Record Judicial Diversity, Record Judicial Delays

01/05/2012

Creating a judicial pool for the 21st Century, one with intellect, fair-mindedness and integrity that resembles the nation that it serves, is a top priority for President Obama and his administration. In fact, the President’s nominations for federal judges embody an unprecedented commitment to expanding the racial, gender and experiential diversity of the men and women who enforce our laws and deliver justice.

Hon. Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice
confirmation date: 8/6/2009

Hon. Elena Kagan, Associate Justice
confirmation date: 8/7/2010

Unfortunately, the delays these nominees are encountering on Capitol Hill are equally unprecedented: earlier this month, the Senate left for its August recess without considering 20 eminently qualified candidates, 16 of whom had passed through the bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee completely unopposed, a development the Washington Post called “not only frustrating but also destructive” in an editorial published yesterday.

The victims of these delays, of course, are the American citizens who are being denied the fair and timely judicial proceedings they deserve because of the chronic shortage of federal judges on the bench.  Stephen Zack, president of the American Bar Association, told Senate leaders in a recent letter that the abundance of vacant federal judgeships “create strains that will inevitably reduce the quality of our justice system and erode public confidence in the ability of the courts to vindicate constitutional rights or render fair and timely decisions.”

75 Comments | Civil Rights, Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Immigration, Legislation, Military, PBO, Security & Defense, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

Fuel Economy Standards for Commercial Vehicles

08/09/2011

White House Announced First Ever Oil Savings Standards for Heavy Duty Trucks, Buses Saving $50 billion in fuel costs and over 500 million barrels of oil.

President Obama announced new fuel efficiency standards that will save American businesses that operate and own commercial vehicles approximately $50 billion in fuel costs over the life of the program. These work trucks, buses, and other medium- and heavy duty vehicleswill be required to meet fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for the first time ever beginning in 2014.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the standards in close coordination with the companies that met with the President today as well as other stakeholders, following requests from companies to develop this program.

“While we were working to improve the efficiency of cars and light-duty trucks, something interesting happened,” said President Obama. “We started getting letters asking that we do the same for medium and heavy-duty trucks. They were from the people who build, buy, and drive these trucks. And today, I’m proud to have the support of these companies as we announce the first-ever national policy to increase fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas pollution from medium and heavy-duty trucks.”

The 2014-2018 fuel efficiency standards for trucks are designed to account for the different kind of work done by different kinds of trucks. Long haul trucks will save an average of 4 gallons for fuel for every 100 miles traveled. Heavy-duty pickups and vehicles like buses, delivery trucks, or vans would save one gallon for every 100 miles traveled. Altogether, we’re looking at saving a projected 530 million barrels of oil.

For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/09/secretary-lahood-50-billion-fuel-savings-significant-win-trucking-industry

128 Comments | Economy, Energy, Legislation, PBO | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

Winning the Future with Fuel Efficient Automobiles

07/28/2011

On Friday, July 29th President Obama announces an national effort to improve fuel efficiency for new fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and light trucks.  The new U.S. fuel economy average will start with 2017 models and increases by the year 2025 cars to 54.5 mph (an increase of 5%); light trucks will increase by 3.5% + 5%. The price of the more fuel efficient automobiles will cost more but the savings in the amount of gasoline consumed will be an offset.

Ceres, a national coalition of investors and public interest organizations, released a report detailing what stronger fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards would mean for the U.S. economy. In the Ceres report titled “More Jobs Per Gallon” report it showed that President Obama’s new 54.5 mpg fuel efficiency standards we can expect:

* Approximately 484,000 new jobs in the United States by 2030.
* 43,000 of those would be full-time jobs in the auto sector.
* Consumers would save approximately $107 billion at the pump in 2030 compared to business as usual.
* 49 states would see net job gains.

89 Comments | Energy, PBO | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by CR

U.S. Debt Default By The Numbers

07/17/2011

The risk of a U.S. default: By the numbers

Jul 15, 2011 The Week – news.yahoo (Excerpts)

If Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling by Aug. 2, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will have to make some very tough choices.

It’s all coming down to the wire. If Congress and President Obama don’t reach a deal to raise the U.S. debt limit by early August, the government won’t be able to honor all of its financial obligations. The nation’s savings account would be essentially empty, and without the authority to borrow, Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would have to choose which bills to pay from incoming tax revenue — and which bills and obligations to ignore. “You can move the chess pieces around all you want,” says Jay Powell of the Bipartisan Policy Center, but “you’re going to lose.” How much? Here, a look at some numbers underpinning the debate:

$14.294 trillion – Current debt ceiling, reached May 16. Geithner has moved money around so the feds can continue paying the bills through Aug. 2, even though the nation’s legal borrowing limit has already been reached.

$80 million – Number of payments U.S. makes every month

$306.7 billion – Amount the U.S. is obligated to pay from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$172.4 billion – Amount of revenue the U.S will bring in from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

44 – Percentage of those August payments that would have to be immediately scrapped if no deal is reached

$29 billion – Interest payments on Treasury securities due to investors on Aug. 15

$49.2 billion – Social Security benefits to be paid from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$50 billion – Medicare and Medicaid benefits to be paid from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$31.7 billion – Payments to defense contractors due from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$12.8 billion – Unemployment benefits to be paid from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$2.9 billion – Active-duty military pay due from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$2.9 billion – Veterans Affairs program payments due from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$14.2 billion – Federal salaries and benefits due from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31

$12 billion – U.S. tax income expected to be received on Aug. 3

$32 billion – U.S. spending planned for Aug. 3 (including $23 billion in Social Security checks)

50 – U.S. credit rating within 90 days

7,000 – Number of top-rated municipal bonds Moody’s will automatically downgrade without a debt-ceiling deal

$130 billion – Amount of municipal debt affected by the Moody’s ultimatum

74 – Number of times the debt ceiling has been raised since 1962

10 – Number of times the debt ceiling has been raised since 2001

78 Comments | Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Military, PBO, Security & Defense, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

President Obama challenges Congress: Stop the politics, Act now for the sake of the American people

06/29/2011

Highlights from President Obama’s June 29th press conference:

” There are a lot of folks out there who are still struggling with the effects of the recession. Many people are still looking for work or looking for a job that pays more. Families are wondering how they’d deal with a broken refrigerator or a busted transmission, or how they’re going to finance their kids’ college education, and they’re also worrying about the possibility of layoffs.

The struggles of middle-class families were a big problem long before the recession hit in 2007. They weren’t created overnight, and the truth is our economic challenges are not going to be solved overnight. But there are more steps that we can take right now that would help businesses create jobs here in America.

Today, our administration is trying to take those steps, so we’re reviewing government regulations so that we can fix any rules in place that are an unnecessary burden on businesses. We’re working with the private sector to get small businesses and start-ups the financing they need to grow and expand. And because of the partnership that we’ve launched with businesses and community colleges, 500,000 workers will be able to receive the right skills and training for manufacturing jobs in companies all across America — jobs that companies are looking to fill.

In addition to the steps that my administration can take on our own, there are also things that Congress could do right now that will help create good jobs“

* Congress can send me a bill that would make it easier for entrepreneurs to patent a new product or idea

* Congress can send me a bill that puts construction workers back on the job rebuilding roads and bridges

* Congress can advance a set of trade agreements that would allow American businesses to sell more of their goods and services to countries in Asia and South America

* Congress can extend the tax cut I signed for middle-class families in December for one more year.

* Congress can get rid of tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires; tax breaks for oil companies and hedge fund managers and corporate jet owners

“So the bottom line is this: Any agreement to reduce our deficit is going to require tough decisions and balanced solutions. And before we ask our seniors to pay more for health care, before we cut our children’s education, before we sacrifice our commitment to the research and innovation that will help create more jobs in the economy, I think it’s only fair to ask an oil company or a corporate jet owner that has done so well to give up a tax break that no other business enjoys. I don’t think that’s real radical. I think the majority of Americans agree with that.

So the good news is, because of the work that’s been done, I this we can actually bridge our differences. I think there is a conceptual framework that would allow us to make huge progress on our debt and deficit, and do so in a way that does not hurt our economy right here and right now.

And it’s not often that Washington sees both parties agree on the scale and the urgency of the challenge at hand. Nobody wants to put the creditworthiness of the United States in jeopardy. Nobody wants to see the United States default. So we’ve got to seize this moment, and we have to seize it soon. The Vice President and I will continue these negotiations with both leaders of both parties in Congress for as long as it takes, and we will reach a deal that will require our government to live within its means and give our businesses confidence and get this economy moving. “

President Obama 6/9/11

For the entire transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/29/press-conference-president

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contact your legislator NOW YOU CAN HELP BY CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATOR TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!

U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Tweet a Message to Your Representatives

117 Comments | Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Military, PBO, Security & Defense, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

Building the 21st Century Grid

06/12/2011

The White House will highlight efforts on building new transmission lines and applying digital technologies to the electric system to enable the clean energy economy, ensure a secure and reliable grid, and foster innovation and jobs of the future.  

Building the 21st Century Grid

136 Comments | Energy, PBO, Technology | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

America’s Next Top Energy Innovator

05/01/2011

Department of Energy Launches “America’s Next Top Energy Innovator” Challenge

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a new program called “America’s Next Top Energy Innovator” to reduce the cost and paperwork for startup companies to license the Department of Energy’s 15,000 unlicensed patents, and start bringing more of these new energy technologies to the U.S. marketplace.

Starting on May 2, 2011, entrepreneurs may apply for any of these patents by submitting a business plan for how they propose to use them. A portfolio of up to three patents will cost an upfront fee of just $1,000, yielding a total savings of between $10,000 and $50,000.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory scientists found multiple uses for thin film lithium ion conductors – for batteries and for solar cells. | Photo courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

5/1/11 11:30 PM EDT
President Obama announces that Osama Bin Laden is dead

173 Comments | Energy, PBO, Technology | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

EnergySavers.gov

04/20/2011

Whether choosing energy efficient products, auditing your home  energy use, adding energy smart plans when building a new home or saving on transportation costs, the following links will provide the tools and information you need to help save energy and money at home and on the road. To learn more go to EnergySavers.gov

GENERAL INFORMATION - Find energy efficiency and renewable energy information in your home, community, and state, with a few quick clicks.
HOMES -  From improving homes or condos to building a new home or shopping for an appliance, this is your gateway to the best information available.
CARS - From commuting to taking a long road trip, learn ways to squeeze every mile from your gasoline dollar.

Earth Day is April 22

Each year, over 20 million Americans participate in one of the largest grassroots community service movements in our history.

Find an event near you

en español: Día del Planeta Tierra

127 Comments | Energy, Environment, Legislation, PBO | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

President Obama’s Fiscal Policy 2011

04/14/2011

On Wednesday, April 13th President Obama gave a speech at the George Washington University and laid out his plan for a balanced approach to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over twelve years, based on the values of shared responsibility and shared prosperity. The President’s approach borrows from the Bipartisan Fiscal Commission and builds on $1 trillion in deficit reductions in the President’s 2012 budget.

The President’s Framework focuses on four key pillars:

  • Budget Cuts. The President’s approach builds on the compromise reached last week and will save us $770 billion over twelve years.
  • Security Spending. Working with Secretary of Defense Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen we will find $400 billion in defense savings by 2023 while ensuring that our troops have the resources they need to protect our national security.
  • Health Care Costs. The President’s approach to reforming Medicare and Medicaid keeps our commitments to seniors, people with disabilities, and children while reducing health care spending.  By 2023, these reforms will help us save $480 billion and an additional $1 trillion in the decade after that.
  • Tax Reform. The President’s approach would eliminate the Bush tax cuts and limit itemized deductions for the wealthiest 2% of Americans – reducing the deficit by $320 billion over ten years.  The President is also calling on Congress to reform the individual tax code so that the amount of taxes you pay isn’t determined by what kind of accountant you can afford.

Check out this fact sheet to learn more about the details of the President’s framework.

President Obama’s Fiscal Policy Speech on April 13, 2011

148 Comments | Economy, Education, Energy, Health Care, Military, PBO, Security & Defense, Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by CR

Recycle

11/14/2010

Recycling improves our daily lives and helps to protect our planet for the future. Through recycling, we conserve energy, consume less of our precious natural resources, decrease the amount of waste deposited in landfills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Communities across America also benefit by avoiding the pollution associated with the extraction of raw materials and their processing into finished products.             –

President Barack Obama

Obama Biden

197 Comments | Education, Energy, Environment, Family, PBO, Technology | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by CR

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