Real GDP for the first quarter was revised up this morning, reflecting slightly higher growth in personal consumption, private investment, and government expenditures than previously estimated. The small first-quarter decline in overall GDP was driven …
Category: Barack Obama
An Opportunity to Fight Poverty and Stand Up for Workers Through Trade
For decades, we’ve fought to secure a series of trade programs that have delivered results at home and around the globe. This week, Congress will consider whether or not to continue these programs that help bring people out of poverty, crea…
President Obama Hosts A Ramadan Iftar Dinner at the White House
Yesterday evening, President Obama hosted an Iftar dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the White House.
President Barack Obama hosts an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan in the East Room of the White House, June 22, 2015….
Day One: My Family’s Journey to Refuge and Achieving the American Dream
June marks Immigrant Heritage Month — and people across the country are sharing their American stories. Whether you’ve recently embarked on your first day as an American or want to share how your ancestors came to arrive here, we want to hear from you. Add your voice to the conversation today.
I am a proud Vietnamese American who is working at the White House for the President and the First Lady of the United States on education and youth empowerment domestically and internationally. My parents reminded me and my two younger brothers day in and day out to appreciate being born in this country. They taught us to work hard, focus on our education, and go to a good college.
My parents.
My parents rarely spoke about their past, and it wasn’t until I was older that I came to fully appreciate the odyssey each of my parents undertook in their journey 40 years ago. They had very different stories about their pathway to citizenship but similar journeys of looking for refuge and starting a new life chapter in America.
By the Numbers: #RaiseTheWage
Since 2013, President Obama has been calling on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay an employee for work is currently $7.25. While Congress has not moved to increase the federal minimum wage, many states, cities, and business owners have heeded the President’s call to action by raising their minimum wages to well above the federal standard.
“To every mayor, governor, and state legislator in America, I say, you don’t have to wait for Congress to act; Americans will support you if you take this on.”
— President Obama
Since the President first asked Congress to #RaiseTheWage, 17 states have answered his call. Will your state be next?
“This year, more than half of our states guarantee their workers a wage higher than the federal minimum, but despite this progress we still have work to do. I continue to encourage states, cities, counties and companies to lift their workers’ wages, and I urge Congress to finally do the right thing and give America a raise.”
— President Obama
When it comes to raising the minimum wage, the numbers speak for themselves:
Expanding the Presidential Scholars Program to Honor Students in Career and Technical Education
Members of the 51st class of U.S. Presidential Scholars pose for a picture outside of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, June 22, 2015. (Photo by U.S. Department of Education)
Yesterday, Preside…
The Faces of Health Care: Cody F.
What has health reform meant to this country? That’s a question being answered by millions of Americans every day. Cody is one of them. Read more of their stories here.
“I was nervous every day that during dance, my ankle would break and I wouldn’t have money to fix it. … I now have health insurance (a silver plan) for $54.99 a month.”
Cody began his letter to the President with this line:
“I don’t have a complaint.” Here’s why.
Cody grew up a self-proclaimed “normal kid” in Carmel, Indiana. After his mom passed away, he was cut off financially and left unable to afford health insurance.
Made in America: An Immigrant Love Story
June marks Immigrant Heritage Month — and people across the country are sharing their American stories. Whether you’ve recently embarked on your first day as an American or want to share how your ancestors came to arrive here, we want to hear from you. Add your voice to the conversation today.
Chapter One: Finding Love in a Newspaper
It began with a classified ad.
My father left his poor, south Indian home at a tender age, and with an ever-tender heart. As a young man chasing education and opportunity, he left behind not only family and favorite foods, but also the love of his life. Growing up as the son of immigrants, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to make it in America, and it takes a lot. It’s more than stellar test scores and green card sponsorships — it takes a resilient heart.
The Faces of TAA: How This Program Can Help Change So Many Lives
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is a program with an obscure name but an important purpose.
The 21st century economy is driven by an ever-changing global marketplace, with new industries redefining consumer demand and reshaping our workforce. That means that, to outcompete other countries, America’s workforce needs all the job training and support needed to tap into new opportunities that the 21st century can present.
That is what TAA was created to do. It provides job training. It provides income support for workers in training programs. It has provided much-needed support to 2.2 million workers since it was created, including more than 23,000 veterans since October 2009 alone.
But here’s the problem, it will expire soon.
This week, Congress has the chance to reauthorize TAA, the vital program that millions of hardworking Americans have relied on. Major expansions in the program that the President fought for lapsed in 2014, and because major extensions and changes to TAA usually happen alongside other trade-related bills, passing TAA now is our best chance to get a bigger, better version of the program back in place. That’s why the president is fighting so hard for it.
Here are just a few of the stories of workers who have benefited from TAA:
Weekly Address: Creating New Pathways of Opportunity for Americans Like You
President Barack Obama tapes the Weekly Address in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.
June 12, 2015.
(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
In this week’s address, the President spoke to his priority of growing the economy and opening new avenues of opportunity for hardworking Americans. While the United States has already made economic progress, with more than 12 million new private-sector jobs created over the past five years, there’s still more to be done.
That’s why the President has continued to press for strong, high-standard trade agreements that are good for American workers and good for American businesses. And it’s why his Administration has partnered with mayors and governors across the country on issues such as minimum wage and paid leave that impact hardworking Americans. The President discussed impactful initiatives like these in his address before the Conference of Mayors on Friday.