Content about Barack Obama

May 7, 2013
Senate makes call on Internet sales tax

The U.S. Senate approved the long-debated Internet sales tax proposal, known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, by a bipartisan vote of 69 to 27. The Obama administration has already endorsed the bill, but before it can become law it must be approved by the House.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Senate approved the long-debated Internet sales tax proposal, known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, by a bipartisan vote of 69 to 27. The Obama administration has already endorsed the bill, but before it can become law it must be approved by the House, where Republicans are split on the bill.

April 30, 2013
CVS joins White House effort to hire vets, military spouses

CVS Caremark announced that it was among several national companies represented at an event hosted on Tuesday by President Obama, VP Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as part of the Joining Forces initiative.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced that it was among several national companies represented at an event hosted on Tuesday by President Obama, VP Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as part of the Joining Forces initiative.
 
During the event, the administration asked companies participating in the Joining Forces initiative to hire and train 435,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years, after nearly tripling its original goal of hiring 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013.

April 11, 2013
Obama looks to raise taxes on cigarettes

President Barack Obama has proposed increasing federal taxes on cigarettes, drawing criticism from tobacco companies and praise from anti-smoking groups.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has proposed increasing federal taxes on cigarettes, drawing criticism from tobacco companies and praise from anti-smoking groups.

As part of his proposed budget, Obama proposed raising the tax on cigarettes by 94 cents per pack, with similar increases on other tobacco products. The current tax is $1.01 per pack.

April 11, 2013
Obama looks to raise taxes on cigarettes

President Barack Obama has proposed increasing federal taxes on cigarettes, drawing criticism from tobacco companies and praise from anti-smoking groups.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has proposed increasing federal taxes on cigarettes, drawing criticism from tobacco companies and praise from anti-smoking groups.

As part of his proposed budget, Obama proposed raising the tax on cigarettes by 94 cents per pack, with similar increases on other tobacco products. The current tax is $1.01 per pack.

March 13, 2013
Walmart CEO introduces First Lady at Business Roundtable

Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke introduced First Lady Michelle Obama at the Business Roundtable Wednesday with the following remarks:

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke introduced First Lady Michelle Obama at the Business Roundtable Wednesday with the following remarks:

"We are pleased to be joined by our guest today, First Lady Michelle Obama.  Mrs. Obama speaks movingly about the service, strength, and sacrifice of our current generation of troops, veterans, and military families.  It is a personal privilege to share some of her work and to start our discussion around creating opportunity for this new group of heroes.

March 4, 2013
Walmart exec to become Obama’s budget chief

Walmart Foundation president Sylvia Mathews Burwell will be named director of President Barack Obama’s Office of Management and Budget during a ceremony at the White House scheduled for Monday morning.

Walmart Foundation president Sylvia Mathews Burwell will be named director of President Barack Obama’s Office of Management and Budget during a ceremony at the White House scheduled for Monday morning.

Obama announced his intent to appointment Burwell several months ago, but the nomination on Monday makes it official and paves the way for Senate confirmation hearings to begin.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., president and CEO Mike Duke said Burwell would do a tremendous job serving the county if she is confirmed by the Senate.

February 28, 2013
Great For You! gathers momentum

A Walmart Neighborhood Market store in Springfield, Mo., was ground zero this week as the retailer showcased efforts to make food healthier and more affordable to First Lady Michelle Obama.

A Walmart Neighborhood Market store in Springfield, Mo., was ground zero Thursday as the retailer showcased efforts to make food healthier and more affordable to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Three years ago, the First Lady created the Let’s Move healthy food initiative and the following year Walmart unveiled five broad commitments that aligned with her vision for ending childhood obesity within a generation.

February 1, 2013
NRF calls on Obama to take action on jobs

The National Retail Federation took aim at President Obama and Congress for not doing enough to improve the jobs situation and boost the economy.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation took aim at President Obama and Congress for not doing enough to improve the jobs situation and boost the economy.

January 18, 2013
NACDS plays defense at annual event

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

January 18, 2013
NACDS plays defense at annual event

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

November 28, 2012
Costco gives shareholders a special gift

Costco will pay a $7 a share special dividend before year end as it looks to return cash to shareholders in advance of what is expected to be a 2013 tax increase on dividend payments.

Costco will pay a $7 a share special dividend before year end as it looks to return cash to shareholders in advance of what is expected to be a 2013 tax increase on dividend payments.

The total payout will amount to about $3 billion and is extraordinarily generous. Especially considering Costco’s net cash provided by operating activities for its fiscal year ended September 2, was only slightly more than $3 billion and cash, cash equivalents and short term investments totaled $4.854 billion.

November 16, 2012
Duke gives Obama and Congress fiscal cliff deadline

For a split second after the presidential election the victor and the vanquished struck a conciliatory tone on finding the balance between raising taxes and cutting spending. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and CEO Mike Duke wants the issue resolved as soon as possible.

For a split second after the presidential election the victor and the vanquished struck a conciliatory tone on finding the balance between raising taxes and cutting spending. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and CEO Mike Duke wants the issue resolved as soon as possible.

Duke was among a group of business leaders in Washington earlier this week meeting with President Barack Obama and following the meeting Walmart released a statement expressing his views on the issue.

November 7, 2012
NRF ready to work with Obama

President Obama is back for another term, and whether or not the National Retail Federation supported his re-election, the group said it is ready to work with him on key issues facing the retail industry.

WASHINGTON — President Obama is back for another term, and whether or not the National Retail Federation supported his re-election, the group said it is ready to work with him on key issues facing the retail industry.

The National Retail Federation Wednesday released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the re-election of President Obama:

September 5, 2012
Costco founder’s politics at odds with some members

Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal appeared on CNBC Wednesday morning to offer a preview of his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention and explain why he supports the re-election of president Barack Obama.

Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal appeared on CNBC Wednesday morning to offer a preview of his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention and explain why he supports the re-election of president Barack Obama.

September 5, 2012
Costco founder’s politics at odds with some members

Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal appeared on CNBC Wednesday morning to offer a preview of his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention and explain why he supports the re-election of president Barack Obama.

Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal appeared on CNBC Wednesday morning to offer a preview of his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention and explain why he supports the re-election of president Barack Obama.

August 9, 2012
RILA sends letter to presidential candidates

In letters sent to President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, the Retail Industry Leaders Association urged both to consider the retail industry’s prominent role in the U.S. economy as they advance their visions for the future.

ARLINGTON, Va. — In letters sent to President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, the Retail Industry Leaders Association urged both to consider the retail industry’s prominent role in the U.S. economy as they advance their visions for the future.

The letter was signed by Gregg Steinhafel, Target chairman, president and CEO and Sandra L. Kennedy, RILA president. Steinhafel serves as chairman of the RILA board of directors.

August 9, 2012
RILA sends letter to presidential candidates

In letters sent to President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, the Retail Industry Leaders Association urged both to consider the retail industry’s prominent role in the U.S. economy as they advance their visions for the future.

ARLINGTON, Va. — In letters sent to President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, the Retail Industry Leaders Association urged both to consider the retail industry’s prominent role in the U.S. economy as they advance their visions for the future.

The letter was signed by Gregg Steinhafel, Target chairman, president and CEO and Sandra L. Kennedy, RILA president. Steinhafel serves as chairman of the RILA board of directors.

August 8, 2012
Walmart backs Democrat plan to slow healthcare spending

The retail industry in general may not be so keen on the new Affordable Care Act, but the nation's largest retailer has come out in support of a Democratic proposal to control spending.

Walmart stores is endorsing a new plan, co-authored by former Obama and Clinton administration officials that would slow healthcare spending and keep it in line with wage growth.

Read more from the Reuters report here.

July 5, 2012
RILA seeks release of employer healhcare regulations

The Retail Industry Leaders Association is urging President Obama and his administration to release proposed healthcare regulations that will affect nearly 170 million Americans currently receiving employer-sponsored health coverage.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association is urging President Obama and his administration to release proposed healthcare regulations that will affect nearly 170 million Americans currently receiving employer-sponsored health coverage.

June 28, 2012
Retailers displeased with upheld healthcare mandate

The U.S. Supreme Court has given the government permission to tax people for not having health insurance, essentially approving the individual mandate in President Obama's healthcare law.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has given the government permission to tax people for not having health insurance, essentially approving the individual mandate in President Obama's healthcare law.

“The Affordable Care Act's requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably characterized as a tax. Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness,” the court said in the ruling.

April 17, 2012
RILA praises U.S.-Colombia trade deal

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its support of this week's announcement by President Barack Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will enter into force on May 15.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its support of this week's announcement by President Barack Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will enter into force on May 15.

April 17, 2012
RILA praises U.S.-Colombia trade deal

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its support of this week's announcement by President Barack Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will enter into force on May 15.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its support of this week's announcement by President Barack Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will enter into force on May 15.

February 22, 2012
NRF supports tax reform efforts

The National Retail Federation expressed its support for President Obama's proposal for business tax reform, and pledged to work with the White House and Congress to win passage of legislation that would significantly lower rates in order to help retailers and other businesses create jobs.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation expressed its support for President Obama's proposal for business tax reform, and pledged to work with the White House and Congress to win passage of legislation that would significantly lower rates in order to help retailers and other businesses create jobs.

January 27, 2012
Second Chicago supercenter draws political praise

Walmart opened its second supercenter in Chicago this week, and the only thing missing from the press release was a quote from President Obama praising the company as a job creator.

Walmart opened its second supercenter in Chicago this week, and the only thing missing from the press release announcing the new store was a quote from President Obama praising the company as a job creator.

Instead, Walmart had to settle for some kind words from Chicago mayor and former Obama chief of staff Rohm Emanuel.

January 25, 2012
NRF welcomes Obama's emphasis on job creation

After President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the National Retail Federation issued a response regarding his remarks on job creation.

WASHINGTON — After President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the National Retail Federation issued a response regarding his remarks on job creation.

NRF said it welcomed the President's emphasis on job creation, saying that it will help restore the nation's economic state.