Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 21, 2013 – 10:08 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  As we all know by now, a series of storms swept across the Plains yesterday, and one of the most destructive tornadoes in history sliced through the towns of Newcastle and Moore, Oklahoma.  In an instant, neighborhoods[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013 – 2:15 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY:  Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you for being here.  I have no announcements to make, so I will go straight to your questions.  Julie Pace. Q:  Thank you.  There seems to be a little bit of confusion about what[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 21, 2013.  Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Oklahoma. Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required: Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013. Note: You can help people affected by the recent tornadoes through American Red Cross Disaster Relief. If you are in the affected areas, you can also register as “Safe and Well” to let your friends and family know you are okay. President Barack Obama talks on the phone with[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013.  The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing. The President’s action makes federal funding[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013. This evening the President spoke with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. While information is still coming in, the President made clear that his Administration, through FEMA, stands[Read More…]

More severe weather expected today; people urged to get ready now. WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013 — The American Red Cross is helping people in the Midwest with shelter, food, relief supplies and emotional comfort after tornadoes over the weekend destroyed homes and left thousands without power. As many as 26 tornadoes[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013. Index for Today’s Briefing EGYPT U.S. Deeply Concerned by Growing Trend of Efforts to Punish and Deter Political Expression / Call on Government of Egypt to Protect Essential Freedoms of Expression SYRIA U.S. Strongly Condemns the Assad Regime’s Intense Air and Artillery Strikes This Weekend in[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013 – 3:30 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I want to welcome President Thein Sein to the United States of America and to the Oval Office. Last year, I was proud to make a historic visit to Myanmar as the first U.S. President ever to visit that country. [Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2013.  Following the September 11, 2012 attack on U.S. government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, the independent Benghazi Accountability Review Board (ARB) issued 29 recommendations (24 of which were unclassified) to the Department of State. The Department accepted each of the ARB’s recommendations and is committed to implementing[Read More…]