This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

Search form

Weekly Wrap Up: Syria and the G-20

Summary: 
The Weekly Wrap Up: Chemical weapons attack in Syria, the President visits Sweden, G-20 Summit, Labor Day, and Secretary of Labor sworn-in.

Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria: Saturday morning, President Obama laid out the case for a targeted military action against Syrian regime targets as a result of the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons that killed over one thousand people--including hundreds of children.

“After careful deliberation, I have decided that the United States should take military action against Syrian regime targets,” the President said.

I've long believed that our power is rooted not just in our military might, but in our example as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And that’s why I've made a second decision: I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people's representatives in Congress.

On Tuesday, President Obama and the Vice President sat down with a group of bipartisan Congressional lawmakers to discuss the situation in Syria. “I've made a decision that America should take action,” President Obama said. “But I also believe that we will be much more effective, we will be stronger, if we take action together as one nation.”

On Friday, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power spoke about the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against Syrian and the need for an international response.

Learn more about President Obama's response and get the latest news from the White House about the situation in Syria here.

G-20 Summit: After arriving in St. Petersburg for the first day of the G-20 Summit on Thursday, the President held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe of Japan and took part in a G-20 Working Session, where he and other world leaders discussed sustainable development. On Friday, President Obama held bilateral meetings with President Xi of China and President Hollande of France and participated in a G-20 session on investing in growth and jobs.

The President Visits Sweden: On Wednesday, President Obama traveled to Stockholm, Sweden for a brief visit before the G-20 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. President Obama’s trip to Sweden is the first bilateral visit by a U.S. President. While in Sweden, the President held a press conference with Prime Minister Reinfieldt, and  participated in an event honoring Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat and honorary U.S. citizen, at the Great Synagogue.

President Obama also toured an expo at the Royal Institute of Technology, which featured clean energy technologies developed in Sweden. Thursday morning, the President met with the King and Queen of Sweden on Thursday morning before flying to St. Petersburg for the G-20 Summit.

Labor Day: Monday was Labor Day and in honor of the working men and women in America, President Obama spoke about the importance of fighting for the middle class and making sure everyone who works hard in the United States has the chance to get ahead.

Secretary of Labor Sworn-In: Vice President Joe Biden swore-in Tom Pérez as Secretary of Labor on Wednesday. During his remarks, Secretary Pérez shared how he will continue to advocate for the working men and women and continue this country’s promise - it doesn’t matter where you come from, those who work hard deserve a fair shot at success.