The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2012

Statement by White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer on Congressional Republican “Plan B” Legislation

The American people have been clear that they will not accept an economic approach that places too big of a burden on the middle class, seniors, students and the most vulnerable Americans while asking too little of the wealthiest Americans.  The Congressional Republican “Plan B” legislation continues large tax cuts for the very wealthiest individuals - on average, millionaires would see a tax break of $50,000 - while eliminating tax cuts that 25 million students and families struggling to make ends meet depend on and ending critical incentives for our nation’s businesses. It would also cut off a vital lifeline of unemployment assistance to 2 million Americans fighting to find a job just a few days after Christmas, while deeply cutting Medicare. The deficit reduction is minimal, and perversely, given its authors, solely through tax increases with no spending cuts.  This approach does not meet the test of balance, and the President would veto the legislation in the unlikely event of its passage.

The President believes this moment presents both sides an opportunity to reach a significant, balanced deal that is good for American families, the economy and for our nation’s future.  He has put forward a proposal that meets the Speaker halfway on both taxes and spending, offering to work with Republicans to cut spending by an additional more than one trillion dollars beyond what he has already signed into law.  The President urges the Republican leadership to work with us to resolve remaining differences and find a reasonable solution to this situation today instead of engaging in political exercises that increase the possibility that taxes go up on every American. The American people are watching closely and deserve no less.

Attached please find an analysis of the impacts of the Congressional Republican “Plan B” Legislation.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2012

Readout of the President’s Call with President Kagame

President Obama spoke today with President Kagame to discuss the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  President Obama underscored that any support to the rebel group M23 is inconsistent with Rwanda’s desire for stability and peace. President Obama emphasized to President Kagame the importance of permanently ending all support to armed groups in the DRC, abiding by the recent commitments he made in Kampala along with Presidents Kabila and Museveni, and reaching a transparent and credible political agreement that includes an end to impunity for M23 commanders and others who have committed serious human rights abuses.  President Obama expressed his belief that from this crisis should emerge a political agreement that addresses the underlying regional security, economic, and governance issues while upholding the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and noted that he had also delivered this message to President Kabila.  President Obama and President Kagame also discussed the longstanding governance problems in the DRC.  President Obama welcomed President Kagame’s commitment to moving forward in finding a peaceful solution for eastern DRC.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2012

Readout of the President’s Video Conference with Prime Minister Cameron

The President and British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke today by video conference, as a part of their regular consultations on a range of strategic issues.  The Prime Minister took the opportunity to personally express his condolences to the community of Newtown and the American people regarding the tragic violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The President thanked him for the support of the people of the United Kingdom at this difficult moment.

The two leaders expressed concern about the continuing violence in Syria.  The President noted that the formation of the new Syrian Opposition Coalition marks an important step in preparing for a Syrian-led political transition, and reiterated the United States’ firm stance regarding the use or proliferation of chemical weapons.  The two leaders also discussed Afghanistan and our ongoing consultations with the Afghan Government, including negotiation of a U.S.-Afghanistan Bilateral Security Agreement.  They agreed on the need to find a way forward on Middle East peace that stops the cycle of counterproductive unilateral actions by the Israelis and Palestinians, and brings the parties back to the negotiating table.  On Iran, the two leaders agreed on the need to continue implementing sanctions, which are having an important effect, while pursuing diplomatic engagement to resolve the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.  

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 3187, H.R. 6582 and S. 3486

On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the President signed into law:

H.R. 3187, the "March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2012," which requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition of the March of Dimes;

H.R. 6582, the "American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act," which modifies the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, with regard to energy efficiency standards for appliances and National Energy Conservation Policy Act provisions on advanced electricity metering; and

S. 3486, the "Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012," which amends Federal patent law to implement two treaties:  the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, which would allow an applicant to obtain an international registration of an industrial design with a single application; and the Patent Law Treaty, which would harmonize and streamline various formal procedures related to patent applications and patents.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2012

Statement by Press Secretary Jay Carney

The President has put a balanced, reasonable proposal on the table that achieves significant deficit reduction and reflects real compromise by meeting the Republicans halfway on revenue and more than halfway on spending from where each side started.  That is the essence of compromise.  The parameters of a deal are clear, and the President is willing to continue to work with Republicans to reach a bipartisan solution that averts the fiscal cliff, protects the middle class, helps the economy, and puts our nation on a fiscally sustainable path.  But he is not willing to accept a deal that doesn’t ask enough of the very wealthiest in taxes and instead shifts the burden to the middle class and seniors.  The Speaker’s “Plan B” approach doesn’t meet this test because it can’t pass the Senate and therefore will not protect middle class families, and does little to address our fiscal challenges with zero spending cuts. The President is hopeful that both sides can work out remaining differences and reach a solution so we don’t miss the opportunity in front of us today.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2012

Readout of the President’s Call with Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe of Japan

The President spoke by telephone this evening with Shinzo Abe, the President of the Liberal Democratic Party, to congratulate him on the results of yesterday’s Lower House elections in Japan.  Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace and security in the region.  The President and Mr. Abe discussed ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral security cooperation as well as deepening economic ties.  They also agreed on the importance of close U.S.-Japan cooperation on pressing regional and global issues.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2012

Statement by Vice President Biden on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye

As my mother would say, the greatest virtue of all is courage, and Danny was courage personified. From the battlefields of World War II where he received the Medal of Honor, to the floor of the United States Senate where he displayed incredible moral bravery, he was always the same – courageous and resolute.  He was one of the most honorable men I ever met in my life, and one of the best friends you could hope for. He was honest, and fiercely loyal, and I trusted him absolutely.

Everyone in the Senate not only admired Danny Inouye, but they trusted him. We all knew he would do the moral thing regardless of the consequences – whether it was passing judgment on a President during Watergate or on another President in the Iran Contra hearings.  And Danny always remembered where he came from – and how hard his family had to struggle. From having to fight for the right to fight for his country in the all Japanese-American 442nd, to his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1968, he always spoke of the country’s struggles with racism and bias, and his call for a “new era of politics.” And to his dying day, he fought for a new era of politics where all men and women are treated with equality.

Above all, Danny was my friend, and Jill and I are praying for his entire family today.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2012

Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye

Tonight, our country has lost a true American hero with the passing of Senator Daniel Inouye.  The second-longest serving Senator in the history of the chamber, Danny represented the people of Hawaii in Congress from the moment they joined the Union.  In Washington, he worked to strengthen our military, forge bipartisan consensus, and hold those of us in government accountable to the people we were elected to serve.  But it was his incredible bravery during World War II – including one heroic effort that cost him his arm but earned him the Medal of Honor – that made Danny not just a colleague and a mentor, but someone revered by all of us lucky enough to know him.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Inouye family.

 

###

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2012

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Richard J. Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years, vice William E. Wright, term expired.

Nicholas Christopher Geale, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Mediation Board for a term expiring July 1, 2013, vice Elizabeth Dougherty, resigned.

Linda A. Puchala, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Mediation Board for a term expiring July 1, 2015.  (Reappointment).

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 16, 2012

Statement by the President on the Elections in Japan

I congratulate Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe on his party's success in the elections in Japan today.  The U.S-Japan Alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and I look forward to working closely with the next government and the people of Japan on a range of important bilateral, regional and global issues.   I also extend my appreciation to Prime Minister Noda for his many contributions to U.S.-Japan relations.