Pres. Obama headed to Milwaukee after State of Union address
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- President Barack Obama is set to deliver his State of the Union address this week.
President Obama to visit Milwaukee after State of the Union address
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- With the State of the Union address just a few days away, President Obama has announced he will be making stops in several cities, including Milwaukee, in the week following his speech.President Obama will travel to communities across the country including Prince George's County Maryland, Pittsburgh, Nashville and Milwaukee, before returning to the White House to outline new efforts aimed at helping the long-term unemployed.The State of the Union address is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th.
TEXT: Pres. Obama's speech at the Mandela memorial
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (WITI) -- Pres.
Pres. Obama reacts to the death of Nelson Mandela
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITI) -- Pres.
"Caramel" or "Popcorn" for Natl. Thanksgiving Turkey honors?
(CNN) -- Meet "Caramel" and "Popcorn" -- two turkeys that will be pardoned by President Barack Obama on Wednesday, November 27th.The turkey tradition started 24 years ago with George H.W. Bush.After their pardon, the turkeys will live out their days at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia.So, which one should be named the National Thanksgiving Turkey?
Obama administration: People are signing up with HealthCare.gov
(CNN) -- The Department of Health and Human Services is trying to prove that all is not lost with the so-far disastrous rollout of HealthCare.gov, insisting there are people who have found that the website worked just fine."The site was very easy to use," said a New Hampshire woman identified as Deborah L.
Medal of Honor recipient braved gunfire, retrieved fallen soldiers
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A shaky video captured only a few moments of William D.
Obama says he'd talk on GOP's terms if they raise debt ceiling, fund gov.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama is ready to talk even on Republicans' terms, he insisted Tuesday, so long as Congress acts first to end the government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling -- even for a short period.At a news conference, Obama indicated Republicans could essentially set the agenda for budget negotiations, but only if Congress agrees first to a short-term spending plan to fund the government and to raise the federal borrowing limit to avoid a possible first-ever U.S. default next week."I will talk about anything," the president said.House Speaker John Boehner, speaking Tuesday afternoon after what he called a "pleasant" but ineffectual phone call with Obama, promptly rejected the president's comments as nothing new."What the president said today was if there's unconditional surrender by Republicans, he'll sit down and talk to us," Boehner said. "That's not the way our government works."At the same time, Boehner said he's "hopeful" top Republicans and Democrats could soon begin a "conversation.""There's going to be a negotiation here," the Ohio Republican said. "We can't raise the debt ceiling without doing something about what's driving it to borrow more money and live beyond our means."Yet while Boehner didn't indicate any points of agreement, a senior House Republican told CNN's Dana Bash that GOP members may be willing to go for a short-term debt ceiling hike -- lasting four to six weeks -- as long as the president agrees negotiations will occur during that time.Still, it's no guarantee such a measure would be supported by a majority of Republicans: something that Boehner has traditionally required before calling any vote in the House.A second GOP source says the White House drawing a line in the sand not to negotiate has further complicated matters.
Calculator: Find out how much Affordable Care Act will cost you
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- People can now enroll in health care coverage in the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges– the centerpiece of Pres.
Pres. Obama issues debt-ceiling warning, no compromise reached
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama is ready to talk even on Republicans' terms, he insisted Tuesday, so long as Congress acts first to end the government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling -- even for a short period.At a news conference, Obama indicated Republicans could essentially set the agenda for budget negotiations, but only if Congress agrees first to a short-term spending plan to fund the government and to raise the federal borrowing limit to avoid a possible first-ever U.S. default next week."I will talk about anything," the president said.House Speaker John Boehner, speaking Tuesday afternoon after what he called a "pleasant" but ineffectual phone call with Obama, promptly rejected the president's comments as nothing new."What the president said today was if there's unconditional surrender by Republicans, he'll sit down and talk to us," Boehner said. "That's not the way our government works."At the same time, Boehner said he's "hopeful" top Republicans and Democrats could soon begin a "conversation.""There's going to be a negotiation here," the Ohio Republican said. "We can't raise the debt ceiling without doing something about what's driving it to borrow more money and live beyond our means."Yet while Boehner didn't indicate any points of agreement, a senior House Republican told CNN's Dana Bash that GOP members may be willing to go for a short-term debt ceiling hike -- lasting four to six weeks -- as long as the president agrees negotiations will occur during that time.Still, it's no guarantee such a measure would be supported by a majority of Republicans: something that Boehner has traditionally required before calling any vote in the House.A second GOP source says the White House drawing a line in the sand not to negotiate has further complicated matters.
White House signals possible opening on debt ceiling
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Is it a glimmer of hope, or more rhetoric as the deadline for possible government default gets closer?After weeks of near silence without any hint of a potential compromise between the Obama administration and congressional Republicans over raising the nation's debt ceiling, the White House may be offering some conciliatory language that could lead to a deal to prevent a potential default on October 17.As recently as Friday, White House officials declined to specify any demand for the length of any deal to increase the nation's debt ceiling.On Monday, a White House official said it was up to Congress to decide how long the debt ceiling increase should last."It is up to Congress to pass a debt limit increase, and up to them for how long and when they want to deal with this again," a White House official told CNN. "We have been super clear we think longer is better because it lends more certainty."However, President Barack Obama reiterated that he will not negotiate with Congress while the country is under threat of a possible debt default.A separate White House official said, "Only Congress can raise the debt ceiling."With parts of the government shut down for a week and counting, the focus of ending a deepening political stalemate is shifting to the upcoming deadline for a possible U.S. default if Congress fails to increase how much money the federal government can borrow.Economists warn of dire fiscal impacts from failing to raise what is called the debt ceiling, such as a reduced U.S. credit rating that would spike borrowing costs.
Government shutdown: Obama cancels Asia trip, standoff continues
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. foreign policy takes the latest hit as the government shutdown enters it's fourth day.With his focus on the brewing domestic crisis, the White House canceled President Barack Obama's trip to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali, Indonesia."The president made this decision based on the difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown, and his determination to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government," a statement from the White House said.Secretary of State John Kerry will lead the U.S. delegation in Asia.Debt limit breakthrough?The president's bow from APEC comes as House Speaker John Boehner reportedly told fellow GOP legislators that he will rely on Democrats to pass a measure to raise the nation's debt limit.A House member shared the information with CNN after attending a meeting with Boehner on Wednesday.
GOP legislator: Boehner won't let government default on its debt
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The federal government may not be hit with a double whammy on top of the ongoing shutdown, as House Speaker John Boehner told a group of fellow GOP legislators that he won't let the nation default on its debt, according to a House Republican.Boehner said that he'd set aside the "Hastert Rule" -- that Republicans would only bring measures up for a vote if they are backed by a majority of their caucus -- and rely on Democrats to pass a measure to raise the nation's debt limit, said the House member.
Pres. Obama postpones trip to Philippines, Malaysia
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama will not travel to the Philippines and Malaysia because of the government shutdown, he told the leaders of both nations, the White House said.Secretary of State John Kerry will go in his place.The president said he is committed to traveling to the Philippines and Malaysia later in his term.
Pres. Obama, congressional leaders talk about shutdown
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama has invited congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the need to reopen the government and raise the federal debt ceiling, according to the White House and a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner.The meeting comes on the second day of a government shutdown caused by a stalemate over the insistence of House Republicans to include provisions to dismantle or delay Obamacare with a short-term spending measure needed to fund the government in the new fiscal year that started Tuesday.Boehner and other Republicans have complained that Obama and Democrats refuse to negotiate on the health care reforms, which expanded this week when government exchanges to purchase private health coverage opened on Tuesday.Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Boehner, confirmed the Obama meeting was set for 5:30 p.m. ET."We're pleased the president finally recognizes that his refusal to negotiate is indefensible," Buck said. "It's unclear why we'd be having this meeting if it's not meant to be a start to serious talks between the two parties."Obama and his party accuse Republicans of trying to extort them into defunding or delaying Obamacare by using as leverage the need to fund the government and increase the Treasury's capacity to borrow money to pay U.S. bills.A White House official signaled Obama's opposition to negotiating amid a government shutdown remained unchanged, saying the president's message at his meeting with House and Senate leaders will be for Congress to pass a "clean" funding plan and debt ceiling measure with no Obamacare provisions attached.Shutdown means furloughs for up to 800,000With up to 800,000 federal workers facing life without a paycheck, the GOP-led House planned new votes Wednesday on piecemeal spending measures that would fund specific popular programs such as veterans affairs and national parks.The incremental approach pushed by tea party conservatives led by Sen.
Defiant House delays Obamacare; government shutdown looms
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a move that makes a government shutdown very likely, House Republicans approved a spending plan early Sunday morning that would delay Obamacare for a year and repeal its tax on medical devices.The temporary budget resolution now goes back to the Senate, where Democrats have consistently said any changes to President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law is a deal-killer.On top of that, Obama has already issued a veto threat.If Washington can't reach a deal, a government shutdown will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday."The Republicans' first try was to defund Obamacare.
Obama admin funding armed officers in schools
(CNN) -- Nine months after the Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy, President Barack Obama is putting millions of dollars into funding armed police officers in schools across the country, an idea not too far removed from an National Rifle Association proposal to make sure schools are protected by "good guys with guns."Friday afternoon the Justice Department announced about $45 million in funding intended to create 356 new school resource officer positions under the federal COPS grants."In the wake of past tragedies, it's clear that we need to be willing to take all possible steps to ensure that our kids are safe when they go to school," Attorney General Eric Holder said in the statement."Especially in a time of increased challenges and limited budgets, our top priority must always be the safety and well-being of our children."Newtown Connecticut, the site of the Sandy Hook tragedy, will be given money to create two new police officers in local schools.The COPS grants, which stand for Community Oriented Policing Services, are announced annually by the Justice Department.
U.S., Iranian presidents share United Nations spotlight
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Will they or won't they?
Police union, Navy at odds over security staffing when D.C. Navy Yard attacked
(CNN) -- One week after the attack at the Washington Navy Yard, the labor union that represents security forces at the installation and the U.S. Navy have widely differing views on whether the yard was fully staffed by the required number of security forces.Both sides agree on one thing, though -- that the staffing situation would not have prevented Aaron Alexis from entering the facility because he had a legal badge to get through the gate.For its part the Navy will not disclose the exact number of forces on duty at the time of the attack but insists "all required installation security personnel were on duty," according to a Navy official.
President Obama says Syria chemical weapons top priority
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama believes Syria would be better off without its president, Bashar al-Assad, but said on Tuesday that removing his chemical weapons is the top priority and he remains focused on a diplomatic solution.In an interview with Telemundo, Obama also said U.N. investigators have now "unequivocally said that chemical weapons were used" in Syria in August and "when you look at the details of the evidence they present, it is inconceivable that anybody other than the regime used it."Obama believes the U.N. conclusions released in a report this week "changes international opinion on this issue" and pointed to developments with allies on a resolution to turn over Syrian stockpiles to international control."We're in negotiations with the Russians as we speak up in the United Nations.