WEEKLY ADDRESS: Putting the American People First

WASHINGTON--  In this week’s address, President Obama told the American people that although the United States leads the world in new ideas, innovative businesses and creative entrepreneurs, too many Americans are still struggling to get by.  It is time for Congress to act on the President’s proposals, including extending the payroll tax cut, cutting red tape, and getting our construction workers back to work, so that we can get our economy on firmer ground and ensure that anyone who wants a job can find one.  President Obama believes the American people deserve more than political brinksmanship, and urges anyone who is frustrated by the gridlock in Washington to let their elected officials know that it is time to put aside partisanship and act in the best interests of the country.   

Remarks of President Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Washington, DC

On Thursday, I visited a new, high-tech factory in Michigan where workers are helping America lead the way in a growing clean energy industry. 

They were proud of their work, and they should be.  They’re not just showing us a path out of the worst recession in generations – they’re proving that this is still a country where we make things; where new ideas take root and grow; where the best universities, most creative entrepreneurs, and most dynamic businesses in the world call home.  They’re proving that even in difficult times, there’s not a country on Earth that wouldn’t trade places with us. 

That doesn’t mean we don’t face some very tough economic challenges.  Many Americans are hurting badly right now.  Many have been unemployed for too long.  Putting these men and women back to work, and growing wages for everyone, has got to be our top priority.

But lately, the response from Washington has been partisanship and gridlock that’s only undermined public confidence and hindered our efforts to grow the economy.

So while there’s nothing wrong with our country, there is something wrong with our politics, and that’s what we’ve got to fix.  Because we know there are things Congress can do, right now, to get more money back in your pockets, get this economy growing faster, and get our friends and neighbors back to work. 

The payroll tax cut that put $1,000 back in the average family’s pocket this year?  Let’s extend it.  Construction workers who’ve been jobless since the housing boom went bust?  Let’s put them back to work rebuilding America.  Let’s cut red tape in the patent process so entrepreneurs can get good ideas to market more quickly.  Let’s finish trade deals so we can sell more American-made goods around the world.  Let’s connect the hundreds of thousands of brave Americans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan to businesses that need their incredible skills and talents.

These are all things we can do right now.  So let’s do them.  And over the coming weeks, I’ll put forward more proposals to help our businesses hire and create jobs, and won’t stop until every American who wants a job can find one.

But we can no longer let partisan brinksmanship get in our way – the idea that making it through the next election is more important than making things right.  That’s what’s holding us back – the fact that some in Congress would rather see their opponents lose than see America win.

So you’ve got a right to be frustrated.  I am.  Because you deserve better.  And I don’t think it’s too much for you to expect that the people you send to this town start delivering.

Members of Congress are at home in their districts right now.  And if you agree with me – whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican or not much of a fan of either – let them know.

If you’ve had it with gridlock, and you want them to pass stalled bills that will help our economy right now – let them know. 

If you refuse to settle for a politics where scoring points is more important than solving problems; if you believe it’s time to put country before party and the interests of our children before our own – let them know. 

And maybe they’ll get back to Washington ready to compromise, ready to create jobs, ready to get our fiscal house in order – ready to do what you sent them to do.

Yes, we’ve still got a long way to go to get to where we need to be.  We didn’t get into this mess overnight, and it’s going to take time to get out of it.  That’s a hard truth – but it’s no excuse for inaction.  After all, America voted for divided government, not dysfunctional government, and we’ve got work to do.  And when we come together and find common ground, there’s no stopping this country.  There’s no stopping our people.  There’s no holding us back.  And there is every reason to believe we’ll get through this storm to a brighter day.

Thanks for listening, and have a nice weekend.

President Obama Signs Nebraska Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Nebraska and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding during the period of May 24 to August 1, 2011.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Boyd, Burt, Cass, Dakota, Dixon, Douglas, Knox, Sarpy, and Washington.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also 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 flooding in the counties of Burt, Cass, Dakota, Douglas, Garden, Knox, Lincoln, Otoe, Sarpy, Scotts Bluff, Thurston, and Washington.  Assistance is also available for emergency protective measures for Nemaha and Richardson 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 Michael L. Parker 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.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT:  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV

President Obama to Travel to Illinois, Third Day of Three-Day Economic Bus Tour

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, August 17^th, the President will travel to Illinois, the third day of his three-day economic bus tour in the Midwest.  The President will host town halls in Atkinson and Alpha, Illinois before returning to Washington.  Air Force One will depart from the Air National Guard Base in Peoria, Illinois.  The departure of Air Force One is open to pre-credentialed members of the media, but closed to the public.

While in the Midwest, the President will discuss ways to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and accelerate hiring in communities and towns across the nation and hear directly from Americans, including small business owners, local families, private sector leaders, rural organizations, and government officials.  The President knows we must do everything we can to promote economic growth, restore confidence in our nation’s future and enhance the sense of optimism for future generations.

Message from the President Regarding the Continuation of Emergency Regarding Export Control Regulations

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice, stating that the emergency caused by the lapse of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, is to continue in effect for 1 year beyond

August 17, 2011.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 12, 2011.