20200322

Watch President Obama's remarks on the tragedy in Orlando:


The White House

Watch President Obama's remarks on the tragedy in Orlando
This afternoon, President Obama delivered a statement on the tragic shooting that took place overnight in Orlando, Florida. Watch his full remarks:
President Barack Obama pauses while making statement in the Press Briefing Room on the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla., June 12, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
"Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder -- a horrific massacre -- of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it is still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in our grief, our outrage and our resolve to defend our people.
"I just finished a meeting with FBI Director Comey and my homeland security and national security advisors. The FBI is on the scene and leading the investigation, in partnership with local law enforcement. I've directed that the full resources of the federal government be made available for this investigation.
"We're still learning all the facts. This is an open investigation. We've reached no definitive judgment on the precise motivations of the killer. The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism. And I have directed that we must spare no effort to determine what -- if any -- inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist groups. What's clear is that he was a person filled with hatred. Over the coming days, we will uncover why and how this happened, and we'll go wherever the facts lead us.
"This morning I spoke with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and conveyed the condolences of the entire American people. This could have been any one of our communities. So I told Mayor Dyer that whatever help that he and the people of Orlando need - they're going to get it. As a country, we are going to be there for the people of Orlando today, tomorrow and all the days to come.
"We also express our profound gratitude to all the police and first responders who rushed into harm's way. Their courage and professionalism saved lives, and kept the carnage from being worse. It's the kind of sacrifice that our law enforcement professionals make every day for us all. We can never thank them enough.
"This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends -- our fellow Americans -- who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and sing-to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub -- it's a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have long come together to raise awareness, speak their mind and advocate for their civil rights. So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American -- regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation -- is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.
"Today marks the most deadly shooting in American history. The shooter was apparently armed with a handgun and a powerful assault rifle. This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub. We have to decide if that's the kind of country we want to be. And to actively do nothing -- that's a decision, too.
"In the coming hours and days, we'll learn about the victims of this tragedy. Their names. Their faces. The joy they brought to families and friends. The difference they made in this world. Say a prayer for them and their families -- that God give them the strength to bear the unbearable. That He give all of us the strength to be there for them, and the courage to change. We need to demonstrate that we are defined more - as a country -- by the way they lived their lives, than by the hate of the man who took them from us.
"As we go forward together, we'll draw inspiration from heroic and selfless acts -- friends who helped friends, took care of each other and saved lives. In the face of hate and violence, we will love another. We will not give in to fear or turn on each other. Instead, we will stand together, united, as Americans, to protect our people, defend our nation and take action against those who threaten us.
"May God bless the Americans we lost this morning. May He comfort their families. And may God continue to watch over this country we love."

20170919

Credit Reporting Agency: FRAUD ALERT

The number of people attempting to add a fraud alert to their credit report, by entering personal information on the credit reporting agency's website's Fraud Alert application page, is increasing by the second in September 2017, however the fraud alerts are not always placed.

Fact or fiction?

20170910

Fact or Fiction?: The Real Reason for Hurricanes

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20170730

Watch live: A conversation with the President about worker voice


 
Here's what's going on at the White House today.
 
 
 
 
 
  Follow Along: Today's Schedule
All times are Eastern Time (ET)
10:00 AM: The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
11:00 AM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Gauck of Germany; The Vice President will also attend
12:20 PM: The President deliver remarks at the White House Summit on Worker Voice Tune in live
2:30 PM: The President meets with Secretary of State Kerry; The Vice President also attends
4:40 PM: The President participates in a conversation co-hosted by Coworker.org with workers, employers, unions and other advocates Tune in live

 
 
  From the Photo Office
President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Participate in a Phone Interview
See more from the Photo Office
President Barack Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack participate in a phone interview with Tom Steever, host of radio show "Brownfield Ag News," at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
See more from our "Photo of the Day" gallery here

 
 
  More from 1600 Penn
Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett: "The President Has Been Wanting to Have this Conversation"
Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett sent the following message on how Americans across the country can participate in today's White House Summit on Worker Voice.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
The Evolution and Impact of Worker Voice over Time
A key piece to building a strong economy for working Americans is ensuring that they have a voice in the workplace.
LEARN MORE
The President's Trade Deal, Explained by a Cherry
Follow an American cherry as it travels to market in other countries to see why America's trade policy needs the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
WATCH HERE

 
 
  Quote of the Day
"This partnership levels the playing field for our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers by eliminating more than 18,000 taxes that various countries put on our products. It includes the strongest commitments on labor and the environment of any trade agreement in history, and those commitments are enforceable, unlike in past agreements."

 
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

The President has been wanting to have this conversation


 
The President has been wanting to have the conversation we're hosting today for a long time. He's been mentioning it in meetings -- and in remarks -- for months.
Today, it's happening.
Right now, a group of workers, union leaders, worker advocates, and forward-thinking businesses are arriving in the East Wing of the White House. They'll have breakfast together, hear from the President and Vice President, and then hear from one another. They'll break out into groups. They'll ask each other questions and share their own personal stories. Then they'll engage in a conversation with the President. We'll be focused one singular mission:
How do we empower workers' voices in our 21st Century economy?
We're calling it the White House Summit on Worker Voice, and you can follow along and add your voice to the conversation, no matter where you are. You can participate from your desk or your kitchen counter.
Here's how:
You can watch events from throughout the day -- from the President's remarks, to the breakout sessions, to the conversation he'll be hosting later in the afternoon -- live and make a commitment to start a conversation in your workplace here.
You can ask a question or share a thought ahead of the President's conversation with workers here.
And you can follow @USDOL where participants and panelists will be back stage answering live questions and reflecting on the day.
It's clear why having a real voice in the workplace is beneficial to workers themselves -- but most people don't realize that the most successful companies are the ones that are doing this right. It's in the numbers -- firms with unionized workers have higher retention and higher productivity.
Multiple studies have confirmed this -- and even more evidence shows that unionized firms with workplace practices that give workers input into the production process have the highest productivity, above that of both nonunionized firms and unionized firms without these kinds of workplace practices.
The bottom line? There's really not much to claims about unions' negative impact on businesses.
Everyone who's contributing to this country's economic growth ought to be able to share in it. That means having an effective voice, and some influence, in their workplaces. And making sure that happens in more businesses across this country requires an inclusive, honest dialogue like the one we're having today. It only works if as many folks as possible add their voices.
The President doesn't always get personally involved in the shaping of events we hold at the White House -- but I can tell you that this one is different.
So we hope you'll watch and participate.
Thanks,
Valerie
Valerie Jarrett
Senior Advisor
The White House
@VJ44
 

20170703

What you need to know about the diaper problem:


 
Here's what's going on at the White House today.
 
 
 
 
 
  Follow Along: Today's Schedule
All times are Eastern Time (ET)
9:00 am: The President and the First Lady welcome Prime Minister Trudeau and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau to the White House
10:05 am: The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau
11:40 am: The President and Prime Minister Trudeau hold a joint press conference
2:00 pm: Dr. Biden visits Za'atari refugee camp to meet with Syrian refugees and members of the international response
6:55 pm:The President and the First Lady welcome Prime Minister Trudeau and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
8:40 pm:The President and First Lady attend the State Dinner with Prime Minister Trudeau and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau; The President and Prime Minister Trudeau each deliver a toast
10:00 pm:The President and the First Lady attend the State Dinner Reception with Prime Minister Trudeau and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau

 
 
  Featured
Here's What You Need to Know About the #DiaperGap…
There's a diaper disparity in this country. Nearly one in three families struggle to afford diapers, and low-income families pay up to two times the price on diapers. Get the facts here.
The Diaper Divide
… And Here's a Closer Look at How We're Helping Fix It
To address this issue, the White House called on private and non-profit leaders to explore creative ways they can address this widespread public health problem. Learn about the innovative ways they're working to make diapers more affordable and accessible to families in need.
Surge Pricing for Diapers
President Barack Obama holds the baby daughter of former staff members Darienne Page Rakestraw and London Rakestraw in the Ground Floor Corridor of the White House, July 1, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 
 
  More from 1600 Penn
"All of America's students should be able to get online, no matter where they live or how much their parents make."
That's why the President is calling for a new national effort to help low-income Americans afford broadband, with an ambitious goal to connect 20 million more Americans by 2020. Learn more about the ConnectALL initiative.
Digital Divide
President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan talk with students while visiting a classroom at the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) in Brooklyn, NY, Oct. 25, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 
 
  Quote of the Day
"We're calling this effort ConnectALL - and it's not just good for students, it's good for folks looking for jobs or workers hoping to learn new skills. Because in today's economy, the internet isn't a luxury - it's a necessity. "


 
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

7 Facts About the Minimum Wage


 
Here's what's going on at the White House today.
 
 
 
 
 
  Follow Along: Today's Schedule
All times are Eastern Time (ET)
10:00 am: The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

 
 
  Featured
7 Facts About the Minimum Wage
Sunday, July 24, marks seven years since the last time the federal minimum wage was raised. Here are seven things you might not know about it:

  1. Since the last time it was raised to $7.25 in 2009, the cost of living has increased by nearly 12 percent.
  2. Historically, there has been bipartisan support for regular increases.
  3. 18 states and the District of Columbia have taken action to raise their minimum wages
  4. The majority of Americans supports raising the minimum wage above $7.25.
  5. Companies large and small have raised wages for their lowest-paid employees.
  6. Most workers who would benefit from a minimum wage increase are adults.
  7. The federal minimum wage for tipped workers is even lower.
LEARN MORE

 
 
  More from 1600 Penn
President Obama: "We're not just strategic and economic partners, we're also neighbors"
President Obama with President Enrique Peña Nieto
This week, President Obama invited President Enrique Peña Nieto to the White House to recognize and strengthen America's enduring relationship with our neighboring country of Mexico. You can get the complete rundown of what President Obama and President Nieto are working on together here -- including the benefits of the President's trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
LEARN MORE

 
 
  Quote of the Day
"I'm going to keep offering my support to every business owner, and mayor, and governor, and county official, and legislator, and organization that's working to give America a raise."

 
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The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

20170313

We're talking to the President on Wednesday (and you can, too):


 
Democracy. You know this word, right? As Americans, we all do. Democracy is the backbone of our country. And it's founded on the principle that all voices should be heard.
What about workplace democracy? Have you heard this phrase before? If not, we're here to change that.
Workplace democracy is the idea that employees should have a voice in determining their working conditions and wages. What that means is that employees have the ability to band together to ask for things like paid sick leave, better training, higher wages and anything that they feel could improve their working lives.
That's why my co-founder Michelle Miller and I created Coworker.org: A digital platform dedicated to workplace advocacy. Every day, regular employees use the site to start a conversation with their coworkers about issues on the job and they work together to make their workplaces better. This is workplace democracy in action.
Tomorrow, as part of the White House Summit on Worker Voice, Michelle will be co-moderating a conversation with President Obama. He'll be taking questions and hearing stories from folks in the room -- and from around the country. And you can add your voice to that conversation right here, or by using the hashtag #StartTheConvo on social media.
Most people will spend about one third of their adult lives at work. Everybody should have the right -- and the ability -- to ask that their time is spent in safe and just working conditions. That's why working people organize and join unions. By uniting together in the labor movement, U.S. workers demanded (and won) things like the weekend and the eight hour workday. As our country has changed and evolved, so has the modern American workplace and its problems. So the labor movement and worker advocates are changing too.
Technology has given us incredible new ways to connect with one another to give all working people a clear way to step up and have a voice in their workplace.
Having a voice at work is central to the future of our country and economy. That's why we're joining the conversation about these issues with President Obama tomorrow. We hope you will join that conversation, too.
Share your story or idea about using your voice in the workplace or ask President Obama a question about these issues here. And don't forget to join the conversation using hashtag #StartTheConvo.
Throughout the day on October 7th, participants at the Summit will be answering your questions live, so don't miss the livestream at: WH.gov/Worker-Voice.
We hope you're as excited as we are.
Jess
Jess Kutch
Co-founder
Coworker.org
 

A Big Win For American Workers #MadeInAmerica


 
Here's what's going on at the White House today.
 
 
 
 
 
  From the Photo Office
President Obama's Trade Agreement: A Big Win for American Workers
Learn more about TPP.
A big win for American workers: President Obama just secured a trade deal that benefits the middle class. Find out how this agreement will help our businesses sell more Made In America goods and services around the world.
Learn more about President Obama's Historic Trade Agreement

 
 
  More from 1600 Penn
#AidRefugees: Heeding the President's Call to Take Action
President Obama is calling on all Americans to do what they can to help aid refugees.
TAKE ACTION
TPP: Writing the Rules to Support American Jobs and the Environment
Under the TPP, tough, fully-enforceable standards will protect workers' rights and the environment for the first time in history.
LEARN MORE
Preserving and Protecting Oceans and America's Waterways for Future Generations
In a video message to the "Our Ocean" conference in Chile yesterday, President Obama announced the first new marine sanctuaries in 15 years—one in Maryland and another in Wisconsin.
LEARN MORE

 
 
  Quote of the Day
"My approach to trade has been guided by a unifying principle: leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses, so we can export more products stamped Made in America all over the world that support higher-paying American jobs here at home."

 
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

What's All the Buzz about Trade?


 
Here's what's going on at the White House today.
 
 
 
 
 
  From the Photo Office
President Obama Walks on the Colonnade of the White House
See more from the Photo Office
President Barack Obama walks with the families of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Deputy Education Secretary Dr. John King on the Colonnade of the White House prior to announcing Duncan's resignation and the naming of Dr. King as acting Secretary, Oct. 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
See more from the "Photo of the Day" Gallery here

 
 
  More from 1600 Penn
What You Need to Know About President Obama's Trade Agreement
With the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we can rewrite the rules of trade to benefit America's middle class. Because if we don't, competitors who don't share our values, like China, will step in to fill that void.
READ MORE
The White House Recognizes Manufacturing Day
Ever stood on a factory floor and watched things get made? Here's a chance to see what modern manufacturing looks like.
LEARN MORE
Follow Along with the #WHInstaMeet
The White House invited Instagram users from across the country to the White House this weekend for the 12th Worldwide InstaMeet. Check out all of their photos at go.wh.gov/WHInstaMeet, and find out how you can take a tour at wh.gov/tour.
SEE THE PHOTOS

 
 
  Quote of the Day
"It [Trans-Pacific Partnership] strengthens our strategic relationships with our partners and allies in a region that will be vital to the 21st century. It's an agreement that puts American workers first and will help middle-class families get ahead."

 
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111