SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS ON AUTHORIZATION TO USE MILITARY FORCE AGAINST ISIL

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Support for Authorization for Use of Military Force
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 11, 2015

President Obama's draft resolution to authorize the use of military force against ISIL is important, and it's important for our country that we work with Congress to achieve its passage. We are strongest as a nation when the Administration and Congress work together on issues as significant as the use of military force. The world needs to hear that the United States speaks with one voice in the fight against ISIL. I spent almost thirty years in the Senate. I care about the institution and I particularly respect the voice that Congress can and should have on foreign policy and national security. This is a moment where Congress can make it clear all over the world that no matter differences on certain issues, at home we're absolutely united and determined in defeating ISIL. I meet and talk with many of my former colleagues. I know how committed they are to getting this right. I also know from talking with so many Foreign Ministers all over the world that they study our debates here at home, and these public signals matter to them. The coalition itself will be stronger with passage of this AUMF.

The near daily drumbeat of ISIL's barbaric acts have only strengthened the world’s collective resolve to defeat ISIL. We've already taken decisive action to reverse ISIL’s momentum, and it is critical that we move forward together in the next phase of the Coalition’s campaign.

The President has been clear that he wants to work with the Congress to pass a bipartisan AUMF specifically tailored to address the threat posed by ISIL. Enacting an AUMF specific to ISIL will provide a clear and powerful signal to the American people, to our allies, and to our enemies. The Administration has consulted with Republicans and Democrats to develop a smart, targeted, and limited AUMF that reflects the President’s policy and that we believe Congress can pass with bipartisan support.

WHITE HOUSE READOUT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE  
January 13, 2015
Readout of the President’s Meeting with Members of the Congressional Leadership

 This morning, the President and the Vice President hosted the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress in the Cabinet Room. The leaders discussed a wide range of issues, and the President highlighted areas where Republicans and Democrats can work together to protect our national security and continue the progress we have seen in the economy. The President underscored there are priorities that rise above politics – including keeping Americans safe by promptly and fully funding the Department of Homeland Security without delay so the men and women working there can operate with the confidence they need, and working together to pass legislation to combat the cyber security threats we face. The President committed to working with members of both parties on text for an AUMF that Congress can pass to show the world America stands united against ISIL. The President also underscored the importance of our diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, reiterating his strong opposition to additional sanctions legislation that could derail the negotiations and isolate the United States from our international coalition. Coming off the strongest year for private-sector job growth since the 1990s, the President asked that leaders from both parties work together to build on our growth. The President looks forward to working with Congress to make progress for the middle class, and ensure every American feels like they’re part of their country’s comeback.

HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF'S STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 
Statement by Secretary Johnson on the Passage of Critical Cybersecurity Legislation
Release Date: December 11, 2014
For Immediate Release
Congress passed four pieces of legislation critical to cybersecurity.

S. 2519, the National Cybersecurity Protection Act of 2014, passed by the Senate yesterday and the House today, will enhance the ability of the Department of Homeland Security to work with the private sector on cybersecurity. The bill provides explicit authority for this Department to provide assistance to the private sector in identifying vulnerabilities and restoring their networks following an attack. The bill also establishes in law this Department's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center as a federal civilian interface with the private sector for purposes of cybersecurity information sharing.

S. 2521, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, passed by the Senate Monday and the House yesterday, codifies the responsibility of this Department to assist other federal civilian departments and agencies in each of their own cybersecurity activities, and administer implementation of government-wide cyber security policies.

S. 1691, the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 (passed yesterday; about which I issued a separate statement earlier today) includes language to enhance this Department’s ability to hire and pay a cybersecurity workforce. Similarly, H.R. 2952, the Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act, provides that this Department undertake an assessment of its cybersecurity workforce and update Congress on the steps taken to enhance it.

On behalf of the men and women of this Department, I appreciate the bipartisan support by Congress for our cybersecurity mission. I also thank Congress for passage of H.R. 4007, the Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorists Act of 2014, which authorizes and improves the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program administered by this Department. Congress this week has shown great overall support for this Department and its missions.

I thank the Congress for its bipartisan support for these bills. I also salute the leadership of Senators Tom Carper and Tom Coburn, and Representatives Michael McCaul, Patrick Meehan, Bennie Thompson, and Yvette Clarke, and their staffs, in pushing these bills through to passage, and for their support of the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security.

FDIC VICE CHAIR'S STATEMENT ON CONGRESS ALLOWING TAXPAYER SUPPORTED DERIVATIVES TRADING BY COMMERCIAL BANKS

FROM:  FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
Speeches & Testimony
Statement from FDIC Vice Chairman Hoenig on Congressional moves to repeal swaps push-out requirements

In 2008 we learned the economic consequences of conducting derivatives trading in taxpayer-insured banks. Section 716 of Dodd-Frank is an important step in pushing the trading activity out to where it should be conducted: in the open market, outside of taxpayer-backed commercial banks. It is illogical to repeal the 716 push out requirement. In fact, under 716, most derivatives -- almost 95% -- would not be pushed out of the bank. That is because interest rate swaps, foreign exchange and cleared credit derivatives can remain within the bank. In addition, derivatives that are used for hedging can remain in the bank. The main items that must be pushed out under 716 are uncleared credit default swaps (CDS), equity derivatives and commodities derivatives. These are, in relative terms, much smaller and where the greater risks and capital subsidy is most useful to these banking firms.

Derivatives that are pushed out by 716 are only removed from the taxpayer support and the accompanying subsidy of insured deposit funding -- they will continue to exist and to serve end users. In fact, most of these firms have broker-dealer affiliates where they can place these activities, but these affiliates are not as richly subsidized, which helps explain these firms' resistance to 716 push out.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S STATEMENT ON AIRSTRIKES WITHIN SYRIA

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

September 23, 2014

Statement by the President on Airstrikes in Syria

South Lawn

10:11 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  Last night, on my orders, America’s armed forces began strikes against ISIL targets in Syria.  Today, the American people give thanks for the extraordinary service of our men and women in uniform, including the pilots who flew these missions with the courage and professionalism that we've come to expect from the finest military that the world has ever known.

Earlier this month, I outlined for the American people our strategy to confront the threat posed by the terrorist group known as ISIL.  I made clear that as part of this campaign the United States would take action against targets in both Iraq and Syria so that these terrorists can't find safe haven anywhere.  I also made clear that America would act as part of a broad coalition.  And that's exactly what we've done.

We were joined in this action by our friends and partners -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar.  America is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these nations on behalf of our common security.

The strength of this coalition makes it clear to the world that this is not America’s fight alone.  Above all, the people and governments in the Middle East are rejecting ISIL and standing up for the peace and security that the people of the region and the world deserve.

Meanwhile, we will move forward with our plans, supported by bipartisan majorities in Congress, to ramp up our effort to train and equip the Syrian opposition, who are the best counterweight to ISIL and the Assad regime.  And more broadly, over 40 nations have offered to help in this comprehensive effort to confront this terrorist threat -- to take out terrorist targets; to train and equip Iraqi and Syrian opposition fighters who are going up against ISIL on the ground; to cut off ISIL’s financing; to counter its hateful ideology; and to stop the flow of fighters into and out of the region.

Last night, we also took strikes to disrupt plotting against the United States and our allies by seasoned al Qaeda operatives in Syria who are known as the Khorasan Group.  And once again, it must be clear to anyone who would plot against America and try to do Americans harm that we will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people.

I've spoken to leaders in Congress and I'm pleased that there is bipartisan support for the actions we are taking.  America is always stronger when we stand united, and that unity sends a powerful message to the world that we will do what’s necessary to defend our country.

Over the next several days I will have the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Abadi of Iraq, and with friends and allies at the United Nations to continue building support for the coalition that is confronting this serious threat to our peace and security.  The overall effort will take time.  There will be challenges ahead.  But we're going to do what’s necessary to take the fight to this terrorist group, for the security of the country and the region and for the entire world.

Thanks.  God bless our troops.  God bless America.

END

PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT ON AUTHORIZATION TO TRAIN SYRIAN OPPOSITION

FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE 

September 18, 2014

Statement By the President on Congressional Authorization to Train Syrian Opposition

State Dining Room

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Today, the United States continues to build a broad international coalition to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL. As part of the air campaign, France will join in strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq. And as one of our oldest and closest allies, France is a strong partner in our efforts against terrorism, and we’re pleased that French and American servicemembers will once again work together on behalf of our shared security and our shared values.

More broadly, more than 40 countries -- including Arab nations -- have now offered assistance as part of this coalition. This includes support for Iraqi forces, strengthening the Iraqi government, providing humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians, and doing their part in the fight against ISIL.

Here at home, I’m pleased that Congress -- a majority of Democrats and a majority of Republicans, in both the House and the Senate -- have now voted to support a key element of our strategy: our plan to train and equip the opposition in Syria so they can help push back these terrorists. As I said last week, I believe that we’re strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together. And I want to thank leaders in Congress for the speed and seriousness with which they approached this urgent issue -- in keeping with the bipartisanship that is the hallmark of American foreign policy at its best.

These Syrian opposition forces are fighting both the brutality of ISIL terrorists and the tyranny of the Assad regime. We had already ramped up our assistance, including military assistance, to the Syrian opposition. With this new effort, we’ll provide training and equipment to help them grow stronger and take on ISIL terrorists inside Syria. This program will be hosted outside of Syria, in partnership with Arab countries, and it will be matched by our increasing support for Iraqi government and Kurdish forces in Iraq.

This is in keeping with a key principle of our strategy: The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission; their mission is to advise and assist our partners on the ground. As I told our troops yesterday, we can join with allies and partners to destroy ISIL without American troops fighting another ground war in the Middle East.

The strong bipartisan support in Congress for this new training effort shows the world that Americans are united in confronting the threat from ISIL, which has slaughtered so many innocent civilians. With their barbaric murder of two Americans, these terrorists thought they could frighten us, or intimidate us, or cause us to shrink from the world, but today they’re learning the same hard lesson of petty tyrants and terrorists who have gone before.

As Americans, we do not give in to fear. And when you harm our citizens, when you threaten the United States, when you threaten our allies -- it doesn’t divide us, it unites us. We pull together, we stand together -- to defend this country that we love and to make sure justice is done, as well as to join with those who seek a better future of dignity and opportunity for all people.

Today, our strikes against these terrorists continue. We’re taking out their terrorists. We’re destroying their vehicles and equipment and stockpiles. And we salute our dedicated pilots and crews who are carrying out these missions with great courage and skill.

As Commander-in-Chief, I could not be more proud of their service. As I told some of our troops yesterday, the American people are united in our support for them and for their families. And as we go forward, as one nation, I’d ask all Americans to keep our forces and their families in their thoughts and prayers. Thanks very much.

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS REGARDING U.S.-GREAT BRITAIN COOPERATION REGARDING USES OF ATOMIC ENERGY FOR DEFENSE

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Message to the Congress -- Amendment Between the United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to section 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the text of an amendment (the "Amendment") to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes of July 3, 1958, as amended (the "1958 Agreement").  I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the Amendment.  The joint unclassified letter submitted to me by the Secretaries of Defense and Energy providing a summary position on the unclassified portions of the Amendment is also enclosed. The joint classified letter and classified portions of the Amendment are being transmitted separately via appropriate channels.

The Amendment extends for 10 years (until December 31, 2024), provisions of the 1958 Agreement that permit the transfer between the United States and the United Kingdom of classified information concerning atomic weapons; nuclear technology and controlled nuclear information; material and equipment for the development of defense plans; training of personnel; evaluation of potential enemy capability; development of delivery systems; and the research, development, and design of military reactors.  Additional revisions to portions of the Amendment and Annexes have been made to ensure consistency with current United States and United Kingdom policies and practice regarding nuclear threat reduction, naval nuclear propulsion, and personnel security.

In my judgment, the Amendment meets all statutory requirements.  The United Kingdom intends to continue to maintain viable nuclear forces into the foreseeable future. Based on our previous close cooperation, and the fact that the United Kingdom continues to commit its nuclear forces to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, I have concluded it is in the United States national interest to continue to assist the United Kingdom in maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent.

I have approved the Amendment, authorized its execution, and urge that the Congress give it favorable consideration.

BARACK OBAMA

DEPUTY AG COLE TESTIFIES REGARDING ALLEGATIONS IRS TARGETED CONSERVATIVE GROUPS

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Testimony by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Before the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

~ Thursday, July 17, 2014

Good morning, Chairman Jordan, Ranking Member Cartwright, and Members of the Committee.  I am here today to testify in response to the Committee’s oversight interest in allegations that the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status.  

When the allegations of IRS targeting surfaced in May of 2013, the Attorney General immediately ordered a thorough investigation of them.  That criminal investigation is being conducted by career attorneys and agents of the Department’s Criminal and Civil Rights Divisions, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).  I have the utmost confidence in the career professionals in the Department and the TIGTA, and I know that they will follow the facts wherever they lead and apply the law to those facts.  While I understand that you are interested in learning about the results of the investigation, in order to protect the integrity and independence of this investigation, we cannot disclose non-public information about the investigation while it remains pending.  This is consistent with the longstanding Department policy, across both Democratic and Republican Administrations, which is intended to protect the effectiveness and independence of the criminal justice process, as well as privacy interests of third parties.  I can, however, tell you that the investigation includes investigating the circumstances of the lost emails from Ms. Lerner’s computer.

In response to your requests, we have undertaken substantial efforts to cooperate with the Committee in a manner that is also consistent with our law enforcement obligations.  We have produced documents relating to limited communications regarding 501(c) organizations by Criminal Division attorneys with Lois Lerner, who was the head of the Exempt Organizations Division at the IRS.  We have also taken the extraordinary step of making available as fact witnesses two career prosecutors from the Department’s Public Integrity Section, who explained these contacts with Ms. Lerner.

In 2010, for the purpose of understanding what potential criminal violations, related to campaign finance activity, might evolve following the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC, a Public Integrity Section attorney reached out to the IRS for a meeting, and was directed to Ms. Lerner.  In the course of that meeting, it became clear that it would be difficult to bring criminal prosecutions in this area and, in fact, no criminal investigations were referred to the Department of Justice by IRS, and no investigations were opened by the Public Integrity Section as a result of the meeting.

A separate contact between the Public Integrity Section and Ms. Lerner occurred in May 2013, when the Department had been asked both in a Senate hearing and in a subsequent letter from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse whether the Department and the Treasury Department had an effective mechanism for communicating about potential false statements submitted to the IRS by organizations seeking tax-exempt status.  An attorney in the Public Integrity Section reached out to Ms. Lerner to discuss the issue.  Ms. Lerner indicated that someone else from the IRS would follow up with the Section, but that follow-up did not occur.

In sum, these two instances show that attorneys in the Public Integrity Section were merely fulfilling their responsibilities as law enforcement officials:  they were educating themselves on the ramifications of changes in the area of campaign finance laws and ensuring that the Department remained vigilant in its enforcement of those laws.    

As we have explained to the Committee previously, in 2010, in conjunction with the meeting I previously described, the IRS provided the FBI with disks that we understood at the time to contain only the public portions of filed returns of tax-exempt organizations.  As we have indicated in letters to the Committee, the FBI has advised us that upon their receipt of those disks, an FBI analyst reviewed only the index of the disks and did nothing further with them and, to the best of our knowledge, they were never used for any investigative purpose.  Pursuant to the Committee’s subpoena, we provided you with copies of the disks on June 2, 2014, when it remained our understanding that the disks contained only publicly available information.  Shortly thereafter, the IRS notified the Department that the disks appeared to inadvertently include a small amount of information protected by Internal Revenue Code Section 6103, and we promptly notified the Committee of this fact by letter of June 4, 2014.  We promptly provided our copies of the disks to the IRS, and suggested that the Committee do the same.  In order to provide you with our best information regarding the disks—including the fact that they were not used by the FBI for any investigative purpose—we have now written the Committee several letters regarding the disks, and the Director of the FBI answered questions about them from Chairman Jordan in a House Judiciary Committee hearing on June 11, 2014.
           
We recognize the Committee’s interest in this matter.  We share that interest and are conducting a thorough and complete investigation and analysis of the allegations of targeting by the IRS.  While I know you are frustrated by the fact that I cannot at this time disclose any specifics about the investigation, I do pledge to you that when our investigation is completed, we will provide Congress with detailed information about the facts we uncovered and the conclusions we reached in this matter.

I will now be happy to respond to your questions.

READOUT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS ON PROMOTING EXPORTS

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Readout of the Obama Administration’s Meeting with Members of Congress and their Constituents on Promoting Exports

Today, senior Administration officials met with Members of Congress and their constituents to discuss policies, Administrative initiatives, and legislative efforts to help businesses increase exports and create jobs in their districts.  The Members and their constituents shared some of the best practices that business owners in their communities have put forward to increase their own exports, and Administration officials, Members, and their constituents discussed how the Administration can best partner with Members and businesses moving forward. Participants also discussed the critical importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and securing trade agreements to help American businesses grow their markets abroad.

Members of Congress who attended the meeting included:

• Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington
• Representative Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut
• Representative Denny Heck of Washington
• Representative Scott Peters of California

Senior Administration officials who attended the meeting included:

• Secretary Penny Pritzker, Department of Commerce
• Ambassador Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative
• Anne Wall, Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and Senate Liaison

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S WEEKLY ADDRESS FOR JUNE 28, 2014

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Weekly Address: Focusing on the Economic Priorities for the Middle Class Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President discussed his recent trip to Minneapolis where he met a working mother named Rebekah, who wrote the President to share the challenges her family and many middle class Americans are facing where they work hard and sacrifice yet still can’t seem to get ahead. But instead of focusing on growing the middle class and expanding opportunity for all, Republicans in Congress continue to block commonsense economic proposals such as raising the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance and making college more affordable.  The President will keep fighting his economic priorities in the weeks and months ahead, because he knows the best way to expand opportunity for all hardworking Americans and continue to strengthen the economy is to grow it from the middle-out.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
June 28, 2014

Hi, everybody.  This week, I spent a couple days in Minneapolis, talking with people about their lives – their concerns, their successes, and their hopes for the future.

I went because of a letter I received from a working mother named Rebekah, who shared with me the hardships her young family has faced since the financial crisis.  She and her husband Ben were just newlyweds expecting their first child, Jack, when the housing crash dried up his contracting business.  He took what jobs he could, and Rebekah took out student loans and retrained for a new career.  They sacrificed – for their kids, and for each other.  And five years later, they’ve paid off debt, bought their first home, and had their second son, Henry.

In her letter to me, she wrote, “We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times.”  And in many ways, that’s America’s story these past five years.  We are a strong, tight-knit family that’s made it through some very tough times. 

Today, over the past 51 months, our businesses have created 9.4 million new jobs.  By measure after measure, our economy is doing better than it was five years ago.

But as Rebekah also wrote in her letter, there are still too many middle-class families like hers who do everything right – who work hard and who sacrifice – but can’t seem to get ahead.  It feels like the odds are stacked against them.  And with just a small change in our priorities, we could fix that.

The problem is, Republicans in Congress keep blocking or voting down almost every serious idea to strengthen the middle class.  This year alone, they’ve said no to raising the minimum wage, no to fair pay, no to student loan reform, no to extending unemployment insurance.  And rather than invest in education that helps working families get ahead, they actually voted to give another massive tax cut to the wealthiest Americans.

This obstruction keeps the system rigged for those at the top, and rigged against the middle class.  And as long as they insist on doing it, I’ll keep taking actions on my own – like the actions I’ve taken already to attract new jobs, lift workers’ wages, and help students pay off their loans.  I’ll do my job.  And if it makes Republicans in Congress mad that I’m trying to help people out, they can join me, and we’ll do it together.

The point is, we could do so much more as a country – as a strong, tight-knit family – if Republicans in Congress were less interested in stacking the deck for those at the top, and more interested in growing the economy for everybody.  

So rather than more tax breaks for millionaires, let’s give more tax breaks to help working families pay for child care or college.  Rather than protect tax loopholes that let big corporations set up tax shelters overseas, let’s put people to work rebuilding roads and bridges right here in America.  Rather than stack the decks in favor of those who’ve already succeeded, let’s realize that we are stronger as a nation when we offer a fair shot to every American.

I’m going to spend some time talking about these very choices in the week ahead.  That’s because we know from our history that our economy doesn’t grow from the top-down, it grows from the middle-out.  We do better when the middle class does better.  That’s the American way.  That’s what I believe in.  And that’s what I’ll keep fighting for. 

Have a great Fourth of July, everybody – and good luck to Team USA down in Brazil.

Thanks.

UNIFORMED SERVICES COMPENSATION PREFERENCES SOUGHT BY PRESIDENT, CONGRESS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Commission Seeks Service Members’ Compensation Preferences

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2014 – The commission tasked by President Barack Obama and Congress to modernize military compensation and benefits programs is seeking input from service members on their preferences.

Alphonso Maldon Jr., chairman of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, said understanding service members’ compensation preferences is central to the commission’s effort to craft modernization recommendations.

“Our primary goal is to ensure the uniformed services can maintain the most professional all-volunteer force, provide for a high quality of life for the members of the uniformed services and their families, and ensure that compensation and retirement systems are financially sustainable,” he said. “Our fundamental objective is to craft an integrated compensation and personnel system that will continue to be valued by service members, provide flexibility for the uniformed services, and be cost effective.”

To obtain these preferences, the commission will survey a number of active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members during the next few months, with plans to survey retired service members as well. The survey will ask participants to value individual elements of their compensation package in relation to each other, Maldon said.

“If you receive this survey, please take it,” he added. “However, the survey is not the only way to let us know your preferences.” People can provide input on the commission’s public website, http://www.mcrmc.gov, and written comments may be mailed to the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, Post Office Box 13170, Arlington, VA 22209.
“These tools are powerful ways to ensure we are aware of your preferences and concerns,” Maldon said.

Over the past year, he noted, the commission has benefitted from meetings with service members, veterans, retirees and their family members. “Additionally,” he said, “representatives of the uniformed services, military and veterans service organizations, and other subject-matter experts have greatly added to our understanding of the breadth of current military compensation and benefit systems. These engagements have reinforced what we've always known: Our people are the strength of our uniformed services.”

Maldon added, “We honor your service and ask for your continued input and support as we move forward with this important endeavor.”

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S WEEKLY ADDRESS FOR MAY 17, 2014

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Weekly Address: Working When Congress Won’t Act

WASHINGTON, DC – In this week’s address, the President discussed actions to expand opportunity for more Americans, with or without the help of Republicans in Congress, including his Administration’s efforts to cut red tape for major transportation infrastructure projects. In the coming days, the President will meet with business leaders to highlight the importance of bringing jobs back to America and will also discuss the economic benefits of making it easier for tourists to visit and spend money at attractions in the U.S., which in turn helps local businesses and grows the economy for everyone. The President has called 2014 a year of action, and he will continue to do whatever he can to continue to strengthen our economy, create jobs and restore opportunity for all.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
May 17, 2014

Hi, everybody. 

At a time when our businesses have created 9.2 million new jobs in just over four years, and more companies are considering bringing jobs back from overseas, we have a choice to make.  We can make it easier for businesses to invest in America – or we can make it harder. 

I want to work with Congress to create jobs and opportunity for more Americans.  But where Congress won’t act, I will.  And I want to talk about three things we’re doing right now.

First, we’re helping more businesses bring jobs to America from overseas.  Three years ago, my Administration created SelectUSA – a team of people in embassies abroad and agencies here at home focused on insourcing instead of outsourcing.  Today, they’re helping a Belgian company create jobs in Oklahoma. They’re helping a Canadian company create jobs in Kansas.  In my State of the Union Address, I asked more businesses to do their part.  And this week, business leaders from across the country are coming here to the White House to discuss new investments that will create even more jobs.

Second, on Thursday, I’ll be heading to Cooperstown, New York – home of the Baseball Hall of Fame – to talk about tourism.  Because believe it or not, tourism is an export.  And if we make it easier for more foreign visitors to visit and spend money at America’s attractions and unparalleled national parks, that helps local businesses and grows the economy for everyone. 

Finally, we know that investing in first-class infrastructure attracts first-class jobs.  And I want to spend a minute on this, because it’s very important this year.

We know business owners don’t seek out crumbling roads and bridges and backed-up supply chains.  They set up shop where the newest, fastest transportation and communications networks let them invent and sell goods Made in America to the rest of the world as fast as possible.

Here’s the problem: If Congress doesn’t act by the end of this summer, federal funding for transportation projects will run out.  States might have to put some of their projects on hold.  In fact, some already are, because they’re worried Congress won’t clear up its own gridlock.  And if Congress fails to act, nearly 700,000 jobs would be at risk over the next year.

That’s why I put forward a plan to rebuild our transportation infrastructure in a more responsible way.  It would support millions of jobs across the country.  And we’d pay for it without adding to the deficit by closing wasteful tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Now, the Republicans in Congress seem to have very different priorities.  Not only have they neglected to prevent this funding from running out, their proposal would actually cut by 80% a job-creating grant program that has funded high-priority transportation projects in all 50 states. And they can’t say it’s to save money, because at the very same time, they voted for trillions of dollars in new tax cuts, weighted towards those at the very top. 

Think about that.  Instead of putting people to work on projects that would grow the economy for everyone, they voted to give a huge tax cut to households making more than $1 million a year.

So while Congress decides what it’s going to do, I’ll keep doing what I can on my own.

On Wednesday, I was in New York where workers are building the area’s first large new bridge in 50 years.  And they’re doing it ahead of schedule.  Three years ago, I took action without Congress to fast-track the permitting process for major projects.  Normally, it would have taken three to five years to permit that bridge.  We did it in a year and a half.  And I announced a new plan to cut red tape and speed up the process for even more projects across the country.

All these steps will make it easier for businesses to invest in America and create more good jobs.  All of them can be done without Congress.  But we could do a lot more if Congress was willing to help.  In the meantime, I’ll do whatever I can – not just to make America a better place to do business, but to make sure hard work pays off, and opportunity is open to all.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS ON NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION BETWEEN U.S.-VIETNAM

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE

Message to the Congress -- Transmitting the Agreement for Cooperation Between the US and Vietnam on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to sections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b), (d)) (the "Act"), the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the "Agreement"). I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the Agreement, and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Agreement. (In accordance with section 123 of the Act, as amended by title XII of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-277), a classified annex to the NPAS, prepared by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information, will be submitted to the Congress separately.) The joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretaries of State and Energy and a letter from the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stating the views of the Commission are also enclosed. An addendum to the NPAS containing a comprehensive analysis of Vietnam's export control system with respect to nuclear-related matters, including interactions with other countries of proliferation concern and the actual or suspected nuclear, dual-use, or missile-related transfers to such countries, pursuant to section 102A of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 403-1), as amended, is being submitted separately by the Director of National Intelligence.

The proposed Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the Act and other applicable law. In my judgment, it meets all applicable statutory requirements and will advance the nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United States.

The proposed Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with Vietnam based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. Vietnam has affirmed that it does not intend to seek to acquire sensitive fuel cycle capabilities, but instead will rely upon the international market in order to ensure a reliable nuclear fuel supply for Vietnam. This political commitment by Vietnam has been reaffirmed in the preamble of the proposed Agreement. The Agreement also contains a legally binding provision that prohibits Vietnam from enriching or reprocessing U.S.-origin material without U.S. consent.

The proposed Agreement will have an initial term of 30 years from the date of its entry into force, and will continue in force thereafter for additional periods of 5 years each. Either party may terminate the Agreement on 6 months'advance written notice at the end of the initial 30 year term or at the end of any subsequent 5-year period. Additionally, either party may terminate the Agreement on 1 year's written notice. I recognize the importance of executive branch consultations with the Congress regarding the status of the Agreement prior to the end of the 30-year period after entry into force and prior to the end of each 5-year period thereafter. To that end, it is my strong recommendation that future administrations conduct such consultations with the appropriate congressional committees at the appropriate times.

The proposed Agreement permits the transfer of information, material, equipment (including reactors), and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production. It does not permit transfers of Restricted Data, sensitive nuclear technology, sensitive nuclear facilities, or major critical components of such facilities. In the event of termination of the Agreement, key nonproliferation conditions and controls continue with respect to material, equipment, and components subject to the Agreement.

Vietnam is a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Vietnam has in force a comprehensive safeguards agreement and an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Vietnam is a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which establishes international standards of physical protection for the use, storage, and transport of nuclear material, and has ratified the 2005 Amendment to the Convention. A more detailed discussion of Vietnam's intended civil nuclear program and its nuclear nonproliferation policies and practices, including its nuclear export policies and practices, is provided in the NPAS and in a classified annex to the NPAS submitted to you separately. As noted above, the Director of National Intelligence will provide an addendum to the NPAS containing a comprehensive analysis of Vietnam's export control system with respect to nuclear-related matters.

I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested departments and agencies in reviewing the proposed Agreement and have determined that its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security. Accordingly, I have approved the Agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it favorable consideration.

This transmission shall constitute a submittal for purposes of both sections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Act. My Administration is prepared to begin immediately the consultations with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee as provided for in section 123 b. Upon completion of the 30 days of continuous session review provided for in section 123 b., the 60 days of continuous session review provided for in section 123 d. shall commence.

BARACK OBAMA

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S WEEKLY ADDRESS FOR MAY 3, 2014

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Weekly Address: The President's Year of Action

WASHINGTON, DC – In this week’s address, the President provided an update on the work his Administration has done to strengthen the economy and expand opportunity for hardworking Americans in this Year of Action. While Republicans in Congress are setting records in obstruction, the President is making progress for the American people and has taken more than 20 executive actions since January. The President vowed to continue taking action on his own wherever possible, but underscored that much more progress could be made if Republicans in Congress were less interested in stacking the deck in favor of those at the top, and more interested in expanding opportunity for all.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
May 3, 2014

Hi, everybody.  My number one priority as President is doing whatever I can to create more jobs and opportunity for hardworking families.  And yesterday, we learned that businesses added 273,000 jobs last month.  All told, our businesses have now created 9.2 million new jobs over 50 consecutive months of job growth.

But we need to keep going – to create more good jobs, and give middle-class families a sense of security.  And I want to work with Congress to do it.

But so far this year, Republicans in Congress have blocked or voted down every serious idea to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.  They’ve said “no” to raising the minimum wage, “no” to equal pay for equal work, and “no” to restoring the unemployment insurance they let expire for more than two million Americans looking for a new job. 

That’s not what we need right now.  Not when there are still too many folks out of work and too many families working harder than ever just to get by. 

That’s why, in my State of the Union Address, I said that in this Year of Action, whenever I can act on my own to create jobs and expand opportunity for more Americans, I will.  And since January, I’ve taken more than 20 executive actions to do just that.

I acted to raise more workers’ wages by requiring that workers on new federal contracts earn a fair wage of at least $10.10 an hour – and as long as Republicans in Congress refuse to act, I’ll keep working with cities, states, and businesses to give more Americans a raise.  I acted to encourage more pay transparency and strengthen enforcement of equal pay laws, so that more women have the tools they need to earn fair pay.  And I’m modernizing regulations to make sure that more Americans who work overtime get the pay that they’ve earned.  I’ve launched new hubs to help attract more high-tech manufacturing jobs to America – and ordered a reform of job training programs to make sure more Americans can earn the skills that employers need right now.  I’ve brought together business leaders to help us connect more classrooms to high-speed internet, and give more of the long-term unemployed a better shot at finding a job. 

Each of these steps will make a difference.  You can check out the full list at whitehouse.gov.

But we could do a lot more if Republicans in Congress were less interested in stacking the deck in favor of those at the top, and more interested in growing the economy for everybody.  They’ve now voted more than 50 times to take apart the Affordable Care Act – imagine if they voted 50 times on serious jobs bills.

That’s why I’m going to take action on my own wherever I can.  To grow our economy from the middle-out, not the top down.  To give every American who works hard a chance to get ahead. 

That’s what this Year of Action is all about, and that’s what I’m going to keep fighting for. 

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

PRESIDENT OBAMA LASHES OUT AT REPUBLICANS FOR BLOCKING SENATE DEBATE ON "PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT"

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

April 9, 2014

Statement by the President

Today, Senate Republicans overwhelmingly blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act – preventing it from even receiving an honest debate, let alone a simple yes-or-no vote.  The Paycheck Fairness Act is commonsense legislation that would strengthen the 1963 Equal Pay Act and reinforce our country’s commitment to the principle of equal pay for equal work.  Yesterday, I took two actions that will make it easier for working women to earn fair pay, and my Administration will continue to do everything we can to make sure that every hard-working American earns the respect and wages that they deserve on the job.  But Republicans in Congress continue to oppose serious efforts to create jobs, grow the economy, and level the playing field for working families.  That’s wrong, and it’s harmful for our national efforts to rebuild an economy that gives every American who works hard a fair shot to get ahead. 

AG HOLDER TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary
~ Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Chairman [Bob] Goodlatte, Ranking Member [John] Conyers, and Members of the Committee: thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the recent achievements of the U.S. Department of Justice; to join you in advancing our ongoing priorities; and to stress, on behalf of my hardworking colleagues in Department offices around the world, our continued commitment to the cause of justice and the missions we share: securing our nation and protecting the American people.

This is, and will always be, our top priority.  And over the past year, the Department has done important work in this regard – strengthening our ability to safeguard America’s national security, to disrupt potential terrorist plots, and to ensure that those who attempt to harm our nation, its vital interests, or its people can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Last month, the Department achieved a major milestone when we secured the conviction of Sulaiman Abu Ghayth, the son-in-law of Usama bin Laden and a senior member of al Qaeda, on terrorism-related charges.  This verdict has proven that proceedings such as these can safely occur in the city I am proud to call my hometown, as in other locations across our great nation.  We never doubted the ability of our Article III court system to administer justice swiftly in this case, as it has in hundreds of other cases involving terrorism defendants.  And it would be a good thing for the country if this case has the result of putting that political debate to rest.

Last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to declassify key portions of its report into past interrogations practices.  I agree that as much of the report as possible should be made public, of course allowing for redactions necessary to protect national security.  So I was pleased the Committee voted to send portions of the report forward for declassification.  Having prohibited these practices upon taking office, the President believes that bringing this program into the light will help the American people understand what happened in the past and can help guide us as we move forward, so that no Administration contemplates such a program in the future.

Beyond our national security work, the Department will continue to build on the progress we’ve made in confronting a range of threats and challenges.  The full resources of the Department and the FBI have been made available to help conduct a thorough investigation into last week’s horrific mass shooting at Fort Hood.  And going forward, my colleagues and I will do everything possible to achieve justice for our brave men and women in uniform – and prevent these far-too-common tragedies from happening again.

More than ever before, the Department’s law enforcement work today must contend with new and emerging technology, including virtual currencies such as Bitcoin. Virtual currencies can pose challenges for law enforcement given the appeal they have among those seeking to conceal illegal activity.  This potential must be closely considered.  We are working with our financial regulatory partners to account for this emerging technology.  Those who favor virtual currencies solely for their ability to help mask drug trafficking or other illicit conduct should think twice; the Department is committed to innovating alongside this new technology in order to ensure our investigations are not impeded by any improvement in criminals’ ability to move funds anonymously.  As virtual currency systems develop, it will be imperative to law enforcement interests that those systems comply with applicable anti-money laundering statutes and know-your-customer controls.

Across the board, the Department’s comprehensive efforts reflect our commitment to integrity and equal justice – in every case and circumstance.  And nowhere is this commitment stronger than in our work to strengthen America’s federal criminal justice system.  Through the Smart on Crime initiative I announced last August, my colleagues and I are taking action on a number of evidence-based reforms – including modifications to the Department’s charging policies with regard to mandatory minimum sentences for certain nonviolent, low-level drug crimes.  This commonsense change will ensure that the toughest penalties are reserved for the most dangerous or violent drug traffickers.  And I’m pleased to note that Members of this Committee have shown tremendous leadership in the effort to codify this approach into law.

I’ve been proud to join many of you in supporting the bipartisan Smarter Sentencing Act – introduced by Representatives Scott and Labrador and cosponsored by Ranking Member Conyers – which would give judges more discretion in determining appropriate sentences for people convicted of certain federal drug crimes.  And I pledge to keep working with leaders like you – and like Senator Rand Paul and others – to address the collateral consequences of certain convictions, including felony disenfranchisement policies that permanently deny formerly incarcerated people their right to vote.

We will never be able to simply arrest and incarcerate our way to becoming a safer nation.  That’s why we need to be both tough and smart in our fight against crime and the conditions and behaviors that breed it.  And this struggle must extend beyond our fight to combat gun-, gang-, and drug-fueled violence – to include civil rights violations and financial and health care fraud crimes that harm people and endanger the livelihoods of hardworking Americans from coast to coast.

Last November, the Justice Department secured a major victory in this struggle when we obtained a $13 billion settlement with JPMorgan Chase & Co. – the largest settlement with a single entity in American history – to resolve federal and state civil claims related to the company’s mortgage securitization process.  As part of our ongoing efforts to hold accountable those whose conduct contributed to the mortgage crisis, the Department also filed a lawsuit against the ratings firm S&P.  And with the $1.2 billion agreement we reached with Toyota last month – the largest criminal penalty ever imposed on an automotive company – we’re making good on our determination to protect consumers and address fraud in all its forms.

Moving forward, my colleagues and I will continue to build upon these and other important efforts.  And we’ll keep working alongside Members of Congress, including Ranking Member Conyers, Representative Sensenbrenner, and Representative Lewis, to address the void that has been left by last year’s Supreme Court decision invalidating one of the Voting Rights Act’s core provisions – so we can help protect that most basic right of American citizenship.

I thank you, once again, for the chance to discuss these and other priorities with you today – and for your continued support of the Justice Department’s critical efforts.  I look forward to working closely with you to build upon the public safety and law enforcement accomplishments my colleagues have made possible in recent years.  And I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS AT DNC DINNER HELD ON APRIL 2, 2014

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Remarks by the President at DNC Dinner

Private Residence

Chicago, Illinois

7:34 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT:  So, first of all, Grace and Craig have been just incredible friends and supporters for a really long time.  And I just want to say thank you.  And thanks, guys, for letting us crash your house.  (Laughter.) 

I do think that the story Grace told is partly about roots and family, and where do you start off.  And I have to tell you, as I look around this room, I’m reminded of all the pieces of myself that are connected to individuals in this room.  There are people who have been friends of mine for a couple of decades now.  There are folks here who have been with me when nobody gave me a chance to even get to the U.S. Senate, much less the presidency.  There are people here who have been to Michelle and my wedding, and have been at Mom N Tots watching our kids waddle around.  (Laughter.) 

And so to have friends like this, to be home like this, even when the weather is like this -- (laughter) -- is invigorating and it reminds you of why you got into this business in the first place.  Because you got a lot of people here who have taught me a lot about community and friendship and family, and for that reason I’m just really grateful and I just want to say thank you to all of you.

I want to acknowledge our outstanding Governor of the great state of Illinois, Pat Quinn.  (Applause.)  I want to thank Henry Muñoz, who, although stuffed in a corner at the moment -- (laughter) -- actually has been working tirelessly on behalf of Democrats.  It is a thankless job, but he does it with good humor and grace, and he is a great friend, so we’re so glad that he came up here.

I was a little bit late.  Some of you may have heard there was another shooting at Fort Hood.  We don’t know the details, but we’re monitoring the situation carefully.  So I’m not going to give a long speech.  I want to spend most of the time that I’m here answering questions and hearing from all of you.

Let me just say a couple of general points.  First of all, the economy has bounced back in a way that is not only there yet, but, when you compare it to what’s happened in other countries around the world, is pretty significant.  We have seen 8.7 million new jobs created since I took office.  We have seen a creation -- the recovery of trillions of dollars of wealth because people’s 401(k)s have bounced back, and housing prices have begun to bounce back.  The unemployment rate is lower than at any time since 2007.  Health care costs are rising at a slower rate.  Our energy production is up.  Our exports are on pace potentially to double.  There’s a lot of good stuff going on.  Our manufacturing base has, after a couple of decades of sloughing off jobs, is now actually hiring folks back again.  And obviously the auto industry has come roaring back.

So there’s a good story to tell.  But, as I said at the State of the Union, there’s some long-term trends in our economy that we have not yet fixed.  And what it comes down to is the fact that, in part because of globalization, in part because of technology, but also in part because of some long-term government policies, we have an economy now in which folks at the very top are doing very, very well, but folks in the middle haven’t seen their incomes or wages go up in a very long time.  And folks who are fighting to get into the middle class find that there are fewer and fewer ladders of opportunity.

And that is a problem for all us, even if you’re doing well -- because the premise in this country has always been that we grow best when our growth is broad-based, when everybody has got a shot; when Grace’s parents come here and they’re able to, through hard work and responsibility and transmitting values to their kids, they’re able to succeed.  And one of the great things about Chicago is, is that although folks usually didn’t come here right first -- they tended to go through one of the coasts typically -- this is a city of immigrants.  And the story of Chicago has been starting off with nothing and building something.  And when I look throughout this room, it’s filled with people who lived out that story.

And I want to make sure that story is true for the next generation and the generation after that, and the generation after that -- because that is what makes America great.  Obviously in the news lately has been the whole situation in Ukraine and Russia.  And I’ve had to explain to people, Russia’s  moving troops into Ukraine wasn’t a sign of strength; it was a sign of weakness.  Because you’ve got a country that isn’t attracting people from the outside; a population that’s shrinking.  It feels surrounded, in part because people look at the West and they look at Europe and they look at America and they say this is a place where, if we put in effort, without connections, without being born to the right place, without having to pay a bribe, we might be able to succeed.  Whether it’s setting up a cheesecake business -- (laughter) -- or it is going into the helping professions, we can succeed.  And we have to make sure that that continues for the next generation.

Now, the good news is we know how to do it.  It’s not as if there’s a mystery here.  We know that if we invest in early childhood education then every kid can succeed.  We know that if we make college affordable then this could be the best-trained workforce in the country.  We know that if we rebuild our infrastructure, we can put people to work right now rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our sewer systems, our airports, our ports, setting up smart grids.  There are a bunch of folks that right away could get to work and suddenly they’ve got money in their pockets and they’d be spending that money on businesses all across Chicago, all across the country.

We know that we have to invest in research and development.  We know that immigration reform isn’t just good for the families but it keeps on bringing dynamic, energized folks to our country.  It’s one of our biggest comparative advantages to other countries, including Europe and Asia, is that we’ve got a relatively young population, because folks who are hungry keep on wanting to come here and it keeps our economy vibrant.

And we know that when we pay workers a living wage, when we make sure that women are getting paid the same as men, when they’ve got decent benefits, when they have the financial security of having health insurance so they don’t go bankrupt when they get sick, we know all those things make people more productive and the entire economy grows.

So we know what to do.  The problem is right now Congress isn’t willing or capable of doing it.  And that’s why you being here tonight is so important and why even though I promised Michelle that 2012 was going to be my last campaign, actually this one is my last campaign.  (Laughter.)

We need to hang on to the Senate.  We need to pick up seats in the House.  We need to make sure that the public knows very clearly what is at stake in this election.  And it’s hard during midterms, because Democrats have a tendency to get really excited during presidential years and then during the midterms we go into hibernation. 

And that’s why you being here tonight is so important. That’s why what’s Henry is doing is so important.  And that’s why we’re so grateful for what Grace and Craig are doing is so important.  Because our agenda, our values, the things that we care about -- things, by the way, that the majority of Americans by and large agree with up and down the line -- can only happen if we’ve got a Congress that is prepared to work, to engage constructively in debate and have some differences, but also say there are some things that go beyond politics.  That’s what we’re fighting for.  And that’s why all of you being here tonight is something I truly, truly appreciate -- in addition to just seeing some old friends. 

Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)

END
7:45 P.M. CDT

FTC COVERS SPORTS SAFETY IN CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

FROM:  FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

FTC Testifies Before Congressional Subcommittee on Improving Sports Safety
The Federal Trade Commission testified before Congress on actions it has taken to help ensure that concussion protection claims made for football helmets and other sports equipment are truthful and supported by reliable scientific evidence.

Testifying on behalf of the Commission before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, Richard Cleland, Assistant Director for Advertising Practices in FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, outlined the agency’s enforcement efforts. The testimony notes that as awareness of the danger of concussions has grown, manufacturers have started making concussion-protection claims for an increasing array of sports-related products.

“Given the dangers that concussions pose for young athletes engaged in sports, it is essential that advertising for products claiming to reduce the risk of this injury be truthful and substantiated,” the testimony states.

The testimony points out that in August 2012 the Commission announced a settlement with the marketers of the Brain-Pad mouth guard. The Commission alleged that Brain-Pad, Inc. and its president lacked a reasonable basis for their claims that Brain-Pad mouth guards reduced the risk of concussions, especially those caused by lower jaw impacts, and that they had falsely claimed that scientific studies proved that those mouth guards did so. The order in that case prohibits these and other deceptive claims.

In November 2012, after the order in the Brain-Pad case became final, the Commission staff sent out warning letters to 18 other manufacturers of sports equipment, advising them of the Brain-Pad settlement and warning them that they might be making deceptive concussion protection claims for their products, according to the testimony.

The Commission staff also investigated concussion risk reduction claims made by three major manufacturers of football helmets:  Riddell Sports Group, Inc., Schutt Sports Inc., and Xenith, LLC. The staff closed the investigations without taking formal action. All three companies discontinued potentially deceptive claims in their advertising, or had agreed to do so, the testimony stated.

The Commission will continue monitoring the market to ensure that advertisers do not mislead consumers about their products’ concussion-protection capabilities, or the science behind them. The Commission’s approach will be balanced, to avoid inadvertently chilling research or impeding development of new technologies and products that truly do provide concussion protection, the testimony concluded.

The Commission vote approving the testimony and its inclusion in the formal record was 4-0.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

DOD CHIEF WORRIES SEQUESTRATION MAY PUT AT RISK U.S ROLE AS GUARANTOR OF GLOBAL SECURITY

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT  
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 – If sequestration begins again in fiscal year 2016, the U.S. military will not be able to carry out defense strategy, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee this morning.

A return to sequester would put at risk "America's traditional role as a guarantor of global security, and ultimately our own security," Hagel said.

Events in Europe over the past few weeks underscore the need for American involvement, Hagel said. President Barack Obama's fiscal 2015 defense budget request reflects that reality, he added, and sustains U.S. commitments and leadership at a very defining time.

"I believe this budget has to be far more than a set of numbers or just a list of decisions," the secretary said. "It is a statement of values. It's a statement of priorities. It's a statement of our needs. It's a statement of our responsibilities."
The budget request is realistic, Hagel said, and prepares the military to defend the nation at a time of increasing uncertainty throughout the world.

From the troop side, Hagel discussed compensation reform. The department is committed to providing service members fair compensation, he emphasized, "as well as the training and the tools and the edge they will always need to succeed in battle and return home safely.”

"To meet those obligations under constrained budgets, we need some modest adjustments to the growth in pay and benefits,” the secretary said. “All these savings will be reinvested in training and equipping our troops. And there are no proposals to change retirement in this budget."

The Defense Department will continue to recommend pay increases, Hagel said, but they will not be as substantial as in past years. The department will continue subsidizing off-base housing costs, he added, but not at 100 percent, as it is today. DOD will pay about 95 percent, he said, and it will be phased in over the next several years.

The budget request includes a provision to reduce subsidies for military commissaries. "We are not shutting down commissaries," Hagel explained. "We recommend gradually phasing out some subsidies, but only for domestic commissaries that are not in remote areas."

Finally, the secretary said, the Defense Department recommends simplifying and modernizing the three TRICARE military health plan systems by merging them into one, with modest increases in copays and deductibles for military retirees and family members that encourage them more fully to use the most affordable means of care. "Active duty personnel will still receive care that is entirely free," he said.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS ON CONTINUATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY REGARDING IRAN

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 
Message to the Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared on March 15, 1995, is to continue in effect beyond March 15, 2014.

The crisis between the United States and Iran resulting from the actions and policies of the Government of Iran has not been resolved. The Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5+1 and Iran went into effect on January 20, 2014, for a period of 6 months. This marks the first time in a decade that Iran has agreed to and taken specific actions to halt its nuclear program and to roll it back in key respects. In return for Iran's actions on its nuclear program, the P5+1, in coordination with the European Union, are taking actions to implement the limited, temporary, and reversible sanctions relief outlined in the JPOA.

Nevertheless, certain actions and policies of the Government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Iran and to maintain in force comprehensive sanctions against Iran to deal with this threat.

BARACK OBAMA