President Barack Obama's Major Accomplishments
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+ President Obama implemented numerous fiscal initiatives (including the Democratic-sponsored American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the "stimulus package") which prevented the Bush recession from turning into another 1929 Great Depression. He also launched www.recovery.gov, a website which allows taxpayers to monitor spending from the Act. Many economists point out that without President Obama's fiscal policies unemployment in the U.S. would have surpassed 11 percent. (During the Great Depression, the U.S. unemployment rate reached as high
as 25 percent.) Is the U.S. economy improving? The answer is - yes. The facts speak for themselves: U.S. unemployment has fallen substantially from its peak of 10.0 percent in October 2009 to 8.3 percent in February 2012 and to 7.9 percent in October 2012, which is less than the 8.2 percent President Obama inherited from President Bush in 2009. Private sector payroll employment has increased for the 31st straight month, approximately 4.7 million jobs have been created, October consumer confidence hit its highest level in four years, car companies Chrysler and GM had their best October in five years, U.S. exports are increasing, factories are seeing more new orders and increased production, retail sales figures are rising, and the housing market is steadily recovering with consistent increases in both home sales and median prices.
+ He passed the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. It requires insurance companies to cover all applicants and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or gender. The Congressional Budget Office projected that the Act will lower both future deficits and Medicare spending. Approximately 29 million people will receive tax breaks to help them afford health insurance, and 3.5 million small businesses will receive tax breaks to provide health insurance to their employees. He also launched www.healthcare.gov, a website which allows people to monitor the administration of the Act.
+ He cut prescription drug costs for senior citizens by 50 percent.
+ He has cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families in the U.S. (A typical family making $50,000 a year has received tax cuts totaling $3,600 over the past four years, more if they were putting a child through college.)
+ Despite intense Republican opposition, President Obama successfuly pushed through and passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. Banks are now prohibited from engaging in "proprietary trading" (trading the bank's money to turn a profit, even if this trading somehow conflicts with the financial interests of its customers).
+ He created the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, which is designed to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices.
+ He passed a bill which made it possible for shareholders of publicly traded companies to vote on the compensation of the executives who run the companies.
+ He signed the most comprehensive food safety bill since the Great Depression.
+ He signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco.
+ In just four years, President Obama has nearly doubled the generation of renewable energy in the U.S. (Solar energy has expanded by 285.19%, wind by 171.72%, and geothermal by 13.53%.)
+ He created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid and electric automobiles.
+ By 2015, because of the investments made by the Obama Administration, the U.S. will be able to produce enough batteries and components to support the manufacture of one million plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
+ In the last three years, he has opened millions of acres of new land for U.S. oil and gas exploration.
+ Domestic oil and natural gas production has increased every year President Obama has been in office. In 2011, U.S.
oil production reached the highest level in nearly 10 years and natural gas production reached an all-time high. U.S. oil production is increasing so quickly that the U.S. could soon overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's largest crude oil producer.
+ He launched the most comprehensive reforms of offshore oil and gas regulation and oversight in U.S. history.
+ Since President Obama took office, America’s dependence on foreign oil has decreased every year. In 2010, the U.S. imported less than half of all oil consumed – a first in 13 years. Net imports (as a share of total consumption) declined from 57 percent in 2008 to 45 percent in 2011 – the lowest level in 16 years. In the last year alone, the U.S has cut net oil imports by 10 percent – a million barrels per day.
+ The Obama Administration has proposed the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history, requiring an average performance equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Over time, these new standards will save consumers more than $8,000 in lower fuel costs by doubling the fuel efficiency of our cars and light trucks.
+ The Administration has also finalized the first-ever national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans, and buses for model years 2014-2018. These standards are projected to save over 500 million barrels of oil and save vehicle owners and operators an estimated $50 billion in fuel costs.
+ The Obama Administration has partnered with manufacturing companies, representing over 1,400 plants, to improve energy efficiency by 25 percent over 10 years. If this performance were achieved by the entire U.S. manufacturing sector over the next decade, savings in total energy costs could exceed $100 billion.
+ President Obama restored America's moral reputation around the world.
+ He re-established a close partnership with NATO and other U.S. allies on strategic international issues.
+ He kept his promise and ended President Bush's costly war in Iraq.
+ He ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden.
+ Under President Obama's leadership, the CIA located and killed 15 of al Qaeda's top leaders.
+ Working closely with the international community, he negotiated a deal with the Afghan government to train and modernize the Afghan military, and withdraw all U.S troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
+ On his second day in office, President Obama signed a detailed executive order that reverses all Bush torture policies, and puts the U.S. in compliance with the Geneva Convention.
+ He closed all U.S. secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
+ He nearly doubled the number of U.S border security agents.
+ He reversed President Bush's policy of barring media coverage during the return of fallen soldiers to Dover Air Force Base.
+ Through the Defense Authorization Act, he reversed the policies of the Bush Administration and committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq.
+ He passed the Iran Sanctions Act to encourage Iran's government to give up its nuclear program.
+ He refused to give Israel a "green light" to bomb Iran and start another costly war.
+ Obama boldly intervened in Libya to oust dictator Muammar Gadaffi and to protect Western oil supplies, and he did it with minimal financial cost and no U.S. troop casualties.
+ He cut taxes for small businesses eighteen times. The Recovery Act, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, and the Affordable Care Act include these tax breaks, giving small businesses the boost they need to create jobs in the U.S.
+ He passed the Small Business Jobs Act, the most significant piece of small business legislation in more than a decade, which has eight specific tax cuts for small business.
+ He passed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act to help millions of Americans avoid preventable forclosures.
+ Through the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, President Obama provided tax credits to first time home buyers. The Act played a major role in helping the U.S. housing market recovery.
+ He signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which closed many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas and avoid paying U.S. taxes by moving money offshore.
+ He reformed the U.S. student loan program, so that students can refinance their loans at a lower late.
+ He repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and cut the banks completely out of the process.
+ He expanded Medicaid to people making up to 133% of the federal poverty level.
+ He appointed the most diverse Cabinet in U.S. history, including more women than any other incoming president.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.
+ He signed an executive order banning gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch.
+ He put limits on lobbyists' access to the White House and signed an executive order banning anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years.
+ He signed a new SALT treaty with Russia.
+ He signed a new START treaty with Russia.
+ He signed the Civil Rights History Act.
+ He signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis.
+ He appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy.
+ He lifted restrictions preventing Cuban Americans from sending money and visiting their family members in Cuba.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act (G.I. Bill 2.0).
+ He funded the Department of Veterans Affairs with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans' services.
+ He authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in the U.S. Star Wars program in 2010.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Weapons Systems Acquizition Reform Act, designed to reduce financial waste and fraud in the Pentagon.
+ He dismantled the Minerals Management Service.
+ He authorized the termination of the Pentagon's F-22 jet fighter program, saving the U.S. $4 billion.
+ He canceled the purchase of 28 new White House helicopters, saving the U.S. $11.2 billion.
But that's not all... Most of President Obama's accomplishments are seldom reported by media organizations!
as 25 percent.) Is the U.S. economy improving? The answer is - yes. The facts speak for themselves: U.S. unemployment has fallen substantially from its peak of 10.0 percent in October 2009 to 8.3 percent in February 2012 and to 7.9 percent in October 2012, which is less than the 8.2 percent President Obama inherited from President Bush in 2009. Private sector payroll employment has increased for the 31st straight month, approximately 4.7 million jobs have been created, October consumer confidence hit its highest level in four years, car companies Chrysler and GM had their best October in five years, U.S. exports are increasing, factories are seeing more new orders and increased production, retail sales figures are rising, and the housing market is steadily recovering with consistent increases in both home sales and median prices.
+ He passed the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. It requires insurance companies to cover all applicants and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or gender. The Congressional Budget Office projected that the Act will lower both future deficits and Medicare spending. Approximately 29 million people will receive tax breaks to help them afford health insurance, and 3.5 million small businesses will receive tax breaks to provide health insurance to their employees. He also launched www.healthcare.gov, a website which allows people to monitor the administration of the Act.
+ He cut prescription drug costs for senior citizens by 50 percent.
+ He has cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families in the U.S. (A typical family making $50,000 a year has received tax cuts totaling $3,600 over the past four years, more if they were putting a child through college.)
+ Despite intense Republican opposition, President Obama successfuly pushed through and passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. Banks are now prohibited from engaging in "proprietary trading" (trading the bank's money to turn a profit, even if this trading somehow conflicts with the financial interests of its customers).
+ He created the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, which is designed to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices.
+ He passed a bill which made it possible for shareholders of publicly traded companies to vote on the compensation of the executives who run the companies.
+ He signed the most comprehensive food safety bill since the Great Depression.
+ He signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco.
+ In just four years, President Obama has nearly doubled the generation of renewable energy in the U.S. (Solar energy has expanded by 285.19%, wind by 171.72%, and geothermal by 13.53%.)
+ He created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid and electric automobiles.
+ By 2015, because of the investments made by the Obama Administration, the U.S. will be able to produce enough batteries and components to support the manufacture of one million plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
+ In the last three years, he has opened millions of acres of new land for U.S. oil and gas exploration.
+ Domestic oil and natural gas production has increased every year President Obama has been in office. In 2011, U.S.
oil production reached the highest level in nearly 10 years and natural gas production reached an all-time high. U.S. oil production is increasing so quickly that the U.S. could soon overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's largest crude oil producer.
+ He launched the most comprehensive reforms of offshore oil and gas regulation and oversight in U.S. history.
+ Since President Obama took office, America’s dependence on foreign oil has decreased every year. In 2010, the U.S. imported less than half of all oil consumed – a first in 13 years. Net imports (as a share of total consumption) declined from 57 percent in 2008 to 45 percent in 2011 – the lowest level in 16 years. In the last year alone, the U.S has cut net oil imports by 10 percent – a million barrels per day.
+ The Obama Administration has proposed the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history, requiring an average performance equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Over time, these new standards will save consumers more than $8,000 in lower fuel costs by doubling the fuel efficiency of our cars and light trucks.
+ The Administration has also finalized the first-ever national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans, and buses for model years 2014-2018. These standards are projected to save over 500 million barrels of oil and save vehicle owners and operators an estimated $50 billion in fuel costs.
+ The Obama Administration has partnered with manufacturing companies, representing over 1,400 plants, to improve energy efficiency by 25 percent over 10 years. If this performance were achieved by the entire U.S. manufacturing sector over the next decade, savings in total energy costs could exceed $100 billion.
+ President Obama restored America's moral reputation around the world.
+ He re-established a close partnership with NATO and other U.S. allies on strategic international issues.
+ He kept his promise and ended President Bush's costly war in Iraq.
+ He ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden.
+ Under President Obama's leadership, the CIA located and killed 15 of al Qaeda's top leaders.
+ Working closely with the international community, he negotiated a deal with the Afghan government to train and modernize the Afghan military, and withdraw all U.S troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
+ On his second day in office, President Obama signed a detailed executive order that reverses all Bush torture policies, and puts the U.S. in compliance with the Geneva Convention.
+ He closed all U.S. secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
+ He nearly doubled the number of U.S border security agents.
+ He reversed President Bush's policy of barring media coverage during the return of fallen soldiers to Dover Air Force Base.
+ Through the Defense Authorization Act, he reversed the policies of the Bush Administration and committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq.
+ He passed the Iran Sanctions Act to encourage Iran's government to give up its nuclear program.
+ He refused to give Israel a "green light" to bomb Iran and start another costly war.
+ Obama boldly intervened in Libya to oust dictator Muammar Gadaffi and to protect Western oil supplies, and he did it with minimal financial cost and no U.S. troop casualties.
+ He cut taxes for small businesses eighteen times. The Recovery Act, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, and the Affordable Care Act include these tax breaks, giving small businesses the boost they need to create jobs in the U.S.
+ He passed the Small Business Jobs Act, the most significant piece of small business legislation in more than a decade, which has eight specific tax cuts for small business.
+ He passed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act to help millions of Americans avoid preventable forclosures.
+ Through the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, President Obama provided tax credits to first time home buyers. The Act played a major role in helping the U.S. housing market recovery.
+ He signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which closed many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas and avoid paying U.S. taxes by moving money offshore.
+ He reformed the U.S. student loan program, so that students can refinance their loans at a lower late.
+ He repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and cut the banks completely out of the process.
+ He expanded Medicaid to people making up to 133% of the federal poverty level.
+ He appointed the most diverse Cabinet in U.S. history, including more women than any other incoming president.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.
+ He signed an executive order banning gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch.
+ He put limits on lobbyists' access to the White House and signed an executive order banning anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years.
+ He signed a new SALT treaty with Russia.
+ He signed a new START treaty with Russia.
+ He signed the Civil Rights History Act.
+ He signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis.
+ He appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy.
+ He lifted restrictions preventing Cuban Americans from sending money and visiting their family members in Cuba.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act (G.I. Bill 2.0).
+ He funded the Department of Veterans Affairs with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans' services.
+ He authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in the U.S. Star Wars program in 2010.
+ He signed the Democratic-sponsored Weapons Systems Acquizition Reform Act, designed to reduce financial waste and fraud in the Pentagon.
+ He dismantled the Minerals Management Service.
+ He authorized the termination of the Pentagon's F-22 jet fighter program, saving the U.S. $4 billion.
+ He canceled the purchase of 28 new White House helicopters, saving the U.S. $11.2 billion.
But that's not all... Most of President Obama's accomplishments are seldom reported by media organizations!
www.whitehouse.gov
