El Presidente Obama está comprometido a fomentar nuestra economía del centro hacia afuera con la garantía de una clase media fuerte, segura y floreciente.  Ahora encaramos una fecha límite que requiere acción sobre los empleos, los impuestos y los déficits antes de final de año. Aunque el Presidente está comprometido a colaborar con el Congreso para reducir nuestro déficit de una manera equilibrada y responsable, no hay motivo para tener de rehenes a las familias de la clase media mientras debatimos los recortes fiscales para los millonarios y los multimillonarios.

LAS FAMILIAS HISPANO AMERICANAS DE CLASE MEDIA NO PUEDEN HACERLES FRENTE A LOS AUMENTOS DE IMPUESTOS

·         Una familia con cabeza de familia hispano americana de ingreso promedio compuesta de cuatro miembros (con entradas de alrededor de $43,000) podría experimentar un aumento en sus impuestos sobre el ingreso de $2,200.

·         El 99 por ciento de las familias hispano americanas que gana menos de $250,000 al año no experimentaría ningún aumento de impuestos sobre el ingreso bajo el plan propuesto por el Presidente.

·         Además, 3.6 millones de familias hispano americanas que trabajan y cerca de 6.3 millones de menores hispano americanos continuarían beneficiándose de las mejoras propuestas por el Presidente al Crédito tributario por hijos y al Crédito tributario por ingreso del trabajo (conocido como EITC, por sus siglas en inglés).

LAS FAMILIAS HISPANO AMERICANAS CONTRIBUYEN A IMPULSAR LOS GASTOS DE LOS CONSUMIDORES, EL CRECIMIENTO Y LOS EMPLEOS

La mayor parte de la actividad económica proviene de las familias estadounidenses que compran necesidades básicas tales como ropa y cuidado médico; bienes duraderos tales como automóviles y muebles; y los alimentos y los regalos de los que millones de personas disfrutarán durante la época de fiestas.

·         Durante el transcurso de este año, se espera que los consumidores estadounidenses gasten alrededor de $5 billones en las ventas al detalle. Ahora, con el comienzo de la época de compras para las fiestas, que constituyen cerca de la quinta parte de las ventas de la industria minorista en todo el país, los minoristas no pueden hacerle frente a la amenaza de aumentos de impuestos a las familias de la clase media.

·         La industria minorista emplea alrededor de 15 millones de estadounidenses y ha sido una parte clave de la recuperación. En los 40 meses transcurridos desde que terminó la recesión en junio de 2009, la industria minorista por sí sola ha sido responsable de más del 9 por ciento del crecimiento general de los empleos y ha agregado 438,000 empleos en los últimos 32 meses.  Alrededor de 2.4 millones de hispano americanos trabajan en la industria de ventas al detalle.

AUMENTARLE LOS IMPUESTOS A LA CLASE MEDIA PERJUDICARÁ A LOS HISPANO AMERICANOS Y A LA ECONOMÍA DE EE.UU.

La economía de los Estados Unidos no puede permitirse eso en estos momentos.  Un nuevo análisis realizado por el Consejo de Asesores Económicos (CEA, por sus siglas en inglés) del Presidente dio a conocer lo siguiente:

·         A nivel nacional, este grave aumento de los impuestos a la clase media y la resultante disminución en el consumo podrían afectar negativamente el crecimiento del PIB real en 1.4 puntos de porcentaje.

·         Al encarar aumentos de impuestos, CEA estima que los consumidores en todo el país probablemente gasten cerca de $200 mil millones menos que lo que en otro caso gastarían en 2013.

EJEMPLOS DE FAMILIAS DE CLASE MEDIA QUE EXPERIMENTARÁN UN AUMENTO DE IMPUESTOS SI NO SE PROLONGAN LOS RECORTES FISCALES PARA LA CLASE MEDIA

·         Ejemplo 1: Una típica familia hispano americana de ingreso medio con cuatro miembros: un matrimonio con dos hijos que tiene ingresos de entre cerca de $50,000 y $85,000 experimentaría un aumento de impuestos de $2,200.

o Un aumento de impuestos de $1,000 debido a que el Crédito tributario por hijos se reducirá de $1,000 a $500 por hijo.

o Un aumento de impuestos de alrededor de $900 debido a la fusión de la categoría impositiva del 10 por ciento con la categoría impositiva del 15 por ciento.

o Un aumento de impuestos de alrededor de $300 debido al vencimiento del alivio de la penalidad por matrimonio que les provee una deducción estándar mayor a las parejas casadas.

El total del aumento de impuestos para esta familia si el Congreso no toma acción = $2,200

·         Ejemplo 2: Una madre soltera hispano americana que tiene tres hijos pequeños, desde 11 meses hasta 6 años de edad, que trabaja a tiempo completo al salario mínimo (que es un ingreso anual de $14,500).

o Un aumento de impuestos de $1,725 debido a que el Crédito tributario por hijos se reducirá de $1,000 a $500 por hijo, mientras que el límite para que sea reembolsable será mucho más estricto.

o Un aumento de impuestos de $670 debido al vencimiento de la prolongación del EITC para las familias más numerosas.

El total del aumento de impuestos para esta familia si el Congreso no toma acción = Cerca de $2,400

·         Ejemplo 3: Una familia hispano americana de ingresos medios altos compuesta de un matrimonio con un hijo de 15 años de edad en casa y una hija de 19 años de edad en su segundo año en una universidad pública; el ingreso de la pareja es de $120,000.

o Un aumento de impuestos de $700 debido a que, en lugar de poder reclamar el Crédito tributario de la oportunidad americana de $2,500 para contribuir a cubrir los gastos de estudios, ellos solo podrán reclamar el Crédito Hope que asciende a $1,800.

o Un aumento de impuestos de $500 debido a que el Crédito tributario por hijos se reducirá de $1,000 a $500 por cada hijo que califique.                                                             

o Un aumento de impuestos de alrededor de $900 debido a la desaparición de la categoría impositiva del 10 por ciento.

o Un aumento de impuestos de $2,400 debido a la combinación de tasas marginales más altas y el vencimiento del alivio de la penalidad por matrimonio que provee una deducción estándar mayor.

El total del aumento de impuestos para esta familia si el Congreso no toma acción = $4,500

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 06, 2012

Statement by the President on the Passage of H.R. 6156

I commend the House and Senate for working on a bipartisan basis to pass legislation to end the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Russia and Moldova, allowing me to extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations to both countries. I look forward to receiving and signing this legislation.

The legislation will ensure that American businesses and workers are able to take full advantage of the WTO rules and market access commitments that the United States worked so hard to negotiate.  We are also one step closer to realizing job-creating export opportunities and leveling the playing field for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and service providers.  My Administration will continue to work with Congress and our partners to support those seeking a free and democratic future for Russia and promote the rule of law and respect for human rights around the world.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 05, 2012

President Obama Signs District of Columbia Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal aid to supplement the District of Columbia recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of October 26-31, 2012.

Federal funding is available to the District of Columbia and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the District of Columbia.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Jack Schuback 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 District of Columbia and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
December 05, 2012

Statement by Vice President Biden on the Passing of Jack Brooks

 

I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jack Brooks. He was a Texan through and through – tough, bold, and bigger than life. He lived by principles that were carved into his heart, and he was never afraid to fight for what he believed in. In the sixties, he was one of the few southerners to boldly support civil rights. And throughout his career, Jack was always determined to do right by the people who sent him to Congress, whether that meant investigating Iran Contra, or fighting to root out government waste. He was a great man, and one of the privileges of my Senate career was working side-by-side with Jack when I was Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and he was Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family today.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 04, 2012

Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on National Security Advisor Tom Donilon’s Meeting with Egyptian Assistant to the President for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Dr. Essam el-Haddad

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon met today with Assistant to the President of Egypt for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Dr. Essam el-Haddad.  The two officials reaffirmed the strategic relationship between the United States and Egypt.  They discussed a broad range of issues, including our bilateral economic cooperation, joint efforts to promote regional security and build on the cease-fire in Gaza, and Egypt’s democratic transition and the need to move forward with a peaceful and inclusive transition that respects the rights of all Egyptians.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 04, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

We are disappointed that the overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans today blocked the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which would enshrine American standards that have been developed through decades of bipartisan cooperation.  Ratification would require no changes to U.S. law, as the United States already leads the world in promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. However, it would position the United States to support extending across the globe the rights that Americans already enjoy at home. This in turn would improve the lives of Americans with disabilities -- including our wounded service members -- who wish to live, work, and travel abroad.  It would also allow our businesses to operate on a more level playing field and reaffirm American leadership on disability rights.  For these reasons, and others, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and across the country -- as well as disability advocacy groups, wounded warriors, veterans groups and business groups -- have supported this treaty. We commend former Senator Dole and the bipartisan coalition of Senators who worked to secure the treaty resolution’s passage, including Senators Reid, Kerry, Lugar and McCain.  We hope the Senate will reconsider this treaty soon in the next Congress. As President Obama declared in a written statement read in tribute to Senator Dole just before the vote, “disability rights should not stop at our nation's shores.”

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 04, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 2453, H.R. 6118, H.R. 6131 and H.R. 6570

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, the President signed into law:

H.R. 2453, the "Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act," which requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in commemoration of Mark Twain;

H.R. 6118, the "Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act of 2012," which to revise sanctions that apply to laboratories that intentionally refer certain testing samples required for Federal certification to another laboratory;

H.R. 6131, which extends to September 30, 2020, the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, and Fraud Enforcement with Enforcers beyond Borders (U.S. SAFE WEB) Act of 2006, which authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to provide assistance to foreign law enforcement agencies investigating fraudulent or deceptive commercial practices; and

H.R. 6570, which makes annual certain quarterly and semiannual reporting requirements related to the use of recovery funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the cost of troubled assets held by the Federal Government under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2012

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meetings with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia

Vice President Biden met with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico while in Mexico City to attend his inauguration on Saturday.  The Vice President congratulated President Peña Nieto on his election victory and inauguration and underscored the U.S. commitment to continue working closely with Mexico in a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility to meet common challenges.  The Vice President and President Peña Nieto discussed ways to increase prosperity in both countries and manage our shared border in a way that promotes security, while facilitating legitimate commerce and travel.  The Vice President welcomed Mexico’s commitment to reaching a high-standards agreement as part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership process.
 
Vice President Biden also met with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia while in Mexico City.  The Vice President reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to our relationship with Colombia and underscored support for the Santos administration as it works toward a durable peace at home.  The Vice President and President Santos discussed areas of mutual interest, including economic growth, security, and human rights.  The Vice President thanked President Santos for Colombia’s leadership during its term on the UN Security Council, acknowledged Colombia’s valuable contributions on a range of global issues, and highlighted the importance of continued regional security cooperation.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 03, 2012

Statement from White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer

 

The Republican letter released today does not meet the test of balance. In fact, it actually promises to lower rates for the wealthy and sticks the middle class with the bill. Their plan includes nothing new and provides no details on which deductions they would eliminate, which loopholes they will close or which Medicare savings they would achieve. Independent analysts who have looked at plans like this one have concluded that middle class taxes will have to go up to pay for lower rates for millionaires and billionaires.  While the President is willing to compromise to get a significant, balanced deal and believes that compromise is readily available to Congress, he is not willing to compromise on the principles of fairness and balance that include asking the wealthiest to pay higher rates. President Obama believes – and the American people agree – that the economy works best when it is grown from the middle out, not from the top down. Until the Republicans in Congress are willing to get serious about asking the wealthiest to pay slightly higher tax rates, we won’t be able to achieve a significant, balanced approach to reduce our deficit our nation needs.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 30, 2012

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Bob J. Archuleta - Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
• Travis Morrison - Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
• Admiral Ronne Froman, USN (Ret) - Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy
• Sachin Dev Pavithran - Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

President Obama said, “These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

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

Bob J. Archuleta, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
Bob J. Archuleta is a Los Angeles County Commissioner of Military Veterans Affairs, a post he has held since 1989.  Mr. Archuleta was elected to the City Council of Pico Rivera, California in 2007, and also serves as Mayor.  He has been a member of the United States Army Advisory Board for Military Recruitment in Los Angeles County since 1989.  He was the Chairman of the U.S. Small Business Administration Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs from 2003 to 2004, and was a member of the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans from 2002 to 2003.  Mr. Archuleta was a reserve police officer and reserve detective with the Montebello Police Department from 1988 to 1998.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966. Mr. Archuleta graduated from Rio Hondo College Police Academy.

Travis Morrison, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
Travis Morrison is an entrepreneur who has owned several construction materials businesses in southern Missouri since 1990.  From 1980 to 1986, he served in the Missouri General Assembly.  During that time, he worked in private practice as a certified public accountant.  Mr. Morrison served on active duty as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1976, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve in 2008.  He has served on the boards of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System, the Ozarks Medical Center, and West Plains Bank and Trust.  Mr. Morrison received a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.A. from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 

Admiral Ronne Froman, USN (Ret), Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy
Admiral Ronne Froman is the Chairman and CEO of REBOOT, a non-profit organization that provides behavioral training and employment assistance to veterans transitioning to civilian life.  In addition, Admiral Froman is the President of the Board of the Monarch School Project, a K-12 school for the homeless in San Diego.  She served as the City of San Diego’s Chief Operating Officer from 2005 to 2007, and was the Chief of Business Operations for the San Diego Unified School District from 2001 to 2003.  Admiral Froman served 31 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as Director of Ashore Readiness for the Chief of Naval Operations.  Admiral Froman received a B.A. from Seton Hill College.

Sachin Dev Pavithran, Appointee for Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
Sachin Dev Pavithran is Program Director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program at Utah State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities, a position he has held since 2011.  Before serving as Program Director, he served in a variety of other roles at the Center, including Program Coordinator and Disability Policy Analyst, since joining in 2002.  Mr. Pavithran has more than 12 years of experience as a consultant on disability police and developing and training users of assistive technology and accessible websites.  He serves on the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs National Board, the Utah State Rehabilitation Council, the Research and Development Committee of the National Federation of the Blind, and the National Multicultural Council of the Association of University Centers for Disabilities.  In 2007, the National Federation of the Blind awarded him the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship.  Mr. Pavithran received a B.A., B.S., and an M.S. from Utah State University.