The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 18, 2012

Statement by the President on the Keystone XL Pipeline

Earlier today, I received the Secretary of State’s recommendation on the pending application for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.  As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by Congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline’s impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment.  As a result, the Secretary of State has recommended that the application be denied.  And after reviewing the State Department’s report, I agree. 
 
This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people.  I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced this decision, but it does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil.  Under my Administration, domestic oil and natural gas production is up, while imports of foreign oil are down.  In the months ahead, we will continue to look for new ways to partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security –including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico – even as we set higher efficiency standards for cars and trucks and invest in alternatives like biofuels and natural gas.  And we will do so in a way that benefits American workers and businesses without risking the health and safety of the American people and the environment.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 18, 2012

New Report: States Moving Forward to Implement Health Reform’s Affordable Insurance Exchanges

Twenty-eight States are on their way toward establishing a key component of health care reform—Affordable Insurance Exchanges—according to a report issued today by the White House.

“States are taking strong steps to implement health reform,” said White House Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle. “The Obama Administration is working in partnership with State leaders across the country.  We will ensure Americans in every State have access to an Exchange and the same kinds of insurance choices as Members of Congress.”

Affordable Insurance Exchanges are State-based, one-stop marketplaces where consumers can choose a private qualified health insurance plan that fits their health needs.  Beginning in 2014, Exchanges will offer consumers the same kinds of insurance choices that members of Congress will have.

The report released today highlights how some States are moving forward to build Affordable Insurance Exchanges. The States profiled are not necessarily the States most advanced in establishing an Exchange; instead, they illustrate the diversity of approaches and progress being made.  Some of the actions in the report include:

• Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R), a physician, issued an Executive Order that created the Alabama Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission on June 2, 2011, which recommended that Alabama establish its own Exchange called the “Alabama Health Insurance Marketplace.” The legislature, which meets in February, is expected to take up legislation to establish an Exchange.
• Colorado passed a bipartisan bill to establish the independent Colorado Health Insurance Exchange, which was signed into law on June 1, 2011. The Colorado Exchange has started public education about health reform and the Exchange at its website, www.getcoveredco.org. Organizations such as the Colorado branch of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry have been active participants in the creating the small business component of the Exchange. 
• In Nevada, unanimous, bipartisan legislation authorized the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, which was signed into law by Governor Brian Sandoval (R) on June 16, 2011.  Its board has been appointed, executive director named, and application submitted for its next round of funding for building the Exchange.

The report outlines some of the steps the Administration has taken to ensure all Americans have access to an exchange beginning in 2014. These include developing the information technology and business systems necessary to facilitate Exchanges in multiple states.

Developing Exchanges is just one of the ways States are implementing health reform. In the nearly two years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, States have enforced the patient protections like banning lifetime dollar limits on coverage and ensuring coverage of proven prevention services. Forty-three States and the District of Columbia are participating in the new premium rate review system where insurers must justify the rationale for any double-digit insurance premium increase.  All States have received Affordable Care Act grants to improve prevention and public health. And the Affordable Care Act has already made an incredible difference to millions of Americans:

• 2.5 million more young adults have health insurance.
• As of October 2011, more than 2.65 million seniors got a 50 percent discount on their prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole.
• Insurance companies can no longer drop your coverage when you get sick or put a lifetime cap on the amount of care you can receive.

To read the report issued today, visit http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/01-18-12_exchange_report.pdf
For more information on the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthcare.gov. 
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2012

Statement from NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Violence in South Sudan

The United States continues to be deeply disturbed by the recent interethnic clashes in Jonglei State in the Republic of South Sudan that are causing tremendous human suffering, displacement, and death.  The long-running cycle of violence between certain tribes, particularly the Murle and Lou Nuer, has escalated to an alarming series of revenge attacks in recent weeks, and we urge all sides to refrain from further provocative or retaliatory acts.

We welcome the South Sudanese government’s launch of an investigation into these attacks and its deployment of additional military and police forces to the region, and we support efforts by the UN and non-governmental organizations to provide urgently-needed humanitarian assistance to those who fled the fighting.  We believe that it is important for the South Sudanese government to respond not only with immediate measures to stem the escalating cycle of attacks between these tribes, but also to address the root causes of violence between them.  In particular, we urge the South Sudanese government to address the lack of security in these communities, and we urge the leaders of these communities to engage each other in a peaceful manner to come to a long-term resolution to the violence.  We also note the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with respect to conflict prevention and civilian protection, and call upon the South Sudanese government and the UN to continue working closely together on this vitally important mission.  We further call upon the UN to provide any additional support that is needed by UNMISS to carry out its responsibilities in South Sudan.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Saakashvili of Georgia

President Obama will host President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia for a meeting in the Oval Office on Monday, January 30th.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Georgia and the two presidents will discuss further strengthening the U.S. – Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership by enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, energy, science, education, culture, and security.  President Obama will underscore the importance of our defense cooperation with Georgia, including Georgia’s substantial contributions to international security operations in Afghanistan.  The President will reconfirm U.S. support for the integrity of Georgia’s territory within its internationally recognized borders.  The President also looks forward to discussing upcoming elections in Georgia and the reforms that will ensure Georgia’s continuing transformation into a vibrant and stable democratic state.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2012

President Obama Meets with President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness at the White House

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama convened a meeting at the White House with the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness to discuss initiatives and policies to strengthen the economy, promote and accelerate job growth and bolster America’s competitiveness around the world.  The White House has recently implemented a number of Jobs Council recommendations, including policy steps to help support companies bringing jobs back to the United States and make government more efficient and effective.
“The Jobs Council has been critical in finding new ways to encourage the private sector to hire and invest in American competitiveness. I'm proud that we’ve taken action on a majority of the Council’s recommendations on issues ranging from insourcing to permitting to clean energy. But we also know there's a lot more work to do, which is why we’re committed to continuing to invest in strategies that support job growth.”
 
Today, the Council presented additional ideas to spur job growth in a new Jobs Council report available on the Council’s website at www.jobs-council.com.  Of the 35 Council recommendations that don’t require legislative action, the Administration has taken action on 33 and completed implementation on 16.  Today’s report highlights some of these implemented actions and focuses on new recommendations from three new streams of work focusing on long-term competitiveness:
 
• Invest in Our Future with Education and Innovation: This strategy is focused on ensuring Americans have the right education and skills to realize their full potential, and cultivating a vibrant innovation ecosystem that supports new ideas.
 
• Build on Our Strengths in Manufacturing and Energy: This strategy is focused on the manufacturing sector and how we can scale up and support clean energy while responsibly accessing unconventional supplies.
 
• Play to Win through Regulatory and Tax Reform: This strategy is focused on instituting longer term regulatory and corporate tax reform to support job creation.

Several Jobs Council member companies participated in the White House “Insourcing American Jobs” Forum, including DuPont and Intel, companies that are making increased investments in the United States that are creating thousands of jobs. At the Forum, the President announced that the Administration would move forward with the Jobs Council’s recommendation to expand support for the SelectUSA program out of the Department of Commerce, the first federal program to promote and facilitate investment in the U.S. in partnership with our states. Specifically, the President will be proposing, in his FY13 Budget, $12 million in new resources to increase SelectUSA to 35 full-time employees.  An expanded SelectUSA will:
 
• Build a comprehensive worldwide foreign direct investment promotion program: SelectUSA will be fully resourced to engage and assist potential investors to in the U.S. from all major global markets.
• Support more than 300 investment cases per year:  SelectUSA will build a case management team to oversee ombudsman and advocacy cases, enabling SelectUSA and its multi-agency investment team to work with states and cities to address issues that impede business investment.
• Host a SelectUSA Conference in Washington D.C. to boost investment in the U.S.:  The Administration will host a two day investment conference with all levels of government and businesses from around the world to attract companies to our shores, address issues companies face in choosing to invest in the U.S., and provide relevant information from federal agencies to support investment and insourcing jobs.

At today’s meeting, the President also discussed his recent announcement to ask Congress for the authority to reorganize the government to make it more efficient and effective, and work better for the American people. The legislative proposal to create “consolidation authority” would, for the first time, require that any reorganization proposal reduce the size of government or cut costs. The Jobs Council has consistently stressed the need to embrace policies that help entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes grow, compete and hire, while cutting costs and providing better customer service. On Friday, the President announced that, once granted consolidation authority by Congress, his first proposal would be to consolidate the six agencies focusing primarily on business and trade into a new Department with one mission: to spur job creation and expand the U.S. economy.  

The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness was created to provide non-partisan advice to the President on ways to strengthen the economy and ensure the competitiveness of the United States.  The Jobs Council is made up of representatives of various sectors of the economy who offer diverse perspectives from employers and workers in the private sector on how the Federal Government can best foster growth, competitiveness, innovation, and job creation.

The Jobs Council held their first meeting at the White House on February 24th, focusing on finding new ways to promote growth, encourage hiring, educate and train our workers to compete globally, and attract the best jobs and businesses to the United States. The Council has held two additional meetings – in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina in June and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2012

President Obama Announces Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Jeffrey Zients

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the White House announced that current Deputy Director for Management and Chief Performance Officer Jeffrey Zients will serve as the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

“I’m pleased to designate Jeff Zients to lead the Office of Management and Budget.  Since day one, Jeff has demonstrated superb judgment and has provided sound advice on a whole host of issues,” said President Obama.  “With decades of experience, Jeff has been a tremendous asset to our team and I’m confident in his ability to help us rebuild an economy where hard work and responsibility pay off and the middle class has a chance to get ahead.”

Jeff Zients was confirmed by the Senate on June 19, 2009 as the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget and the nation’s first Federal Chief Performance Officer, and served as OMB’s Acting Director from July-November 2010. Mr. Zients has twenty years of business experience as a CEO, management consultant and entrepreneur with a deep understanding of business strategy, operations and process improvement, and financial management. His expertise extends across a broad range of industries and geographies.

Mr. Zients served as CEO and Chairman of The Advisory Board Company and Chairman of the Corporate Executive Board, firms that are leading providers of performance benchmarking and management best practices for senior executives at over 5,000 businesses.

Mr. Zients also co-founded The Urban Alliance Foundation, a non-profit organization that partners with corporations to provide economically disadvantaged youth with year-round paid internships, adult mentors and job training. Zients graduated summa cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Political Science. He and his wife Mary live in Washington, D.C. and have four children.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 16, 2012

President Obama, Cabinet Secretaries, and Senior Administration Officials Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service by Participating in Community Service Projects and Events Throughout the Country

WASHINGTON, DC – To honor the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service and Dr. King’s life and legacy, the President and Mrs. Obama, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden, Cabinet Secretaries, and other senior administration officials participated in community service projects and events throughout the country.  Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the King Center, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is an opportunity for all Americans to come together to help meet the needs of their communities and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year. 

“Today, we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  And we should honor that legacy by acting as drum majors for service and lifting up those less fortunate – not just today, but every day,” President Obama said. “All of us can find a way to give back to our communities, to gain new skills, and to pull together, even when times are hard.  That’s what Dr. King believed in, and that’s what will make our country stronger.”

Today, the First Family participated in a community service project sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Greater DC Cares at the Browne Education Campus in Washington, DC. In the evening, the President and First Lady will attend the Let Freedom Ring concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Kennedy Center. 

Also today, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden traveled to Philadelphia, PA, to participate in the 17th annual Greater Philadelphia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The Vice President delivered remarks at Girard College in North Philadelphia.  Following his remarks, the Vice President and Dr. Biden participated in a service project at Girard College.

For more on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, please visit the Corporation for National and Community Service at www.serve.gov/mlkday.asp .

Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Administration Officials

  • Agriculture:  Secretary Vilsack addressed Rainbow PUSH in Chicago to highlight USDA advancements on Civil Rights and the Obama administration’s settlement of the Pigford lawsuit. 
  • Commerce:  Secretary Bryson participated in a community service event with Mayor Villaraigosa at Los Feliz Elementary School in Los Angeles, CA.
  • CNCS:  The Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Robert Velasco volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of D.C. Senior staff also served at We Feed Our People, a signature event that serves hundreds of homeless District residents with a hot meals and warm clothing, and at Montgomery County Volunteer Center in Bethesda.
  • Defense:  On Thursday, January 26, Secretary Panetta will participate in the annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Pentagon.
  • Education: Secretary Duncan and his family joined the City Year service day at Dunbar High School.
  • Energy:   Secretary Chu hosted an event at the Department of Energy to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King. Secretary Chu was joined by C.T. Vivian, Vice President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Lynn Cothern, former aide to Coretta Scott King.
  • EPA:  Administrator Jackson delivered remarks at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Prayer Breakfast hosted by the National Action Network in Washington, D.C.
  • Justice:   Attorney General Holder spoke at the NAACP’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event in Columbia, S.C.  On Sunday, January 15, he spoke at the Annual Utah Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission Luncheon.  And on Monday, January 30, he will attend the Department of Justice’s 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Program.
  • Labor:  Secretary Solis delivered remarks and accepted an award at the “At the River I Stand,” the AFL-CIO’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance dinner in Detroit, Mich.
  • NASA:  Administrator Bolden addressed the 44th Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.
  • OPM:  Director of the Office of Personnel Management John Berry delivered remarks and participated in a service project at “Hope and a Home” in Washington, D.C.
  • Transportation:  Deputy Secretary Porcari commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day at Tyler Elementary School in Washington, D.C.  Volunteers contributed to the beautification of the school by painting slogans, murals, and math equations to help lead the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day reflection activity. 
  • USAID: USAID Administrator Shah participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library’s 25th annual “We Feed Our People” event in Washington, D.C.
  • USUN:  Ambassador Rice participated in a service event to benefit Kenilworth Elementary in Washington, D.C.
  • VA:  Secretary Shinseki volunteered at So Others Might Eat serving food to the homeless in Washington, D.C.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on Taiwan’s Elections

We congratulate Ma Ying-jeou on his reelection and the people of Taiwan on the successful conduct of their presidential and legislative elections.

Through the hard work of its people and its remarkable economic and political development over the past decades, Taiwan has proven to be one of the great success stories in Asia. In this year's elections, Taiwan has again demonstrated the strength and vitality of its democratic system. We are confident Taiwan will build on its many accomplishments, and we will continue to work together to advance our many common interests, including expanding trade and investment ties.

Cross-Strait peace, stability and improved relations, in an environment free from intimidation, are of profound importance to the United States.  We hope the impressive efforts that both sides have undertaken in recent years to build cross-Strait ties continue. Such ties and stability in cross-Strait relations have also benefitted U.S.-Taiwan relations.

The relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan is based on common interests and a shared commitment to freedom and democracy. As we have done for more than 30 years, we will maintain our close unofficial ties with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan and according to our one China policy based on the three Joint Communiqués with the People’s Republic of China and the Taiwan Relations Act.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2012

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Helping American Businesses Succeed

WASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama told the American people about companies that are “insourcing” – choosing to bring jobs back and make additional investments in the United States. To help with this, the President invited business leaders who are insourcing jobs to a White House forum this week to see how others can follow their example.  The President is committed to assisting businesses bring jobs back to this country, and will soon announce tax proposals that reward companies that invest in America and eliminate tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas.  He has also put forward a proposal to streamline government to make it easier for businesses large and small to get support in selling their products at home and around the world.  The President will continue taking action every day to grow the economy and help more Americans find jobs.

 
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
January 14, 2011
The White House


As you can see, I brought a few things with me for this week’s video.  A padlock.  A pair of boots.  A candle.  And a pair of socks.
 
No, we’re not having a yard sale.  And these products may not appear to have much in common.  But they’re united by three proud words: “Made in America.”  They’re manufactured by American workers, in American factories, and shipped to customers here and around the world.
 
The companies that make these products are part of a hopeful trend: they’re bringing jobs back from overseas.  You’ve heard of outsourcing – well, this is insourcing.  And in this make or break moment for the middle class and those working to get into the middle class, that’s exactly the kind of commitment to country that we need.
 
This week, I invited executives from businesses that are insourcing jobs to a forum at the White House.  These are CEOs who take pride in hiring people here in America, not just because it’s increasingly the right thing to do for their bottom line, but also because it’s the right thing to do for their workers and for our communities and our country.
 
I told those CEOs what I’ll tell any business leader: ask yourself what you can do to bring more jobs back to the country that made your success possible.  And I’ll make sure you’ve got a government that does everything in its power to help you succeed.
 
That’s why, in the next few weeks, I will put forward new tax proposals that reward companies that choose to do the right thing by bringing jobs home and investing in America – and eliminate tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas.
 
It’s also why on Friday, I called on Congress to help me make government work better for you.  Right now, we have a 21st century economy, but we’ve still got a government organized for the 20th century.  Over the years, the needs of Americans have changed, but our government has not.  In fact, it’s gotten even more complex.  And that has to change.
 
That’s why I asked Congress to reinstate the authority that past presidents have had to streamline and reform the Executive Branch.  This is the same sort of authority that every business owner has to make sure that his or her company keeps pace with the times.  It’s the same authority that presidents had for over 50 years – up until Ronald Reagan.  And let me be clear: I will only use this authority for reforms that result in more efficiency, better service, and a leaner government.
 
These changes will make it easier for small business owners to get the loans and support they need to sell their products around the world.  For example, instead of forcing small business owners to navigate the six departments and agencies in the federal government that focus on business and trade, we’ll have one department.  One place where entrepreneurs can go from the day they come up with an idea and need a patent, to the day they start building a warehouse, to the day they’re ready to ship their products overseas.
 
And in the meantime, we’re creating a new website – BusinessUSA – that will serve as a one-stop shop with information for businesses small and large that want to start selling their stuff around the world.
 
This means that more small business owners will see their hard work pay off.  More companies will be able to hire new workers.  And we’ll be able to rebuild an economy that’s not known for paper profits or financial speculation, but for making and selling products like these. Products “Made in America.”
 
Thank you, and have a great weekend.

###

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 13, 2012

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey

President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan spoke by telephone today about issues related to democracy, security and development in the Middle East and North Africa region; this was their first conversation in the New Year.  The two leaders discussed recent developments in Iraq and their continued support for an inclusive, partnership government that brings stability, democracy and prosperity to the Iraqi people. They agreed that the U.S. and Turkey should continue to support the legitimate demands for democracy for the Syrian people and condemned the brutal action of the Assad regime.  The two leaders discussed Iran’s nuclear program and how Iran should engage with the international community in this regard.  They agreed that U.S. and Turkish teams would remain in close contact on ways that Turkey and the U.S. can support the democratic transitions underway in the Middle East and North Africa.