Central Perk: Weekly Address: Congress Must Act Now to Pass a Budget and Raise the Debt Ceiling

sâmbătă, 21 septembrie 2013

Weekly Address: Congress Must Act Now to Pass a Budget and Raise the Debt Ceiling

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Weekly Address: Congress Must Act Now to Pass a Budget and Raise the Debt Ceiling

In his weekly address, President Obama says the economy is making progress five years after the worst recession since the Great Depression, but to avoid another crisis, Congress must meet two deadlines in the coming weeks: pass a budget by the end of the month to keep the government open, and raise the debt ceiling so America can pay its bills. Congress should vote to do these now, so that we can keep creating new jobs and expanding opportunity for the middle class.

Click here to watch this week's Weekly Address.

Top Stories

Five-Year Anniversary of the Financial Crisis: This week marked the fifth anniversary of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. “We've cleared away the rubble from the financial crisis and we've begun to lay a new foundation for economic growth and prosperity,” the President said. During his remarks on Monday, President Obama stressed the importance of growing the economy faster, creating better jobs, increasing wages and incomes, and expanding opportunity.

And as long as I’ve got the privilege of serving as your President, I will spend every moment of every day I have left fighting to restore security and opportunity for the middle class, and to give everyone who works hard a chance to get ahead.

On this anniversary, senior staff across the Obama administration sat down and talked about the behind-the-scenes decision-making process and the challenges we’ve overcome as a nation to rebuild the economy. Make sure to check out the audio stories here.

President’s Remarks on Washington Navy Yard: On Monday, President Obama gave a brief statement about the tragic events that happened at the Washington Navy Yard. “We send our thoughts and prayers to all at the Navy Yard who’ve been touched by this tragedy,” the President said. “We’re going to be investigating thoroughly what happened, as we do so many of these shootings, sadly, that have happened, and do everything that we can to try to prevent them.” The President ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until September 20^th.

President Meets with Business Roundtable: On Wednesday, President Obama spoke with members of the Business Roundable, a group of CEOs from some of the country’s leading companies. “I’m hugely invested in your success because this room represents not only an enormous amount of economic output, but also represents the hopes and dreams of people who are working very hard trying to make a living,” President Obama said. “When you succeed, when you’re doing well, when you’re competitive at a global scale, then America can do well also.” Read his remarks here.

Meeting with Export Council: The President met with his Export Council on Thursday. This committee of government and private-sector leaders advises the President on trade and export related issues.

But I tell you, one of the biggest bright spots in our economy has been exports. The fact that "Made in America" means something and has provided a boost to our domestic economy, and has reminded the world just how competitive we are.

Read his full remarks here.

America’s Uninsured: On Tuesday, the Census Bureau released data which found the share of Americans without health insurance declined between 2011 and 2012. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimated that nearly 6 out of 10 uninsured Americans - more than 30 million people - could have access to high value health insurance for under $100 per person per month starting in 2014.

As well, new data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) show that there has been a dramatic slowdown in healthcare costs.

First Lady Speaks to Food Marketers: First Lady Michelle Obama addressed leaders from the food and media industry on Wednesday about the power of marketing in influencing kid’s food choices. She spoke on the importance of collaboration to shift the marketing of unhealthy products to healthier products. “I am not asking anyone to take the fun out of childhood. As we all know, treats are one of the best parts of being a kid,” the First Lady said. “Instead, the goal here is to empower parents instead of undermining them as they try to make healthier choices for their families. Read her full remarks here.

Citizenship Day and Constitution Week: This week was Constitution Week, where we celebrated the enduring strength of our Constitution. On Tuesday, we recognized National Constitution and Citizenship Day, a day to reaffirm that we are a proud nation of immigrants. Across the United States this week, more than 180 naturalization ceremonies took place.