Hi, all. Today's report features:
• Health insurance rate review: Requiring insurance companies to publicly justify unreasonable premium increases.
• Press briefing: Immigration, DADT, START, health care, other topics.
• Labor Department: Regulations DOL will consider.
• New SBA website: Overview of new tools.
• Net neutrality: FCC acts on Internet openness; President's statement.
• Immigration reform: President meets with Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
• America COMPETES Act: Federal agencies can now conduct prize competitions as called for by the President.
• Stalking awareness: President's proclamation urges crime prevention, support for victims.
• UN adopts US amendment to protect LGBT people: President applauds countries supporting amendment.
• President and Prime Minister: US-UK leaders talk.
• Iraq: Statements on new government from POTUS, VPOTUS, SOS; National Guard helps provide shoes for Iraqi kids.
• HEALTH INSURANCE RATE REVIEW •
White House, Dec. 21, 2010:
White House White Board: Health Reform & Rate Review
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius takes to the White House White Board to explain a new regulation that fleshes out the 'rate review' provision from the Affordable Care Act. Rate review, simply, is someone reviewing a health insurance company's proposal to raise premium rates to make sure the increase is justified.
The White House Blog, Dec. 21, 2010:
White House White Board: Health Reform & Rate Review
Posted by Stephanie Cutter, Assistant to the President for Special Projects
For the past decade, Americans have seen double-digit health insurance premium increases. From 2000 to 2010, premiums rose 114 percent and nothing suggests that the quality of insurance coverage improved. In many cases, insurance companies had free reign and weren’t held accountable when they attempted to raise rates on consumers. Only 26 states and the District of Columbia can reject premium increases that are excessive or unjustified, and many of these states lack the resources to use this authority to protect consumers.
That’s beginning to change. Here’s how:
First, the Affordable Care Act gives states $250 million to enhance their rate review procedures so they can better protect consumers and stop unreasonable premium hikes from taking effect. 46 states and the District of Columbia have already received a share of these resources and they’re using the new funds to make more information about premiums available to the public and get the authority they need to oversee the insurance marketplace and protect consumers.
Second, the Affordable Care Act brings new transparency to the health insurance market by requiring insurance companies to publicly justify any unreasonable premium increases. Under the new rules, if an insurance company proposes to raise rates by 10% or more, they must publicly disclose on their own, as well as HHS’ website the justification for the increase. The appropriate state insurance commissioner or, if a State does not have an effective rate review process, HHS, will then review the insurance company’s justification to determine whether or not the increase is justified. In some states like, Washington and Maine, all new insurance premium rates, regardless of whether they are below 10% need to be approved by the state insurance commissioner’s office ahead of time, and will continue to be reviewed moving forward.
Shining a bright light on health insurance premium increases and conducting aggressive rate review will help control costs for American families. And we know rate review works. States like Washington and Maine have strong review laws that have been effective at protecting their residents from out-of-control premium increases. And just recently, Connecticut regulators recently rejected a proposed 20 percent rate increase that would have impacted 48,000 consumers after their review found that such an increase was unjustified and excessive....
Department of Health and Human Services, Dec. 21, 2010:
New Rule Sheds Light on Health Insurance Rate Hikes
Press conference with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; Jay Angoff, Director of the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, Chris Koller, Rhode Island Insurance Commissioner and Jenny Bass from Connecticut.
Press Release
Fact Sheet
Regulation (PDF)
Secretary Sebelius Letter to Insurance Commissioners (PDF)
• PRESS BRIEFING •
White House, Dec. 21, 2010:
In his first fireside First Question, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs takes questions before his press briefing from the Twitter audience on the New START Treaty and Twitter itself.
First Question with Robert Gibbs -- December 21st, 2010
White House, Dec. 21, 2010;
12/21/10: White House Press Briefing
White House Press Briefings are conducted most weekdays from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing.
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 21, 2010:
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/21/2010
(On immigration reform.)
....Q: (On the President’s meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.)
MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think we'll have a readout from the meeting when it concludes. Obviously I think both the President and the congressional Hispanic caucus wanted to talk about a series of issues including how to move forward on a disappointing end to this session as it relates to the DREAM Act and what can be done in the next session.
Q: Do you think that there is executive action that the President can take since that legislation fell short?
MR. GIBBS: Executive action to implement –
Q: Specifically as it relates to what the DREAM Act was intended to do.
MR. GIBBS: I'd have to check with counsel on that. I'm not entirely sure that executive action is -- my understanding is executive action cannot replace the legislation.
Q: Okay. And is he confident broadly that there’s a willingness at all to take on a more comprehensive approach to immigration in the new year?
MR. GIBBS: Well, again, as I said yesterday, Ben, it is the only way that we're going to solve many of the vexing problems around immigration. And the only way to do that is for the federal government to debate and to enact comprehensive immigration reform. It can't be done with 50 states enacting a series of their own immigration laws, as we saw in the court’s decision around Arizona.
(On DADT repeal.)
Q: On "don't ask, don't tell," we talked yesterday about the big questions that are still out there about implementation, mainly when this law is really going to take effect. Do you expect the President to talk at all about that tomorrow?
MR. GIBBS: As the Secretary of Defense said, as soon as the law -- as soon as the repeal of the law is signed tomorrow morning, he will stand up an implementation working group that will be chaired by Dr. Clifford Stanley, who is our Under Secretary for Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and that starts that process.
Q: So, I mean, do you expect the President to -- how do you expect him to frame this tomorrow, to get into that type of discussion? Or will he be talking more about the history-making nature of this?
MR. GIBBS: Oh, I think he’ll talk more broadly about the nature of this and about why he thought, as many in Congress did, that it was important that this law be repealed.
Q: And finally, a lot of us are wondering about the schedule this week. Any update?
MR. GIBBS: You and a certain man who sits in the Oval Office. Again, tell me when Congress ends and I can give you a pretty good guess on when the President goes home, but not -- I don't expect it until then....
(On START.)
Q: Thanks, Robert. On the foreign policy side, on North Korea, has North Korea, in fact, offered to allow U.N. nuclear inspectors back into the country?
MR. GIBBS: I have no update on what North Korea has offered. I think North Korea has a pretty good sense of what they need to do to live up to their obligations. And certainly, I think the world waits for them to do so.
Q: Staying with North Korea, the President has written to four senators to thank them for their support of ratifying START. And in that letter, he referenced talks with the Russian Federation in the last two days about U.S. concerns with North Korea. Could you talk about those -- can you tell us about those talks, and were they anything to do with missile defense?
MR. GIBBS: I’m not going to get into any more specifics than are in the letter on that....
Q: First of all, it appears as though you have the votes to ratify START, and I was wondering -- it didn’t necessarily appear that way days, if not weeks ago -- weeks if not days ago. What made the difference?
MR. GIBBS: I think in all honesty I think people have had an opportunity to focus on what’s in the treaty. I think they’ve had an opportunity to focus on those that are supporting the treaty and listen to Chairman Mullen, Secretary Gates, Jim Baker, George Shultz, Henry Kissinger, and others make I think a very compelling case, along with the President and the Vice President, for why this enhances our security; why it does nothing to impact or inhibit our ability to defend ourselves in any way, as Senator Isakson said in a statement released just a few moments ago, announcing his support for ratification of this treaty.
I think people understand that it is -- our reductions in these are legacies of many Presidents, including former President Ronald Reagan. And it makes our world safer. It provides, as we've talked about in here, an inspection regime with the Russians. It doesn’t inhibit our ability to protect ourselves using missile defense and promotes our security and stability in the world....
(On unemployment insurance.)
Q: And then lastly, as you know, there is a group of unemployed who have -- who call themselves the 99ers --... individuals who have been -- whose unemployment insurance has run out....
MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the best thing that we can do as a country is get a fragile economy more stable and one that creates more jobs. I think that's why I think -- economists said that they would reorient their growth estimates based on the agreement that the President signed. And obviously the best thing we can do for them is to create an environment where businesses are hiring.
Look, we have -- you heard me say on a number of occasions that one of the great benefits of the agreement was taking the politics out of unemployment insurance. We have -- it’s been a contentious battle just to get unemployment insurance to continue up to 99 weeks. It’s not in any way been easy. And this takes the politics out of that throughout 2011 and hopefully we can continue to focus on getting the economy moving again and providing those guys with a helping hand with a job....
(On the Affordable Care Act.)
Q: On health care, top Republicans -- Senator McConnell and also Mr. Boehner -- have talked about next year pushing the repeal of the health care bill. And I’m wondering what’s going on here at the White House in terms of preparing for that prospect -- I mean, what you think about this threat they keep making time and time again.
MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think that Senator McConnell and Congressman Boehner are going to have to answer questions from the American people about the benefits like ensuring that children aren’t precluded from purchasing -- their families aren’t precluded from purchasing health insurance because of a preexisting condition.
I think there’s genuine benefits that the law provided to Americans that they're going to have to talk about what happens when you put insurance companies rather than families in charge of medical decisions. I think those are decisions and messages that those two leaders and others in their caucus are going to have to figure out the answer to.
Q: So will the White House be waging some sort of message campaign to counter that?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I think you can assume that we continue to believe that the passage of the bill was a very important thing for the American people, for, as I just mentioned, millions of families whose children no longer have to -- they no longer have to lay awake at night wondering if their children can be covered by health insurance because they have a preexisting condition. That’s been wiped away.
And if Republicans want to reinstitute insurance companies making those decisions on behalf of parents, that's an argument that they can try to make. I don't think it will be a very successful one....
(On counterterrorism.)
Q: I’d like to get you on the record -- the report about U.S. military and/or NATO allied forces staging ground raids inside Pakistan --
MR. GIBBS: I think the best thing to do is to quote ISAF. And let me read their release from last night, if I can find it in my stack. "There’s absolutely no truth to the reporting in The New York Times that U.S. forces are planning to conduct ground operations into Pakistan. ISAF and U.S. forces, along with their Afghan partners, have developed a strong working relationship with the Pakistan military to address shared security issues. The coordination recognizes the sovereignty of Afghanistan and Pakistan to pursue insurgents and terrorists operating in their respective border areas."
Q: There was another report about a plan to poison food with contaminants like ricin. How real is that threat? Is it a credible threat? And what steps, if any, are being taken to head it off?
MR. GIBBS: Mike, I would say that while not giving in to commenting on specific intelligence, or what might be specific planning, we take -- our counterterrorism and Homeland Security officials take every credible threat very seriously.
As you know, there’s significant planning for a coordination to prevent unconventional attacks using chemical, biological or radiological weapons. And we will continue to remain vigilant to ensure that we’re doing all that we can to prevent it....
(On funding the government.)
Q: (The continuing resolution) does not have any money for implementing the health care plan.... It does not have any increases for the SEC or the CFTC to implement the Wall Street reform.... How are you going to get that money?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I would just say, Jonathan, that, look, anytime you have a short-term measure to fund the yearlong capacity of government, it creates complications. That's why I said late last week that a short-term continuing resolution was something that was far less than ideal in providing the needed certainty, but that over the course of the next several months, Jack Lew and our budget office will work with Congress to ensure the necessary funding for critical government operations....
(On the DADT repeal signing.)
Q: Why is the signing tomorrow at Interior?
MR. GIBBS: A host of reasons. First and foremost, holiday tours here make it very difficult to close the East Room. The Interior Department -- not knowing the exact schedule, the Interior Department provided a location that was easy to get to and I think the space is big enough for a signing of this size....
(On North Korea.)
Q: Are there plans for the President to meet with Governor Richardson when he returns from North Korea?
MR. GIBBS: Governor Richardson is on a private trip and there are no plans that I’m aware of.
Q: And just following up on Alister’s question, what does the administration make of the offers North Korea has made to Bill Richardson?
MR. GIBBS: Again, I think -- we have throughout many months and even many years, dating back to different administrations, seen the words and the rhetoric of the North Koreans fail to live up to any of their actions or their obligations. So, speeches and rhetoric aside, the obligations that they must undertake as part of a respected member of the international community -- they're aware of what they need to do. And commitments to do so are not what we’re interested in. We’re interested in them living up to those obligations.
Q: So is there any indication that we’re closer to the restart of six-party party talks?
MR. GIBBS: Six-party talks will be restarted again when the North Koreans display a willingness to change their behavior. We don't -- we’re not going to get a table in a room and talk -- have six-party talks just for the feel-good notion of having six-party talks. When and if the North Koreans are ever serious about living up to their obligations, then we can think about restarting six-party talks. But the belligerent actions that the North Koreans have demonstrated over the past many weeks I don't think provide anybody the confidence that they're even remotely ready to resume in a responsible way those talks....
(On the 9/11 first responders bill.)
.... MR. GIBBS: Well, a question not for me or any Democrat on Capitol Hill, but for Republicans. Again, I’d remind people that this was -- 58 Democratic senators voted for this legislation; 42 Republican senators voted against this legislation. The only way to get to 60 is to add two of them.
Q: Has the President made any calls on this bill?
MR. GIBBS: Well, the President came out in August in support of this bill. We released a statement before the House voted in August in support of this bill. We released a statement in December before the Senate voted on this bill.
Ari, it’s not up -- we’ve got all the Democrats. We’ve got --
Q: But you're saying he’s calling senators to lobby them on START -- he’s not calling senators to lobby them on this?
MR. GIBBS: Ari, I don't -- I think Mitch McConnell and Republicans ought to pick up the phone and talk to each other about this. Every Democrat is for this bill. Fifty-eight Democratic senators out of 58 Democratic senators support this bill. There’s no Democratic senator and no Democrat on Capitol Hill that's standing in the way of this becoming law. There are 42 Republicans that are.
Q: People are talking about it as a measure of Jon Stewart’s political clout. Any thoughts on that?
MR. GIBBS: I think if there’s the ability for that to sort of break through in our political environment, I think there’s a good chance that he can help do that. I think he has put the awareness around this legislation -- he’s put that awareness into what you guys cover each day, and I think that's good.
I hope he can convince two Republicans to support taking care of those that took care of so many on that awful day in our history. It seems at the end of a long year, around the holiday season, a pretty awful thing to play politics about. But that's a decision that 42 Republican senators are going to have to make.
(On delays in confirming federal appointees.)
Q: Far fewer federal judges have been confirmed in your first two years than the first years of President Clinton or President Bush. Can you talk about that? Do you all blame that purely on the Senate Republicans? Or do you think -- or is the President going to make a bigger push on that?
MR. GIBBS: Again, I’d like to get the numbers and take a look at the final -- look, I think we have had -- I think there’s been quite a bit of problem in getting judges considered on a timely basis with a minority in the Senate. But that's been true for virtually every personnel position that we’ve had up.
I mean, you have judges that go through the judiciary committee unanimously and languish, waiting for unanimous consent to come up before the Senate for hundreds of days. Again, when, Ari calls the Republicans to ask them about the 9/11 bill, you should hop on the line and ask them about that....
(On bipartisanship.)
MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think a couple things on that, Sheryl. I think that obviously the President, as I said -- when I say what I think the American people wanted after that election was two parties to work together, that's exactly what the President took from that election. And I think there’s no doubt that -- I think the President would admit that he spent more time reaching out to Republicans recently than in previous times. And he admitted as much to the Republicans when they were here.
I also happen to think that Republicans understand probably more than they have in any other period also in the President’s tenure that they are soon to inherit a great responsibility for the act of governing, and I think that's kicked in a bit earlier than the formal passing of the gavel in the House.
Again, I think the message you have to take from what happened in November is that people want Washington to put aside the games that it normally plays and get things done. I think that what has been accomplished over the past few weeks demonstrates certainly that that's possible....
(On South Korea.)
Q: What is President Obama’s relation to South Korea military fire exercise in Yeonpyeong Island and the territory against North Korea? And also, will the United States continue to support South Korea?
MR. GIBBS: South Korea is one of our most important allies in the region and throughout the world. We are fully supportive of their actions and will continue to work hand in hand with them to counter the belligerent actions of the North in order to provide security not just to the people of the Republic of Korea but to provide stability throughout the region and throughout the world....
(On trials for Guantanamo prisoners.)
Q: Robert, can you tell us what kinds of things the White House has been doing to try to get the Guantanamo trials and transfer ban language stripped out of the CR or the defense bill? Has the President been making any calls --
MR. GIBBS: Let me check and see if the President -- what’s the President’s involvement on that. I know that the Attorney General has sent letters. I don’t know what else he’s done. I'd point you to DOJ. But I can check on what the President has done.
Q: The White House and the whole administration has been sort of wrapped around the axle on the issue of the 9/11 trial for almost a year now. Wouldn’t it be relief to have a measure like this passed and therefore not have to make a decision about where to send those defendants and simply have the decision made for you, basically?
MR. GIBBS: No, I think we’re going to make a decision on what’s in the best interest of this country and what’s also constitutional....
(On recent accomplishments.)
Q: Robert, just following on Margaret’s question a little bit, the President set certain priorities for the lame duck. In the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen the tax deal concluded, "don’t ask, don’t tell" signed tomorrow, the food safety legislation. Republicans have put a release on 19 of your judicial appointments. You’re now going to get the START treaty. I think everybody would have to say that’s a pretty good performance. Is the President going to take a victory lap?
MR. GIBBS: The President, like me, is extremely superstitious. And I think it is important to continue to work toward getting those things done, and I anticipate the President will have an occasion to speak about his two years and what we’ve accomplished in the last few weeks.
Q: At a press conference on Thursday?
MR. GIBBS: But I will wait to see the manifestation of the end of that superstition at its appropriate time.
Q: One would presume that would be before he gets on a plane to join his family.
MR. GIBBS: Unless there’s -- unless you guys are all getting on the plane. (Laughter.)....
.... Q: Robert, has speechwriting begun on the State of the Union?
MR. GIBBS: It has.
Q: When did it start?
MR. GIBBS: Within the past few weeks.
• LABOR DEPARTMENT •
Department of Labor, Dec. 20, 2010:
Secretary Solis Introduces the Fall 2010 Regulatory Agenda
On December 20, the entirety of the Department's semiannual agenda was made available online here and here. The regulatory agenda is a listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during the coming 6- to 12-month period.
• NEW SBA WEBSITE •
Small Business Administration, Dec. 21, 2010:
SBA Unveils New Web Site and Launches SBA Direct - A New Tool Delivering Personalized and Targeted Resources
SBA.gov Demonstrates Agency’s Commitment to Transformation – Giving Small Business Owners Quick and Easy Access to the Resources they need to Succeed and Create Jobs
WASHINGTON – As part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s mission to ensure that small business owners and entrepreneurs have access to accurate, timely and helpful information, SBA Administrator Karen Mills today unveiled a newly re-designed SBA website. The new site also features the launch of SBA Direct, a dynamic new web tool with a variety of personalization features that will help small businesses start-up, succeed and grow.
New SBA.gov: Getting to Know Our Site
A short guided tour of the main features of the U.S. Small Business Administration's new agency website, SBA.gov.
"With the launch of the new SBA.gov, we have reached a significant milestone in how the agency has evolved in using interactive web tools, social media and blogs to engage with, and better meet the needs of small business owners," said SBA Administrator, Karen Mills. "While the SBA website has traditionally been an information-rich site, we wanted to make it easier for small business owners to navigate. With the new improved SBA.gov, business owners can access the answers they need, specific to their business profile, in an instant – it truly presents the face of the future of SBA."
While the site features a variety of enhancements including a full re-design, new content, and improved navigation, the centerpiece is a dynamic new web tool called SBA Direct.
SBA Direct allows visitors to personalize their browsing experience according to their business type, geography and needs. SBA Direct then delivers relevant and targeted information on all aspects of running a business such as the steps involved in getting started, business growth strategies, and how to stay compliant with current laws and regulations. SBA Direct also provides information on the available SBA programs that can help businesses succeed, such as financial assistance, exporting and government contracting opportunities, counseling and training.
"Transforming the SBA into a proactive, responsive and ‘customer-centric’ organization that better serves the needs of the nation’s more than 29 million small businesses is an exciting, yet enormous effort," said Mills. "We’ve made significant progress, and the new SBA.gov is just one example among many, including record growth capital financing, expedited loan approvals and the acceleration of disaster assistance resources and funds of how SBA has, and will continue to support the growth of small businesses and job creation."
Other new features to the website include:
• SBA’s small business search that improves the accuracy and relevancy of search results —saving time and frustration.
• Improved navigation that gives users one-click access to the information they need. Combined with the personalization features of SBA Direct, users no longer have to mine through pages of information to find answers.
• Integration of Business.gov content including a variety of guides and tools that collate information from across government agencies to help business owners comply with laws and regulations, and take advantage of government programs.
• Interactive location-based maps that allow users to quickly find small business resources in their area, including local SBA offices, and other sources of training and support.
• User-rated content gives visitors to the site direct control in determining the most useful and relevant information to feature by small business topic....
• NET NEUTRALITY •
Federal Communications Commission, Dec. 21, 2010:
This release opens as a Word or Acrobat file. To read the entire document and related statements, click the link – the most recent releases are listed first.
FCC ACTS TO PRESERVE INTERNET FREEDOM AND OPENNESS
Action Helps Ensure Robust Internet for Consumers, Innovation, Investment, Economic Prosperity
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today acted to preserve the Internet as an open network enabling consumer choice, freedom of expression, user control, competition and the freedom to innovate.
Chairman Genachowski voted for the Order; Commissioner Copps concurred and Commissioner Clyburn approved in part and concurred in part. Commissioners McDowell and Baker dissented.
In 2009, the FCC launched a public process to determine whether and what actions might be necessary to preserve the characteristics that have allowed the Internet to grow into an indispensable platform supporting our nation’s economy and civic life, and to foster continued investment in the physical networks that enable the Internet.
This process has made clear that the Internet has thrived because of its freedom and openness -- the absence of any gatekeeper blocking lawful uses of the network or picking winners and losers online. Consumers and innovators do not have to seek permission before they use the Internet to launch new technologies, start businesses, connect with friends, or share their views.
The Internet is a level playing field. Consumers can make their own choices about what applications and services to use and are free to decide what content they want to access, create, or share with others. This openness promotes competition. It also enables a self-reinforcing cycle of investment and innovation in which new uses of the network lead to increased adoption of broadband, which drives investment and improvements in the network itself, which in turn lead to further innovative uses of the network and further investment in content, applications, services, and devices. A core goal of this Order is to foster and accelerate this cycle of investment and innovation.
The record and the economic analysis demonstrate, however, that the openness of the Internet cannot be taken for granted, and that it faces real threats. Broadband providers have taken actions that endanger the Internet’s openness by blocking or degrading disfavored content and applications without disclosing their practices to consumers. Finally, broadband providers may have financial interests in services that may compete with online content and services. The record also establishes the widespread benefits of providing greater clarity in this area: clarity that the Internet’s openness will continue; that there is a forum and procedure for resolving alleged open Internet violations; and clarity that broadband providers may reasonably manage their networks. In light of these considerations, the FCC has long recognized that certain basic standards for broadband provider conduct are necessary to ensure the Internet’s continued openness.
The rules ensure that Internet openness will continue, providing greater certainty to consumers, innovators, investors, and broadband providers, including the flexibility providers need to effectively manage their networks. These rules were developed following a public rulemaking process that began in fall 2009 and included input from more than 100,000 individuals and organizations and several public workshops....
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 21, 2010:
Statement by the President on Today’s FCC Vote on Net Neutrality
Today’s decision will help preserve the free and open nature of the Internet while encouraging innovation, protecting consumer choice, and defending free speech. Throughout this process, parties on all sides of this issue – from consumer groups to technology companies to broadband providers – came together to make their voices heard. This decision is an important component of our overall strategy to advance American innovation, economic growth, and job creation.
As a candidate for President, I pledged to preserve the freedom and openness that have allowed the Internet to become a transformative and powerful platform for speech and expression. That’s a pledge I’ll continue to keep as President. As technology and the market continue to evolve at a rapid pace, my Administration will remain vigilant and see to it that innovation is allowed to flourish, that consumers are protected from abuse, and that the democratic spirit of the Internet remains intact.
I congratulate the FCC, its Chairman, Julius Genachowski, and Congressman Henry Waxman for their work achieving this important goal today.
• IMMIGRATION REFORM •
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 21, 2010:
Readout of the President's Meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
In an Oval Office meeting today, the President discussed immigration reform with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). The President and the members discussed their deep disappointment with the DREAM Act failing in the U.S. Senate despite having the support of a majority of Senators and a majority of the American people, noting that it would have cut the budget deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years. The President reiterated that he will not give up on the DREAM Act, and thanked the members for their tireless leadership on this issue.
The President further reiterated his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform, pointing out that we can no longer perpetuate a broken immigration system that is not working for our country or our economy. The President and the members agreed that the American people expect both parties to come together around common sense approaches to solve our toughest problems, not kick them down the road, and agreed to work together and with the Congress to get the job done. They also agreed that immigration reform should remain a top priority for the coming Congress, and to work together to advance proposals that not only to strengthen security at the nation’s borders, but also restore responsibility and accountability to what everyone agrees is a badly broken immigration system.
Members in Attendance:
Senator Bob Menendez (NJ)
Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA)
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (NY)
Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (TX)
Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL)
• AMERICA COMPETES ACT •
Open Government Initiative, Dec. 21, 2010:
Congress Grants Broad Prize Authority to All Federal Agencies
Posted by Tom Kalil, Deputy Director for Policy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Robynn Sturm, Advisor for Open Innovation to the Deputy Director
The America COMPETES Act passed by Congress today provides all agencies with broad authority to conduct prize competitions as called for by President Obama in his 2009 Strategy for American Innovation. By giving agencies a simple and clear legal path, the America COMPETES Act will make it dramatically easier for agencies to use prizes and challenges to spur innovation, solve tough problems, and advance their core missions....
On his very first day in office, the President set out new principles for the way government works. Recognizing that the problems of the 21st century are too great to be solved by government alone, he called for an "all hands on deck" approach that taps the "distributed intelligence" of the Nation.
In September 2009, in his Strategy for American Innovation, President Obama expanded on these principles to explicitly call on agencies to increase their use of prizes and challenges to solve tough problems. In March, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum to all agency heads affirming the Administration’s commitment to this problem-solving approach and providing a policy and legal framework to guide agencies in using prizes to stimulate innovation to advance their core missions. And, in September 2010, the White House and the General Services Administration launched Challenge.gov, a one-stop shop where entrepreneurs, innovators, and citizen solvers can compete for prestige and prizes by providing novel solutions to tough national problems, large and small.
As a result, 2010 has witnessed widespread government experimentation with prizes. In its first 3 months, Challenge.gov featured 57 challenges from 27 agencies across the Executive Branch, generating novel solutions for childhood obesity, advanced vehicle technologies, financing for small businesses, Type One Diabetes, and many other national priorities.
The prize authority in the America COMPETES Act will further unleash the public sector’s ability to leverage prizes and challenges to spur innovation. Stay tuned to Challenge.gov for new developments in the New Year!
In the meantime, you can read more about today’s passage of the America COMPETES Act on the OSTP blog and find the full text of the final bill here.
• STALKING AWARENESS •
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 21, 2010:
Presidential Proclamation--Stalking Awareness Month
Stalking is a serious and pervasive crime that affects millions of Americans each year in communities throughout our country. Though we have gained a better understanding of stalking and its prevalence since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, this dangerous and criminal behavior is still often mischaracterized as harmless. During Stalking Awareness Month, we acknowledge the seriousness of stalking, we recognize its impact on victims, and we recommit to reducing its incidence.
Persistent stalking and harassment can lead to serious consequences for victims, whose lives may be upended by fear. Some victims may be forced to take extreme measures to protect themselves, such as changing jobs, relocating to a new home, or even assuming a new identity. Stalking can happen to anyone, and most victims are stalked by someone they know. Young adults are particularly vulnerable, and women are at greater risk for stalking victimization than men.
Stalking can be a difficult crime to recognize. The majority of survivors do not report stalking victimization to the police, in part because perpetrators use a variety of tactics to intimidate and harass their victims. Increasingly, stalkers use modern technology to monitor and torment their victims, and one in four victims report some form of cyberstalking -- such as threatening emails or instant messaging -- as part of their harassment.
My Administration is working across the Federal Government to protect victims of violence and enable survivors to break the cycle of abuse or harassment. Stalking affects too many Americans to remain a hidden crime, and a strong stand is required in order to both support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
As a Nation, we have made progress, but much work remains to respond to this criminal behavior. We must work together to educate the public about the potentially deadly nature of stalking, to encourage victims to seek help, to inform criminal justice professionals about the intersection of stalking and other dangerous crimes, and to support law enforcement in their efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2011 as National Stalking Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to learn to recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those impacted not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, and to create communities that are secure and supportive for all Americans.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
• UN ADOPTS US AMENDMENT TO PROTECT LGBT PEOPLE •
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec 21, 2010:
Statement by the Press Secretary on Adoption of U.S. Sponsored Amendment to Ensure Gays and Lesbians Are Covered By UN Resolution on Extrajudicial Execution
President Obama applauds those countries that supported the amendment offered by the United States to ensure that "sexual orientation" remains covered by the United Nations resolution on extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary execution. Killing people because of their sexual orientation cannot be rationalized by diverse religious values or varying regional perspectives. Killing people because they are gay is not culturally defensible – it is criminal.
While today’s adoption of an inclusive resolution is important, so too are the conversations that have now begun in capitals around the world about inclusion, equality, and discrimination. Protecting gays and lesbians from state-sponsored discrimination is not a special right, it is a human right. Today’s vote in the United Nations marks an important moment in the struggle for civil and human rights. The time has come for all nations to redouble our efforts to end discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
• PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER •
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 21, 2010:
Read-out of the President’s Call with British Prime Minister Cameron
President Obama and British Prime Minister Cameron talked again today by telephone. The Prime Minister reiterated his condolences on the death of Richard Holbrooke and they agreed on the importance of sustaining our joint efforts on Afghanistan. The President reviewed the conclusions of the Afghanistan Pakistan Annual Review and the Prime Minister reported on his observations from his trip to Afghanistan. The leaders also recognized the courage and professionalism of American, British and international forces. They discussed next steps in preparing for the start of transition in early 2011 as agreed on at the NATO Summit in Lisbon and the importance of increasing regional support for Afghanistan.
The President and the Prime Minister also discussed our close ongoing counterterrorism cooperation in light of current threats and yesterday’s arrests of terrorism suspects in the U.K. Looking ahead, they agreed on the value of advancing the Middle East Peace process. They wished each other happy holidays and emphasized their mutual commitment to close U.S.-UK cooperation in 2011.
• IRAQ •
Associated Press, Dec. 21, 2010:
Iraqi Lawmakers Approve New Government
Iraqi lawmakers have unanimously approved a new government to be headed by incumbent Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Office of the Press Secretary, Dec. 21, 2010:
Statement by President Obama on Iraqi Government Formation
Today’s vote in the Council of Representatives is a significant moment in Iraq’s history and a major step forward in advancing national unity. I congratulate Iraq’s political leaders, the members of the Council of Representatives, and the Iraqi people on the formation of a new government of national partnership.
Yet again, the Iraqi people and their elected representatives have demonstrated their commitment to working through a democratic process to resolve their differences and shape Iraq’s future. Their decision to form an inclusive partnership government is a clear rejection of the efforts by extremists to spur sectarian division.
Iraq faces important challenges, but the Iraqi people can also seize a future of opportunity. The United States will continue to strengthen our long-term partnership with Iraq’s people and leaders as they build a prosperous and peaceful nation that is fully integrated into the region and international community.
Office of the Vice President, Dec. 21, 2010:
Statement by Vice President Biden on Iraqi Government Formation
Today, Iraq’s political leaders delivered what Iraq’s people deserved and expected: an inclusive, national partnership government that reflects the results of Iraq’s elections.
I especially want to congratulate Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqiyya leader Ayad Allawi and Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani for the hard work and wise leadership that has brought Iraq to this promising moment.
There are many challenges ahead, but I am convinced Iraq is up to them. The United States stands ready to help and to strengthen even more the important partnership we have built.
Department of State, Dec. 21, 2010:
Statement by Secretary of State Clinton on Iraqi Government Formation
I congratulate Iraq’s political leaders on forming a new, inclusive government that respects the will of the Iraqi people, reflects the nation’s diversity, and demonstrates a commitment to democratic ideals. This government is a testament to the desire of Iraqis to settle their differences through free debate and an open exchange of ideas. Iraq’s leaders must now take the next steps to tackle the many important challenges still facing their nation and realize a brighter future for all Iraqis.
The United States will continue working with our Iraqi partners at each stage to build a strong, long-lasting relationship between our countries that promotes security and prosperity in Iraq, and stability throughout the region. Our partnership is founded on mutual respect and mutual interest as we work to achieve shared goals. With the new government in place, we look forward to expanding our economic and security relationship, promoting cooperation on science, education, and health, strengthening the rule of law and transparent governance, deepening our cultural exchanges, and improving our partnership in all the areas laid out in our Strategic Framework Agreement. We will also continue helping Iraq take up its increasing role as a constructive member of the international community.
The formation of this government is a milestone in the emergence of the new Iraq. It constitutes a resounding rejection of the extremists who sought to derail the democratic process and sow discord among Iraqis. Iraq is a great nation with a promising future, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the new government to help our Iraqi friends build on what they have already achieved.
Department of Defense, Dec. 21, 2010:
Let Them Walk in Our Shoes
Various organizations and the National Guard from Pennsylvania worked together to collect 6300 pairs of shoes for families and children in need. More than half of those shoes were sent to the 4th Infantry Division, currently stationed at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. Units on COB Speicher hosted an Iraqi kids day which included many activities, one of which was handing out the shoes. Provided by 126th Public Affairs Operations Center.