in our economy and protect our national security.