Weekly Address: Passing a Budget that Reflects Our Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama said that in order to keep growing the economy and creating good jobs, Washington must end its cycle of manufactured crises and self-inflicted wounds.  It’s time for both parties to work together to pass a budget that reflects our priorities – making smart cuts in things we don’t need and closing wasteful tax loopholes, while investing in areas that create opportunities for the middle class and our future generations.

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, November 2, 2013.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
November 2, 2013

Hi, everybody.  On Thursday, I addressed a conference for business leaders from around the world.  And my pitch was simple:  Choose America.  Invest in America.  Create jobs in America.

It speaks to my top priority as President: growing our economy, creating good jobs, strengthening security and opportunity for the middle class. 

Over the past three and a half years, our businesses have created over seven and a half million new jobs.  And this week, the Treasury confirmed that since I took office, we’ve cut our deficits by more than half.

But we have more work to do.  We need to grow and create more good jobs faster.  That’s my driving focus.  And I’ll go anywhere and do anything to make it happen. 

That has to be Washington’s driving focus as well.  But I know that what you often hear out of Washington can sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher – a jumble of unfocused noise that’s out of touch with the things you care about.

So today, I want to cut through that noise and talk plainly about what we should do right now to keep growing this economy and creating new jobs.

It begins by ending what has done more than anything else to undermine our economy over the past few years – and that’s the constant cycle of manufactured crises and self-inflicted wounds. 

I was glad to hear the Republican leader in the Senate say this week that they won’t pursue another government shutdown or threaten another default on our debt.  Because we shouldn’t be injuring ourselves every few months – we should be investing in ourselves. 

And one way to do that is through the budget that Congress started working on this week. 

Now, budgets can be a boring topic – especially on the weekend.  But they can also be revealing.  Because they expose what our priorities are as a country for all to see. 

Think about it.  We can keep wasteful corporate tax giveaways that working folks don’t get – or we could close those loopholes and use that money to pay for things that actually create jobs.

We can keep harmful cuts to education programs – or we could give more kids a head start, hire more teachers in math and science, and help more kids afford a college education.

We can keep doling out corporate welfare to big oil companies – or we could keep investing in the renewable energy that creates jobs and lowers our carbon pollution.

Priorities. Choices.  That’s what this is about.  And the stakes for the middle class couldn’t be higher.  If we don’t pick the right priorities now, make the right choices now, we could hinder growth and opportunity for decades, and leave our children with something less.

That includes the obsession with cutting just for the sake of cutting.  That hasn’t helped our economy grow; it’s held it back. 

Remember, our deficits are getting smaller – not bigger.  On my watch, they’re falling at the fastest pace in 60 years.  So that gives us room to fix our long-term debt problems without sticking it to young people, or undermining our bedrock retirement and health security programs, or ending basic research that helps the economy grow.

Here’s the bottom line.  Congress should pass a budget that cuts things we don’t need, and closes wasteful tax loopholes that don’t help create jobs, so that we can free up resources for the things that actually do create jobs and growth.

Building new roads, and bridges, and schools, and airports – that creates jobs.

Educating our kids and our workers for a global economy – that helps us grow.

Investing in science, technology, and research – that keeps our businesses and our military on the cutting edge.  It’s vital for our economic future.

So the question isn’t between growth and fiscal responsibility.  We need both.  The question can’t be how much more we can cut; it’s got to be how many more jobs we can create, how many more kids we can educate, and how much more shared prosperity we can generate. 

Because in America, our economy doesn’t grow from the top-down.  It grows from the middle-class out.  And as long as I am President, our national mission will remain building an America where everyone belongs, and everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

FACT SHEET: U.S.-Iraq Cooperation

Defense and Security:  The United States and Iraq are committed to promoting stability in Iraq and the region through an enduring partnership that enhances Iraqi defense capabilities, modernizes its forces, and supports contributions to regional security.

• The United States has delivered more than $14 billion in equipment, services, and training to the Government of Iraq since 2005 through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for Iraq’s military and security forces.  In the last year, the United States delivered six C-130J aircraft and a Rapid Avenger surface-to-air missile battery.  Since 2012, the United States has delivered 27 IA-407 helicopters, which provide surveillance and armed reconnaissance capability and support for ground troops engaged in counterterrorism operations, and 12 P-301 patrol boats for the Iraqi Navy, to protect its oil platforms – which control 80 percent of Iraq’s oil exports – and to enforce maritime sovereignty and security in the Gulf.
• At the December 2012 Defense and Security Joint Coordination Committee, Acting Defense Minister al-Dlimi signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Security Cooperation (MOU) with the Department of Defense, and in June 2013 the first U.S.-Iraq Joint Military Committee (JMC) met at the U.S. Central Command Headquarters Tampa, Florida. The JMC was a key step in implementing the 2012 MOU, and addressed issues such as border security, Iraqi military strategy, and engagement of Iraqi Security Forces in regional training exercises.
• In September 2013, the United States donated three aerostat balloons, six communications towers and fourteen cameras to Iraqi Security Forces.  The aerostat system enhances Iraq’s counterterrorism proficiency through increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

Education and Culture: The United States and Iraq strongly support a strengthened Iraqi higher education system, the preservation and expression of Iraq’s rich heritage, and expanding educational, cultural, and professional exchanges between our nations.

• During the 2011-2012 academic year, more than 800 Iraqi students attended U.S. universities, an increase of 31 percent over the previous year.  To support continued increases, the United States partnered with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to organize the Baghdad University Fair in September 2013, with 30 U.S. universities and 2,000 Iraqi scholarship students participating.  With U.S. Government support, the Government of Iraq organized a conference in Washington, D.C. attended by Iraqi higher education officials and more than 100 U.S. university representatives.
• Each year approximately 500 Iraqis participate in U.S. government academic, cultural, and professional exchange programs.  Those programs include the Iraq Young Leaders Exchange Program, the Fulbright Student and Scholar Programs, the International Visitor Leadership Program, and English-language teacher training.  

Energy:  The United States and Iraq are committed to the development of Iraq’s electricity, oil, and gas sectors in an effort to build a strong economy that is capable of meeting the needs of the Iraqi people and bringing greater stability to world markets.

• The United States and Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2013 to cooperate in the areas of oil production and export, natural gas, electricity, and critical energy infrastructure protection.  Specific projects are being implemented in these areas.
• Iraq and the United States developed a prioritized Work Plan for Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection in March 2013.  The Work Plan prioritizes strategic projects for U.S. and Iraqi collaboration in securing Iraq’s energy infrastructure.
• Through the Department of State-funded Iraqi Energy Reliability, Survivability and Resiliency program, over 90 key engineers and managers in Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity received U.S. training on energy security and safety from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2012 and 2013. 

Law Enforcement and Judicial/Human Rights:  The United States and Iraq support the continued development of a wide array of rule of law institutions in Iraq’s criminal and civil justice sectors and are collaborating on programs that will help Iraq address corruption, terrorism, trafficking in persons, organized crime, and drug abuse.

• Since 2009, the United States has partnered with the Iraqi government to establish the Judicial Development Institute, a center for continuing legal education for the judges and staff of the Higher Judicial Council (HJC), which manages the judiciary and prosecutors in Iraq.  More than 1,700 judges and students have participated in training at the Institute, which offers more than 40 courses in a variety of legal subjects, including judicial investigation techniques, court administration, and judicial security. 
• The United States, with assistance from implementing partners including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Development Programme, provided training to over 2,000 Iraqi judges and court personnel and over 15,000 of Iraq’s corrections officers in a number of areas, including the use of forensic evidence and how to investigate and manage corruption cases.
• The United States is working with the HJC to enhance its outreach efforts to educate the Iraqi public on their rights within Iraq’s criminal justice system.  We will continue to support the HJC in fulfilling its top priorities under its strategic plan, including efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Iraqi judiciary and improve accountability and oversight mechanisms.

Political and Diplomatic:  The United States supports Iraq’s efforts to strengthen ties within the region and its democratic development through the strengthening of its democratic institutions to better respond to the needs of the Iraqi people.

• The United States is funding programs to strengthen Iraqi political institutions, including providing technical assistance and training to the Council of Representatives to promote participation of marginalized populations, including religious and ethnic minorities, in civil society and political life in Iraq.  USAID supported a dozen Iraqi organizations to mobilize more than 1,000 domestic elections observers for the 2013 elections.
• With U.S. support, Iraq and Kuwait worked together to end Iraq’s United Nations Chapter VII obligation on the mandate of the High Level Coordinator (HLC) for Missing Persons and Archives and transfer the responsibilities of the HLC to the Chapter VI United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq for continued cooperation. 
• U.S. support facilitated Iraq and Kuwait’s successful efforts to resolve the longstanding dispute over damage inflicted on Kuwait’s national aircraft during the Gulf War.  In 2013, flights between Baghdad and Kuwait City resumed after a 22-year cessation.  In addition, both sides completed maintenance of the border pillars along their shared border.
• The United States continues to support efforts by Iraq and Turkey to increase bilateral ties and efforts by Iraq to constructively engage key neighbors like Jordan on issues of shared concern, including the growing conflict in Syria.

Services, Technology, Environment & Transportation:  The United States and Iraq are committed to strengthening Iraq’s infrastructure and essential services delivery to promote economic growth and improve the lives and health of the Iraqi people.

• Iraqi Airways is revitalizing its aircraft fleet and, in part due to U.S. advocacy, signed a contract with Boeing for 41 planes worth $5.4 billion for delivery from 2013-2017. 
• The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard continue to work with Iraq’s Ministry of Transportation to bring airports and seaports across Iraq into compliance with international codes and regulations.  Initial success in this effort has cleared American commercial carriers to resume operations to airports in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, two cities in northern Iraq, for the first time in decades.
• In partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, USAID is working to strengthen Iraq's delivery and quality of primary health care, focusing on improving maternal child health indicators.

Trade & Finance:  The United States and Iraq support the development of a prosperous and diversified Iraqi economy that is integrated into the global economic system and also partner on programs to develop Iraq’s economy and the expansion of bilateral trade.

• The Trade & Investment Framework Agreement between the United States and Iraq, which addresses trade issues and improves bilateral economic relations, entered into force in May 2013.
• In part due to U.S. advocacy, U.S. companies like Boeing, Cisco, ExxonMobil, Ford Motors, General Electric, Halliburton, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin all have offices or are represented in Iraq.  U.S. exports to Iraq, excluding aircraft, rose 13 percent between the first quarter of 2012 and first quarter of 2013.
• The Investment Incentive Agreement between the United States and Iraq, a critical element in the architecture of investment relations, entered into force in June 2013.

Statement by the President on the Observance of Diwali

For the Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists celebrating Diwali this weekend, the Festival of Lights reaffirms the things in life that matter most.  Dancing, celebration, and good food remind us that life’s greatest joys are the simple pleasures that come from spending time with people we love.  Contemplation and prayer remind us that that people of all faiths have an obligation to perform seva, or service to others.  And the flame of the diya, or lamp, reminds us that light will ultimately triumph over darkness.  Here in the United States, Diwali also reminds us that our nation is home to many faiths and traditions, and that our diversity makes us stronger, which is why I’m proud that this year Democrats and Republicans in Congress joined together for the first-ever celebration of Diwali on Capitol Hill.  Over the last five years, Michelle and I have been honored to have the chance to observe this ancient holiday, both at the White House and in India, and we wish all those celebrating this weekend a Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.

FACT SHEET: Executive Order on Climate Preparedness

President Obama Establishes a Task Force on Climate

“We're going to need to get prepared.  And that’s why this plan will also protect critical sectors of our economy and prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change that we cannot avoid.  States and cities across the country are already taking it upon themselves to get ready… And we’ll partner with communities seeking help to prepare for droughts and floods, reduce the risk of wildfires, protect the dunes and wetlands that pull double duty as green space and as natural storm barriers.” – President Barack Obama, June 25, 2013

Today, President Obama established a Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience to advise the Administration on how the Federal Government can respond to the needs of communities nationwide that are dealing with the impacts of climate change. The Task Force members include state, local and tribal leaders from across the country who will use their first-hand experiences in building climate preparedness and resilience in their communities to inform their recommendations to the Administration.

The President signed an Executive Order that directs Federal agencies to take a series of steps to make it easier for American communities to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather and prepare for other impacts of climate change. 

President Obama has said that we have a moral obligation to our children and future generations to leave them a planet that is not polluted or damaged. That is why in June, the President launched a Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution, prepare communities for the impacts of climate change, and lead international efforts to address this global challenge. The Climate Action Plan recognizes that even as we act to curb the carbon pollution that is driving climate change, we must also improve our ability to prepare for the climate impacts we are already seeing across the country. Across America, states, cities, and communities are taking steps to protect themselves from extreme weather and other climate impacts by updating building codes, adjusting the way they manage natural resources, investing in more resilient infrastructure, and planning for rapid recovery from damages that nonetheless occur.

The Federal Government has an important role to play in supporting community-based preparedness and resilience efforts by establishing policies and prioritizing investments that promote preparedness, protecting critical infrastructure and public resources, supporting science and research needed to prepare for climate impacts, and ensuring that Federal operations and facilities continue to protect and serve citizens in a changing climate.

State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience

State, local and tribal leaders across the country are already contending with more frequent or severe heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms and floods, and other impacts of climate change. The Task Force will provide recommendations to the President on removing barriers to resilient investments, modernizing Federal grant and loan programs to better support local efforts, and developing the information and tools they need to prepare.

Task Force members comprise governors, mayors, county officials and tribal leaders, representing a diverse range of communities. The members of the Task Force include:

State Officials:

Governor Neil Abercrombie (HI)

Governor Jerry Brown (CA)

Governor Eddie Calvo (GU)

Governor Jay Inslee (WA)

Governor Jack Markell (DE)

Governor Martin O’Malley (MD)

Governor Pat Quinn (IL)

Governor Peter Shumlin (VT)

Local Officials:

Mayor Ralph Becker (Salt Lake City, UT)

Mayor James Brainard (Carmel, IN)

Commissioner Paula Brooks (Franklin County, OH)

Supervisor Salud Carbajal (Santa Barbara County, CA)

Mayor Frank Cownie (Des Moines, IA)

Mayor Bob Dixson (Greensburg, KS)

Mayor Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles, CA)

Mayor George Heartwell (Grand Rapids, MI)

Mayor Kristin Jacobs (Broward County, FL)

Mayor Kevin Johnson (Sacramento, CA)

Mayor Michael Nutter (Philadelphia, PA)

Mayor Annise Parker (Houston, TX)

Mayor Patsy Parker (Perdido Beach, AL)

Mayor Madeline Rogero (Knoxville, TN)

Mayor Karen Weitkunat (Fort Collins, CO)

Mayor Dawn Zimmer (Hoboken, NJ)

Tribal Officials:

Karen Diver, Chairwoman, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (MN)

Reggie Joule, Mayor, Northwest Arctic Borough (AK)

An Executive Order to Protect Our Communities

The Obama Administration has taken significant steps to strengthen the climate resilience of America’s communities and economy.  More than 30 Federal agencies developed their first-ever Climate Change Adaptation Plans, outlining strategies to protect their operations, programs, and investments to better serve communities and safeguard our public resources in the face of climate change.  In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Administration has provided resources to rebuild the affected area to be more resilient than before, including support for more climate-resilient roads and infrastructure, and projects that protect drinking water and buffer communities from flooding.  In addition, Federal agencies have partnered with states, cities, tribes, and the private sector to develop strategies to address the impacts of climate change on our freshwater resources, oceans and coasts, and wildlife. Agencies have also built new, data-driven tools to help decision makers and resource managers map and plan for future sea level rise. From Florida to Minnesota, and from Alaska to New York, Federal agencies have partnered with communities to provide funding and technical assistance to address local climate impacts such as sea level rise, flooding, and water scarcity.

To build on this progress, the Executive Order (E.O.) “Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change,” signed today directs Federal agencies to:

• Modernize Federal programs to support climate-resilient investments: Agencies will examine their policies and programs and find ways to make it easier for cities and towns to build smarter and stronger. Agencies will identify and remove any barriers to resilience-focused actions and investments– for example, policies that encourage communities to rebuild to past standards after disasters instead of to stronger standards – including through agency grants, technical assistance, and other programs in sectors from transportation and water management to conservation and disaster relief.
• Manage lands and waters for climate preparedness and resilience: America’s natural resources are critical to our Nation’s economy, health and quality of life.  The E.O. directs agencies to identify changes that must be made to land- and water-related policies, programs, and regulations to strengthen the climate resilience of our watersheds, natural resources, and ecosystems, and the communities and economies that depend on them. Federal agencies will also evaluate how to better promote natural storm barriers such as dunes and wetlands, as well as how to protect the carbon sequestration benefits of forests and lands to help reduce the carbon pollution that causes climate change. 
• Provide information, data and tools for climate change preparedness and resilience: Scientific data and insights are essential to help communities and businesses better understand and manage the risks associated with extreme weather and other impacts of climate change.  The E.O. instructs Federal agencies to work together and with information users to develop new climate preparedness tools and information that state, local, and private-sector leaders need to make smart decisions.  In keeping with the President’s Open Data initiative, agencies will also make extensive Federal climate data accessible to the public through an easy-to-use online portal.
• Plan for climate change related risk: Recognizing the threat that climate change poses to Federal facilities, operations and programs, the E.O. builds on the first-ever set of Federal agency adaptation plans released earlier this year and directs Federal agencies to develop and implement strategies to evaluate and address their most significant climate change related risks.  

To implement these actions, the E.O. establishes an interagency Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, chaired by the White House and composed of more than 25 agencies. To assist in achieving the goals of the E.O., these agencies are directed to consider the recommendations of the State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.