Weekly Wrap Up: Seize the Opportunity

Your quick look at happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov

President Barack Obama announces the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, right, as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) during a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House, July 18, 2011. At left is Elizabeth Warren, interim director of the CFPB. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Deficit Talks: President Obama believes the current debt crisis offers a chance "to do something big and meaningful" and in an editorial he wrote for USA Today, he urges leaders "to seize the opportunity."  The President stressed the urgency of the looming deadline in a press conference where he repeated his commitment to solving the issue through shared sacrifice. At a University of Maryland town hall, he told the crowd he was willing to make tough choices.   

Protecting Consumers: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officially launched on July 21, one year after the Wall Street Reform Act was signed into law. President Obama nominated five-time Jeopardy champion Richard Cordray to lead the new agency. Learn what this means for you


Food Deserts: Millions of Americans don’t have access to affordable healthy food. First Lady Michelle Obama announced new commitments from businesses designed to change that. Companies including Walgreens and Walmart have committed to opening or expanding over 1,500 stores to better serve the 23.5 million Americans living in low-income areas.

Space Shuttle: Although the final flight of Atlantis marks the end of one era, it ushers in a new frontier of space exploration. Watch as the President makes a call to the crew.

Focus on Jobs: Treasury announced the single largest round of awards in the history of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund, looking to spark economic growth across the US. Almost $150 million will go directly to financial institutions in rural and urban communities for the purpose of increasing lending for low-income Americans.

Keeping Americans Safe: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano released a report highlighting the significant progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

Campaign to Cut Waste: As part of the President’s initiative to decrease wasteful spending, 178 data centers around the country will be shut down in the coming year, eliminating millions in misspent tax dollars. Learn more about this shut down, and see what is happening in your area. 

Don't miss behind the scenes footage on West Wing Week:  The President welcomed a civil rights icon, placed a call to space, made an important personnel announcement - all the while staying focused on finding a balanced solution to deficit reduction.