MON, MARCH 23, 6:10 PM EST

Clean Energy Jobs: From the Lab to the Manufacturing Line to the Living Room

Today the President held an event focused on "Investing in Our Clean Energy Future" --we asked Greg Nelson of the Office of Public Liaison to give us a rundown of what the event was all about.
 
Behind every great company can usually be found a couple of key ingredients: an innovative inventor or scientist, a dogged and passionate entrepreneur, and a community of employees and supporters that make the vision a reality.
 
Earlier today, President Obama spoke in front of a crowd that represented all aspects of this spectrum, from an idea in a lab that creates jobs and a better standard of living for all of us. The focus was on building the clean energy economy, and how investments in research and development today will pay off in high-quality green jobs tomorrow.
 
The President’s budget helps lead the way (read the fact sheet), giving businesses the tools and stability needed to grow -- $150 billion over 10 years in clean energy and energy efficiency, and a 10-year commitment to make the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit permanent. Through this funding, projects have been able to start at institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and turn into growing green businesses like Serious Materials. To illustrate the point, MIT President Susan Hockfield and Serious Materials Vice Chairman Paul Holland joined the President on the stage to tell their stories.
 
The President speaks on green jobs
(President Barack Obama shares the podium with MIT's Susan Hockfield and Paul Holland of Serious Materials during the President's remarks on investments in clean energy and new technology Monday, March 23, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House. White House Photo / Lawrence Jackson)
 
The pre-program was a lot of fun, an example of the dynamism and innovative partnerships that are happening right now in this time of necessity. Van Jones, newly minted as the Senior Advisor for Green Jobs, Innovation, and Enterprise at CEQ, lead a discussion about how to help companies and technologies make that leap across the chasm. How do we capture the imagination and turn it into meaningful work making products that matter? 
 
Van Jones speaks
(Van Jones speaks, joined by Neal Verfuerth of Orion Energy Systems and Deepika Singh of Sinmat. 
Photo credit Jason Djang, 3/23/09)
Joining Van were two great examples of the spectrum – Deepika Singh from Sinmat and Neal Verfueth from Orion Energy Systems. Both have been growing their dynamic businesses in this recession by focusing on technology and products that help us solve some of our most pressing needs – energy efficiency, smarter technology, and more integrated systems.
 
Omar Friella and wife Gia Winsryg-Ulmer look on
(Omar Friella of the Green Worker Cooperatives network and wife Gia Winsryg-Ulmer look on.
Photo Credit Jason Djang, 3/23/09)
 
The President wrapped up the conversation with a commitment and a call to action – "all of you, you are helping us to build a cleaner, brighter future, and a stronger, more prosperous economy. And my administration and our country will support you in that difficult work."
 
From the labs at MIT to the shop floors at Orion and Serious Materials – let’s get to work.
 
The audience
(The audience looks on intently during the pre-program.  Photo credit Jason Djang, 3/23/09)


WED, MARCH 11, 7:28 PM EST

President Obama declares turning point on earmark reform

The President lays out principals for what Congressional analyst Norm Ornstein calls "real reform."


WED, MARCH 11, 4:31 PM EST

“Opportunities their mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers never dreamed of”

President Obama signs an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls.


WED, MARCH 11, 2:22 PM EST

Launch

Space shuttle Discovery closes in on launch. Read more from NASA's blog, and have a look at an amazing photo from NASA photographer Bill Ingalls. UPDATE: Launch scrubbed for today, again via NASA's blog.


WED, MARCH 11, 11:36 AM EST

Recovery in Action: CA, VT, GA, TN, MD, MI, MN

Across the country the economy is tough, but the recovery act is fighting back.


WED, MARCH 11, 8:48 AM EST

"It feels different already"

Nancy-Ann DeParle, the new director of the White House Office for Health Reform, takes to the op-ed page to give her perspective on the drive for health reform and why it can be successful after so many decades of frustration.


TUE, MARCH 10, 6:54 PM EST

Ethics Update

Norm Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform, gives an update on the President’s Executive Order on Ethics.


TUE, MARCH 10, 12:37 PM EST

Van Jones to CEQ

Van Jones, an early green jobs visionary, joins the team at CEQ to help oversee the creation of green jobs where they are needed most.


TUE, MARCH 10, 11:21 AM EST

The Vice President on Afghanistan at NATO

Vice President Biden discusses his views on America's alliances and the new strategy being developed for Afghanistan.


TUE, MARCH 10, 10:32 AM EST

Taking on Education

The President explains the urgency of changing the way we educate our children, and offers four pillars of reform.


MON, MARCH 9, 8:25 PM EST

A Salute to Senator Kennedy

The President and Ms. Obama salute Senator Ted Kennedy on his birthday.


MON, MARCH 9, 4:01 PM EST

Green Jobs: Watch the Panels

Watch the panels from the first official meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, focusing on green jobs.


MON, MARCH 9, 2:47 PM EST

Remembering Christopher Reeve

The passionate advocate is remembered by President Obama and Peter Wilderotter, the current President and CEO of the Reeves Foundation.


MON, MARCH 9, 12:09 PM EST

“A debt of gratitude to so many tireless advocates”

President Obama signs an Executive Order lifting restrictions on stem cell research as well as a Presidential Memorandum ensuring that sound science be protected from politics.


SAT, MARCH 7, 6:00 AM EST

Weekly Address: Toward a Better Day

The President discusses significant steps taken this week down the long path toward economic recovery.


FRI, MARCH 6, 8:13 PM EST

The First Lady at Miriam’s Kitchen

Yesterday Ms. Obama visited Miriam’s Kitchen to help feed the homeless.


FRI, MARCH 6, 8:04 PM EST

President Obama signs continuing resolution

In light of an imminent government shut down as result of delays in passing last year’s appropriations bills, Congress has passed and President Obama has signed a continuing resolution to maintain the prior year’s funding level through Wednesday while negotiations continue on last year’s budget work.


FRI, MARCH 6, 5:17 PM EST

Rebuilding America, town by town

Today the President went to Ohio for the Graduation of the Columbus Police Division’s 114th Class. The bad economic numbers are more than statistics there, but the recovery act did bring some good news.


FRI, MARCH 6, 1:50 PM EST

Slideshow: Forum on Health Reform – and next steps

See some amazing photos from yesterday's event, and find out what's ahead with new Regional Forums.


THU, MARCH 5, 7:11 PM EST

Public Transit Gets a Boost

Today, Vice President Biden, U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood, and Miami Mayor Diaz announced the availability of $8.4 billion in public transportation investments from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to states and local transportation authorities to repair and build America's public transportation infrastructure.


THU, MARCH 5, 1:03 PM EST

Live-blogging the White House Forum on Health Reform

We asked Rebecca Adelman of HHS to give us an inside look at the forum as it happens.


THU, MARCH 5, 9:51 AM EST

Meet Gov. Locke

Get to know Commerce Secretary-designate Gary Locke a little better in a brief video.


WED, MARCH 4, 11:32 AM EST

Priorities -- Not lining the pockets of contractors

The President is joined by Senators McCain, Levin, and McCaskill along with Representatives Towns and Welch in beginning the task of eliminating waste and fraud from defense contracting.


TUE, MARCH 3, 3:51 PM EST

Transatlanticism

In a meeting at the White House with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, President Obama spoke warmly of the two nations' "shared values" and argued forcefully for collaboration between them.


TUE, MARCH 3, 1:43 PM EST

Renewing America's Infrastructure

I can say that 14 days after I signed our Recovery Act into law, we are seeing shovels hit the ground," President Obama said in remarks at the Department of Transportation today, announcing the allocation of billions in infrastructure spending. See the details at www.Recovery.gov.


TUE, MARCH 3, 9:48 AM EST

Secretary Clinton in the Middle East

Secretary of State Clinton speaks at a donor’s conference for Gaza recovery in Egypt.


MON, MARCH 2, 5:59 PM EST

Images and Recap from Philly

The Middle Class Task Force came to Philadelphia on Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 with a clear mission -- figure out how to make sure that our recovery from the current economic crisis benefits the middle class. Read a recap and see picture from the day's event.


MON, MARCH 2, 1:11 PM EST

Sebelius at HHS

"Kathleen Sebelius has a remarkable intellect, unquestioned integrity, and the kind of pragmatic wisdom you’ll tend to find in a Kansan," President Obama said as he announced the Kansas Governor as his nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. He also announced Nancy Ann DeParle as his choice to lead the White House Office for Health Reform.


MON, MARCH 2, 11:14 AM EST

Cyber review underway

John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, provides an update on the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council's review of our communications and information infrastructure (i.e., cyberspace).


SAT, FEBRUARY 28, 5:43 AM EST

Keeping Promises

President Obama explains how the budget he sent to Congress will fulfill the promises he made as a candidate, and assures special interests that he is ready for the fight.


FRI, FEBRUARY 27, 7:22 PM EST

Friday Extras

Closing out the day: OMB Director Orszag clears up another misconception, the EPA raises another question. More on Green Jobs, high-speed rail, and another federal governent blog you should know about.


FRI, FEBRUARY 27, 1:28 PM EST

Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq (Update: photos)

"Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," the President said today at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.


FRI, FEBRUARY 27, 11:32 AM EST

Liveblogging at AStrongMiddleClass.gov

The Vice President and his team are in Philadelphia this morning for the first meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, with a focus on Green Jobs as a pathway to a strong Middle Class. We're liveblogging the event over at AStrongMiddleClass.gov.


FRI, FEBRUARY 27, 11:26 AM EST

Liveblog: The Task Force's first meeting

The Vice President and his team are in Philadelphia this morning for the first meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, with a focus on a green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class. Greg Nelson from the White House Office of Public Liaison is attending the meeting and will be filing updates throughout the day.


FRI, FEBRUARY 27, 8:50 AM EST

The case for green jobs

Vice President Biden makes the case for Green Jobs as a way to aid the Middle Class in an op-ed appearing this morning in the Philadelphia Inquirer.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 7:06 PM EST

Extras

The President meets with the Chicago Bulls, the Vice President meets with the President of Kosovo, and some news from around the Cabinet.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 5:45 PM EST

The world we leave our children

Along with thanks and congratulations, First Lady Michelle Obama today appealed to employees of the Environmental Protection Agency to strive for excellence for the sake of the next generation.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 5:03 PM EST

Apply for an internship

If you’re interested in applying for a White House internship, the application process is now open.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 4:49 PM EST

Wonder at the White House

"The fact that [Michelle and I] agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship," President Obama said last night at a White House ceremony presenting Stevie Wonder with the 2nd annual Gershwin Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Library of Congress.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 2:54 PM EST

A new era of fiscal responsibility… and blogging

OMB Director Peter Orszag on the budget and blogging.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 1:31 PM EST

Green job spotlight: Energy auditor

The Philadelphia Inquirer today profiles Suechada Poynter, a 39-year-old woman who is a home energy auditor -- she checks for air leaks and improperly functioning furnaces to make buildings more energy efficient -- exactly the kind of job the ARRA will create:


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 12:59 PM EST

The budget -- more info

Much more info on the budget for Fiscal Year 2010 is available on the website of the Office of Management and Budget, www.OMB.gov.


THU, FEBRUARY 26, 11:04 AM EST

The budget (Update: photos)

The President just spoke on the budget for FY 2010, here are some highlights.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 7:18 PM EST

Overhaul

The President today laid out 7 key principles for transforming the nation's regulatory system.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 5:45 PM EST

Fighting foreclosure and homelessness

Just a week after President Obama signed the Act into law, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today allocated 75% of its recovery funds -- $10 billion -- to create green jobs, to revive housing markets with high rates of foreclosure, and curb homelessness.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 3:27 PM EST

A good week for green jobs

Greg Nelson of the Office of Public Liaison runs down the action on Green Jobs for this week.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 3:19 PM EST

Locke at Commerce

"Gary knows the American Dream. He's lived it. And that's why he shares my commitment to do whatever it takes to keep it alive in our time," President Obama said this morning in announcing former Washington governor Gary Locke as his choice to lead the Commerce Department.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 1:45 PM EST

Don't mess with Joe (and others)

"They said last night don't mess with Joe,” the Vice President said this morning at the first Recovery Plan Implementation meeting. Actually, "This is the guy you don't mess with," he said, pointing to Earl Devaney, the official in charge of preventing waste and abuse in spending Recovery Act funds.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 12:31 PM EST

Making Strides, Improving Standards

Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, discusses what it's like working on the environment in the Obama Administraion, and recent dramatic strides made towards an international agreement on mercury.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 10:30 AM EST

The first meeting: Green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class

Vice President Biden and the rest of the Middle Class Task Force get down to (official) business for the first time Friday, Feb. 27, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Take a look at what's on the agenda.


WED, FEBRUARY 25, 8:30 AM EST

Welcoming the Japanese PM to the Oval Office

The leaders of the world's two largest economies met in Washington yesterday morning, as Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso became the first foreign leader to meet with the President in the Oval Office.


TUE, FEBRUARY 24, 7:20 PM EST

The President's address (Update: photos, video, full remarks, and excerpt translations)

The President is gearing up to give his first address to a joint session of Congress tonight. Read an excerpt of the address, along with the names of the Americans who will be seated in the First Lady’s box during the President’s remarks.


TUE, FEBRUARY 24, 4:48 PM EST

Housekeeping @ WhiteHouse.gov -- RSS feeds repaired

If you subscribe to our RSS feed, you may have noticed a little hiccup recently having to do with multiple posts showing up in your feed reader. We've now corrected that problem and moving forward, it should be fine.


TUE, FEBRUARY 24, 2:55 PM EST

Great seats

A group of people from across the country will be joining First Lady Michelle Obama in her box at the House of Representatives for President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress tonight.


TUE, FEBRUARY 24, 9:55 AM EST

Eye on Darfur

Bringing relief to the battered region of Darfur is a top priority for the administration, the President and Vice President assured the actor and activist George Clooney last night.


MON, FEBRUARY 23, 8:06 PM EST

Recovery in Action: Minnesota and Oregon

The first dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are going out in just two days -- Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 -- in the form of federal support for state medicaid payments. But the impact is already being felt well beyond that.


MON, FEBRUARY 23, 7:26 PM EST

Owning up to what we owe

The President today promised that by the end of his first term, he will cut in half the massive federal deficit we've inherited. And we'll do it in a new way: honestly and candidly.


MON, FEBRUARY 23, 2:00 PM EST

Secretary Clinton: “We have to remain vigilant on behalf of women’s rights”

Secretary Clinton gives an impassioned speech on women's right during a town hall in Seoul.


MON, FEBRUARY 23, 1:29 PM EST

Inside the White House kitchen

Before last night's dinner for the nation's governors, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced some local cooking students to Cris Comerford, the White House Executive Chef, and Bill Yosses, the head pastry chef.


MON, FEBRUARY 23, 12:41 PM EST

The first foreign trip

We put together a short video with some highlights from the President's first foreign trip, last week's visit to Ottawa.


MON, FEBRUARY 23, 11:57 AM EST

Help is on the way

The President announced that $15 billion in relief funds for states will be available as soon as this Wednesday, and he has named Earl Devaney, former inspector general of the Interior Department, to oversee spending of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


SAT, FEBRUARY 21, 5:00 AM EST

The quickest and broadest tax cut ever

In his weekly address, President Obama announced that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will start having an impact as soon as a few weeks from now, in the form of the quickest and broadest tax cut in history.


FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 6:50 PM EST

Saying "Hi" at DOT

First Lady Michelle Obama continued her tour of her new neighborhood today with a visit to the Department of Transportation.


FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 6:49 PM EST

Gibbs corrects the record on the President’s housing plan

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs clears up some misconceptions on who will benefit from the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.


FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 4:08 PM EST

Time for All of Us to Step Up

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan explains how the President's housing plan helps responsible Americans struggling to make their mortgage payments every month in this economic crisis.


FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 11:52 AM EST

New commitment to the Gulf Coast

"We must ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated," President Obama said in a statement today, announcing the extension of the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding and his decision to send two cabinet members to the region.


FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 11:07 AM EST

On the front lines

"You're on the front lines," President Obama told a gathering of 85 mayors in the East Room of the White House this morning.


FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 10:01 AM EST

Streaming: Mayors Meeting

Starting at 10:30 eastern / 9:30 central, we'll be streaming the President and Vice President's remarks to a gathering of 85 of the nation's mayors.


THU, FEBRUARY 19, 6:07 PM EST

How the garden grows

Building gardens at USDA facilities all over the world is "a very good thing," First Lady Michelle Obama said on a visit to the Department of Agriculture today, for the example it sets for communities around the world. And she had kind words for Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has been leading that effort.


THU, FEBRUARY 19, 5:32 PM EST

A new era at the CIA

The United States is prepared to chart a new course on foreign policy, Vice President Joe Biden said today at the swearing in of new CIA Director Leon Panetta -- a man he said has "the experience, the independence and the judgment to lead this agency," and to help it depart dramatically from the legacy of the last eight years.


THU, FEBRUARY 19, 3:17 PM EST

A thank you lunch

Vice President Biden hosted members of the Middle Class Task Force recently for lunch to thank them for their willingness to serve on the middle class task force and to develop the agenda for the first Task Force meeting on Green Jobs.


THU, FEBRUARY 19, 9:20 AM EST

Liveblog: The President in Canada (Update: photos)

President Obama is on his first foreign trip today -- to Ottawa, Canada's capital city. White House New Media staffer Jason Djang will be liveblogging the trip from the road.


THU, FEBRUARY 19, 9:10 AM EST

Playing, “Did you know?”

"Did you know that African American slaves helped to build this house?" First Lady Michelle Obama asked a group 6th and 7th graders on a visit to the White House Wednesday, an event celebrating African American History Month. She asked them a few more trivia questions, too, before ceding the floor to Sweet Honey in the Rock, an African American female a cappella group.


WED, FEBRUARY 18, 3:28 PM EST

Setting the bar high

It will be an enormous undertaking to ensure that the transparency and accountability that the President expects for Recovery.gov will be upheld. Peter Orszag, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has sent a memo to the heads of federal departments and agencies explaining what's expected of them and offering advice for how to meet those high standards.


WED, FEBRUARY 18, 1:11 PM EST

9 million +

"In the end, all of us are paying a price for this home mortgage crisis. And all of us will pay an even steeper price if we allow this crisis to continue to deepen," President Obama said today in Phoenix, AZ, announcing the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. "But if we act boldly and swiftly to arrest this downward spiral, every American will benefit."


WED, FEBRUARY 18, 9:36 AM EST

Help for homeowners

In a couple of hours, the President will announce his "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan." Take a look and see how the plan might affect you.


TUE, FEBRUARY 17, 4:25 PM EST

Signed, sealed, delivered: ARRA

The economic recovery package is essential for our nation's economy, for its infrastructure, and for our energy, health, and education needs -- and now it's the law.


TUE, FEBRUARY 17, 11:05 AM EST

On the Road: Secretary Clinton

Secretary Clinton is in Tokyo today, the first stop on her weeklong tour of Asia, which also includes stops in Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, and China.


TUE, FEBRUARY 17, 9:49 AM EST

Time to sign it

The President is off to Denver this morning, where he'll sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Owners of local clean energy companies say they expect to benefit from the plan.


MON, FEBRUARY 16, 3:33 PM EST

The story of the economic recovery package (photos)

White House photographer Pete Souza, whose job it is to visually document everything the President does, put together a photo gallery tracing the path of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


SUN, FEBRUARY 15, 9:45 PM EST

NBA All-Star Game message

"Those of us who grew up playing basketball, whether on a playground in the city or a farm in the heartland, are grateful to the game for the lessons it teaches us about life," President Obama says in a special message for the NBA All-Star Game.


SAT, FEBRUARY 14, 5:30 AM EST

A major milestone

Today President Obama is celebrating the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as a "major milestone on our road to recovery," while still emphasizing that we have many miles yet to go.


FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 6:25 PM EST

Biden honors a movement at the Special Olympics

Vice President Biden announces Kareem Dale as Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy at the Special Olympics.


FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 2:05 PM EST

ARRA for comment

Yesterday, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 passed through conference and is now on its way back to the House and Senate for full votes. Have a look and give us your comments.


FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 11:11 AM EST

Statement on tragic accident

President Obama this morning released a statement in response to the crash of Flight 3407 outside Buffalo late last night.


FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 10:50 AM EST

Our door is open: Latino groups

"Yesterday was a great day for the Latino community, as 60 Latino and Latina leaders from across the country converged in Washington for a briefing with key White House Staff," Office of Public Liaison member Stephanie Valencia writes in a guest blog post.


FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 10:18 AM EST

What is the middle class?

Over at the Strong Middle Class Blog, Jared Bernstein, the Executive Director of the Middle Class Task Force and the Vice President's Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor, responds to your questions and comments.


THU, FEBRUARY 12, 5:40 PM EST

Statement on Gregg's withdrawal

Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) has withdrawn from consideration as the nominee for Secretary of Commerce.


THU, FEBRUARY 12, 12:22 PM EST

Your comments

In an introductory blog post, Jared Bernstein, the Executive Director of the Middle Class Task Force and Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President, responds to some of your comments and questions.


THU, FEBRUARY 12, 12:19 PM EST

Happy Birthday, Abe

The Great Emancipator would have been 200 years old today, and President Obama is marking the occasion in several ways.


THU, FEBRUARY 12, 9:47 AM EST

Apply for a job

We're happy to announce that the jobs application feature is now live on WhiteHouse.gov.


WED, FEBRUARY 11, 8:28 PM EST

Digital delayed

President Obama today signed legislation extending the deadline for the switch from analog to digital TV signals until June 12.


WED, FEBRUARY 11, 8:03 PM EST

First compromise, then impact

The House and Senate Conference Committee have agreed to a compromise on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In anticipation of its passage, many companies and industries say they're ready to start hiring.


WED, FEBRUARY 11, 3:30 PM EST

Growing up

This afternoon, the First Lady delivered remarks at Howard University on the topic of "Home, Work, Community: the Roles of African American Women as Change Agents."


WED, FEBRUARY 11, 3:04 PM EST

Progress

The Senate-House conference committee has reconciled the chambers' different versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


WED, FEBRUARY 11, 12:07 PM EST

With the stroke of a pen (update: photo)

On a visit to an infrastructure project in Virginia, the President announced that the Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar told him that if the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passes, his company would be able to rehire some of the 20,000 employees it has laid off in the last few weeks.


TUE, FEBRUARY 10, 9:25 PM EST

Do the right thing

"No matter what you do, you can't pass a law that makes somebody do the right thing, right?" That was Mrs. Obama's message to a group of young people she met with on a visit to the Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit that provides a range of social services.


TUE, FEBRUARY 10, 1:12 PM EST

Liveblog: Ft. Myers, FL townhall (Update: pictures)

We're liveblogging the President's town hall on the economic recovery in Ft. Myers, FL.


TUE, FEBRUARY 10, 12:45 PM EST

Senate passes ARRA

The Senate has voted to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


TUE, FEBRUARY 10, 11:51 AM EST

Stability (Update: photos)

Treasury Secretary Geithner just finished speaking about the new Financial Stability Plan, which will boost lending and prevent home foreclosures.


TUE, FEBRUARY 10, 9:56 AM EST

The first presser

The President last night gave his first White House press conference. Here's the full video.


MON, FEBRUARY 9, 8:54 PM EST

Stewards of America's natural wonders

Mrs. Obama this afternoon visited the Department of the Interior, where she spoke about how important it is to protect our natural resources and move towards a clean, sustainable energy future.


MON, FEBRUARY 9, 8:10 PM EST

The first press conference

President Obama is holding his first press conference, in the East Room of the White House.


MON, FEBRUARY 9, 3:51 PM EST

Indiana (Update: pictures)

At a town hall in Elkhart, Indiana today, the President discussed with working people exactly how the package will affect them and their communities.


MON, FEBRUARY 9, 10:17 AM EST

Town hall time

The President is on his way to Elkhart, Indiana, for a town hall about the economic recovery plan.


MON, FEBRUARY 9, 9:14 AM EST

First flights

Last Thursday, February 5, 2009, President Obama took his first flights aboard Marine One and Air Force One, on his way to the House Democratic Issues Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia.


SAT, FEBRUARY 7, 5:00 AM EST

Compromise

"Americans across this country are struggling, and they are watching to see if we're equal to the task before us," the President says in this morning's Weekly Address. "Let's show them that we are."

FRI, FEBRUARY 6, 5:30 PM EST

Working with faith

Yesterday, President Obama signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.


FRI, FEBRUARY 6, 3:39 PM EST

Update on Sunlight Before Signing

Since a few questions have come in, we want to update you on the President's campaign commitment to introducing more sunlight into the lawmaking process by posting non-emergency legislation online for five days before signing it.


FRI, FEBRUARY 6, 12:55 PM EST

Advice from "beyond the echo chamber"

President Obama signed an executive order establishing the Economic Recovery Advisory Board.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 2:51 PM EST

Vice President Biden: “Quite simply, we cannot wait.”

"Quite simply, we cannot wait," Vice President Joe Biden said as he toured a Maryland train station in need of repair. The state is the focus of a new White House case study which shows the impact of investing in infrastructure.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 2:15 PM EST

On the front lines of the foreclosure crisis

The people at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have a crucial role to play in our economic recovery, the First Lady told the staff of the Department during a visit there yesterday.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 2:07 PM EST

A few more months of rabbit ears

The House voted yesterday to delay the transition from analog to digital TV, from February 17 -- less than two weeks away -- to June 12.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 1:25 PM EST

Serious about energy independence

In remarks at the Department of Energy, President Obama announced new efficiency standards for common household appliances, and issued a stark rebuke to critics of the stimulus plan and urged its swift passage.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 12:08 PM EST

"This is my hope. This is my prayer."

"The particular faith that motivates each of us can promote a greater good for all of us," President Obama said this morning to a crowd of about 3,500 people gathered for the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in the nation's capital.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 10:55 AM EST

Covering kids

Last night, President Obama signed a law reauthorizing CHIP, which funds health care for families who don't qualify for Medicaid but still can't afford private insurance.


THU, FEBRUARY 5, 9:45 AM EST

The Action Americans Need

That's the title of President Obama's op-ed this morning in the Washington Post, where he makes a forceful argument for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.


WED, FEBRUARY 4, 7:26 PM EST

Coast to coast and across party lines

This week, a bipartisan group of 19 governors came out in strong support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


WED, FEBRUARY 4, 6:10 PM EST

CHIP

President Obama signed the Chidlren's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIP) tonight, which renews and expands the plan from 7 million children affected to 11 million.


WED, FEBRUARY 4, 4:03 PM EST

Jobs in all 50 states

In a guest blog post, economic adviser Brian Deese explains how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will create jobs in all 50 states.


WED, FEBRUARY 4, 3:05 PM EST

The technology is there

Yesterday, several members of the President's energy and environment team attended the Washington auto show. We asked Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, to make jot down some notes with her impressions of the show.


WED, FEBRUARY 4, 2:51 PM EST

New rules

Today, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner issued imposing new restrictions on executive compensation at firms taking money from the government.


WED, FEBRUARY 4, 10:20 AM EST

"How our schools should be"

“This kind of innovative school…is an example of how all our schools should be,” President Obama said yesterday, as he and Mrs. Obama visited a public charter school in Washington, D.C.


TUE, FEBRUARY 3, 3:30 PM EST

A new day at DOJ

Eric Holder has been sworn in as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States.


TUE, FEBRUARY 3, 1:53 PM EST

President Obama nominates third Republican to his cabinet

President Obama called Republican Senator Judd Gregg a "master of reaching across the aisle" in announcing him as his choice to lead the Commerce Department today.


MON, FEBRUARY 2, 7:01 PM EST

Holder

Eric Holder has been confirmed as Attorney General of the United States.


MON, FEBRUARY 2, 6:29 PM EST

What governors know

Everybody knows our economy needs a jolt. And no one knows that better than the country's governors, whether they are Democratic or Republican.


MON, FEBRUARY 2, 4:11 PM EST

Relief for Gaza

President Obama signed a memorandum today directing more than $20 million for "urgent refugee and migration needs" in Gaza.


MON, FEBRUARY 2, 2:09 PM EST

Bipartisan Super Bowl Party

President Obama spent his Super Bowl Sunday with a bipartisan group of senators and congressmen and women, including some from Pennsylvania and Arizona. He also sat down for an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer.

SUN, FEBRUARY 1, 7:40 PM EST

Latest version of SCHIP legislation published for comment

On January 29th, the U.S. Senate approved the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, better known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program or SCHIP. Once signed into law, this legislation will continue coverage for six to seven million children and increase that coverage to four million more.


SAT, JANUARY 31, 4:45 AM EST

Moving forward

In the weekly address, President Barack Obama urged the swift passage of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan and announced that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is preparing a new strategy for reviving our financial system.


FRI, JANUARY 30, 11:17 AM EST

A strong middle class = a strong America

The President today signed an executive order creating a Middle Class Task Force and asked his right hand man, Vice President Joe Biden, to lead it.


FRI, JANUARY 30, 10:05 AM EST

Save the Date: First Meeting 2/27/2009

The Task Force’s first official meeting will be on February 27, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The topic of the first meeting will be: “Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class.”


FRI, JANUARY 30, 10:03 AM EST

Vice President Joe Biden: “Time to put middle class front and center”

In an editorial in in today’s USA Today, Vice President Joe Biden argues that a strong middle class equals a strong America.


FRI, JANUARY 30, 10:02 AM EST

Today's event (Update:Video)

America’s road to economic recovery will be driven by our middle class. Today, President Barack Obama created a task force specifically dedicated to strengthening our nation’s core -- our working families and small businesses -- and put Vice President Joe Biden in charge.


FRI, JANUARY 30, 10:01 AM EST

About the Task Force

Vice President Joe Biden and other members of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families are dedicated to strengthening our nation’s middle class. They have some pretty high goals and want to make sure you’re involved every step of the way.


FRI, JANUARY 30, 10:00 AM EST

Press Release: Vice President Biden announces Middle Class Task Force

President Barack Obama today announced the creation of a White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families to be chaired by Vice President Joe Biden. The Task Force is a major initiative targeted at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America. It is comprised of top-level administration policy makers, and in addition to regular meetings, it will conduct outreach sessions with representatives of labor, business, and the advocacy communities.


FRI, JANUARY 30, 9:52 AM EST

SCHIP passes

In a step towards providing health care to millions of children around the country, the Senate this morning passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP.


THU, JANUARY 29, 9:21 PM EST

Shameful

President Obama today said it was "the height of irresponsibility" for financial corporations to have doled out $18 billion in bonuses to their employees in a year when many banks shed jobs and turned to the government for funds.


THU, JANUARY 29, 12:00 PM EST

A Wonderful Day (Update: Video)

Surrounded by leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and with the new law’s namesake, Lilly Ledbetter, at his side, President Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- a powerful tool to fight discrimination.


THU, JANUARY 29, 6:10 AM EST

President Obama Declares Emergencies in Arkansas and Kentucky

Last night, President Obama declared federal emergencies caused by winter storms in two states, answering requests for aid from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. (with picture of signing)


WED, JANUARY 28, 9:53 PM EST

Cleaning house

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar kicked off the daily press briefing today with his plans for cleaning out a department that has become famous for scandal, before passing the podium to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.


WED, JANUARY 28, 2:15 PM EST

CEOs at the White House

Iconic American companies like IBM, Jet Blue, and Honeywell sent their leadership to meet with the President this morning to discuss how they can get the economy moving again.


TUE, JANUARY 27, 5:50 PM EST

Sec. Geithner tightens the reins

In one of his first acts as Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner today announced new rules that will make it harder for banks to lobby for a share of money set aside by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.


TUE, JANUARY 27, 2:01 PM EST

On the Hill

President Obama is on Capitol Hill today to hear out Republican ideas for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.


TUE, JANUARY 27, 9:48 AM EST

President to Muslim World: "Americans are not your enemy"

"My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives," President Obama told Al Arabiya, an Arabic-language news channel based out of Dubai. "My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy."


MON, JANUARY 26, 7:55 PM EST

Timothy Geithner sworn in as Secretary of the Treasury

Timothy Geithner is now officially the 75th Secretary of the United States Treasury.


MON, JANUARY 26, 6:30 PM EST

Press Briefing Highlights

Thisafternoon, in his second press briefing, White House Press SecretaryRobert Gibbs fielded questions on energy independence, the stimuluspackage, and the auto industry.


MON, JANUARY 26, 4:35 PM EST

From peril to progress (Update 1: Full Remarks)

"Thismoment of peril must be turned to one of progress," President BarackObama said this morning, as he signed his first two PresidentialMemoranda aimed at getting us on the path to energy independence.


MON, JANUARY 26, 4:15 PM EST

The year of the ox

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox, the second symbol in the Chinese Zodiac.


MON, JANUARY 26, 3:47 PM EST

58 years of Indian democracy

Today is India Republic Day, the 58th anniversary of India's independence and the adoption of its Constitution.


SUN, JANUARY 25, 1:48 PM EST

Now Comes Lilly Ledbetter

For incoming White House staff, the past few days have been a singularly thrilling -- and learning -- experience.

SAT, JANUARY 24, 10:12 AM EST

Statement released after the President rescinds "Mexico City Policy"

Yesterday, President Obama rescinded the "Mexico City Policy" and released the following statement.


SAT, JANUARY 24, 5:55 AM EST

President Obama delivers Your Weekly Address

In his first weekly address since being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, President Barack Obama discusses how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will jump-start the economy.

 
FRI, JANUARY 23, 7:10 PM EST

President Obama on the Selection of Kirsten Gillibrand

This afternoon, New York Governor David Paterson announced his selection of Kirsten Gillibrand to fill Secretary Clinton's seat in the United States Senate.


FRI, JANUARY 23, 2:23 PM EST

Executive Orders to date

Yesterday, President Obama issued a series of Executive Orders.


WED, JANUARY 21, 1:27 PM EST

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

Yesterday, President Obama delivered his Inaugural Address, calling for a "new era of responsibility." Watch the video.


TUE, JANUARY 20, 2:15 PM EST

A National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation

President Barack Obama's first proclamation.


TUE, JANUARY 20, 12:01 PM EST

Change has come to WhiteHouse.gov

The first post on WhiteHouse.gov.


TUE, JANUARY 20, 12:01 PM EST

Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy and Serving America

The President, Vice President, and their families attend service events in Washington on Martin Luther King Day, one day before Inauguration.


TUE, JANUARY 20, 12:01 PM EST

The Whistle Stop Tour

Following the same route that Abraham Lincoln rode 150 years ago, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden made their way to the inauguration on a whistle stop train tour that wove its way from Philadelphia through Delaware and Maryland on its way to Washington.



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