President Obama’s Cabinet
The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.
The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.
The 15 Secretaries from the executive departments are appointed by the President, and they must be confirmed by a majority vote (51 votes) of the Senate. They cannot be a member of Congress or hold any other elected office. Cabinet appointments are for the duration of the administration, but the President may dismiss any member at any time, without approval of the Senate. In addition, they are expected to resign when a new President takes office.
Over the next few days President Obama will be nominating his choices to fill the vacancies for his 2013-2016 Cabinet.
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In order of succession to the Presidency:
Vice President of the United States
Joseph R. Biden
Department of State
Secretary John Kerry
www.state.gov
Department of the Treasury
Secretary Jack Lew
www.treasury.gov
Department of Defense
Secretary Chuck Hagel
www.defense.gov
Department of Justice
Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.
www.usdoj.gov
Department of the Interior
Secretary Sally Jewell
www.doi.gov
Department of Agriculture
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack
www.usda.gov
Department of Commerce
* Acting Secretary – Rebecca Blank
www.commerce.gov
Department of Labor
* Acting Secretary – Seth D. Harris
www.dol.gov
Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
www.hhs.gov
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan
www.hud.gov
Department of Transportation
__________
www.dot.gov
Department of Energy
Secretary Ernest Moniz
www.energy.gov
Department of Education
Secretary Arne Duncan
www.ed.gov
Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Eric K. Shinseki
www.va.gov
Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Janet A. Napolitano
www.dhs.gov
The following positions have the status of Cabinet-rank:
White House Chief of Staff
Denis McDonough
Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives
* Acting Director (due to Senate approval controversy) - B. Todd Jones
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
John O. Brennan
Environmental Protection Agency
* Acting Administrator - Bob Perciasepe
www.epa.gov
Office of Management & Budget
Sylvia Mathews Burwell
www.whitehouse.gov/omb
United States Trade Representative
Ambassador Ronald Kirk
www.ustr.gov
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Ambassador Susan Rice
www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/
Council of Economic Advisers
Chairman Alan B. Krueger
www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/cea/
Small Business Administration
Administrator Karen G. Mills
www.sba.gov/
* Acting Directors
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For All Nominations & Appointments: http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/nominations-and-appointments
Monday, January 7,, 2013
All Times Eastern
Vice President Biden and Dr Jill Biden are in the U.S. Virgin Islands with family members.
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
1:05 PM
President Obama announces his nomination to become the next Defense Secretary and CIA Director
East Room
2:00 PM
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
January 7, 2013
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
1:05 PM ET
President Obama announces his nomination to become the next Defense Secretary and CIA Director
East Room
2:00 PM ET
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
—-
ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/Live/
1:05 PM ET
President Obama announces his nomination to become the next Defense Secretary and CIA Director
East Room
2:00 PM ET
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
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CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
9:30 AM ET
Brookings Institution
Defense Spending and National Security http://www.c-span.org/Events/Under-Secretary-Discusses-Defense-Spending/10737436999/
10:00 AM ET
Migration Policy Institute hosts a panel discussion on Immigration Enforcement, with leading scholars from the institute. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Migration-Policy-Institute-Discusses-Immigration-Enforcement/10737437000/‘
10:00 AM ET
Emily’s List President on Women & 2012 Election http://www.c-span.org/Events/Emilys-List-President-on-Women-2012-Election/10737437025/
1:05 PM ET
President Obama announces his nomination to become the next Defense Secretary and CIA Director http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-May-Announce-New-Defense-Secretary-and-CIA-Director/10737437028/
2:00 PM ET
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
4:00 PM ET
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services releases its analysis of 2011 National Health Expenditures at a briefing for the news media.
The President’s Cabinet
The purpose of the Cabinet is to advise the President on matters relating to the duties of their respective offices. As the President’s closest and most trusted advisors, members of the Cabinet attend weekly meetings with the President. The Constitution does not directly mention a “Cabinet,” but the Constitutional authority for a Cabinet is found in Article II, Section 2. The Constitution states that the President “may require the opinion, in writing of the principle officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.” The Constitution does not say which or how many executive departments should be created.
Who makes up the Cabinet?
The Cabinet traditionally includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments-the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General. Cabinet-level rank has also been given to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; the Director of the National Drug Control Policy; the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security; and the U.S. Trade Representative.
When requested by the President, other officials are asked to attend these weekly meetings including, the President’s Chief of Staff, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, the Counselor to the President, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Representative to the United Nations.
How does one become a member of the Cabinet?
The 15 Secretaries from the executive departments are appointed by the President, and they must be confirmed by a majority vote (51 votes) of the Senate. They cannot be a member of Congress or hold any other elected office. Cabinet appointments are for the duration of the administration, but the President may dismiss any member at any time, without approval of the Senate. In addition, they are expected to resign when a new President takes office.
For more: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/cabinet.html
President Obama’s Nominations for his 2013-2017 Cabinet
December 21, 2012
Remarks by the President at Nomination of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State
Roosevelt Room
1:40 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everyone. When I took office, our nation was engaged in two wars, and al Qaeda was entrenched in their safe havens. Many of our alliances were frayed, and America’s standing in the world had suffered.
Over the past four years, we’ve begun a new era of American leadership. We ended the war in Iraq, put the al Qaeda core on the path to defeat, and we’re winding down the war in Afghanistan. We’ve strengthened our alliances, including in Asia; forged new coalitions to meet global challenges; and stood up for human dignity, from North Africa to the Middle East to Burma. We still, of course, face great challenges. But today, I can say with pride that the United States is safer, stronger and more respected in the world.
In this work, I’ve been grateful for an extraordinary national security team. Tom Donilon has been a part of that, and I’m grateful to him. Of course, one of the most important people in this whole transformation has been our outstanding Secretary of State, my friend, Secretary Hillary Clinton. Hillary wanted very much to be here today, but she continues to recuperate. I had a chance to talk to her earlier today, and she is in good spirits and could not be more excited about the announcement that I’m making.
Over the last four years, Hillary has been everywhere — both in terms of her travels, which have seen her represent America in more countries than any previous Secretary of State, and through her tireless work to restore our global leadership. And she’s looking forward to getting back to work, and I am looking forward to paying tribute to her extraordinary service in the days to come.
Today, though, I’m looking ahead to my second term, and I am very proud to announce my choice for America’s next Secretary of State — John Kerry.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/12/21/remarks-president-nomination-senator-john-kerry-secretary-state
John Kerry sworn in as secretary of state
02/01/2013 By David Uberti, Globe Correspondent
WASHINGTON — John F. Kerry was sworn in as secretary of state by Associate Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan in a small, private ceremony in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee room Friday afternoon, officials said.
After 28 years of reviewing foreign policy in that same room and representing Massachusetts in the Senate, Kerry takes the reins as America’s top diplomat from outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The Bay State Democrat breezed through the Senate confirmation process this week, earning near-unanimous support for his appointment.
The one-time presidential hopeful’s ascension to State Department chief came on the same day a suicide bomber struck the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, killing a Turkish security guard. The attack — just months after four Americans were killed during an assault on a US consulate in Benghazi, Libya — underscores the challenges Kerry will face at Foggy Bottom.
Outgoing Secretary of State Clinton acknowleged the violence during a 7-minute farewell speech Friday, ending a four-year stint during which she traveled nearly 1 million miles and visited 112 countries. She added to employees crowded nearby that she expects them to “be as focused and dedicated for Secretary Kerry as you have been for me.”
“We live in very complex and even dangerous times,” Clinton said. “I know that the world we are trying to help bring into being in the 21st century will have many difficult days, but I am more optimistic today than I was when I stood here four years ago.”
For more: http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/02/01/kerry-take-state-department-oath-today/eGnBkXHnORHEbq1SAK6s5N/story.html
January 07, 2013
Remarks by the President in Nomination of Secretary of Defense and CIA Director
East Room
1:15 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Please have a seat. As President and Commander-in-Chief, my most solemn obligation is the security of the American people. Over the past four years, we’ve met that responsibility by ending the war in Iraq, and beginning a transition in Afghanistan; by decimating the al Qaeda core and taking out Osama bin Laden; by disrupting terrorist plots and saving countless American lives.
Among an outstanding national security team, I am especially grateful to Leon Panetta, who has led the CIA and our military with incredible skill. Leon, after nearly five decades of service, you have more than earned the right to return to civilian life. I’ll have much more to say about Leon’s distinguished service in the days ahead. Today, I simply want to convey both to you and to Sylvia the eternal gratitude of the entire nation. Thank you so much, Leon.
I also want to thank Michael Morell, who has earned the admiration of all of us who’ve worked with him across government and here in the White House. In moments of transition, he’s guided the CIA with a steady hand as Acting Director — not once, but twice. And he is a consummate professional. As I said, everybody in the White House who works with him, everybody across agencies who works with him considers him truly to be one of our most outstanding national security team members. And so, Michael, on behalf of all of us, thank you and Mary Beth for your continued service.
As these leaders know, the work of protecting our nation is never done, and we’ve still got much to do: Ending the war in Afghanistan and caring for those who have borne the battle; preparing for the full range of threats, from the unconventional to the conventional, including things like cyber security; and within our military, continuing to ensure that our men and women in uniform can serve the country they love, no matter who they love.
To help meet the challenges of our time, I’m proud to announce my choice for two key members of my national security team — Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense and John Brennan for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/07/remarks-president-nomination-secretary-defense-and-cia-director
January 10, 2013
Remarks by the President in Nomination of Secretary of the Treasury
East Room
1:40 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Please have a seat. A little more than four years ago, I stood with Mr. Tim Geithner and announced him as my first nominee to my Cabinet. We were barely two months into the financial crisis. The stock market had cratered. The housing market had cratered as well. Bank after bank was on the verge of collapse. And worst of all, more than 800,000 Americans would lose their jobs in just that month. And the bottom was not yet in sight.
So I couldn’t blame Tim when he tried to tell me he wasn’t the right guy for the job. (Laughter.) But I knew that Tim’s extensive experience with economic policy made him eminently qualified, and I also knew that he could hit the ground running. As Chairman of the New York Federal Reserve, he had just spent several sleepless and chaotic weeks immersed in the complexities of the crisis, and had been working closely with his Republican predecessor at Treasury to save the financial system.
Then, with the wreckage of our economy still smoldering and unstable, I asked Tim to help put it back together. And thanks in large part to his steady hand, our economy has been growing again for the past three years, our businesses have created nearly 6 million new jobs. The money that we spent to save the financial system has largely been paid back. We’ve put in place rules to prevent that kind of financial meltdown from ever happening again. An auto industry was saved. We made sure taxpayers are not on the hook if the biggest firms fail again. We’ve taken steps to help underwater homeowners come up for air, and open new markets to sell American goods overseas. And we’ve begun to reduce our deficit through a balanced mix of spending cuts and reforms to a tax code that at the time that we both came in was too skewed in favor of the wealthy at the expense of middle-class Americans.
So when the history books are written, Tim Geithner is going to go down as one of our finest Secretaries of the Treasury. (Applause.)
All right, don’t embarrass him. (Laughter.)
On a personal note, Tim has been a wonderful friend and a dependable advisor throughout these last four years. There’s an unofficial saying over at Treasury — “no peacocks, no jerks, no whiners.” That would be a good saying for all of Washington — (laughter) — “no peacocks, no jerks, no whiners.” Few embody that ideal better than Tim Geithner. That’s why, when Tim was thinking about leaving a couple of years ago — (laughter) — I had to personally get on my knees with Carole to help convince him to stay on a little bit longer. And I could not be more grateful to Carole and the entire Geithner family for allowing him to make the sacrifices that so many of our Cabinet members ask of their families in serving the country.
The fact is, while a lot of work remains, especially to rebuild a strong middle class and offer working folks new pathways to rise into the middle class, our economy is better positioned for tomorrow than most of those other countries hit by the financial crisis. The tough decisions Tim made and carried out deserve a lot of credit for that. So I understand that Tim is ready for a break. Obviously, we’re sad to see him go. But I cannot think of a better person to continue Tim’s work at Treasury than Jack Lew.
This is bittersweet not only because Tim is leaving, but also because Jack has been my Chief of Staff for the last year. He was my budget director before that. I trust his judgment. I value his friendship. I know very few people with greater integrity than the man to my left. And so I don’t want to see him go because it’s working out really well for me to have him here in the White House. But my loss will be the nation’s gain.
Jack has the distinction of having worked — and succeeded — in some of the toughest jobs in Washington and the private sector. As a congressional staffer in the 1980s, he helped negotiate the deal between President Reagan and Tip O’Neill to save Social Security. Under President Clinton, he presided over three budget surpluses in a row. So for all the talk out there about deficit reduction, making sure our books are balanced, this is the guy who did it — three times. He helped oversee one of our nation’s finest universities and one of our largest investment banks.
In my administration, he has managed operations for the State Department and the budget for the entire executive branch. And over the past year, I’ve sought Jack’s advice on virtually every decision that I’ve made, from economic policy to foreign policy.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/10/remarks-president-nomination-secretary-treasury
Jack Lew sworn in as Treasury secretary
2/28/13 Anna Yukhananov and Mark Felsenthal – Reuters – 1 hr 27 mins ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Jack Lew was sworn in as Treasury secretary on Thursday, a White House official said, after winning bipartisan support in the Senate.
Lew, a budget expert and former chief of staff for President Barack Obama, was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday with 20 Republicans voting for him. He replaces Timothy Geithner, a former regulator with the New York Federal Reserve who left the Treasury last month.
February 06, 2013
Remarks by the President in the Nomination of Sally Jewell as Secretary of the Interior
State Dining Room
2:06 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everybody.
Ken Salazar likes to say that the Department of the Interior is actually the Department of America. Other members of my Cabinet may not entirely agree with that statement, but you can see where he’s coming from. The Secretary of the Interior is in charge of overseeing 500 million acres of public land — including places like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon — and protecting our natural heritage for our children and our grandchildren and their children to come.
But the job also requires keeping an eye on America’s future, and making smart decisions about how we create jobs and help businesses grow, and put ourselves on a path towards energy independence. And that’s not always an easy balancing act, but with enthusiasm and skill and dedication, that’s exactly what Ken Salazar has done over the last four years.
We were just reminiscing a little bit — I’ve known Ken since we were both running for the Senate together and became the only two incoming Democrats in our Senate class — Pete Rouse remembers this. It was a lonely time. (Laughter.) We actually lived in the same building when we first arrived in Washington. And, Ken, you’ll recall it was a little discouraging because basically everyone else who lived there was 20 or 25. (Laughter.) So we were the two geriatrics in this building.
But I came to appreciate quickly not just his friendship — which, if you’ve got Ken Salazar as a friend, you’ve got a real friend. Not only did I come to appreciate his jump shot — he is surprisingly quick on the court — (laughter) — but also his patriotism, and his belief that we’ve got a responsibility to care for the land with which we’ve been blessed.
And it’s not surprising that Ken feels this way — after all, his ancestors were living here before the Mayflower set sail. As he explains it — and relevant, as we are working to get immigration reform passed — his family did not cross the border, the border crossed them. (Laughter.) And that’s why, when I needed somebody to lead Interior, I didn’t have to look very far.
Since being confirmed, Ken has cracked down on waste. He’s improved the management of the Department to make it work better for the American people. He has ushered in a new era of conservation for our land, our water and our wildlife. He’s established seven new national parks, 10 new national wildlife refuges. He has opened more public land and water for safe and responsible energy production, not just gas and oil but also wind and solar, creating thousands of new jobs and nearly doubling our use of renewable energy in this country. He has helped to forge what is probably the strongest working relationship with tribal leaders that the federal government has seen in modern times. And when the unexpected has happened — like the Gulf oil spill or Hurricane Sandy — he has been on the ground making sure that people get help right away and we deal with these challenges as professionally as possible.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/06/remarks-president-nomination-sally-jewell-secretary-interior
Obama congratulates new interior secretary
4/10/13 6:14 PM EDT By JENNIFER EPSTEIN – POLITICO44
President Obama thanked the Senate for voting Wednesday to confirm his candidate for interior secretary, Sally Jewell, a former executive at outdoor-clothing company REI.
“With her extensive business experience, including her background in the energy sector, along with her lifelong commitment to conservation, Sally is the right person for this important job,” the president said in a statement. “She brings an important mix of strong management skills, appreciation for our nation’s tradition of protecting our public lands and heritage, and a keen understanding of what it means to be good stewards of our natural resources.
Obama also praised Jewell’s “commitment to energy and climate issues, her belief in our strong government-to-government relationship with Indian Country, and her understanding of the inherent link between conservation and good jobs.”
The Senate voted in favor of Jewell by an overwhelming margin on Wednesday afternoon, in a 87 to 11 vote.
Brennan takes oath on draft Constitution
Mar 08, 2013 07:52 PM cia.gov
John O. Brennan was sworn in this morning as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency by Vice President Joseph R. Biden in a ceremony at the White House. Director Brennan took the oath of office with his hand on an original draft of the Constitution, symbolizing that the CIA is committed to the rule of law. Brennan, who most recently served as Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, is the twenty-first Director to lead the women and men of the CIA.
Following his swearing-in, Director Brennan addressed the Agency’s global workforce from the auditorium at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, praising their hard work, courage, and dedication, and thanking their families for the sacrifices they have made. He emphasized that the CIA’s most precious asset is its workforce, and highlighted the importance of teamwork within the CIA, across the United States government, and with allies, as well as the need to invest in the Agency’s future.
After thanking Deputy Director Michael Morell for his outstanding stewardship of the Agency, Director Brennan told employees, “It is just terrific to be home and it is the honor and privilege of my life to be working with you as CIA Director.” He added, “I have seen first-hand the value of intelligence to policy formulation and commend the Agency’s employees for their vital role in keeping our country safe.”
Director Brennan answered questions from the workforce about topics such as the CIA’s need to recruit and retain talented people and the responsibilities that go along with working at the Agency.
Brennan addresses CIA employees (CIA photo)
“I will never expect of others what I don’t expect of myself,” Director Brennan said, adding that he believed in the values of “honesty, hard work, and respect for others.” Director Brennan told CIA’s workforce that Americans who want to serve our nation in the field of national security need to know their work will be valued at the Agency and said, “We all should be committed to leaving the Agency a little better, a little stronger, a little more capable than it was when we first got here.”
For more: https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/2013-press-releases-statements/brennan-takes-helm-as-dcia.html
March 26, 2013
President Obama Announces A Key Administration Post
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key Administration post:
Julia A. Pierson – Director of the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security
President Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that I will appoint Julia A. Pierson to be the next Director of the United States Secret Service. Over her 30 years of experience with the Secret Service, Julia has consistently exemplified the spirit and dedication the men and women of the service demonstrate every day. A veteran of the Miami and Orlando field offices, where she began her career at the Secret Service, Julia has served as the Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations, Assistant Director of Human Resources and Training, and most recently as the Chief of Staff. Julia is eminently qualified to lead the agency that not only safeguards Americans at major events and secures our financial system, but also protects our leaders and our first families, including my own. Julia has had an exemplary career, and I know these experiences will guide her as she takes on this new challenge to lead the impressive men and women of this important agency.”
President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key Administration post:
Julia A. Pierson, Appointee for Director of the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security
Julia A. Pierson currently serves as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Director of the United States Secret Service (USSS). Prior to her current role, from 2006 to 2008, she served as USSS Assistant Director of the Office of Human Resources and Training. Ms. Pierson’s previous leadership roles within the USSS include: Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations (2005-2006), Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Administration (2001-2005), and Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Protective Operations (2000-2001). Ms. Pierson joined the USSS in 1983 as a Special Agent in Miami, Florida. Prior to joining the USSS, Ms. Pierson was a police officer in the Orlando Police Department from 1980 to 1983. She received a B.A. from the University of Central Florida.
President Obama will appoint Julia Pierson, a veteran U.S. Secret Service agent and senior official, as the first female director of the agency. Pierson does not need Senate confirmation, so Senate Republicans cannot filibuster her or make absurd demands before a confirmation vote.
Source: 3/26/13 maddowblog
McDonough Brings Order to West Wing to Press Obama Agenda
Apr 11, 2013 9:00 PM PT By Julianna Goldman – bloomberg
It’s 7:45 a.m. in White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough’s office and about a dozen senior aides are focusing on two flat-screen monitors with PowerPoint slides.
Legislative director Miguel Rodriguez is running today’s dashboard — McDonough’s term for a slide presentation on various topics — and going over the names of President Barack Obama’s cabinet nominees awaiting confirmation. A green arrow pointing up is good. A yellow horizontal arrow spells trouble. Red arrows pointing down have so far been avoided.
On this day, Obama’s choice for budget director, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, has a green arrow next to her name, yet there’s a potential problem. Her confirmation hearings will coincide with the release of Obama’s budget, giving Republicans an opening to pose some probing questions. The slide alerts the economic, communications and legislative teams to coordinate and avoid any surprises that could jeopardize her chances.
“What Denis is doing is making sure that two trains don’t run into each other,” said Dan Pfeiffer, a senior adviser to Obama. “He’s allowing everyone to see the whole field.”
McDonough, 43, has brought the discipline of the White House’s Situation Room, where he helped monitor the hunt for Osama bin Laden, to the chief of staff’s office. His dashboard meetings illustrate why Obama chose his loyal and technocratic deputy national security adviser as the West Wing’s chief operating officer for the president’s second term.
Limited Window
With limited time to pursue an agenda that includes everything from a possible deal to rein in the nation’s debt to a new immigration policy, McDonough is making sure that objectives are defined and the organization is structured to produce results. The goal is to cement Obama’s place in history.
Current and former administration officials, as well as onetime Republican and Democratic chiefs of staff, say a more cohesive team has been created that’s reaching outside the White House bubble. The structure, they say, compares with the frenetic days early in Obama’s first term when Rahm Emanuel had the job, or when William Daley struggled to forge a bond with the president, or Jacob Lew left political planning to others during the 2012 election year.
McDonough “earns praise for how he manages a staff and treats people,” said Andrew Card, President George W. Bush’s former chief of staff. “He gets good reviews from people who he’s met with who do not share the president’s policy positions.”
For more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-12/mcdonough-brings-order-to-west-wing-to-press-obama-agenda.html
April 24, 2013
Statement from the President on the Confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell
I am pleased that the Senate took bipartisan action today to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Sylvia shares my commitment to growing our economy, shrinking our deficits in a balanced way, and reigniting a rising, thriving middle class. Sylvia has spent a career fighting for working families, and she was part of an OMB team that presided over three budget surpluses in a row. Her experience will be especially important as we continue our efforts to replace the indiscriminate budget cuts that are already starting to cost jobs, hurt families, and inconvenience Americans. Sylvia will be a key member of my economic team, and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.
April 29, 2013
Remarks by the President on the Nomination of Mayor Anthony Foxx as Secretary of Transportation
East Room
2:10 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thanks. Thank you. Everybody, please have a seat.
AUDIENCE: Good afternoon.
THE PRESIDENT: Ray LaHood has said that being the Secretary of Transportation is the best job he ever had in public service. And that’s fitting because Ray may be the best Secretary of Transportation that the nation’s ever had.
From the day that he was sworn in, Ray has fought tirelessly to rebuild America’s infrastructure — creating good jobs that strengthen our economy and allow us to better compete in the global economy. Over the past four years, thanks to Ray’s leadership, we’ve built or improved more than 350,000 miles of road — enough to circle the world more than 14 times. We’ve upgraded more than 6,000 miles of rail -– enough to go coast to coast and back. We’ve repaired or replaced more than 20,000 bridges, and helped put tens of thousands of construction workers back on the job. And that’s all due in no small part to Ray LaHood’s leadership.
So every American can thank Ray for his dedication to make our transportation system not just stronger, but also safer. When it comes to his focused attention on the dangers of distracted driving, for example, it’s saving lives.
And on a personal note, Ray LaHood has been a good friend of mine for many years. Before he served in my Cabinet, we served together in Congress. He’s a Republican; I’m a Democrat. These days, that sometimes keeps folks apart, but what always brought Ray and I together was a shared belief that those of us who serve in public service owe their allegiance not to party but to the people who elected them to represent them.
And it helps that we’re from the same state — Ray is from Peoria; I’m from Chicago. But we both love the state of Illinois, and we both get out there on the golf course — and we’re not that good — (laughter) — but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. He is a good man, and has been an outstanding public servant and a model for the kind of bipartisan approach to governance that I think we need so badly in this town.
So, Ray, on a personal level, I could not be more grateful to you for your service and for your friendship. (Applause.)
Now, unfortunately for us but fortunately for them, Ray is now looking forward to spending more time with his wife Kathy and their family –- especially a whole gaggle of grandchildren. And so, today, I’m proud to announce my intent to nominate another impressive leader to carry on his great work at the Department of Transportation: the Mayor of Charlotte, my friend from North Carolina, Mr. Anthony Foxx. (Applause.)
Anthony’s life reflects the values he learned growing up in West Charlotte, where he was raised by his single mom and his grandparents. I should add, by the way, that his grandmother is here, and she informed me that she worked here in the White House in the Truman administration. So she’s just coming back to — (applause) — she’s just coming back for a visit. And so, the values that they instilled in them was to take pride in hard work, to take responsibility for your actions, to take care of your community. And over the past three and a half years, those values have helped Anthony become one of the most effective mayors that Charlotte’s ever seen.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/29/remarks-president-nomination-mayor-anthony-foxx-secretary-transportation
May 02, 2013
Remarks by the President in Personnel Announcements
Rose Garden
10:12 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Good morning, everybody. Please have a seat. Sit. (Laughter.)
My top priority as President is to grow the economy, create good middle-class jobs, make sure that the next generation prospers. And in a few minutes, I’ll be departing the White House for a trip that will promote that priority.
First, I’m going to visit Mexico, one of our largest economic partners. Then I’ll be visiting Costa Rica, where I’ll attend a summit with Central American leaders. And in both instances, I’m going to be working to deepen our economic and trade relationships across Latin America –- relationships that create jobs and growth here at home, and offer our businesses growing markets where they can sell more American-made goods and services abroad.
But before I go, I had some business to do. I am proud to announce that I’ll be nominating two outstanding individuals to my Cabinet who will focus on precisely these issues.
Over the past four years, I’ve tasked the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative with opening new markets for American goods and services, doubling our exports for those goods and services all in support of millions of American jobs. And over those four years, Ron Kirk, along with his outstanding team at USTR, has stood up for free trade and for American workers and businesses around the world. So he’s finalized trade deals with South Korea, Colombia, Panama. He’s cracked down on unfair trading practices to give American workers a fair shot in the global economy. And I could not be prouder of the work that he has done.
Meanwhile, at the Department of Commerce, Becky Blank has led our efforts to help promote high-tech manufacturing and travel and tourism — it is a big portfolio — and she has worked closely with the private sector to make sure that America remains the best place in the world to do business.
So I could not be more thankful to Ron and to Becky for their outstanding service. (Applause.) Ron couldn’t be here today, but many members of his team are here, and we are so thankful to them. Becky, thank you. Becky is going to be taking on a pretty big job — making sure those badgers behave up in Wisconsin. (Laughter.) And we know she’s going to be extraordinary leading that institution.
But today, I’m in a position to nominate two extraordinary individuals to continue the work of Ron and Becky as key members of my economic team.
As I said in my State of the Union Address, when it comes to growing our economy and our middle class, we should focus on three things. Number one, making sure America is a magnet for good jobs. Number two, helping workers earn the skills they need to get those jobs. And number three, making sure their hard work actually leads to a decent living. Both these individuals share that focus.
First, I’m nominating Penny Pritzker to serve as my Secretary of Commerce. Penny is one of our country’s most distinguished business leaders. She’s got more than 25 years of management experience in industries including real estate, finance, and hospitality. She’s built companies from the ground up. She knows from experience that no government program alone can take the place of a great entrepreneur. She knows that what we can do is to give every business and every worker the best possible chance to succeed by making America a magnet for good jobs.
And Penny understands that just as great companies strengthen the community around them, strong communities and skilled workers also help companies thrive. So she’s been an extraordinary civic leader in our shared hometown of Chicago. She served as a member of my Jobs Council. She was the driving force behind Skills for America’s Future, which is a program that brings together companies and community colleges to shape and prepare skills-based training programs for workers that are tied into the businesses that potentially will hire them.
So she’s got extraordinary experience. And in case I haven’t embarrassed her enough — she’s got a wonderful family; I watched her kids grow up — and today is her birthday. So Happy Birthday, Penny. (Applause.) For your birthday present, you get to go through confirmation. (Laughter.) It’s going to be great. (Laughter.)
Meanwhile, over two decades in both the public and private sectors, Mike Froman, who I’m nominating to serve as my U.S. Trade Representative, has established himself as one of the world’s foremost experts on our global economy. And I’m not surprised, by the way, because we went to law school together — he was much smarter than me then, he continues to be smarter than me now.
And over the past four years, he’s been my point person at global forums like the G8 and the G20 — and, by the way, when I say point person, he’s really been the driving force, oftentimes, in organizing these incredible international summits in which huge amounts of business gets done. He’s been a key negotiator alongside Ron Kirk on those trade agreements for South Korea, Colombia, and Panama, which support tens of thousands of American jobs.
He has won the respect of our trading partners around the world. He has also won a reputation as being an extraordinarily tough negotiator while doing it. He does not rest until he’s delivered the best possible deal for American businesses and American workers. He’s fought to make sure that countries that break the rules are held accountable.
And Mike believes, just as I believe and just as Penny believes, that our workers are the most competitive in the world, so they deserve a level playing field. And Mike’s going to continue to fight for that level playing field in his new role, as he helps to move forward trade negotiations with both the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, and will also continue to advise me on a broad range of economic issues.
And as I think some of you have gathered, I’ve had a chance to get to know Penny and Mike not just as leaders and professionals, but also as friends. And one of the reasons I’m proud to nominate them is they don’t forget what matters. They know this is not about just growing balance sheets. It’s about growing opportunity for people. It’s about growing a sense of security for the middle class. And, most of all, they operate with integrity and they understand that public service is a privilege, and you’ve got to do it right when you get involved on behalf of the American people.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/02/remarks-president-personnel-announcements
Medicare gets its first confirmed leader in nearly a decade
May 15, 2013 at 6:12 pm By Sarah Kliff – washingtonpost
Moments ago, the Senate did something it has not done in nearly a decade: It confirmed a leader for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Obama nominee Marilyn Tavenner received a 91 to 7 vote on the Senate floor to run an agency that, since 2006, has been without a confirmed leader. Her position, overseeing a $1 trillion agency that administers health benefits to millions, has long been considered too politically volatile to fill.
Tavenner, a former hospital executive, managed to thread the needle.
She spent more than a year as Medicare’s deputy administrator and apparently impressed Senate Republicans. Dozens of health-care associations endorsed her nomination, as did a seven former Medicare heads (three Republicans, four Democrats). As one told me, if Tavenner couldn’t get confirmed, then not even “Mother Teresa or Ghandi” could get the Senate’s blessing.
Former Medicare administrators say that confirmation is important in running an agency. When the White House knows you’re going to be around for a significant amount of time and have the Senate’s backing, they say, it makes it easier to stand firm on crucial fights.
“The basic work will get done either way,” Bruce Vladeck, President Bill Clinton’s former Medicare administrator, told me in an interview this year. “What’s really important is it gives someone whose primary concern is Medicare and Medicaid a little more ability and standing to push back against others in the executive branch. The stature of a Senate confirmation does give a little extra standing.”
Now, Tavenner has that. For a bit more background, you can read our interview from a few months back and a profile from 2011, which includes a story of how Tavenner brought a patient back from the dead.
May 16, 2013
President Obama Appoints Daniel Werfel as Acting Commissioner of Internal Revenue
WASHINGTON – President Obama today announced the appointment of Daniel Werfel as Acting Commissioner of Internal Revenue, effective Wednesday, May 22. As Acting Commissioner, Mr. Werfel will lead efforts to ensure the IRS implements new safeguards to restore public trust and administers the tax code with fairness and integrity. Mr. Werfel has agreed to serve through the end of the fiscal year.
President Obama said, “Throughout his career working in both Democratic and Republican administrations, Danny has proven an effective leader who serves with professionalism, integrity and skill. The American people deserve to have the utmost confidence and trust in their government, and as we work to get to the bottom of what happened and restore confidence in the IRS, Danny has the experience and management ability necessary to lead the agency at this important time.”
Mr. Werfel, 42, currently serves as Controller of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he has led efforts across the federal government to improve Federal program integrity, including all areas of financial management, financial reporting, accounting standards, improper payments, and financial systems, among others. Prior to his current role, Mr. Werfel served in multiple career civil service capacities at OMB, including as Deputy Controller, Chief of the Financial Integrity and Analysis Branch, Budget Examiner in the Education Branch, and Policy Analyst in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Mr. Werfel has also served as a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
Mr. Werfel is a recipient of both national and local awards from the Association of Government Accountants for his contributions to Federal financial management. During the Bush Administration, he was the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service. Mr. Werfel also served as a member of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board from 2006 to 2009.
Mr. Werfel holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Duke University, a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelors Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.
March 4, 2013
Remarks by the President in Personnel Announcements
East Room
10:27 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. This afternoon, I’ll hold my first Cabinet meeting of my second term. And there will be some new faces, and there will be some familiar faces in new jobs. But there will also be some seats waiting to be filled on a permanent basis. And today, I’m announcing my plan to nominate three outstanding individuals to help us tackle some of our most important challenges.
One of those challenges is building on the work that we’ve done to control our own energy future while reducing pollution that contributes to climate change. And few people have played more of a role in addressing these issues than current Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. Steven has helped us to speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy. He’s given more of our brightest young scientists the opportunity to pursue the ideas that will shape our future. So I could not be more grateful to Steve for the incredible contribution that he’s made to this country.
And now that he’s decided to leave Washington for sunny California, I’m proud to nominate another brilliant scientist to take his place — Mr. Ernie Moniz. There’s Ernie right there. (Applause.)
Now, the good news is that Ernie already knows his way around the Department of Energy. He is a physicist by training, but he also served as Under Secretary of Energy under President Clinton. Since then, he’s directed MIT’s Energy Initiative, which brings together prominent thinkers and energy companies to develop the technologies that can lead us to more energy independence and also to new jobs.
Most importantly, Ernie knows that we can produce more energy and grow our economy while still taking care of our air, our water and our climate. And so I could not be more pleased to have Ernie join us. And he will be joined in that effort by my nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
Over the last four years, Lisa Jackson and her team at the EPA have helped us to reduce emissions of the dangerous carbon pollution that causes climate change, put in place the toughest new pollution standards in two decades. Lisa is now ready for a well-deserved break. And I want to very much thank Bob Perciasepe, who’s not only been a great Deputy Administrator, but has also been acting as the Acting Administrator. So, please, Bob — everybody give Bob a big round of applause. (Applause.)
As we move forward, I think there is nobody who can do a better job in filling Lisa’s shoes permanently than my nominee who’s standing beside me here — Gina McCarthy. (Applause.)
Now, you wouldn’t know from talking to her, but Gina is from Boston. (Laughter.) And one of her proudest moments was yelling “Play ball!” at Fenway Park before a Red Sox game. But Gina has got plenty more to be proud of. As a top environmental official in Massachusetts and Connecticut, she helped design programs to expand energy efficiency and promote renewable energy. As Assistant EPA Administrator, Gina has focused on practical, cost-effective ways to keep our air clean and our economy growing. She’s earned a reputation as a straight shooter. She welcomes different points of views. I’m confident that she’s going to do an outstanding job leading the EPA.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2013/03/04/president-obama-makes-personnel-announcement#transcript
May 16, 2013
Statement by the President on the Confirmation of Ernest Moniz as the Next Secretary of Energy
I am pleased that today, by a unanimous vote, the Senate confirmed Ernest Moniz as our next Energy Secretary. Dr. Moniz is a world-class scientist with expertise in a range of energy sources and a leader with a proven record of bringing prominent thinkers and innovators together to advance new energy solutions. He also shares my conviction that the United States must lead the world in developing more sustainable sources of energy that create new jobs and new industries, and in responding to the threat of global climate change. I am thrilled that Ernie is joining my team, and I look forward to his counsel on these issues as my Administration continues to increase our nation’s energy security, strengthen our nuclear security, develop the next-generation of clean energy technologies, and compete for the jobs of the 21st century.
January 24, 2013
Remarks by the President at a Personnel Announcement
State Dining Room
2:38 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Over the last four years, I’ve talked about how shared prosperity — from Wall Street to Main Street — depends on smart, common-sense regulations that protect the vast majority of Americans from the irresponsible actions of a few.
That’s why we passed tough reforms to protect consumers and our financial system from the kinds of abuse that nearly brought the economy to its knees. Today, there are rules to help families — responsible families buy a home or send their child to college without worrying about being tricked out of their life savings. There are rules to make sure that financial firms which do the right thing aren’t undermined by those that don’t do the right thing. And there are rules to end taxpayer-funded Wall Street bailouts once and for all.
But it’s not enough to change the law. We also need cops on the beat to enforce the law. And that’s why, today, I am nominating Mary Jo White to lead the Security and Exchange Commission, and Richard Cordray to continue leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
This guy is bothering me here — (swatting at a fly.)
As a young girl, Mary Jo White was a big fan of the Hardy Boys. I was, too, by the way.
MS. WHITE: Good. Good.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. As an adult, she’s built a career the Hardy Boys could only dream of. Over a decade as a U.S. Attorney in New York, she helped prosecute white-collar criminals and money launderers. In the early 1990s, she brought down John Gotti, the head of the Gambino crime syndicate. And she brought to justice the terrorists responsible for bombing the World Trade Center and the American embassies in Africa. So I’d say that’s a pretty good run. You don’t want to mess with Mary Jo.
As one former SEC chairman said, Mary Jo “does not intimidate easily.” And that’s important, because she has a big job ahead of her. The SEC played a critical role in protecting our financial system during the worst of the financial crisis. But there’s much more work to be done to complete the task of reforming Wall Street and making sure that American investors are better informed and better protected going forward. And we need to keep going after irresponsible behavior in the financial industry so that taxpayers don’t pay the price.
I am absolutely confident that Mary Jo has the experience and the resolve to tackle these complex issues and protect the American people in a way that is smart and in a way that is fair.
And I want to thank Elisse Walter, who has done an outstanding job holding down the fort as chairwoman. And I expect the Senate to confirm Mary Jo as soon as possible so she can get to work.
My second nominee is a familiar face. A year and a half ago, I nominated Richard Cordray to lead the watchdog agency we created to give Americans the information they need to make sound financial choices and protect them from unscrupulous lenders and debt collectors.
As a former attorney general of Ohio with a long record of working with Democrats and Republicans on behalf of the American people, nobody questioned Richard’s qualifications. But he wasn’t allowed an up or down vote in the Senate, and as a consequence, I took action to appoint him on my own. And over the last year, Richard has proved to be a champion of American consumers.
Thanks to his leadership, we’ve made it tougher for families to be tricked into mortgages they can’t afford. We’ve set clearer rules so that responsible lenders know how to operate fairly. We’ve launched a “Know Before You Owe” campaign to help parents and students make smart decisions about paying for college. We’ve cracked down on credit card companies that charge hidden fees, and forced those companies to make things right. And through it all, Richard has earned a reputation as a straight shooter and somebody who’s willing to bring every voice to the table in order to do what’s right for consumers and our economy.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/24/remarks-president-personnel-announcement
Senate confirms White to lead SEC
4/08/13 02:42 PM ET By Peter Schroeder – TheHill
The Senate unanimously approved Mary Jo White to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday.
Shortly after returning from a two-week break, the Senate quickly acted to approve the former federal prosecutor to lead the Wall Street watchdog, signing off on her confirmation by unanimous consent.
The only lawmaker to oppose her nomination at any step in the process was Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who voted against her when she appeared before the Senate Banking Committee but did not block the consent request on the Senate floor.
White will now take the reins of the financial regulator following the December departure of its former head, Mary Schapiro. SEC Commissioner Elisse Walter led the agency in the interim.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/banking-financial-institutions/292383-senate-confirms-mary-jo-white-to-lead-the-sec
I hope that it works out with Hagel.
Yes, we need someone soon
My husband, the Independent, said that maybe Hagel was nominated so that he when the GOP put up a stink that PBO could say “they won’t even okay one of their own”.
This is how he paints them into corners.
Clinton to resume duties Monday following treatment for clot
1/6/13 David Morgan – Reuters – 3 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will resume her official duties on Monday, five days after being released from a hospital for treatment of a blood clot, the State Department said on Sunday.
Clinton, 65, will sit down with assistant secretaries of state for a closed-door meeting on Monday at 9:15 a.m. (1415 GMT) at the start of a week-long schedule containing nearly a dozen meetings, including three at the White House.
The secretary was released from New York Presbyterian Hospital last Wednesday, after a stay of several days during which she was given blood thinners to treat the clot in a vein behind her right ear. She has been resting at home in New York since then.
Clinton has suffered a series of ailments over the last month, including a stomach virus and a concussion.
Her doctors have said they expect her to make a full recovery.
The State Department said Clinton has been keeping up with her work by talking to her staff and receiving memos.
Her first White House meeting this week will take place on Tuesday and include Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and national security adviser Tom Donilon, the State Department said.
She is also scheduled to meet with the ambassadors of Ireland and South Africa on Tuesday, and with Afghan President Hamid Karzai later in the week.
Clinton is expected to step down in the next few weeks. President Barack Obama has chosen Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to succeed her.
Hillary Clinton back at work after hospitalization
By ASSOCIATED PRESS | 1/7/13 2:42 PM EST
WASHINGTON – Cheers, a standing ovation and a gag gift of protective headgear greeted Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as she returned to work on Monday after a month-long absence caused first by a stomach virus, then a fall and a concussion and finally a brief hospitalization for a blot clot near her brain.
A crowd of State Department officials greeted Clinton with a standing ovation as she walked in to the first senior staff meeting she has convened since early December, according to those present. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides, noting that life in Washington is often a “contact sport, sometimes even in your own home” then presented Clinton with a gift – a regulation white Riddell football helmet emblazoned with the State Department seal, several officials said.
She was also given a blue football jersey with “Clinton” and the number 112 – the record-breaking number of countries she has visited since becoming secretary of state – printed on the back. Aides said Clinton was delighted with the gifts but did not try either of them on and the meeting turned to matters of national security and diplomacy.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/hillary-clinton-back-at-work-after-hospitalization-85854.html?hp=r11
January 03, 2013
President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to Ghana to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama
President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Accra, Ghana to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President-elect of the Republic of Ghana on January 7, 2013.
The Honorable Daniel W. Yohannes, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, will lead the delegation.
Members of the Presidential Delegation:
The Honorable Gene Cretz, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana
The Honorable Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Department of State
The Honorable Donald Teitelbaum, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Department of State
Ireland’s first meeting of EU Presidency takes place today
Updated: 13:23, Monday, 07 January 2013 rte
The first high-level meeting of Ireland’s seventh EU Presidency takes place today, when the Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide starts two days of talks with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.
Bilateral and trade relations between the two countries will be on the agenda.
Norway is Ireland’s 11th largest trading partner, with annual trade worth €3.8bn.
Norway is also a major source for Ireland’s energy needs.
Through its global investment fund, which is one of the world’s largest, Norway has significant holdings in Ireland.
Court Returns With Gay Marriage
1/7/13 By Ariane de Vogue | ABC OTUS News – 2 hrs 12 mins ago
The Supreme Court is poised to take the bench today and begin the second half of a term laced with hot button issues such as affirmative action, gay marriage, voting rights and government secrecy.
The justices will hear two potentially blockbuster cases in March concerning gay marriage. One of the cases – Hollingsworth v. Perry – addresses whether there is a fundamental right to same-sex marriage. The other – Windsor v. United States – deals with the federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
In both cases, the court will hear arguments on potential procedural obstacles that could stop it from getting to the core constitutional questions.
The court will also hear a case challenging a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. Section 5 of the law says that certain states with a history of voter discrimination must clear any changes to their election laws with federal officials in Washington. Lawyers for Shelby County, Ala., are challenging the constitutionality of Section 5. The case, called Shelby County v. Holder, will be argued Feb. 27.
The day before, the court will hear arguments in Maryland v. King, a case about whether Maryland officials can collect DNA from someone who has been arrested but not convicted of a crime.
The justices are already working behind the scenes writing and reviewing draft opinions for cases they heard this fall.
For more: http://news.yahoo.com/supreme-court-returns-today-gay-marriage-affirmative-action-130039454–abc-news-politics.html
Supreme Court to hear same-sex marriage cases in late March
1/7/13 By Jonathan Stempel | Reuters – 4 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court will in late March hear oral arguments in a pair of cases challenging laws that define marriage as a union of a man and a woman.
On March 26, the court will review a California ban on gay marriage, which voters narrowly approved in 2008. That case could give the court a chance to accept or reject a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, or issue a narrower ruling affecting only the nation’s most populous state.
The next day the court will review a New York court ruling striking down a centerpiece of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that denies married same-sex couples a variety of federal benefits that heterosexual couples receive.
The scheduling was announced in a calendar released by the court on Monday. In May, President Barack Obama said he believed same-sex couples deserve the right to marry, and the government is no longer defending the federal benefits law.
Both cases are the most anticipated in the court’s current term and are among several cases that could allow the nine justices to better define what constitutes equality.
In October, the court heard arguments challenging the use of affirmative action in admissions at the University of Texas at Austin. Next month, it will hear a challenge to a central provision in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Decisions in these cases are expected by the end of June.
In the California case, Hollingsworth v. Perry, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had last February voided the same-sex marriage ban but ruled narrowly, saying the state could not take away a right to same-sex marriage after previously allowing it.
That case was brought by two lawyers, Theodore Olson and David Boies, who were on opposite sides in the 2000 case Bush v. Gore, which decided the 2000 U.S. presidential election.
The New York case, U.S. v. Windsor, challenged Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between only a man and a woman for the purpose of benefits such as Social Security survivor payments and the right to file joint federal tax returns.
For more: http://news.yahoo.com/supreme-court-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-march-183542836.html
Next Up…
1:05 PM ET
President Obama announces his nomination to become the next Defense Secretary and CIA Director
East Room
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/Live/
CSPAN http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-May-Announce-New-Defense-Secretary-and-CIA-Director/10737437028/
January 07, 2013
Remarks by the President in Nomination of Secretary of Defense and CIA Director
East Room
1:15 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Please have a seat. As President and Commander-in-Chief, my most solemn obligation is the security of the American people. Over the past four years, we’ve met that responsibility by ending the war in Iraq, and beginning a transition in Afghanistan; by decimating the al Qaeda core and taking out Osama bin Laden; by disrupting terrorist plots and saving countless American lives.
Among an outstanding national security team, I am especially grateful to Leon Panetta, who has led the CIA and our military with incredible skill. Leon, after nearly five decades of service, you have more than earned the right to return to civilian life. I’ll have much more to say about Leon’s distinguished service in the days ahead. Today, I simply want to convey both to you and to Sylvia the eternal gratitude of the entire nation. Thank you so much, Leon.
I also want to thank Michael Morell, who has earned the admiration of all of us who’ve worked with him across government and here in the White House. In moments of transition, he’s guided the CIA with a steady hand as Acting Director — not once, but twice. And he is a consummate professional. As I said, everybody in the White House who works with him, everybody across agencies who works with him considers him truly to be one of our most outstanding national security team members. And so, Michael, on behalf of all of us, thank you and Mary Beth for your continued service.
As these leaders know, the work of protecting our nation is never done, and we’ve still got much to do: Ending the war in Afghanistan and caring for those who have borne the battle; preparing for the full range of threats, from the unconventional to the conventional, including things like cyber security; and within our military, continuing to ensure that our men and women in uniform can serve the country they love, no matter who they love.
To help meet the challenges of our time, I’m proud to announce my choice for two key members of my national security team — Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense and John Brennan for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/07/remarks-president-nomination-secretary-defense-and-cia-director
Hagel sworn in as Defense secretary
02/27/13 08:48 AM ET By Jeremy Herb – TheHill
Chuck Hagel was sworn in as Defense secretary on Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after he was confirmed by the Senate.
The Pentagon’s Director of Administration and Management Michael Rhodes administered the oath for Hagel in a private ceremony.
Hagel will address DOD employees and service members later this morning from the Pentagon, after meeting with senior staff and military leaders.
The new secretary received congratulatory calls from congressional leaders, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and his predecessor, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, said Pentagon press secretary George Little.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/285165-hagel-sworn-in-as-defense-secretary
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Hagel for Secretary of Defense
Valerie Jarrett January 07, 2013 01:43 PM EST
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on HuffingtonPost.com.
Earlier today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate former Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense.
Chuck Hagel is uniquely qualified to be Secretary of Defense. He is a decorated war hero who earned two purple hearts for his heroism in Vietnam. He knows the sacrifices that we ask our brave service members to make because he has made them himself. If confirmed, he would be the first enlisted soldier, and first Vietnam veteran, to serve as our nation’s Secretary of Defense.
Senator Hagel also has the judgment and experience to serve. He worked tirelessly for two terms on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Intelligence Committee. He helped lead the fight in the Senate to pass the post-9/11 GI Bill, and worked at the VA and as head of the USO, where he dedicated himself to supporting our armed forces. Throughout his career, he has been a champion for our troops, military families and veterans.
President Obama has come to know and trust Senator Hagel over nearly a decade, dating back to their time together in the Senate. Together, they travelled to Afghanistan and Iraq in the summer of 2008, and they share a commitment to end the war in Afghanistan responsibly. Senator Hagel has been a strong supporter of the President’s approach to national security, and as Secretary of Defense, he will support and execute the President’s vision for our military. That includes continuing the President’s historic support for gay and lesbian service members, and overseeing the continued implementation of the full repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The President is fully committed to ensuring that all of our service members and military families are treated equally. He is confident that, as Secretary of Defense, Senator Hagel will ensure that all who serve the country we love are treated equally — no matter who they love.
Recently, some in the LGBT community have expressed concerns about Senator Hagel’s past comments. In response, Senator Hagel issued a statement in which he apologized for comments that he made in the 1990s, and affirmed both his commitment to LGBT civil rights as well as his support for open service and the families of gay and lesbian service members.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/01/07/hagel-secretary-defense
Ballon D’Or
FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year 2012 – Pia Sundhage
FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year 2012 Vicente Del Bosque
FIFA Women’s World Player 2012 – Abbey Wambach
FIFA Men’s World Player 2012 – Lionel Messi
Supreme Court ruling allows stem-cell research to proceed
1/07/13 02:06 PM ET By Elise Viebeck – TheHill
The Supreme Court will not review a challenge to federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research, allowing the controversial studies to proceed.
The justices on Monday rejected an appeal from two scientists who said stem-cell research violates federal law banning the creation and destruction of human embryos for scientific purposes.
The decision is a boon to supporters of stem-cell research, who believe it will yield treatments and cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) applauded the court’s decision not to review lower-court rulings that allow research to proceed at the National Institutes of Health.
“This is good news for patients. Research using hESCs conducted under rigorous ethical standards continues to offer great promise in the search for cures and treatments for a variety of intractable diseases,” the AAMC said in a statement. “With the legislative, regulatory, and legal barriers cleared, we hope the promise of hESC research can now be realized.”
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/other/275923-supreme-court-allows-stem-cell-research-to-proceed
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ dischargees to receive full back pay from DOD
1/07/13 04:54 PM ET By Carlo Muñoz – TheHill
In a landmark settlement, the Pentagon has agreed to give full back pay to U.S. service members who were discharged due to their sexual orientation under the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
The payouts will be granted to service members dismissed from the military under the now-repealed policy on or after November 2004.
“This means so much to those of us who dedicated ourselves to the military, only to be forced out against our will for being who we are,” former Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Collins said in a statement from the American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the lawsuit.
Under “Don’t ask,” service members who were honorably discharged automatically had their separation pay cut in half.
The ACLU of New Mexico sued the Pentagon on behalf of 181 service members who were dismissed under the policy to recover their full pay. Each solider, sailor, airman and Marine in the case will receive, on average, a payout of $13,000, the ACLU said.
The Defense Department will pay a total of $2.4 million to the plaintiffs.
Federal law entitles service members to separation pay if they have been involuntarily and honorably discharged after completing at least six years of service, the ACLU said.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/275971-service-members-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell-to-receive-full-back-pay
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
All Times Eastern
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
President Obama meets with Defense Secretary Panetta
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
January 8, 2013
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
12:30 PM ET
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
—-
ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/Live/
12:30 PM ET
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
12:00 PM ET
Urban Institute
Fiscal Cliff Debate http://www.c-span.org/Events/Economic-Think-Tank-Reviews-the-Fiscal-Cliffhanger/10737437027/
12:00 PM ET
Center for American Progress
Eminent Domain and the Housing Market http://www.c-span.org/Events/Municipalities-Look-at-Eminent-Domain-to-Revive-House-Sales/10737437044/
12:15 PM ET
Petroleum Institute President Discusses American Energy http://www.c-span.org/Events/Petroleum-Institute-President-Discusses-American-Energy/10737437042/
12:30 PM ET
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
2:00 PM ET
Brookings Institution
State and Federal Marijuana Laws http://www.c-span.org/Events/Panel-Examines-Federal-State-Conflict-Over-New-Marijuana-Laws/10737437045/
Race for Jesse Jackson Jr. seat: Ballot position lottery today
January 8, 2013 9:22 AM By Lynn Sweet – suntimes
WASHINGTON–The Illinois Board of Elections holds a lottery on Tuesday to determine ballot positions for the Feb. 26 primaries to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation of former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.)
The filing period with the Illinois Board of Elections closed Tuesday and the field is big: 17 Democrats and 5 Republicans. The district is so heavily Democratic that the winner of the Feb. 26 primary has little to worry about in the general. Early voting starts Feb. 11, so the campaign time is short.
Latino Inaugural 2013: In Performance at Kennedy Center
Sun., Jan. 20, 2013, 7:00 PM
Opera House
$300.00
Tickets on sale now
Tickets went on sale January 8, 2013 to the public
Call Kennedy Center Information or check online regularly for last-minute availability.
In recognition of the presidential inauguration and Latino arts and culture, actress Eva Longoria, San Antonio philanthropist and business leader Henry R. Muñoz III, and San Juan attorney and activist Andrés W. López, in partnership with the nation’s leading Latino organizations, present “In Performance at the Kennedy Center.” The concert features performances by Antonio Banderas, Raúl Esparza, José Feliciano, Juan Diego Flórez, Melanie Griffith, George Lopez, Mario Lopez, Rita Moreno, Chita Rivera, Robert Rodriguez, Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, Ballet Hispanico, Coro de Niños de San Juan, the Esperanza Azteca Youth Orchestra, the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, and other entertainers.
Performance Timing: 75 minutes, with no intermission
For more: http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=RNXBQ
Consumer Credit Rose in November on U.S. Auto, Student Loans
Jan 8, 2013 1:06 PM PT By Kasia Klimasinska – bloomberg
Consumer credit in the U.S. increased more than forecast in November, led by borrowing for student loans and automobiles.
The $16 billion gain followed a $14.1 billion advance in October, Federal Reserve figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 34 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a $12.8 billion November rise.
With sustained gains in the labor market, reflected by December’s 155,000 increase in payrolls, and strong demand for student loans and cars, economists expect consumer credit to continue to grow in the early months of 2013. The ability to borrow, combined with an improved labor market, signals consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy, will bolster the expansion.
“We’ve seen four straight months now of very significant increases in overall consumer credit,” Thomas Simons, a money market economist at Jefferies Group Inc. in New York, said in a phone interview. “I would expect that’s going to continue.”
For more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-08/consumer-credit-rose-in-november-on-u-s-auto-student-loans-1-.html
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and our Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
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THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED NBLB
Come on over to my newest post titled: “NGA – Inaugural State of the State Address ”
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