The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary

Today, the Senate passed a budget plan that will create jobs and cut the deficit in a balanced way.  Like the President's plan, the Senate budget cuts wasteful spending, makes tough choices to strengthen entitlements, and eliminates special tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthiest Americans to reduce the deficit. 

The President and Democrats in Congress are willing to make difficult choices so we can cut the deficit while laying the foundation for long term middle class job growth.  And it is encouraging that both the Senate and House have made progress by passing budgets through regular order.  We will continue to insist that any solution has balance.  The House Republican budget refuses to ask for a single dime of deficit reduction from closing tax loopholes for the wealthy and the well-connected but instead makes deep cuts to education and manufacturing while asking seniors and the middle class to pay more.  That's not an approach we support and it's not an approach the majority of the American people support.    

Now it is time for our leaders to come together to find common ground.  The President has put a plan on the table that reflects compromise, and he will continue to work with both sides to see if there is an opportunity to reach a solution to our budget challenges. We hope we will find this compromise because that is what the American people expect and what they deserve.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2013

Statement by the President on the Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2013 

Statement by the President on the Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Three years ago today, I signed into law the principle that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one should go broke just because they get sick. The Affordable Care Act will give hard-working, middle class families the health care security they deserve and protect every American from the worst insurance company abuses.  Already, millions of seniors are saving $600 a year on their prescription drugs. Millions of young people have been able to stay on their family’s health plan until age 26.  Preventive care, like mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors, is covered free of charge. Most importantly, for the sake of our fiscal future, the growth of health care costs is beginning to slow. In fact, last year, Medicaid costs fell for the first time in decades.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will no longer have unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny you coverage, or charge women more than men.  And soon, no American will ever again be denied care or charged more due to a pre-existing condition, like cancer or even asthma.
 
Later this year, millions of Americans will finally have the opportunity to buy the same kind of health care Members of Congress give themselves. Beginning in October, you'll be able to sign up for new private health care plans through a new health insurance marketplace where private plans will compete to save middle class families money.  Through these marketplaces, Americans and small business owners will be able to choose from a menu of health plans that fit their budget and provide quality coverage they can count on when they need it most.  If you like the plan you have, you can keep it. If you cannot afford a plan, you or your small business may get financial assistance to make it affordable.

There's more work to do to implement this law, and I look forward to working with leaders of both parties to help Americans save money on health care and extend the security of coverage to every family. 

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2013

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Bosco Ntaganda’s Surrender to the International Criminal Court in The Hague

Bosco Ntaganda’s surrender to the International Criminal Court marks an important day for international justice and the people of the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a leader of various armed groups, including most recently the M23, Ntaganda is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity involving rape, murder, sexual slavery, and the forced recruitment and use of thousands of Congolese children as soldiers. He has eluded justice for nearly seven years. Bringing Ntaganda to justice will be an important step toward ending the cycle of impunity that has fostered violence and instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for far too long. The United States thanks the Rwandan, Dutch, and British governments for their cooperation in facilitating the departure of Bosco Ntaganda from Rwanda to The Hague. We hope that today’s positive development will add further momentum to efforts to devise a comprehensive political agreement that addresses the region’s underlying security, economic, and governance issues.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2013

President Obama Signs Rhode Island Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Rhode Island and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of February 8-9, 2013.

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 and snowstorm in the counties of Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington.
 
In addition, federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in Kent, Providence, and Washington Counties.
 
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 James N. Russo 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 22, 2013

Statement by the President on the Withdrawal of the Nomination of Caitlin Halligan

Today, I accepted Caitlin Halligan’s request to withdraw as a nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  I am deeply disappointed that even after nearly two and a half years, a minority of Senators continued to block a simple up-or-down vote on her nomination.  This unjustified filibuster obstructed the majority of Senators from expressing their support.  I am confident that with Caitlin’s impressive qualifications and reputation, she would have served with distinction.

The D.C. Circuit is considered the Nation’s second-highest court, but it now has more vacancies than any other circuit court.  This is unacceptable.  I remain committed to filling these vacancies, to ensure equal and timely access to justice for all Americans.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2013

Presidential Withdrawal Sent to the Senate

WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:

Caitlin Joan Halligan, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, vice John G. Roberts, Jr., elevated, which was sent to the Senate on January 4, 2013.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2013

Statement by the President on Julius Genachowski

I want to thank Chairman Genachowski for his dedicated service on behalf of the American people.  Over the last four years, Julius has brought to the Federal Communications Commission a clear focus on spurring innovation, helping our businesses compete in a global economy and helping our country attract the industries and jobs of tomorrow.  Because of his leadership, we have expanded high-speed internet access, fueled growth in the mobile sector, and continued to protect the open internet as a platform for entrepreneurship and free speech.  I am grateful for his service and friendship, and I wish Julius the best of luck.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2013

Statement by President Obama on Turkey and Israel

I welcome the call today between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Erdogan.  The United States deeply values our close partnerships with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security.  I am hopeful that today's exchange between the two leaders will enable them to engage in deeper cooperation on this and a range of other challenges and opportunities.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2013

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

 Cynthia L. Attwood, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission for a term expiring April 27, 2019.  (Reappointment)

 Stuart F. Delery, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Tony West.

 Fred P. Hochberg, of New York, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2017.  (Reappointment)

 Allison M. Macfarlane, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2018.  (Reappointment)

 Patricia M. Wald, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2019.  (Reappointment)

 Marilyn A. Brown, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2017.  (Reappointment)

 Vicki Miles-LaGrange, of Oklahoma, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 10, 2015, vice Roger L. Hunt, term expired.

 Kevin A. Ohlson, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces for the term of fifteen years to expire on the date prescribed by law, vice Andrew S. Effron, term expired.

 Ranee Ramaswamy, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018, vice Miguel Campaneria, term expired.

Constance B. Tobias, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals for a term of six years, vice James Philip Terry, term expired.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2013

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:

• Cynthia L. Attwood – Member, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
• Stuart F. Delery – Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, Department of Justice
• Fred P. Hochberg – President, Export-Import Bank of the United States 
• Allison M. Macfarlane – Member, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and upon appointment to be designated Chair
• Patricia M. Wald – Member, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

President Obama said, “These men and women have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

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

Cynthia L. Attwood, Nominee for Member, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Cynthia L. Attwood is a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, a position she was appointed to in February 2010.  Prior to this, Ms. Attwood held several senior roles at the U.S. Department of Labor from 1979 to 2001, including Appellate Judge on the Administrative Review Board, Associate Solicitor for Occupational Safety and Health in the Office of the Solicitor, and Associate Solicitor for Mine Safety and Health in the Office of the Solicitor.  Ms. Attwood spent the early years of her legal career as an appellate attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.  She was awarded the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive for outstanding service in the Senior Executive Service in 1992.  Ms. Attwood received a B.A. from Oakland University and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Stuart F. Delery, Nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, Department of Justice
Stuart F. Delery is currently the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) where he has served since 2009.  His previous positions at DOJ include Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, Senior Counselor to the Attorney General, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Deputy Attorney General.  Before joining DOJ, Mr. Delery was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm WilmerHale, where he was a member of the Litigation Department, the Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Practice Group, and a Vice Chair of the firm’s Securities Department.  Mr. Delery clerked for Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Byron R. White of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Chief Judge Gereld B. Tjoflat of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  He received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Fred P. Hochberg, Nominee for President, Export-Import Bank of the United States
Fred P. Hochberg is President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a position he has held since May 2009.  From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Hochberg was Dean of Milano, The New School for Management and Urban Policy in New York.  From 1998 to 2001, he served as Deputy Administrator, and then as Acting Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Prior to SBA, Mr. Hochberg was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Lillian Vernon Corporation.  He is a past board member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Citizens Budget Commission, the Foundation for International Community Assistance, and the New York State Financial Control Board.  Mr. Hochberg received his B.A. from New York University and an M.B.A from Columbia University.

Dr. Allison M. Macfarlane, Nominee for Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and upon appointment to be designated Chair
Dr. Allison M. Macfarlane is Chair and Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a position she has held since July 2012.  Previously, she served as an associate professor of Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University (GMU) from 2006 to 2012.  Dr. Macfarlane worked as a research associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2004 to 2006 after previously serving from 2000 to 2003.  From 2003 to 2004, she was an associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  She was also a fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs from 1998 to 2000, and a fellow at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation from 1997 to 1998.  Dr. Macfarlane began her teaching career in the Department of Geography and Earth Systems Science at GMU.  She also served as a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future from January 2010 to January 2012.  Dr. Macfarlane received a B.Sc. from the University of Rochester and a Ph.D. in Geology from MIT.

Judge Patricia M. Wald, Nominee for Member, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
Judge Patricia M. Wald is a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, a position she has held since August 2012.  She served for 20 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1999, including five years as Chief Judge.  Prior to joining the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Court of Columbia, Judge Wald was the Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice.  Judge Wald has served in a variety of capacities including Judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and Member on the President's Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the U.S. Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction.  She also previously worked as an attorney at the Mental Health Law Project, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Office of Criminal Justice at the Department of Justice, and co-director of the Ford Foundation Drug Abuse Research Project.  Judge Wald is a member of the American Law Institute and the American Philosophical Society, and a former Chair of the Open Society Institute's Justice Initiative Board.  She served as a Member of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States from 2010 to 2012.  Judge Wald received a B.A. from the Connecticut College for Women and a J.D. from Yale Law School.