Barack Obama

The Church plays a critical role in the United States and the world.

Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

She has played a leading role in my administration's efforts to support startups and entrepreneurs.

Karen has made it easier for small businesses to interact with the Federal Government by reducing paperwork and cutting through redtape.

Because of Karen's hard work and dedication, our small businesses are better positioned to create jobs and our entire economy is stronger.

I want to thank Administrator Mills for her outstanding work on behalf of America's small-business owners and entrepreneurs.

All our economic progress could be put at risk.

There's no reason we can't keep chipping away at this problem.

Democrats and Republicans have come together and cut our deficit by more than $2.5 trillion.

If the sequester is allowed to go forward, thousands of Americans who work in fields like national security, education, or clean energy are likely to be laid off.

Right now most Members of Congress, including many Republicans, don't think it's a good idea to put thousands of jobs at risk and do unnecessary damage to our economy.

I believe we can finish the job the same way we started it, with a balanced mix of more spending cuts and more tax reform.

Let's keep working together to solve this problem.

For you can say with confidence and with pride that you've fulfilled the hopes that brought Carmelo and Carmelina Panetta to these shores all those years ago.

Every action Leon Panetta has taken...has been with one goal in mind: taking care of our sons and our daughters in uniform and keeping America safe.

I'll always be grateful that you agreed to return to public service.

We're improving treatment for our wounded warriors, stepping up support for our military families, and doing more than ever to help our newest veterans transition to civilian life.

It is important to the national security interests of the United States to waive the provisions of section 7040(a) of the Act.

We cannot simply cut our way to prosperity.

You've served with integrity and decency and grace.

These large and arbitrary cuts will have severe impacts across the government.

Sequestration is bad policy that was never intended to be implemented.

The tenure of Secretary Leon Panetta...will be remembered for historic progress in welcoming more of our fellow citizens to military service.

Now is the time to act, for Democrats and Republicans to come together in the same spirit that Leon Panetta always brought to public service.

That's why we need to return to normalcy when it comes to how we debate and decide these issues.