The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 03, 2015

President Obama Signs Vermont Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Vermont and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the severe winter storm during the period of December 9-12, 2014.

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 in the counties of Addison, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor.

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 Vice President

For Immediate Release
February 03, 2015

Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

Today, the Vice President hosted the King of Jordan for a meeting at the Naval Observatory. The Vice President offered his condolences to the family of First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh and all the people of Jordan. He condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the brutality and violence that ISIL has consistently shown to its captives and to the people of Iraq and Syria. The Vice President called for the release of all those held prisoner by ISIL. The Vice President also reinforced America’s ironclad support for Jordan and his appreciation of Jordan’s contributions to the coalition against ISIL. As the Vice President made clear, this horrific video exposes ISIL’s true nature for all to see. It only reinforces our resolve to defeat ISIL together. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 03, 2015

Statement by the President on the Death of First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh

Today, we join the people of Jordan in grieving the loss of one of their own, First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh, cruelly and brutally killed by ISIL terrorists.  On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Lieutenant al-Kasasbeh’s family and loved ones, to the brave men and women of the Jordan Armed Forces, and to King Abdullah II and the people of Jordan.

Lieutenant al-Kasasbeh will forever personify the bravery of a true son of Jordan, one who honored his family and country by his seven years of military service.  Along with his compatriots and other Arab and international members of the coalition, Lieutenant al-Kasasbeh was in the vanguard of the effort to degrade and defeat the threat posed by ISIL. 

Lieutenant al-Kasasbeh’s dedication, courage, and service to his country and family represent universal human values that stand in opposition to the cowardice and depravity of ISIL, which has been so broadly rejected around the globe.  As we grieve together, we must stand united, respectful of his sacrifice to defeat this scourge.  Today, the coalition fights for everyone who has suffered from ISIL’s inhumanity.  It is their memory that invests us and our coalition partners with the undeterred resolve to see ISIL and its hateful ideology banished to the recesses of history.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 03, 2015

Statement by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco: Update on Implementation of Signals Intelligence Reform and Issuance of PPD-28

On January 17, 2014, President Obama directed a series of signals intelligence reforms designed to reassure every American that our nation’s intelligence activities are carried out with appropriate oversight and respect for civil liberties and privacy.  That same day, he also signed Presidential Policy Directive – 28, Signals Intelligence Activities (PPD-28), which reaffirms long-standing collection principles, sets certain limitations on the use of signals intelligence collected in bulk, refines the process for collecting signals intelligence – including an annual Cabinet-level review of prioritization and an evaluation of risks and benefits – and establishes safeguards for personal information collected through signals intelligence.  At the President’s direction, future implementation of these reforms will be the subject of an annual report.

For the past year, the Administration has been working to implement the President’s guidance. Today, the Director of National Intelligence is releasing a report that highlights substantial progress and reflects an ongoing commitment to greater transparency.  This report details, among other things, the Intelligence Community’s progress in implementing PPD-28, reforms regarding the collection of bulk telephony metadata records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the collection of intelligence under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the use of national security letters. 

In the coming days, a report will be released highlighting the progress the Administration has made in implementing the initiatives discussed in the May 2014 Big Data Report prepared by a working group led by Counselor to the President John Podesta.  Beyond the initiatives discussed in these reports, the Administration has also been implementing recommendations made by the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies.

These reports and the progress made to date will be discussed in upcoming meetings with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies, and others.

As the President indicated in PPD-28, our signals intelligence activities must take into account that all persons have legitimate privacy interests in the handling of their personal information.  At the same time, we must ensure that our Intelligence Community has the resources and authorities necessary for the United States to advance its national security and foreign policy interests and to protect its citizens and the citizens of its allies and partners from harm.  As we continue to face threats from terrorism, proliferation, and cyber-attacks, we must use our intelligence capabilities in a way that optimally protects our national security and supports our foreign policy while keeping the public trust and respecting privacy and civil liberties.

A copy of the report can be found here: http://icontherecord.tumblr.com/ppd-28/2015/overview

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 02, 2015

Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2016

By the authority vested in me as President by the laws of the United States of America, and in accordance with section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act (the "Act"), as amended, 2 U.S.C. 901a, I hereby order that, on October 1, 2015, direct spending budgetary resources for fiscal year 2016 in each non-exempt budget account be reduced by the amount calculated by the Office of Management and Budget in its report to the Congress of February 2, 2015.
 
All sequestrations shall be made in strict accordance with the requirements of section 251A of the Act and the specifications of the Office of Management and Budget's report of February 2, 2015, prepared pursuant to section 251A(9) of the Act.
 
BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 02, 2015

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Chancellor Merkel of Germany

President Obama will host Chancellor Angela Merkel  at the White House on Monday, February 9.  Chancellor Merkel’s visit highlights the importance of U.S.-German cooperation on global affairs and the strong and abiding friendship between the United States and Germany. 

The President and Chancellor Merkel will have a meeting in the Oval Office followed by a working lunch.  The two leaders will discuss a range of issues including Ukraine, Russia, counterterrorism, ISIL, Afghanistan, and Iran.  They will also cover economic growth, international trade, climate change and Germany’s plans for hosting the G-7 Summit in June. 

Germany is a close and valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States, and the President looks forward to welcoming Chancellor Merkel back to the White House.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 31, 2015

Statement by the President on the Death of Kenji Goto

The United States condemns the heinous murder of Japanese citizen and journalist Kenji Goto by the terrorist group ISIL.  Through his reporting, Mr. Goto courageously sought to convey the plight of the Syrian people to the outside world.  Our thoughts are with Mr. Goto’s family and loved ones, and we stand today in solidarity with Prime Minister Abe and the Japanese people in denouncing this barbaric act.  We applaud Japan’s steadfast commitment to advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East and globally, including its generous assistance for innocent people affected by the conflicts in the region.  Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, the United States will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 31, 2015

Statement by the President on the Election of President Sergio Mattarella of Italy

I congratulate President Sergio Mattarella on his election as President of Italy and applaud his distinguished record of public service.  Drawing on the enduring bond between the United States and Italy, I look forward to working with President Mattarella to address transatlantic and global challenges and seize new opportunities for close cooperation.

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
January 30, 2015

Op-ed by First Lady Michelle Obama on USAToday.com: Counselors build the bridge to college

The following op-ed by First Lady Michelle Obama appeared this morning on USAToday.com and across Gannett platforms.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/01/30/college-funding-michelle-obama-work-counseling-high-school-column/22533683/

Counselors build the bridge to college

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, it wasn’t exactly a forgone conclusion that I would go to college.  Neither of my parents and hardly anyone in my neighborhood had gone beyond high school, and while my folks were determined to see me and my brother Craig get a good education, they weren’t exactly sure how to make that happen.

I worked hard and got good grades, but I didn’t have much in the way of college counseling in high school.  Fortunately, Craig was a couple of years ahead of me, and he had managed to get himself into Princeton University.  So in addition to applying to one school because I liked the pictures in the brochure and to another because it was close to home, I also applied to Princeton, and my brother helped guide me through the process.  

Many young people in this country aren’t so lucky, because when it comes to college counseling in our nation’s schools, there are really two worlds.

There’s the world of high schools where the question isn’t whether students are going to college, but where.  From the first day of freshman year, students at these schools are shepherded through the process, often by school counselors who ensure they enroll in the right classes; prepare for the SAT and ACT; meet their application deadlines; and choose a school that best meets their needs and get the financial aid they need to pay for it.  That’s one world.

Then there’s the world of the schools that most of our kids attend where school counselors are too often under-valued and overstretched, and they simply don’t have what they need to do their jobs.  While the American School Counselor Association recommends no more than 250 students per counselor, the national average is one counselor for every 471 students.  And often, school counselors are burdened with all kinds of unrelated responsibilities such as proctoring exams, substitute teaching, even monitoring the lunchroom.  Many school counselors find themselves doing triage, juggling those duties while trying to help kids in crisis and also keep up with the latest college admissions deadlines and requirements.

As a result, many of our young people have little, if any, guidance on how to pursue higher education.  This is a serious loss, not just for them, but for our country.  Today, workers with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $16,000 more per year than those with just a high school diploma, and three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require a college degree.  The facts are very clear: if we want America to compete in the global marketplace, all of our young people will need some kind of education beyond high school, whether that’s a two-year or four-year degree or a professional certificate.

Our school counselors are the key to achieving that goal, but only if we give them the support, recognition and resources they need to do their jobs.  That’s why last year, the White House issued a challenge to universities, foundations, school districts, non-profits and others to step up – and already they have answered with tens of millions of dollars of new efforts on behalf of school counselors and the students they serve.

Non-profit organizations are working to improve student to counselor ratios.  Universities are creating college and career readiness courses in their masters degree programs for school counselors.  With the help of the U.S. Department of Education, over half the states in this country are giving school counselors new tools to help students fill out their financial aid forms and college applications.  And today, for the first time in history, we are honoring the National School Counselor of the Year with a ceremony at the White House.

This work is all driven by the simple belief that in this country, getting the education you need shouldn’t be a matter of luck, or privilege, or having a big brother who can pave the way for you like I did.  Instead, every young person who is willing to work for it should have a chance to fulfill his or her boundless promise.  That is the mission that drives America’s school counselors every day, and my husband and I and so many others are doing everything we can to support them as they support our kids and serve our country. 

Michelle Obama is First Lady of the U.S.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 30, 2015

FACT SHEET: President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative

Building on President Obama’s announcement in his State of the Union Address, today the Administration is unveiling details about the Precision Medicine Initiative, a bold new research effort to revolutionize how we improve health and treat disease.  Launched with a $215 million investment in the President’s 2016 Budget, the Precision Medicine Initiative will pioneer a new model of patient-powered research that promises to accelerate biomedical discoveries and provide clinicians with new tools, knowledge, and therapies to select which treatments will work best for which patients.

Most medical treatments have been designed for the “average patient.” As a result of this “one-size-fits-all-approach,” treatments can be very successful for some patients but not for others.  This is changing with the emergence of precision medicine, an innovative approach to disease prevention and treatment that takes into account individual differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles.  Precision medicine gives clinicians tools to better understand the complex mechanisms underlying a patient’s health, disease, or condition, and to better predict which treatments will be most effective. 

Advances in precision medicine have already led to powerful new discoveries and several new treatments that are tailored to specific characteristics of individuals, such as a person’s genetic makeup, or the genetic profile of an individual’s tumor.  This is leading to a transformation in the way we can treat diseases such as cancer.  Patients with breast, lung, and colorectal cancers, as well as melanomas and leukemias, for instance, routinely undergo molecular testing as part of patient care, enabling physicians to select treatments that improve chances of survival and reduce exposure to adverse effects.  

The potential for precision medicine to improve care and speed the development of new treatments has only just begun to be tapped. Translating initial successes to a larger scale will require a coordinated and sustained national effort.  Through collaborative public and private efforts, the Precision Medicine Initiative will leverage advances in genomics, emerging methods for managing and analyzing large data sets while protecting privacy, and health information technology to accelerate biomedical discoveries.  The Initiative will also engage a million or more Americans to volunteer to contribute their health data to improve health outcomes, fuel the development of new treatments, and catalyze a new era of data-based and more precise medical treatment. 

Key Investments to Launch the Precision Medicine Initiative:

Complementing robust investments to broadly support research, development, and innovation, the President’s 2016 Budget will provide a $215 million investment for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), together with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to support this effort, including:

  • $130 million to NIH for development of a voluntary national research cohort of a million or more volunteers to propel our understanding of health and disease and set the foundation for a new way of doing research through engaged participants and open, responsible data sharing.
  • $70 million to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of NIH, to scale up efforts to identify genomic drivers in cancer and apply that knowledge in the development of more effective approaches to cancer treatment.
  • $10 million to FDA to acquire additional expertise and advance the development of high quality, curated databases to support the regulatory structure needed to advance innovation in precision medicine and protect public health.
  • $5 million to ONC to support the development of interoperability standards and requirements that address privacy and enable secure exchange of data across systems.

Objectives of the Precision Medicine Initiative:

  • More and better treatments for cancer: NCI will accelerate the design and testing of effective, tailored treatments for cancer by expanding genetically based clinical cancer trials, exploring fundamental aspects of cancer biology, and establishing a national “cancer knowledge network” that will generate and share new knowledge to fuel scientific discovery and guide treatment decisions. 
  • Creation of a voluntary national research cohort: NIH, in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders, will launch a national, patient-powered research cohort of one million or more Americans who volunteer to participate in research.  Participants will be involved in the design of the Initiative and will have the opportunity to contribute diverse sources of data—including medical records; profiles of the patient’s genes, metabolites (chemical makeup), and microorganisms in and on the body; environmental and lifestyle data; patient-generated information; and personal device and sensor data.  Privacy will be rigorously protected.  This ambitious project will leverage existing research and clinical networks and build on innovative research models that enable patients to be active participants and partners.  The cohort will be broadly accessible to qualified researchers and will have the potential to inspire scientists from multiple disciplines to join the effort and apply their creative thinking to generate new insights. The ONC will develop interoperability standards and requirements to ensure secure data exchange with patients’ consent, to empower patients and clinicians and advance individual, community, and population health.
  • Commitment to protecting privacy: To ensure from the start that this Initiative adheres to rigorous privacy protections, the White House will launch a multi-stakeholder process with HHS and other Federal agencies to solicit input from patient groups, bioethicists, privacy, and civil liberties advocates, technologists, and other experts in order to identify and address any legal and technical issues related to the privacy and security of data in the context of precision medicine.
  • Regulatory modernization: The Initiative will include reviewing the current regulatory landscape to determine whether changes are needed to support the development of this new research and care model, including its critical privacy and participant protection framework.  As part of this effort, the FDA will develop a new approach for evaluating Next Generation Sequencing technologies — tests that rapidly sequence large segments of a person’s DNA, or even their entire genome. The new approach will facilitate the generation of knowledge about which genetic changes are important to patient care and foster innovation in genetic sequencing technology, while ensuring that the tests are accurate and reliable.
  • Public-private partnerships: The Obama Administration will forge strong partnerships with existing research cohorts, patient groups, and the private sector to develop the infrastructure that will be needed to expand cancer genomics, and to launch a voluntary million-person cohort.  The Administration will call on academic medical centers, researchers, foundations, privacy experts, medical ethicists, and medical product innovators to lay the foundation for this effort, including developing new approaches to patient participation and empowerment.  The Administration will carefully consider and develop an approach to precision medicine, including appropriate regulatory frameworks, that ensures consumers have access to their own health data – and to the applications and services that can safely and accurately analyze it – so that in addition to treating disease, we can empower individuals and families to invest in and manage their health.