In an interview with the Associated Press prior to his departure, the president spoke of his desire to break free of the last vestiges of the Cold War.

VOA: standard.2009.07.06

White House officials are sticking to a prediction they say is based on conversations with congressional Democratic leaders, that a vote in the House of Representatives can be achieved before the president's scheduled departure March 18 on a trip to Guam, Indonesia and Australia.

VOA: standard.2010.03.10