DAILY SNAPSHOT
Saturday, September 5, 2015

Weekly Address: This Labor Day, Lets Talk About the Budget

In this week's address, the President recognized Labor Day by highlighting the economic progress our country has made, and underlining what needs to be done to continue that growth. Our businesses have created 13.1 million new jobs over the past five and a half years, the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in seven years, and seventeen states across the country have raised the minimum wage.

The President stressed that to continue this progress, Congress needs to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt middle-class Americans and pass a responsible budget before the end of September. The President emphasized that Congress should not play games with our economy, and instead pass a budget that invests in our middle-class and helps those who work hard and play by the rules to get ahead.

Watch the President's Weekly Address here

President Obama's Trip to Alaska

This week, President Obama visited Alaska, becoming the first president to travel above the Arctic Circle.

Denali is seen from a window on Air Force One during descent into Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The President headed to Alaska for a 3-day trip, where he saw the effects of climate change first-hand. Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face, it is being driven by human activity, and it is disrupting Americans' lives right now.

During the visit, President Obama shared his experience with people around the country. For the first-time ever, the President took over the White House Instagram to give you a behind-the-scenes look at his trip. See all the trip photos in this Behind the Lens.

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The Employment Situation in August

In August, the economy added 173,000 jobs, extending the longest streak of private sector job growth on records.

The economy has now added 8 million jobs over the past three years, a pace that has not been exceeded since 2000. And while the economy added jobs at a somewhat slower pace in August than in recent months, the unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent -- its lowest level since April 2008.

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Every Kid in a Park Kicks Off at Red Rock Canyon

President Obama's Every Kid in a Park initiative entitles all fourth graders and their families to a free pass for a full year to visit federal lands and waters.

Fourth-graders at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., holding passes for free admission to all national parks for a year, Aug. 24, 2015. (National Park Services photo)

This program will help close the gap between children and nature by introducing kids from all backgrounds to our nation's great outdoors.

Visit the Every Kid in a Park website to complete a short, educational activity to obtain their free pass to more than 2,000 federal sites, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and other federal lands and waters.

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