Statement by the President on Iraq

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama (born 4 August 1961; assumed office 20 January 2009) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

5:08 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I wanted to provide an update on recent developments in Iraq, including some important steps forward as Iraqis form a new government.

Over the past few days, American forces have successfully conducted targeted airstrikes to prevent terrorist forces from advancing on the city of Erbil, and to protect American civilians there.  Kurdish forces on the ground continue to defend their city, and we’ve stepped up military advice and assistance to Iraqi and Kurdish forces as they wage the fight against ISIL. 

At the same time, we’ve continued our daily humanitarian efforts to provide life-saving assistance to the men, women and children stranded on Mount Sinjar, and deployed a USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team to help.  Some have begun to escape their perch on that mountain, and we’re working with international partners to develop options to bring them to safety.  I want to thank in particular the United Kingdom, France, and other countries working with us to provide much needed assistance to the Iraqi people.  And, meanwhile, our aircraft remain positioned to strike any terrorist forces around the mountain who threaten the safety of these families.

This advances the limited military objectives we’ve outlined in Iraq:  protecting American citizens, providing advice and assistance to Iraqi forces as they battle these terrorists, and joining with international partners to provide humanitarian aid.  But as I said when I authorized these operations, there is no American military solution to the larger crisis in Iraq.  The only lasting solution is for Iraqis to come together and form an inclusive government -- one that represents the legitimate interests of all Iraqis, and one that can unify the country’s fight against ISIL. 

Today, Iraq took a promising step forward in this critical effort.   Last month, the Iraqi people named a new President.  Today, President Masum named a new Prime Minister designate, Dr. Haider al-Abadi.  Under the Iraqi constitution, this is an important step towards forming a new government that can unite Iraq’s different communities. 

Earlier today, Vice President Biden and I called Dr. Abadi to congratulate him and to urge him to form a new cabinet as quickly as possible -- one that’s inclusive of all Iraqis, and one that represents all Iraqis.  I pledged our support to him, as well as to President Masum and Speaker Jabouri, as they work together to form this government.  Meanwhile, I urge all Iraqi political leaders to work peacefully through the political process in the days ahead.

This new Iraqi leadership has a difficult task.  It has to regain the confidence of its citizens by governing inclusively and by taking steps to demonstrate its resolve.  The United States stands ready to support a government that addresses the needs and grievances of all Iraqi people.  We are also ready to work with other countries in the region to deal with the humanitarian crisis and counterterrorism challenge in Iraq.  Mobilizing that support will be easier once this new government is in place.

These have been difficult days in Iraq -- a country that has faced so many challenges in its recent history.  And I’m sure that there will be difficult days ahead.  But just as the United States will remain vigilant against the threat posed to our people by ISIL, we stand ready to partner with Iraq in its fight against these terrorist forces.  Without question, that effort will be advanced if Iraqis continue to build on today’s progress, and come together to support a new and inclusive government.

Thanks, everybody.

END
5:12 P.M. EDT

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The White House, Raise The Wage, This Is Too Funny!

In the 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to raise the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour, and soon after signed an Executive Order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for the individuals working on new federal service contracts.

Raising the minimum wage nationwide will increase earnings for millions of workers, and boost the bottom lines of businesses across the country. While Republicans in Congress continue to block the President's proposal, a number of state legislatures and governors, mayors and city councils, and business owners have answered the President’s call and raised wages for their residents and employees.Read a report on the progress that's been made so far across the country.  (This is another good laugh if you read between the lines on what is said and what is not said.)

Learn more below about why we need to raise the wage, and share this page with your friends and family.

This first map shows the current minimum wage for each state, as well as the number of workers in each state that would be affected by raising the wage to $10.10.

(We are not porting in the maps. It's not worth the time to even bother to look at.)

In this second map, you'll see how raising the wage could help workers make ends meet. For example, a $10.10 wage could, over the course of a year, help a full-time, full-year minimum-wage worker in Arizona afford either 4 months of rent, 24 weeks of groceries, 68 tanks of gas, or the equivalent of 31 months of electricity.

(Wait;  did we read that right?  Someone working full time, all year, may be able to afford 4 months rent in Arizona?  What about the rest of the year and the rest of the bills that poor schmuck will be stuck with?  SOL?) 

Raising the federal minimum wage would not only benefit more than 28 million workers across the country, but 19 million workers from all types of households would see a direct increase in their wages.

(Did someone have to have a college degree to figure this one out?)

Today, the real value of the minimum wage has fallen by nearly one-third since its peak in 1968. And right now, a full-time minimum wage worker makes $14,500 a year, which leaves too many families struggling to make ends meet.

(Isn't this what happens when you ship all the good jobs out of the country and then flood the country with illegal immigrants?)

Since President Obama called for a minimum wage increase in his 2013 State of the Union address, 13 states and Washington, D.C. have passed laws to raise their minimum wage. According to estimates from the Council of Economic Advisers, about 7 million American workers will benefit from these increases as of 2017.

(Oh boy.  That has to make anyone earning only $7.25 per hour real happy.)

(Wonder what would happen if people were actually paid a living wage for the work they do?  Something more to the tune of $25.00 per hour?  Imagine.)

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The White House New Commitments to Improve College Opportunity

By Cecilia Muñoz

Last January, I listened to the President ask hundreds of college presidents to increase college opportunity for all Americans. He asked them to help because a college degree remains one of the surest pathways into the middle class in America, and is an especially powerful engine of social and economic mobility.

Over this decade, nearly 8 in 10 new jobs will require some postsecondary education or training beyond high school. And of the 30 fastest-growing occupations, half require a college degree. At the same time, college graduates earn an average of 77 percent more per hour than a high school graduate. President Obama set forth a goal early in his first term to guide our work in education -- to lead the world with the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020.

And yesterday, I had the privilege of joining Secretary Duncan in meeting with community college leaders who have made new commitments to ensure student success, because, in order to make progress on our goal to be first in the world, we need to address some of the foundational challenges to college enrollment, persistence, and completion.

Our nation's community colleges are the engines of our higher education system. As the largest part of America's higher education system, these institutions provide the education and training to prepare our 21st-century workforce and are an ideal place to raise the knowledge and skills of our workforce -- and to meet the academic needs of a diverse population of learners, from recent high school graduates to adults seeking new skills.

Following yesterday's meeting, today we are announcing several developments in our efforts to expand college opportunity for America's students.

• The White House announces second College Opportunity Summit: The Administration is announcing that the White House will host another College Opportunity Summit on December 4, 2014. The goal of this conference will build on the work launched in the first College Opportunity Summit last January, while launching initiatives in new areas. This year’s summit will focus on building sustainable collaborations in communities with strong K-12 and higher education partnerships to encourage college going, and supporting colleges to work together to dramatically improve persistence and increase college completion, especially for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
• New community college partners working to expand college opportunity:The Administration is announcing 14 new commitments by community colleges to expand college opportunity by strengthening college readiness for academically underprepared students, building on the more than 100 colleges and universities and 40 nonprofit organizations who made commitments in January.
• New commitments from the field to strengthen college readiness: The Department of Education’s Institute for Education Studies (IES) is launching a new Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness (CAPR) led by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University and the social policy research organization MDRC that will work to strengthen the research, evaluation, and support of college-readiness efforts across the nation. In addition, Khan Academy is announcing new commitments that will focus on technology-based solutions customized to improve student success in developmental math. Lastly, the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation will commit $5 million, partnering with MDRC, the Ohio Board of Regents, and City University of New York (CUNY) to replicate CUNY’s successful Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) to support as many as 2,000 community college students in Ohio to help more students graduate sooner. 
• Continued progress on ongoing college opportunity commitments: In addition to new commitments, we continue to make progress on our previously announced efforts to expand access to college for all students, including efforts to improve the effectiveness of college advising and enhance support for school counselors, and increasing efforts to boost student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and to broaden participation in STEM fields to women, underrepresented groups, and students from low-income or underserved communities. 

These efforts have inspired engagement and supported the progress of education leaders who are taking collective action in their schools, on college campuses, and in their communities to do all they can to help more low-income students prepare to enter and succeed in college.

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Governor McAuliffe and Virginia Legislators Celebrate Today’s First Flight at the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership

English: InView Unmanned Aircraft for use in scientific, commercial and state applications. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia legislators from across the Commonwealth released the following statements today following the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership’s First Flight ceremony at Virginia Tech University. Governor McAuliffe attended the event today and witnessed some of the newest research in the aviation industry. Unmanned aircraft technology will be useful for a range of industrial and research purposes, and presents a great opportunity for job creation and economic growth in Virginia.

Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia legislators from across the Commonwealth released the following statements today following the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership’s First Flight ceremony at Virginia Tech University. Governor McAuliffe attended the event today and witnessed some of the newest research in the aviation industry. Unmanned aircraft technology will be useful for a range of industrial and research purposes, and presents a great opportunity for job creation and economic growth in Virginia.

“Early in this process, the Commonwealth of Virginia realized how vital unmanned aircraft systems testing is for building a new Virginia economy focused on innovation, diversification, and new technology that will enable Virginia to compete on a global scale.” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “We publically pledged support to this effort, and then backed up those words with funding. It is gratifying to see our work has made the mid-Atlantic region a leader in unmanned aircraft system research.”

Legislators from across the Commonwealth weighed in on the event:

Senator Frank Wagner, Virginia Beach:

“The development of the UAV range has truly been a bipartisan effort.  The FAA recognition of the great work being done by Virginia assets such as NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia Tech's hard work in securing the designation puts Virginia in the driver's seat to take advantage of the full economic potential of this exciting new technology.  This year, the General Assembly funded a dedicated UAV runway at NASA Wallops Flight Facility to expand Virginia's capabilities.  Governor McAuliffe's  leadership has been, and will continue to be instrumental in realizing the full potential of this emerging industry.”

Senator John Watkins, Powhatan:

“As Virginia faces looming federal spending cuts, I am glad to see Governor McAuliffe stepping up and supporting an emerging industry with the potential to create thousands of high paying jobs. Thanks to the hard work of our universities, our private partners, and our federal supporters Virginia has a strong competitive advantage in this field.”

Senator Lynwood Lewis, Accomack:

“As the home of one of six federally-approved Unmanned Aerial Vehicle test sites, Virginia will play a dominant role in this exciting new industry. I commend Governor McAuliffe for his efforts to push these technologies forward and to attract high-paying jobs to our Commonwealth. Thanks to the hard work of the McAuliffe Administration and many other public and private partners, we will soon see new and growing companies testing their vehicles in the 6^th Senate District.”

Delegate Joseph Yost, Giles:

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Governor McAuliffe and his team for the work they have done to ensure that Virginia takes its place as a central player in this new and exciting industry. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are a key building block of a strong, diversified Virginia economy. I look forward to working together to help these technologies get off the ground.”

Delegate Monty Mason, Williamsburg:

"I would like to thank Governor McAuliffe for his leadership promoting this important industry. These aerial vehicles represent a crucial high-tech, growth industry for the Commonwealth and the Virginia Peninsula.  From the research and development to the manufacturing this 21st Century industry provides high paying jobs for Virginians and solutions that will aid multiple industries."

Delegate Sam Rasoul, Roanoke City:

"This is an exciting day for innovation, and I applaud Governor McAuliffe's leadership in bringing cutting edge technology as well as new economic opportunities to the region. With this new partnership, innovators and researchers will have the ability to improve and develop systems of the future in a safe, transparent, and collaborative environment. That's a major win for the Southwest Virginia and all Virginians."” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “We publically pledged support to this effort, and then backed up those words with funding. It is gratifying to see our work has made the mid-Atlantic region a leader in unmanned aircraft system research.”

Legislators from across the Commonwealth weighed in on the event:

Senator Frank Wagner, Virginia Beach:

“The development of the UAV range has truly been a bipartisan effort.  The FAA recognition of the great work being done by Virginia assets such as NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia Tech's hard work in securing the designation puts Virginia in the driver's seat to take advantage of the full economic potential of this exciting new technology.  This year, the General Assembly funded a dedicated UAV runway at NASA Wallops Flight Facility to expand Virginia's capabilities.  Governor McAuliffe's  leadership has been, and will continue to be instrumental in realizing the full potential of this emerging industry.”

Senator John Watkins, Powhatan:

“As Virginia faces looming federal spending cuts, I am glad to see Governor McAuliffe stepping up and supporting an emerging industry with the potential to create thousands of high paying jobs. Thanks to the hard work of our universities, our private partners, and our federal supporters Virginia has a strong competitive advantage in this field.”

Senator Lynwood Lewis, Accomack:

“As the home of one of six federally-approved Unmanned Aerial Vehicle test sites, Virginia will play a dominant role in this exciting new industry. I commend Governor McAuliffe for his efforts to push these technologies forward and to attract high-paying jobs to our Commonwealth. Thanks to the hard work of the McAuliffe Administration and many other public and private partners, we will soon see new and growing companies testing their vehicles in the 6^th Senate District.”

Delegate Joseph Yost, Giles:

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Governor McAuliffe and his team for the work they have done to ensure that Virginia takes its place as a central player in this new and exciting industry. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are a key building block of a strong, diversified Virginia economy. I look forward to working together to help these technologies get off the ground.”

Delegate Monty Mason, Williamsburg:

"I would like to thank Governor McAuliffe for his leadership promoting this important industry. These aerial vehicles represent a crucial high-tech, growth industry for the Commonwealth and the Virginia Peninsula.  From the research and development to the manufacturing this 21st Century industry provides high paying jobs for Virginians and solutions that will aid multiple industries."

Delegate Sam Rasoul, Roanoke City:

"This is an exciting day for innovation, and I applaud Governor McAuliffe's leadership in bringing cutting edge technology as well as new economic opportunities to the region. With this new partnership, innovators and researchers will have the ability to improve and develop systems of the future in a safe, transparent, and collaborative environment. That's a major win for the Southwest Virginia and all Virginians."

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Virginia Agencies to Coordinate Review of Potential Permits for Oil and Gas Drilling

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND, VA. – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that two Virginia agencies have signed an agreement on coordinating environmental reviews of potential permits for oil and gas drilling in the Coastal Plain that includes Tidewater.

The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy regulates oil and gas drilling, and the Department of Environmental Quality ensures the protection of people’s health and the environment. The agencies have committed to ensuring a transparent process that includes a thorough environmental impact review and incorporates public comment.

“This agreement recognizes the unique environmental challenges of oil and natural gas development in the Coastal Plain,” Governor McAuliffe said. “As Virginia continues to seek development of energy resources, we also are focusing on protection of our water and other resources.”

The agreement will help the agencies and the public address the distinctiveness and complexity of the Coastal Plain aquifer system, including the Potomac Aquifer, which supplies water for about half of Virginia’s population for drinking, agricultural use and industrial use.

DEQ and DMME will communicate closely on activities related to permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and involvement by local governments and the public. The agencies also will develop a process for addressing the potential cumulative environmental impacts from multiple permits for oil or gas drilling.

“This Memorandum of Agreement is a crucial step forward in our efforts to protect the Potomac Aquifer and ensure we are responsible stewards of the Northern Neck’s natural resources,” said Senator Richard Stuart.  “I am grateful for the leadership Governor McAuliffe has shown on this important issue.”

To read the entire Memorandum of Agreement visit http://1.usa.gov/1urLult.

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Virginia Leaders Applaud Executive Order on Workforce Development

English: Photo of the Virginia State Capitol before renovations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor McAuliffe today signed executive order 23: The New Virginia Economy Workforce Initiative, which establishes an ambitious new plan to help better prepare Virginian’s for a new and diversifying economy. This executive order will help ensure more members of Virginia’s workforce have the skills they need to succeed. This initiative will help overhaul our economy in four ways: increasing postsecondary education and workforce credentials, securing employment for veterans, aligning education with the needs of businesses, and diversifying the economy.

This executive order has received praise from leaders across the Commonwealth:

Senator Don McEachin, Henrico:

"I am very pleased and proud to accompany the governor as he introduces these critical initiatives that will create a stronger, better skilled workforce, improve economic development and help our citizens get jobs. When Virginians are employed, our communities are strengthened."

Delegate Steve Landes, Augusta:

"I am encouraged by Governor McAuliffe's announcement today to make Virginia's workforce more competitive, and for Virginia to be better able to coordinate and measure our workforce assets across the Commonwealth. I am confident that the Members of the General Assembly will work with the Governor on his workforce initiatives to help grow the job opportunities for our citizens."

Senator Frank Ruff, Mecklenburg:

“I applaud Governor McAuliffe for improving this important process and I look forward to working with him to streamline our workforce development system to better prepare our workers to do the jobs that are available today, and to lead Virginia into the economy of tomorrow.”

Barry DuVal, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce:

“This initiative will help meet the workforce needs of a growing and diverse economy in the Commonwealth and is consistent with the goals outlined in Blueprint Virginia where workforce development is the number one priority.”

Delegate Kathy Byron, Bedford:

"Demonstrating his commitment to workforce development, Governor McAuliffe's Workforce Initiative takes a comprehensive approach to addressing a critical challenge. Having worked on this issue for many years, I am grateful for the Governor's leadership in prioritizing workforce training and development. I look forward to continue working with Governor McAuliffe to ensure Virginia’s workers have the skills they need to succeed as we grow and diversify our economy."

Senator John Edwards, Roanoke City:

“A well developed workforce is absolutely critical to the economic health of our Commonwealth. I am grateful to Governor McAuliffe for his leadership and emphasis on this important issue.”

Senator Bryce Reeves, Spotsylvania:

“No state in the nation has a more talented and dedicated workforce than Virginia does. But succeeding in a competitive global economy requires taking the next step to educate and train our workers as quickly and effectively as possible. Reforming workforce development is a bipartisan mission that will create opportunity for the families we serve, grow our economy and make us better stewards of taxpayer dollars.  We will only accomplish these initiatives through a measured, data and results driven process that combines synergy from both the private and public sectors.”

Senator Bill Stanley, Franklin County:

“Growing Virginia’s economy means creating new jobs, and it must be our first priority to make available to our citizens who are out of work with the training they will need to get quality, good paying jobs that are available both now and in the future.  I applaud Governor McAuliffe’s workforce development plan as an excellent first step in providing Virginians with the skills and training that they will need for great careers in Southside, Southwest and in every region of the Commonwealth.”

Delegate Matthew James, Portsmouth:

“Workforce development is the central piece of our effort to grow and diversify Virginia’s economy. Governor McAuliffe is tackling this issue with his characteristic energy and problem solving abilities. I commend him and his team for all the hard work they are doing to prepare Virginians for the high paying jobs of the future.”

Delegate Ron Villanueva, Virginia Beach:

“Governor McAuliffe has focused his leadership on creating jobs and economic growth. Our small businesses and diverse workforce continue to position Virginia as one of the top states to do business.  I look forward to working with the Governor and his administration to create opportunities that will help all Virginians.”

Delegate Glenn Davis, Virginia Beach:

“In business, we often say ‘what gets measured gets done.’ I am glad that Governor McAuliffe is using that approach to Virginia’s workforce development system with today’s executive order.  I campaigned on expanding job creation, and success requires effective strategies, strong partnerships, and accountable results. By setting real measurable goals to increase the credentials we award the veterans who find employment and the companies that agree to hire veterans, this executive order lays a foundation for a bipartisan push to improve how Virginia serves workers and students of every age and skill set.”

Delegate Scott Taylor, Virginia Beach:

"Reforming and improving Virginia’s workforce development system is one of the most important steps we can take to grow our economy and create the next generation of Virginia jobs in a globalized world. Governor McAuliffe’s executive order sets concrete goals for improving Virginia’s approach to education and training, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and work on bipartisan solutions to meet and exceed these goals together". 

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