Stoney McFried
Well-Known Member
Why does it need to be any clearer....displaying a cross is clearly favoring Christianity.This is not a theocracy.
Religious Nut-Jobs ...
- Thread starter ViRedd
- Start date
Spitzered
Well-Known Member
The reason it needs to be clearer is to stop this silly discussion.
Is the Red Cross a religious symbol? Silly question huh? Its actually the Swiss flag reversing the colors, the red cross was started there.
So the people in ISD 456 decide to put a nativity scene at their local school, wholly supported by the people who attend it, pay taxes for it should be sued and punished for fear the US is becoming a theocracy? Which the US has never been or never will be?
We are gonna have to agree to disagree on this point.
Is the Red Cross a religious symbol? Silly question huh? Its actually the Swiss flag reversing the colors, the red cross was started there.
So the people in ISD 456 decide to put a nativity scene at their local school, wholly supported by the people who attend it, pay taxes for it should be sued and punished for fear the US is becoming a theocracy? Which the US has never been or never will be?
We are gonna have to agree to disagree on this point.
Stoney McFried
Well-Known Member
Yeah, but the thing is, I live in a mostly white bread christian community, and I don't ask that my personal religion be displayed on the school lawn, and neither should they.Religion is personal.Keep it to yourself.
Spitzered
Well-Known Member
I come from a small town of 10k, almost as many churches as bars.
The thing is I don't care as long as they don't force me to do anything I don't want to.
And just seeing it doesn't bother me. Now I will fight them when they infringe on my rights. Sometimes I agree with them (often for different reasons) and sometimes I don't.
But I'll use a scalpel instead of a club.
But I'll disagree and fight anyone who infringes on the rights of others, for any reason.
Even on the behalf of people I disagree with.
The thing is I don't care as long as they don't force me to do anything I don't want to.
And just seeing it doesn't bother me. Now I will fight them when they infringe on my rights. Sometimes I agree with them (often for different reasons) and sometimes I don't.
But I'll use a scalpel instead of a club.
But I'll disagree and fight anyone who infringes on the rights of others, for any reason.
Even on the behalf of people I disagree with.
misshestermoffitt
New Member
I find it funny that the pilgrims fled europe to avoid religious persecution and now their descendants are perpetrating religious persecution.
Sigh...............
Freedom of religion. It is my right to not believe in the invisible man in the sky.
Sigh...............
Freedom of religion. It is my right to not believe in the invisible man in the sky.
medicineman
New Member
If you are religious, then you need to pay attention to the bible and do as God commanded. "Go ye unto a closet and pray". Do not parade your beliefs in front of others. Religion is and should be a private matter. The manger scenes do not bother me in the least though, after all it is "Christ-Mas".
Dankdude
Well-Known Member
That ain't a small town, try living in a town of 2,000 and the only reason they don't vote to make the county wet is because the Baptist Church tells them how to vote. And yet the children of those same people who are told how to vote by the church drink beer all Friday and Saturday night and leave used condoms in the church parking lot along with their beer cans. The Church has to have some poor slob come and clean the parking lot at 6:00 AM before church starts every Sunday. The town I live in was only a population of 900 people before the oil field started booming.
I live 45 miles from the nearest grocery store.
10,000 is a good size town, but I will say that being a mayor of a town of 9,000 - 10,000 hardly qualifies you to be vice president of the United States.
Dankdude
Well-Known Member
Please Vi I would like to see what all Palin has gotten accomplished in her political career. Obama was a community Organizer, a state Senator and a US Senator.... Palin a Mayor of a town of 9,000 and a Governer for 4 years... She got little done in either office and begged for more pork from the Federal Government most... You forget Vi, the majority of the State of Alaska is a Welfare State.
These are all accomplishments and it seems like a lot to me in a fairly short period of time. I'm sure you won't read it.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER - 1985 - 1988
In 1985, freshly graduated from Columbia University and working for a New York business consultant, Barack Obama decided to become a community organizer. Though he liked the idea, he didn't understand what the job involved, and his inquiries turned up few opportunities.
Then he got a call from Jerry Kellman, an organizer working on Chicago's far South Side for a community group based in the churches of the region, an expanse of white, black and Latino blue-collar neighborhoods that were reeling from the steel-mill closings. Kellman was looking for an organizer for the new Developing Communities Project (DCP), which would focus on black city neighborhoods.
Obama, only 24, struck board members as "awesome" and "extremely impressive," and they quickly hired him, at $13,000 a year, plus $2,000 for a car--a beat-up blue Honda Civic, which Obama drove for the next three years organizing more than twenty congregations to change their neighborhoods. He organized steel workers that that lost their jobs after the steel plants closed, running job training, and education services, he also ran a group called project vote where they registered 150,000 new voters.
CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY - 1991 - 1996
Attorney Judson Miner called Harvard to offer a job to a graduating student named Barack Obama and didn't expect to be showered with gratitude. Still, he wasn't expecting the reception he got. "You can leave your name and take a number," the woman who answered the phone at the Harvard Law Review said breezily. "You're No. 647"
As the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama had his pick of top law firms. He chose Miner's Chicago civil rights firm, where he represented community organizers, discrimination victims and black voters trying to force a redrawing of city ward boundaries.
"It's a real do-good firm," says Fay Clayton, lead counsel for the National Organization for Women in a landmark lawsuit aimed at stopping abortion clinic violence. "Barack and that firm were a perfect fit. He wasn't going to make as much money there as he would at a LaSalle Street firm or in New York, but money was never Barack's first priority anyway."
The firm offered another advantage to Obama. It was close to the political action.
Miner was Chicago's corporation counsel under Harold Washington, the city's first black mayor, in the 1980s when Washington was battling for control of the City Council against remnants of the once-mighty Machine.
Miner introduced Obama to a number of people in politics. Obama already knew many others, having worked as an organizer in the black community before he entered law school.
Obama was part of a team of attorneys who represented the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in a lawsuit against the state of Illinois in 1995 for failing to implement a federal law designed to make it easier for the poor and others to register as voters.
A federal court ordered the state to implement the law.
Obama also wrote a major portion of an appeals brief on behalf of a whistleblower who exposed waste and corruption in a research project involving Cook County Hospital and the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research and alleged that she was fired in retaliation.
The case was settled out of court. The county agreed to pay the federal government $5 million, part of which went to the whistleblower, Dr. Janet Chandler. Hektoen agreed to pay $500,000 to the government plus $170,000 to Chandler for wrongful termination.
And Obama was part of a team of lawyers representing black voters and aldermen that forced Chicago to redraw ward boundaries that the City Council drew up after the 1990 census. They said the boundaries were discriminatory.
After an appeals court ruled the map violated the federal Voting Rights Act, attorneys for both sides drew up a new set of ward boundaries.
Public records at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission -- which handles ethical questions concerning the state's lawyers -- indicate there were no complaints against attorney Obama.
Obama's legal work fell off sharply in 1997 after his election to the Illinois Senate.
"On his second day down in Springfield he called me and said, 'Don't pay me -- this is a full-time job,'" Miner recalls.
Obama agreed to work for the firm in summer when the legislature was out of session. His law license became inactive in 2002 as politics took over.
Illinois State Senator - 1996 - 2004
Obama proposed requiring that interrogations and confessions be videotaped.
This seemed likely to stop the beatings, but the bill itself aroused immediate opposition. There were Republicans who were automatically tough on crime and Democrats who feared being thought soft on crime. There were death penalty abolitionists, some of whom worried that Obama's bill, by preventing the execution of innocents, would deprive them of their best argument. Vigorous opposition came from the police, too many of whom had become accustomed to using muscle to "solve" crimes. And the incoming governor, Rod Blagojevich, announced that he was against it.
Obama had his work cut out for him.
He responded with an all-out campaign of cajolery. It had not been easy for a Harvard man to become a regular guy to his colleagues. Obama had managed to do so by playing basketball and poker with them and, most of all, by listening to their concerns. Even Republicans came to respect him. One Republican state senator, Kirk Dillard, has said that "Barack had a way both intellectually and in demeanor that defused skeptics."
The police proved to be Obama's toughest opponent. Legislators tend to quail when cops say things like, "This means we won't be able to protect your children." The police tried to limit the videotaping to confessions, but Obama, knowing that the beatings were most likely to occur during questioning, fought -- successfully -- to keep interrogations included in the required videotaping.
By showing officers that he shared many of their concerns, even going so far as to help pass other legislation they wanted, he was able to quiet the fears of many.
Obama proved persuasive enough that the bill passed both houses of the legislature, the Senate by an incredible 35 to 0. Then he talked Blagojevich into signing the bill, making Illinois the first state to require such videotaping.
He also passed a bill to get 100,000 people healthcare that didn't have it.
Obama didn't stop there. He played a major role in passing many other bills, including the state's first earned-income tax credit to help the working poor and the first ethics and campaign finance law in 25 years (a law a Post story said made Illinois "one of the best in the nation on campaign finance disclosure"). Obama's commitment to ethics continued in the U.S. Senate, where he co-authored the new lobbying reform law that, among its hard-to-sell provisions, requires lawmakers to disclose the names of lobbyists who "bundle" contributions for them.
United States Senator - 2005 - Present
In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.
As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.
Board member of the Joyce Foundation, Board member Woods Fund of Chicago, Board member Chicago Annenberg Challenge, State Senator, Chairman of the Illinois State Senate Health and Human Services Committee, US Senator, Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Member of the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Member of the US Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
Obama holds assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Veterans' Affairs, and he is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
-------------------------
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In August 2005, he traveled to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. The trip focused on strategies to control the world's supply of conventional weapons, biological weapons, and weapons of mass destruction as a first defense against potential terrorist attacks.<61>
Following meetings with U.S. military in Kuwait and Iraq in January 2006, Obama visited Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
He left for his third official trip in August 2006, traveling to South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Chad. In a nationally televised speech at the University of Nairobi, he spoke forcefully on the influence of ethnic rivalries and corruption in Kenya.
Obama worked with Russ Feingold (D–WI) to eliminate gifts of travel on corporate jets by lobbyists to members of Congress and require disclosure of bundled campaign contributions under the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act", which was signed into law in September 2007.
He joined Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in sponsoring S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections, including fraudulent flyers and automated phone calls, as witnessed in the 2006 midterm elections.
Obama also introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act", a bill to cap troop levels in Iraq, begin phased redeployment, and remove all combat brigades from Iraq before April 2008.<68>
Later in 2007, Obama sponsored with Kit Bond (R-MO) an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges, and calling for a review by the Government Accountability Office following reports that the procedure had been used inappropriately to reduce government costs.
Joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.A provision from the Obama-Hagel bill was passed by Congress in December 2007 as an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.
Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. After passing both houses of Congress with bipartisan majorities, SCHIP was vetoed by President Bush in early October 2007, a move Obama said "shows a callousness of priorities that is offensive to the ideals we hold as Americans."
Barack Obama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
THESE ARE BARACK'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE U.S. SENATE TO DATE:
** First legislation, the HOPE Act, which increased Pell Grants to $5100, and later joined Senator Kennedy on the Higher Education legislation that passed July 20, by a vote of 78-18. That legislation also included funding for Predominantly Black Colleges to assist with counseling, tutoring and other needs of low income students. It also creates the Teaching Residency Act which will create a school-based teacher preparation program in high needs schools to provide each teacher with a mentor, content instruction, classroom management skills, a master’s degree and state certification, and a 2 year follow-up program.
**The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006
is an act that requires the full disclosure of all entities or organizations receiving federal funds beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2007 on a website maintained by the Office of Management and Budget.
Federal Funding Accountabi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act
Authored by U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL), the Lugar-Obama initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction.
Signed into Law on January 11, 2007.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden: The Change We Need | Invalid URL...
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill
Senate Moves on Ethics Bill - Roll Call...
Common Cause Blog :: Bush Signs Ethics Bill
** The “Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act.
S. 2125 [109th]: Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006 (GovTrack.us)
** S116 - Summer Learning demonstration project to provide summer learning grants and encourage new teaching methods.
http://www.pasesetter.org/demonstrationPrograms/nasd.ht...
Moved out of committee just a few days ago:
Obama's Global Poverty Act of 2007, passed out of committee just a few days ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) today hailed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's passage of the Global Poverty Act (S.2433), which requires the President to develop and implement a comprehensive policy to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015 through aid, trade, debt relief, and coordination with the international community, businesses and NGOs. This legislation was introduced in December. Smith and Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) sponsored the House version of the bill (H.R. 1302), which passed the House last September.
Barack Obama - U.S. Senator for Illinois /
Amendments, that have all passed:
S.Amdt.159 to S.Con.Res.18 - To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu.
S.Amdt.390 to H.R.1268 - To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
S.Amdt.670 to H.R.3 - To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
S.Amdt.808 to H.R.6 - To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal.
S.Amdt.851 to H.R.6 - To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes.
S.Amdt.1362 to S.1042 - To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II.
S.Amdt.1453 to S.1402 - To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic.
S.Amdt.2301 to H.R.3010 - To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports.
S.Amdt.2605 to S.2020 - Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting.
S.Amdt.2930 to S.2349 - To clarify that availability of legislation does not include nonbusiness days.
S.Amdt.3144 to S.Con.Res.83 - To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans
S. Amdt 41 to S. 1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
----------------------------------------------
Obama has written a total of 890 Bills and Co-sponsored Another 1096 since he started serving in the U.S. Senate.
S.CON.RES.53 : A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that any effort impose photo identification requirements for voting should be rejected.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors (23)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.697 : A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve higher education
, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/5/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 4/5/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.918 : A bill to provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/27/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.969 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic
, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/28/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 4/28/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1180 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize various programs servicing the needs of homeless veterans for fiscal years 2007 through 2011,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/7/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/9/2005 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1194 : A bill to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish guidelines and procedures for tracking, controlling, and accounting for individual spent fuel rods and segments.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1426 : A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize and extend provisions relating to contaminant prevention detection, and response.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1630 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the National Emergency Family Locator System.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/7/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/7/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S1638 : A bill to provide for the establishment of programs and activities to assist in mobilizing an appropriate healthcare workforce in the event of a health emergency or natural disaster.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/8/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 9/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1685 : A bill to ensure the evacuation of individuals with special needs in times of emergency.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/12/2005) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/12/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1770 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for advance payment of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit for 2005 in order to provide needed funds to victims of Hurricane Katrina and to stimulate local economies.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/26/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 9/26/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1920 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Ac t to establish a renewable diesel standard, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 10/25/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 10/25/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1975 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/8/2005) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2045 : A bill to provide incentives to the auto industry to accelerate efforts to develop more energy-efficient vehicles to lessen dependence on oil.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2047 : A bill to promote healthy communities.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2048 : A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2125 : A bill to promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 12/16/2005) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations; House International Relations
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-456
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2149 : A bill to authorize resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning through summer learning grants.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 12/20/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 12/20/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2179 : A bill to require openness in conference committee deliberations and full disclosure of the contents of conference reports and all other legislation.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 1/18/2006) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 1/18/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2201 : A bill to amend title 49, United States Code , to modify the mediation and implementation requirements of section 40122 regarding changes in the Federal Aviation Administration personnel management system, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 1/26/2006) Cosponsors (3
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 1/26/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26. S.2247 : A bill to promote greater use of information technology in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/6/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2006 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. S.2257 : A bill to provide for an enhanced refundable credit for families who resided in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area on August 28, 2005.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. S.2259 : A bill to establish an Office of Public Integrity in the Congress and a Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. S.2261 : A bill to provide transparency and integrity in the earmark process.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2280 : A bil l to stop transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, and under-development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/14/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2286 : A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to eliminate the separate work participation rate for 2-parent families under the temporary assistance for needy families programs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/14/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32. S.2319 : A bill to provide for the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/16/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. S.2348 : A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a licensee to notify the Atomic Energy Commission, and the State and county in which a facility is located, whenever there is an unplanned release of fission products in excess of allowable limits.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/1/2006) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Senate Reports: 109-347
Latest Major Action: 9/25/2006 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 637.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34. S.2358 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/2/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/2/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35. S.2359 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative under the Medicare program to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/2/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/2/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. S.2441 : A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37. S.2446 : A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (2) Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38. S.2484 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the disclosure of tax return information by tax return preparers to third parties.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/30/2006) Cosponsors (
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2506 : A bill to require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/4/2006) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 4/4/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2984 : A bill to require certain profitable oil companies to expend 1 percent of recent quarterly profits to install E-85 fuel pumps in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 5/23/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3475 : A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/7/2006) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/7/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3554 : A bill to establish an alternative diesel standard,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/21/2006) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3627 : A bill to prohibit the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy from selling, distributing, or transferring elemental mercury, to prohibit the export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/29/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 6/29/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3631 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/11/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3694 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/19/2006) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3757 : A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 950 Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, as the "Katherine Dunham Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/27/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/27/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Note: For further action, see H.R.5929, which became Public Law 109-333 on 10/12/2006.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3822 : A bill to improve access to and appropriate utilization of valid, reliable and accurate molecular genetic tests by all populations thus helping to secure the promise of personalized medicine for all Americans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 8/3/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3969 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to assess and reduce the levels of lead found in child-occupied facilities in the United States,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/28/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 9/28/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64. S.3988 : A bill to amend title 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism
, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/28/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/28/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.4069 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/16/2006) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 11/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.4102 : A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the use of telecommunications devices for the purposes of preventing or obstructing the broadcast or exchange of election-related information.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 12/7/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 12/7/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.159 to S.CON.RES.18 To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/15/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 159 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.390 to H.R.1268 To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/13/2005) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 4/14/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 390 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.670 to H.R.3 To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 5/11/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Latest Major Action: 5/12/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 670 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.808 to H.R.6 To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/20/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/23/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 808 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.851 to H.R.6 To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/22/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 6/23/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 851 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.1264 to H.R.3057 To support a United States contribution to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1264 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.1362 to S.1042 To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/21/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1362 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.1453 to S.1042 To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/25/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1453 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2301 to H.R.3010 To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 10/26/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 10/27/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2301 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2605 to S.2020 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2605 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2930 to S.2349 To clarify tha t availability of legislation does not include nonbusiness days.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/7/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2930 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2965 to S.2349 To ban employment negotiations to become lobbyists by Members of Congress and required recusal for senior congressional staff while in office.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/8/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Amendment SA 2965 ruled out of order by the chair.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2995 to S.2349 To expand the prohibition on lobbying in the year after leaving service to the Senate to include a prohibition on paid coordination activities.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/9/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Amendment SA 2995 ruled out of order by the chair.
__________________________________________________ _________
S.AMDT.3144 to S.CON.RES.83 To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3144 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
These are all accomplishments and it seems like a lot to me in a fairly short period of time. I'm sure you won't read it.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER - 1985 - 1988
In 1985, freshly graduated from Columbia University and working for a New York business consultant, Barack Obama decided to become a community organizer. Though he liked the idea, he didn't understand what the job involved, and his inquiries turned up few opportunities.
Then he got a call from Jerry Kellman, an organizer working on Chicago's far South Side for a community group based in the churches of the region, an expanse of white, black and Latino blue-collar neighborhoods that were reeling from the steel-mill closings. Kellman was looking for an organizer for the new Developing Communities Project (DCP), which would focus on black city neighborhoods.
Obama, only 24, struck board members as "awesome" and "extremely impressive," and they quickly hired him, at $13,000 a year, plus $2,000 for a car--a beat-up blue Honda Civic, which Obama drove for the next three years organizing more than twenty congregations to change their neighborhoods. He organized steel workers that that lost their jobs after the steel plants closed, running job training, and education services, he also ran a group called project vote where they registered 150,000 new voters.
CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY - 1991 - 1996
Attorney Judson Miner called Harvard to offer a job to a graduating student named Barack Obama and didn't expect to be showered with gratitude. Still, he wasn't expecting the reception he got. "You can leave your name and take a number," the woman who answered the phone at the Harvard Law Review said breezily. "You're No. 647"
As the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama had his pick of top law firms. He chose Miner's Chicago civil rights firm, where he represented community organizers, discrimination victims and black voters trying to force a redrawing of city ward boundaries.
"It's a real do-good firm," says Fay Clayton, lead counsel for the National Organization for Women in a landmark lawsuit aimed at stopping abortion clinic violence. "Barack and that firm were a perfect fit. He wasn't going to make as much money there as he would at a LaSalle Street firm or in New York, but money was never Barack's first priority anyway."
The firm offered another advantage to Obama. It was close to the political action.
Miner was Chicago's corporation counsel under Harold Washington, the city's first black mayor, in the 1980s when Washington was battling for control of the City Council against remnants of the once-mighty Machine.
Miner introduced Obama to a number of people in politics. Obama already knew many others, having worked as an organizer in the black community before he entered law school.
Obama was part of a team of attorneys who represented the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in a lawsuit against the state of Illinois in 1995 for failing to implement a federal law designed to make it easier for the poor and others to register as voters.
A federal court ordered the state to implement the law.
Obama also wrote a major portion of an appeals brief on behalf of a whistleblower who exposed waste and corruption in a research project involving Cook County Hospital and the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research and alleged that she was fired in retaliation.
The case was settled out of court. The county agreed to pay the federal government $5 million, part of which went to the whistleblower, Dr. Janet Chandler. Hektoen agreed to pay $500,000 to the government plus $170,000 to Chandler for wrongful termination.
And Obama was part of a team of lawyers representing black voters and aldermen that forced Chicago to redraw ward boundaries that the City Council drew up after the 1990 census. They said the boundaries were discriminatory.
After an appeals court ruled the map violated the federal Voting Rights Act, attorneys for both sides drew up a new set of ward boundaries.
Public records at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission -- which handles ethical questions concerning the state's lawyers -- indicate there were no complaints against attorney Obama.
Obama's legal work fell off sharply in 1997 after his election to the Illinois Senate.
"On his second day down in Springfield he called me and said, 'Don't pay me -- this is a full-time job,'" Miner recalls.
Obama agreed to work for the firm in summer when the legislature was out of session. His law license became inactive in 2002 as politics took over.
Illinois State Senator - 1996 - 2004
Obama proposed requiring that interrogations and confessions be videotaped.
This seemed likely to stop the beatings, but the bill itself aroused immediate opposition. There were Republicans who were automatically tough on crime and Democrats who feared being thought soft on crime. There were death penalty abolitionists, some of whom worried that Obama's bill, by preventing the execution of innocents, would deprive them of their best argument. Vigorous opposition came from the police, too many of whom had become accustomed to using muscle to "solve" crimes. And the incoming governor, Rod Blagojevich, announced that he was against it.
Obama had his work cut out for him.
He responded with an all-out campaign of cajolery. It had not been easy for a Harvard man to become a regular guy to his colleagues. Obama had managed to do so by playing basketball and poker with them and, most of all, by listening to their concerns. Even Republicans came to respect him. One Republican state senator, Kirk Dillard, has said that "Barack had a way both intellectually and in demeanor that defused skeptics."
The police proved to be Obama's toughest opponent. Legislators tend to quail when cops say things like, "This means we won't be able to protect your children." The police tried to limit the videotaping to confessions, but Obama, knowing that the beatings were most likely to occur during questioning, fought -- successfully -- to keep interrogations included in the required videotaping.
By showing officers that he shared many of their concerns, even going so far as to help pass other legislation they wanted, he was able to quiet the fears of many.
Obama proved persuasive enough that the bill passed both houses of the legislature, the Senate by an incredible 35 to 0. Then he talked Blagojevich into signing the bill, making Illinois the first state to require such videotaping.
He also passed a bill to get 100,000 people healthcare that didn't have it.
Obama didn't stop there. He played a major role in passing many other bills, including the state's first earned-income tax credit to help the working poor and the first ethics and campaign finance law in 25 years (a law a Post story said made Illinois "one of the best in the nation on campaign finance disclosure"). Obama's commitment to ethics continued in the U.S. Senate, where he co-authored the new lobbying reform law that, among its hard-to-sell provisions, requires lawmakers to disclose the names of lobbyists who "bundle" contributions for them.
United States Senator - 2005 - Present
In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.
As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.
Board member of the Joyce Foundation, Board member Woods Fund of Chicago, Board member Chicago Annenberg Challenge, State Senator, Chairman of the Illinois State Senate Health and Human Services Committee, US Senator, Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Member of the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Member of the US Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
Obama holds assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Veterans' Affairs, and he is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
-------------------------
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In August 2005, he traveled to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. The trip focused on strategies to control the world's supply of conventional weapons, biological weapons, and weapons of mass destruction as a first defense against potential terrorist attacks.<61>
Following meetings with U.S. military in Kuwait and Iraq in January 2006, Obama visited Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
He left for his third official trip in August 2006, traveling to South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Chad. In a nationally televised speech at the University of Nairobi, he spoke forcefully on the influence of ethnic rivalries and corruption in Kenya.
Obama worked with Russ Feingold (D–WI) to eliminate gifts of travel on corporate jets by lobbyists to members of Congress and require disclosure of bundled campaign contributions under the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act", which was signed into law in September 2007.
He joined Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in sponsoring S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections, including fraudulent flyers and automated phone calls, as witnessed in the 2006 midterm elections.
Obama also introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act", a bill to cap troop levels in Iraq, begin phased redeployment, and remove all combat brigades from Iraq before April 2008.<68>
Later in 2007, Obama sponsored with Kit Bond (R-MO) an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges, and calling for a review by the Government Accountability Office following reports that the procedure had been used inappropriately to reduce government costs.
Joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.A provision from the Obama-Hagel bill was passed by Congress in December 2007 as an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.
Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. After passing both houses of Congress with bipartisan majorities, SCHIP was vetoed by President Bush in early October 2007, a move Obama said "shows a callousness of priorities that is offensive to the ideals we hold as Americans."
Barack Obama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
THESE ARE BARACK'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE U.S. SENATE TO DATE:
** First legislation, the HOPE Act, which increased Pell Grants to $5100, and later joined Senator Kennedy on the Higher Education legislation that passed July 20, by a vote of 78-18. That legislation also included funding for Predominantly Black Colleges to assist with counseling, tutoring and other needs of low income students. It also creates the Teaching Residency Act which will create a school-based teacher preparation program in high needs schools to provide each teacher with a mentor, content instruction, classroom management skills, a master’s degree and state certification, and a 2 year follow-up program.
**The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006
is an act that requires the full disclosure of all entities or organizations receiving federal funds beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2007 on a website maintained by the Office of Management and Budget.
Federal Funding Accountabi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act
Authored by U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL), the Lugar-Obama initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction.
Signed into Law on January 11, 2007.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden: The Change We Need | Invalid URL...
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill
Senate Moves on Ethics Bill - Roll Call...
Common Cause Blog :: Bush Signs Ethics Bill
** The “Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act.
S. 2125 [109th]: Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006 (GovTrack.us)
** S116 - Summer Learning demonstration project to provide summer learning grants and encourage new teaching methods.
http://www.pasesetter.org/demonstrationPrograms/nasd.ht...
Moved out of committee just a few days ago:
Obama's Global Poverty Act of 2007, passed out of committee just a few days ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) today hailed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's passage of the Global Poverty Act (S.2433), which requires the President to develop and implement a comprehensive policy to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015 through aid, trade, debt relief, and coordination with the international community, businesses and NGOs. This legislation was introduced in December. Smith and Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) sponsored the House version of the bill (H.R. 1302), which passed the House last September.
Barack Obama - U.S. Senator for Illinois /
Amendments, that have all passed:
S.Amdt.159 to S.Con.Res.18 - To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu.
S.Amdt.390 to H.R.1268 - To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
S.Amdt.670 to H.R.3 - To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
S.Amdt.808 to H.R.6 - To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal.
S.Amdt.851 to H.R.6 - To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes.
S.Amdt.1362 to S.1042 - To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II.
S.Amdt.1453 to S.1402 - To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic.
S.Amdt.2301 to H.R.3010 - To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports.
S.Amdt.2605 to S.2020 - Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting.
S.Amdt.2930 to S.2349 - To clarify that availability of legislation does not include nonbusiness days.
S.Amdt.3144 to S.Con.Res.83 - To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans
S. Amdt 41 to S. 1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
----------------------------------------------
Obama has written a total of 890 Bills and Co-sponsored Another 1096 since he started serving in the U.S. Senate.
S.CON.RES.53 : A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that any effort impose photo identification requirements for voting should be rejected.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors (23)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.697 : A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve higher education
, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/5/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 4/5/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.918 : A bill to provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/27/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.969 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic
, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/28/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 4/28/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1180 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize various programs servicing the needs of homeless veterans for fiscal years 2007 through 2011,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/7/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/9/2005 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1194 : A bill to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish guidelines and procedures for tracking, controlling, and accounting for individual spent fuel rods and segments.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1426 : A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize and extend provisions relating to contaminant prevention detection, and response.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1630 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the National Emergency Family Locator System.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/7/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/7/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S1638 : A bill to provide for the establishment of programs and activities to assist in mobilizing an appropriate healthcare workforce in the event of a health emergency or natural disaster.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/8/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 9/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1685 : A bill to ensure the evacuation of individuals with special needs in times of emergency.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/12/2005) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/12/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1770 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for advance payment of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit for 2005 in order to provide needed funds to victims of Hurricane Katrina and to stimulate local economies.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/26/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 9/26/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1920 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Ac t to establish a renewable diesel standard, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 10/25/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 10/25/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1975 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/8/2005) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2045 : A bill to provide incentives to the auto industry to accelerate efforts to develop more energy-efficient vehicles to lessen dependence on oil.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2047 : A bill to promote healthy communities.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2048 : A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2125 : A bill to promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 12/16/2005) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations; House International Relations
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-456
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2149 : A bill to authorize resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning through summer learning grants.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 12/20/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 12/20/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2179 : A bill to require openness in conference committee deliberations and full disclosure of the contents of conference reports and all other legislation.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 1/18/2006) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 1/18/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2201 : A bill to amend title 49, United States Code , to modify the mediation and implementation requirements of section 40122 regarding changes in the Federal Aviation Administration personnel management system, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 1/26/2006) Cosponsors (3
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 1/26/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26. S.2247 : A bill to promote greater use of information technology in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/6/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2006 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. S.2257 : A bill to provide for an enhanced refundable credit for families who resided in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area on August 28, 2005.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. S.2259 : A bill to establish an Office of Public Integrity in the Congress and a Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. S.2261 : A bill to provide transparency and integrity in the earmark process.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/8/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 2/8/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2280 : A bil l to stop transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, and under-development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/14/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2286 : A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to eliminate the separate work participation rate for 2-parent families under the temporary assistance for needy families programs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/14/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32. S.2319 : A bill to provide for the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 2/16/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. S.2348 : A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a licensee to notify the Atomic Energy Commission, and the State and county in which a facility is located, whenever there is an unplanned release of fission products in excess of allowable limits.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/1/2006) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Senate Reports: 109-347
Latest Major Action: 9/25/2006 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 637.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34. S.2358 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/2/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/2/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35. S.2359 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative under the Medicare program to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/2/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/2/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. S.2441 : A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37. S.2446 : A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (2) Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38. S.2484 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the disclosure of tax return information by tax return preparers to third parties.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/30/2006) Cosponsors (
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2506 : A bill to require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/4/2006) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 4/4/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.2984 : A bill to require certain profitable oil companies to expend 1 percent of recent quarterly profits to install E-85 fuel pumps in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 5/23/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3475 : A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/7/2006) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/7/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3554 : A bill to establish an alternative diesel standard,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/21/2006) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3627 : A bill to prohibit the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy from selling, distributing, or transferring elemental mercury, to prohibit the export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/29/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 6/29/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3631 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/11/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3694 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/19/2006) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3757 : A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 950 Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, as the "Katherine Dunham Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/27/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/27/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Note: For further action, see H.R.5929, which became Public Law 109-333 on 10/12/2006.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3822 : A bill to improve access to and appropriate utilization of valid, reliable and accurate molecular genetic tests by all populations thus helping to secure the promise of personalized medicine for all Americans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 8/3/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.3969 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to assess and reduce the levels of lead found in child-occupied facilities in the United States,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/28/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 9/28/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64. S.3988 : A bill to amend title 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism
, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 9/28/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/28/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.4069 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/16/2006) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 11/16/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.4102 : A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the use of telecommunications devices for the purposes of preventing or obstructing the broadcast or exchange of election-related information.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 12/7/2006) Cosponsors (None) Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 12/7/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.159 to S.CON.RES.18 To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/15/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 159 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.390 to H.R.1268 To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 4/13/2005) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 4/14/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 390 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.670 to H.R.3 To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 5/11/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Latest Major Action: 5/12/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 670 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.808 to H.R.6 To establish a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/20/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/23/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 808 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.851 to H.R.6 To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 6/22/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 6/23/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 851 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.1264 to H.R.3057 To support a United States contribution to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1264 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.1362 to S.1042 To require a report on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/21/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1362 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.1453 to S.1042 To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 7/25/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1453 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2301 to H.R.3010 To increase funds to the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program and to the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 10/26/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 10/27/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2301 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2605 to S.2020 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should immediately address issues relating to no-bid contracting.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2605 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2930 to S.2349 To clarify tha t availability of legislation does not include nonbusiness days.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/7/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2930 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2965 to S.2349 To ban employment negotiations to become lobbyists by Members of Congress and required recusal for senior congressional staff while in office.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/8/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Amendment SA 2965 ruled out of order by the chair.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
S.AMDT.2995 to S.2349 To expand the prohibition on lobbying in the year after leaving service to the Senate to include a prohibition on paid coordination activities.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/9/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2006 Amendment SA 2995 ruled out of order by the chair.
__________________________________________________ _________
S.AMDT.3144 to S.CON.RES.83 To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2006 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3144 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
ViRedd
New Member
Hardly anything earth-shattering, Dank. It looks as though O'Bama has used the senate as an extension of his "community organizing."
On the other hand, to counter your ridiculous assertion that Palin isn't qualified to be VP, I contend that she is FAR more qualified than O'bma, who is running, not for VP, but for president. Here ... read this:
Sarah Palin's Accomplishments - Bristol Palin - Zimbio
And after you read that, let me know again why you feel Palin isn't qualified.
Thanks, Dankster.
Vi
On the other hand, to counter your ridiculous assertion that Palin isn't qualified to be VP, I contend that she is FAR more qualified than O'bma, who is running, not for VP, but for president. Here ... read this:
Sarah Palin's Accomplishments - Bristol Palin - Zimbio
And after you read that, let me know again why you feel Palin isn't qualified.
Thanks, Dankster.
Vi
TheBrutalTruth
Well-Known Member
Dank, that's all find and dandy, and I'm sure a lot of people have similar records, and that's why politicians scare me.
Only fools would believe that the government has the power to change anything. That, and that kind of belief in government power disturbs me.
The problem isn't going to be solved with bigger or more government, the problem is government.
That and any one can pass laws to look good, and write them to look good.
Obama is like another Hillary, Power-hungry... but that describes all politicians.
At least Republicans want to empower citizens instead of empower government.
Only fools would believe that the government has the power to change anything. That, and that kind of belief in government power disturbs me.
The problem isn't going to be solved with bigger or more government, the problem is government.
That and any one can pass laws to look good, and write them to look good.
Obama is like another Hillary, Power-hungry... but that describes all politicians.
At least Republicans want to empower citizens instead of empower government.
Dankdude
Well-Known Member
Please Vi Palin presided over a barely populated welfare state.. hardly qualifies her to be Vice President, much less president.
Rudy Guliani was more qualified for president ad the mayor of New York.
Alaska only has around 700,000 population, 1/10 the Population of New York City.
I just read that about an hour ago... nothing earth shattering there either... In fact you should be against her since she goes against your anti-taxation views.. She tried to tax the oil companies so that she can get more welfare money for her constituants...
Try again.
Stop voting with your dick.
Rudy Guliani was more qualified for president ad the mayor of New York.
Alaska only has around 700,000 population, 1/10 the Population of New York City.
I just read that about an hour ago... nothing earth shattering there either... In fact you should be against her since she goes against your anti-taxation views.. She tried to tax the oil companies so that she can get more welfare money for her constituants...
Try again.
Stop voting with your dick.
Dankdude
Well-Known Member
Before empowering the citizens you have to fix the mess that caused the empowered citizens to go into the crisis we are now in.
The Conservative mind set has led to an infrastructure that is going to pot, to a war we don't need to be in, and to a recession that was cause by short sighted policies. Not to mention health care that most working people can not afford.. Yeah Conservative policies really work
The Conservatives have reduced government to nothing but a Dictatorship with the Patriot act. At least the liberals are trying to give the Majority of the people what they want... (that is how We The People Works.)
Republicans are trying to say what's good for the people. Sound familiar, that's what the republicans were accusing the democrats of 20 years ago.
ViRedd
New Member
Palin isn't running for president, she's running for Vice President. She's more than qualified for the job. Now, if you want to use state population as a point of qualification, where does that put Biden? I think the last time I looked it up, the population of Delaware was around 850,000. And, please don't try to tell me that Delaware isn't a welfare state. ~lol~
Vi
Bongulator
Well-Known Member
If you're waiting in line behind a 72-year old male with a history of malignant melanoma, you're *almost* running for president. The overall stats are, 1 in 3 presidents don't survive their term. That's including all the younger presidents and assassinated presidents, who obviously drag the average down. For McCain, it's probably no better than 50/50 that he survives his first term, so there's a 50/50 shot of a President Palin. That's mighty good odds of us ending up with an inexperienced, corrupt, vindictive, secretive president whose major foreign policy experience is that she *may* have driven far enough to see an unpopulated area of Russia with a pair of binoculars. And even if she inherits the White House, she won't be able to get anything done with both houses of Congress shooting down any wacky ideas she may have. She'd be, at best, a do-nothing placeholder until the next election. McCain too, for that matter.
Garden Knowm
The Love Doctor
Dankdude
Well-Known Member
Alaska only has a population of 700,000 and half are Eskimos that don't even vote. And Alaska has an unemployment rate much higher than Delaware. Please in reality tell me what Palin has really done for her state other than beg for federal funds and try to tax the oil companies to support the people of her state. As a person who hates taxation so much Vi, that alone should stick in your craw. She is no conservative by virtue of the fact she is taxing oil corporations to support her people. In fact that is Socialism by your own description.
Lets put it Bluntly, Palin is a Socialist acting as a conservative.
Can you say sheep in wolf's clothing? I knew you could.
Oh BTW my mom says hello.
Bongulator
Well-Known Member
Not just *some* taxation either. Alaska taxes every barrel of oil 75% (!) on the difference between the price of a barrel of oil on the open market and $25 (the estimated cost to remove it from the ground). With oil at $100/barrel, Alaska is taking 0.75 * (100-25), or 56 percent of the *gross*, with the current price of oil. Talk about a windfall profits tax! Kapow! The main difference between her and Obama on that is that Obama would use the tax revenue to help *all* Americans, whereas those gigantic Alaska oil taxes are only used to help the 0.35% of the US population that have Alaskan citizenship. Her stance is pretty much: fuck the 99.65% of the country that aren't Alaskans.
And as for experience, don't give any credit for incomplete terms. She has, what, two complete terms as mayor of a rinky dink town, and 0 complete terms as anything else. You think she's going to complete this term as governor? Highly doubtful, regardless of how the presidential race goes. Those abuse of power and corruption charges against her are going to stick and then *maybe* Wasilla will take her back as mayor, and then she can go back to trying to talk local librarians into banning books. The fact that she asked the librarian about banning books not just once, not just twice, but three times shows she doesn't understand our Constitution at *all*. But then, neither does Cheney. Or, if they do understand it, they don't give a shit about it.
And as for experience, don't give any credit for incomplete terms. She has, what, two complete terms as mayor of a rinky dink town, and 0 complete terms as anything else. You think she's going to complete this term as governor? Highly doubtful, regardless of how the presidential race goes. Those abuse of power and corruption charges against her are going to stick and then *maybe* Wasilla will take her back as mayor, and then she can go back to trying to talk local librarians into banning books. The fact that she asked the librarian about banning books not just once, not just twice, but three times shows she doesn't understand our Constitution at *all*. But then, neither does Cheney. Or, if they do understand it, they don't give a shit about it.