Subject: FW: Daily Message Points -- April 25, 2016
From: "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]>
To: Comm_D <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2016 10:24:29 -0700

White House Daily Points

Daily Message Points

April 25, 2016

POTUS Travel - Germany

*         The President's fifth visit to Germany once again underscores the enduring political, security, and economic ties between Americans and Germans, and highlights the U.S. commitment to trade and investment as drivers of job creation and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

*         Chancellor Merkel has displayed bold moral and practical leadership in the face of profound challenges.  She has charted a course and led her people based on principles, rather than political expediency; and has demonstrated that she is dedicated to preserving and protecting the values of tolerance, transparency, and the rule of law that have been hallmarks of the Transatlantic bond since the end of World War Two.

*         The United States continues to urge the EU and NATO to explore how they could work together, and with the new national unity government in Libya, to address orderly and humane migrant flows.

*         The recent visit to Turkey by German Chancellor Merkel and EU Council President Tusk is an example of EU's commitment to implementing the EU-Turkey agreement, creating a humane, predictable route for refugees to Europe.

The President's Speech

*         Today in Germany, the President delivered an address to the people of Europe - highlighting that all of our European allies are among our closest friends in the world because we share so much experience and so many of the same values.

*         The President spoke about the global challenges that we have faced together, the progress we have made and, most importantly, the future that we are building together - defined by our shared values and priorities.

*         In the heart of Europe, the President underscored that the United States, and the entire world, needs a strong and prosperous and democratic and united Europe.

Counter-ISIL

*         On ISIL, the President has authorized a series of actions to intensify our support to Iraqi partners, including advising and assisting the ISF at battalion and brigade HQ level, making AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and HIMARS capabilities available in support of operations to re-take Mosul, providing up to $415 million in assistance to the Peshmerga, and a limited raise of personnel to provide further aviation support, force protection, and other assistance to Iraqi security forces.

*         Further, today the President announced that he has authorized the deployment of up to an additional 250 U.S. forces including SOF, medical, and logistics personnel to be deployed to Syria to assist local Syrian forces who are taking the fight to ISIL. This new complement will join the small number of U.S. forces already on the ground in Syria, bringing the total number of U.S. personnel in Syria to up to 300.

*         These changes come at an important moment in the counter-ISIL campaign. Our partners on the ground increasingly have momentum, and ISIL is increasingly on the defensive.  Now is the time to help our partners capitalize on their progress and increase the pressure on ISIL, while still keeping our limited mission. We are doing more of what is already working in the fight against ISIL.

Building a Fairer and More Effective Criminal Justice System - National Reentry Week

*         In this week's Weekly Address, the President discussed his continued efforts to build a fairer and more equitable criminal justice system.

*         The Department of Justice has designated the week of April 24-30 as National Reentry Week, during which the Administration will highlight how strong reentry programs can make our communities safer.

*         In support of National Reentry Week, the President said his Administration will take additional steps to ensure applicants with a criminal history have a fair shot when competing for a federal job.

*         Senior members of the Obama Administration will travel around the country to encourage our Federal partners and grantees at the state and local level to work closely with local stakeholders to increase the impact of this effort.

*         On Wednesday, the White House will honor Champions of Change from communities around the country who have helped those reentering society to thrive by giving them their second chance.

*         Additionally, the White House will call on businesses to commit to hiring those who have served their time.  Over the weekend, the CEA issued a report<https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/page/files/20160423_cea_incarceration_criminal_justice.pdf> on the economic costs of high incarceration rates in this country.

*         But as the President emphasized in his Address, this is about more than what makes economic and practical sense - it's about ensuring we live up to our Nation's ideals.

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