Archive for April, 2009:
President Obama on Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights
Today, under the leadership of Representatives Barney Frank, Carolyn Maloney, and Luis Gutierrez, members of both parties in the House of Representatives came together to protect American consumers, paving the way toward real, meaningful credit card reform. While Americans have a responsibility to live within their means and pay what they owe, credit card companies have a responsibility to set rules that are fair and transparent. The principles I have long supported would help ensure that these responsibilities are met: strong and reliable consumer protections; credit card forms and statements that have plain language in plain sight; tools that can help people make an informed choice about what credit card to use; and beefed up monitoring, enforcement, and penalties. And building on what we have achieved today, I will work with Congress in the weeks to come so that I can sign a credit card reform bill into law that upholds these principles and upholds the interests of the American people.
President Obama on Breathing New Life into Chrysler
After consulting with my Auto Task Force, I can report that the necessary steps have been taken to give one of America's most storied automakers, Chrysler, a new lease on life.
This is a company that has a particular claim on our American identity. It's a company founded in the early years of the American automobile industry; a company that helped make the 20th century an American Century; and that came to embody, along with the two other members of the Big Three, the ingenuity, the industriousness, and the indomitable spirit of the American people.
Video: President Obama on His 100th Day in Office
Foundation for Change: Stories from Around the Country
Everyday Americans from all over are beginning to feel the impact of President Obama's first 100 days in office. If you've been personally affected, share your story with us.
Dan from Gastonia, NC:
I worked for Freightliner Truck Manufacturing plant for 22 years. I was laid off in November 2008 and am currently going to college thanks to the TAA program. I do wish to thank President OBama for the extra's on my unemployment and my Health Coverage Tax Credit paying 80% of my insurance. With two young adults in college along with myself, this is a blessing.
Felicia from Southfield, MI:
Thanks to President Osama's March 9th signing of an executive order lifting the ban on federally-funded embryonic stem cell research, we can see real hope for my daughter and others like her to one day live a life free from this life-threatening disease.
Jerome from Knoxville, TN:
I have never in my adulthood life witnessed the work and courage of a president. The only time that I would hear of a president is when they had to make decisions on a tremendous storm that required their approval. This is sad to say; I have never known what Wall Street was all about or even what it represented; it was not until the newly elected president was sworn in and boldly took a stand against the action on Wall Street that were considered inappropriate. I am impressed to actually have a president who is truly working for the advancement of all people...
I teach for the largest school system in Knoxville, TN, and noticed on my last check I received a tax increase which has blessed my family tremendously. It appeared to be about a $75-$100 increase; this seems small, however, it's very large when you now can go to the grocery store without wondering if you will have enough money to pay for your groceries or will you experience another embarrassing situation, not having enough money to purchase your goods.
My husband works for PBR, a factory that makes brakes for cars. They have been laid off throughout this economy crunch off and on every three to four months in a time span of four to five weeks. Therefore the tax increase that seem so small has become a major help for our finances.
Update: The Livestream Has Now Ended
Read excerpts from the President's remarks below...
Exactly 100 days ago, Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th president. Watch a livestream of his address to the nation below...
Update: Budget Passes Congress, Preserves President’s Priorities
Update: The budget has now passed in both chambers of Congress, capping off President Obama's 100th day in office.
Thanks to all of our volunteers who collected more than 600,000 pledges of support for the President's budget priorities. These pledges were delivered to members of Congress and contributed to the budget's passage.
Earlier today, the House backed a newer version of the fiscal 2010 budget plan, which supports many of President Obama's major policy priorities, including health care, education and energy reform.
After both chambers of Congress passed their own fiscal blueprints in early April, members on the Budget Conference Committee have been working out a deal to reconcile the two versions. Now that the House has endorsed the newer version to come out of these talks, the Senate must vote on the budget for final passage. The Senate is expected to vote later today, the 100th day since President Obama took office.
From the New York Times:
[The budget] opens the door to major overhauls in health care, energy and education, but requires that they not add to the deficit...
The budget gives Democrats significant room for maneuvering as they move ahead with a health care plan, by providing procedural protection against a Senate filibuster for that legislation, which is still in the early stages of drafting, and allowing 11 years to pay for any health care initiative.
From the Associated Press:
Perhaps most significantly, the budget plan would give Democrats a stronger hand in advancing Obama's health care initiative this fall by allowing it to go forward without threat of GOP stalling tactics in the Senate. Democrats pledge to first try passing health care legislation with GOP support.
Foundation for Change: Connie from Chester, VA
Connie from Chester, Virginia:
I'm a 58 year old widow of a career Army officer with a son who's a career soldier (15 years in) currently serving his second tour in Iraq. I also volunteer in McGuire Veteran's Hospital and Nursing Home in Richmond, and I've seen the ravages of these wars first-hand. Coming from a military family, I have a real affinity for the military and it's families, and that makes the President's decision to close Guantanamo and set a clear timeline for withdrawal from Iraq critical to me.
In Chesterfield County, the American Recovery and Reinvestment act saved over 400 educational jobs that were slated to be eliminated. I no longer have children of school age, but I have relatives employed in the local school system, and I want all children to have a great education like my children did.
You can read more stories like Connie's here. If you've been personally affected by President Obama's efforts to put our country back on track, share your story with us.
Politics: Obama Addresses CIA Employees - NYTimes.com/Video
President Obama addressed CIA employees Monday. (Video: NBC) www.msnbc.msn.com Related article: tinyurl.com
100 Days: Watch the President’s Address at 8 p.m. ET Tonight
Today marks the 100th day since President Obama has been in office. Watch his live address to the nation tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, and CNBC or on our blog where we’ll be livestreaming it.
The challenges before the President were enormous when he took the oath of office in January – a country in economic crisis, with mounting healthcare costs and plummeting home values.
But in this short time, President Obama has managed to chart a new course for America, one that resuscitates our faltering economy and leads to long-term prosperity through investments in clean energy technology, healthcare infrastructure and our education system. Read more about the specific progress made under President Obama’s administration and how everyday Americans are being impacted.
President Obama has laid the groundwork for lasting change, but he’s counting on grassroots support in the next 100 days and beyond to help solidify and build on this foundation. Sign up to volunteer with Organizing for America.
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the President's first 100 days in office (photos via whitehouse.gov)...
Open Thread: Sebelius Completes Obama’s Cabinet
Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed by the Senate today as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, completing the President's cabinet on the eve of his 100th day in office. After being sworn in, Sebelius immediately got down to business (photo courtesy of whitehouse.gov)
