What Government Did Today

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Administration Takes Immediate Steps to Accelerate Startup and Small Business Growth Today, on the one-year anniversary of both the White House Startup America Initiative and the private-sector Startup America Partnership, President Obama sent a Startup America Legislative Agenda to Congress which will expand tax relief and unlock capital for startups and small businesses that are creating jobs. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will take steps to attract and retain foreign-born entrepreneurs and highly-skilled immigrants so they can start up the next generation of small businesses and great American companies.  The Administration also unveiled several new agency actions to accelerate the growth of young, job-creating companies, at the same time that new entrepreneur-led regional coalitions are launching throughout the nation. “One year ago today, I called for an all hands on deck effort to ensure that America remains the best place on Earth to turn a great idea into a successful business.  The private sector responded, with the Startup America Partnership launching new entrepreneurial networks all across the country.  Today, we’re taking new steps that build on that progress, and I urge Congress to send me a common-sense bipartisan bill that does even more to expand access to capital and cut taxes for America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said President Obama.

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On One-Year Anniversary of Startup America Initiative President Obama Sends Startup America Legislative Agenda to Congress

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Private Residence Palm Beach, Florida 4:28 P.M. EST   MRS

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Remarks by the First Lady at a DNC Event — Palm Beach, FL

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Buckley Air Force Base Aurora, Colorado 3:34 P.M. MST THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Hello, Team Buckley!  (Applause.)  It is great to be here.  Everybody please have a seat, have a seat

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Remarks by the President on American Energy, Aurora, Colorado

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Earlier today, I received the Secretary of State’s recommendation on the pending application for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.  As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by Congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline’s impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment.  As a result, the Secretary of State has recommended that the application be denied.  And after reviewing the State Department’s report, I agree.    This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people.  I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced this decision, but it does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil.  Under my Administration, domestic oil and natural gas production is up, while imports of foreign oil are down.  In the months ahead, we will continue to look for new ways to partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security –including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico – even as we set higher efficiency standards for cars and trucks and invest in alternatives like biofuels and natural gas.  And we will do so in a way that benefits American workers and businesses without risking the health and safety of the American people and the environment.

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Statement by the President on the Keystone XL Pipeline

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 MEMORANDUM FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SUBJECT: Flexible Implementation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule Today's issuance, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), of the final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule for power plants (the "MATS Rule") represents a major step forward in my Administration's efforts to protect public health and the environment. This rule, issued after careful consideration of public comments, prescribes standards under section 112 of the Clean Air Act to control emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollutants from power plants, which collectively are among the largest sources of such pollution in the United States. The EPA estimates that by substantially reducing emissions of pollutants that contribute to neurological damage, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other health risks, the MATS Rule will produce major health benefits for millions of Americans — including children, older Americans, and other vulnerable populations.

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Presidential Memorandum — Flexible Implementation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule

Release Time:  For Immediate Release AMENDMENTS TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS 12131 AND 13539 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1.  Section 1 102 of Executive Order 12131 of May 4, 1979, as amended (President's Export Council), is further amended to read as follows: "The membership of the Council shall be as follows: (a)  The heads of the following executive departments, agencies, or offices, or their representatives: (1)   Department of State. (2)   Department of the Treasury. (3)   Department of Agriculture.

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Executive Order — Amendments to Executive Orders 12131 and 13539

Release Time:  For Immediate Release On Monday, December 19, 2011, the President signed into law: S. 535, the “Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act,” which authorizes the Department of the Interior to lease certain lands and improvements within the Fort Pulaski National Monument to the Savannah Bar Pilots Association; S.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on S. 535, S.683, and S.J. Res. 22

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Today, the White House announced administrative and private sector actions that will help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and create jobs by increasing their access to capital and resources. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is moving forward with launching a $1 billion Early Stage Innovation Fund, originally announced as part of Startup America, which will provide matching capital to Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), targeting early-stage small businesses seeking private institutional capital.

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We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Announces $2 Billion in Resources to Support Job-Creating Startups

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The United States of America and the Republic of Iraq are committed to forging a strong partnership based on mutual interests that will continue to grow for years to come.  Our two nations are entering a new phase in our relationship.  We have a historic opportunity to strengthen our ties beyond security and build a multi-faceted relationship through trade, education, culture, law enforcement, environment, energy, and other important areas. Three years ago, our nations signed the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), affirming both sides’ desire to establish long-term bonds of cooperation and friendship.  The SFA is a lasting agreement, and one that serves as the foundation on which we are building a durable and mutually beneficial relationship.  Today, we gather again in Baghdad to reaffirm our commitment to this important partnership and to the principles of cooperation, sovereignty, and mutual respect articulated in the SFA.  Vice President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki convened the SFA’s Higher Coordinating Committee on November 30.  Together, they affirmed the significant accomplishments under the SFA thus far and charted a course for further joint efforts.  Cultural and Education Cooperation The Republic of Iraq seeks the cooperation of the United States in its efforts to build a stronger higher education system, expanding English language programs, and preserving Iraq’s rich cultural heritage, especially through assistance in conserving archeological sites such as the Babylon historical site, which the United States has helped preserve, and through support to the Iraqi Institute for Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage.  Energy Cooperation The United States is committed to supporting the Republic of Iraq in its efforts to develop the energy sector

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Joint Statement by The United States of America and The Republic of Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee