Ben Wolfgang

Obama to Republicans: ‘Don’t stick your head in the sand’ on climate change

President Obama on Wednesday chastised Republicans who he says don't understand or choose to deny the reality of climate change.

Obama picks a fight with Florida Republicans on climate change

As he heads to the Everglades to mark Earth Day, President Obama is picking a fight with Florida Gov. Rick Scott on climate change — part of a broader White House effort to use the issue to help Democrats and hurt Republicans ahead of the 2016 elections.

Billions of dollars needed to fix aging, vulnerable U.S. energy infrastructure, reports says

U.S. power and energy infrastructure is outdated and perhaps more vulnerable than ever to the effects of climate change or other threats, and will require tens of billions of dollars in repairs and modernization, according to a landmark Obama administration report.

White House ignores Clinton Foundation questions

The White House on Monday refused to even acknowledge accusations that donors to the Clinton Foundation received preferential treatment from the Obama administration while Hillary Rodham Clinton ran the State Department.

‘Difficult to assess’ if Islamic State operating in Libya, Afghanistan: White House

Despite deadly incidents in Libya and Afghanistan over the weekend, the White House said Monday it is "difficult to assess" whether the Islamic State terrorist group has moved beyond Iraq and Syria and now is operating in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

White House condemns Islamic State’s slaughter of Christians in Libya

The White House on Sunday night strongly condemned the apparent mass murder of Ethiopian Christians by Islamic State terrorists, saying the militants clearly targeted the victims "because of their faith."

Obama resists U.S. oil exports despite near-record crude production

With U.S. energy production at near-record highs, pressure is mounting on the Obama administration to lift a 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports.

Obama: U.S. must secure global climate-change deal ‘before it’s too late’

President Obama said Saturday that with the U.S. at the helm, the world must come together later this year and strike a groundbreaking climate-change accord or the planet as we know it may cease to exist.

Obama pushes Congress to act quickly on trade authority

President Obama on Friday pressed Congress to act quickly and grant him the trade authority he needs to finalize major deals with Asia and other markets.

Obama climate change rules could cost 300,000 jobs, report warns

On the same day the Obama administration defends its climate-change agenda in court, new research shows that the president's proposed regulations could cost nearly 300,000 U.S. jobs.

Hillary Clinton praises Elizabeth Warren, a ‘special kind of leader’

Hillary Rodham Clinton believes Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a "special kind of leader" who will play a critical role in American politics for years to come.

Obama: ‘Major progress’ in fight against Ebola

President Obama said Wednesday the world has made "major progress" in the fight against the Ebola virus.

GOP calls for temporary halt to EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Republicans' latest attempt to slow the Obama administration's climate change agenda calls for new regulations to be halted until all legal challenges are settled — an argument similar to the one President Obama has used when blocking the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Obama: ‘Pretty clear cut’ that Obamacare will survive Supreme Court test

President Obama said Monday that there is little doubt the Supreme Court will rule in the administration's favor and won't gut a key portion of the president's signature health care reform law.

Russia’s missile deal with Iran could hamper nuclear talks, White House hints

The White House suggested Monday that Russia's decision to sell antimissile rocket systems to Iran could splinter the international community in the effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Raul Castro demands raise doubts, but Obama optimistic for U.S.-Cuba relations

Twenty-four hours before coming face to face with Cuban President Raul Castro, President Obama on Thursday continued to extend an olive branch from Washington to Havana — but analysts say there are real questions about whether Mr. Castro truly is interested in friendly relations with the U.S.

Obama blasts war on drugs: ‘It’s been very unproductive’

Fewer children crossing border, but challenges remain

Nearly a year after the flood of unaccompanied children streaming across the U.S. border reached crisis proportions, President Obama this week heads to a key summit in Panama amid concerns the administration hasn't done enough to address the root causes of the problem.

Obama phones key senator to sell Iran deal

President Obama continues trying to sell a preliminary nuclear deal with Iran to skeptical lawmakers on Capitol Hill, many of whom back legislation that would give Congress final authority over whether the agreement is implemented.

White House: South Carolina shooting video ‘awfully hard to watch’

The White House said Wednesday video footage showing a white South Carolina police officer appearing to shoot a black suspect in the back multiple times is "awfully hard to watch" and demonstrates why officers should wear body cameras.