part 2
ECONOMY
• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) (2009) * Note: Bush was the
first president since Herbert Hoover to not make infrastructure a priority
• Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)
• Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)
• Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (2009) * Note: 1/3 in tax cuts for working-class
families; 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects; 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police
officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls
• Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as
quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)
• Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the
Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy “toxic assets” from failing financial
institutions (2009)
• Authorized the “Cash for Clunkers” program that stimulated auto sales and removed old,
inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
• Convened a “jobs summit” to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)
• Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy of protecting credit card companies (2009) * Note: In place of the old
policy, new consumer protections were instituted and the industry’s predatory practices were
banned
• Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and
ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
• Placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was
found to be illegally “dumping” exports below cost (2009) * Note: Clinton, Bush I, and Reagan all
refused to “get tough” on China’s predatory trade practices; Bush II refused four times during his
presidency
• In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
• Called on Congress to deliver a “Jobs bill” (2010)
• Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily
if customers are paying bills on time (2010)
• Signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits set to expire (2010)
• Signed historic Wall Street reform bill (2010) * Note: Designed to reregulate and end abusive
practices and promote consumer protections
• Signed the HIRE Act to stimulate the economic recovery (2010) * Note: The bill includes: tax
cuts for small businesses who hire someone unemployed for at least two months; small
businesses can write off their investments in equipment this year; etc.
• National Export Initiative established to enhance federal support (technical assistance, training,
trade missions, etc.) and coordination efforts to help US businesses export products and services
(2010)
• Initiatives to promote a “Wireless Broadband Revolution” (2010) * Note: Among other things,
broadband is finally being considered as necessary infrastructure, with efforts to expand use,
access, and spectrum…
• Expanded agricultural credit to farmers during current economic crisis (2010)
• Signed bill - US Manufacturing Enhancement Act (2010)
• Signed bill - Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance (2010)
TAXES
• Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of
tax evaders and criminals (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs
(2009) * Note: The new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to brings jobs back to the US
• Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of
“working families” (2009) * Note: The tax cuts were not as big as was suggested during the 2008
campaign
• Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)
• Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)
• Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)
• Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
• Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
• Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
• Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (2010) *
Note: This would be for families earning over $250,000/year and would return their tax rates to the
1990’s level
BUDGETING
• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut
federal spending (2009)
• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)
• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money
and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
• Overturned the Bush-era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget
(2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did this (so did Reagan) in an effort to hide programs and make the
budget look smaller; such “off budget” items are now included in the annual budget
• Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did not list
many of the appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and War on Terror
• Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
• Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)
• Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary
(2010)
• Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate
members and private citizens, tasked with submitting proposals to balance the budget (2010) *
Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
• Established a bipartisan commission on the future of Social Security, tasked with submitting
proposals to preserve and strengthen Social Security (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican
opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
• Cut $20 billion from federal budget and has pledged to cut at least this much every year (2010)
• Ultimately decided to cancel planned new presidential helicopter fleet and stick with marine One
(2010)
• Freezing all discretionary spending for next three years, except on national security (2010)
• Presidential Memoranda to freeze discretionary awards, bonuses, etc. for federal political
appointees (2010)
• Beginning to use “Pay-As-You-Go” (Pay-Go) to offset budget expenditures with budget cuts or
revenue enhancements (2010)
HEALTHCARE
• Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)
• Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of
Medicare (2009)
• Reversed some of the Bush-era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with
pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid (2009) *
Note: Obama had promised to lift all restrictions but, while he did negotiate with drug companies
for them to lower their costs the deal only lifted some restrictions
• Expanding government vaccination programs (2009)
• Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
• Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
• Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)
• Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held dozens
of public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
• Established a new council on National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health to be
chaired by Surgeon General and charged with promoting healthy lifestyles and integrative
healthcare (2010)
• When accusations to the contrary arose, an Executive Order was signed to reaffirm that federal
funds are not to be used for abortion services (2010)
• Historic healthcare reform bill signed - $940 billion over 10 years (2010) * Note: 32 million
additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most
Americans, but many of the goals are phased in over four years
Components of the bill
- Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-
existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with
pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014
- Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
- Bans “rescission” so insurance companies can’t cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies
current or if they become ill
- An individual’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
- Closes the “donut hole” (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare
helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs
in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors
will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
- In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the
“donut hole”
- Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by
2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will
also be eligible for benefits
- Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government
subsidies to help purchase health insurance
- All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50
employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine
- Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
- There are hardship exemptions if individuals can’t afford health insurance
- Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
- Promotes health insurance “exchanges” so consumers can buy “wholesale”
- Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from
insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive
rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating
in new health insurance exchanges
Funding sources:
- Large employers (over 50 workers) that don’t offer health benefits will be charged a
$2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally
subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker
(whichever is lower)
- Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60
billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
- Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of
$695/person)
- Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and
families making $250,000+
- 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
- Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called
“Cadillac” plans) they offer
Miscellaneous:
- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
- By Executive Order, such federal funding can’t be used for abortion
- The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding
Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
• Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel efficiency standards
above federal standards (2009)
• Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era rule that weakened the Endangered Species Act (2009)
• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
(2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions (2009)
• Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of their energy
from renewable sources (2009)
• Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed effort to clean up
“Superfund” toxic waste sites (2009)
• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and
cleaner, efficient energy production (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s energy reform was killed by
Senate Republicans
• Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)
• Cancelled several Bush-era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)
• Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
* Note: Bush had withdrawn from such efforts
• Asked Congress for an energy reform and “cap and trade” bill (2009) * Note: The Congress
failed to pass such a bill
• Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy production (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks such as the
Grand Canyon (2009)
• Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)
• Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of acres of scenic,
historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)
• Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save energy costs (2009) *
Note: These green retrofits are moving very slowly
• Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support large-scale solar
installations (2009)
• Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated an international
(voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising funds to assist developing
nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)
• Banned importation of pythons in response to a growing population of pythons damaging the
Florida Everglades (2009)
• Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of renewable, clean energy
sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)
• Executive orders establishing a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all
federal operations (2009) (2010)
• Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf, Atlantic, and off
Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)
• Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a study on the
feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010) * Note: Nearly all energy initiatives were
defeated by Republican opposition in Congress
• Increased investment in clean energy projects (2010)
• Executive Order to develop a new strategy for and commitment to ocean and lake resources,
and for scientific research on water quality (2010)
RIGHTS
• Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
• Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina, to the Supreme Court (2009)
• Held the first Seder in White House (2009)
• Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)
• Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization (2009)
• Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes acts of violence against
gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)
• Reversed the Bush-era practice of politicizing Justice Department investigations and
prosecutions against political opponents (2009)
• Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009) * Note: The process
has moved at a snail’s pace and, in the face of opposition, Obama has remained quiet
• Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide federal research and
support for treating the disease (2009)
• Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)
• Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; placed a “freeze” on
current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military (2009)
• After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment
discrimination laws (2009)
• Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives from 564
federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)
• Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health
Service (2009)
• Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult
Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)
• Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
• Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in terms of benefits (2010)
• Signed an Executive Order for the President’s Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (2010)
• Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
• Signed Executive Order to promote the federal government as a “model employer” when it
comes to hiring the disabled (2010) * Note: This includes new efforts to increase the recruitment,
hiring, and training for the disabled
• Programs to assist Spanish speakers with the US Census (2010)
• Elena Kagen appointed to Supreme Court (2010)
• Tasked all federal agencies to develop new strategies to address HIV/AIDS (2010)
• After organizing studies on the topic in 2009, tasked the Pentagon to eliminate “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell” (2010)
• Signed Fair Sentencing Act (2010) * Note: The Administration continues to deescalate marijuana
interdiction and raids; increased dramatically the amount of cocaine one must possess to be
sentenced to jail; eliminated mandatory sentencing for first-time drug abusers and simple
possession
EDUCATION
• Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in K-12 public schools
(2009)
• Increased funding for school construction (2009)
• Increased funding available for student loans (2009)
• Expanded the national youth service program (2009)
• Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years (2009)
• Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their
loans (2009)
• Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s
education reform has been sidelined by opposition in Congress
• Initiated a “Race to the Top” competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative
policies (2009)
• Instituted a “judgment review” allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current
financial status determine the loan rather than the previous year’s finances (2009)
• Launched “Educate to Innovate,” a public/private partnership making $236 million available for
science, mathematics, and technology education programs (2009)
• Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of
their income) (2010)
• Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public
service jobs (2010)
• The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost of private banks
(“middle man”) who increase the costs in order to make a profit (2010)
• Increased investment in technologies for schools/education (2010)
DISASTER RESPONSE
• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)
• FEMA once again reports directly to the president (2009) * Note: Bush removed FEMA (prior to
the Hurricane Katrina disaster) from this status
• Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other
natural disasters (2009)
• Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina
recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)
• Timely and massive relief effort in response to the January 2010 earthquake and ensuing
humanitarian crisis (2010)
Components of the response:
- The FBI’s National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with
organizations soliciting funds for relief
- Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
- Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department
- Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a “person finder” online to
help families and friends to locate loved ones
- Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.
- Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in
Haiti
- Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief
ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel
- Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6
search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services
personnel for emergency medical and aid support
- Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Port-au-Prince
• After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a freeze was placed on new deep
water projects (2010)
• Executive Order to establish new security measures to minimize accidental release of bio and
chemical agents; new strategies for public health and bioterrorism response (2010)
• Established a national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon spill to examine facts and
report a plan of action; new efforts to prevent offshore spills (2010)
• After a slow start in responding to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the White House is
promoting a long-term plan to reconstruct the damaged Gulf and negotiated with BP the
establishment of a multi-billion dollar trust fund for victims of the spill (2010)
• Extended national flood insurance program for those in need during current economic crisis
(2010)
OTHER INITIATIVES
• New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)
• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program (2009)
• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)
• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)
• Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)
• Ordered a review of existing “mandatory minimum” prison sentencing (2009)
• Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on
the tarmac during delays (2009)
• Restored the EPA to “Cabinet level” status (2009) * Note: Bush removed the EPA from this
status
• Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform (2010)
* Note: Much of Obama’s immigration reform had been stalled by opposition in Congress
• Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction for human
space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and jettisoning the Ares 1 program;
boosting NASA’s budget by $1 billion in 2011 (2010)
• Ordered a ban on text-messaging for all commercial truck and bus drivers (2010)
• Signed bill – FAA Air Transportaiton Modernizatin and Safety Improvement Act (2010)
P.S. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING…
• The Obamas paid for the renovations of the private living quarters in the White House with their
own money rather than using the funds provided to all new first families (2009)
• The Obamas reused many Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees rather than
buy new ones (2009)
• The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; donated the award money for the prize to several charities
(2009)
• Planted a garden for the White House’s vegetables and flowers (2009)
• Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of White House
employees (2009)
• Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first year in office (2009) *
Note: Official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record high
• Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not readily
available on such things, but this seems to be a new record low
...And A FAMILY MAN !
B4B NOTE: Special Thanks to Robert P. Watson, Ph. D., Professor of American Studies, Lynn
University who compiled this list and writes " Like all presidents, Barack Obama has made
mistakes. But, as a presidential historian, I have been struck by claims being put forward by
Obama’s many critics and the news media that he has accomplished little when, in fact, his
presidency is easily one of the most active in history." And Thanks to our friend Sherry Lou
Meeks.
Thank You Mr. President !
