PRESS SECRETARY'S PRESS GAGGLE ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard AF1 en route Raleigh, NC, 1/15/2014
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Raleigh, North Carolina

10:25 A.M. EST

MR. CARNEY:  Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.  Welcome aboard Air Force One for the first outing of the New Year.  I hope you look forward to it as I do.  I just wanted to say a couple of things about where we’re going and the event the President will participate in.

Today the President will visit Vacon, a company that manufactures AC drives, which are used to control the speed of electric motors to maximize energy efficiency.  At 11:35 a.m. the President will tour the R&D facility, accompanied by Dan Isaksson, Vacon vice president, and Secretary Moniz.  At 1:00 p.m. at North Carolina State University, the President will announce new steps with the private sector to strengthen the manufacturing sector, boost advanced manufacturing, and attract good jobs with good wages that a growing middle class requires.

The President will announce the selection of a North Carolina headquartered consortium of businesses and universities led by North Carolina State University to lead a manufacturing innovation institute for next generation power electronics.

President Obama has declared the year 2014 a “Year of Action.”  And while he will continue to work with Congress on new measures to create jobs and grow the economy, he will also use his executive authority to get things done.  After shedding jobs for a decade, our manufacturers have added 568,000 jobs over the past nearly four years, including 80,000 over the past five months.  Manufacturing production has grown since the end of the recession at its fastest pace in over a decade.  The President is committed to building on that progress.

With that, I’ll take your questions.

Q:    Could you respond to some of the criticisms that Judge Bates made of recommendations regarding surveillance?  He objects, for example, to the appointment of a special advocate to a rigorous procedure for national security letters, and so on.

MR. CARNEY:  Mark, as you know, we are in the final stages of wrapping up the administration’s review of our signals intelligence programs.  As we’ve been saying, we’re not going to discuss decisions and outcomes while the review is ongoing, and we wouldn’t discuss observations or assessments by others about recommendations that the President himself is considering as he makes final decisions prior to his remarks at the Justice Department on Friday.

Q:    What about the New York Times story today that the NSA is using radio waves to tap into computers around the world and monitor them?

MR. CARNEY:  As you know, I won’t discuss specific tools or processes.  But the NSA operates under heavy oversight and is focused on discovering and developing intelligence about valid and foreign intelligence targets, such as terrorists, human traffickers, and drug smugglers.  They are not interested in the personal information about ordinary Americans, nor do they use foreign intelligence capabilities to steal the trade secrets of foreign companies on behalf of, or give intelligence that we collect to U.S. companies to enhance their international competitiveness or increase their bottom line.

Q:    Do you have anything to add to your statement last night about the unemployment insurance?  Who is to blame for this?

MR. CARNEY:  I think if you look at my statement, we’re very disappointed that Republicans blocked a common-sense, compromise solution that would have extended unemployment insurance benefits to the 1.3 million Americans and their families who have been cut off from this emergency assistance.

It’s very frustrating when, again, the previous President, a Republican, signed similar extensions five times without offsets.  And Majority Leader Senator Reid has gone quite a distance to try to accommodate the concerns of Republicans who have shown a desire and an interest in extending these benefits when it comes to offsets and when it comes to offering amendments.

So we’re going to continue to work with congressional leaders, with Senate leaders to move this forward.  The need is urgent.  It should not be tied up in ideological or partisan debate.  The Americans who need this assistance are Republicans, they're Democrats, they're independents, they're unaffiliated -- they're Americans.  And Congress should act.

Q:   Will the President address the vote or the lack of votes in the Senate in his remarks today?

MR. CARNEY:  He might bring it up in his remarks, but it’s certainly not the focus of his remarks.

Q:    Agenda for his meeting with Senate Democrats?  What’s at the top of the agenda?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, it’s basically to sync our watches on the policy agenda that the President has been putting forward and will add to in his State of the Union address.  So there will be a broad array of topics, including -- as you heard him say yesterday at the Cabinet meeting -- efforts we’re undertaking to work with Congress legislatively to move the country forward and efforts that he can undertake using the unique authorities and powers that a President has to make advances on behalf of the middle class and the American economy.  And today’s event in North Carolina is a perfect example of the President using that power and that authority.

Q:    Jay, speaking of today’s event, these manufacturing institutes, as you know, were an initiative announced at the State of the Union last year, and here we are two weeks before this year’s State of the Union.  Is there any frustration that it’s taken him close to a year to announce the establishment of the first one of what’s supposed to eventually be 45 of these institutes?

MR. CARNEY:  Not at all.  I mean, I think if we had announced everything in a week, you would have said it wasn’t serious, it wasn’t real, and the assessments made about where to launch these initiatives weren’t vigorous and substantive.

I think that we have seen extremely positive growth in our manufacturing sector.  We’ve seen areas with huge potential for further growth, especially in advanced manufacturing, in technologies and businesses that the United States can dominate, and by doing so can create high-paying jobs that support middle-class families here at home.

This is something the President is very committed to, and he’s very excited about today’s event.

Q:    “Year of Action” -- his economic issues can we see -- expect action on more health care actions, immigration, other issues on the President’s domestic agenda?

MR. CARNEY:  The answer is, yes.  I think the point that the President has been making and others have made on his behalf is that in many ways the American economy, as it has emerged from the recovery, has grown steadily and created 8.2 million jobs, is on a precipice of even greater strides forward.  And we want to do everything we can, using our authorities, the President's authorities to take action through the executive and through the power of the pen and the power of the phone, as well as take action through and with Congress legislatively on immigration reform and so many other issues that we can work together on.

It bears notice that, despite all of our differences, despite our disappointment and frustration with the decision by Republicans to block UI benefits thus far, that there has also been steady progress on the omnibus legislation that is the product of a bipartisan compromise on a budget deal.  And that omnibus legislation, that funding bill protects some of the President's key priorities, including in manufacturing, SelectUSA, including in early childhood education and others.

So there's a lot of positive things that can happen and are happening on behalf of the economy and the middle class and the American people, and we just need to keep moving forward.  So the President is going to talk a lot about, in the days ahead and in the State of the Union address, ways that we can use all the tools available to us to grow the economy and create jobs that middle-class families can depend on.

Q:    Can you talk about the significance of the phrase “Year of Action” compared to previous years, which seemed were also years of action?  Why are you pointing out that this year is a year of action?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, that’s a profound question, Zack.  The fact of the matter is this President has throughout his time in office utilized the tools available to him.  But we're going to reinvigorate that process.  We're going to continue to look for creative and innovative ideas to do things like advance the cause of developing high-tech and other advanced manufacturing centers across the country; to expand access to early childhood education; to move forward with rebuilding our infrastructure.

One other positive outcome of the omnibus legislation that’s moving through the Congress now is that it provides significant funds for TIGER investments -- for TIGER grants.  And that goes right to the infrastructure needs that we have in this country.  And as you know, investment in infrastructure, as had been recognized by both Democrats and Republicans over the years, provide an immediate jolt to the economy, immediate job creation, as well as long-term positive benefits because of improved infrastructure.

Q:    Jay, can I ask about Iran?  As you know and have reacted to, Iran's foreign minister laid a wreath at the grave of a Hezbollah leader who was involved in a terrorist attack against Americans.  And we spoke yesterday about these reports of a Russian-Iran oil-for-goods deal.  You’ve made the case repeatedly of why you think Congress should wait and give diplomacy a chance.  Are you concerned that events like these, which you can't control, could have a negative effect and sort of weaken the argument that you're making with folks on the Hill that, look, you need to give us a window of time to try to get a deal done?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, I’d say a couple things.  On the matter of the Iranian foreign minister honoring Imad Mugniyah, the United States condemns the decision taken by the Iranian foreign minister to place a wreath at the grave of a former leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah responsible for heinous acts of terrorism that killed hundreds of innocent people, including Americans.  The inhumane violence that Mugniyah perpetrated and that Lebanese Hezbollah continues to perpetrate in a region with Iran’s financial and materiel support has had profoundly destabilizing and deadly effects for Lebanon and the region.

The decision to commemorate an individual who has participated in such vicious acts and whose organization continues to actively support terrorism worldwide sends the wrong message and will only exacerbate tensions in the region.

Now, I think this speaks to the fact that through the P5-plus-1 and the agreements that have been negotiated, and the process moving forward, we are addressing with our international partners the profound and important challenge of ensuring that Iran does not develop and obtain a nuclear weapon.  There are a host of vital national security interests at stake here, as well as the national security interests of our allies and friends.

Even as we pursue that and do it in a way that demands transparency and verifiability from the Iranians, we do not let up in our views and our positions when it comes to other activities, including the support of terrorist organizations that Iran engages in.

On the matter of the reports about the oil-for-goods deal with Iran that Russia may be engaged in, we've been very clear that we're concerned about that.  When we saw those reports, press reports, it was immediately raised at the highest levels by Secretary Kerry, with Foreign Minister Lavrov.  And I can tell you that if that deal moves forward it would raise serious concerns as it would be inconsistent with the terms of the P5-plus-1 agreement with Iran and could potentially trigger U.S. sanctions against the entities and individuals involved in any such transactions.

So our disposition has not changed on these matters.  And that's why it’s so important to be clear that the actions that Iran takes, the steps it takes to either comply with or not comply with commitments it makes are what we judge Iran by -- not by statements meant for a domestic audience or by promises rather than action.  So we’re going to press forward.

When it comes to the need to implement the Joint Plan of Action and engage in negotiations through the P5-plus-1 with the Iranians, it is absolutely the right thing to do to test whether or not we can resolve the challenge posed by Iran’s nuclear program peacefully.

The President retains all options, including military options, to fulfill his policy goal.  But it is absolutely preferable to him, to the American people, and to all those who demand that Iran forsake nuclear weapons that this be resolved peacefully.

Q:    The Senate Intelligence Committee has released a declassified report on Benghazi that found that -- or concluded that the attacks there were preventable and based on known security shortfalls, and the explanations for what caused the attack were -- inaccurately referred to the protests without sufficient eyewitness accounts or intelligence to base that on.  Is there any response to those findings today?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, you know the administration has made extraordinary efforts to work with seven different congressional committees investigating what happened before, during, and after the Benghazi attacks, including testifying at 13 congressional hearings, participating in 50 staff briefings, and providing over 25,000 pages of documents.

Today’s report largely reaffirms the findings reached by the independent Benghazi Accountability Review Board, and a number of the recommendations are consistent with the work the State Department has taken to improve diplomatic security, including upgrading security cameras, improving fire-protective equipment, and increasing Marine security guard presence.

I’d refer you to the State Department for the status on implementing each of those recommendations.  But as you know, the administration is focused on two pieces:  bringing to justice those responsible for the deaths of four Americans; and making sure that we take the steps necessary to improve the security at vulnerable facilities so that our men and women serving overseas in diplomatic positions are -- rather, to improve their security, as I said.

So I think this reinforces what other investigations have found, which is that there was not enough security to protect the four Americans who lost their lives and that there are things that we must do and that we are doing to ensure that we do everything we can to protect the security of Americans serving overseas, often in difficult circumstances and dangerous circumstances.

Q:    Jay, any details on the First Lady's 50th birthday party?

MR. CARNEY:  No, I don’t have anything on that.  I’d refer you to the East Wing.

Q:    No Jay-Z, Beyoncé dance party?  (Laughter.)

Q:    Are you going?

MR. CARNEY:  Again, I'd refer you to the East Wing.

Q:    Have you been invited?

MR. CARNEY:  I'd refer you to the East Wing.  (Laughter.)

Q:    Do you dance?

MR. CARNEY:  I do.  Anybody else?

Q:    One other thing.  Can you confirm that the President is going to nominate Maria Contreras-Sweet to head the SBA?

MR. CARNEY:  I can.  The President will do that this afternoon --

Q:    In his remarks?

MR. CARNEY:  No, upon return to the White House.  And I think if you look at her remarkable career, you will see that she is an excellent candidate for this position.  And the President is grateful that he will be able to nominate her today.

Q:    One more for you.  What do the lobbying efforts look like from the White House on the fast-track TPA bill?

MR. CARNEY:  It’s a priority of the President’s, his entire trade agenda, and we’re working with Congress to move that forward.

Q:    Thank you.

MR. CARNEY:  Thanks.

END

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK SAYS U.S. EXPORTS TOTALED $2.3 TRILLION OVER LAST 12 MONTHS

FROM:  EXPORT-IMPORT BANK 
U.S. Exports Reach a Record $195 Billion in November

Ex-Im Bank Continues to Support U.S. Jobs by Financing U.S. Exports

Washington, D.C. – The United States exported a record $194.9 billion in goods and services in November 2013, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.

“Once again, American entrepreneurs are proving why exports are so critical to our economic growth.” said Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Today’s numbers showcase the importance of exports to the U.S. economy and how Ex-Im Bank plays a critical role in supporting American businesses overseas. We provide critical financing to increase sales and create jobs.”

November’s figure is considerably larger than the previous high recorded in October, which was revised upward this month to $193.1 billion.

Exports of goods and services over the last 12 months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 43.7 percent above the level of exports in 2009. Over the last twelve months, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 9.7 percent when compared to 2009.

During the same time period among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, were Panama (27.3 percent), Russia (21.3 percent), Hong Kong (20.1 percent), United Arab Emirates (20.0 percent), Peru (19.9 percent), Chile (18.7 percent), Colombia (18.6 percent), Argentina (16.7 percent), Ecuador (16.6 percent), and Indonesia (15.4 percent).

LABOR SECRETARY PEREZ MAKES STATEMENT REGARDING OCTOBER EMPLOYMENT

FROM:  U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT 
Statement of Labor Secretary Perez on October employment numbers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the October 2013 Employment Situation report released today:
"The American economy is resilient. Today's jobs report demonstrates continued steady growth, with the addition of 212,000 total private sector jobs in October. The unemployment rate, which fell in September to a nearly-five year low of 7.2 percent, remains essentially unchanged at 7.3 percent, while American manufacturers added 19,000 jobs in the month of October.

"But while American businesses continue to add jobs — 7.8 million over the last 44 months of private sector job growth — they do so in spite of Congress, not because of it. October's job growth was undoubtedly restrained by the brinksmanship and uncertainty created by the federal government shutdown and the near-default on the nation's debt.

"The American economy is resilient, but it is not immune to manufactured crises. We see signs that suggest the shutdown had a discouraging effect on America's continued recovery. We remain concerned about the drop in the labor force participation rate, and American workers on temporary layoffs rose by nearly 448,000, the largest monthly increase in the history of that series of data.
"The American people deserve leadership that focuses on growing the economy, not holding it hostage. Let's keep our eye on the ball by passing immigration reform, which has bipartisan support and would inject a trillion dollars into the economy, and investing in infrastructure upgrades that would create thousands of middle class jobs right now. Instead of erecting political roadblocks, let's work together to pave bipartisan roads to full recovery.

"Today's employment numbers are a reminder that while the economy continues to grow and create new jobs, it remains on uncertain footing. Too many Americans still find the rungs on the ladder of opportunity beyond their reach. We need to move forward with common-sense proposals that will create jobs, strengthen the middle class, reduce our deficit and expand opportunity for American families. The President and I stand ready to work with Congress to do just that."

TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE  
Trans-Pacific Partnership Leaders Statement

We, the Leaders of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam, are pleased to announce today that our countries are on track to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.  Ministers and negotiators have made significant progress in recent months on all the legal texts and annexes on access to our respective goods, services, investment, financial services, government procurement, and temporary entry markets.  We have agreed that negotiators should now proceed to resolve all outstanding issues with the objective of completing this year a comprehensive and balanced, regional agreement that achieves the goals we established in Honolulu in 2011, ensures the benefits of the agreement are fully shared, and takes into account the diversity of our levels of development.

A final Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement must reflect our common vision to establish a comprehensive, next-generation model for addressing both new and traditional trade and investment issues, supporting the creation and retention of jobs and promoting economic development in our countries.  The deepest and broadest possible liberalization of trade and investment will ensure the greatest benefits for countries’ large and small manufacturers, service providers, farmers, and ranchers, as well as workers, innovators, investors, and consumers.

We see the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with its high ambition and pioneering standards for new trade disciplines, as a model for future trade agreements and a promising pathway to our APEC goal of building a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.  We are encouraged by the growing interest in this important negotiation and are engaging with other Asia-Pacific countries that express interest in the TPP regarding their possible future participation.

Stakeholders across the region have provided valuable input to TPP negotiating teams both on-site at rounds and in our respective countries.  As we work to conclude these negotiations, we will further intensify consultations with stakeholders to craft a final agreement that appropriately addresses the interests of our citizens. We look forward to review and consideration of the outcome of our work, consistent with each of our domestic processes.

U.S. EX-IM BANK APPROVES LOAN TO FIANCE SPACEX LAUNCH

FROM:  EXPORT-IMPORT BANK 
Ex-Im Bank Approves $105.4 Million Loan to Finance SpaceX Launch

Washington, D.C. – Continuing its support of the space industry in America, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has authorized a $105.4 million loan to Space Communication Ltd. of Ramat Gan, Israel, to finance the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) launch of the Amos-6 communications satellite, the purchase of American made-solar arrays, and insurance brokered by Marsh USA (Marsh)

The transaction is Ex-Im Bank’s third in support of a SpaceX launch, and it will support approximately 600 U.S. jobs, according to bank estimates derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology. In June of 2013, Ex-Im Bank announced that it had approved financing for the launches of two satellites manufactured by Space Systems/Loral LLC, and in November of 2012 the Bank announced that it had approved financing for the launches of two Boeing-manufactured satellites.

“Ex-Im Bank is always ready to help the American space industry boost its international sales and export its products to important markets,” said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Our support of American launches and exports levels the playing field for U.S. companies and keeps highly-skilled, well-paying jobs on American soil.”

Satellite financing represents Ex-Im Bank’s most prominent stand-out sector in the Bank's newly transformed portfolio. Just three years ago, satellites accounted for only $50 million in authorizations per year. This year numbers as the third consecutive year in which Ex-Im Bank's satellite sector authorizations will have topped $1 billion.

Amos-6, a geosynchronous satellite, will replace Space Communication’s Amos-2 and cover markets in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The satellite will also provide pan-European coverage and broadband services in Europe and Africa.

The launch is scheduled for 2015.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches rockets and spacecraft. It is the first private company to build, launch, and dock spacecraft at the International Space Station, a mission previously accomplished only by government space entities.

“We appreciate Ex-Im Bank’s support of both SpaceX and the U.S. space industry,” said Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer. “With export financing for contracts like the AMOS-6 mission, Ex-Im Bank helps SpaceX compete successfully with international launch service providers, bringing overseas satellite launch business and high-tech jobs back to American soil.”

ATK Space Systems Inc., a participant in the transaction and a manufacturer of the solar arrays for the satellite, is a member of the ATK Aerospace Group. The company provides a broad portfolio of products and services that include integrated satellite bus systems, world-class multidisciplinary engineering services, and market-leading integrated thermal-control systems.

Founded in 1871, Marsh is a global leader in insurance brokering and risk management. The company has approximately 26,000 colleagues who collaborate to provide advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S WEEKLY ADRESS

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Working to Implement the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama said we are on the way to fully implementing the Affordable Care Act and helping millions of Americans.  Unfortunately, a group of Republicans in Congress are working to confuse people and are even suggesting they will shut down the government if they cannot shut down the health care law.  Health insurance isn’t something to play politics with, and the President will keep working to make sure the law works as it’s supposed to, and he encourages everyone to visit HealthCare.gov to find out more about the law and how to sign up.


Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
August 17, 2013

Hi, everybody.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been visiting with Americans across the country to talk about what we need to do to secure a better bargain for the middle class.

We need to rebuild an economy that rewards hard work and responsibility; an economy built firmly on the cornerstones of middle-class life.  Good jobs.  A good education.  A home of your own.  A secure retirement.  And quality, affordable health care that’s there when you need it.

Right now, we’re well on our way to fully implementing the Affordable Care Act.  And in the next few months, we’ll reach a couple milestones with real meaning for millions of Americans.

If you’re one of the 85% of Americans who already have insurance, you’ve already got new benefits and protections under this law that you didn’t before.  Free checkups, mammograms, and contraceptive care.  Discounted prescription medicine on Medicare.  The fact you can stay on your parents’ plan until you turn 26.  And much, much more.  And it’s okay if you’re not a fan of the Affordable Care Act – you can take advantage of these things anyway.

If you don’t have insurance, beginning on October 1st, private plans will actually compete for your business.  You can comparison shop in an online marketplace, just like you would for cell phone plans or plane tickets.  You may be eligible for new tax credits to help you afford the plan that’s right for you.  And if you’re in the up to half of all Americans who’ve been sick or have a preexisting condition, this law means that beginning January 1st, insurance companies have to cover you – and they can’t use your medical history to charge you more than anybody else.

You can find out more about the law, and how to sign up to buy your own coverage right now at HealthCare.gov.  Tell your friends and neighbors without insurance about it, too.  And tell your kids that there’s a new, easy way to buy affordable plans specifically tailored to young people.

Many Members of Congress, in both parties, are working hard to inform their constituents about these benefits, protections, and affordable plans.  But there’s also a group of Republicans in Congress working hard to confuse people, and making empty promises that they’ll either shut down the health care law, or, if they don’t get their way, they’ll shut down the government.

Think about that.  They’re actually having a debate between hurting Americans who will no longer be denied affordable care just because they’ve been sick – and harming the economy and millions of Americans in the process.  And many Republicans are more concerned with how badly this debate will hurt them politically than they are with how badly it’ll hurt the country.

A lot of Republicans seem to believe that if they can gum up the works and make this law fail, they’ll somehow be sticking it to me.  But they’d just be sticking it to you.

Some even say that if you call their office with questions about the law, they’ll refuse to help.  Call me old-fashioned – but that’s lousy constituent service.  And it’s not what you deserve.

Your health insurance isn’t something to play politics with.  Our economy isn’t something to play politics with.  This isn’t a game.  This is about the economic security of millions of families.

See, in the states where governors and legislatures and insurers are working together to implement this law properly – states like California, New York, Colorado and Maryland – competition and consumer choice are actually making insurance affordable.

So I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to make sure this law works as it’s supposed to.  Because in the United States of America, health insurance isn’t a privilege – it is your right.  And we’re going to keep it that way.

Thanks.  And have a great weekend.

EX-IMPORT BANK TOUTS 276,000 SUPPORTED BY FINANCING

Photo Credit:   Wikimedia.
FROM: U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
Labor Day 2012 Sees More Than 276,000 Jobs Supported by
Export Financing Provided by Ex-Im Bank
WASHINGTON, DC --- As Americans celebrate the unofficial end of summer this Labor Day, more than 276,000 American workers and their families are benefiting from jobs that are being supported by export financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).

"Export-intensive industries pay higher wages than domestic-oriented industries in large metropolitan areas," said Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of Ex-Im. "So this Labor Day Ex-Im Bank is again on track for another record year providing financing for buyers of U.S. goods and services, and in doing so is fulfilling its mission of helping create and sustain American jobs."

As August began Ex-Im Bank had authorized 3,055 separate transactions totaling $25.8 billion, which in turn supported about $39 billion in export sales.

Businesses employing dozens to thousands of Americans are supported by Ex-Im Bank financing. Among the companies benefitting from export financing from Ex-Im are:
· FirmGreen Inc., a small renewable-energy company based in Newport Beach, Calif., and other U.S. green technology suppliers who were able to export equipment and services for an innovative biogas project at the Novo Gramacho land fill near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ex-Im provided the buyers a $46.8 million loan for the project which directly generated 165 new jobs at facilities in seven states: Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, California, Michigan, Missouri and Texas.
· Trench-Tech International, Inc. a small business in Roanoke, Texas is exporting its TT2550 chain trencher to a buyer in Mexico with the support of a $970,000 Ex-Im guaranteed medium-term loan from Citi Commercial Bank.
· Tetra Tech, a small business in Pasadena, Calif. is supplying design and construction services for a desperately-needed water supply system in Sri Lanka because of a $64.9 million Ex-Im Bank direct loan to the Sri Lankan government. The transaction will support approximately 400 American jobs in Denver and Longmont, Colo.; Morris Plains, N.J.; Langhorne, Pa.; and Fairfax, Va.
· The Boeing Co. employed thousands of workers in Washington State and elsewhere to complete and deliver to Ethiopian Airlines the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivered to any airline outside of Japan, which is also the first 787 to be financed by Ex-Im Bank.

SECRETARY OF LABOR HILDA L. SOLIS STATEMENT ON UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on April employment numbers

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the April 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 130,000 private sector jobs in the month of April, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent, its lowest level in three years.

"Over the last four months, we've added an average of 207,000 private sector jobs. Significantly, the labor market added 53,000 more private sector jobs in February and March than previously had been reported.

"I would characterize our growth as durable and steady. For 26 straight months, we have added private sector jobs. The national unemployment rate has fallen a full point in the last eight months. Layoffs are continuing to come down and are now back to 2006 levels.

"In April, our largest gains — 62,000 new jobs — were in good-paying business and professional services careers, meaning more architects, engineers, computer programmers and consultants are finding jobs. Also, we added another 19,000 manufacturing jobs in April. After losing millions of good manufacturing jobs in the years before and during the deep recession, the economy has added 485,000 manufacturing jobs in the past 26 months.

"We've now created more than 4.2 million private sector jobs under this administration. We are seeing a resilient U.S. labor market continuing to recover from the deepest recession since the Great Depression. But there are still too many unemployed workers who still need assistance to get retrained to get back to work.

"We're on the right path, and we know our recovery would be even stronger if Congress hadn't blocked almost every single proposed investment in the American Jobs Act. The president believes we should be doing more to help state and local governments hire back teachers, policemen, firefighters and construction crews. And he believes we should be doing more to cut taxes on small businesses that are the engine of economic growth.

"Going forward, we have a choice to make. We can either make investments in things like education, transportation and new sources of energy — investments that have always been essential to America's businesses and to creating good middle class jobs. Or we give more tax breaks to wealthy Americans who don't need them and didn't ask for them.

"Prosperity has never just trickled down from a wealthy few. Prosperity has always grown from the heart of a strong middle class. That's why the president laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last, based on investments that put America in control of its energy future, improve education and skills for our workers, and support small business and American manufacturing, so we can make more things the world buys."

CONGRESSMAN CAMP SAYS "ONLY 120,000 JOBS ADDED IN MARCH"

FROM:  HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN CONGRESSMAN DAVE CAMP’S WEBSITE
On Friday, the Labor Department announced only 120,000 jobs were added in March, after an increase of 227,000 in February, and worse, there were still a large number of discouraged workers who left the labor force. Friday's numbers confirmed March recorded the fewest jobs added in five months. Congressman Camp knows this level of growth is not enough to restore economic security or make a difference for the millions of Americans who are unemployed. He is committed to working on pro-growth policies to bring certainty and opportunity to the economy. As the nation witnessed last week, it is possible for Republicans and Democrats to set aside differences with the signing of the JOBS Act to produce results for economic growth and job creation.

As Congressman said, “The JOBS Act eases the financial burdens small businesses face so that they can invest, grow and get Americans back to work. Having passed with strong bipartisan votes in the House of Representatives and Senate, with the support of the president, the bipartisan JOBS Act shows the American people that Congress can govern and Washington can work to provide the economic solutions Americans are demanding."