Politics. On Point.

White House Press Release Today, President Barack Obama announced a new goal of recruiting 10,000 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers over the next two years. This announcement will move the country forward on the Obama Administration’s ambitious goal of preparing 100,000 STEM teachers over the next decade . “When I came into office, I set a goal of moving our nation from the middle to the top of the pack in math and science education", said President Obama. "Strengthening STEM education is vital to preparing our students to compete in the 21st century economy and we need to recruit and train math and science teachers to support our nation’s students.” As America’s students lag in math and science when compared to peers around the world, President Obama has made improving STEM education one of his top priorities. President Obama has identified three overarching priorities for STEM education, necessary for laying a new foundation for America’s...

The presentation of gifts to visiting foreign dignitaries is a time-honored tradition that helps transcend cultural barriers and offers a symbol of peace and friendship. In honor of the 65th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly, First Lady Michelle Obama has assembled an assortment of gifts that reflect her past 20 months in the White House. The White House Kitchen Garden, which provides the Obama family and White House guests with delicious fresh produce, is the central theme behind this year’s gift. Hand-picked, pickled vegetables from the White House garden. The gifts include a special recipe of pickled, hand-picked ingredients from the White House Kitchen Garden, including sun gold tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, chocolate bell peppers, carrots, lemon verbena, and fresh herbs that are presented in jars with the First Lady’s signature. The jars are topped with original artwork done by California artists, Michael Cronan and Karin Hibma, who were inspired by a ph...

Or Is It? When Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central, showed up on Capitol Hill this week to attend a session on illegal farm workers hosted by the United Farm Workers, he drew the largest crowd seen at a hearing, at least by Congress member John Conyers.  Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert Conyers, in his "I run Congress" persona complimented Colbert on his celebrity appeal to bring people out to participate in politics, saying he couldn't remember when a hearing drew such a crowd, but respectfully asked the comedian with the sudden political conscience to leave the room after for offbeat comments that included him saying, "I don't want my tomatoes picked by a Mexican.  I want them picked by an American." Colbert's comments also included him saying, "America's farms are presently far too dependent on immigrant labor to pick our fruits and vegetables then sliced by a Guatemalan and served by a Venezuelan in a spa where a Chilean g...

The Republicans in the Senate are like the weather.   You never know which way they'll blow. Or decide. Today marked one victory for the Obama administration, and on the other hand yet another setback from what president Obama calls the "partisan minority." The heavily debated jobs bill was finally approved today after months of delay.  Welcoming the news, President Obama said, "The small business jobs bill passed today will help provide loans and cut taxes for millions of small business owners without adding a dime to our nation’s deficit.  After months of partisan obstruction and needless delay, I’m grateful that Democrats and a few Republicans came together to support this common-sense plan to put Americans back to work.  I look forward to signing the bill on Monday." It is expected that the bill will allow small business owners to benefit from tax breaks and additional lending to allow companies have the capital to grow and hire more p...

An Affair?  A Senate Seat Payoff? Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr . is being touted as having the same proclivity as his father, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Jesse Jackson, Sr and wife, Alderwoman Sandi Jackson. Allegations that Jackson, Jr. had an affair with a DC restaurant hostess have resurfaced for the young Chicago representative who said earlier this week that, "This reference to a social acquaintance is a private and personal matter between me and my wife that was handled some time ago. I know I have disappointed some supporters and for that I am deeply sorry." His wife, Sandi Jackson, Alderwoman for the city's 7th Ward, who Jackson did not apologize to in the above-mentioned comment, called the allegation "not new." "Today's public disclosure is not new and is one that my family and I have been privately addressing for two years. Therefore, I would hope that the public and the media will respect our family's right to ...

With the The National Bureau of Economic Research reporting America's recession ended in June 2009, President Obama refuted those claims on Tuesday during a town hall meeting at the Newseum in Washington. "Even though economists may say that the recession officially ended last year, obviously for the millions of people who are still out of work, people who have seen their home values decline, people who are struggling to pay the bills day to day, it’s still very real for them," said the president. The president came face-to-face with an American who couldn't have articulated that quote any better. During the THM an AmVets CFO, who had been openly praised the president after he was elected, said she had grown "exhausted of defending" his administration. "I’m exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for", asking Obama "is this my new reality?" The audience member, a mot...

Last week President Obama praised the team of Admiral Thad Allen, Secretaries Salazar, Chu, Napolitano, Administrators Jackson and Lubchenco, Carol Browner, and the federal science and engineering teams saying, “Today, we achieved an important milestone in our response to the BP oil spill – the final termination of the damaged well that sat deep under the Gulf of Mexico." Oil spewing in the Gulf has stopped, as we know of. But environmentalist still have their doubts.  As they should. Concerns about the aftermath and effects on the region's marine life, fishery industry, and ecosystem, and more recently, the livestock, are still looming. Click  here  to see what a new study has found. The president and his administration have said they are committed to healing the Gulf Coast. "We also remain committed to doing everything possible to make sure the Gulf Coast recovers fully from this disaster. This road will not be easy, but we will continue to work clos...

In his second address (in as many years) President Obama gave remarks at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards dinner where he did talked about what some say he rarely speaks on, or addresses at all - race. The president, did to some degree, attempt to speak about race, especially in these tough economic times that has seen the African American community hit hardest. On the current economic recession, calling it (again) "the worse since the Great Depression", Obama said, "It’s hit Americans of all races and all regions and all walks of life.  But as has been true often in our history, as has been true in other recessions, this one came down with a particular vengeance on the African American community." President Obama gives remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc.’s Phoenix Awards Dinner. Photos/CD Brown. Unemployment within the African American community is do...

Congressional members convene at today's Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall Meeting. Photo/CD Brown  Mark your calendars to attend this year's Congressional Black Caucus events at the Washington Convention Center. This year's theme Vision, Journey, Mission will address many topics concerning Americans including jobs and education (especially for youth), and economic advancement.  In today's Town Hall meeting titled 'Educating Our Way To Prosperity' members on the panel that included Congressman Elijah Cummings, Representative Dianne Watson (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and author of The Other Wes Moore talked about educating youth for green jobs, and to think entrepreneurial instead working for someone else. "We must develop entrepreneurial opportunities", said Fattah. "In many cultures it's a common discussion to educate youth to think about starting a business." Congressman Elijah Cummings who sits on the Joint Economic ...

Investments in Application Systems to Improve Access to Nutrition Assistance Program Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $5 million in grants for eight State agencies to simplify Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application and eligibility systems and improve access to program benefits for America's low-income households. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps ensure that people have access to healthy and nutritious food by providing low-income households with electronic benefits they can use to purchase food at authorized grocery stores. "Collaborative partnerships are critical to combating food insecurity and hunger in our communities," said Vilsack. "These grants will help reach our goal of increasing program access and participation among America's most vulnerable citizens and to deliver healthy and nutritious food assistance to those in need." USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) continues...

Excerpts from today's back-to-school speech by President Obama at the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Writing Your Own Destiny "Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.  Your future is in your hands.  Your life is what you make of it.  And nothing -- absolutely nothing -- is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard.  So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you cannot accomplish, not a single thing.  I believe that." Education Is Worth It "But let me tell you, what you’re doing is worth it.  There is nothing more important than what you’re doing right now.  Nothing is going to have as great an impact on your success in life as your education, how you’re doing in school." A Call To Government and Parents, Alike So you’ve got an obligation to yourselves, and America has an...

 President Obama shakes hands with NCAA Champions at the White House on Monday. Photo/CD Brown. Bringing his love for everything sports to the White House, President Barack Obama yesterday honored championship teams and student athletes from across the NCAA with a reception. The occasion marks the continuing effort President Obama began of sports champions being commended for service, as part of a White House visit. With over 600 student-athletes and over 100 coaches convening on the South Lawn of the White House, the president said, "I know that one team cooks dinner for the families of children suffering from serious illnesses. Another holds a track meet every year for more than 300 students with physical and mental disabilities. Together, you guys have organized blood drives, built houses, cleaned up beaches and reached out to senior citizens. One young man even donated bone marrow to a little girl he had never met." After remarks by the president the students ...

George Washington University Freshman students high-five First Lady Michelle Obama at Vinson Hall Community Center in McLean, Virginia. Photos/CD Brown. After joining former First Lady Laura Bush in Pennsylvania earlier today to honor the 9/11 passengers and crew of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Obama set her sights back in the Nation's Capital by participating in a National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Vinson Hall Retirement Community community center in McLean, Virginia. The event garnered over 150 George Washington University  students, eighty that included young veterans who either served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Many attend GW courtesy of the G.I. Bill. After high-fiving the George Washington University's young volunteers who volunteered to participate in the Freshman Day of Service initiative, the First Lady was off to help the students paint portions community center's loading dock.  Starting with the walls and then on Ot...

CBC's Future Focus Series Tackles Gulf Coast Renewal, Voting Rights, and Edcuation Policy As the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) marks 40 years of convening the top critical thinkers, political leaders, and policy makers in America, the organization's Center for Policy Analysis and Research will dedicate its Future Focus Series to critical issues of the day during its Annual Legislative Conference from September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The President and First Lady attend 2009 CBC Annual Legislative Conference. During this week's event First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to make remarks.  Both the President and First Lady participated at during last year's annual dinner.  The president received the Harold Washington award, and was also the keynote speaker at the annual gala and Phoenix Awards dinner. This year the Caucus will again focus on a number of issues and will feature several braintrusts and forums.  Among the...

The President and the First Lady both to participate in 9/11 events. President's Weekly Address: A Day That Tested Our Country In the morning the President will deliver remarks and participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington to mark the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The First Lady will be the keynote speaker at the memorial ceremony in honor of the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, along with Mrs. Laura Bush. The event is being hosted by the National Park Foundation. Also tomorrow, the First Lady will participate in a Day of Service event in McLean, Virginia where she will accompany Mission Serve, the jointly run civilian-military initiative that she and Dr. Jill Biden helped launch last Veterans Day. President Obama made the following remarks today at the White House during a press conference about the September 11th attacks and also addressed the new attack against Muslim...

President Obama addressed the media this morning to discuss among many items, tax cuts, and the repeated stifling of his administration's efforts by the GOP to move the country forward. President Obama speaking to the media today on the economy. White House photo. Speaking from the East Room of the White House the president said, "But one thing we can do next week is end a month-long standoff on a small business jobs bill that’s been held up in the Senate by a partisan minority. I realize there are plenty of issues in Washington where people of good faith simply disagree on principle. This should not and is not one of those issues. The bill, as the president pointed out, was written by both Dems and Republicans and would give small business owners tax cuts, and help them get loans, and would not add to current deficit. Said the president, "It will eliminate capital gains taxes for key investments in one million small businesses. It will provide incentives to inves...

The first phase of the $198 million expansion and extension of the Fairfax County Parkway includes an extension of the Parkway from  Rolling Road to I-95.  The improvement is considered a critical road improvement project the County has ever undertaken to prepare for the transfer of 13,000 Defense Department employees to Ft. Belvoir as part of 2005 recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC). It it projected that the improvement, once completed, will allow access to Fairfax County residents new access point to I-95 northbound and southbound, which will help relieve congestion at other nearby on-ramps and exits. The first phase completes a two-mile, four-lane section between Rolling Road and Fullerton Road. This portion of the Parkway will carry more than 8,500 employees to the new headquarters of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency at the Engineer Proving Ground in Springfield as part of BRAC. Phase two of the project involves t...

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Working Americans are the foundation of our Nation's continued economic success and prosperity. From constructing the first transcontinental railroad to shaping our city skylines, they have built our country and propelled it forward. Through great innovation and perseverance, our labor force has forged America as a land of limitless possibility and a leader in the global marketplace. On Labor Day, we honor the enduring values and immeasurable contributions of working men and women today and throughout our history. As we recognize the contributions of the American workers who have built our country, we must continue to protect their vital role and that of organized labor in our national life. Workers have not always possessed the same rights and benefits many enjoy today. Over time, they have fought for and gained fairer pay, better benefits, and safer work environments. From the factory floors during the Industrial Revolution...

**Update** View coverage of this event on our sister pages  here . _________________________ On September 7th, First Lady Michelle Obama will invite world renowned dance companies to perform at the Administration’s first event celebrating dance. The White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison will honor Jamison for her outstanding career as an American dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for the past 20 years. The event, featuring American dance from ballet, modern and contemporary dance, hip hop and Broadway will be held in the White House’s East Room. Alvin Ailey during his early years. The evening event will feature performers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Billy from Billy Elliot the Musical, The Washington Ballet, Super Cr3w, and New York City Ballet. It will be directed by Damian Woetzel, former principal dancer at the New York City Ballet and member of the...

Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell has issued a state of emergency for the commonwealth of Virginia. "The current forecast has Hurricane Earl passing east of Virginia later this week," said McDonnell. "However, a change in the storm's path could bring hazardous weather conditions to eastern Virginia. This declaration is a precautionary move which will allow state agencies to be ready just in case resources are needed." A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions of winds greater than 73 mph are possible in the next 48 hours as officials keep a close eye on Earl, which has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm but is headed towards the East Coast.   The Washington, DC, metro area is not expected to be drastically affected. In Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley advised travelers not to drive to or from Ocean City during the height of stormy weather. O'Malley said Wednesday during a Board of Public Works meeting that Earl is tracking about 150 miles ...

The First Lady participates in a Let's Move! event at Brock Elementary School in Slidell, Louisiana. We were wondering whether First Lady Michelle was going to take her message of healthy eating for a healthy lifestyle to the residence of New Orleans. After watching Spike Lee's latest documentary (which we're hoping the President and First Lady also watched) we were reminded of the rich, but unhealthy eating lifestyle of the residents of New Orleans. The First Lady must have read our minds. After visiting Louisiana last week with the president, this week the First Lady will return to New Orleans.  This time for a morning event at Brock Elementary School in Slidell, Louisiana, focusing on the next phase of the Let’s Move! campaign where she will highlight steps local schools and communities can take to combat childhood obesity. She will also salute participants in the US Healthier Schools Challenge program. Visit the Let's Move! web site to learn ...