Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 1, 2014 – 2:22 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Well, hello, everybody.  Have a seat, have a seat.  It’s hot.  (Laughter.)  It’s hot out — Anthony, take off your coat, man.  (Laughter.)  It is hot and Team USA takes the pitch in a couple hours, so we’ve got to[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—July 1, 2014. Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 357 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 11 areas, and unchanged in 4 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twelve areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 93[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–July 1, 2014.  U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx today sent letters to state transportation departments and transit agencies outlining steps the Department of Transportation (DOT) will soon be forced to take to manage the impending insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund.  In both letters, Secretary Foxx outlined the Department’s[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014 – 12:37 P.M. EDT MR. EARNEST:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Apologize for the scheduling switcheroo we had a little earlier today.  It was my intention to be done by now, but instead we are just getting started. I do not have announcements here at the top, Nedra,[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014.  Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement in response to a letter provided by the Office of Director of National Intelligence, which details the number of backdoor searches performed by U.S. intelligence agencies. As this response makes clear, intelligence agencies are searching through communications collected[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014.  In a momentous decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the Constitution applies outside of the territorial limits of the United States, in this case Mexico, squarely rejecting the government’s argument that constitutional rights end at the border. The court accordingly reinstated a[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT Secretary Kerry’s Travel to Panama ISRAEL / PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES / REGION Kidnapped Teenagers Violence Palestinian Technocratic Government IRAQ / SYRIA / REGION Security Situation / ISIL Secretary Kerry’s Meetings in the Region / Iraqi Government Formation Iraqi Military Requirements / Iraqi[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014.  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Chad and recommends citizens avoid travel to eastern Chad and all border regions. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid public gathering spaces and locations frequented by expatriates, including markets, restaurants, bars, and places[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—June 30, 2014. Thank you, Piper [Kerman] for those kind words, for sharing your story – with this crowd, in print, and on Netflix – and for helping to bring our discussion about criminal justice reform to the forefront of the public consciousness.  I’d also like to thank Broderick[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2014 – 3:04 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  One year ago this month, senators of both parties –- with support from the business, labor, law enforcement, faith communities –- came together to pass a commonsense immigration bill.  Independent experts said that bill would strengthen our[Read More…]