President Obama Thanks Senate for Passing Debt Deal

After 16 days, it's finally over.
“I want to thank the leaders of both parties for getting us to this
point. Once this agreement arrives on my desk, I will sign it
immediately. We will begin reopening our government immediately,” he
told reporters in the White House briefing room. “And we can begin to
lift this cloud of uncertainty and unease from our businesses and from
the American people.”

Legislation is on its way to the President's desk and I'll sign it,
ending the shutdown and avoiding default. The government will open
once again, hundreds of thousands of Americans will go back to work,
and millions will see vital services restored.

 President Obama Thanks Senate for Passing Debt Deal, Says, ‘I Will Sign It Immediately’

 President Obama tonight thanked the leaders of both parties in the Senate for passing a deal to reopen the government and avert default, and said he will sign the bill “immediately.”

“I want to thank the leaders of both parties for getting us to this point. Once this agreement arrives on my desk, I will sign it immediately. We will begin reopening our government immediately,” he told reporters in the White House briefing room. “And we can begin to lift this cloud of uncertainty and unease from our businesses and from the American people.”

The president spoke shortly after the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill negotiated by the Republican and Democratic leaders, but before the House voted.

With an economic crisis averted and the government on track to reopen, the president said it’s time to “earn back the trust of the American people that has been lost over the last few weeks.”

“We can begin to do that by addressing the real issues that they care about,” he said. “I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I am willing to work with anybody, I am eager to work with anybody – Democrat or Republican, House or Senate members – on any idea that will grow our economy, create new jobs, strengthen the middle class and get our fiscal house in order for the long term. I’ve never believed that Democrats have a monopoly on good ideas.”

The president said he hoped the 16-day government shutdown and political brinkmanship over the raising debt limit will be a learning experience for Washington.

“Hopefully, next time, it won’t be in the 11th hour,” he said, cautioning about future budget negotiations. “One of the things that I said throughout this process is we’ve got to get out of the habit of governing by crisis. And my hope and expectation is everybody has learned that there is no reason why we can’t work on the issues at hand, why we can’t disagree between the parties while still being agreeable, and make sure that we’re not inflicting harm on the American people when we do have disagreements.

“Hopefully, that’s a lesson that will be internalized, not just by me but also by Democrats and Republicans, not only the leaders but also the rank and file,” he added.

Lawmakers will soon be able to prove whether that lesson has been learned; the bill’s timeline sets up yet another budget showdown early next year.

“Isn’t this going to happen all over again in a few months?” a reporter asked, as Obama walked out of the briefing room.

The president turned at the door, smiled, and said firmly, “no.”

President Obama thanked both parties leaders in the Senate and Congress 

Statement by the President of the United States

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

October 16th. 2013 

8:28 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everybody.  Tonight, the Republicans and Democrats in Congress have come together around an agreement that will reopen our government and remove the threat of default from our economy. 
The Senate has now voted to approve this agreement, and Democrats and Republicans in the House still have an important vote to take, but I want to thank the leaders of both parties for getting us to this point.  Once this agreement arrives on my desk, I will sign it immediately.  We'll begin reopening our government immediately, and we can begin to lift this cloud of uncertainty and unease from our businesses and from the American people. 
I'll have more to say about this tomorrow.  And I've got some thoughts about how we can move forward in the remainder of the year and stay focused on the job at hand, because there is a lot of work ahead of us, including our need to earn back the trust of the American people that has been lost over the last few weeks.  And we can begin to do that by addressing the real issues that they care about.
I've said it before, I'll say it again:  I am willing to work with anybody, I am eager to work with anybody -- Democrat or Republican, House or Senate members -- on any idea that will grow our economy, create new jobs, strengthen the middle class, and get our fiscal house in order for the long term.  I've never believed that Democrats have a monopoly on good ideas.  And despite the differences over the issue of shutting down our government, I'm convinced that Democrats and Republicans can work together to make progress for America.
In fact, there are things that we know will help strengthen our economy that we could get done before this year is out.  We still need to pass a law to fix our broken immigration system.  We still need to pass a farm bill.  And with the shutdown behind us and budget committees forming, we now have an opportunity to focus on a sensible budget that is responsible, that is fair, and that helps hardworking people all across this country.
And we could get all these things done even this year if everybody comes together in a spirit of how are we going to move this country forward and put the last three weeks behind us.  That’s what I believe the American people are looking for -- not a focus on politics, not a focus on elections, but a focus on the concrete steps that can improve their lives.  That’s going to be my focus.  I'm looking forward to Congress doing the same. 
But, once again, I want to thank the leadership for coming together and getting this done.  Hopefully, next time, it won't be in the 11th hour.  One of the things that I said throughout this process is we've got to get out of the habit of governing by crisis.  And my hope and expectation is everybody has learned that there is no reason why we can't work on the issues at hand, why we can't disagree between the parties while still being agreeable, and make sure that we're not inflicting harm on the American people when we do have disagreements.
So hopefully that’s a lesson that will be internalized, not just by me but also by Democrats and Republicans, not only the leaders but also the rank and file. 
Thanks very much, everybody. 
Q    Mr. President, isn't this going to happen all over again in a few months?
THE PRESIDENT:  No.  (Laughter.) 
END
8:31 P.M. EDT

Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate Regarding the Debt Limit

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

October 17, 2013

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Pursuant to section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, I hereby certify that absent a suspension of the limit under section 3101(b) of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of the Treasury would be unable to issue debt to meet existing commitments.

 

Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA

Letter from the President -- Regarding Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

October 17, 2013

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

In accordance with section 114(c) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 (CR), I hereby designate for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism all funding (including the rescission of funds) so designated by the Congress in section 114(a) of the CR pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, as outlined in the enclosed list of accounts.

The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed memorandum from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

 .