-
July 17, 2009
10:39 AM EDTOn July 13, the President welcomed the Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer Champions, to the White House. After the ceremony the Crew visited a local school and held a clinic for participants in DC SCORES, a youth group that teaches students healthy lifestyles. The players ran skill drills and talked to the students about a healthy diet.In this video, Frankie Hejduk and Brian Carroll speak about the President's United We Serve program and the importance of serving your community.Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.To volunteer for service opportunities in your own community go to Serve.gov -
July 16, 2009
03:59 PM EDTContinuing his effort to deal with Senators and Representatives of both parties in good faith, the President met with Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine and Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska today at the White House, where they discussed the progress of health care legislation currently being crafted by the Senate.
(President Barack Obama meets with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska to discuss health care reform in the Oval Office, July 16, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
-
Vice President Biden and members of the Middle Class Task Force just concluded a health care reform discussion in Alexandria, Virginia. Along with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle, and Barry Rand, CEO of AARP, the Vice President led a discussion with older Americans on how reforming health care will lower costs, cut waste, create stability and improve quality for them.
(Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a Middle Class Task Force meeting on healthcare at Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center in Alexandria, Virginia, Thursday, July 16, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)As health reform advances this summer, it’s important to recognize the benefits for two key groups that are all too familiar with the toll rising costs of health care are taking on their security: seniors and early retirees aged 50-64.Seniors face increasing health care costs while living off of fixed incomes – a situation that often forces them to make tough decisions– like cutting doses of important drugs to save money. The Medicare Doughnut Hole – the gap in prescription drug coverage that millions of seniors fall into- costs seniors a total of $15 billion dollars a year.Health care reform will help close that gap by providing deep discounts for medications for seniors who are stuck in that hole and allowing seniors to access more affordable generic drugs. Health reform will also ensure Medicare beneficiaries access to their doctors, fund 100% of preventative care, and cut the bureaucracy between seniors and their doctors by simplifying paperwork, computerizing medical records, and making sure that forms are easy to read for seniors. Health reform will prevent any insurance company from denying coverage based on a person’s underlying health status, and it will end discrimination that charges you more if you’re sick.
(Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius answers a question along with President Joe Biden during a Middle Class Task Force meeting on healthcare at Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center in Alexandria, Virginia, Thursday, July 16, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)Americans aged 50-64 are often the most at vulnerable and at risk in the current health care system. Too young for Medicare, they experience sky high insurance premiums and costs because of their age. Premiums for 50-64 year olds buying coverage on the open market were three times that of their peers who were lucky enough to have employer coverage. And that’s for people who aren’t automatically excluded because of a pre-existing condition.Health care reform will lower costs for 50-64 year old Americans by providing assistance to employer health plans to encourage them to cover recent retirees and by giving individuals access to an insurance exchange where participants will be able to compare prices of health plans – including a public plan - and decide which option is right for them. Individuals will be eligible for help paying for insurance in the exchange based on their income. And in order to market a plan in the Exchange, insurance companies will have to comply with its rules: no denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions; no discrimination based on age; and fair prices, for good benefits.
(Vice President Joe Biden kneels on the floor to talk to a woman in a wheelchair after a Middle Class Task Force meeting on healthcare at Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center in Alexandria, Virginia, Thursday, July 16, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)Everyone will have the security of knowing that if they lose their job, or if someone in their family develops a chronic disease or has a pre-existing condition, they will be able to find affordable health care for their families in the exchange.Vice President Biden and the Middle Class Task Force are working to ensure that as Americans age, their care is stable and secure, affordable and effective.Terrell McSweeny is Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President -
July 16, 2009
11:43 AM EDTThe Rural Tour is continuing this week, as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood head to Wisconsin today to talk about economic development. As you may remember, Secretary Vilsack is leading the Rural Tour to travel to rural communities, listen to residents and get their thoughts on recovery. The aim is to come up with the best solutions for community challenges, and let residents know how the federal government can assist them.On Saturday, Secretary Vilsack will be joined by Energy Secretary Stephen Chu in Virginia. They will discuss carbon sequestration and weatherization as part of the President’s plan to create green jobs and focus on clean energy. The Recovery Act is allocating $4.8 billion to install insulation, fix heating and cooling systems and other repairs, to help make homes more energy-efficient. These funds will weatherize 1 million homes, which will help lower utility bills for struggling families, and provide construction jobs.On Monday, the tour continues in Louisiana, where Secretary Vilsack will be joined by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to discuss rural health. Health and Human Services has been awarding Recovery Act Capital Improvement Program (CIP) grants to rural health centers across America to repair and renovation facilities.Head over to the Rural Tour blog where you can read stories from the tour, and post your thoughts.
Update: At the event in Wisconsin today, Secretary Vilsack and Secretary LaHood highlighted the importance of investing in both physical infrastructure, like roads and bridges, as well as expanding broadband infrastructure in rural areas. They also discussed Recovery Act efforts underway in Wisconsin, where $375 million is available for transportation projects. The Recovery Act provides $34 million for new clean-fuel buses, vans and other equipment to improve mobility for those living in rural areas. You can read more about the event, as well as Recovery Act projects in Wisconsin, here. -
July 16, 2009
07:26 AM EDTPresident Obama celebrates and challenges Africa in his first visit to the continent since being elected. Catch a glimpse of his reception among the Ghanaian people. -
July 15, 2009
06:55 PM EDTSecretary of State Clinton gave a sweeping policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations today. She outlined the administration’s goals and approaches to foreign policy, discussing some of the world’s greatest challenges, the shape of American leadership in the world, the need for global cooperation, and the benefits of diplomacy.She emphasized that although there are unprecedented foreign policy challenges facing America today, these challenges also present opportunities:But they are not reason to despair about the future. The same forces that compound our problems – economic interdependence, open borders, and the speedy movement of information, capital, goods, services and people – are also part of the solution. And with more states facing common challenges, we have the chance, and a profound responsibility, to exercise American leadership to solve problems in concert with others. That is the heart of America’s mission in the world today.Now, some see the rise of other nations and our economic troubles here at home as signs that American power has waned. Others simply don’t trust us to lead; they view America as an unaccountable power, too quick to impose its will at the expense of their interests and our principles. But they are wrong.The question is not whether our nation can or should lead, but how it will lead in the 21st century. Rigid ideologies and old formulas don’t apply. We need a new mindset about how America will use its power to safeguard our nation, expand shared prosperity, and help more people in more places live up to their God-given potential.
(President Barack Obama meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)In facing these world challenges, she explained that there are two inescapable facts: no nation can meet these challenges alone, and most nations worry about the same global threats. It makes sense then for nations to work together on common goals, creating a "different global architecture." She explained how "smart power" can help build a foundation of global cooperation:And to these foes and would-be foes, let me say our focus on diplomacy and development is not an alternative to our national security arsenal. Our willingness to talk is not a sign of weakness to be exploited. We will not hesitate to defend our friends, our interests, and above all, our people vigorously and when necessary with the world’s strongest military. This is not an option we seek nor is it a threat; it is a promise to all Americans.Building the architecture of global cooperation requires us to devise the right policies and use the right tools. I speak often of smart power because it is so central to our thinking and our decision-making. It means the intelligent use of all means at our disposal, including our ability to convene and connect. It means our economic and military strength; our capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation; and the ability and credibility of our new President and his team. It also means the application of old-fashioned common sense in policymaking. It’s a blend of principle and pragmatism.Smart power translates into specific policy approaches in five areas. First, we intend to update and create vehicles for cooperation with our partners; second, we will pursue principled engagement with those who disagree with us; third, we will elevate development as a core pillar of American power; fourth, we will integrate civilian and military action in conflict areas; and fifth, we will leverage key sources of American power, including our economic strength and the power of our example.Secretary Clinton called for the need to cultivate partnerships to solve the world’s toughest conflicts. She cited the recent Security Council resolutions on North Korea, which were unanimously passed, as an example of successful cooperation. She then noted the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called for action on all sides to secure peace between the two states. Progress has been made, she said, but more action is needed -- "So I say to all sides: Sending messages of peace is not enough. You must also act against the cultures of hate, intolerance and disrespect that perpetuate conflict."The United States must lead with diplomacy, she said, and explained the administration’s approach to Iran:With this in mind, I want to say a few words about Iran. We watched the energy of Iran’s election with great admiration, only to be appalled by the manner in which the government used violence to quell the voices of the Iranian people, and then tried to hide its actions by arresting foreign journalists and nationals, and expelling them, and cutting off access to technology. As we and our G-8 partners have made clear, these actions are deplorable and unacceptable.We know very well what we inherited with Iran, because we deal with that inheritance every day. We know that refusing to deal with the Islamic Republic has not succeeded in altering the Iranian march toward a nuclear weapon, reducing Iranian support for terror, or improving Iran’s treatment of its citizens.Neither the President nor I have any illusions that dialogue with the Islamic Republic will guarantee success of any kind, and the prospects have certainly shifted in the weeks following the election. But we also understand the importance of offering to engage Iran and giving its leaders a clear choice: whether to join the international community as a responsible member or to continue down a path to further isolation. -
The legendary Willie Mays joined President Obama for the flight out to St. Louis, where the President threw the first pitch at the MLB All-Star game. Have a look at their conversation about how Mays helped lay the groundwork for the President’s election.Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.download HD .mp4 (16.2 Mb)
-
When a President wants to go on record with his feelings about legislation that is making its way through Congress, he or (some day soon!) she issues a Statement of Administration Policy, or SAP. Today the President issued a SAP on the National Defense Authorization Act, which was generally supportive of the legislation but which laid out an unambiguous veto threat over one fiscally irresponsible provision.
-
July 15, 2009
03:14 PM EDTViewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.download .mp4 (104.3) | read the transcriptThis afternoon the President was joined by members of the American Nurses Association in the Rose Garden, where he spoke strongly on the urgent need for health care reform. He explained that the status quo is not an option, and that deferring reform is akin to defending that status quo.The President praised nurses as an essential component to our health care system, saying without them, many in underserved areas would not receive health care at all. Because they work so closely with patients, nurses know as well as anybody why reform is desperately needed:And that's why it's safe to say that few understand why we have to pass reform as intimately as our nation's nurses. They see firsthand the heartbreaking costs of our health care crisis. They hear the same stories that I've heard across this country -- of treatment deferred or coverage denied by insurance companies; of insurance premiums and prescriptions that are so expensive they consume a family's entire budget; of Americans forced to use the emergency room for something as simple as a sore throat just because they can't afford to see a doctor.And they understand that this is a problem that we can no longer defer. We can't kick the can down the road any longer. Deferring reform is nothing more than defending the status quo -- and those who would oppose our efforts should take a hard look at just what it is that they're defending. Over the last decade, health insurance premiums have risen three times faster than wages. Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs are skyrocketing. And every single day we wait to act, thousands of Americans lose their insurance, some turning to nurses in emergency rooms as their only recourse.Rising costs are unsustainable, which is why reform benefits all Americans, whether they are insured or not. The President assured that those who like their health care can keep it, and reform will save you money by bringing down costs, providing more choices, and keeping insurance companies honest. Inaction is not an option, but real progress is being made. The President commended the hard work being done in Congress as key committees in the House and Senate have put forth their plans:Yesterday, the House introduced its health reform proposal. Today, thanks to the unyielding passion and inspiration of our friend Ted Kennedy, and to the bold leadership of Senator Chris Dodd, the Senate HELP Committee reached a major milestone by passing a similarly strong proposal for health reform. It's a plan that was debated for more than 50 hours and that, by the way, includes 160 Republican amendments -- a hopeful sign of bipartisan support for the final product, if people are serious about bipartisanship.Both proposals will take what's best about our system today and make it the basis for our system tomorrow -- reducing costs, raising quality, and ensuring fair treatment of consumers by the insurance industry. Both include a health insurance exchange, a marketplace that will allow families and small businesses to compare prices, services, and the quality, so they can choose the plan that best suits their needs. And among the choices available would be a public health insurance option that would make health care more affordable by increasing competition, providing more choices, and keeping insurance companies honest. Both proposals will offer stability and security to Americans who have coverage today, and affordable options to those who don't.
The President emphasized that we will get health care reform done, because Americans need reform to succeed: for the patients, families, businesses, hospitals, doctors and nurses:
America's nurses need us to succeed, not just on behalf of the patients that they sometimes speak for. If we invest in prevention, nurses won't have to treat diseases or complications that could have been avoided. If we modernize health records, we'll streamline the paperwork that can take up more than one-third of the average nurse's day, freeing them to spend more time with their patients. If we make their jobs a little bit easier, we can attract and train the young nurses we need to make up a nursing shortage that's only getting worse. Nurses do their part every time they check another healthy patient out of the hospital. It's now time for us to do our part. -
July 15, 2009
09:41 AM EDTBefore throwing out the first pitch at yesterday's 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, President Obama sat down with world-famous sportscaster, Bob Costas, to talk shop.Catch the full interview here:
Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.
The interview is also airing this week on the MLB Network.
-
July 14, 2009
09:24 PM EDTServe.gov, the website for the President’s United We Serve initiative, launched their blog today. Their first post discussed tonight’s MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis, where activities were focused on highlighting the importance of community service:For our first post, we’re thrilled to highlight Major League Baseball’s grand slam effort in support of United We Serve at tonight’s All-Star Game. From a benefit concert to community service projects to a new Presidential video recognizing outstanding volunteers, Major League Baseball has made service the centerpiece of this year’s All-Star Game events.As Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, puts it:"The central theme of the 2009 All-Star Game is community service, celebrating the extraordinary work being done by ordinary people. We are thrilled that we can come together with President Obama, who has encouraged a renewed spirit of national service, and illustrate a call to action in our communities."Before the game, President Obama appeared in a video with all five living former presidents celebrating "All-Stars Among Us," exceptional men and women who are dedicated to service in their communities:Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.Afterwards, the President threw out the ceremonial first pitch to get the game started.
(President Barack Obama winds up for the first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO, on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson.)
(President Barack Obama throws out the first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO, on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson.) -
July 14, 2009
05:57 PM EDTOver at the Office of Science & Technology blog, you can read the latest suggestions submitted by the public through the Declassification Policy Forum. This time, the topic was "Technology Challenges and Opportunities." These thoughtful suggestions are just the beginning of an ongoing conversation. -
July 14, 2009
05:52 PM EDTViewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.download .mp4 (159.8 MB) | read the transcript
As part of his effort to build a stronger foundation that will allow us to lead in the global economy, the President announced today a historic initiative to strengthen our nation’s community colleges, and called for five million additional graduates by 2020.Speaking at Macomb Community College in Michigan, the President stressed the importance of education to America’s prosperity:But we also have to ensure that we're educating and preparing our people for the new jobs of the 21st century. We've got to prepare our people with the skills they need to compete in this global economy. (Applause.) Time and again, when we placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result -- by tapping the incredible innovative and generative potential of a skilled American workforce. That's what happened when President Lincoln signed into law legislation creating the land grant colleges, which not only transformed higher education, but also our entire economy. That's what took place when President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill which helped educate a generation, and ushered in an era of unprecedented prosperity. That was the foundation for the American middle class.
(President Barack Obama greets the crowd at Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich., Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)Yesterday, we told you about the Council of Economic Advisers’ report about the future of the U.S. labor market. The report described a shift towards jobs that require greater analytical and interactive skills, and the benefits of higher education. It is expected that jobs requiring at least an associate degree will grow twice as fast as jobs requiring only a high school education. The President understands that education is fundamental to reviving our economy and strengthening our workforce, which is why he is committed to increasing graduation rates, and has asked every American to commit to at least one year of higher education:But today I'm announcing the most significant down payment yet on reaching the goal of having the highest college graduation rate of any nation in the world. We're going to achieve this in the next 10 years. (Applause.) And it's called the American Graduation Initiative. It will reform and strengthen community colleges like this one from coast to coast so they get the resources that students and schools need -- and the results workers and businesses demand. Through this plan, we seek to help an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade -- 5 million. (Applause.)You may remember Dr. Biden recently spoke about the critical role of community colleges in our higher education system. Community colleges are rapidly growing, and are needed now more than ever to keep America competitive. The American Graduation Initiative will build on the strengths of community colleges and launch new initiatives and reforms that will increase their effectiveness and impact by figuring out what works and what doesn't, modernize facilities, increase graduation rates, and expand and create new online learning opportunities.The Initiative is estimated to cost $12 billion over the next decade, but the President has outlined a plan to pay for it by cutting waste, while increasing Pell Grant scholarships and reducing the deficit:Not since the passage of the original GI Bill and the work of President Truman's Commission on Higher Education -- which helped to double the number of community colleges and increase by seven-fold enrollment in those colleges -- have we taken such a historic step on behalf of community colleges in America. And let me be clear: We pay for this plan -- this isn't adding to the deficit; we're paying for this plan -- by ending the wasteful subsidies we currently provide to banks and private lenders for student loans. (Applause.) That will save tens of billions of dollars over the next 10 years. Instead of lining the pockets of special interests, it's time this money went towards the interests of higher education in America. (Applause.) That's what my administration is committed to doing. -
Ayer el Comité Judicial del Senado comenzó las audiencias de confirmación para la Jueza Sonia Sotomayor, nominada para la Corte Suprema. En sus declaraciones iniciales, la Jueza Sotomayor prometió "ser fiel a la ley."En el último mes, muchos senadores me han preguntado sobre mi filosofía judicial. Es muy simple: ser fiel a la ley. La labor de un juez no es formular leyes sino aplicar las leyes. Y en mi opinión, está claro que mi historial en dos tribunales refleja mi riguroso compromiso con interpretar la Constitución según sus términos; interpretar los estatutos según sus términos y lo que se proponía el Congreso y ceñirme fielmente a los precedentes establecidos por la Corte Suprema y mi Corte de Distrito. En cada caso en los que he participado, he aplicado la ley a los hechos en cuestión.
Vean el video completo de las declaraciones iniciales de la Jueza Sotomayor aqui, con capciones en español:Ver este video requiere Adobe Flash Player. Descargue el programa gratis.Las audiencias de confirmación de la Jueza Sotomayor continuan hoy con la primera oportunidad de tomar preguntas. Durante los últimos 17 años, la Jueza Sotomayor ha ejercido su labor como jueza desde el punto de vista del mundo verdadero. Ese estilo sencillo y familiar está luciendo en las audicencias, a través de sus respuestas claras y directas. Se puede ver más acerca de la Jueza Sotomayor en todo Whitehouse.gov:
-
July 14, 2009
10:14 AM EDTYesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. In her opening statement, Judge Sotomayor pledged a "fidelity to the law:"In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law -- it is to apply the law. And it is clear, I believe, that my record in two courts reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms; interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress's intent; and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and my Circuit Court. In each case I have heard, I have applied the law to the facts at hand.Check out the full video of Judge Sotomayor's opening statement here:
Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearings continue today with the first round of questioning. For the last 17 years, Judge Sotomayor has approached judging from the real world. You'll see this down-to-earth style throughout the hearings -- with direct and precise answers. You can learn more about Judge Sotomayor throughout Whitehouse.gov: Read about Judge Sotomayor's incredible personal story and distinguished law career.Scroll through our candid photogallery of Judge Sotomayor that includes images from her early childhood in the South Bronx and more recent images with her family.Watch the President discuss Sotomayor's personal and professional experience in the Weekly Address from May 29th, 2009.Check out Judge Sotomayor's responses to the Senate Judiciary Committee's questions in a guest blog post by White House Counsel, Greg Craig.Take a look back at the President's press conference announcing Judge Sotomayor as his nominee to the Supreme Court. -
July 14, 2009
09:38 AM EDTThe Council of Economic Advisers’ report, "Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow," was released yesterday. Afterwards, CEA Chair Christina Romer hosted a live chat to discuss the findings. She took your questions from Facebook and WhiteHouse.gov, and discussed the future of the labor market. In case you missed it, you can watch the complete chat here:Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.download .mp4 (159.8 MB) -
July 13, 2009
06:01 PM EDTViewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.download .mp4 (159.8 MB) | read the transcript
The White House Office of Urban Affairs and the Domestic Policy Council hosted a day-long discussion about the future of America’s urban and metropolitan areas. Participants included policy experts from across the country, several cabinet members, and elected officials. Discussions covered the evolution of metropolitan areas, best practices in urban communities, and how the federal government can be a more effective partner in these communities.After the roundtable discussions, the President spoke on some of the challenges facing urban communities today. The President is personally familiar with these challenges after spending much of his life in urban areas, saying he received his greatest education working in Chicago’s South Side. These challenges are only exacerbated by the recession, which is why the administration has been committed to making sure our cities not only rebound, but also prosper in the future:But what's also clear is we're going to need to do more than just help our cities weather the current economic storm. We've got to figure out ways to rebuild them on a newer, firmer, stronger foundation for our future. And that requires new strategies for our cities and metropolitan areas that focus on advancing opportunity through competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth. And that's why all of you are here today. And I know that there were a lot of ideas that were shared throughout the morning and afternoon.Now, the first thing we need to recognize is that this is not just a time of challenge for America's cities; it's also a time of great change. Even as we've seen many of our central cities continuing to grow in recent years, we've seen their suburbs and exurbs grow roughly twice as fast -- that spreads homes and jobs and businesses to a broader geographic area. And this transformation is creating new pressures and problems, of course, but it's also opening up new opportunities, because it's not just our cities that are hotbeds of innovation anymore, it's our growing metropolitan areas.The President outlined some of his administration’s proposals:And we're also going to take a hard look at how Washington helps or hinders our cities and metro areas -- from infrastructure to transportation; from housing to energy; from sustainable development to education. And we're going to make sure federal policies aren't hostile to good ideas or best practices on the local levels. We're going to put an end to throwing money at what doesn't work -- and we're going to start investing in what does work and make sure that we're encouraging that.Now, we began to do just that with my budget proposal, which included two investments in innovative and proven strategies. I just want to mention these briefly. The first, Promise Neighborhoods, is modeled on Geoffrey Canada's successful Harlem Children's Zone. It's an all-encompassing, all-hands-on-deck effort that's turning around the lives of New York City's children, block by block. And what we want to do is to make grants available for communities in other cities to jumpstart their own neighborhood-level interventions that change the odds for our kids.The second proposal we call Choice Neighborhoods -- focuses on new ideas for housing in our cities by recognizing that different communities need different solutions. So instead of isolated and monolithic public housing projects that too often trap residents in a cycle of poverty and isolate them further, we want to invest in proven strategies that actually transform communities and enhance opportunity for residents and businesses alike.The President highlighted the policies of Denver, Philadelphia and Kansas City for their innovative solutions to urban challenges. With these fresh ideas and successful solutions, and the help of the federal government, we can reinvent our urban and metropolitan areas for the 21st century. -
July 13, 2009
05:46 PM EDTAs mentioned last week, President Obama received thousands of comments and questions from over 80 countries worldwide related to his visit to Accra, Ghana. Several regional journalists picked a few questions for the President to answer which is covered in the video below.Viewing this video requires Adobe Flash Player 8 or higher. Download the free player.download .mp4 (85.4) -
July 13, 2009
02:00 PM EDTThe President’s Council of Economic Advisers released a report today on "Jobs of the Future (pdf)" outlining how the U.S. labor market is expected to grow over the next few years. The report includes information on likely shifts and changes in the labor market, skills and training that will likely be most relevant in growing occupations, the importance of worker flexibility, and how the construction and manufacturing sectors are expected to rebound as a result of the Recovery Act.CEA Chair Christina Romer will participate in a live chat at 2:30 to discuss the report. She will be taking your questions about the future job market through our Facebook application and WhiteHouse.gov/live, so watch it live, share your questions, and participate in the conversation.Here is a short snippet from the report:
Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity. Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate’s degree or a post-secondary vocational award. Key attributes of a well-trained workforce as well as elements of an effective education and training system are detailed below.Employers value workers who can think critically and solve problems. Many highly-paid occupations require workers with good analytic and interactive skills.Occupations that employ large shares of workers with post-secondary education and training are growing faster than others. While expected growth in construction and some manufacturing industries would create job opportunities at all skill levels, workers will be better positioned for good jobs if they acquire additional training and education. Occupations that have grown recently require more formal post-secondary schooling than occupations that have declined.The U.S. post-high school education and training system provides valuable skills to those who complete programs in high-growth fields. However, it could be more effective at encouraging completion and responding to the needs of the labor marketElements of a more effective system include: a solid early childhood, elementary, and secondary system that ensures students have strong basic skills; institutions and programs that have goals that are aligned and curricula that are cumulative; close collaboration between training providers and employers to ensure that curricula are aligned with workforce needs; flexible scheduling, appropriate curricula, and financial aid designed to meet the needs of students; incentives for institutions and programs to continually improve and innovate; and accountability for results.Worker flexibility is key given the dynamic nature of the U.S. labor market and ongoing technological change. In 2003, for example, a quarter of American workers were in jobs that were not even listed among the Census Bureau’s Occupation codes in 1967, and technological change has only accelerated since then. Environmental-related occupations – which are expected to experience tremendous growth over the next decade – did not exist in comparable data prior to 2000. As we build a new foundation for economic growth in the 21st century, the nation’s workers will be better prepared for ever-changing opportunities if they have strong analytical and interpersonal skills. High-quality education and training is the best way to prepare the workers of today for the jobs of tomorrow. -
Cross-posted from the new IT Dashboard blog.It has been an exciting time since we launched the IT Dashboard. There have been more than 20 million hits so far, and we’ve received an encouraging response from members of Congress and the public in support of our efforts to increase transparency. One of those 20 million hits was from a prominent IT user; see for yourself here:
(The President looks at the new IT Dashboard at his secretary's desk outside the Oval Office. White House Photo, 7/2/09, Pete Souza)For anybody just joining us, the "IT Dashboard" is a new, one-stop clearinghouse of information that allows anyone with a web browser to track federal IT initiatives and hold the government accountable for progress and results. A part of USASpending.gov, the dashboard allows you to see what IT projects are working and on-schedule (and which are not), offer alternative approaches, and provide direct feedback to the chief information officers at federal agencies – in effect, keeping tabs on the people who are responsible for taxpayer dollars for technology.Leading up to the launch, we tapped the brightest and most innovative minds from Federal agencies, Congress, independent oversight organizations, and the private sector as we built the IT Dashboard. Over 400 federal employees joined our daily open house sessions for a hands-on opportunity to try the Dashboard, check their data, and suggest improvements. Until July 31, CIOs can submit investment evaluations and update other investment data. During this time, you will notice that the site will continue to be in "beta" as we deliver additional key features.But we can’t simply make this an exercise in federal agency reporting. That is why we started this blog. We want to hear from you about what works and what doesn’t with the site. Is there a more innovative approach that an investment should consider? Does the contract data look incorrect to you? Is there an application that we should add? This is a site to serve you, and to do that, we need to hear from you.So bookmark this blog, and come back to us often. There is a lot happening over the next few weeks as we review the entire federal IT portfolio, assess the performance of investments, identify areas to save money, improve performance, and share best practices.Vivek Kundra is Federal CIO.
- &lsaquo previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- next &rsaquo
