What Government Did Today

In December, Brian Deese, the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, created a White Board to explain how President Obama's payroll tax cut helps families, businesses, and the economy. This week, he sat down to show why it's still a key component to help fuel our recovery — and why Congress needs to continue moving forward to extend the tax cut.

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How the Payroll Tax Cut Helps to Fuel the Economic Recovery

Today, we learned that each of the Big Three automakers posted a yearly profit for 2011. For the first time since 2004, all of those companies are operating in the black.  But those aren’t the only milestones we’ve seen recently in the resurgence of the American auto industry

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Chart of the Day: Another Milestone in the Resurgence of the American Auto Industry

Yesterday, the White House hosted a live video chat with Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director of the National Security Council and Tom Kalil, Deputy Director for Policy, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy & Senior Advisor for Science, Technology, and Innovation, National Economic Council.  They answered questions from Whitehouse.gov , Twitter  and Facebook  on the role of science, technology and innovation in global development

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What You Missed: Open for Questions on Innovation for Global Development

Alzheimer’s disease, which today afflicts as many as 5.1 million people in the United States, devastates the lives of individuals suffering from the disease and places tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on their families and loved ones. We can’t wait to act

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We Can’t Wait: Taking Action on Alzheimer’s Disease

Release Time:  For Immediate Release James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 12:53 P.M.

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Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 1/17/12

Release Time:  For Immediate Release WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama convened a meeting at the White House with the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness to discuss initiatives and policies to strengthen the economy, promote and accelerate job growth and bolster America’s competitiveness around the world.  The White House has recently implemented a number of Jobs Council recommendations, including policy steps to help support companies bringing jobs back to the United States and make government more efficient and effective. “The Jobs Council has been critical in finding new ways to encourage the private sector to hire and invest in American competitiveness. I'm proud that we’ve taken action on a majority of the Council’s recommendations on issues ranging from insourcing to permitting to clean energy

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President Obama Meets with President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness at the White House

Release Time:  For Immediate Release TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE December 15, 2011 Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr.

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Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate Regarding the War Powers Resolution

Release Time:  For Immediate Release NEC Report Details Real Consequences for Consumers if Congress Fails to Confirm Cordray as CFPB Director WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the White House released a report from the National Economic Council called Improving Americans’ Financial Security: The Importance of a CFPB Director.  The report is embargoed for 8:00 pm ET Sunday.  A link to the full report can be found HERE . The President signed into law the strongest consumer protections in history in the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which created a single agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to serve as a watchdog for American consumers with the responsibility of protecting and educating Americans who use financial products. This week, the United States Senate will vote on the nomination of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  Cordray has spent his career fighting for middle class families and finding solutions that help consumers, and he has seen bipartisan support from people around the country.  However, some Senate Republicans have vowed to block his nomination without raising question about his qualifications or background – and their opposition puts consumers at risk.

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White House Releases New Report on the Importance of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Earlier today the President placed a phone call to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to personally express his condolences on the tragic loss of twenty-four Pakistani soldiers this past week along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The President made clear that this regrettable incident was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan and reiterated the United States’ strong commitment to a full investigation.  The two Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship, which is critical to the security of both nations, and they agreed to stay in close touch.

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Readout of President Obama’s Call to Pakistani President Zardari

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Location:  U.S. Embassy, Annex 1, Baghdad, Iraq 7:27 P.M.

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Background Briefing by a Senior Administration Official to Journalists Traveling with Vice President Biden