Weekly Address: Protecting Working Americans' Paychecks

Weekly Address: Protecting Working Americans' Paychecks

In this week's address, the President highlighted the progress made protecting American consumers since he signed Wall Street reform into law five years ago, including an important new step taken by the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this week toward preventing abuses in payday lending.

The President emphasized his commitment to fighting to advance middle-class economics and ensure everybody who works hard can get ahead, while opposing attempts by Republicans both to weaken the CFPB and give large tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle class.

Watch the President's Weekly Address here.

5 Years Later

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed a historic law that has transformed the lives of millions of Americans. Thanks to Obamacare, people across the country have more affordable coverage, higher-quality care, and better health.

Today, more than 16 million Americans have gained health coverage that suits their needs. 76 million people are now benefiting from preventive care coverage. Up to 129 million people with pre-existing conditions are no longer at risk of being denied coverage. The facts are in: The Affordable Care Act is working.

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Watch: The President Talks with the Creator of "The Wire" About the War on Drugs

A beat reporter in Baltimore and a state senator from Chicago: two men who saw the disproportionate impact of America's war on drugs firsthand early in their careers.

This week, that former reporter and creator of HBO's "The Wire" -- David Simon -- and that former young senator -- President Barack Obama -- sat down to talk honestly about the challenges law enforcement face and the consequences communities bear from the war on drugs.

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"Keep Exploring, Keep Dreaming, Keep Asking Why"

The halls of the White House were filled with science projects on Monday, as President Obama welcomed more than 100 young scientists for the fifth-annual White House Science Fair.

The President spoke with students about the role that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) plays in their lives, and urged them to keep exploring, dreaming, and asking why. He also announced a number of ambitious steps to inspire young people to engage with STEM fields and help them achieve their goals.

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To see more of the week's highlights, check out the latest edition of West Wing Week.