Friday, June 26th Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events
From the Washington Times, on President Obama's commitment to immigration reform:
President Obama told lawmakers Thursday he wants to sign an immigration bill this year or early next year even though they don't have the votes yet to pass it -- and just in case they fail, the administration is ramping up talk of other actions it's taken to help immigrant rights.
Embracing yet another heavy lift for his legislative agenda, Mr. Obama convened an immigration summit at the White House and told members of Congress he will stand behind them as they try to craft a compromise. The lawmakers promised to fend off attacks from both sides of the political spectrum and craft a bill that cracks down on employers and legalizes illegal immigrants.
"After all the overheated rhetoric and the occasional demagoguery on all sides around this issue, we've got a responsible set of leaders sitting around the table who want to actively get something done and not put it off until a year, two years, three years, five years from now," Mr. Obama said.
From the Associated Press, on Secretary Napolitano's upcoming trip to Europe and Kuwait:
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano leaves this weekend for meetings with officials in Europe and Kuwait on counterterrorism issues.
At a meeting with reporters Thursday, Napolitano said she will be meeting with her counterparts in Britain as well as officials in Spain, Ireland and Portugal.
Napolitano also said she is particularly interested in what the British do in their de-radicalization programs. In Kuwait she said she will be looking at U.S. Coast Guard operations there.
Napolitano leaves on Saturday.
Public Events
10 AM EDT
Deputy Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs Philip Reitinger will participate in a panel discussion at the “Google D.C. Talks: Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy” summit
1101 New York Avenue NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, D.C.
9 AM PDT
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Chief Financial Officer Rendell Jones will deliver remarks during a naturalization ceremony at the Los Angeles Sports Arena
Los Angeles Sports Arena
3939 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, Calif.
9:30 AM Local
Chief Privacy Officer Mary Ellen Callahan will participate in a roundtable discussion about DHS’ privacy compliance processes and practices
Field Fisher Waterhouse
35 Vine Street
London, England