Today we learned from the Census Bureau that, as was widely expected, the nation’s poverty rate went up last year, from 13.2% in 2008 to 14.3% in 2009. These are more than just statistics: they’re a stark reminder of the hardship faced by so many American families. But while we know that recessions always lead […]
Universities in the United States have led the world in scientific research for a century. Sometimes however, innovators, including universities, struggle to translate research ideas into technologies that satisfy real world needs. Universities across the country have embraced the need to address climate and energy challenges, and now we need to effectively harness the resources […]
Over the past several weeks, the President and I have had extensive conversations about the vital importance of consumer financial protection. The President asked me, and I enthusiastically agreed, to serve as an Assistant to the President and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He has also […]
Welcome to West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, walk step by step with the President as he travels to Arlington, Virginia to attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, celebrates the start of a new school year with his second annual ‘Back to […]
Click here to see the video. Having just emerged from a Cabinet meeting focused on getting every agency doing all they can to help America create jobs, the President zeroed in on two major fights for the middle class. The first was the long-overdue breaking of the Republican blockade against help for small business — […]
Universities in the United States have led the world in scientific research for a century. Sometimes however, innovators, including universities, struggle to translate research ideas into technologies that satisfy real world needs. Universities across the country have embraced the need to address climate and energy challenges, and now we need to effectively harness the resources […]
Tomorrow at 4 PM EDT, the White House is hosting a special live chat with former NASA astronaut and first American woman in space Dr. Sally Ride. Dr. Ride will be taking questions from students across the country on the importance of getting a strong education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and discussing how […]
If Congressional Republicans’ goal is to convince the American people that they care about spending, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s latest tax proposal that would double the nation’s deficit over the next decade to $4 trillion is a perplexing start. A story in The Washington Post today outlines the Senate Republicans’ plan, while ironically quoting him as […]
Let’s get the word out! Tens of thousands veterans whose service in Iraq or Afghanistan was involuntarily extended or retirement was suspended due to ‘stop loss’ are not applying for retroactive pay to which they are entitled, and the deadline is October 21! Under legislation President Obama signed into law last year, servicemen and women […]
Back in April, the President asked me along with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and the Office of Management and Budget to lead the newly created Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses. We were charged with working on behalf of the entire Administration to create more opportunities for small businesses to compete for […]
