There are a lot of naysayers out there, but those who claim that President Barack Obama was not that great or even “a disaster” as President really do not know what they are talking about. Obama not only brought grace and dignity back to the White House, but he also accomplished a lot. He would have accomplished more, but “we the people” (including the professional left) labeled him “a disappointment” in his first two years, even though his policies prevented an economic depression and gave everyone better health insurance at a lower cost that would otherwise be the case. This was a remarkable man; easily the most “presidential” president we have seen in a while. And he has accomplished a lot, despite the hurdles we placed in his way, not the least of which was a Republican Congress that refused to do anything he proposed because they wanted to damage him. As a way to remember what a remarkable president he actually was, I present this list of many of President Obama’s accomplishments as President. It is not absolutely comprehensive; I’m sure many are missing. However, every one of them is cited as fact, so attempts to dismiss them will be dealt with accordingly; with a hearty, dismissive laugh. What is here is a hell of a legacy. If liberals want to win elections – and in a democracy, that must be our main goal – we have to be able to make people want to vote for us. That means accentuating the positive, and talking about how great we are, especially compared to the alternative. This is a liberal record that we can be proud of. Altered the Culture of the Executive Branch and the Federal Government Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5 Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1 On his first full day, he froze White House salaries for the duration of the Great Recession. http://cbsn.ws/2aNMqNN He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending and efficiency. http://www.cio.gov He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems and signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, in an attempt to limit waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting systems. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1 Established the Open Government Directive, which completely changed the government’s approach to technology at all levels. http://bit.ly/2iOTERn He created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu Banned gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch. http://bit.ly/fsBACN Banned anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years and placed strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took questions from the public. http://bit.ly/2atEVct Became the first president to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5 Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities. http://www.serve.gov Restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews, giving the public greater access to historic White House documents, and curtails the use of executive privilege to shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb Improved the Freedom of Information Act and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2 Streamlined the Department of Education’s procurement policies and made them more transparent. http://bit.ly/1r9oQvh Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7 Signed a law to completely reform NSA Data Collection program and keep phone records in the hands of the phone company. http://bit.ly/1dG34vD Improved access and data available to Inspectors General throughout the federal governments and elsewhere, thus improving investigative quality. Sought to improve project management and accountability throughout the federal government. http://bit.ly/2jRaC3A Enjoyed a virtually scandal-free Administration for eight solid years. http://bit.ly/2iOCTFV Prevented a Bush Depression, Improved the Economy Pushed through and signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as “the stimulus package.” He also launched recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://bit.ly/2aw6HGt By the end of his first year, the economy created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and the ARRA stimulated the economy by 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE He guided the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan and forced financial organizations to pay back virtually all bailout money. http://bit.ly/2alXjlV Established the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl In 2010 alone, more jobs were created than had been created during Bush’s eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY He pushed through and implemented an auto industry rescue plan that saved as many as 1 million jobs and possibly the entire auto industry. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr http://bit.ly/gj7mt5 Through his investment in GM, returned to the company to its place as the premiere car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx In February 2016, GM was in such good financial shape, they gave a share of the profit to each worker, with checks up to $11,000. http://detne.ws/1mk7Jry Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw Signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which helped millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures and provided $2.2 billion to combat homelessness and stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/2aiFCbi Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by reducing the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw http://bit.ly/2aOGmVM Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5 Signed new rules making it easier for home buyers to get a loan to buy a condominium. http://bit.ly/2c4VPDl Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30D Provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR Signed bill to provide extra training for local police forces, especially with regard to active shooter situations. http://bit.ly/2cvFlRf China’s largest manufacturer, Foxconn, is building a large plant in Pennsylvania http://cnnmon.ie/1k7LT4S Worked with Apple Computer to get them to build more product here, and the company is building two large plants to manufacture products here; one in Texas http://zd.net/1nkpt2O and one in Arizona http://bit.ly/1mXY5Vg Created an institute to invest in more manufacturing jobs in the technology fields of the future. http://nyti.ms/1egyXrV Ordered all federal contractors to pay a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, leading the way to a national increase. http://wapo.st/1iaU5kd As a result of this decision, a number of large employers, including Disney and Walmart, have increased their minimums. http://bit.ly/2c3iwF5 Ordered the completion of the International Trade Data System, a digital trade record book, by 2016. This move will streamline and simplify the process through which small- and medium-sized businesses set up the export of US goods. http://bit.ly/1nwSRF4 Signed bill to expand opportunities and to promote greater Native American tourism. http://bit.ly/2dTIQmo Specific Examples of Economic Improvement As of December 2016, a record 75 consecutive months of overall job growth, a record. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ As of August 2016, Unemployment drops below 5% for the first time in eight years and without a significant bubble, remains below 5% until he leaves office. 4.9% http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ As of December 2016, there have been 82 consecutive months of private sector job growth, a record. http://1.usa.gov/1Xhizho In April 2016, new unemployment claims hit their lowest level since Nov. 1973. As of September 2016, they remain at 43-year lows. That means lower than at any time during Saint Reagan’s Administration. http://yhoo.it/2eaIPbf http://nyti.ms/1YhZEBk Since February 2010, when unemployment peaked, 16 million non-farm private sector jobs have been created. http://1.usa.gov/1Xhizho Contrary to GOP rhetoric, most of the new jobs created have been full-time, not temporary. http://bit.ly/2dF7pjO Oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds since taking office. http://bit.ly/1xKMmjY Reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.5% of GDP in FY 2015. http://bit.ly/2cI4ABV Scolds Congress and gets a $305 billion highways bill passed. This bill has the added benefit of created hundreds of thousands of new jobs and creating incentives for green cars. http://bit.ly/1NsL2Zq Wages have risen more in 2015 and 2016 than at any time in almost 20 years, without the aid of an economic bubble. http://theatln.tc/2iX24JK For the first time in 15 years, the lowest income demographic is seeing a rise in income. http://theatln.tc/2iX24JK Addressed Wrongdoing in the Financial Sector Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7 Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0http://bit.ly/geHpcD Created and implemented rules to reduce the influence of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t Created and implemented rules so banks can no longer use depositors’ money to invest in derivatives and other high-risk financial instruments that work against depositors’ interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB http://bit.ly/eG4DPM Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks permitting the US government to gain access to bank records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/2aAwUS5 Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, closing many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, inflation in the healthcare sector dropped to its lowest point in 50 years. http://on.wsj.com/1E6cYjF Improved Conditions for Consumers and Small Businesses Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS Guided the housing market all the way back from total collapse, which led to a rally for housing starts. http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU Spent unprecedented amounts of money on technology, to move the country well into the 21st Century, after eight years of lag. http://bit.ly/2jCTwsA Brought airline industry back to their highest profitability since before the recession. http://lat.ms/1O8H1iE Created an airline passenger bill of rights, preventing airlines from stranding passengers on tarmac for hours, requiring them to return to the gate within three hours or face stiff fines. http://bit.ly/2c3jAZi Blocked a monopolistic merger of Staples and Office Depot, to preserve at least some competition. http://bit.ly/1kcY2Kv Stock market has reached record highs, restoring most of the economic losses felt during the Bush Recession. http://bit.ly/1z4FAtL Promoted and signed a bill to established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and implemented it. http://1.usa.gov/j5onG http://bit.ly/fnTayj Consumer confidence continues to inch up to its highest level more than a decade. http://bit.ly/1PZLRcK Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b Created business.gov, to allow online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov Through the FCC, Established the Open Internet Order, which established new neutrality as a standard for the future. http://fcc.us/2iGc0ZA Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7 Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://bit.ly/2b3jKOk Crafted and signed an executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE Oversaw the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/2aiIPaS Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals using money from TARP and Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa Set up rules for banks in handling legal marijuana money. http://nyti.ms/1b80o2K Added greater protections to consumer financial transactions to reduce identity theft. http://1.usa.gov/1pjfUFq Took steps to prevent pirate fishing and protect fish populations, and ordered stricter labeling requirements on labeling of seafood products in stores. http://1.usa.gov/1BYhTUn Signed the RAISE Act, which should encourage more people to open small businesses and help improve the economy. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF Signed a bill that allows low-volume vehicle manufacturers that will increase entrepreneurship among small car manufacturers, who often build replicas of classics but who often build green vehicles. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF Signs an Executive Order to strengthen cooperation with regard to global entrepreneurship. http://1.usa.gov/294u5eI Signs a law to allow “ordinary investors” to help a company start up through crowdfunding. http://n.pr/299eZEn Blocks the merger of several health insurers to ensure that competition remains in the health insurance business. http://bit.ly/2cvHV9P Signs a law to strengthen American economic competitiveness. http://bit.ly/2932zfA Prohibited the elimination of “floating homes” In the Tennessee Valley Authority. http://bit.ly/2k5C6S9 Established new offices at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that are designed to assist small businesses and to reduce unnecessary regulations. http://bit.ly/2jdpdp3 Banned the used of automated “ticket-bots” http://newsok.com/article/5531133 Offers greater protection for consumers who post online reviews. https://yhoo.it/2iP8ZkY Strengthened the Middle Class and Fought Poverty Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cut taxes for 95% of America’s working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8 Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP Extended discounted health coverage under the COBRA health insurance law for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he’s also extended unemployment benefits more than a few times. http://aol.it/evtVxDhttp://nyti.ms/emrqKJ http://bit.ly/hOtIpg http://bit.ly/fTT7kz Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8 Included the Buffet Rule in his 2014 budget proposal, in order to fulfill a campaign promise to make sure tax rates are fair between the rich and the middle class. http://1.usa.gov/19PkdQo Used the fiscal cliff negotiations to extend for five additional years the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides tax credits to families for college-related expenses, thus saving those families up to $10,000. http://onforb.es/17zYg3u Increased protections for the unemployed who are seeking a government job. http://1.usa.gov/1jgXATu Updated and modernized overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) http://1.usa.gov/1iGDO8e Signed and implemented the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, to improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk To make college more affordable and accountable, will begin rating colleges with regard to affordability and value. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL Initiated a reform of federal job training programs, to make them more relevant to the current economy and the job market. http://1.usa.gov/1kZLQHG Under Obama, the bottom 95% of taxpayers pay lower federal income taxes than at any time in the last 50 years, including under Reagan, or either Bush. http://bit.ly/1w1W8Ns Signed a presidential memorandum authorizing six weeks paid leave for all federal employees with a new baby and encouraged Congress to do the same for all workers. http://bit.ly/18613XA 2014 marked the first time since 1984 that unemployment dropped in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 1.usa.gov/1E25u0C Took steps to improve workplace safety by creating an Advisory Board to study workers’ exposure to toxic substances. http://1.usa.gov/1M4s8IG Changed overtime rules to make it far more difficult for employers to avoid paying overtime to workers. http://politi.co/1KHfiBe Changed rules for federal contractors, guaranteeing that all workers earn paid leave; this should affect about 300,000 workers. http://1.usa.gov/1LcHZWl Signed a Hague Convention Agreement to make it easier to collect child support from parents wherever they are in the world. http://bit.ly/2cI38wB Negotiated a law to finally replace “No Child Left Behind” and remove much of the onerous government “oversight” that caused children to stagnate, not improve, academically. http://bit.ly/1Up9pMl Signed executive order to expand charitable giving among federal employees. http://bit.ly/2e7cJQy Helped to end the “Victory Tax” that caused financial hardship to successful Olympic athletes. http://bit.ly/2ds4uO2 Addressed Civil Rights and Equality Formed a commission to examine and make recommendations for fixing the broken voting system. http://wapo.st/16K0D Created a Civil Rights Division in the Justice Department that has become a very strong voice for Black people. http://bit.ly/1ObO7TI At a press conference August 9, 2013, gave up some executive power, promising to create adversarial process in FISA regarding NSA surveillance. http://1.usa.gov/1dQmnyQ Proposed rules to enhance Fair Housing Laws, to give HUD and other enforcement agencies more enforcement power. http://bit.ly/1qkz4uQ Ordered a review of capital punishment policies after several botched executions. http://nyti.ms/RDJp58 Approved $1.2 billion discrimination settlement with black farmers who had proved USDA bias. http://huff.to/1Nol9Ab Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0 Concentrated immigration enforcement on those who commit crimes, and vowed to stop breaking up families. http://1.usa.gov/1uTZ8gV Streamlined the visa process, to make it more responsive and humane for those who want to be here legally. http://1.usa.gov/1tgDRti Took steps to tighten the reins when it comes to providing local law enforcement agencies with military-style equipment and exercising more control over the equipment they receive. http://1.usa.gov/1ATWV3K Changed fair housing rules to make more affordable housing available to more people. http://cnn.it/1JcR3qB Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8 Created a Policing Task Force to deal with the problems that led to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. http://nbcnews.to/1T17PON His Justice Department investigated the Ferguson Police Department twice and slammed them for their racism and exploitive practices. http://nbcnews.to/1q9jTpf Established the White House Council of Native American Affairs, to improve government-to-government relations with Native American nations. http://1.usa.gov/1cIEeEv Limited local police acquisitions of military-style equipment, to reduce the likelihood of overkill. http://n.pr/1NGkBjT Signed Blue Alert Law, which provides police officers with more information when they are threatened. http://bit.ly/1NGksga Blocked the sale of Apache tribal land to foreign mining company, over Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1RYpmfihttp://bit.ly/1RYpmfi Settled with the City of Cleveland over civil rights and excessive force violations. http://nbcnews.to/24GRQNw Reviewed the practices of the Philadelphia Police Department and made 91 recommendations to prevent civil rights and excessive force violations. http://on.msnbc.com/1q9ktmX Signed a law to modernize the way the federal government refers to minorities, removing certain archaic terms from the vocabulary. http://bit.ly/291BeIL Took steps to treat opioid addiction as a health issue rather than purely as a law enforcement issue. http://bit.ly/2ccokd3 Signed a law to better protect children in tribal foster care. http://strib.mn/293Gyky Blocked an oil pipeline in South Dakota that would have devastated sacred Sioux land. http://theatln.tc/2cmmmqb Worked with Congress to pass bill establishing Commission on Native Children, which will examine some of the most pressing problems facing Native American nations. http://wapo.st/2esGxbC Signed bill establishing a Sexual Assault Rights Act by working with Democrats in Congress. http://bzfd.it/2ejelVd Worked with Congress to pass law to make sure there are changing tables in all federal restrooms, including men’s rooms. http://slate.me/2ejdWlu Extended religious protection to atheists and agnostics. http://nbcnews.to/2jD7meL Officially scrapped a post-9/11 registry that primarily targeted Muslim men http://cbsn.ws/2k5nNNk That makes the proposed Trump registry a lot more difficult to create. http://theatln.tc/2jEfDhZ Established a law to allow disabled people to set up their own trusts and tend to their own financial affairs. http://bit.ly/2jR7BA1 Established the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. http://bit.ly/2iOtBtL Signed bill to create thousands of outdoor recreation jobs while preserving an important part of the environment. http://bit.ly/2jCPSPN Improved Workers’ Rights He issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees’ rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including all websites and intranets. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ Obama’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission clarified and strengthened rules prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers. http://alj.am/1mo0kjV Required companies who bid on federal contracts larger than $500,000 to publicly disclose all previous violations of labor law, including unpaid claims for back wages. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3 Made it illegal for federal contractors with more than $1 million in contracts to force employees into arbitration in workplace discrimination accusations. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3 Vetoed Republican bill that would have blocked new NLRB rules that were designed to speed up the time it takes workers to unionize. http://reut.rs/1agujMO He also added a Memorandum of Disagreement to make his reasons for the veto clear and made a major statement in support of unions. http://1.usa.gov/1NG7RuA Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj Signed law that bans imports of goods produced through forced labor. http://nbcnews.to/1RuJu2y Protected the Rights of LGBT People Signed and implemented the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7 Oversaw and implemented the repeal of the reprehensible “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. http://bit.ly/fdahuHhttp://bit.ly/mZV4Pz Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7 Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide. http://lat.ms/pQe1RS As soon as the Supreme Court invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act, he moved to extend federal benefits to same-sex couples. http://wapo.st/1avDjue Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples. http://reut.rs/llNJek Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing bit.ly/9RxEnP Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT Appointed several prominent gay athletes and others, and plans to show US government’s commitment to gay rights to anti-gay Russia. http://on.cpsj.com/1fckN9h Department of Agriculture propagated new rules to better enforce non-discrimination when it comes to USDA investigations and to extend non-discrimination to gender identity. http://bit.ly/1yChJhi Banned all federal contractors from discriminating against gay workers. http://1.usa.gov/1ok1gfH Persevered with his campaign to turn “gay marriage” into “marriage” and won in the Supreme Court. http://cbsloc.al/1M4qLKb Improved Conditions for Women Establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM Implemented the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 http://bit.ly/f92drF Improved the Paycheck Fairness Act, making it possible for employees to talk about their salaries without retaliation, and ordering salary data collection, so as to make it harder for employers to pay women less. http://huff.to/1nwVOWf Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU Shattered another glass ceiling by naming Janet Yellen chair of the Federal Reserve beginning Feb. 1, 2014. http://usat.ly/1gqMBfk Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x Ordered companies with 100 employees or more to disclose pay data based on race and gender, to address the pay gap. http://theatln.tc/1Q04XPL Signs law restoring Arlington Cemetery burial rights for women pilots in World War II. http://bit.ly/293rmjb Signed a bill to allow for nursing women to bring breastfeeding equipment onto the plane and to protect women who choose to feed children while traveling. http://bit.ly/2k8eW1o Addressed Criminal Justice Failings and the Gun Culture Made significant reductions in drug sentencing guidelines for current prisoners. http://n.pr/1mWBLkM Oversaw the first drop in the federal prison population in 32 years. http://bit.ly/1B5h8rW Increased his use of clemency to release thousands of non-violent drug offenders from prison. http://nyti.ms/1KE8DJG Ordered a ban on solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in federal prisons. http://bit.ly/20ObRzA Took executive action to promote smart gun technology, to make them safer. http://1.usa.gov/1RhK1tU After a failure by Congress to act, proposed executive orders to create more background checks and to fully staff the background check system. http://cnn.it/1JXmUg6 Relaxed HIPAA rules enough to allow for more information to be available to the background check system. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ Ordered the tracing of guns as part of criminal investigations to provide data to researchers. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ Order the Justice Department to look at the categories of mental health problems prohibited from owning guns to make sure people aren’t falling through the cracks, getting guns. http://onforb.es/1nUAGw3 Expanded the definitions of gun dealers and expanded the information available and required in background checks for firearm purchases. http://bit.ly/1K5aXee Set up a task force to figure out what other measures can be taken to limit gun violence in the wake of Congressional inaction. http://1.usa.gov/1QjYMGJ Signed bill to improve protections for correctional officers and their families. http://bit.ly/1SMCi4W Changed the playing field on criminal justice reform by commuting sentences of low-level criminals and signaling a more practical footing. http://1.usa.gov/1YclW7f Signaled major shift away from the failed “Drug War” by promising to commit more than $1 billion to combat addiction. http://2wsb.tv/1SMBQUv Signed the Emmitt Till Bill, which will reopen cold cases from the civil rights era. http://bit.ly/2jsVaum Set a record for granting clemencies or pardons, giving many non-violent offenders a second chance. http://bit.ly/2jcIBCy Improved Treatment of Soldiers and Veterans Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h Created a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEshttp://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q Signed and implemented Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, making more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1 With Congressional Democrats, oversaw largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, for improved medical and extended care facilities for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x Implemented the Green Vet Initiative, which provides special funding to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty can avoid state taxes in their temporary residence. http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX Ordered improvements to access to mental health care for veterans, military personnel and their families. http://1.usa.gov/TP7PVZ Got Syria to dismantle its chemical weapons without military firing a single shot or dropping a single bomb. http://nyti.ms/1lVEkU7 Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66 http://bbc.in/gWSSkA Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo Signed into law a bill that provides support, counseling, and breastfeeding supplies to military moms who are covered under TRICARE, the health insurance provided to veterans. http://bit.ly/1yNxL8O Signed into law a bill that makes it easier for military dogs to retire at home with their handlers. http://bit.ly/1J78Y2U Signed bill to expand the availability of housing to homeless veterans. http://bit.ly/2eaGQDJ Raised soldiers pay. http://bit.ly/2k5sOFD Improved America’s Reputation Around the World Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g Made a speech at a US mosque to demonstrate his commitment to religious rights and send a message to Muslims around the world. http://cnn.it/1PGU1uI Restored America’s reputation around the world as a global leader. http://bit.ly/h743y7http://bit.ly/ho4TCr Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l Improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe Pushed forward the first realistic Middle East peace strategy in more than a decade, without abandoning the two-state solution. http://wapo.st/1avyste Pushed for military to emphasize greater development of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, while calling on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh Refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, although blocked by Congress. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy and prohibited the use of “enhanced interrogation.” http://bit.ly/g6MTuC Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0 On his second day in office, banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies and brought the US into full compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zvehttp://nyti.ms/hzWWys In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9 Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the 187 aircraft cost $358 million each to build, it had never flown a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war and encourage the Iranian government to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS Worked to keep our withdrawal from Afghanistan on track, despite GOP opposition. http://reut.rs/1cIOsF1 Reiterated that commitment in 2014. http://nyti.ms/1exnmRF Conducted a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz Through United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, creating an independent South Sudan. http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj Helped make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde The new policies in Cuba led to thawed relations and the first US Embassy in Cuba in more than 55 years. http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs Became the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in more than 80 years. http://bit.ly/1qlKwbi Negotiated a deal with Iran that will prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon anytime soon, without firing a shot or invading the country. http://cnn.it/1M3Hpvv As a result of the Iran agreement, Iran shipped pretty much all of it nuclear material to Russia. http://nyti.ms/1PrzLty Became the first US President to visit Jamaica in more than 30 years, worked to restore relations with the country and signed a natural gas distribution agreement with the country. http://bit.ly/1JtpFqi Signs law extending some privacy protections to US allies, a reversal of the Bush practice of spying on people like Angela Merkel and the like. http://bit.ly/1VZza6w With the Global Food Security Act, committed resources to expand food availability worldwide in an attempt to limit the scope of global hunger. http://usat.ly/2ehLnUr http://fandw.me/2czf6YG Instituted Power Africa, an initiative to bring electrical generation to greater parts of the African continent. http://bbc.in/1QtYVud Signed bill to end Americans’ involvement in international wildlife trafficking. http://bit.ly/2edq3V9 Signed an executive order to allow up to 110,000 additional refugees into the United States. http://bit.ly/2df2CJN Refused to interfere with UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements. http://cnn.it/2k81evI Changed US Approach to “Defense” and National Security Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2 Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i Signed and got ratification of a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will stay in force until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4 Committed the US to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ Developed a comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda, the withdrawal of most troops and the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs Re-focused on Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna Negotiated a deal with Afghan government, to withdraw troops and military support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6 Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn Worked with NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that Libyans could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate. http://f24.my/efvgNZ In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneously engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. http://bit.ly/RGlMDi Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z Increased border security http://bit.ly/1JQDGz9 Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw Established the Homeland Security Partnership Council, to enhance the nation’s ability to “address homeland security priorities, from responding to natural disasters to preventing terrorism, by utilizing diverse perspectives, skills, tools, and resources.” http://1.usa.gov/VJjLXO Signed agreement with Afghanistan to end war, turn security over to Afghans. http://nyti.ms/1xSjgBd Breaking with recent presidential tradition, instead of just attacking Syria in the wake of chemical weapons attacks on Syrians, Obama ordered a full report on the decision-making process. http://cbsn.ws/184RFgu Instead of holding hearings and creating a political football, he quietly captured a suspect who actually committed the Benghazi terrorist attack. http://wapo.st/1jFlmzv He is also getting a lot of useful information from the suspect. http://nyti.ms/UfE2Ka Instituted rules to order sanctions against individuals and groups that threaten national cybersecurity. http://1.usa.gov/1HWcGMG Instituted tougher new sanctions against North Korea after threats of nuclear attack and several tests. http://cbsn.ws/1L8L5hW Got Congress to reauthorize FAA spending and to improve the efficiency of air travel for passengers. http://bit.ly/2cJZLrA Took concrete steps to improve our counter-terrorism efforts. http://bit.ly/1RATjAh Making great strides in defeating the Islamic State without committing hundreds of thousands of troops or carpet bombing civilians, against Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1TxBK5e Established rules for data-sharing between the NSA and other intelligence agencies to improve the quality of information. http://bit.ly/2iOnc1F Signed law to better protect the children who live on military bases. http://bit.ly/2k82nn7 Established program to provide more help for veterans with PTSD http://bit.ly/2k5kSEm Established a national anti-propaganda center, to go after the fake news epidemic. http://bit.ly/2iXBy39 Improved Education and Educational Opportunities Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them. http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide. http://bit.ly/fNDcj3 Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV Signed an executive order that expanded recognition and funding for historically black colleges and universities. http://on.thegrio.com/1rD50gc Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0, to improve veterans’ access to education. http://bit.ly/hPhG7J Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low and middle income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz Signed and implemented the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe Took major new steps to protect students from ineffective for-profit colleges through “gainful employment” measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2 Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process, thus us creating greater accountability. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr http://bit.ly/eEzTNq Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt Created a rating system for colleges, so that those applying for student financial aid know better what they’re paying for. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL Led a bipartisan effort to reform the federal approach to education and essentially repeal “No Child Left Behind.” http://cbsn.ws/2780qXu High School graduation rates have soared under Obama http://huff.to/2diafzo Restored the Adult View on Science and Technology Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw Opened up the process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7 Obama EPA reversed research ethics standards which allowed humans to be used as “guinea pigs” in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3 Expanded space exploration and discovery options to include more players. http://1.usa.gov/13qmZpm Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. http://lat.ms/vhRUEs http://bit.ly/129V3SY In the wake of the West Fertilizer tragedy, formed the Chemical Safety and Security Working Group, to work on measures to prevent another such events. http://1.usa.gov/18kHSlA Established a Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission, to coordinate efforts to fight cyber-crime and terrorism. http://1.usa.gov/1A0aEoS The Obama FCC, with his leadership, adopted strong net neutrality rules, to keep the Internet open and equal for everyone. http://fcc.us/1MhTlIA Ordered rules to speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe Set up a National Strategic Computing Initiative, to “maximize benefits of high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment.” http://1.usa.gov/1IN3FZa Ordered a federal level change in national earthquake standards. http://1.usa.gov/1T5wGoR Signed executive orders designed to strengthen government cybersecurity and prevent hackers from getting in. http://usat.ly/1R0saIt Took steps to combat the effects of climate change by committing the U.S. to developing long-term drought resilience measures. http://1.usa.gov/1SMCuRY Started the road to greater exploration of space by signing bill to encourage mining on asteroids and clarifying property rights in space. http://bit.ly/1RV2la9 Officially joined the Paris Climate Accords, thus strengthening the effort and making it a more powerful commitment to climate change. http://bit.ly/2jDgO1O Signed bill to relieve California drought and to fix Flint’s water crisis. http://bit.ly/2iYd0a4 Signed a bill to improve science and technology research and development. http://bit.ly/2jd31vf Signed the WIIN Act, which improves the country’s water infrastructure and which also protects the nation’s water supply to a greater degree. http://bit.ly/2jd3r4Y Improved Our Health and Safety Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSOhttp://ti.me/edezge Led the enormous expansion of electronic medical records, which improves the availability and quality of care. http://bit.ly/2k7JLmX Currently, 96% of hospitals use electronic health records, up from 9.4% in 2009. Electronic health records led to greater efficiency, leading to greater healthcare savings. http://on.wsj.com/2iGvL3h Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc Ordered that all vehicles be equipped with a rear-view camera by 2018, despite car makers’ complaints about cost. http://bit.ly/2c3jAZi Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco and order tobacco companies to disclose their ingredients and to ban cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.” http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB Has overseen a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9 Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39% without explanation. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C Pushed through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage greatly and ended many detrimental insurance company practices. He also established healthcare.gov. http://www.healthcare.gov/ Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V Through the ACA, millions of people receive help in paying their health insurance company premiums. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo (Note: except for those states whose Republicans refused to take the extra money.) By 2014, the Affordable Care Act dropped the number of uninsured Americans by 22.3%, which amounts to more than 10.3 million people with insurance who didn’t have it before. Only 13.9% of Americans are uninsured, a drop from 18.9% in 2013. http://on.msnbc.com/1r4kjGn The Affordable Care Act has increased the life expectancy of Medicare greatly. http://on.wsj.com/1yuNco6 Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V Medicare costs actually declined slightly, for the first time in decades in 2011, according to the Congressional Budget Office. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh Since passage of the ACA, health care inflation is at its lowest level since 1960. http://1.usa.gov/1vXR0Ld Created the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, to strengthen the government’s ability to respond to the continuing domestic HIV epidemic, after years of Republicans weakening the government’s ability to deal with the crisis. http://1.usa.gov/1iLED0t Signed bill that will provide health insurance premium support to workers who lose their health insurance due to foreign competition. http://bit.ly/1evvVDF In response to the confusion triggered by the Hobby Lobby decision, which essentially declared that corporations could have “religious rights” and lord them over employees, created new rules to give all women with insurance the right to free birth control. http://on.wsj.com/1O44a1t Implemented the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2015-2020, which is a follow-up to the first such strategy in US history, which he implemented in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/1IXknHm Took steps to improve the country’s approach to drug addiction and mental health. http://bit.ly/2cJTHQ9 Signed and will implement new child safety standards for e-cigarettes. http://bit.ly/1XaFCIS Put into place the first mandatory rules regarding labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) http://bit.ly/2ciVlH7 Set up a White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, in order to implement ways to develop a cure for cancer. http://1.usa.gov/20AeKY4 Took steps to improve detection and treatment of mental health problems. http://1.usa.gov/25HEDp5 Signed Trevor’s Law, which will allow for better tracking and study of cancer and disease clusters. http://bit.ly/297uFJK Signed a memorandum of understanding with Cuba to share healthcare information. http://bit.ly/29mCojf Expanded availability of Cuban cigars and Cuban run in the absence of a GOP Congressional bill lifting the Cuban embargo. http://bit.ly/2esLtNE Extended an incentive program for Big Pharma that was about to expire, that encouraged them to find cures for pediatric diseases. http://bit.ly/2dF55t7 Signed a bill designed to improve research into and increase the availability of new treatments and drugs in the healthcare industry. http://bit.ly/2iOQxZU Made sure that health insurance coverage was guaranteed for eating disorders. http://bit.ly/2iY6h05 Signed a law enforcement pact with Cuba, to foster greater cooperation between the two countries. http://on.wkyc.com/2k7G9kS Addressed Environment, Climate Change While Meeting Energy Needs Doubled federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE Pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars. http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a “hoax.” http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 http://bit.ly/fE2PxK http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P Under Obama, our dependence on foreign oil has dropped to its lowest rate since 1985, and continues to drop. http://1.usa.gov/1p6kTUy Meanwhile, oil consumption is way down because of reduced driving and higher mileage standards. http://ti.me/1z4HFG8 Improved siting, review and permitting stations for power plants, in an attempt to seriously improve the nation’s electric grid. http://1.usa.gov/1l8zNqn Reengaged in a number of treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid and electric vehicles. http://bit.ly/glCukV Established a quadrennial review of our energy infrastructure, to encourage a modernization of the grid, and to encourage the transition away from fossil fuel use. http://1.usa.gov/1nx2oMo Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental, fuel-efficient vehicles. http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c Encouraged BP to pay $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up. http://wapo.st/ds2BxT (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. ) Oversaw and pushed through an amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3 Became the first President to simply say “Climate Change is a fact,” and set up the first federal government protocols for dealing with the impacts of climate change. http://1.usa.gov/1b7V67B Initiated Criminal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a Asserted federal legal supremacy to bar Texas from authorizing new refinery permits on its own.http://bit.ly/ww8eMd Set up new, stricter standards severely limiting power plant emissions, curring them to 68% of 2005 levels by 2030. http://1.usa.gov/1mML2M3 Strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH Strengthened protection for wildlife, and expanded enforcement of laws against wildlife trafficking. http://1.usa.gov/1fce1Ai Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save 6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt Through the EPA, attempted to take steps to severely limit the use of antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2 Through new EPA regulations, he created a pretext for closing the dirtiest power plants in the country, by limiting emissions of mercury and other toxic gasses. http://bit.ly/rQCIgA Increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY Announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K Signed a bill that allowed for increased regulations of a large number of chemicals and other toxic materials, allowing the EPA to make the use of certain toxic materials more transparent. http://usat.ly/2911hA4 Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in 2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW Facilitated investment in industrial energy efficiency to create jobs and strengthen US manufacturing while saving businesses $100 billion over a decade. http://1.usa.gov/WsIgbx Set up the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to oversee Gulf Coast restoration efforts after the 2010 BP oil spill. The money to fund the restoration efforts comes from fines against BP. http://1.usa.gov/Rxjb29 Engaged in the most comprehensive plan to combat climate change in a generation. http://bit.ly/13lXhET Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R Guided a 418% increase in solar power capacity between 2010 and 2014. http://bit.ly/1rHkWJC As of May 2015, 74% of new electrical capacity was provided by solar and wind power. http://bit.ly/1T5r0LC Bypassed Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5 Oversaw a tripling in the use of wind power to generate electricity. The US now leads the world in increased wind power capacity. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5448 Ordered the federal government to incorporate climate resilience and climate science into all international development in which the United States engages. http://1.usa.gov/YV1EpW Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards that exceeded federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in more than a decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to create more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu Obama EPA ruled that excess CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN Closed a deal with China to limit carbon emissions to slow down climate change. http://nyti.ms/1xzyS8K Blocked all oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay, Alaska, one of the most pristine environments in North America http://lat.ms/13xUVFD Signed an Executive Order to improve environmental efforts in the Arctic region and to combat climate change by better coordinating the efforts of the 23 federal agencies operating in the area. http://usat.ly/ZEzLzE Vetoed a bill to fast track construction of the parallel Keystone XL pipeline. http://nbcnews.to/1DVDFo7 Expanded clean water regulations to more stringently protect all of the nation’s waterways, even when states fail in their duty. http://bit.ly/1RdQpTc Signed an Executive Order committing the federal government to lead the way in building a sustainable economy. It’s his fifth doing just that. http://1.usa.gov/1EzO2ne Banned the use of antibiotics in food served in US Government-run cafeterias and ordered agencies to only use antibiotic-free meat. http://bit.ly/1G1vUxi http://bit.ly/1KHkl4N Developed new rules to address climate change and to create a significant boost to clean energy. http://bit.ly/1UnQcuR Negotiated and signed a virtually Republican-Proof global agreement on climate change, with 190 countries signing on. http://bit.ly/1RkjVG8 Became one of 196 countries that signed onto a UN Framework on Climate Change. http://unfccc.int/2860.php Ordered a moratorium on new coal leasing on federal land, and they will examine the whole leasing process. http://wapo.st/23Q6en8 Signed a bill to better protect pipelines and to authorize greater oversight. http://bit.ly/291woja Signed an order turning more than 87,000 acres of Maine Woods into the North Woods National Monument. http://bit.ly/2ciWDCc Signed into law a measure directing the Department of Transportation to issue guidelines for minimum standards for underground storage of natural gas. http://bit.ly/291AdjL Established the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area in an effort to preserve the Bering Sea and to protect the people who live in the area and depend on the sea for their lives. http://bit.ly/2k8cpEP Permanently banned offshore oil and gas drilling in many areas of the Arctic and North Atlantic, to preserve the environment and stave off climate change. http://bit.ly/2jDcLm7 Infused a lot of extra money to assist Texas in its study of better hurricane protection. http://bit.ly/2iP9Mm1 Created national parks in Nevada and Utah to do as much as possible to preserve the environment before the Trump debacle. http://bit.ly/2jdbj6t Pledged $500 million to United Nations Climate Fund that Trump promised to de-fund. http://bit.ly/2jCEiUH Signed a pact with Cuba to coordinate resources in cases of oil spills. http://reut.rs/2jcZsp7 There’s So Much More! Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112 justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6http://bit.ly/i02wgP Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5 Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first responders. http://bit.ly/o7cWYS Placed major restrictions on the ivory trade in a bid to prevent the wholesale slaughter of elephants in Africa. http://ti.me/292Z4Gg Signed a bill that will seriously curb the use of animal testing and establish alternative testing methods. http://bit.ly/28Z5AuS Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. http://1.usa.gov/dGppUa To help those communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, issued an executive order setting up the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and asked Congress to approve $60 billion in supplemental assistance to aid in storm recovery. http://1.usa.gov/134L7hl Produced 23 Executive actions designed to make it easier for law enforcement to identify those who shouldn’t have guns, thus helping them enforce the law. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements in trade pacts like NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during budget negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO http://bit.ly/ff5Luv Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.http://bit.ly/dFb8qF Expanded the authority of Customs to improve enforcement of trade and customs laws and to better coordinate said enforcement among various agencies. http://bit.ly/1S5pun7 Was voted most admired man of the year for 2016. http://ti.me/2jDauHt And Did You Know? Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cY And of course… Despite the odds, became the first black president and then, was reelected by a wide margin. Acted with grace and dignity for right years and restored a proper level of dignity to the office of the president. Also, left office with an approval rating above 60%, 20 points higher than his “replacement” has going into the office. ———————–
