Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 17, 2013.   As part of the Administration’s effort to make America a magnet for jobs by building a 21st Century infrastructure, President Obama will sign a Presidential Memorandum that will modernize the Federal infrastructure permitting process, cutting timelines in half for major infrastructure projects while creating incentives for[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013. Index for Today’s Briefing ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS U.S. Position on Engagement with Hamas Unchanged MIDDLE EAST PEACE Israeli Settlement Activity / Arab League Peace Initiative / Secretary Kerry Working with Both Sides DEPARTMENT Menendez Bill / FY 2014 Budget Funding Request LIBYA Emails of Benghazi Talking Points /[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013. I am pleased that today, by a unanimous vote, the Senate confirmed Ernest Moniz as our next Energy Secretary. Dr. Moniz is a world-class scientist with expertise in a range of energy sources and a leader with a proven record of bringing prominent thinkers and innovators[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013.  President Obama today announced the appointment of Daniel Werfel as Acting Commissioner of Internal Revenue, effective Wednesday, May 22.  As Acting Commissioner, Mr. Werfel will lead efforts to ensure the IRS implements new safeguards to restore public trust and administers the tax code with fairness and integrity. [Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013. For more than 40 years, the federal Witness Security (WitSec) Program has enabled the government to bring to justice the most dangerous criminals by providing critical protection for witnesses fearing for their safety.  Over the last two decades, it has been a key tool in thwarting[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013 – 12:48 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Please be seated, everybody.  Good afternoon.  It is a great pleasure to welcome my friend, Prime Minister Erdogan, back to the White House.  This visit is also another opportunity for me to return the extraordinary hospitality that the Prime Minister[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013.  In April 2009, President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan agreed to elevate U.S.-Turkish bilateral economic relations to a strategic level commensurate with our historically close political-military ties.  In the last four years, U.S.-Turkish commercial relations have touched new highs; bilateral trade reached record levels of[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013.  SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 360,000, an increase of 32,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 328,000. The 4-week moving average was 339,250, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week’s revised[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013.  The Federal Trade Commission testified before a U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce subcommittee about consumer protection issues facing older Americans, including the agency’s efforts to combat fraud and its education and outreach efforts to help seniors protect themselves. Testifying on behalf of the Commission,[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 15, 2013 – 6:21 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I just finished speaking with Secretary Lew and senior officials at the Treasury Department to discuss the investigation into IRS personnel who improperly screened conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.  And I look forward to taking some[Read More…]