NEWS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON AUGUT 8, 2015

Weekly Address: Reaffirming Our Commitment to Protecting the Right to Vote

In this week's address, the President celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by underscoring the importance of one of the most fundamental rights of our democracy -- that all of us are created equal and that each of us deserves a voice. The enactment of the Voting Rights Act wasn't easy -- it was the product of sacrifice from countless men and women who risked so much to protect every person's right to vote.

The President reminded us about their struggle and that while our country is a better place because of it, there is still work to be done. He promised to continue to push Congress for new legislation to protect everyone's right to the polls, and asked that all Americans, regardless of party, use every opportunity possible to exercise the fundamental right to vote.

Watch the President's Weekly Address here.

Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

This week, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, President Obama hosted a discussion here at the White House featuring Congressman John Lewis, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry, and others.

The President also wrote a post on Medium reflecting on the anniversary, and reiterating the importance of every citizen having an equal opportunity to vote and make their voice heard.

See more highlights from the day's activities at WhiteHouse.gov/Voting-Rights-Act, where you can also learn more about the history of the Voting Rights Act.

READ MORE

President Obama's Iran Deal Speech Echoes John F. Kennedy

On Wednesday, President Obama spoke on the Iran deal at American University's School of International Service.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy also delivered a historic foreign policy speech at American University. Just eight months after the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy had boldly entered into a diplomatic agreement with an adversary of the United States -- the Soviet Union. He faced criticism at home for choosing to pursue a peaceful weapons agreement with a country no one trusted.

See some of our favorite quotes from President Kennedy's 1963 speech -- and the parallels from President Obama's remarks on the Iran deal.

READ MORE

What the Clean Power Plan Means For America

On Monday, President Obama announced the finalization of America's Clean Power Plan -- the biggest step we've ever taken to combat climate change.

This plan sets the first-ever carbon pollution standards for power plants, while providing states and utilities with the flexibility they need to meet those standards.

READ MORE

To see more highlights from the week, watch the latest edition of West Wing Week.