Tag: President Obama

Posted on

President Obama Announces He Will Use Executive Power To Address Immigration

In light of a Congress that refuses to address illegal immigration issues, President Obama announced today that he will use whatever legal executive powers he has to begin to repair the country’s immigration laws.

From the New York Times:

White House officials said that Speaker John A. Bohener informed the president last week that he would not bring an immigration overhaul to the floor this year. As a result, officials said Mr. Obama would vow to use his powers to address longstanding concerns about the impact of deportations on the families of illegal immigrants.

“The president will address the Republican leadership’s unwillingness to bring immigration reform up for an up-or-down vote, and the president will announce a new effort to fix as much of our broken immigration system as he can through executive action,” a White House official said.

Among the first of several expected actions by the President, he will order more enforcement resources to the southern border of the US to cope with a recent surge in border crossings by children. He has also asked his staff to prepare a list of executive actions which the President can use to address as much of the illegal immigration issue as is possible through his office.

The President signaled he expects that list by end of summer.

Posted on

President Obama: No apology for executive orders while Congress does nothing

President Obama’s response to GOP Speaker of the House John Boehner announcing his intention to sue the President for issuing executive orders to help move the country forward in light of the current “do nothing” Congress.

Bravo, Mr. President.  The American people want action, not stagnation.

It should be noted that President George W. Bush issued far more executive orders during his administration than during Obama’s, and the Republicans had NO problem with that.

I wonder why…?

Posted on

President Obama announces LGBT workplace protections executive order at NYC fundraiser

Earlier this week, President Obama spoke at a Democratic LGBT Fundraiser in New York City where he announced the news that he will be signing an executive order aimed at federal contractors and banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Via the Los Angeles Times:

After taking the stage at the Democratic National Committee fundraiser, Obama had to wait for at least a minute for the shouting to die down before he could start speaking. A few minutes later, he delivered in person the news his team made public earlier in the week: that he has ordered them to draft an executive order aimed at federal contractors and banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

If some lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Democrats had been dismayed with the president for his long wait before issuing the order, they were over it Tuesday. “Sometimes you guys were a little impatient,” Obama joked. “Sometimes I had to say, ‘Will you just settle down for a second?'”

From the President’s speech via White House press release:

This is a country where no matter who you are, or what you look like, or how you came up, or what your last name is, or who you love — if you work hard and you take responsibility, you should be able to make it.

That’s the story of America. That’s the story of this movement: People who stand up and come out and march, and organize, and fight to expand the rights we enjoy and extend them to other people — people who work against the odds to build a nation in which nobody is a second-class citizen, everybody is free to be who they are; and that you’re judged based on are you kind and competent and work hard, and treat each other with respect, and are a team player and look after your community, and care and love and cherish your kids.

That’s how we’re supposed to be judged. That’s the fight that brought all of us here today. That’s what made it possible for me to stand up here as your President. It’s what gave many people in this room the freedom to live their lives freely. It’s what should inspire us to keep working to make sure all our children grow up in an America where differences are respected and even celebrated, and where love is love.

Posted on

President Obama includes gay dads in Father’s Day Proclamation

From President Obama’s 2014 Father’s Day Proclamation:

“With encouragement and unconditional love, fathers guide their children and help them envision brighter futures. They are teachers and coaches, friends and role models. They instill values like hard work and integrity, and teach their kids to take responsibility for themselves and those around them.

“This is a task for every father — whether married or single, gay or straight, natural or adoptive — and every child deserves someone who will step up and fill this role.

“My Administration proudly supports dads who are not only present but also involved, who meet their commitments to their sons and daughters, even if their own fathers did not.

“Today, let us reflect on our fathers’ essential contributions to our lives, our society, and our Nation.

“Let us thank the men who understand there is nothing more important than being the best fathers they can be.”

Thank you to all the father’s who play a role in helping children move forward.

Posted on

President Obama calls “The Normal Heart” director Ryan Murphy after viewing film

Deadline reports that after viewing HBO’s The Normal Heart, President Obama called director Ryan Murphy on Monday to share how much he enjoyed the film and “found it incredibly moving.”

Murphy confirmed getting the call to Deadline, adding: “The whole movie is about Larry trying to get the attention of Washington and 30 years later, to get a call from the President is a full-circle moment.”

Posted on

President Obama proclaims June LGBT Pride Month

Via WhiteHouse.gov:

“As progress spreads from State to State, as justice is delivered in the courtroom, and as more of our fellow Americans are treated with dignity and respect — our Nation becomes not only more accepting, but more equal as well. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains.

“Last year, supporters of equality celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act, a ruling which, at long last, gave loving, committed families the respect and legal protections they deserve. In keeping with this decision, my Administration is extending family and spousal benefits — from immigration benefits to military family benefits — to legally married same-sex couples.

“My Administration proudly stands alongside all those who fight for LGBT rights. Here at home, we have strengthened laws against violence toward LGBT Americans, taken action to prevent bullying and harassment, and prohibited discrimination in housing and hospitals. Despite this progress, LGBT workers in too many States can be fired just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity; I continue to call on the Congress to correct this injustice by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. And in the years ahead, we will remain dedicated to addressing health disparities within the LGBT community by implementing the Affordable Care Act and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy — which focuses on improving care while decreasing HIV transmission rates among communities most at risk.

“Our commitment to advancing equality for the LGBT community extends far beyond our borders. In many places around the globe, LGBT people face persecution, arrest, or even state-sponsored execution. This is unacceptable. The United States calls on every nation to join us in defending
the universal human rights of our LGBT brothers and sisters.

“This month, as we mark 45 years since the patrons of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out, as well as the allies who supported them along the way. Following their example, let each of us speak for tolerance, justice, and dignity — because if hearts and minds continue to change over time, laws will too.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2014 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.

“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.”

BARACK OBAMA
Posted on

Quote of the day: President Obama on hiring our veterans

President Obama speaks to troops during surprise visit in Afghanistan

“I keep saying back home when you want someone who knows how to get the job done hire a vet.”
– President Obama speaking to troops in Afghanistan the day before Memorial Day.

Not only is President Obama right, but it’s a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with.

Too many veterans cannot find a job after their service and I think it’s reprehensible.  I’m glad to hear our President make that point over and over again.

More about his Memorial Day visit to our troops here.

Posted on

Two years ago today: President Obama supports marriage equality

Two years ago today, President Obama sat down with Robin Roberts of ABC News and announced for the first time that he supported marriage equality.

Thank you Mr. President.

“At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that– for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that — I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.

Now — I have to tell you that part of my hesitation on this has also been I didn’t want to nationalize the issue. There’s a tendency when I weigh in to think suddenly it becomes political and it becomes polarized.

And what you’re seeing is, I think, states working through this issue — in fits and starts, all across the country. Different communities are arriving at different conclusions, at different times. And I think that’s a healthy process and a healthy debate.

And I continue to believe that this is an issue that is gonna be worked out at the local level, because historically, this has not been a federal issue, what’s recognized as a marriage.”