YEAR OF ACTION
“In last year’s final press conference, I said that 2014 would be a year of action and would be a breakthrough year for America. And it has been … We have more work to do to make sure our economy, our justice system, and our government work not just for the few, but for the many. But there is no doubt that we can enter into the New Year with renewed confidence that America is making significant strides where it counts.”
~President Obama, Year-End Press Conference, December 19, 2014
When President Obama vowed that 2014 would be a year of action in his State of the Union Address, he meant it. And he followed through with more than 80 accomplishments made through new executive actions that will help grow the economy, create jobs, address the threat of climate change, and strengthen the middle class. The President also pledged to convene leaders from businesses, nonprofits, education, and communities to expand opportunity for more American families, and in some key areas, his efforts have spurred broader action.
Over the past year, President Obama successfully rallied support for raising the minimum wage in states and cities across the country, while signing an executive order to raise the minimum wage for workers on new federal contracts. And he’s offered 4 million undocumented immigrants a path out of the shadows while holding them accountable, all while doing everything in his power to attract and keep the most talented high-skill workers to our shores from around the world.
He’s supported workplace flexibility and equal pay. He’s protected large, pristine swaths of our federal lands and oceans from degradation, while putting in place historic changes that will dramatically cut greenhouse gases. He’s laid the groundwork for ambitious expansions of high-speed broadband, so that students will have access to the world’s knowledge and personalized education in real-time in the palms of their hands.
He’s also taken action to create new manufacturing jobs and to develop the next generation of breakthrough manufacturing innovation here at home. He’s expanded proven job-driven training models like apprenticeships and helped make student loan payments more affordable—all while protecting career college students from unwieldy debt burdens.
Below, is the list of more than 80 actions taken by President Obama in 2014.
Date Action
1/9/2014 First five Promise Zones announced, located in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
1/15/2014 Launched new manufacturing in Raleigh, for next-generation power electronics
1/16/2014 Inaugural College Opportunity Summit with more than 150 commitments by colleges, universities, and organizations
1/29/2014 Presidential Memorandum directing Treasury to create myRA retirement program
1/30/2014 Presidential Memorandum directing federal review led by the Vice President to ensure that training programs are job-driven
1/31/2014 More than 300 companies signed on to best practices on recruiting and hiring the long- term unemployed, along with $150 million committed towards Ready to Work Partnership Grants
2/4/2014 Along with February 28 and May 27 event, $2 billion in private sector commitments for ConnectED – following $2 billion federal commitment from State of the Union
2/5/2014 Established new USDA regional climate hubs
2/7/2014 Launched “Made in Rural America” initiative
2/12/2014 Executive Order raising minimum wage for workers on new federal contracts
2/18/2014 President directed EPA and DOT to adopt new fuel efficiency standards for heavy duty trucks
2/19/2014 Executive Order directing the timely completion of the International Trade Data System
2/25/2014 Launched new manufacturing institutes in Chicago, with a focus on digital manufacturing and design technologies; and Detroit, with a focus on lightweight and modern metals manufacturing
2/27/2014 Launched My Brother’s Keeper initiative, a new public-private effort to expand opportunity
3/7/2014 FAFSA Completion Initiative launched to help students apply for college financial aid
3/11/2014 Permanently protected the first shoreline addition to the California Coastal National Monument
3/13/2014 Presidential Memorandum directing Secretary of Labor to update overtime pay protections
3/14/2014 Gainful employment regulations released to protect many students from unaffordable college loans
3/19/2014 Launched Climate Data Initiative
3/28/2014 Released strategy to reduce methane emissions
4/7/2014 Award of $100 million in grants to redesign high schools
4/8/2014 Executive Order fighting pay discrimination among federal contractors
4/16/2014 Announced that nearly $500 million in community college grants will be used for “job-driven” models, along with $100 million to support apprenticeships
4/25/2014 Laid out plan to strengthen America’s teacher preparation programs
5/1/2014 Launched Business Sunday
5/6/2014 Third National Climate Assessment released
5/9/2014 Commitment by 300 public and private sector organizations to cut energy waste and deploy enough solar energy to power nearly 130,000 homes
5/13/2014 Actions announced by HUD and FHFA to reduce lender uncertainty and expand access to mortgage credit
5/14/2014 Plan released to reduce the aggregate time it takes to make permitting decisions for infrastructure projects, while producing measurably better environmental and community outcomes
5/20/2014 Announced 2015 SelectUSA Summit
5/21/2014 Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument declared
5/22/2014 Presidential Memorandum directing DHS and Commerce to take steps to improve the entry process for international arrivals
5/27/2014 4th White House Science Fair with new steps to help more students excel in STEM education and a ConnectED commitment
5/28/2014 Energy Datapalooza with commitments from utilities and cities to use open data to drive energy efficiency
5/29/2014 Healthy Kids and Safe Sports Concussion Summit
5/30/2014 My Brother’s Keeper Federal Task Force issued 90-day report recommending a series
of steps to expand opportunity for young people across the country
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6/2/2014 Proposed the Clean Power Plan to put the U.S. on a path toward a 30 percent reduction in carbon pollution from the power sector by 2030
6/4/2014 Joined four governors and 77 mayors to call for an end to veterans homelessness by the end of 2015
6/9/2014 Presidential Memorandum directing the Department of Education to allow all direct loan borrowers to cap their loans at 10 percent of income, benefiting up to 5 million with student loans
6/9/2014 Announced Local Food, Local Places, a federal initiative that will provide direct technical support to rural communities to help them build strong local food systems
6/11/2014 Announced renewal of 2011 QuickPay initiative commitments by 26 companies to the SupplerPay pledge, in which they agree to pay their small business suppliers faster, or provide them with an affordable working capital solution
6/12/2014 Proposed rule issued to raise minimum wage for workers on new federal contracts to $10.10 an hour
6/13/2014 Announced steps to strengthen Native American communities through education and economic development
6/14/2014 National Disaster Resilience Competition announced, to provide nearly $1 billion to support innovative local resilience projects
6/17/2014 Announced actions to preserve and protect oceans, including to combat black market fishing
6/17/2014 New actions by federal agencies, Mayors, and local leaders to invest locally in manufacturing entrepreneurship
6/18/2014 First-Ever White House Maker Faire, expanding access to tools to launch businesses, learn STEM skills, and lead a renaissance in American manufacturing
6/20/2014 Created a Pollinator Health Task Force
6/23/2014 Actions taken to support working families as part of Summit on Working Families, including a Presidential Memorandum directing federal agencies to enhance workplace flexibility
6/26/2014 Treasury Department launched initiative to bring back the market for private label securities—to increase access to credit and reduce taxpayer exposure to the housing finance system
7/1/2014 Issued final rule allowing retirement plan sponsors and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), for the first time, to offer annuities beginning at an advanced age
7/11/2014 Federal Communications Commission delivered on State of the Union commitment by changing rules to implement $2 billion WiFi “surge” fund
7/11/2014 Jobs and Skills Data Jam engaged over 100 innovators to develop new tools, products and partnerships to help job seekers and youth better understand job and training opportunities
7/16/2014 Announced actions to help state, local, and tribal leaders prepare their communities for the impacts of climate change
7/17/2014 Launched Build America Investment Initiative, including a new Transportation Investment Center and the establishment of the Build America Interagency Working Group
7/21/2014 Executive Order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT employees and prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in federal employment
7/21/2014 Announced Commitments in Support of My Brother’s Keeper
7/24/2014 White House Rural Council convened a two-day session with America’s investment leaders, focused on how to build rural industries, infrastructure, and product supply chains
7/29/2014 Unveiled the Climate Data Initiative’s “Food Resilience” theme
7/31/2014 President Signed Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order
8/4/2014 Announced new steps to address wildlife trafficking and to combat transnational organized crime
8/5/2014 Executive Order Establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa; Announced commitments to broader Doing Business in Africa campaign
8/13/2014 White House convening on college readiness with new commitments of $10 million from Institute for Education Sciences
8/26/2014 Federal government partnership announced with 5 large lenders to cut red tape and reduce interest rates for service members on active duty
9/9/2014 Hosted Infrastructure Investment Summit, including investors representing $80 billion in capital poised for investment in U.S. infrastructure; announced first round of deliverables from Transportation Investment Center, including $950 million TIFIA loan for I-4 highway project in Orlando
9/12/2014 Department of Transportation announced $600 million for 72 TIGER grants, the sixth round of grants from the TIGER program
9/16/2014 Announced new private sector commitments and executive actions to reduce emissions of hydroflourocarbons (HFCs) equivalent to 1.5 percent of the world’s 2010 greenhouse gas emissions
9/18/2014 Announced series of public and private sector commitments and executive actions to advance solar deployment and promote energy efficiency
9/18/2014 Announced new Federal actions to combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
9/20/2014 Announced commitments by Federal and private Data Center owners and operators to reduce their energy use by at least 20 percent over the next decade as part of the Better Buildings Challenge
9/20/2014 Launched the U.S. Digital Service
9/22/2014 Department of the Treasury took action to rein in corporate tax inversions
9/22/2014 Announced award of $82 million in GEAR UP grants efforts to develop and evaluate best practices around college fit and readiness
9/23/2014 Required agencies to factor climate resilience considerations into international development work and announced new set of tools and partnerships to help vulnerable populations
9/24/2014 Expanded Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument, creating largest marine reserve in the world completely off-limits to development
9/30/2014 Announced award of $75 million in “first in the world” innovation grants to 24 colleges
9/30/2014 Held a White House BRAIN Conference, where dozens of new partners announced commitments to align more than $270 million in R&D with the goals of the BRAIN Initiative
10/1/2014 New Climate Action Champions competition announced to identify, showcase, and invest in local and tribal governments across the country that are leading on cutting carbon
pollution and preparing for the impacts of a changing climate
10/6/2014 Executive actions to improve quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries
10/8/2014 Announced new executive actions and a series of private and public sector commitments to improve the management of our natural resources in the context of a changing climate
10/8/2014 Announced new partners joining the Green Infrastructure Collaborative, committing to expanding use of green infrastructure to improve stormwater management, reduce
greenhouse gas pollution, and improve resilience to climate change
10/8/2014 Children of Incarcerated Parents convening and announcements
10/10/2014 Established 346,177 acres of national forest land in the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California as a national monument
10/10/2014 White House Rural Council launched a new Tall Wood Building Competition to promote rural forest products and timber manufacturing
10/17/2014 Executive Order launching “BuySecure” initiative to enhance consumer financial protection efforts, plus company commitments on Chip-and-PIN adoption and providing
consumers with credit scores
10/17/2014 Launched a year-long assessment of the potential risks and benefits associated with “gain-of-function” life sciences research
10/20/2014 Federal Housing Finance Agency announced clarifications to lending practices that will help creditworthy borrowers access a mortgage
10/22/2014 Issued new guidance to support the health of honeybees and other pollinators at Federal facilities
10/24/2014 Issued guidance enabling retirement plan sponsors to auto-enroll employees by default into target date funds with an embedded lifetime income option
10/30/2014 Announced final gainful employment rule to protect students at career colleges from being burdened by unsustainable student loan debt
10/31/2014 Agencies released plans for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change impacts such as flooding, sea level rise, severe weather and temperature extremes
11/6/2014 Actions to commemorate 5th anniversary of Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Act and help law enforcement better identify and deal with hate crimes
11/10/2014 China visa validity extended to ten years for tourist and business travelers; five years for students
11/10/2014 Released President’s plan to protect Net Neutrality to safeguard growth and innovation in the digital economy
11/11/2014 In historic joint announcement with China, set new target for reducing U.S. emissions to 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025; China announced intent to peak CO2 emissions around 2030 and increase share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20 percent
11/15/2014 Pledged $3 Billion to Green Climate Fund to reduce carbon pollution and strengthen resilience in developing countries, especially the poorest and most vulnerable
11/17/2014 Received recommendations from the President’s State, Local and Tribal Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience and released the Climate Resilience Toolkit to help provide communities and decision-makers with tools and data to support climate resilience efforts
11/18/2014 Announced new commitments by more than 120 businesses, non-profits, and schools, including more than 70 Edison Electric Institute utility companies, to purchase electric vehicles and technologies and to install workplace charging stations
11/19/2014 1,200 superintendents signed onto a pledge committing them to President’s ConnectED vision, representing over 10 million students in all fifty states; also announced two new private sector commitments
11/20/2014 Immigration Accountability executive actions announced
11/24/2014 Launched Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth
11/25/2014 Announced commitments by 21 additional companies to the SupplierPay pledge at working session of the entire SupplierPay network, in which participants revealed implementation successes to date
12/1/2014 Announced commitments to strengthen community policing
12/1/2014 Agreement signed between Standard & Poors and Department of Agriculture to develop a prototype for an infrastructure finance information platform
12/3/2014 Tribal Nations Conference, which included the announcement of a suite of executive actions
12/4/2014 Hosted the Second College Opportunity Summit with over 600 new commitments from K-12 districts, colleges and universities, non-profits, business, and philanthropy
12/4/2014 Rolled out changes to Home Affordability Modification Program (HAMP), including additional $5,000 in principal reduction for foreclosure prevention
12/8/2014 Made history as first President to write a line of code, and announced new commitments to support computer science education, including 60 school districts expanding computer science offerings, and a new computer science AP course
12/9/2014 Released new troves of government data on water and ecosystems, as well as new geospatial tools, as part of the President’s Climate Data Initiative on Climate.data.gov
12/10/2014 Hosted White House Summit on Early Childhood Education; announced over $330 million in new actions from corporate and philanthropies and up to $750 million in federal grants
12/11/2014 Announced two manufacturing institute competitions—one in smart manufacturing at the Department of Energy and one in flexible hybrid electronics at the Department of Defense
12/11/2014 Department of Labor announced $100 million competition for apprenticeship grants
12/11/2014 Federal Communications Commission voted to deliver $1.5 billion per year to schools, putting us on a firm path to meet the President’s goal of connecting 99 percent of students to high-speed broadband by 2018
12/16/2014 Designated Bristol Bay as off limits to consideration for oil and gas leasing, safeguarding the nation’s most productive fishery
12/18/2014 Executive Order creating the Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and announced the members of the new task force
Ongoing Still underway, the most profitable spectrum auction in history is set to generate at least $40 billion in revenue, to fully fund FirstNet, a wireless broadband network for first responders, and reduce deficits
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