The article is devoted to the socio-economic policy pursued by Barak Obama who had won elections and entered the presidential office in the midst of the strongest economic crisis. The author considers in depth each of the new administration's strategy directions in taking simultaneously both short-term measures necessary for the fastest crisis recovery and actions aimed at laying the foundation for the future long-term prosperity of the country. The feature of the current stage is the elevation of social policy to the rank of national priorities, and the crisis does not abolish it.