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What has (insert name here) accomplished?
I'm going to start by posting one of Michael J. Salamone's comments:
During the first (8) eight years of [Obama's] elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded
**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law),
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law),
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law),
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more.
He also gave us a list of Clinton's accomplishments, but I hope he'll forgive me if I think he might be a bit biased. So I ask sincerely, what has she accomplished that you think she should be proud of?
I also ask of Obama's supporters to list what you think Michael might have omitted.
Any McCain (or even Paul or Huckabee) supporters can also jump in.
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Comments (17)
I am biased, but I did list all 20 of the pieces of legislation she authored and passed, so I think it's a fair list.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
February 20, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
It wasn't meant as a dig, it's just that I'm highly skeptical of those of us who support Obama (and I include myself in that list) being able to judge Clinton in a completely unbiased manner. Obviously, her supporters will be biased as well, but I hope it will at least provide some balance.
Also, her accomplishments are not necessarily limited to her legislation. Many of her supporters, for example, are proud (I assume) of how she handled herself during the Clinton administration. At least one other has mentioned that her campaign has been carbon neutral. I'd really like to hear about all positives about all the candidates, and I hope we can keep it all positive.
February 20, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
No offense taken. I'm the first to admit that I'm more anti-Hillary than pro-Obama. She's my Senator, and I'd love to see her leave public office. I certainly don't want to see her promoted.
February 20, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ben,
Normally, I don't know that I would include introduced legislation, but since you did I feel it's ok.
This includes introduced and (some) passed legislation from 2007-2008 by Hillary Clinton:
Status Bill
Introduced
Jan 31, 2008 S. 2584: A bill to establish a program to evaluate HIV/AIDS programs in order to improve accountability, increase transparency, and ensure the delivery of evidence-based services.
Introduced
Jan 30, 2008 S. 2574: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the use of qualified mortgage revenue bonds for refinancing mortgages and to provide a temporary increase in the volume cap for such bonds.
Introduced
Jan 23, 2008 S. 2549: A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to provide guidance to Federal agencies on the development of criteria for identifying disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations and low-income populations, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Jan 22, 2008 S. 2535: A bill to revise the boundary of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Dec 19, 2007 S. 2524: Davis-Bacon Enforcement Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 18, 2007 S. 2515: Skilled Trades Second Responders Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 18, 2007 S. 2514: Standing with Minimum Wage Earners Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 13, 2007 S. 2480: Nursing Home Quality and Transparency Act
Introduced
Dec 13, 2007 S. 2476: Improved Vaccine Supply Act
Introduced
Dec 12, 2007 S. 2456: Influenza Vaccine Security Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 6, 2007 S. 2426: Congressional Oversight of Iraq Agreements Act of 2007
Introduced
Dec 5, 2007 S. 2415: Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth Act of 2007
Introduced
Nov 16, 2007 S. 2395: A bill to establish an adoption process improvement pilot program.
Introduced
Nov 13, 2007 S. 2341: FIRST Act
Introduced
Nov 6, 2007 S. 2310: Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007
Introduced
Oct 25, 2007 S. 2244: Lead Elimination, Abatement, and Poisoning Prevention Act of 2007
Introduced
Oct 24, 2007 S. 2222: Trade Agreement Assessment Act
Introduced
Oct 17, 2007 S. 2187: Quality Child Care for America Act
Introduced
Oct 17, 2007 S. 2175: Family Asthma Act
Introduced
Sep 27, 2007 S. 2114: American Home Ownership Preservation Act of 2007
Introduced
Sep 20, 2007 S. 2082: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a Coordinated Environmental Public Health Network, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Sep 18, 2007 S. 2059: Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act
Introduced
Sep 17, 2007 S. 2054: Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Program Act of 2007
Introduced
Aug 3, 2007 S. 2005: Secondhand Smoke Education and Outreach Act of 2007
Introduced
Aug 2, 2007 S. 1967: New Savers Act
Introduced
Aug 2, 2007 S. 1950: A bill to require a report on contingency planning for the redeployment of United States forces from Iraq.
Introduced
Aug 1, 2007 S. 1911: TCE Reduction Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 30, 2007 S. 1898: Military Family and Medical Leave Act
Introduced
Jul 26, 2007 S. 1888: Korean War Veterans Recognition Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 20, 2007 S. 1840: Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 19, 2007 S. 1823: Ready to Learn Act
Introduced
Jul 19, 2007 S. 1821: A bill to prohibit the closure or relocation of any county, local, or field office of the Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service or any office related to the rural development mission of the Department of Agriculture until at least 1 year after the enactment of an Act to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs after fiscal year 2007.
Introduced
Jul 19, 2007 S. 1816: National Women's Rights History Project Act
Introduced
Jul 18, 2007 S. 1812: Mentoring America's Children Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 17, 2007 S. 1801: A bill to require a study on the relocation of the Sector Buffalo facilities of the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Jul 17, 2007 S. 1800: Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act
Introduced
Jul 17, 2007 S. 1793: Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 13, 2007 S. 1787: Rural Students College, Career, and Community Readiness Act of 2007
Introduced
Jul 11, 2007 S. 1763: Cold War Medal Act of 2007
Introduced
Jun 27, 2007 S. 1712: Screening for Health of Infants and Newborns Act
Introduced
Jun 27, 2007 S. 1705: Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007
Introduced
Jun 13, 2007 S. 1604: Nursing Education and Quality of Health Care Act of 2007
Introduced
Jun 5, 2007 S. 1542: Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007
Scheduled for Debate
Jul 24, 2007 S. 1500: Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe Act of 2007
Introduced
May 24, 2007 S. 1485: Milk Import Tariff Equity Act
Introduced
May 24, 2007 S. 1480: Gold Star Parents Annuity Act of 2007
Introduced
May 22, 2007 S. 1452: Public Mental Health Emergency Preparedness Act of 2007
Introduced
May 22, 2007 S. 1444: Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2007
Introduced
May 17, 2007 S. 1427: Federal Emergency Management Improvement Act of 2007
Introduced
May 16, 2007 S. 1409: 21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007
Introduced
May 15, 2007 S. 1390: Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act
Introduced
May 10, 2007 S. 1363: Bridging the Gap for Wounded Warriors Act
Introduced
May 9, 2007 S. 1343: Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Act of 2007
Introduced
May 1, 2007 S. 1259: Education for All Act of 2007
Introduced
Apr 26, 2007 S. 1240: Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act of 2007
Scheduled for Debate
Sep 17, 2007 S. 1148: Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission Act of 2007
Introduced
Apr 12, 2007 S. 1097: Cold War Medal Act of 2007
Introduced
Apr 10, 2007 S. 1078: Housing America's Workforce Act
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1075: Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1065: Heroes at Home Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1064: Restoring Disability Benefits for Injured and Wounded Warriors Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1063: Protecting Military Family Financial Benefits Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1059: Zero-Emissions Building Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1034: Rural Investment to Strengthen our Economy Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1032: Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 29, 2007 S. 1031: School Food Fresh Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 27, 2007 S. 993: Pediatric Research Improvement Act
Introduced
Mar 23, 2007 S. 982: Positive Aging Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 22, 2007 S. 960: Public Service Academy Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 22, 2007 S. 959: Teach For America Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 21, 2007 S. 947: 21st Century Housing Act
Introduced
Mar 20, 2007 S. 937: Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 15, 2007 S. 907: GEDI Act
Introduced
Mar 15, 2007 S. 895: Children's Health First Act
Introduced
Mar 9, 2007 S. 837: I LEAD Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 8, 2007 S. 820: Choices in Child Care Act
Introduced
Mar 7, 2007 S. 804: Count Every Vote Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 6, 2007 S. 776: A bill to amend the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include certain former nuclear weapons program workers in the Special Exposure Cohort under the energy employees occupational illness compensation program.
Introduced
Mar 6, 2007 S. 766: Paycheck Fairness Act
Introduced
Mar 5, 2007 S. 764: Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act of 2007
Introduced
Mar 5, 2007 S. 757: National Mathematics and Science Consistency Act
Introduced
Mar 2, 2007 S. 748: African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act
Introduced
Feb 28, 2007 S. 701: Strategic Energy Fund Act of 2007
Introduced
Feb 27, 2007 S. 694: Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007
Introduced
Feb 16, 2007 S. 670: Iraq Troop Protection and Reduction Act of 2007
Introduced
Feb 16, 2007 S. 661: Kinship Caregiver Support Act
Introduced
Feb 15, 2007 S. 649: A bill to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct an independent safety assessment of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.
Introduced
Feb 7, 2007 S. 511: A bill to provide student borrowers with basic rights, including the right to timely information about their loans and the right to make fair and reasonable loan payments, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Jan 26, 2007 S. 413: Community Choice in Real Estate Act
Introduced
Jan 16, 2007 S. 301: Nontraditional Student Success Act
Introduced
Jan 9, 2007 S. 211: Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2007
Introduced
Jan 8, 2007 S. 201: 9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S. 120: 9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007
Passed Senate
Jan 22, 2008 S.Con.Res. 63: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for additional research into the chronic neurological condition hydrocephalus, and for other purposes.
Passed Senate, Passed House
Jul 30, 2007 8:19 PM S.Con.Res. 27: A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of "National Purple Heart Recognition Day".
Passed Senate
Jul 31, 2007 S.Con.Res. 26: A concurrent resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and commending recipients of the Purple Heart for their courageous demonstrations of gallantry and heroism on behalf of the United States.
Scheduled for Debate
Mar 1, 2007 S.Con.Res. 10: A concurrent resolution honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 98th anniversary.
Introduced
Dec 13, 2007 S.Res. 404: A resolution congratulating all member states of the International Commission for the International Tracing Service (ITS) on ratifying the May 2006 protocol granting open access to a vast archives on the Holocaust and other World War II materials, located at Bad Arolsen, Germany.
Passed Senate
Sep 10, 2007 S.Res. 222: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
Introduced
Apr 30, 2007 S.Res. 176: A resolution recognizing April 30, 2007, as "National Healthy Schools Day".
Passed Senate
May 1, 2007 S.Res. 141: A resolution urging all member countries of the International Commission of the International Tracing Service who have yet to ratify the May 2006 amendments to the 1955 Bonn Accords to expedite the ratification process to allow for open access to the Holocaust archives located at Bad Arolsen, Germany.
Passed Senate
Apr 12, 2007 S.Res. 92: A resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of soldiers of Israel held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah.
Passed Senate
Jan 26, 2007 S.Res. 21: A resolution recognizing the uncommon valor of Wesley Autrey of New York, New York.
Introduced
Jan 4, 2007 S.Res. 20: A resolution recognizing the uncommon valor of Wesley Autry of New York, New York.
source: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300022&tab=bills
Sorry for the long list, but she's done a lot, and I really don't have time to break it down like Obama's sponsored bills were into categories.
Thank you for the encouragement to stay positive. :)
I will try to write a post later summarizing what I think are her most important accomplishments.
February 20, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, that was exactly the kind of response I was hoping for.
February 20, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, it seems some of these repeat (e.g., "Cold War Medal Act of 2007" is in that list at least twice), so I do look forward to a summary—preferably one that highlights those that you're actually proud of (i.e., the ones you think are significant and positive).
February 20, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, I just copied and pasted from that site. I guess my point was just to show how many bills are introduced and how insignificant they can appear. Not to diminish either Obama's or Clinton's records, but I think introduced bills aren't a good way to distinguish record, period, for either side.
While trying to put together a list of her accomplishments that make me most proud, I came across this on Wikipedia:
"During her post-graduate study, Rodham served as staff attorney for Edelman's newly founded Children's Defense Fund in Cambridge, Massachusetts,[53] and as a consultant to the Carnegie Council on Children.[54] During 1974 she was a member of the impeachment inquiry staff in Washington, D.C., advising the House Committee on the Judiciary during the Watergate scandal.[55][56] Under the guidance of Chief Counsel John Doar and senior member Bernard Nussbaum,[35] Rodham helped research procedures of impeachment and the historical grounds and standards for impeachment.[56] The committee's work culminated in the resignation of President Richard Nixon in August 1974.[56]
By then, Rodham was viewed as someone with a bright political future; Democratic political organizer and consultant Betsey Wright had moved from Texas to Washington the previous year to help guide her career;[57] Wright thought Rodham had the potential to one day become a senator or president.[58] Meanwhile, Clinton had repeatedly asked her to marry him, and she had continued to demur.[59] However, helped by her having passed the Arkansas bar exam but having failed the District of Columbia bar exam,[60] Rodham came to a key decision. As she later wrote, "I chose to follow my heart instead of my head."[61] She thus followed Bill Clinton to Arkansas, rather than staying in Washington where career prospects were best. Clinton was at the time teaching law and running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in his home state. In August 1974, she moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, and became one of two female faculty members in the School of Law at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville,[62] where Bill Clinton also taught. She still harbored doubts about marriage, concerned that her separate identity would be lost and her accomplishments would be viewed in the light of someone else's accomplishments.[63]"
That last line strikes me as specifically poignant, because what I think Obama has done is effectively cast her as an agent of status-quo, as an extension of her husband's career, and that's what stings. Please don't take this as negative, because I understand it's politics, and that's how you win an election. However, it does depress me because I just saw so much potential in her, and I hate to see a great candidate like her being pushed aside for one who many could argue would be even better after 8 more years of experience.
Anyway, expect a more concise post soon.
February 20, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm curious—were you familiar with her prior to 1992? No criticism is implied, it's that you write as if you were, and that'd be unusual (I assume), so I'm simply curious.
February 20, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, I wasn't. I'm only 23. I'm sorry if it came across that way. Maybe it does because she has inspired me in a way that I think Obama inspired his followers. It's not just her and her accomplishments, but like him, the life story and what she stands for as well.
To me she stands for a strong voice for the underprivilidged, consistently throughout her career, even when the political tide has turned in the other direction.
February 20, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Little by little, I'm putting it together.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/02/more-on-green-hillary-her-acco.php
February 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Btw, it took a while for me to figure out that NG == another_reader. :)
February 20, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
how many bills get introduced every year?
who writes them?
and who reads them?
(not that i think sen clinton couldn't have written 12 bills this year, but she's been a little busy, and i would be impressed if she found the time to just read them)
February 20, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
This isn't meant to be negative, just observational. If it's true that one reason she moved to Arkanasas was that she passed that Bar Exam but failed D.C.'s, what does that say about the depth of her intelligence or education? I personally consider her highly intelligent and hard working, but compared to Obama being the editor of the Harvard Law Review, (and I assume passing the Bar in Illinois), even here he outshines her.
I don't think a numbers game about legislation has much meaning, but I do put a lot of weight on the difference between one candidate who has been planning this for at least 10 years, raising over $100 million(and with Bill, making $10's of millions), and having all the institutional support including a former president; and the other candidate who began a start up campaign only a year or so ago, with little name recognition, little institutional support, widespread skepticism, etc.
I'll call it even on their respective burdens of gender and race (and that's giving Hillary a break considering Thatcher, Merkel etc., compared to our history of racism coupled with Obama's name). But Obama has raised close to $200 million from small donors, and built this startup into a national successful campaign. That speaks volumes to me about leadership, management skills, bravery, and commitment.
February 20, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really appreciate you guys shedding light on Hillary's accomplishments but I am not that impressed. My biggest problem is that the issues she has really hit hard on as a reason to vote for her are the issues that she fares horribly on. She constantly pounds the fact that she has Foreign Policy credentials but has made horrible judgments on Iraq and Kyl-Lieberman. She goes on and on about health care but why should we believe that she will be any more successful now than she was in the 90s? Also, when she lost that battle, the administration just dropped it. No more fight left. She talks about leadership on Day 1 but her campaign is a mess.
February 20, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the 90s, after "Hillarycare" failed, she got right back to it and worked with Ted Kennedy to introduce and pass the SCHIP program.
Many have argued that it wasn't just the way she went about the health care negotitations (but to be sure she approached it in a strange and politically immature matter, from which she has learned), but the spectacular failure of it had more to do with the disgusting amounts of money the health insurance industry pumped into defeating her program.
If she hadn't fought so hard for it back then, do you really think it would be at the forefront of our national consciousness now? Sometimes it takes a while for these ideas to permeate.
February 21, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ben,
All of this information is out there to be consumed. Were you really interested in Clinton's accomplishments? Did you actually think she had none? I'll bet you could have found all of this on your own.
February 21, 2008 8:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
As you probably note from another_reader's post, the information on what she has done is readily available, but that doesn't tell me what her supporters are proud of. (I doubt they're excited about "Cold War Medal Act of 2007", for example.) What is it in her voting record that make them want her for president, if it is her voting record that is important to them?
As I indicated, I suspect many are proud of her time as First Lady. I would be curious as to what, exactly, they are proud of (and that's not meant to imply there's nothing to be proud of).
another_reader also pointed out her green campaign. That is definitely something to be proud of, and something I wasn't aware of until s/he pointed it out to me (this was before several people here had blogged about it). I'm guessing there might be other things like this—for both campaigns.
I was really just hoping for a bunch of positives on both candidates.
February 21, 2008 8:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
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