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

Learn more about the Obama Administration’s Reform Efforts

President Obama has consistently made clear that he will strive to lead the most open, efficient and accountable government in history. Over the last two years, new initiatives have increased public participation in government and improved citizens' everyday lives.

The Campaign to Cut Waste


The Administration is leading an initiative to eliminate wasteful spending and get the most from taxpayer dollars throughout the government. Whether driving progress on top priorities or cutting the cost of delivery, government leaders at all levels are accountable for achieving results. www.whitehouse.gov/21stcenturygov

Revising Government Regulations


In January 2011, President Obama outlined his plan to create a 21st-century regulatory system – one that protects public health and welfare while promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. Among other things, his Executive Order on Regulation said the following: Always consider costs and reduce burdens for American businesses and consumers when developing rules; expand opportunities for public participation and public comment; simplify rules; promote freedom of choice; and ensure that regulations are driven by real science. Read all agency plans: www.whitehouse.gov/21stcenturygov/actions/21st-century-regulatory-system

Track Federal IT investments


The IT Dashboard is a website enabling federal agencies, industry, the general public and other stakeholders to view details of federal information technology investments. The purpose of the Dashboard is to provide information on the effectiveness of government IT programs and to support decisions regarding the investment and management of resources. The Dashboard is now being used by the Administration and Congress to make budget and policy decisions. View the Dashboard: www.itdashboard.gov

Browse a broad range of government data


Data.gov offers data ranging from community health trends to customer service performance that powers innovative new applications. Search data: http://www.data.gov

Open Government Plans


Agencies are utilizing new technologies to connect citizens to their government. Review Open Government Plans: www.whitehouse.gov/open/highlights

See Who’s Visiting the White House


Over 1,000,000 records of everyone who's come through the doors of the White House have been released to date in a searchable database. Search the White House visitor records

See What the President and Vice President Are Doing


Publishing the President and Vice President’s daily public schedules online is just one more way we’re opening up the White House. Check out the President’s and Vice President’s daily public schedules, subscribe to updates, and even add their events to your own calendar. View the Calendars

Freeing government information


A new website provides useful information about how the Freedom of Information Act works and how the public can access government information and documents. Search the data

Government spending at your fingertips


This site provides unprecedented transparency of Federal spending information, showing what contracts have been awarded to whom. Search the database

Report suspected incidents of improper spending


This site gives taxpayers a way to join the fight against improper spending by reporting suspected incidents of fraud, waste, and abuse. Make a report: http://PaymentAccuracy.gov

Tracking the Recovery Act


This site was created to foster greater accountability and transparency in the use of funds made available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The site's primary mandate is to provide taxpayers with user-friendly tools to track how and where Recovery funds are spent. It also offers the public an opportunity to report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to Recovery funding. See the impact the Recovery Act had in your state

Share Your Ideas to Cut Waste


The Partnership Fund for Program Integrity Innovation encourages the public to submit innovative approaches to reduce improper payments, to improve administrative efficiency and service delivery, while also reducing access barriers and protecting beneficiaries of important government programs. Submit your ideas

Surplus Property for Sale


The Federal Government is the biggest property owner in the United States, and billions of taxpayer dollars are wasted each year on government properties that are no longer needed. The President has proposed a Civilian Property Realignment Board to help the Federal Government cut through red tape and politics to sell or get rid of property it no longer needs, which will save taxpayers $15 billion over the first three years. There are roughly 14,000 buildings and structures currently designated as excess and thousands of others that are underutilized. Over 7,000 of these properties, ranging from sheds to underutilized office buildings and empty warehouses, are plotted on this map. See excess properties in your state and around the country

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest


The public may request financial disclosure reports that detail the assets and income of Executive Branch Personnel to help identify and avoid conflicts of interest. Request a financial disclosure report

Find the salaries of White House employees


The White House is required to deliver a report to Congress listing the title and salary of every White House Office employee. Search the database

Ethics pledges and waivers for officials


President Obama requires everyone he appoints to serve in his Administration to sign an ethics pledge. Review all waivers that have been granted