Jobs & The Economy: Putting America Back to Work

“The American Jobs Act answers the urgent need to create jobs right away. But we can’t stop there. We have to … start building an economy that lasts into the future — an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs that pay well and offer security… If we want [companies] to start here and stay here and hire here, we have to be able to out-build and out-educate and out-innovate every other country on Earth.”

— President Barack Obama, Sept 8, 2011

Jobs & The Economy: Putting America Back to Work

We Can't Wait

We Can’t Wait

President Obama is not letting congressional gridlock slow
our economic growth.

"Without a doubt, the most urgent challenge that we face right now is getting our economy to grow faster and to create more jobs…. we can’t wait for an increasingly dysfunctional Congress to do its job. Where they won’t act, I will."

- President Barack Obama, October 24, 2011

We Can't Wait Video
 
 
 
 

Here are the executive actions President Obama has taken to support middle class Americans

Oct
1

Expedited two major transit projects to improve local and regional connectivity and provide more transit choices for residents in Minnesota and Ohio

Sept
21

Expedited two significant surface transportation projects in California

aug
17

Freed up $473 million in unspent earmarks for states to spend on infrastructure projects

aug
16

Launched public-private institute aimed at boosting innovation in Youngstown, Ohio

aug
7

Accelerated Seven Major Renewable Energy Infrastructure Projects

july
27

Expedited the Atlanta Regional Multimodal Passenger Terminal Project

july
19

Expedited the process for modernizing five major national ports

june
14

Opened up federal roadways and properties to broadband construction -- which could make that work 90 percent cheaper and more efficient

apr
26

Signed an order to crack down on bad actors who prey on veterans and service members considering higher education

apr
18

Combatting domestic violence in the federal workplace

apr
12

Directed federal agencies to use the Do Not Pay tool to prevent payment errors like sending funds to dead people or contracting with companies who have attempted to defraud the government

mar
22

Directed federal agencies to make permitting and review processes more efficient and effective, while ensuring environmental health and safety and supporting economic growth

mar
9

Invested $45 million in a pilot program aimed at promoting collaboration between government and industry in order to boost innovation in manufacturing

mar
8

Launched Ethics.gov to help make the government more accountable and open

mar
6

Made refinancing easier for millions of Americans who have government-sponsored mortgages by cutting fees to help families save money and make refinancing more attractive

feb
23

Unveiled a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights to ensure that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth

feb
21

Directed the federal government to increase the purchase of products made from materials produced by American Farmers

feb
17

Announced new steps to promote American manufacturing and increase U.S. exports

feb
9

Granted 10 states the flexibility needed to raise student achievement standards, improve school accountability and increase teacher effectiveness

feb
7

Helped to make an additional $50 million available for cutting-edge Alzheimer’s research

jan
19

Launched new initiatives to boost travel and tourism in the United States

jan
11

Announced new resources for companies that want to hire and invest in America

jan
5

Launched Summer Jobs+ to provide employment opportunities for nearly 180,000 young people

jan
4

Appointed Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

dec
16

Awarded Race To The Top-Early Learning Challenge grants to help states build systems of high quality early education programs

dec
15

Backed a law extending overtime pay protections and guaranteed minimum wage for homecare workers

dec
8

Launched two initiatives to provide startup companies with $2 billion in resources

dec
5

Announced the single largest purchase of biofuels in government history

dec
2

Announced a $4 billion investment to make buildings more energy efficient

nov
30

Taking steps to help doctors and health professionals more easily adopt health IT, like electronic medical records

nov
28

Launched effort to improve the management of records across the federal government

nov
16

Introduced a new proposal to improve fuel economy standards

nov
15

Announced four new actions to help further reduce waste and fraud in Medicare and Medicaid

nov
14

Launched the $1 billion Health Care Innovation Challenge

nov
9

Signed an executive order to cut waste and promote efficiency in the federal government

nov
8

Announced a rule change to Head Start that will make low-performing centers compete for funding

nov
7

Provided new resources to help veterans find opportunities in the private sector job market

nov
2

Expediting reviews of surface transportation projects and accelerating important transportation grants

nov
1

Designated Fort Monroe in Virginia as a new national park

oct
31

Signed an executive order designed to combat prescription drug shortages and fight price gouging

oct
28

Directed federal agencies to speed up the transfer of federal research and development from the laboratory to the marketplace – and ordered the creation of BusinessUSA

oct
26

Issued orders to make it even easier for students to repay their college loans

oct
25

Challenged Community Health Centers to hire 8,000 veterans over the next three years

oct
24

Introduced new rules to help responsible borrowers with little or no equity in their homes take advantage of current low mortgage rates

State of the Union 2012

The Blueprint for American-Made Energy
Find out how the President’s plan will improve our national security, grow our economy and create jobs, while making sure our environment and the health of our citizens aren’t put at risk.
Everything You Need to Know

We Can’t Wait

Congressional Gridlock Will Not Slow Our Economic Growth
President Obama has announced a series of executive actions that are helping put Americans back to work and strengthening the economy.
Get the Details

Investing in our Future

Making College Affordable
In today’s global economy, a college education has become crucial. To have the highest share of college graduates in the world, we must make college more affordable.
Learn More

Tools You Can Use

Resources for Small Business Owners
Find the information you need to grow, succeed and create jobs.
Start Here