Speeches

Weekly Address: The End of Combat Operations in Iraq
With the end of combat operations in Iraq days ahead, the President salutes our troops for their service and pledges to fulfill America’s commitment to them as veterans.

Weekly Address: Honoring Social Security, Not Privatizing It
On the 75th anniversary of Social Security, President Obama promises to protect it from Republican leaders in Congress who have made privatization a key part of their agenda. He makes clear that, especially in light of the financial crisis, gambling Social Security on Wall Street makes no sense.

Weekly Address: Medicare Officially Safer After Health Reform
The President discusses a new Medicare Trustees report showing Medicare to be on much stronger footing as a result of the reforms in the Affordable Care Act. In addition, seniors are also already getting help with prescription drug costs when they fall into the infamous donut hole.

Weekly Address: Good News on Autos, Obstruction on Small Business
President Obama praises the successes of the auto industry restructuring as good news for our economy, and calls on Republican leaders in the Senate to "stop holding America’s small businesses hostage to politics" by blocking a vote to help them create jobs.

Weekly Address: Moving Forward on the Economy vs. Moving Backward
Following the signing of historic Wall Street Reform legislation, the President contrasts his economic plan focused on the middle class and moving America forward with the Republican plan focused on the very wealthiest Americans and moving us backward.

Weekly Address: Filibustering Recovery & Obstructing Progress
The President blasts Republicans in the Senate who are blocking unemployment insurance and small business tax breaks to create jobs, even as they push for permanent, massive tax cuts for the richest Americans.

Weekly Address: Help for Vets with PTSD
President Obama announces that the Department of Veterans Affairs, led by Secretary Shinseki, will begin making it easier for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to receive the benefits and treatment they need.

Weekly Address: A Solar Recovery
As part of the explosion of Recovery Act projects this summer and as a move towards a clean energy future, the President announces nearly $2 billion in conditional commitments to key solar companies.

Weekly Address: Finishing the Job on Wall Street Reform
With Congress having finalized a strong Wall Street reform bill to avert another crisis and end bailouts, the President urges Congress to finish the job and send the bill to his desk.

Weekly Address: Republicans Blocking Progress
The President calls on Republicans in Congress to put scoring political points aside, and instead to focus on solving the problems facing the nation. At the time of this address, the Republican leadership is blocking progress on a bill to boost the economy, retain jobs for teachers and cops, and help people buy their first home; another bill which would hold oil companies accountable for any disasters they cause by removing the current $75 million liability cap; and 136 highly qualified men and women who have been nominated to government positions.

Weekly Address: Fair Pay for Doctors
With doctors facing deep cuts in their reimbursements from Medicare unless Congress acts to correct long-standing problems, the President calls on Senate Republicans to stop blocking the remedy and pledges to work toward a permanent solution.

Weekly Address: Speaking from Louisiana on the Oil Spill
Speaking from Grand Isle, Louisiana, the President discusses the hardships local residents and small business owners are facing as a result of the BP oil spill. He pledges to make sure those responsible do not shortchange them.

Weekly Address: Honoring the Fallen
Ahead of Memorial Day, the President asks all Americans to join him in remembering and honoring those who have died in service to the country.

Weekly Address: BP Oil Spill Independent Commission
The President announces that the independent commission he created for the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling will be chaired by former Florida Governor and Senator Bob Graham and former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly. He promises accountability not just for BP, but for those in government who bore responsibility.

Weekly Address: Wall Street Reform & Main Street
The President explains how Wall Street Reform will not only end bailouts and bring accountability for big banks, but empower consumers, shareholders and community banks.

Weekly Address: Health Reform Starts to Kick In
The President goes through the benefits in health insurance reform that are already kicking in for young adults, retirees, and families, and says more benefits are coming down the pike.

Weekly Address: Giving Government Back to the American People
As the President beats back lobbyists seeking to weaken Wall Street Reform, he talks about an even broader threat that would vastly expand the influence of massive industries and their lobbyists in Washington. A recent Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates for corporations, including foreign corporations, to spend endless money on political ads that would give them even more power at the expense of American families – the President pledges to fight for reforms to stem that influence.

Weekly Address: Good News from the Auto Industry
As the auto industry and financial markets begin to stabilize, the President says the government’s emergency interventions can now wind down. He pledges that real reform, particularly on Wall Street, must now begin.

Weekly Address: Holding Wall Street Accountable
The strongest consumer protections ever. Bringing transparency to financial dealings. Closing loopholes to stop recklessness and irresponsibility. Holding Wall Street accountable and giving shareholders new power in the financial system. President Obama lays out what Wall Street Reform is about, and questions whether opposition from the Senate Republican Leader might have something to do with his recent meeting with Wall Street executives.

Weekly Address: Relief for the Middle Class at Tax Time
With April 15th approaching, the President discusses several of the tax breaks for middle class families he has signed into law. Find out more about the Making Work Pay tax credit, breaks for first-time homebuyers, rewards for making your home more energy efficient and more through the Tax Savings Tool at WhiteHouse.gov.

Weekly Address: Holiday Greetings
In this week of Easter, Passover, and faithful celebration, the President uses his address to offer his holiday greeting and to call on people of all faiths and nonbelievers to remember our shared spirit of humanity.

Weekly Address: Two Major Reforms on Health Care & Higher Ed
The President looks back on a week that saw the passage of two major sets of reforms: one putting Americans in control of their own health care, and one ensuring student loans work for students and families, not as subsidies for bankers and middlemen.

Weekly Address: Time for Action on Financial Reform for the Economy
As a key committee in the Senate takes up reforming the ways of Wall Street, the President lays down a marker: “I urge those in the Senate who support these reforms to remain strong, to resist the pressure from those who would preserve the status quo, to stand up for their constituents and our country. And I promise to use every tool at my disposal to see these reforms enacted: to ensure that the bill I sign into law reflects not the special interests of Wall Street, but the best interests of the American people.”

Weekly Address: Education for a More Competitive America & Better Future
The President discusses his blueprint for an updated Elementary and Secondary Education Act to overhaul No Child Left Behind, the latest step from his Administration to encourage change and success in America’s schools at the local level.

Weekly Address: The Immediate Benefits of Health Reform
President Obama raises the point that health reform will not only have long-term advantages for the country but will have immediate protections and benefits this year if passed by Congress.

Weekly Address: The Olympic Spirit, the Spirit of Bipartisanship, and Health Reform
The President takes a moment to congratulate our Olympic athletes. Discussing the unity and pride Americans feel in cheering them on, the President relates that sentiment to his own desire for bipartisanship in Washington. He praises the bipartisan meeting days before and talks about moving forward on health reform.

Weekly Address: Premiums, Profits, and the Need for Health Reform
The President points to outrageous premium hikes from health insurance companies already making massive profits as further proof of the need for reform. Looking ahead to the coming bipartisan meeting on reform, the President urges members of Congress to come to the table in good faith to address the issue.

Weekly Address: Pay As You Go
The President, having just signed the “Pay As You Go” law, discusses the importance of this fundamental rule to getting budget deficits in check. Ensuring that new spending and tax cuts are offset was a important factor in creating the budget surplus of the late 1990’s.

Weekly Address: Opening Doors for Small Business
Reiterating once again his commitment to small businesses as the engine of our economy, the President urges Congress to move forward immediately in steps to help them expand and create jobs.

Weekly Address: Reining in Budget Deficits
The President pledges to rein the deficit, citing three specific steps to this end. He praises the Senate for restoring the pay-as-you-go law, discusses his proposal for a freeze in discretionary spending, and calls for a bipartisan Fiscal Commission to hammer out further concrete deficit reduction proposals.

Weekly Address: Fighting for the Public Against Special Interests
The President talks about his first year fighting against special interests and barring lobbyists from his Administration, as well as the fight to come in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision.

Weekly Address: Getting Our Money Back from Wall Street
As the President continues to work on immediate job creation, he discusses his proposal for a new fee on the largest financial institutions to ensure that every cent of taxpayer assistance gets paid back. Saying that, “we’re not going to let Wall Street take the money and run,” he goes on to discuss the ongoing push to make sure banks can never put our economy at risk again.

Weekly Address: Health Reform’s Benefits in 2010
The President discusses the benefits of health reform that Americans will receive in the first year, and how reform will help build a new foundation for American families.

Weekly Address: The Fight Against Al Qaeda
The President discusses the recent attempted act of terrorism on the Christmas day flight to Detroit, and his broader strategy to fight Al Qaeda.

Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve
For the first time in a weekly address, the President is joined by the First Lady as they celebrate Christmas. They both honor those serving overseas, those who have sacrificed for their country, and the families that stand by them.

Weekly Address: The Patient’s Bill of Rights and Health Reform
The President looks back to the bipartisan Patient’s Bill of Rights, a bill that was defeated in Congress at the hands of special interests and their supporters, and notes that health insurance reform covers the same ground and much more in terms of giving the consumers the upper hand over their insurance companies. He calls on the Senate to allow an up-or-down vote, and for those opposing reform to stop using parliamentary maneuvers to drag it out. December 19, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Learning from History to Reform Wall Street
The President explains that while he continues to focus on jobs, it is also profoundly important to address the problems that created this economic mess in the first place. He commends the House of Representatives for passing reforms to our financial system, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency, and blasts Republican Leaders and financial industry lobbyists for their joint “pep rally” to defeat it. December 12, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Pushing Forward on Jobs
Following the best jobs numbers since 2007, the President recognizes that such trends are cold comfort to those who are struggling and pledges to continue pushing forward towards positive job growth. He looks back at the Jobs Forum he hosted days before and looks ahead to further action. He emphatically restates why he ran for President in the first place: “to fight for a country where responsibility is still rewarded, and hard-working people can get ahead.” December 5, 2009. (Publc Domain)

Weekly Address: President Obama Delivers Thanksgiving Greeting
President Obama calls to our attention the men and women in uniform who are away from home sacrificing time with family to protect our safety and freedom. He also talks about the progress of health care reform, the Recovery Act, and job creation to ensure that next Thanksgiving will be a brighter day. November 25, 2009 (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Traveling Abroad for Our Economy at Home
In an address recorded in Seoul, South Korea, the President discusses his trip to Asia. He talks about his push to stop nuclear proliferation in North Korea, Iran, and around the world. He talks about promoting America’s principles for an open society in China while making progress on joint efforts to combat climate change. And talks in-depth about the primary objective of his trip: engaging in new markets that hold tremendous potential to spur job creation here at home. November 21, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Veterans Day and Fort Hood
The President looks back at a week where we honored those who serve on Veterans Day, and mourned those we lost at Fort Hood. He discusses the review he has ordered into the Fort Hood incident, and pledges to stand by our servicemen and women, as well as our veterans, as his most profound responsibility. November 14, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Tragedy at Fort Hood
The President condemns the “despicable” attacks at Fort Hood, honoring those who were killed and injured. He also commends those who stood up to help and console those affected: “even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display, we also saw the best of America.” November 7, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Milestones on the Economy and the Recovery Act
While there is nothing to celebrate until job numbers turn around, the President cites the recent dramatic turnaround in gross domestic product as a sign of better things to come. He also applauds the fact that the Recovery Act has now created or saved more than a million jobs. October 31, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Working with Small Business to Drive Recovery
The President restates his commitment to small business as key to economic recovery -- from the Recovery Act to Financial Stability to Health Reform -- and pledges more to come. October 24, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Taking the Insurance Companies on Down the Stretch
As the health insurance reform debate enters into its final stages in Congress, the President denounces the desperate and deceptive last-ditch efforts of the health insurance companies to derail it. October 17, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: New Momentum for Health Reform
The President goes through the leading conservative and Republican figures who have come out one after another urging passage of health insurance reform. After a summer of intense debate, cooler heads begin to prevail to make progress for the American people. October 10, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Health Reform Urgent for the Economy
The President discusses ongoing efforts to spur job creation. He also explains why health insurance reform is needed not just for long-term economic stability, but in the immediate future, discussing statistics on how costs will continue to skyrocket and hurt small businesses even next year. October 3, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Progress with the G-20 in Pittsburgh
Recorded literally on his way back from the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the President uses his Weekly Address to recap the progress made during the intensive discussions with world leaders. From an historic agreement to reform the global financial system, to groundbreaking commitments on reducing subsidies to fossil fuels worldwide, to unity in standing against threats to world peace, engagement produced tangible results in several areas. September 26, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Progress in the Global Economy
With the next G20 Summit approaching in Pittsburgh, the President goes over the progress in stemming a global economic crisis. He discusses the impact of the Recovery Act, and pledges that “lobbyists for big Wall Street banks” will not prevent real reform for the future, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. September 19, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Losing Insurance Can Happen to Anybody
The President discusses a staggering new report from the Treasury Department indicating that under the status quo around half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years. He pledges not to allow this future to unfold: “In the United States of America, no one should have to worry that they’ll go without health care – not for one year, not for one month, not for one day. And once I sign my health reform plan into law – they won’t.” September 12, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Labor Day and Fair Rewards for Hard Work
With Labor Day approaching, the President commits to rebuilding the economy so that a lifetime of hard work leads to a comfortable retirement. September 5, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Lessons and Renewal Out of the Gulf Coast
The President discusses the steps being taken to finish the job of recovery from Hurricane Katrina as the fourth anniversary approaches. He points to local citizens working hard alongside responsible government to make real progress in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and pledges that the lessons of Katrina will not be forgotten. August 29, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Myths and Morality in Health Insurance Reform
President Obama debunks the myths around health reform, and discusses the public option proposal in which many of them are rooted. But he focuses his address on the stark moral and historical turning point at which we find ourselves. August 22, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Real Conversations About Health Insurance Reform
The President talks about how the chatter and ruckus around health insurance reform on television obscures the reality of what's happening in America. He discusses how in most towns people and Members of Congress are having constructive conversations, and how people are learning how reform will help them and their families with the real problems they have faced with the insurance system. August 15, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: The Necessity of Health Reform and Absurdity of the Attacks
President Barack Obama calls health insurance reform critical to our nation’s long-term economic strength and dispels the outlandish rumors being promoted by those who are defending the status-quo. August 8, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: This Economic Storm Will Pass
The President discusses the state of the economy amidst positive signs from the GDP. Making clear that this is little comfort to those struggling, he notes that we appear to have averted an even worse disaster and offers hope for the time ahead. August 1, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Health Insurance Reform, Small Business and Your Questions
The President discusses a key factor that has been considered in the development of the health insurance reform proposals that are being considered: the impact of reform on small business. Go to WhiteHouse.gov to read a new Council of Economic Advisers report and give your feedback. July 25, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Health Care Reform Cannot Wait
The President calls on Congress to seize this opportunity – one that may not come again for decades – and finally pass health care reform: “It’s about every family unable to keep up with soaring out of pocket costs and premiums rising three times faster than wages. Every worker afraid of losing health insurance if they lose their job, or change jobs. Everyone who’s worried that they may not be able to get insurance or change insurance if someone in their family has a pre-existing condition…” July 18, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Recovery and the Jobs of the Future
The President explains how the Recovery Act helped end our economic free fall, and how his agenda is helping to set a new foundation for our economy. From health reform, to energy, to creating the jobs of the future, the Presidents proposals will make our economy stronger for both the current generations and our children, all in a way that will get our deficits under control. July 10, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: On the 4th of July, Overcoming Americas Challenges
The President recounts Americas great history of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, and pledges to lead America in continuing that tradition. Focusing on creating a clean energy economy comprehensive health reform, and an education system in need of change, the President pledges not to leave these decades-old problems to yet another generation to solve. July 3, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Financial Reform to Protect Consumers
The President explains his plan to address one of the major causes of the current economic crisis -- the breakdown of oversight leading to widespread abuses in the financial world. The new Consumer Financial Protection Agency will have the sole job of looking out for the financial interests of ordinary Americans by banning unfair practices and enforcing the rules. This is a cornerstone in Americas new economic foundation. June 20, 2009 (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: President Obama Calls for Real Health Care Reform
The President talks about how the chatter and ruckus around health insurance reform on television obscures the reality of what's happening in America. He discusses how in most towns people and Members of Congress are having constructive conversations, and how people are learning how reform will help them and their families with the real problems they have faced with the insurance system. August 15, 2009. (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: Health Care Reform, the Key to Our Fiscal Future
The President has long noted that skyrocketing health care costs will be disastrous for our long term national debt unless we pass real reform. In this Weekly Address, the President also explains how he will cover the upfront costs of reform by eliminating overpayments to Medicaid and Medicare and driving down costs contributing to governments health care expenditures across the board. June 13, 2009 (Public Domain)

Weekly Address: President Obama on Judge Sotomayor's Experience
The President discusses the breadth and depth of experience held by his nominee for the Supreme Court. In the course of a life that began in a housing project in the South Bronx and brought her to the pinnacle of her profession, Judge Sonia Sotomayor accumulated more experience on the federal bench than any incoming Supreme Court Justice in the past 100 years, touching nearly every aspect of our legal system.

Your Weekly Address: 5/23/09
President Barack Obama calls on the American people to join him in paying tribute to Americas veterans, servicemen and women particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - and their families. (Public Domain)

Your Weekly Address: 5/16/09
The President discusses breakthroughs on two issues where stakeholders from all sides, once opposed, are coming together for real reform. On health care and energy, solutions would provide key pillars for a new foundation for the country. May 16, 2009. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: 5/9/09
This week the President recaps a busy week, from strides on fiscal discipline, to financial stability, to cracking down on tax havens and tax breaks for shifting jobs overseas. For his next big step, he calls for a credit card reform bill: "Americans know that they have a responsibility to live within their means and pay what they owe. But they also have a right to not get ripped off by the sudden rate hikes, unfair penalties, and hidden fees that have become all-too common in our credit card industry." Watch Your Weekly Address to find out what he plans to do about it. (Public Domain)

Your Weekly Address: May 2, 2009
In this Weekly Address, the President discusses the government's response to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, urging that there is no need to panic but explaining that the federal government and American people nonetheless should take the necessary precautions. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: April 25, 2009
This week the President reiterates a theme that has been a hallmark of his career, namely that "old habits and stale thinking" will simply not help us solve the new and immense problems our country faces. Listing off several specific changes he intends to bring, he describes his guiding principle: "To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative." (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: April 18, 2009
With the process of going through the budget line by line in full swing, the President uses his Weekly Address to give some examples, big and small, of how the Administration is working to cut costs and eliminate waste. The President also announces two new key appointments, Jeffrey Zients as Chief Performance Officer and Aneesh Chopra as Chief Technology Officer, who will be invaluable in streamlining the way government functions through efficiency and innovation. April 18, 2009. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: April 11, 2009
The President discusses the multitude of problems and opportunities before the world through the prism of Passover and Easter. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: April 4, 2009
The President discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges we face, as well as our potential to address them through renewed international alliances. This week's address was filmed aboard Air Force 1 amidst vital diplomatic stops at the G-20 Summit, a NATO summit, and bilateral meetings. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: March 28, 2009
The President addresses the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota as they face down disastrous flooding. He speaks of what the government is doing, but also stresses that times of crisis like this are reminders of the need and opportunity Americans have to keep their dedication to service. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: March 21, 2009
The President reflects on lessons from his time spent outside Washington this week, which only reinforced the four core principles in his budget. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: March 14, 2009
President Obama makes key announcements regarding the safety of our nation's food. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: March 7, 2009
President Obama capped off a busy week in Washington remarking on new lending Washington remarking on new lending guidelines aimed at lowering mortgage payments; an initiative to generate funds for small business and college loans; the release of his administration's first budget which includes $2T in deficit reduction; and the start of long overdue health care reform. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: February 28, 2009
President Obama explains how the budget he sent to Congress will fulfill the promises he made as a candidate, and assures special interests that he is ready for the fight. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: February 21, 2009
President Obama announces that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will start having an impact as soon as a few weeks from now, in the form of the quickest and broadest tax cut in history. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: February 14, 2009
President Obama celebrates the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act while keeping his eyes on the tough road ahead. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: February 7, 2009
In the weekly address for Saturday, February 7, 2009, President Barack Obama commends the progress the Senate has made on moving the recovery plan forward, and urged its completion. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: January 31, 2009
In his weekly address, President Barack Obama announced that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is preparing a new strategy for reviving our financial system, and urged the swift passage of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. (public domain)

Your Weekly Address: January 24, 2009
In his first weekly address since being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, President Barack Obama discussed how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will jump-start the economy. (public domain)

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