March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
This program listed the events scheduled at the Lincoln Memorial during the August 28, 1963, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The highlight of the march, which attracted 250,000 people, was Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream" speech. Read more at Our Documents ...
Weekly Address: President Obama: As the Combat Mission in Iraq Ends, We Must Pay Tribute to Those Who Have Served
WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Obama pledged to uphold the sacred trust the nation has with its troops and veterans as the combat mission in Iraq comes to an end. The administration is building a 21st century VA, making it easier for veterans with PTSD to receive the benefits…
Joint Agreement for New Orleans Recovery
Secretary Duncan and other Obama administration officials announced a $1.8 billion agreement to help renovate and rebuild schools in New Orleans.
Letter from the President to the Secretary of State Regarding Kyrgyzstan
Presidential Determination No. 2010-12 SUBJECT: Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Resulting from Violence in Kyrgyzstan By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act…
Statement by President Obama on the Promulgation of Kenya's New Constitution
I congratulate Kenya on the promulgation of the new constitution, which was approved by a majority of voters on August 4, 2010. This historic approval and signing of the constitution is an important step forward, and demonstrates the commitment of Kenya’s leaders and people to a future of unity,…
Presidential Proclamation--National Preparedness Month, 2010
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, 2010 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION During National Preparedness Month, we stress the importance of strengthening the security and resiliency of our Nation through systematic preparation for the full range of hazards threatening the…
Back to School Tour
Secretary Duncan is taking a bus tour to visit schools, honor and listen to teachers, meet with parents and students, and highlight success. See video, photos, and stories in the blog.
Presidential Proclamation--Women's Equality Day, 2010
WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, 2010 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Ninety years ago, on August 26, 1920, the ratification of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution was completed, guaranteeing women the right to vote, renewing our commitment to equality and justice, and…
Background on the President's Event in New Orleans for the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana Sunday, August 29, 2010 On Sunday, August 29, the President, the First Lady, and members of the Cabinet will travel to New Orleans to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. While there, the President will deliver remarks at…
Vice President Biden Announces 200,000 Homes Weatherized Under the Recovery Act
Manchester, N.H. – At an event with homeowners and workers who benefited from the program, today in Manchester, New Hampshire, Vice President Joe Biden announced a major Recovery Act milestone – the weatherizing of 200,000 homes under the Recovery Act. As a result of the Administration’s…
Remarks in Little Rock
Secretary Duncan discussed his Back to School Tour and the Obama Administration's education agenda, and he thanked America's teachers -- "our unsung heroes" -- in Little Rock, AR.
GAO-10-779, Telecommunications: Enhanced Data Collection Could Help FCC Better Monitor Competition in the Wireless Industry, July 27, 2010
Americans increasingly rely on wireless phones, with nearly 40 percent of households now using them primarily or solely. Under federal law, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for fostering a competitive wireless marketplace while ensuring that consumers are protected from…
Readout of President Obama's call with British Prime Minister Cameron
President Obama called the Prime Minister earlier today to offer his congratulations to the Prime Minister and Mrs. Cameron on the birth of their daughter. The President and Prime Minister also took the opportunity to compare notes on the Middle East.
President Obama to Deliver Back to School Speech September 14
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As students begin their school year, President Barack Obama will deliver his second annual Back to School speech on Tuesday, September 14. The President’s Back to School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country. Last year, President Obama…
Readout of President Obama's Conference Call with His Economic Team
The President conducted a conference call this morning on the state of the economy with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, CEA Chair Christy Romer and NEC Director Larry Summers. The discussion focused on recent data reports, global markets and economic growth. The economic team provided an…
President Obama and Administration Officials to Mark 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with Travel to Gulf Coast, Project Site Visits
Click HERE for Further Background on the Administration’s Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery and Nationwide Disaster Preparedness and Response Efforts WASHINGTON, DC – This week, President Obama and Administration officials will travel to the Gulf Coast to mark the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane…
GAO-10-833, Federal Contracting: Opportunities Exist to Increase Competition and Assess Reasons When Only One Offer Is Received, July 26, 2010
Competition is a critical tool for achieving the best return on the government's investment. While federal agencies are generally required to award contracts on the basis of full and open competition, they are permitted to award noncompetitive contracts in certain situations. Agencies are also…
Statement by the Vice President on New CBO Report on Employment and Economic Impact of the Recovery Act
Vice President Joe Biden today issued the following statement on a new report from the Congressional Budget Office on the employment and economic impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: “This new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is further confirmation of…
Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton and Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan, 8/24/2010
11:17 A.M. EDT MR. BURTON: Hey, guys. We got some new additions here. Good morning. I’m joined today by John Brennan, who has an announcement to make about our efforts in Iraq. MR. BRENNAN: Thank you, Bill. Good morning, everyone. Today United States…
Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden at the Recovery Act Innovation Report Event
Recovery Act Innovation Report Event South Court Auditorium, Eisenhower Executive Office Building As Prepared for Delivery— Let me start by addressing a couple of items from the news this morning. First, as of today, we have officially reduced the number of U.S. troops in Iraq below 50,000,…
FACT CHECK: John Boehner's Attacks on the President's Job Creation Agenda
Today John Boehner proved once again that his party would only take the country back to the failed policies of the past – policies that cost more than 8 million American jobs – and launched a series of false attacks on the measures that the President is pushing to create jobs, invest in our…
Vice President Biden Releases Report on Recovery Act Impact on Innovation
New Analysis Finds U.S. Now On-Track to Achieve Four Major Science and Technology Breakthroughs Due to Recovery Act WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden today unveiled a new report, “The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation,” which finds that the Recovery…
Statement by President Obama on CARD Act Implementation
Last year, I signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act into law to put a stop to deceptive credit card practices and hold credit card companies accountable to their customers. Yesterday, the final reform provisions of the CARD Act took effect. As of today, consumers…
Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden at the Veterans of Foreign Wars 111th National Convention
Veterans of Foreign Wars 111th National Convention Indianapolis, Indiana As Prepared for Delivery— “Honor the dead by helping the living.” That’s what you’re all about. That’s what the VFW has always been about. Like you, I know that our nation has just one truly sacred obligation:…
GAO-10-853G, Government Auditing Standards: 2010 Exposure Draft, August 1, 2010
This letter describes the process used by GAO for revising GAGAS, summarizes the proposed major changes, discusses proposed effective dates, and provides instructions for submitting comments on the proposed standards. The proposed revision to GAGAS will be the sixth since GAO first issued the…
Weekly Address: President Obama Challenges Politicians Benefiting from Citizens United Ruling to Defend Corporate Influence in Our Elections
WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, the President urged Republican leaders in Congress to end their obstruction of a bipartisan bill that will reduce the influence wielded by corporations and foreign entities. The President vowed to continue the fight for reform and transparency, and said…
Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton and Assistant to The President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan
1:00 P.M. EDT MR. BURTON: Good afternoon. Thank you guys for coming. Welcome back to Martha’s Vineyard. Once again, the President wanted me to extend his thanks and appreciation to the folks of Martha’s Vineyard for their hospitality, for the good food here, for what nice folks run the…
Presidential Proclamation--Minority Enterprise Development Week
Since our Nation's founding, the United States has been a beacon of economic opportunity and limitless possibility. America's strength and resiliency have relied on the vision of our entrepreneurs and small business owners, whose tireless work ethic has defined the character of our…
Letter from the President Regarding Budget Amendments for HHS
August 20, 2010 Dear Madam Speaker: I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget amendments for the Department of Health and Human Services. Overall, the discretionary budget authority proposed in my FY 2011 Budget would not be increased by these proposed requests. …
Secretary of State Clinton to Hold Briefing on the Administration's Middle East Peace Process
WASHINGTON— Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will brief reporters on the Middle East Peace Process at the State Department Briefing Room, Friday August 20 at 11 a.m. Secretary Clinton will be joined by Special Envoy for Middle East Peace Talks Senator George Mitchell. To access the briefing,…
Statement by the President on World Humanitarian Day
Seven years ago today, terrorists heinously attacked the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, killing twenty-two innocent people who were in Iraq to support Iraqis in their quest to live with freedom, dignity, and security. That outrageous attack highlighted the increasing dangers faced by unarmed…
President Obama Announces Recess Appointments to Key Administration Posts
Four Appointees Have Waited an Average of 303 Days for Senate Confirmation WASHINGTON – President Obama announced today his intent to recess appoint four nominees to fill key administration posts that have been left vacant for an extended period of time. “At a time when our nation faces so…
Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton aboard Air Force One en route Cape Cod, MA
1:28 P.M. EDT MR. BURTON: Thank you for joining us on our trip to Martha’s Vineyard. For starters, I just wanted to ask, and for folks who read the transcript of this, that the privacy of the First Family is respected. And, you know, the girls will obviously be out and about…
President Obama Signs Illinois Disaster Declaration
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding during the period of July 22 to August 7, 2010. The President's action makes Federal funding…
Statement by the President on the Economy
12:22 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. For the last several months, I have been urging Congress to pass a jobs bill that will do two big things for small businesses -- cut their taxes and make loans more available. I have been adamant about this because small businesses are…
Emergency Response Plans
ED grants will help 98 school districts strengthen their emergency response plans.
Remarks by the President at Florida Democratic Party Reception
5:35 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Miami! (Applause.) It is good to be back! (Applause.) It is good to be back in Miami. I was just in Florida and it is true that Sasha outscored me on the first hole. (Laughter.) I took her, I think, on the third. (Laughter.) It was…
Executive Order--Classified National Security Information Programs for State, Local, Tribal, and Private Sector Entities
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to ensure the proper safeguarding of information shared with State, local, tribal, and private sector entities, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Establishment and…
Charter School Grants
Charter school grants to state agencies in AR, CA, CO, DC, GA, IN, MI, MO, NH, RI, SC, and TX will help increase public school options.
Additional Recovery Funds for California
New York and California are among the states that will receive additional Recovery Act funds to support jobs and drive education reforms.
Gainful Employment Analysis
Read the analysis that helped inform ED's proposed regulation that provides a standard for occupational and for-profit postsecondary programs to demonstrate that they prepare students for gainful employment.
Turning Around Low-Performing Schools
Mississippi and Idaho are among the states receiving funding under the School Improvement Grants program to turn around persistently lowest achieving schools.
GAO-10-348, Superfund: Interagency Agreements and Improved Project Management Needed to Achieve Cleanup Progress at Key Defense Installations, July 15, 2010
Before the passage of federal environmental legislation in the 1970s and 1980s, Department of Defense (DOD) activities contaminated millions of acres of soil and water on and near DOD sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certain oversight authorities for cleaning up contaminants on…
GAO-10-787, Homeownership Preservation: Federal Efforts to Combat Foreclosure Rescue Schemes Are Under Way, but Improved Planning Elements Could Enhance Progress, July 15, 2010
One of the most devastating aspects of the current financial crisis for homeowners is the prospect of losing their homes to foreclosure, and many homeowners have fallen victim to foreclosure rescue and loan modification schemes. In 2009, the administration created the Financial Fraud Enforcement…
GAO-10-628, Critical Infrastructure Protection: Key Private and Public Cyber Expectations Need to Be Consistently Addressed, July 15, 2010
Pervasive and sustained computer-based attacks pose a potentially devastating impact to systems and operations and the critical infrastructures they support. Addressing these threats depends on effective partnerships between the government and private sector owners and operators of critical…
GAO-10-616, Consumer-Directed Health Plans: Health Status, Spending, and Utilization of Enrollees in Plans Based on Health Reimbursement Arrangements, July 16, 2010
Consumer-directed health plans (CDHP) combine a high-deductible health plan with a tax-advantaged account, such as a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), that enrollees can use to pay for health care expenses. In an effort to restrain cost growth, several employers, including the federal…
GAO-10-723, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Federally Funded Programs Have Helped to Address the Needs of Gulf Coast Small Businesses, but Agency Data on Subcontracting Are Incomplete, July 29, 2010
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on small businesses in the Gulf Coast, and much federal assistance has been provided to help these businesses. GAO was asked to describe (1) the amount of assistance provided to Gulf Coast small businesses through the Small Business Administration's…
Education Jobs Fund
Applications and guidance are now available for the Education Jobs Fund, which makes $10 billion available to states to support an estimated 160,000 education jobs nationwide.
First Summit on Bullying
Secretary Duncan discussed myths about bullying at the Department's first Bullying Prevention Summit.
GAO-10-899, State and Local Governments: Fiscal Pressures Could Have Implications for Future Delivery of Intergovernmental Programs, July 30, 2010
State and local governments work in partnership with the federal government to implement numerous intergovernmental programs. Fiscal pressures for state and local governments may exist when spending is expected to outpace revenues for the long term. GAO was asked to examine (1) the long-term fiscal…