The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 13, 2014

FACT SHEET: Opportunity for All: Rewarding Hard Work by Strengthening Overtime Protections

After weathering the Great Recession and through five years of hard work and determination, America is creating jobs and rebuilding our economy. But as a result of shifts that have taken hold over more than three decades, too many Americans are working harder than ever just to get by, let alone to get ahead. 

President Obama believes that, in America, if you work hard and take responsibility, you should have the opportunity to succeed. That’s why he has pledged to make 2014 a year of action, working with Congress where they’re willing, but using his phone and his pen wherever he can to build real, lasting economic security for the middle class and those working hard to become a part of the middle class. 

As part of that effort, today, President Obama is directing the Secretary of Labor to begin the process of addressing overtime pay protections to help make sure millions of workers are paid a fair wage for a hard day's work and rules are simplified for employers and workers alike.

Basic Overtime Protections Have Eroded

The overtime rules that establish the 40-hour workweek, a linchpin of the middle class, have eroded over the years.  As a result, millions of salaried workers have been left without the protections of overtime or sometimes even the minimum wage. For example, a convenience store manager or a  fast food shift supervisor or an office worker may be expected to work 50 or 60 hours a week or more, making barely enough to keep a family out of poverty, and not receive a dime of overtime pay. It’s even possible for employers to pay workers less than the minimum wage per hour.

The overtime and minimum wage rules are set in the Fair Labor Standards Act, originally passed by Congress in 1938, and apply broadly to private-sector workers. However, there are some exceptions to these rules, which the Department of Labor has the authority to define through regulation. One of the most commonly used exemptions is for “executive, administrative and professional” employees, the so-called “white collar” exemption.

Workers who are paid hourly wages or who earn below a certain salary are generally protected by overtime regulations, while those above the threshold who perform executive, professional or administrative duties are not.  That threshold has failed to keep up with inflation, only being updated twice in the last 40 years and leaving millions of low-paid, salaried workers without these basic protections. Specifically:

  • In 1975 the Department of Labor set the threshold below which white collar workers were entitled to overtime pay at $250 per week.
  • In 2004 that threshold was set at $455 per week (the equivalent of $561 in today's dollars). This is below today’s poverty line for a worker supporting a family of four, and well below 1975 levels in inflation adjusted terms.

Today, only 12 percent of salaried workers fall below the threshold that would guarantee them overtime and minimum wage protections (compared with 18 percent in 2004 and 65 percent in 1975).  Many of the remaining 88 percent of salaried workers are ineligible for these protections because they fall within the white collar exemptions.  Many recognize that these regulations are outdated, which is why states like New York and California have set higher salary thresholds.

At the same time, employers and workers alike have difficulty navigating the existing regulations, and many recognize that the rules should be modernized to better fit today’s economy.

Details of the Presidential Memorandum

Improving the overtime regulations consistent with the Memorandum the President will sign today could benefit millions of people who are working harder but falling further behind. The Fair Labor Standards Act protects over 135 million workers in more than 7.3 million workplaces nationwide.

The Presidential Memorandum instructs the Secretary of Labor to update regulations regarding who qualifies for overtime protection. In so doing, the Secretary shall consider how the regulations could be revised to:

  •  Update existing protections in keeping with the intention of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Address the changing nature of the American workplace.
  • Simplify the overtime rules to make them easier for both workers and businesses to understand and apply.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny

President Obama will welcome Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny of Ireland to the White House on Friday, March 14.  The United States and Ireland share a strong bilateral relationship; deep cultural, historic, and people-to-people bonds; and a shared commitment to advancing peace, security, and prosperity in the world.  In the morning, the Vice President will host the Taoiseach for breakfast at the Naval Observatory, and the President will meet with the Taoiseach in the Oval Office.  Subsequently, the President and the Vice President will attend the traditional St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the U.S. Capitol.  In the early evening, the President and the First Lady will host a reception to celebrate their sixth St. Patrick’s Day at the White House.  During the reception, the President and Kenny will participate in the annual Shamrock ceremony started under President Truman.

Also on March 14, the Vice President will meet with First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Northern Ireland at the White House to discuss progress toward building a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Northern Ireland.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Notice to the Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran

NOTICE

- - - - - - -

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO IRAN

On March 15, 1995, by Executive Order 12957, the President declared a national emergency with respect to Iran, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of the Government of Iran. On May 6, 1995, the President issued Executive Order 12959, imposing more comprehensive sanctions on Iran to further respond to this threat. On August 19, 1997, the President issued Executive Order 13059, consolidating and clarifying the previous orders. I took additional steps pursuant to this national emergency in Executive Order 13553 of September 28, 2010, Executive Order 13574 of May 23, 2011, Executive Order 13590 of November 20, 2011, Executive Order 13599 of February 5, 2012, Executive Order 13606 of April 22, 2012, Executive Order 13608 of May 1, 2012, Executive Order 13622 of July 30, 2012, Executive Order 13628 of October 9, 2012, and Executive Order 13645 of June 3, 2013.

While the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5+1 and Iran that went into effect on January 20, 2014, marks the first time in a decade that Iran has agreed to and taken specific actions to halt its nuclear program and roll it back in key respects, certain actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared on March 15, 1995, must continue in effect beyond March 15, 2014. 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 with respect to Iran declared in Executive Order 12957. The emergency declared by Executive Order 12957 constitutes an emergency separate from that declared on November 14, 1979, by Executive Order 12170. This renewal, therefore, is distinct from the emergency renewal of November 2013.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Message to the Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

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 Iran that was declared on March 15, 1995, is to continue in effect beyond March 15, 2014.

The crisis between the United States and Iran resulting from the actions and policies of the Government of Iran has not been resolved. The Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5+1 and Iran went into effect on January 20, 2014, for a period of 6 months. This marks the first time in a decade that Iran has agreed to and taken specific actions to halt its nuclear program and to roll it back in key respects. In return for Iran's actions on its nuclear program, the P5+1, in coordination with the European Union, are taking actions to implement the limited, temporary, and reversible sanctions relief outlined in the JPOA.

Nevertheless, certain actions and policies of the Government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region 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 the national emergency declared with respect to Iran and to maintain in force comprehensive sanctions against Iran to deal with this threat.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

President Obama Signs South Carolina Disaster Declaration

Today, the President declared a major disaster in the State of South Carolina and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm during the period of February 10-14, 2014. 

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg, Saluda, Sumter, and Williamsburg.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. 

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Joe M. Girot as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2014

Statement of G-7 Leaders on Ukraine

We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, call on the Russian Federation to cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law.  We call on the Russian Federation to immediately halt actions supporting a referendum on the territory of Crimea regarding its status, in direct violation of the Constitution of Ukraine.
 
Any such referendum would have no legal effect.  Given the lack of adequate preparation and the intimidating presence of Russian troops, it would also be a deeply flawed process which would have no moral force.  For all these reasons, we would not recognize the outcome.
 
Russian annexation of Crimea would be a clear violation of the United Nations Charter; Russia’s commitments under the Helsinki Final Act; its obligations to Ukraine under its 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership; the Russia-Ukraine 1997 basing agreement; and its commitments in the Budapest Memorandum of 1994.  In addition to its impact on the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea could have grave implications for the legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states.  Should the Russian Federation take such a step, we will take further action, individually and collectively.
 
We call on the Russian Federation to de-escalate the conflict in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine immediately, withdraw its forces back to their pre-crisis numbers and garrisons, begin direct discussions with the Government of Ukraine, and avail itself of international mediation and observation offers to address any legitimate concerns it may have.  We, the leaders of the G-7, urge Russia to join us in working together through diplomatic processes to resolve the current crisis and support progress for a sovereign independent, inclusive and united Ukraine.  We also remind the Russian Federation of our decision to suspend participation in any activities related to preparation of a G-8 Sochi meeting  until it changes course and the environment comes back to where the G-8 is able to have a meaningful discussion.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Meetings and Engagements in Chile

While in Chile to attend the inauguration of President Michelle Bachelet, Vice President Biden met with leaders from across Latin America yesterday and today to discuss a range of important issues facing the Americas.

Yesterday, Vice President Biden met with President Bachelet to discuss a number of bilateral issues, including Chile's recent entry into the Visa Waiver Program. They also discussed the current status of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and the situation in Venezuela. The Vice President told President Bachelet that President Obama and he look to her as a key regional and global leader and a crucial partner. The Vice President also sought her advice on the United States’ engagement in the Americas.

The Vice President also met yesterday with former President Sebastián Piñera of Chile to discuss a full range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. The Vice President thanked former President Piñera for his leadership and stewardship of the United States-Chile partnership, which has never been stronger.

In the Vice President’s meeting with President Ollanta Humala of Peru, the two discussed the United States-Peru partnership and various regional issues. They compared notes on the status of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, Peru's upcoming hosting of a key global climate change summit, developments with the Alliance of the Pacific, the situation in Venezuela, and our shared efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.

Vice President Biden spoke with President José Mujica of Uruguay as well, and discussed our strong bilateral relationship and intent to deepen our engagement and find new opportunities to advance our shared agenda.

In the Vice President’s conversation with President Horacio Cartes of Paraguay, the two discussed developments in Paraguay, and President Cartes' efforts to attract more investment from the United States.

Today, Vice President Biden met with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia. They spoke about Colombia's peace process and continued fight against narcotraffickers, our growing economic and energy cooperation, and the situation in Venezuela.

Vice President Biden also spoke with President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil today to discuss regional issues and opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

In the Vice President’s conversation with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico, he congratulated President Peña Nieto for Mexico's apprehension of cartel kingpin Chapo Guzman, and they discussed our countries’ joint commitment to deliver concrete progress out of the North American Leaders Summit.

The Vice President also had the chance to speak with a number of other leaders, including President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina, and President Rafael Correa of Ecuador.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key Administration post:

  • Andrew Jackson – Assistant Secretary for Management, Department of Education

President Obama also announced his appointment of the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • Robert J. Glovsky – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Deanna M. Mulligan – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

President Obama said, “It gives me great confidence that such dedicated and capable individuals have agreed to join this Administration to serve the American people.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key Administration post:

Andrew Jackson, Appointee for Assistant Secretary for Management, Department of Education

Andrew Jackson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology, Information, and Business Services at the Department of the Interior, a position he has held since July 2009.  Prior to joining the Administration, Mr. Jackson held multiple positions from 1999 to 2009 at the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Company in Palo Alto, California, most recently serving as Senior Counsel.  Before joining HP, Mr. Jackson was a corporate transactional attorney at Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP (now known as DLA Piper) in Washington, D.C. and Graham & Dunn PC in Seattle, Washington.  Mr. Jackson received a B.A. from the University of Miami, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

President Obama announced his appointment of the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Robert J. Glovsky, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Robert J. Glovsky is Vice Chair and a Principal of The Colony Group, positions he has held since 2012.  Previously, from 1998 to 2012, he was a founder and President of Mintz Levin Financial Advisors.  Mr. Glovsky is the Director Emeritus of Boston University’s Financial Planning Program.  He serves as a charter member of the Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services Advisor Council and is a former member of the Fidelity Research Institute’s Advisory Council.  He served on the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards where he held the position of Chair of the Board of Examiners and then subsequently Chair of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Glovsky received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an LL.M and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Deanna M. Mulligan, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Deanna M. Mulligan is the President and CEO of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a position she has held since 2011.  Prior to this position, she held various positions at Guardian Life, including President and Chief Operating Officer from 2010 to 2011 and Executive Vice President from 2008 to 2010.  Previously, she was the Founder and President of DMM Management Solutions, LLC from 2007 to 2008.  Ms. Mulligan was the Senior Vice President of Life & Annuity at New York Life Insurance Company from 2006 to 2007, and the Executive Vice President of Market & Product Development at AXA Equitable from 2001 to 2004.  Ms. Mulligan received a B.A. from the University of Nebraska and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:

Leslie Joyce Abrams, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia, vice W. Louis Sands, retiring.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2014

President Obama Nominates Leslie Joyce Abrams to Serve on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama nominated Leslie Joyce Abrams to serve on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

“Leslie Joyce Abrams has had a distinguished legal career and I am honored to ask her to continue her public service on the federal bench,” said President Obama.  “She will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.”

Leslie Joyce Abrams: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
Leslie Joyce Abrams has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia since 2010.   Previously, Abrams worked at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom LLP from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2010.  From 2006 to 2007, she worked at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.  Abrams began her legal career serving as a law clerk for Judge Marvin J. Garbis of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.  She received her J.D. in 2002 from Yale Law School and her B.A. in 1997 from Brown University.