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:

·         Craig B. Allen - Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Department of State

·         Sharon Block – Member, National Labor Relations Board

·         Richard M. Mills, Jr. – Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, Department of State

·         Joseph Nimmich – Deputy Administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security

·         Anne E. Rung – Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget

·         Alissa M. Starzak  – General Counsel of the Army, Department of Defense  

·         John Francis Tefft - Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Department of State

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

·         Charles Benton – Member, National Museum and Library Services Board

·         Robert Langer – Member, President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science

·         Lillian M. Lowery – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

·         Anne Ashmore-Hudson  – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

·         Steven M. Goldman  – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

·         Dale LeFebvre  – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

·         Anita Lin  – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

President Obama said, “I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Craig B. Allen, Nominee for Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Department of State

Craig B. Allen, a career member of the Foreign Commercial Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for China at the Department of Commerce, a position he has held since 2012.  Mr. Allen served in the Department of Commerce as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia from 2010 to 2012, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa from 2006 to 2010, and Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China from 2003 to 2006.  From 2000 to 2002, he served as Commercial Officer at the National Center for the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation.  Mr. Allen was Deputy Senior Commercial Officer and Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan from 1995 to 2000, Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China from 1992 to 1995, and Commercial Officer at the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan from 1988 to 1992.  He was a Presidential Management Intern at the Department of Commerce from 1985 to 1988.  Mr. Allen worked in the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment from 1983 to 1985 and taught English in Japan and Taiwan from 1979 to 1983.  Mr. Allen received a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and an M.S. from Georgetown University.

Sharon Block, Nominee for Member, National Labor Relations Board

Sharon Block is Senior Counselor in the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Labor (DOL), a position she has held since August 2013.  She served as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board from 2012 to 2013.  She was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at DOL from 2009 to 2012.  Ms. Block was Senior Labor and Employment Counsel for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where she worked for Senator Edward M. Kennedy from 2007 to 2009.  She was Special Assistant in the Office of the General Counsel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 2006 to 2007.  Ms. Block previously served at the National Labor Relations Board as senior attorney to Chairman Robert Battista from 2003 to 2006 and as an attorney in the NLRB’s appellate court branch from 1996 to 2003.  From 1994 to 1996, she was Assistant General Counsel at the National Endowment for the Humanities, and from 1991 to 1993, she was an associate at Steptoe & Johnson.  Ms. Block received a B.A. from Columbia University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Richard M. Mills, Jr., Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, Department of State

Richard M. Mills, Jr., a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon from 2012 to 2014.  He was Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Valetta, Malta from 2010 to 2012.  Mr. Mills served as Senior Democracy Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq from 2009 to 2010, Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in London, England from 2006 to 2009, and Energy Attaché and Acting Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2006.  Mr. Mills served as Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan from 2003 to 2004, Political Officer at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2001 to 2003, Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland from 1999 to 2001, and Line Director in the Executive Secretariat at the Department of State from 1996 to 1998.  He has also served in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Consulate in Saint Petersburg, Russia, at the Bureau of Soviet Union Affairs and at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France.  Prior to his Foreign Service career, Mr. Mills was an Associate Attorney at Duncan, Allen and Mitchell and also at Wickwire, Gavin and Gibbs.  Mr. Mills received a B.A. from Georgetown University, a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and an M.S. from the National Defense University.

Joseph Nimmich, Nominee for Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security

Joseph L. Nimmich is the Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a position he has held since 2013.  From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Nimmich was the Director of Maritime Surveillance and Security at Raytheon Corporation.  He was a Member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Applied Research Lab at Pennsylvania State University from 2010 to 2011.  From 1977 to 2010, Mr. Nimmich served in the United States Coast Guard, attaining the rank of Rear Admiral.  From 2009 to 2010, he served as Commander of the First Coast Guard District.  Mr. Nimmich was the Director of the Joint Interagency Task Force South at the Department of Defense from 2007 to 2009 and from 2005 to 2007, he served as Assistant Commandant for Policy and Planning.  From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Nimmich served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard after serving as Commander of the Coast Guard Group - Key West from 2000 to 2003.  Mr. Nimmich received a B.A. from the Coast Guard Academy and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Anne E. Rung, Nominee for Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget

Anne E. Rung is currently a Senior Advisor in the Office of Management and Budget.  Previously, she served at the General Services Administration (GSA) in various positions, most recently as the Associate Administrator of Governmentwide Policy.  Prior to GSA, Ms. Rung was the Senior Director of Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2010 to 2012.  She served in various positions at the Pennsylvania Department of General Services from 2003 to 2010, including Deputy Secretary for Administration and Chief of Staff.  Ms. Rung was Congressional Director of the Democratic Leadership Council from 1997 to 2003.  Earlier in her career, she was Policy Director for Joe Kohn for Attorney General, Legislative Assistant for U.S. Representative Thomas M. Foglietta, and an associate at Cassidy & Associates.  She began her career in 1989 as a Legislative Aide for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.  Ms. Rung received a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University and an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Alissa M. Starzak, Nominee for General Counsel of the Army, Department of Defense

Alissa M. Starzak is currently Deputy General Counsel (Legislation) at the Department of Defense, a position she has served in since 2011.  From 2007 to 2011, Ms. Starzak served as Counsel and as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.  Ms. Starzak served as an Assistant General Counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency from 2005 to 2007.  Earlier in her career, she was an Associate at O’Melveny & Myers and a Law Clerk for The Honorable Judge E. Grady Jolly on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ms. Starzak received a B.A. from Amherst College and a J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School.

John Francis Tefft, Nominee for Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Department of State

John Francis Tefft, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Executive Director of the RAND Business Leaders Forum at the RAND Corporation, a position he has held since 2013.  Mr. Tefft served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine from 2009 to 2013 and as the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia from 2005 to 2009.  From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Tefft served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs in the Department of State.  From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Tefft served as an International Affairs Advisor at the National War College and previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania from 2000 to 2003.  From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Tefft was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia.  He was the Director of the Office of Northern European Affairs at the Department of State from 1992 to 1994.  Mr. Tefft served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Soviet Union Affairs/Office of Commonwealth of Independent States from 1989 to 1992 and served as Counselor for Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy from 1986 to 1989.  From 1983 to 1986, he was a Political Officer in the Office of Soviet Union Affairs.  Mr. Tefft was a Pearson Fellow in the Office of Congressman Howard Wolpe from 1982 to 1983.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Tefft was also a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary; a Special Assistant in the Washington office of the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations; a Political Officer in the Office of United Nations Political Affairs; an Operations Officer in the Operations Center; and a Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.  Mr. Tefft served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1971 to 1974.  Mr. Tefft received a B.A. from Marquette University and an M.A. from Georgetown University.

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

Charles Benton, Appointee for Member, National Museum and Library Services Board

Charles Benton is Chairman and CEO of the Benton Foundation, a position he has held since 1981.  He was first appointed to the National Museum and Library Services Board in 2012.  In 1978, Mr. Benton served as Chairman of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and Chairman of the first White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1979.  Mr. Benton served as Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters from 1997 to 1998 and on the Consumer Advisory Committee of the FCC from 2005 to 2010.  He was President of the Encyclopedia Britannica Education Corporation from 1996 to 1997 and Films Inc. from 1968 to 1977.  Mr. Benton is Chairman of Public Media Inc. and Chairman Emeritus of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois.  He serves on the boards of the National Foundation for the Preservation of Film and The Educational Development Center.  He is a Lifetime Trustee of the Field Museum of National History in Chicago.  Mr. Benton received a B.A. from Yale University.

Dr. Robert Langer, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science

Dr. Robert Langer is the David H. Koch Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a position he has held since 2009.  He was first appointed to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science in 2011.  Dr. Langer has been a Professor at MIT since 1977, including as an Institute Professor from 2005 to 2009 and the Kenneth J. Germeshausen Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering from 1988 to 2005.  He is the recipient of a number of awards and recognitions, including the 2014 Kyoto Prize, the 2011 National Medal of Technology, the 2008 Millennium Prize, the 2006 National Medal of Science, and the 1998 Lemelson-MIT Prize.  Dr. Langer received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and an Sc.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Dr. Lillian M. Lowery is currently the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, a position she has held since she was appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland State Board of Education in 2012. Dr. Lowery served as the Delaware State Secretary of Education from 2009 to 2012.  Between 2006 and 2009, Dr. Lowery was the Superintendent of the Christina School District in Wilmington.  She was the Assistant Superintendent of Cluster VII for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia from 2004 to 2006.  She also served for two years as an Area Administrator for Fort Wayne Community Schools in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Earlier in her career, Dr. Lowery spent seven years as a school building administrator and taught middle and high school English for seventeen years in school districts in Virginia and North Carolina.  Dr. Lowery has held leadership positions on the Board of Directors for a number of youth and education-related organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of America and Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN).  She is an alumnus of the Broad Foundation’s Superintendents Academy.  Dr. Lowery received a B.A. from North Carolina Central University, an M.A. from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and an Ed.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Dr. Anne Ashmore-Hudson, Appointee for Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Dr. Anne Ashmore-Hudson is the Chair Emeritus of the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities.  She consulted for a cultural arts program for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 2009 to 2013.  Previously, Dr. Ashmore-Hudson was a Senior Research Fellow at the E. Franklin Frazier Institute for Social Research at Howard University from 2000 to 2003 and a Fellow at the Du Bois Institute at Harvard University from 1985 to 1987.  In 1984, Dr. Ashmore-Hudson founded and became President of Urban Psychological Services, a position she held until 1992.  She served as the Public Member of the State Department Senior Foreign Services Selection Board and the United States Information Agency Selection Board.  Dr. Ashmore-Hudson served on the boards of the The Washington Ballet, Sasha Bruce Youthworks, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, the United Way of Massachusetts, and the Roxbury Community College Foundation.  She also served as the President of the Potomac chapter of Links Inc.  Dr. Ashmore-Hudson received a B.A. from Spelman College, an M.S. from Simmons College School of Social Work, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Steven M. Goldman, Appointee for Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Steven M. Goldman is a partner at the law firm Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP, where he has practiced law since 2009.  From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Goldman served as the State of New Jersey’s Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner, having been appointed by Governor Jon S. Corzine.  He was Senior Partner at the law firm of Sills, Cummis, & Gross from 1984 to 2006.  Mr. Goldman is Chair of the Operations and Finance Committee and Assistant Treasurer of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and a member of the Board of Managers of Theatre Square Development Company.  He is on the Dean’s Board of Advisors for The George Washington University Law School.  He is a member of the U.S. Trust Northeast Client Advisory Council, the Economic Club of New York, and the Lotos Club.  Mr. Goldman received an A.B. from Boston University, a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.

Dale LeFebvre, Appointee for Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Dale LeFebvre is the founder and Chairman of 3.5.7.11, a holding and investment company, a position he has held since 2008.  He was a Managing Partner at the AIC Caribbean Fund from 2006 to 2009 and the Pharos Capital Group from 1999 to 2006.  Mr. LeFebvre was a consultant at McKinsey and Company from 1993 to 1995.  He is a 2006 Henry Crown Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.  He has served on the Board of the National Urban League and is now a Board Member Emeritus.  Mr. LeFebvre received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. 

Anita Lin, Appointee for Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Anita Lin is the Director Emeritus of the Ballet Western Reserve and a member of the Chautauqua Institution's Music Director Search Committee for their Symphony's Principal Conductor.  She previously served as the Artistic Director and Executive Director of the Ballet Western Reserve from 1982 to 2007.  Ms. Lin danced with the New Orleans Ballet Company from 1981 to 1982 and studied the Royal Academy of Dance Technique in London in 1980.  She also danced for the Cincinnati Ballet Company from 1977 to 1980, and was the principal dancer with the University of Louisville Preparatory Dance Company from 1973 to 1977.  Ms. Lin received a B.F.A. from University of Cincinnati.

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke today by phone.  The President reiterated the United States’ strong condemnation of continuing rocket fire into Israel by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against these attacks.  The President expressed concern about the risk of further escalation and emphasized the need for all sides to do everything they can to protect the lives of civilians and restore calm.  The United States remains prepared to facilitate a cessation of hostilities, including a return to the November 2012 ceasefire agreement. 

The President once again expressed condolences to the people of Israel on the kidnapping and murder of teenagers Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach, and Naftali Fraenkel, who was an American and Israeli citizen, and urged that the perpetrators be brought to justice.  The two leaders also discussed the situation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.  The President welcomed the arrest of suspects in the abduction and murder of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir and expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s determination to see that they be brought to justice.  He expressed concern about the beating and detention of teenage American citizen Tariq Khdeir and acknowledged Israel’s efforts to resolve this case.  The two leaders discussed the P5+1 negotiations with Iran and the President reiterated that the United States will not accept any agreement that does not ensure that Iran's nuclear program is for exclusively peaceful purposes.

Message from First Lady Michelle Obama to the United States-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange

I am pleased to send my warmest greetings to all those gathered at the opening of the fifth round of the United States-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Beijing, China.  I would like to send my thanks to President Xi Jinping, Vice Premier Liu Yandong, and the entire Chinese delegation for hosting the United States’ delegation this year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank President Xi, Madame Peng, and the Chinese people for their gracious hospitality during my recent visit to China.  In conversations with Madame Peng – as well as with students, teachers and others from across China – I gained a deep appreciation for the shared aspirations of people in both of our countries.  I saw firsthand the importance of continuing to strengthen the bonds between our peoples – the foundation upon which the U.S.-China relationship is built. 

Over the past five years, we have collaborated on a number of important initiatives.  Through the CPE, our two countries have encouraged Chinese and American women to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers through the Young Scientist Forum.  The Fulbright program and other educational opportunities have helped foster the highest numbers of exchange students and scholars in the history of both our countries.  The NBA Yao School opened in February in Beijing to promote youth development on and off basketball courts, and the NBA will also lead a youth-exchange at the 2014 World Youth Olympic Games in August.  The U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. Paralympic Committee and the Special Olympics have continued to forge relationships with their Chinese counterparts to promote access to every level of sport for all people. 

By strengthening the bonds between our two nations, you all are playing a critical role in building our relationship for future generations.  I wish you every success in these efforts, and I hope you have a productive and enjoyable event. 

Statement by the President on Immigration

Dallas Love Field
Dallas, Texas

6:00 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  I just had a good meeting with Governor Perry, local officials, and faith leaders to talk about the steps that we have taken and that we need to take to address the humanitarian situation on the border.  And I want to thank everybody who’s been involved for taking the time to talk to me.

It’s important to recognize two things.  First, the surge of unaccompanied children, and adults with children, are arriving at one sector of the border, and that's the Rio Grande Valley.  Second, the issue is not that people are evading our enforcement officials.  The issue is that we’re apprehending them in large numbers.  And we’re working to make sure that we have sufficient facilities to detain, house, and process them appropriately, while attending to unaccompanied children with the care and compassion that they deserve while they’re in our custody.

While we intend to do the right thing by these children, their parents need to know that this is an incredibly dangerous situation and it is unlikely that their children will be able to stay.  And I’ve asked parents across Central America not to put their children in harm’s way in this fashion.

Right now, there are more Border Patrol agents and surveillance resources on the ground than at any time in our history.  And we deport almost 400,000 migrants each year.  But as soon as it became clear that this year’s migration to the border was different than in past years, I directed FEMA to coordinate our response at the border.  Members of my Cabinet and my staff have made multiple trips to facilities there.  And we’re also addressing the root of the problem.  I sent Vice President Biden and Secretary Kerry and Secretary Johnson to meet with Central American leaders, as well as working with our international partners to go after smugglers who are putting their kids’ lives at risk. 

And earlier this week, Mexico announced a series of steps that they’re going to take on their southern border to help stem the tide of these unaccompanied children.

Last week, I sent a letter to Congress asking them to increase penalties on smugglers and to give us flexibility to move migrants through the system faster.

Yesterday, I asked Congress to fund these efforts.  About half of the resources would go to border security, enforcement, and expedited removal of people who don’t qualify for a humanitarian claim.  About half would go to make sure we’re treating children humanely.  We’d also make investments to further tackle the root problems in Central America.

So right now, Congress has the capacity to work with us, work with state officials, local officials, and faith-based groups and non-for-profits who are helping to care for these kids -- Congress has the capacity to work with all parties concerned to directly address the situation.  They’ve said they want to see a solution.  The supplemental offers them the capacity to vote immediately to get it done.

Of course, in the long run, the best way to truly address this problem is for the House of Representatives to pass legislation fixing our broken immigration system, which, by the way, would include funding for additional thousands of Border Patrol agents -- something that everybody down here that I've talked to indicates is a priority. 

The Senate passed a common-sense, bipartisan bill more than a year ago.  It would have strengthened the border, added an additional 20,000 Border Patrol agents.  It would have strengthened our backlogged immigration courts.  It would have put us in a stronger position to deal with this surge and, in fact, prevent it.

So let me just close by indicating the nature of the conversation that I had with Governor Perry, which I thought was constructive.  Governor Perry suggested four specific areas of concern.  He was concerned about how many patrol agents were directly at the border.  He was concerned that some of the positioning of Border Patrol agents is too far from the border to be effective in deterring folks from coming in as opposed to simply apprehending them.  I indicated to him that what he said sounded like it made sense and that, in fact, if we pass the supplemental we would then have the resources to carry out some of the very things that he’s requesting. 

On a broader policy level, he indicated concern that right now kids who come to the border from Mexico are immediately deported, but because it's non-contiguous, folks who are coming from Central America have to go through a much lengthier process. I indicated to him that part of what we're looking in the supplemental is some flexibility in terms of being able to preserve the due process rights of individuals who come in, but also to make sure that we’re sending a strong signal that they can’t simply show up at the border and automatically assume that they’re going to be absorbed.

He also expressed concerns about how the immigration judicial system works, how the administrative processing works, how long it takes and the fact that oftentimes people appear, are then essentially released with a court date that might be six months out or nine months, and a sizable number, not surprisingly, don’t show up. 

I indicated to him that if we had more administrative judges, more administrative capacity, we can shrink those wait times.  This administrative practice predates my administration and, in fact, has been going on for quite some time, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that there’s not enough capacity, both in terms of detention facilities, but also in terms of judges, attorneys, space in order to process these things more quickly and expeditiously.

So the bottom line is, actually, that there’s nothing that the Governor indicated he’d like to see that I have a philosophical objection to.  I’ve asked Jeh Johnson to contact his head of Health and Human Services when he comes down for the sixth time at the end of this week to coordinate and make sure that some of the suggestions that the Governor has are technically feasible and what kind of resources might be needed. But what I emphasized to the Governor was the problem here is not a major disagreement around the actions that could be helpful in dealing with the problem.  The challenge is, is Congress prepared to act to put the resources in place to get this done.

Another way of putting it -- and I said this directly to the Governor -- is are folks more interested in politics, or are they more interested in solving the problem?  If they’re interested in solving the problem, then this can be solved.  If the preference is for politics, then it won’t be solved. 

And I urged the Governor to talk to the Texas delegation, which is obviously at the heart of the Republican caucus both in the House and has great influence in the caucus in the Senate.  If the Texas delegation is in favor of this supplemental -- which, by the way, does not include some things that I know many of them object to around dealing with undocumented workers who have been in this country for quite some time -- this is just a very narrow issue, this supplemental, in terms of dealing with the particular problem we have right now -- if the Texas delegation is prepared to move, this thing can get done next week.  And we can have more Border Patrol agents on the border, as the Governor has requested; we can shorten the timetables for processing these children or adults with children, as the Governor thinks is important; we can make sure that some of the public health issues that were raised in the meeting that I just had are addressed so that we’ve got enough folks vaccinating and checking on the health status of these children to make sure that not only are they safe, but also our communities are safe. 

The things that the Governor thinks are important to do would be a lot easier to do if we had this supplemental.  It gives us the resources to do them.  And so, the only question at this point is why wouldn’t the Texas delegation or any of the other Republicans who are concerned about this not want to put this on a fast track and get this on my desk so I can sign it and we can start getting to work? 

I suggested to the Governor he has, I suspect, some influence over the Texas delegation, and that might be helpful to call on them to pass this supplemental right away.

The final point I’ll make is I just want to thank some of the faith-based groups that I just met with, as well as mayors, commissioners, local officials.  Dallas has been incredibly compassionate in looking at some sights, some facilities in which they can accommodate some of these children.  And I indicated in hearing the stories of churches that are prepared to not just make donations but send volunteers to help construct some of these facilities or fix them up, and their willingness to volunteer in providing care and assistance to these children -- I told them thank you, because it confirmed what I think we all know, which is the American people are an incredibly compassionate people and when we see a child in need we want to care for them. 

But what I think we all agreed on is, is that the best thing that we can do is to make sure that the children are able to live in their own countries safely.  And that’s why it’s going to be important, even as we solve the short-term problem here, for us to be able to direct attention and resources and assistance -- as we’re doing, but not at a sustained and high enough level -- back in Honduras and Guatemala and El Salvador and other places, so that parents don’t think that somehow it’s safer for their children to send them thousands of miles just so that they don’t get harmed. 

With that, I’ll take a couple of questions.  Yes, go ahead.

Q    There are increasing calls not just from Republicans, but also from some Democrats for you to visit the border during this trip.  Can you explain why you didn’t do that?  And do you see any legitimate reason for you to actually do that at some point, or do you think those calls are more about politics than anything else?

THE PRESIDENT:  Jeh Johnson has now visited, at my direction, the border five times.  He’s going for a sixth this week.  He then comes back and reports to me extensively on everything that's taking place.  So there’s nothing that is taking place down there that I am not intimately aware of and briefed on.

This isn’t theater.  This is a problem.  I’m not interested in photo ops; I’m interested in solving a problem.  And those who say I should visit the border, when you ask them what should we be doing, they're giving us suggestions that are embodied in legislation that I’ve already sent to Congress.  So it’s not as if they're making suggestions that we’re not listening to.  In fact, the suggestions of those who work at the border, who visited the border, are incorporated in legislation that we’re already prepared to sign the minute it hits my desk.

There’s a very simple question here, and that is Congress just needs to pass the supplemental.  There is a larger issue that I recognize involves a lot of politics, which is why aren’t we passing comprehensive immigration reform, which would put an additional 20,000 Border Patrol agents and give us a lot of additional authorities to deal with some of these problems.  That should have been done a year ago; should have been done two years ago.  It’s gotten caught up in politics.  And I understand that.

One of the suggestions I had for Governor Perry was that it would be useful for my Republican friends to rediscover the concept of negotiation and compromise.  The Governor’s one concern that he mentioned to me was, is that setting aside the supplemental, I should go ahead and authorize having National Guard troops surge at the border right away.  And what I told him is we’re happy to consider how we could deploy National Guard down there, but that's a temporary solution, that's not a permanent solution.  And so why wouldn’t we go ahead and pass the permanent solution, or at least a longer-term solution?  And if the Texas delegation said, for us to pass the supplemental we want to include a commitment that you’re going to send some National Guard early, we’d be happy to consider it. 

So this should not be hard to at least get the supplemental done.  The question is are we more interested in politics, or are we more interested in solving the problem?  If we’re interested in solving the problem, then there’s actually some broad consensus around a number of the issues.  There may be some controversies and differences between Democrats and Republicans on some of the policy issues, but on a whole bunch of this stuff, there’s some pretty broad consensus.  Let’s just get that done.  Let’s do the work.

Q    Mr. President, did the Governor give any indication that he would ask the Texas delegation to get behind the supplemental?  And it sounds like you are concerned that this supplemental will fall victim to partisan politics.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think it’s fair to say that these days in Washington, everybody is always concerned about everything falling victim to partisan politics.  If I sponsored a bill declaring apple pie American, it might fall victim to partisan politics.  I get that. 

On the other hand, this is an issue in which my Republican friends have said it’s urgent and we need to fix it.  And if that's the case, then let’s go ahead and fix it. 

As I indicated to Governor Perry -- he suggested, well, maybe you just need to go ahead and act, and that might convince Republicans that they should go ahead and pass the supplemental. And I had to remind him I’m getting sued right now by Mr. Boehner, apparently, for going ahead and acting instead of going through Congress.  Well, here’s a good test case.

This is something you say is important, as I do.  This is an area that you have prioritized, as I have.  Don't wait for me to take executive actions when you have the capacity right now to go ahead and get something done.  I will sign that bill tomorrow.  We’re going to go ahead and do what we can administratively, but this gives us the tools to do many of the very things that Republicans are seeking.

At the same time, I will just repeat that if we got a comprehensive bill done, it doesn't just solve this problem for a year; it solves it potentially for 20 years.  And I would urge those who so far at least have failed to act on the comprehensive bill to take another look at it.

Q    It didn't sound like he made any promises, though.

THE PRESIDENT:  I didn't get any promises, but it was a constructive conversation.  And I just want to emphasize that I think that it was a good exchange of ideas.  And he did have some specific suggestions in terms of how we align border agents that I’ve asked Jeh Johnson to take a look at, because I think there may be ways in which we can use the resources that we already have more effectively than we’re currently doing.  And I think it is important that we make sure we’ve got a strong federal-state collaboration on the issue.

I’m going to take just two more questions, then I got to go. Go head.

Q    Mr. President, Governor Perry put out a statement shortly before you spoke, saying that he “pressed” -- his verb -- for you to secure the border. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

Q    Does that statement in any way indicate that he’s interested in compromise?

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m interested in securing the border.  So as I explained, as far as I could tell, the only disagreement I had with Governor Perry was, is that he wanted me to go ahead and do it without Congress having to do anything. 

We’ll do what we can administratively.  I think the useful question not simply for the Governor, but for John Boehner and Mitch McConnell, and the other members of the Texas delegation is why wouldn’t you go ahead and pass a bill to give us additional resources to solve the very problem that you say is urgent?

Jackie.

Q    Mr. President, there’s been a number of Republicans who have said that DACA, the deferred action executive order from 2012 that you signed, is to blame, that it was an invitation -- 

THE PRESIDENT:  Right.

Q    -- that other children are now taking up on.  What do you say to that?

THE PRESIDENT:  If you look at the pattern of immigration into our country, we are at actually a significantly lower level in terms of overall immigration flow -- illegal immigration flow than we were when I took office. 

I think that the challenge we have that has really caused a spike is the significant security challenges in these Central American countries themselves and the fact that you’ve got smugglers who are increasingly recognizing that they can make money by transporting these folks, often in very dangerous circumstances, to the border, and taking advantage of the compassion of the American people -- recognizing that we’re not going to simply leave abandoned children who are left at our doorstep, but that we’ve got to care for them and provide them some basic safety and security while we determine where we can send them.

But I think one of the most important things that we’re going to have to recognize -- this is not going to be a short-term problem.  This is a long-term problem.  We have countries that are pretty close to us in which the life chances of children are just far, far worse than they are here.  And parents who are frightened or are misinformed about what’s possible are willing to take extraordinary risks on behalf of their kids.  The more that we can do to help these countries get their acts together, then the less likely we are to have a problem at the borders.

And the fact of the matter is, is that DACA and comprehensive immigration reform generally would allow us to reallocate resources precisely because all the budget of DHS -- instead of us chasing after families that may have been living here for five or 10 years and have kids who are U.S. citizens and are law-abiding, save for the fact that they didn't come here legally -- if they have to earn citizenship, paying taxes, learning English, paying a fine, going to the back of the line, but they are no longer a enforcement priority, that suddenly frees up a huge amount of resources to do exactly the kinds of things that many Republicans have been calling for us to do and that we’ve tried to within the resource limitations that we have.

All right?  Thank you, everybody.  Appreciate it.

END  
6:24 P.M. CDT