The Senate is expected to debate the legislation next week, but it faces significant obstacles. The dual strategy – taking executive action while urging Congress to finish the job – has become Obama’s signature playbook this year . Stymied by gridlock as Congress marches toward the midterm elections, he has repeatedly sought ways to go around Congress with modest steps that underscore his pitch from the bully pulpit for Congress to finish the job. “While Congress decides what it’s going to do, I will keep doing whatever I can without Congress to help responsible young people pay off their loans,” Obama said. Echoing Obama’s call to action on student loan debt are Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, who planned to join Obama for the White House event on Monday.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-looks-for-ways-to-ease-student-loan-debt/
Lawmakers: Obama releasing Taliban detainees with no notice first step in closing Guantanamo | Fox News
Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below. President Barack Obama used the college commencement season Saturday to get behind Senate Democratic legislation that would let college graduates with heavy debts refinance their loans. The Senate is expected to debate the legislation next week, but it faces significant obstacles. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama noted the program would be paid for by doing away with tax loopholes for millionaires.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/obama-executive-steps-student-loans-24043210
The new Ukrainian leader said talks could begin Sunday raising hopes for an easing of the crisis. Before their lunch encounter, Obama and Putin seemed to go out of their way to give each other the cold shoulder. As the world leaders gathered for a photo, Obama and Putin ignored each other, even though they were just feet apart in the front row, separated by two queens and French President Francois Hollande. Thibault Camus/AP A group of military enthusiasts stand on Omaha Beach. The group headed into the chateau for lunch, with Obama so close to Putin he could have tapped him on the shoulder. Instead, Obama continued talking with Queen Elizabeth and more than once slowed his steps, putting distance between him and his Russian counterpart.
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/obama-visits-omaha-beach-70th-anniversary-world-war-ii-d-day-article-1.1819433
He recently got an amendment attached to the legislation that would require a congressional vote — not just a 60-day notice — on any administration plan to close the prison by sending detainees to the United States. However, such a plan will likely have no immediate impact considering the Senate is not expected to vote on it http://www.obamastudentloanforgiveness.net/ until after the November elections. Obama has repeatedly stated his intentions to close the facility, dating back to his 2008 White House campaign, and restated his case as recently as last month. What makes us exceptional is not our ability to flout international norms and the rule of law; it is our willingness to affirm them through our actions, he said during a May 28 foreign policy speech at the U.S. Military Academy-West Point, N.Y.
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/06/07/lawmakers-obama-releasing-taliban-detainees-with-no-notice-first-step-in/
VFW National Commander William Thien wrote in an open letter on Friday that if Obama can break U.S. policy on talking with terrorists to secure the freedom of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl then he should be able to call Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and ask for Tahmooressi’s release. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT “We understand that the U.S. State Department and our embassy in Mexico are working this, but that’s too much political bureaucracy,” Thien says in his letter. “The VFW urges you to show the same sense of urgency toward Tahmooressi as you did to secure the release of Bergdahl.
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/06/08/vfw-demands-obama-get-marine-from-mexico/
Obama and Putin Talk At D-Day Celebration – ABC News
Obama and Putin Draw Cheers and Laughs When They Smile on Split Screen Obama and Putin were first spotted together at a picture for the heads of state attending the luncheon, including Queen Elizabeth II, who wore a white and green dress with a green hat. In the group photo, Obama and Putin stood with three people between them. (Regis Duvignau/AP Photo) As the leaders started to return to the Chateau, Obama checked on Queen Elizabeth while Putin spoke with Hollande. At one point in their walk, Obama stood right behind Putin, so close he could have tapped him on the shoulder. Instead, Obama seemed to focus his attention elsewhere, as if Putin werent inches away.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/06/obama-and-putin-talk-at-d-day-celebration/
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