Edward Palonek ™
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Talk about a Depression
"Normalcy Cannot Lead to Complacency"
Posted by Jesse Lee
It
was one year ago today that predictions of a possible depression began
to be taken seriously. Lehman Brothers, one of the world's oldest
financial institutions, one which most would have assumed would be
around virtually forever, had fallen. In the time since then, a great
deal has happened – a new President was elected and sworn in; the
Recovery Act was passed to spur job creation in sectors that would
rebuild our nation for a new century; and the Treasury Secretary took
aggressive action to stabilize the financial markets that were dragging
down everything from 401(k)'s to spots on the factory floor. And of
course there have been endless news cycles and political scuffles along
the way.
But as economic indicators continue
to trickle out showing that we are returning from the brink, and that
the tragic impact on jobs that this downturn has had will not last
forever, the President spoke at Federal Hall in New York City to both look back and look forward:
While full recovery of the
financial system will take a great deal more time and work, the growing
stability resulting from these interventions means we're beginning to
return to normalcy. But here's what I want to emphasize today:
Normalcy cannot lead to complacency.
Unfortunately, there are some
in the financial industry who are misreading this moment. Instead of
learning the lessons of Lehman and the crisis from which we're still
recovering, they're choosing to ignore those lessons. I'm convinced
they do so not just at their own peril, but at our nation's. So I want
everybody here to hear my words: We will not go back to the days of
reckless behavior and unchecked excess that was at the heart of this
crisis, where too many were motivated only by the appetite for quick
kills and bloated bonuses. Those on Wall Street cannot resume taking
risks without regard for consequences, and expect that next time,
American taxpayers will be there to break their fall.
And that's why we need strong
rules of the road to guard against the kind of systemic risks that
we've seen. And we have a responsibility to write and enforce these
rules to protect consumers of financial products, to protect taxpayers,
and to protect our economy as a whole. Yes, there must -- these rules
must be developed in a way that doesn't stifle innovation and
enterprise. And I want to say very clearly here today, we want to work
with the financial industry to achieve that end. But the old ways that
led to this crisis cannot stand. And to the extent that some have so
readily returned to them underscores the need for change and change
now. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself.
So what we're calling for is
for the financial industry to join us in a constructive effort to
update the rules and regulatory structure to meet the challenges of
this new century. That is what my administration seeks to do. We've
sought ideas and input from industry leaders and policy experts,
academics, consumer advocates, and the broader public. And we've
worked closely with leaders in the Senate and the House, including not
only Barney, but also Senators Chris Dodd and Richard Shelby, and
Barney is already working with his counterpart, Sheldon [sic] Bachus.
And we intend to pass regulatory reform through Congress.
And taken together, we're
proposing the most ambitious overhaul of the financial regulatory
system since the Great Depression. But I want to emphasize that these
reforms are rooted in a simple principle: We ought to set clear rules
of the road that promote transparency and accountability. That's how
we'll make certain that markets foster responsibility, not
recklessness. That's how we'll make certain that markets reward those
who compete honestly and vigorously within the system, instead of those
who are trying to game the system.
The President went on to lay out the specifics of the new regulations and oversight that the largely Wall Street audience would come under. Read the full transcript for the details.
(President Barack Obama speaks about the financial crisis on the anniversary of the
Lehman Brothers collapse Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President’s explanation
FRI, FEBRUARY 20, 6:49 PM EST
Gibbs corrects the record on the President’s housing plan
Posted by Macon Phillips
Today
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked during the White House press
briefing about criticism of President Obama’s housing plan from some
talking heads and Wall Street pundits, who have claimed baselessly that
the plan is geared towards helping irresponsible home buyers at the
expense of others.
"[T]he American people are struggling
every day to meet their mortgage, stay in their job, pay their bills,
to send their kids to school, and to hope that they don't get sick or
that somebody they care for gets sick and sends them into bankruptcy,"
said Gibbs. "I think we said a few months ago the adage that if it was
good for a derivatives trader that it was good for Main Street. I
think the verdict is in on that."
Gibbs reiterated the President’s explanation
of how this plan will help responsible homeowners, who are struggling
to make their payments in a tough economy and who have seen their home
values plummet, through refinancing and standardized loan
modifications. Then he ended any misconceptions:
"Here's what this plan won't do: It
won't help somebody trying to flip a house. It won't bail out an
investor looking to make a quick buck. It won't help speculators that
were betting on a risky market. And it is not going to help a lender
who knowingly made a bad loan. And it is not going to help -- as the
President said in Phoenix, it is not going to help somebody who has
long ago known they were in a house they couldn't afford. That's why
the President was very clear in saying this was not going to stop every
person's home from being foreclosed."
And just as HUD Secretary Donovan argued
in this space this afternoon, Gibbs said Americans need to learn about
the plan and see if they can take part: "every American with a mortgage
payment should call their lender and see if they can refinance right
now."
We have done our best to help
homeowners get that information, and Gibbs encouraged everybody who
might be able to get help – along with anybody else who wants to learn
more about it -- to read the plain-spoken documents posted prominently
here over the past few days:
Roadmap to Recovery
Roadmap to Recovery
- Milestone: 200 Days
- Milestone: 100 Days
(The points on this map represent a sampling of accomplishments from the Cabinet's 200 Day commitments. Download the Roadmap here. Learn about additional measures of Recovery Act Progress.)
Dear Mr. President,
In June, we highlighted ten Recovery Act commitments Cabinet members projected they would deliver on Day 200 of the Recovery Act. I am pleased to report to you that all ten agencies have met or exceeded their commitments.In this report, we have provided you with details on each of these commitments, as well as maps showing where these activities are located. Also, as you are aware, the Council of Economic Advisers plans to report to you on projections of jobs created and saved as a result of the Recovery Act on September 10th.
Here is a summary of your Cabinet’s achievements for the 200 Day commitments:
- Enable 1,129 Health Centers in 50 States and 8 Territories to Provide Expanded Service to Approximately 300,000 Patients - The Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to report that they have exceeded this goal, providing expanded service at 1,129 Health Centers in 50 states and 8 territories, and providing that expanded service to approximately 500,000 patients.
- Begin Work on Rehabilitation and Improvement Projects at 98 Airports and Over 1,500 Highway Locations Throughout the Country - The Department of Transportation is pleased to report that they have exceeded this goal, beginning rehabilitation and improvement projects at 192 airports and on over 2,200 highways.
- Fund 135,000 Education Jobs Including Teachers, Principals and Support Staff - The Department of Education is pleased to report that they have met this commitment, funding over 135,000 education positions across the nation.
- Begin Improvements at 90 Veterans Medical Centers Across 38 States - The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to report that they have met this commitment.
- Hire or Keep on the Job Approximately 5,000 Law Enforcement Officers - The Department of Justice is pleased to report that they have met this commitment by funding 4,699 law enforcement officers’ salary and benefits for three years.
- Start 200 New Waste and Water Systems in Rural America - The Department of Agriculture is pleased to report that they have met this commitment.
- Begin Work on 107 National Parks - The Department of the Interior is pleased to report that they have exceeded this goal with work underway at 138 National Parks.
- Begin or Accelerate Cleanup Work at 20 Superfund Sites from the National Priority List - The Environmental Protection Agency is pleased to report that they have met this commitment.
- Create 125,000 Summer Youth Jobs - The Department of Labor is pleased to report that they have exceeded this commitment, with over 211,000 youth placed in rewarding summer job experiences this summer.
- Initiate 2,300 Construction and Rehabilitation Projects at 359 Military Facilities Across the Nation - The Department of Defense is pleased to report that they have exceeded this goal , with over 2,400 construction and rehabilitation projects underway at over 500 military facilities.
We continue to work hard to get Recovery Act funds out across the country into communities across the nation, creating good jobs and better opportunities for all Americans.
Cordially,
Joe Biden
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST, 2009 AT 7:40 PM
Latest version of SCHIP legislation published for comment
Posted by Macon Phillips
On January 29th, the U.S. Senate approved the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, better known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program or SCHIP. Once signed into law, this legislation will continue coverage for six to seven million children and increase that coverage to four million more.
Since this version of the bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives in the coming week, we are making the legislation available for public comment now.
Credit Card Accountability
Giving Consumers a Platform
Posted by Elizabeth Vale with the Department of Commerce
Last Friday, if you watched the President sign the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act
in the Rose Garden, you may have noticed Janet Hard sitting in the
front row. Janet, a nurse from Freeland, Michigan, was responsible and
made her payments on time. Despite this, Janet’s interest rate was
increased to 24%, and the credit card company even applied this rate
retroactively to past purchases. Janet’s story was brought to the
attention of the Office of Public Engagement by Senator Levin’s
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Janet was asked to attend the
signing of the bill because she was a victim of the very predatory
credit card practices that the bill is designed to eliminate.
The Office of Public Engagement
wanted to talk with American consumers like Janet and hear their
stories. The office called a number of people who had written letters
and emails to the President about the issue in an effort to find people
who to talk about the problems cardholders encounter first hand and the
need for reform. Recently, one out of every ten letters chosen for the
President to read daily has addressed consumer issues with credit
cards.
Chris, a mother of three from
Albuquerque, New Mexico, emailed the President on May 12 to tell her
story. Chris charged her daughters’ college tuition to her credit card,
unknowingly going over her limit because of a mix-up with the school.
The credit card company then charged her an over-limit fee and
increased her interest rate from 9.24% to 29.99%. The Office of Public
Engagement called Chris to learn if the bill would address her
complaint. The comprehensive credit card reform bill addressed exactly
the problem Chris had faced, and she was asked to introduce the
President at a town hall on the topic in Albuquerque.
The Office of Public Engagement
wanted to give a voice to consumers like Chris and Janet to show the
real implications the bill will have on the lives of Americans. The
bill will protect those who pay responsibly from irresponsible credit
card company policies, and millions of Americans will benefit from the
new fairer rules governing what has become a standard part of American
life.
$806 Million in Recovery Funds
$806 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Virginia to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform
Friday, May 22, 2009
Application for Part 1 of Virginia's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today
Transparency and Open Government
Transparency and Open Government
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Transparency and Open Government
My Administration is committed to
creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will
work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of
transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will
strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in
Government.
Government should be transparent.
Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for
citizens about what their Government is doing. Information maintained
by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will
take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose
information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and
use. Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies
to put information about their operations and decisions online and
readily available to the public. Executive departments and agencies
should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest
use to the public.
Government should be participatory. Public
engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the
quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and
public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed
knowledge. Executive departments and agencies should offer Americans
increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide
their Government with the benefits of their collective expertise and
information. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit
public input on how we can increase and improve opportunities for
public participation in Government.
Government should be collaborative.
Collaboration actively engages Americans in the work of their
Government. Executive departments and agencies should use innovative
tools, methods, and systems to cooperate among themselves, across all
levels of Government, and with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and
individuals in the private sector. Executive departments and agencies
should solicit public feedback to assess and improve their level of
collaboration and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.
I direct the Chief Technology
Officer, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget (OM
and the Administrator of General Services, to
coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and
agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government
Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs
executive departments and agencies to take specific actions
implementing the principles set forth in this memorandum. The
independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive.
and the Administrator of General Services, to
coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and
agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government
Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs
executive departments and agencies to take specific actions
implementing the principles set forth in this memorandum. The
independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive.This memorandum is not intended to,
and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States,
its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees,
or agents, or any other person.
This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.
BARACK OBAMA
Prime Minister Netanyahu
“The Common Goal is Peace.”
download .mp4 (350.2 M | read the transcript
The President dedicated his day today
to a one-on-one meeting, an expanded meeting, and a working lunch with
Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. Speaking to the press afterwards, they gave the opening remarks below before taking questions:
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, listen,
I first of all want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for making this
visit. I think we had a extraordinarily productive series of
conversations, not only between the two of us but also at the staff and
agency levels.
Obviously this reflects the
extraordinary relationship, the special relationship between the United
States and Israel. It is a stalwart ally of the United States. We
have historical ties, emotional ties. As the only true democracy of
the Middle East it is a source of admiration and inspiration for the
American people.
I have said from the outset
that when it comes to my policies towards Israel and the Middle East
that Israel’s security is paramount, and I repeated that to Prime
Minister Netanyahu. It is in U.S. national security interests to
assure that Israel’s security as an independent Jewish state is
maintained.
One of the areas that we
discussed is the deepening concern around the potential pursuit of a
nuclear weapon by Iran. It’s something the Prime Minister has been
very vocal in his concerns about, but is a concern that is shared by
his countrymen and women across the political spectrum.
I indicated to him the view of
our administration, that Iran is a country of extraordinary history and
extraordinary potential, that we want them to be a full-fledged member
of the international community and be in a position to provide
opportunities and prosperity for their people, but that the way to
achieve those goals is not through the pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
And I indicated to Prime Minister Netanyahu in private what I have said
publicly, which is that Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon would not only
be a threat to Israel and a threat to the United States, but would be
profoundly destabilizing in the international community as a whole and
could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that would be
extraordinarily dangerous for all concerned, including for Iran.
We are engaged in a process to
reach out to Iran and persuade them that it is not in their interest to
pursue a nuclear weapon and that they should change course. But I
assured the Prime Minister that we are not foreclosing a range of
steps, including much stronger international sanctions, in assuring
that Iran understands that we are serious. And obviously the Prime
Minister emphasized his seriousness around this issue as well -- I’ll
allow him to speak for himself on that subject.
We also had an extensive
discussion about the possibilities of restarting serious negotiations
on the issue of Israel and the Palestinians. I have said before and I
will repeat again that it is I believe in the interest not only of the
Palestinians, but also the Israelis and the United States and the
international community to achieve a two-state solution in which
Israelis and Palestinians are living side by side in peace and security.
We have seen progress stalled
on this front, and I suggested to the Prime Minister that he has an
historic opportunity to get a serious movement on this issue during his
tenure. That means that all the parties involved have to take
seriously obligations that they’ve previously agreed to. Those
obligations were outlined in the road map; they were discussed
extensively in Annapolis. And I think that we can -- there is no
reason why we should not seize this opportunity and this moment for all
the parties concerned to take seriously those obligations and to move
forward in a way that assures Israel’s security, that stops the
terrorist attacks that have been such a source of pain and hardship,
that we can stop rocket attacks on Israel; but that also allow
Palestinians to govern themselves as an independent state, that allows
economic development to take place, that allows them to make serious
progress in meeting the aspirations of their people.
And I am confident that in the days, weeks and months to come we are going to be able to make progress on that issue.
So let me just summarize by
saying that I think Prime Minister Netanyahu has the benefit of having
served as Prime Minister previously. He has both youth and wisdom --
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: I’ll dispute youth, but -- (laughter.)
PRESIDENT OBAMA: -- and I
think is in a position to achieve the security objectives of Israel,
but also bring about historic peace. And I’m confident that he’s going
to seize this moment. And the United States is going to do everything
we can to be constructive, effective partners in this process.
(President Barack Obama talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, and White House Chief
of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office Monday, May 18, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU:
President Obama, thank you. Thank you for your friendship to Israel
and your friendship to me. You’re a great leader -- a great leader of
the United States, a great leader of the world, a great friend of
Israel, and someone who is acutely cognizant of our security concerns.
And the entire people of Israel appreciate it, and I speak on their
behalf.
We met before, but this is the
first time that we’re meeting as President and Prime Minister. So I
was particularly pleased at your reaffirmation of the special
relationship between Israel and the United States. We share the same
goals and we face the same threats. The common goal is peace.
Everybody in Israel, as in the United States, wants peace. The common
threat we face are terrorist regimes and organizations that seek to
undermine the peace and endanger both our peoples.
In this context, the worst
danger we face is that Iran would develop nuclear military
capabilities. Iran openly calls for our destruction, which is
unacceptable by any standard. It threatens the moderate Arab regimes
in the Middle East. It threatens U.S. interests worldwide. But if
Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it could give a nuclear umbrella
to terrorists, or worse, it could actually give terrorists nuclear
weapons. And that would put us all in great peril.
So in that context, I very much
appreciate, Mr. President, your firm commitment to ensure that Iran
does not develop nuclear military capability, and also your statement
that you’re leaving all options on the table.
I share with you very much the
desire to move the peace process forward. And I want to start peace
negotiations with the Palestinians immediately. I would like to
broaden the circle of peace to include others in the Arab world, if we
could, Mr. President, so -- this (inaudible) that one shouldn’t let go,
maybe peace with the entire Arab world.
I want to make it clear that we
don’t want to govern the Palestinians. We want to live in peace with
them. We want them to govern themselves, absent a handful of powers
that could endanger the state of Israel. And for this there has to be
a clear goal. The goal has to be an end to conflict. There will have
to be compromises by Israelis and Palestinians alike. We’re ready to
do our share. We hope the Palestinians will do their share, as well.
If we resume negotiations, as we plan to do, then I think that the
Palestinians will have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state; will have
to also enable Israel to have the means to defend itself. And if those
conditions are met, Israel’s security conditions are met, and there’s
recognition of Israel’s legitimacy, its permanent legitimacy, then I
think we can envision an arrangement where Palestinians and Israelis
live side by side in dignity, in security, and in peace.
And I look forward, Mr.
President, to working with you, a true friend of Israel, to the
achievement of our common goals, which are security, prosperity, and
above all, peace.
(President Barack Obama escorts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his car following their
meetings at the White House Monday, May 18, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Notre Dame
In Praise of Fair-Minded Words at Notre Dame
download .mp4 (330.8 M | read the transcript
On Sunday the President gave the commencement address
at Notre Dame University. Acknowledging at the outset that the
invitation for him to speak "has not been without controversy," he
calmed the crowd and spoke about finding respect and common ground even
if all Americans will never agree completely on an issue.
The question, then -- the
question then is how do we work through these conflicts? Is it
possible for us to join hands in common effort? As citizens of a
vibrant and varied democracy, how do we engage in vigorous debate? How
does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we
consider right, without, as Father John said, demonetizing those with
just as strongly held convictions on the other side?
And of course, nowhere do these questions come up more powerfully than on the issue of abortion.
As I considered the
controversy surrounding my visit here, I was reminded of an encounter I
had during my Senate campaign, one that I describe in a book I wrote
called "The Audacity of Hope." A few days after I won the Democratic
nomination, I received an e-mail from a doctor who told me that while
he voted for me in the Illinois primary, he had a serious concern that
might prevent him from voting for me in the general election. He
described himself as a Christian who was strongly pro-life -- but that
was not what was preventing him potentially from voting for me.
What bothered the doctor was
an entry that my campaign staff had posted on my website -- an entry
that said I would fight "right-wing ideologues who want to take away a
woman’s right to choose." The doctor said he had assumed I was a
reasonable person, he supported my policy initiatives to help the poor
and to lift up our educational system, but that if I truly believed
that every pro-life individual was simply an ideologue who wanted to
inflict suffering on women, then I was not very reasonable. He wrote,
"I do not ask at this point that you oppose abortion, only that you
speak about this issue in fair-minded words." Fair-minded words.
After I read the doctor’s
letter, I wrote back to him and I thanked him. And I didn’t change my
underlying position, but I did tell my staff to change the words on my
website. And I said a prayer that night that I might extend the same
presumption of good faith to others that the doctor had extended to
me. Because when we do that -- when we open up our hearts and our
minds to those who may not think precisely like we do or believe
precisely what we believe -- that’s when we discover at least the
possibility of common ground.
That’s when we begin to say,
"Maybe we won’t agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this
heart-wrenching decision for any woman is not made casually, it has
both moral and spiritual dimensions."
So let us work together to
reduce the number of women seeking abortions, let’s reduce unintended
pregnancies. (Applause.) Let’s make adoption more available.
(Applause.) Let’s provide care and support for women who do carry
their children to term. (Applause.) Let’s honor the conscience of
those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience
clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded
not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics, as well as respect
for the equality of women." Those are things we can do. (Applause.)
Now, understand -- understand,
Class of 2009, I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion
can or should go away. Because no matter how much we may want to fudge
it -- indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the
subject are complex and even contradictory -- the fact is that at some
level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will
continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction.
But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to
caricature.
Open hearts. Open minds.
Fair-minded words. It’s a way of life that has always been the Notre
Dame tradition. (Applause.) Father Hesburgh has long spoken of this
institution as both a lighthouse and a crossroads. A lighthouse that
stands apart, shining with the wisdom of the Catholic tradition, while
the crossroads is where "¼differences of culture and religion and
conviction can co-exist with friendship, civility, hospitality, and
especially love." And I want to join him and Father John in saying how
inspired I am by the maturity and responsibility with which this class
has approached the debate surrounding today’s ceremony. You are an
example of what Notre Dame is about. (Applause.)
(President Barack Obama enters the auditorium to deliver the commencement address at the
University of Notre Dame Sunday, May 17, 2009. Official White house Photo by Pete Souza.)
Office of Management and Budget
The Mission and Structure of the
Office of Management and Budget
OMB assists the President in the development and execution of his policies and programs. OMB has a hand in the development and resolution of all budget, policy, legislative, regulatory, procurement, e-gov, and management issues on behalf of the President. OMB is composed of divisions organized either by Agency and program area or by functional responsibilities. However, the work of OMB often requires a broad exposure to issues and programs outside of the direct area of assigned responsibility.
Resource Management Offices:
RMOs develop and support the President's Budget and Management Agenda. These offices play a pivotal role in the annual negotiations with Congress over federal fiscal policies, and provide ongoing policy and management guidance to federal agencies. Resource Management Offices are organized by policy subject coinciding with the agencies under their purview. Staff in these offices become experts in their program and policy areas and are responsible for the analysis, evaluation, and implementation of policy options as well as the implementation of government-wide management initiatives.
Budget Review:
These offices analyze trends in and the consequences of aggregate budget policy. They provide strategic and technical support for budget decision-making and negotiations, and they monitor Congressional action on spending legislation. In addition, these offices provide technical expertise in budget concepts and execution.
Legislative Program:The Legislative Reference Division coordinates articulation of the Administration's position on legislation. These offices coordinate the review and clearance of the Administration's legislative proposals and statements on bills progressing through Congress. This responsibility frequently requires resolution of conflicting agency views on legislation and negotiation of policy positions that respect the President's legislative priorities and program.
Statutory Offices:
The Office of Federal Financial Management develops and provides direction on the implementation of financial management policies and systems. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy coordinates efforts to improve Federal procurement law, policies, and practices, which affect all Federal and federally-assisted purchases of goods, property, and services. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) oversees the Federal regulations and information requirements, and develops policies to improve government statistics and information management. The Office of E-Government and Information Technology is responsible for developing and coordinating Information Technology and E-Government policy government-wide in Executive Branch agencies.