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H.R. 3302, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Bay Pines, Florida, as the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
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Office of the Press Secretary
This morning, President Obama, Vice President Biden and senior Administration officials met with faith leaders in the Oval Office to discuss the importance of taking action to pass commonsense immigration reform. The faith leaders from across the country who attended today’s meeting are an important part of the broad array of stakeholders who support reform.
The leaders expressed their concerns over the impact the broken immigration system is having on families throughout their congregations. The President and the leaders discussed their shared commitment to raise the moral imperative for immigration reform and said they will continue keeping the pressure on Congress so they can swiftly pass commonsense reform.
The President commended the faith leaders for their tireless efforts in sharing their stories with Congress. He noted there is no reason for House Republicans to continue to delay action on this issue that has garnered bipartisan support. It would show the American people that Washington can still work together to solve our nation’s challenges. The faith leaders thanked the President for his continued leadership on the issue and offered prayers that we as a nation would achieve these important goals.
Faith leaders who attended the meeting included:
Senior Administration officials who attended the meeting included:
Melissa Rogers, Executive Director, White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
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Office of the Press Secretary
The President and President Hollande spoke today as part of their ongoing discussions on shared security interests, including recent developments related to Iran. The United States and France are in full agreement regarding the P5+1’s unified proposal to Iran and the approach to negotiations. They consider the P5+1 proposal to be a sound step toward assuring the international community that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. The United States deeply values its relationship with France, including as NATO allies, and we will continue to consult closely on global security.
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Office of the Press Secretary
Today, the United States designated Nigeria-based groups Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. In the last several years, Boko Haram and Ansaru have been responsible for thousands of deaths in northeast and central Nigeria, including dozens of attacks on churches and mosques, targeted killings of civilians, and the 2011 suicide bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja that killed 21 people and injured dozens more.
By cutting these terrorist organizations off from U.S. financial institutions and enabling banks to freeze assets held in the United States, these designations demonstrate our strong support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and its efforts to address security challenges in the north.
As President Obama emphasized when he met with Nigerian President Jonathan in September, we encourage Nigeria to pursue a comprehensive counterterrorism approach that uses law enforcement tools effectively, creates economic opportunity, and ensures that human rights are protected and respected. The United States stands firmly with the people of Nigeria in their efforts to bring the terrorist violence perpetrated by these groups to an end.
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Office of the Press Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – Vice President Joe Biden announced today that Bruce Reed is departing as his Chief of Staff and that he has tapped senior aide Steve Ricchetti to succeed him.
Mr. Ricchetti has served as Counselor to the Vice President since March 2012. Mr. Reed will step down in mid-December to become President of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. The Vice President also announced that Shailagh J. Murray will become his Deputy Chief of Staff, while continuing in her current role as Communications Director.
“Steve and I have been friends for years, and I was thrilled when he joined my staff as Counselor,” said Vice President Biden. “He has a wealth of experience in policy and government, he knows Congress, and he has strong relationships with the West Wing staff. I’m lucky to have him.”
“It’s a privilege to serve the Vice President and I look forward to this new challenge,” Mr. Ricchetti said of his next assignment.
Mr. Ricchetti’s 30-year career in public service, business and political life has included positions on Capitol Hill, the Clinton Administration as Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, and 10 years at the helm of an independent public affairs firm. He has a law degree from George Mason University and is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Murray, who has run the Vice President’s communications operation since May 2011, worked as a journalist for 20 years at the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.
Mr. Reed joined the Vice President’s staff in January 2011 and has led the Vice President’s team through a series of budget negotiations, the re-election campaign and a nearly year-long process to tighten gun laws, resulting in 23 executive actions.
“I’ll long be grateful for Bruce’s ideas and wisdom,” the Vice President said of Mr. Reed. “The middle class is stronger, the tax code is fairer, the deficit is smaller, and America is safer because of what this Administration has accomplished during his time here.”
Mr. Ricchetti’s formal title will be Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the Vice President. Ms. Murray’s formal title will be Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President.
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Office of the Press Secretary
I want to congratulate the Hawaii State Legislature on passing legislation in support of marriage equality. With today’s vote, Hawaii joins a growing number of states that recognize that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Whenever freedom and equality are affirmed, our country becomes stronger. By giving loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry if they choose, Hawaii exemplifies the values we hold dear as a nation. I’ve always been proud to have been born in Hawaii, and today’s vote makes me even prouder. And Michelle and I extend our best wishes to all those in Hawaii whose families will now be given the security and respect they deserve.
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Office of the Press Secretary
Today President Obama spoke with President Aquino of the Philippines to express deep condolences on behalf of the American people for the lives lost and damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, one of the strongest storms to ever hit land. Over the weekend, the President directed the Administration to mount a swift and coordinated response to save lives and provide assistance to alleviate the suffering of so many Filipinos. President Obama discussed with President Aquino the need for a speedy assessment of what further American resources would be most helpful to assist in the Philippine recovery effort. In the days ahead, the United States will continue to work with the Philippines to deliver whatever help we can, as quickly as possible. The President affirmed that the thoughts and prayers of the American people go out to the millions of people in the Philippines affected by this devastating storm.
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Office of the Vice President
Vice President Biden spoke today with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani. The two discussed Iraq’s security challenges and the need for close coordination between Erbil and Baghdad to isolate terrorist networks. The Vice President affirmed the United States’ commitment to partner with Iraq against al Qaeda. Vice President Biden congratulated President Barzani on the recent passage of a law to govern Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections. The two also discussed Iraq’s important progress in building relations with its neighbors, including Turkey.
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NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Tommy Port Beaudreau, of Alaska, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, vice Rhea S. Suh.
Thomas A. Burke, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, vice Paul T. Anastas, resigned.
Neil Gregory Kornze, of Nevada, to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management, vice Robert V. Abbey, resigned.
Caroline Diane Krass, of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, vice Stephen Woolman Preston, resigned.
Ericka M. Miller, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, vice Eduardo M. Ochoa.
Stefan M. Selig, of New York, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, vice Francisco J. Sanchez, resigned.
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Office of the Press Secretary
The President and Prime Minister Cameron spoke today as part of their ongoing discussions on shared security interests, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria. On Iran, the President and Prime Minister reiterated their support for the P5+1’s unified proposal and discussed their expectations for the next round of talks. The two leaders reviewed the situation in Afghanistan, including the status of the U.S.-Afghanistan Bilateral Security Agreement. The President commended the Prime Minister’s efforts to support consultations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including at the recent trilateral talks in London. On Syria, the two leaders expressed their continuing support for the Geneva II conference, and they welcomed the decision by the Syrian National Coalition to attend. The two leaders also reviewed progress on eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons. The United States values its special relationship and alliance with the United Kingdom, and the two leaders will continue to consult on important security matters affecting both our countries, and the world.