By: Ermira Babamusta, Ph.D./

Washington DC, White House (December 20, 2013)- This afternoon, President Obama held a press conference at the Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House, to address the nation. President Obama talked about the accomplishments of 2013 and the challenges ahead. The President emphasized successes such as many as 8 million Americans are employed over the past 45 months and millions more are insured despite the problems on the health care website. Employment rates grew at its strongest paste and that overall unemployment has fallen over the 5 years.

The President stated that the economy is stronger than when he first took office. “For the first time in nearly two decades we produce more oil here at home, than we buy. We are heading to a stronger economy next year, with new business growth and new jobs,” said President Obama.

President Obama stated that 2014 is the ‘year of the action’ and he will focus his agenda on bringing more jobs, secure wages for workers that lead to financial security and provide more education opportunities for workers to get the skills they need to get hired.

Looking ahead the President is hopeful to bring immigration reform on a bipartisan front.  “We have the task to fix the broken immigration system,” he said and “I will focus my efforts on boosting our economy, attract more investment and bring better opportunities for the middle class.”

On the question regarding Snowden the President replied: “This is an important conversation we needed to have. United States is a country that abides by the rules of law that cares about our civil liberties and constitution. It is important to keep in mind this has done unnecessary damage to US diplomacy and US intelligence. I will leave it to Attorney General to follow up on the issue”.

President Obama also discussed foreign policy stating, “we are also standing up for our interests around the world. We demonstrated principled diplomacy in pursuing new paths for no nuclear weapons in Iran and destroying the stockpiles in Syria.” The president said that by the end of next year more troops will come home. He ended by thanking the men and women overseas for their service, who are spending the holidays away from their families. “We want to thank you! Your country stands united in being grateful for your service and sacrifice,” said President Barack Obama.