Politics. On Point.

If you are wondering what could come out of President Obama's visit to Cuba this week, the White House has put together a Fact Sheet explaining why the president's visit is historic, and worthy. President Obama and the First Family arrive in Cuba. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images. FACT SHEET: United States-Cuba Relationship President Obama’s trip to Cuba marks a historic milestone in the normalization process between the United States and Cuba.  Since President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced that the two countries would initiate a new era of relations  15 months ago , we have expanded cooperation across a range of areas for the benefit of the citizens of both the United States and Cuba.  We are advancing our shared interests and working together on complex issues that for too long defined – and divided – our relationship.  The President’s Cuba policy now allows us to more effectively improve the lives of the Cuban people, advance our i...

 Renews the Federal Government’s QuickPay Initiative 26 Companies Committed to SupplierPay Initiative As a part of his Year of Action, the President is using the power of his pen and phone wherever he can on behalf of the American people to create jobs and help hard-working Americans get ahead. Today, the President will announce the creation of SupplierPay, a new partnership with the private sector to strengthen small businesses by increasing their working capital, so they can grow their businesses and hire more workers.  To launch SupplierPay, the President is bringing together 26 companies – both large and small – that have committed to the  initiative .  For the larger companies, joining SupplierPay demonstrates a recognition that a healthy supply chain is good for business.  For the small business suppliers, benefiting from SupplierPay means having more capital to invest in new opportunities, new equipment, and new hiring. President Obama, Sen...

  Agency makes $6.3 million available to launch six new MBDA Business Centers     The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today announced  a solicitation for applications from prospective candidates to operate six new MBDA Business Centers in Baltimore, Houston, New York City, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. The successful applicants will join a network of more than 30 MBDA Business Centers across the United States and Puerto Rico.  Grant amounts will range from $300,000 to $500,000 per year for a three-year cycle.   “The MBDA Business Center program is critical to furthering the Agency’s mission in assisting minority-owned businesses in gaining access to contracts, access to capital, and access to markets,” said David A. Hinson, MBDA National Director. “It is our goal to ensure the continued success of minority-owned firms who, in turn, strengthen the economy and create American jobs.” ...

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced the launch of the “ Doing Business in Africa ” campaign at an event in Johannesburg, South Africa. This campaign is part of a larger U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa , which President Obama issued earlier this year. In her remarks, the Acting Secretary emphasized the United States’ ongoing commitment to deepening trade, investment, and economic ties with these nations. She also shared a message from President Obama in support of the campaign. ### Remarks as Prepared for Rebecca Blank, Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Thank you. Good afternoon. It is wonderful to be here in Johannesburg with all of you. I want to thank our sponsors: First, the Corporate Council on Africa, which represents nearly 85 percent of all U.S. investment on this Continent. Thank you, CCA, for continuing to work with us to raise the profile of Africa in the U.S. business community. Second, Business Unity South Africa. Thank y...

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is taking President Obama's "You didn't build your business" remark to heart. Today, the Romney camp announced their 'Built By Us' merchandise collection. The collection is in response to the president speaking at a firehouse in Roanoke, VA where he said successful businesses owners didn't create their success by themselves. "Somewhere along the line someone gave you some help...   Someone created this unbelievable American system that allowed you to thrive." Mitt Romney's 'Built By Us' merchandise collection. Republicans took one line from the president's speech - "You didn't build it" (heard at the 1:45 mark in the video) - and used it to add fuel to their  already boiling over culdron of misstated texts and misunderstandings of the president's policies. From the Romney web site: "Mitt Romney understands success is not the result of government, it is the r...