Obama

Environmentalists angry over another oil spill.

April 21, 2016

As cleanup continues at the site of the latest spill along the Keystone I tar sands pipeline, news broke this week of yet another oil pipeline spill.

Obama says U.S. must tackle opioid drug abuse “epidemic”

October 30, 2015

President Barack Obama has vowed to federal programs to combat the "epidemic" of heroin use and prescription painkiller abuse across the country.

Obama announces plans to cut methane emissions

Oil industry says new regulations not necessary

January 15, 2015

Citing the energy security provided by the current high levels of U.S. oil and natural gas production, the Obama Administration has announced plans to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40-50 percent (from 2012 levels) by 2025 – a move intended to address climate change and reduce the effects of pollutants on health.

Sebelius steps down as HHS head

Obama nominates her replacement

April 11, 2014

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced her resignation today, after serving in the Cabinet since 2009. President Obama nominated budget director Sylvia Mathews Burwel to replace.

It’s official: Obama nominates Perez for Secretary of Labor

Confirmation process promises to be rocky

March 18, 2013

President Obama yesterday announced the nomination of Thomas E. Perez to be the next secretary of labor. If confirmed, Perez, who currently heads up the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department, would replace Hilda L. Solis, who stepped down in January.

Silica exposure due to an unsafe work practice. Photo by NIOSH/John Rekus.

Silica rule advocates use online petition to drum up support

Long overdue review languishes in OIRA

February 19, 2013

Frustrated by delays in the review of a proposed silica rule, occupational health advocates have launched an online petition meant to compel the Obama administration to make good on its promise to support the U.S. labor force.

One and done: DOL Secretary Solis departs after one term

Dave Johnson

January 10, 2013

It’s official: Labor Secretary Hilda Solis has announced in a letter to colleagues dated January 9^th that she is leaving her cabinet seat to “begin a new future” back in her home state of California. She submitted her resignation to President Obama on the 9^th.

Jackson to leave EPA; who’s next?

January 4, 2013

During the holiday break, on December 27, EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced her departure from the Obama administration cabinet after the President’s State of the Union address in late January. Jackson issued this statement:

Report: No evidence for charges of excessive regulations

October 2, 2012

A new report issued by a government watchdog group says there is little difference between the Obama administration and past administrations in their overall level of regulatory activity, nor is there evidence that a "flood" of new rules will be unleashed after the November elections.

August jobs report falls short of expectations

September 7, 2012

The economy added 96,000 jobs in August – enough to lower the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent, but not enough to meet most economists’ predictions of 125,000 new jobs.