President Barack Obama to host Pope Francis at the White House in September
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama will host Pope Francis in Washington when he visits the United States this fall.White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama and first lady Michelle Obama would welcome the pontiff as a guest at the White House on Sept. 23.
150+ years later, Civil War officer from Delafield receives Medal of Honor
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has presented the nation's highest military honor to a Union Army officer who was killed more than 150 years ago during the Battle of Gettysburg.Obama says he's aware he may not be president today if it weren't for the bravery of First Lt.
White House signals possible opening on debt ceiling
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Is it a glimmer of hope, or more rhetoric as the deadline for possible government default gets closer?After weeks of near silence without any hint of a potential compromise between the Obama administration and congressional Republicans over raising the nation's debt ceiling, the White House may be offering some conciliatory language that could lead to a deal to prevent a potential default on October 17.As recently as Friday, White House officials declined to specify any demand for the length of any deal to increase the nation's debt ceiling.On Monday, a White House official said it was up to Congress to decide how long the debt ceiling increase should last."It is up to Congress to pass a debt limit increase, and up to them for how long and when they want to deal with this again," a White House official told CNN. "We have been super clear we think longer is better because it lends more certainty."However, President Barack Obama reiterated that he will not negotiate with Congress while the country is under threat of a possible debt default.A separate White House official said, "Only Congress can raise the debt ceiling."With parts of the government shut down for a week and counting, the focus of ending a deepening political stalemate is shifting to the upcoming deadline for a possible U.S. default if Congress fails to increase how much money the federal government can borrow.Economists warn of dire fiscal impacts from failing to raise what is called the debt ceiling, such as a reduced U.S. credit rating that would spike borrowing costs.
Racine man arrested, accused of throwing firecrackers at White House
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The man arrested on Monday, September 16th outside the White House in the nation's capital has a connection to Milwaukee.In fact, he was arrested just weeks ago in Milwaukee.Alexander Sahagian was arrested on Monday by Secret Service outside the White House.Sahagian now faces two federal charges for allegedly throwing firecrackers at the White House.Court records show he was arrested in august for allegedly putting graffiti on the Federal Courthouse.The Racine man is schedule to be back in court next month on that charge.
Senate committee approves resolution authorizing Syria strike
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the world set a red line against chemical weapons use that he now seeks to apply to Syria, while a Senate committee approved a resolution authorizing the U.S. military attack that he is planning.By a 10-7 vote, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the resolution that authorizes a limited military response, giving Obama an initial victory in his push to win congressional approval.The measure now goes to the full Senate for debate next week.
Cost to pay White House interns: $7.3 million
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The White House may not be able to afford to pay its interns.While pressure has been mounting for President Obama to pay his interns, there could be a reason why the White House hasn't ponied up: It would cost more than $7.3 million a year.That's double what the White House paid to give tours of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., which were infamously halted in March due to forced spending cuts.It's also slightly more than the $6 million that Vice President Joe Biden gets paid for carrying out his White House responsibilities and taking care of his official residence, according White House budget estimates for 2013.The $7.3 million figure assumes Obama would pay his interns $9, the number he suggested the minimum wage should be raised to during his State of the Union address in January.The White House has said it employs more than 300 interns each year, with 150 this summer alone.
Gov. Walker, two other Republicans heading to South Carolina
Washington (CNN) -- Three prominent Republican governors thought to have designs on the White House will descend on the early primary state of South Carolina later this month to raise money for Gov.
Wisconsin boy dines at the White House
WASHINGTON (WITI) -- An 11-year-old Wisconsin native dined with the Obamas at the White House on Tuesday, July 9th as a prize for winning the first lady's Healthy Lunch Time Challenge - an extension of her Let's Move!
White House released more than 100 pages of Benghazi e-mails
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House released more than 100 pages of e-mails on Wednesday in a bid to quell critics who say President Barack Obama and his aides played politics with national security following the deadly terror attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.The e-mails detail the complex back and forth between the CIA, State Department, and the White House in developing unclassified talking points that were used to underpin a controversial and slow-to-evolve explanation of events last September 11.The talking points have become a political flashpoint in a long-running battle between the Obama administration and Republicans, who accuse it of not bolstering security prior to the attack, of botching the response to it, and of misleading the public for political gain less than two months before the November election.The GOP suggests that the administration removed specific terror references and stuck to an explanation -- later proved untrue -- that the attack was result of a spontaneous demonstration over an anti-Muslim film that was produced in the United States.
White House releases Benghazi e-mails
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House released more than 100 pages of e-mails on Wednesday in a bid to quell critics who say President Barack Obama and his aides played politics with national security following the deadly terror attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.The e-mails detail the complex back and forth between the CIA, State Department, and the White House in developing unclassified talking points that were used to underpin a controversial and slow-to-evolve explanation of events last September 11.The talking points have become a political flashpoint in a long-running battle between the Obama administration and Republicans, who accuse it of not bolstering security prior to the attack, of botching the response to it, and of misleading the public for political gain less than two months before the November election.The GOP suggests that the administration removed specific terror references and stuck to an explanation -- later proved untrue -- that the attack was result of a spontaneous demonstration over an anti-Muslim film that was produced in the United States.
8 Oak Creek officers named "Top Cops" by President
Washington D.C. (WITI) -- Eight members of the Oak Creek police department were named some of America's "Top Cops" by President Obama on Saturday, May 11th.
Secret Service: West Wing briefly evacuated due to smoke
(CNN) -- The West Wing of the White House, including the press area, was evacuated Saturday out of an abundance of caution as authorities investigate the source of smoke coming out of what is believed to be a mechanical closet, a Secret Service spokesman told CNN.Five fire trucks responded to the White House, including a ladder truck, but all departed shortly thereafter.The scene was calm, and soon people were allowed to return inside the White House.
Man charged after making bomb threat near White House
(CNN) -- A Pennsylvania man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of making a bomb threat near the White House, according to the Secret Service and Washington's Metropolitan Police Department.Krzysztof Wasik, 44, of Hazel Township, Pennsylvania, walked up to a White House gate Wednesday morning and told guards he had a bomb in his vehicle that was set to explode, police said.The city's bomb disposal squad searched a truck nearby, but no hazardous materials were found, police said.Wasik was charged with felony threats, police said.CNN's Paul Courson and Alex Mooney contributed to this report.
First family hosts 135th Easter Egg Roll at White House
(CNN) -- With viral-video star "Kid President," American Idol's Jessica Sanchez, and the Easter Bunny at their side, the first family kicked off the 135th Easter Egg Roll at the White House Monday."It's great to have everyone here this morning.
First family attends Easter Sunday services near White House
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama and his family attended a church service on Easter at St.
White House warns Easter Egg Roll could be canceled
(CNN) -- Ticket holders for the upcoming White House Easter Egg Roll are being warned the annual event could be canceled if lawmakers can't agree on a measure funding the federal government."Because we distribute tickets to the Easter Egg Roll far in advance, we alerted all ticket holders that this event is subject to cancellation due to funding uncertainty, including the possibility of a government shutdown.
White House tours stop running, families disappointed
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Elouise Wafer's kids thought they had arranged the perfect gift for their mother's 70th birthday.A former history teacher, Wafer had always wanted to stroll through the White House, a building she had taught about in school for decades.Sylvia Atkins, her daughter, arranged for a tour through a member of Congress, then she and Wafer made the journey together from Dallas.
Spending cuts close doors on White House tours
(CNN) -- Visitors to Washington D.C. hoping to take a tour of the White House will soon be out of luck.
White House providing Benghazi e-mails to Senate panel
(CNN) -- Senate Intelligence Committee members will have access Tuesday to the e-mails associated with the development of the intelligence community's talking points on the attack at the U.S. mission in Benghazi, a committee aide said.The Obama administration will provide the e-mails for members and some committee staff to read, take notes and ask questions in the committee's classified hearing room, the aide said.
President Obama hosts Super Bowl party at White House
(CNN) -- In honor of the big game, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are hosting a bi-coastal themed Super Bowl party, the White House said Sunday night.