Organizing for America | Blogging for President Obama: Legislative Experience: Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

Legislative Experience: Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

By AuDayShus - Sep 4th, 2008 at 1:17 am EDT

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Tags: 2008 presidential election, barack obama, bills, Democratic party, laws passed, Leadership, legislation, legislative, Obama/Biden, track record, US Senate

Welcome to my blog for Senator Barack Obama. Many of us are familiar with our candidate's accomplishments. But then there are those who know the truth but choose to deliberately mislead the public. As if they didn't already know (they worked alongside him for years, for goodness sakes!), they endeavor to put questions out there to confuse constituents who do not have access to this knowlege.

So, I'll repeat one of their questions: What exactly has Senator Obama accomplished in the IL State Senate and during his tenure thus far in the US Senate? Detractors try to tell you dismissively that he's only good for a speech; detractors who have co-sponsored Bills with him in the US Senate.

Fighting back the knee-jerk response of calling them outright liars (in public), I decided to visit the Library of Congress website at http://thomas.loc.gov/ and search for all Bills and Amendments sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Obama. Take a look at the bulk of the Bills he has sponsored - Bills that have not yet been voted into law - and you will see some of what a President Obama has planned for education, veterans and military benefits, healthcare, the economy, the environment, foreign policy, energy, the reduction of poverty, and more. Note below, that as early as 2003 in the IL State Legislature, Obama supported preditory mortgage lending legislation aimed at averting home foreclosures. Soak it in. Judgment! Foresight! Bipartizanship! Accomplishment! Then laugh in their lying faces!

In addition to Bills sponsored in the US Senate, I also discoverd that there are several pieces of legislation, voted into law, that was sponsored by Senator Obama. Note too, I have grouped the Bills found on the Library of Congress website by category for easier perusal. There are over 100 Bills and Amendments sponsored by Senator Obama this past year alone; since his arrival in the US Senate, 4 Bills he sponsored or co-sponsored have been signed into law. The Library of Congress database only goes back to the beginning of 2007, and I do need to locate their archive for prior Bills. However, note that two of Senator Obama's Bills were passed into US law in 2006 - evidence that his work predates the current database entries. No "empty suit" here. Read on.

STATE LEGISLATURE, 1997–2004

Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics and health care laws. He sponsored a law increasing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare. In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican Governor Ryan's payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home foreclosures. Obama introduced this legislation to the IL Senate. In 2003, Obama sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.

Obama was re-elected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, and again in 2002. In 2000, he lost a Democratic primary run for the U.S. House of Representatives to four-term incumbent Bobby Rush by a margin of two to one.

In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority. During his 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enacting death penalty reforms. Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the US Senate.

ILLINOIS STATE LEGISLATURE: OBAMA 2003-2005
(Senator Obama started campaigning for the US Senate at this time)

Bills Barack Obama sponsored/co-sponsored over 200 bills and resolutions that were passed or adopted between 2003-2005 in the in IL State Legislature. Note: Bills introduced while Senator Obama was in the IL senate were voted on after he left. Note: Senator Obama introduced over 800 bills between 1998-2004; State databse only lists bills from 2003-2005, so I'm unsure total number that have passed into state law.

Bills passed 2003-2005 (sponsored and co-sponsored) include the Equal Pay Act; Senior Citizens Prescription Drug Discount Act; Video Taped Interrogations Act; Hospital Report Card Act to provide quality care and quality staff; Chicago Education Reform Act; and more.
http://www.ilga.gov/senate/SenatorBills.asp?MemberID=747&GA=93

Of the above Bills, Senator Obama was primary sponsor for more that 40 bills and resolutions passed into state law or adopted between 2003-2005
http://www.ilga.gov/senate/SenatorBills.asp?GA=93&MemberID=747&Primary=True

Public Act = Passed into law, signed by the Governor. Adoptions are so noted.

Related posts and articles on Senator Obama's accomplishments in the Illinois Senate see:
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

Note: NYT lists just a few of over 800 bills introduced by Senator Obama.

U.S. SENATE, 2005–PRESENT

Obama holds assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Veterans' Affairs, and he is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He is a chairman of the Subcommittee on European Affairs. He served on the Environment and Public Works committee until January 2007. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama has made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW

Lugar-Obama Nonproliferation Law (6/28/07)
http://obama.senate.gov/press/070628-obama_lugar_sec/

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006
(Coburn-Obama Transparency Act of 2006 S. 2590)
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=LatestNews.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=8dcb8c35-802a-23ad-4d37-9c8ea9c43460

Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006
S.2125. The first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor. It is in America's best interest to fight for the poor and oppressed who are recruitment fodder for anti-American interests.http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2125

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007
(co-sponsored by Obama) Pub.L. 110-81, 121 Stat. 735, enacted 2007-09-14) is a law of the United States federal government that amended parts of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. It strengthens public disclosure requirements concerning lobbying activity and funding, places more restrictions on gifts for members of Congress and their staff, and provides for mandatory disclosure of earmarks in expenditure bills.

Senators Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) were instrumental in adding a bundling provision to the final version of HLOGA, which President Bush signed into law in September 2007. All three are additional co-sponsors of the bill, although their names do not yet appear on the co-sponsor list at the Library of Congress. Their participation is a well-known fact that has been reported in the national news.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/15/AR2007091500589.html

Library of Congress - Select a Senator - Obama
http://thomas.loc.gov/

BILLS SPONSORED BY SENATOR BARACK OBAMA

by Category

FOREIGN POLICY

S.CON.RES.25 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-Sponsors: 7; introduced 3/29/2007)
Title: A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society.
Status: 6/26/2007 Held at the desk.

S.J.RES.23 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: none; introduced 11/1/2007)
A joint resolution clarifying that the use of force against Iran is not authorized by the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S.433 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-Sponsors: 3; introduced 1/30/2007)
The Iraq War De-Escalation Act
A bill to state United States policy for Iraq, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S.1430 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 35; introduced 5/17/2007)
A bill to authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.1977 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 4; introduced 8/2/2007)
A bill to provide for sustained United States leadership in a cooperative global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce global nuclear arsenals, stop the spread of nuclear weapons and related material and technology, and support the responsible and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S.AMDT.2692 to H.R.2764 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2; introduced 9/6/2007)
To require a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan.
Status: 9/6/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2692 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

HEALTH / HEALTH RELATED / MEDICAL RESEARCH

S.CON.RES.46 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-Sponsors: none; introduced 9/17/2007)
Title: A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.RES.628 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-Sponsors: 1; introduced 7/25/2008)
A resolution expressing support for the designation of Disability Pride Day and recognizing that all people, including people living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing members of society and fully engaged as citizens of the United States.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.823 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 18; introduced 3/8/2007)
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to facilitating the development of microbicides for preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.976 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2; introduced 3/23/2007)
A bill to secure the promise of personalized medicine for all Americans by expanding and accelerating genomics research and initiatives to improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis, increase the safety of drugs, and identify novel treatments.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1067 : (sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 5; introduced 3/29/2007)
A bill to require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1068 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2;introduced 3/29/2007)
A bill to promote healthy communities.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1306 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 9; introduced 5/3/2007)
A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

S.1811 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2; introduced 7/18/2007)
A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to assess and reduce the levels of lead found in child-occupied facilities in the United States, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S.1824 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 7/19/2007)
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative under the Medicare program to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1873 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 7/25/2007)
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish demonstration programs on regionalized systems for emergency care, to support emergency medicine research, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2132 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsor: 6; introduced 10/3/2007)
A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of children's products that contain lead, and for other purposes
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

S.2347 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 36; introduced 11/13/2007)
A bill to restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.3142 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 5; (introduced 6/17/2008)
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance public health activities related to stillbirth and sudden unexpected infant death.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.3358 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; (introduced 7/29/2008)
A bill to provide for enhanced food-borne illness surveillance and food safety capacity.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.AMDT.1041 to S.1082 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 5/3/2007)
To improve the safety and efficacy of genetic tests.
Status: 5/8/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1041 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

JUDICIARY

S.453 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 20; introduced 1/31/2007)
A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
10/4/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 411.

S.737 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 1; introduced 3/1/2007)
A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 in order to measure, compare, and improve the quality of voter access to polls and voter services in the administration of Federal elections in the States.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

S.1989 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 8/3/2007)
A bill to provide a mechanism for the determination on the merits of the claims of claimants who met the class criteria in a civil action relating to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture but who were denied that determination.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.2519 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 1; introduced 12/19/2007)
A bill to prohibit the awarding of a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has no seriously delinquent tax debts, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

S.3077 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 3; (introduced 6/3/2008)
A bill to strengthen transparency and accountability in Federal spending.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

S.AMDT.55 to S.1 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 1; (introduced 1/12/2007)
Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Status: 1/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted

S.AMDT.4114 to S.2663 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 3/5/2008)
To require the Comptroller General of the United States conduct a study and report on the effectiveness of authorities relating to the safety of imported consumer products.
Status: 3/6/2008 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 4114 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

MILITARY / SECURITY / VETERANS AFFAIRS

S.674 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 4; introduced 2/16/2007)
A bill to require accountability and enhanced congressional oversight for personnel performing private security functions under Federal contracts, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.692 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsor: 1; introduced 2/27/2007)
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.713 : (sponsor: Obama; Co-Sponsors: 34; introduced 2/28/2007)
A bill to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering from injuries.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1084 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 11; introduced 4/10/2007)
A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.1817 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 12; introduced 7/19/2007)
A bill to ensure proper administration of the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1885 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 10; introduced 7/26/2007)
A bill to provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2330 : (Sponsor: Obama; sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2; introduced 11/8/2007)
A bill to authorize a pilot program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veteran families from falling into homelessness, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 8; introduced 7/31/2007)
To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
Status: 8/2/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2588 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.3073 to H.R.1585 (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 4; introduced 9/26/2007)
To provide for transparency and accountability in military and security contracting.
Status: 9/27/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3073 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.3078 to H.R.1585 (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 7; introduced 9/27/2007)
Relating to administrative separations of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder.
Status: 9/27/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3078 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.4330 to S.CON.RES.70 (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 3; introduced 3/13/2008)
To provide an additional $5 million to the military departments' respective Boards for Correction of Military Records to expedite review of cases in which service members with combat-related psychological injuries (such as PTSD) or closed head injuries (such as TBIs) were administered discharges for personality disorders or other discharges resulting in a loss of benefits or care and seek a correction of records or upgraded discharge.
Status: 3/13/2008 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 4330 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

EDUCATION

S.114: (Sponsor: Obama; Co-Sponsors: none; introduced 1/4/2007)
A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.116 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 3; introduced 1/4/2007)
A bill to authorize resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning through summer learning grants.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1513 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: none; (introduced 5/24/2007)
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grant programs to enhance the access of low-income African-American students to higher education.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1574 : (sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: none; introduced 6/7/2007)
A bill to establish Teaching Residency Programs for preparation and induction of teachers.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2066 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 9/18/2007)
A bill to establish nutrition and physical education standards for schools.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

S.2111 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 3; introduced 9/27/2007)
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools to increase implementation of early intervention services, particularly school-wide positive behavior supports.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2227 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 5; introduced 10/24/2007)
A bill to provide grants to States to ensure that all students in the middle grades are taught an academically rigorous curriculum with effective supports so that students complete the middle grades prepared for success in high school and postsecondary endeavors, to improve State and district policies and programs relating to the academic achievement of students in the middle grades, to develop and implement effective middle school models for struggling students, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2392 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; (introduced 11/16/2007)
A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain a public website through which individuals may find a complete database of available scholarships, fellowships, and other programs of financial assistance in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.3047 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 5; (introduced 5/21/2008)
A bill to provide for the coordination of the Nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 3/21/2007)
To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers.
Status: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 524 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.905 to S.761 (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: none; introduced 4/23/2007)
To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
Status: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 905 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.923 to S.761 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 4/24/2007)
To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness.
Status: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 923 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.924 to S.761 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 1; introduced 4/24/2007)
To establish summer term education programs.
Status: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 924 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

ECONOMY

S.115 : (Sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: none; Senate Finance;introduced 1/4/2007)
A bill to suspend royalty relief, to repeal certain provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal certain tax incentives for the oil and gas industry.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.133 : (sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 3; introduced 1/4/2007)
A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.767 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 6; introduced 3/6/2007)
A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

S.768 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 6; introduced 3/6/2007)
A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1151 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: none; introduced 4/18/2007)
A bill to provide incentives to the auto industry to accelerate efforts to develop more energy-efficient vehicles to lessen dependence on oil.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1181 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 7; introduced 4/20/2007)
A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.1222 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 1; introduced 4/25/2007)
A bill to stop mortgage transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, abuse, and under-development, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.2044 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 6; introduced 9/12/2007)
A bill to provide procedures for the proper classification of employees and independent contractors, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

IMMIGRATION

S.795 : (sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 5; introduced 3/7/2007)
A bill to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted in becoming citizens of the United States, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.1033 co-sponsor Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act
Incorporates legalization, guest worker programs, and border enforcement.
The bill was never voted on in the Senate.

Pub.L. 109-367 (Obama supported)
Secure Fence Act of 2006. Allows for over 700 miles of double-reinforced fence to be built across cities and deserts alike between California and Texas in areas that have been prone to illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigration. It authorizes the installation of more lighting, vehicle barriers, and border checkpoints, while putting in place more advanced equipment like sensors, cameras, satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles in an attempt to watch and control illegal immigration into the United States.

ENVIRONMENT

S.906 : (Sponsor: Obama: co-sponsors: 4; introduced 3/15/2007)
A bill to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, and export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
Status: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

S.1324 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2; introduced 5/7/2007)
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuel sold in the United States.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S.1389 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 3; introduced 5/14/2007)
A bill to authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a Climate Change Education Program.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1818 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 5; introduced 7/19/2007)
A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S.2202 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 2; introduced 10/18/2007)
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to increase the renewable content of gasoline, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S.2224 : (sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 1; introduced 10/24/2007)
A bill to require a licensee to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the State and county in which a facility is located, whenever there is an unplanned release of radioactive substances.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 4; introduced 3/22/2007)
To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy.
Status: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 599 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

POVERTY

S.1790 : (sponsor: Obama; Co-sponsors: 2; introduced 7/16/2007)
A bill to make grants to carry out activities to prevent the incidence of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among teens in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities, and for other purposes.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2433 : (Sponsor: Obama; co-sponsors: 30; (introduced 12/7/2007)
A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day.
4/24/2008 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 718.

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Thank you | Report to Admin

By Charles from Grand Rapids, MI Sep 4th 2008 at 1:02 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 1:02 pm EDT)

Thank you for posting this. I hadn't taken the time to look it up. This is hard evidence to support my impressions of him.

Other Qualifications | Report to Admin

By AuDayShus Sep 4th 2008 at 6:42 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 6:42 pm EDT)

Additional information on Barack Obama:

BA International Relations - Columbia University

JD Harvard Law School - Editor Harvard Law Review

Senior Lecturer in Constitutional Law - University of Chicago Law School

Thank you | Report to Admin

By Mark from Atkins, IA Sep 4th 2008 at 8:16 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 8:16 pm EDT)

Thank you for writing this out. I have shared the information with my email list already. I forget these resources are here for our use, like the Library of Congress. Have spent too much time as a community activist and not enough time watching legislative histories.

Much appreciate the reminder!

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By 44th …Embracing the change Sep 4th 2008 at 10:51 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 10:51 pm EDT)

I have shared this with everyone in my address book and will continue to forward when I get those garbage emails

thank you | Report to Admin

By Shar Sep 4th 2008 at 10:54 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 10:54 pm EDT)

You have just gained more of my respect. Thanks for posting.

Nice Work | Report to Admin

By Bob E Sep 4th 2008 at 10:57 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 10:57 pm EDT)

Good Job

No offense but... | Report to Admin

By E Sep 5th 2008 at 12:47 am EDT (Updated Sep 5th 2008 at 12:47 am EDT)

I would like to see this in comparison to John McCain.

I have no reference point to see what these bills actually mean. There is no way to know whether this is a significant number or not.

Thank you.

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 | Report to Admin

By Sam from Frisco, TX Sep 5th 2008 at 1:40 am EDT (Updated Sep 5th 2008 at 1:40 am EDT)

At the site "OpenCongress" Senator Obama does not show up as a Co-sponsor on the bill "The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007" passed 2007-09-14
Link

He does show up as a Co-Sponsor on the "OPEN Government Act of 2007"
S.2488 passed 12.31.2007
Link

Is this correct?

Re: The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 | Report to Admin

By AuDayShus Nov 1st 2008 at 2:22 pm EDT (Updated Nov 1st 2008 at 2:22 pm EDT)

All the Bills listed above (US SENATE) are from Link and show Obama as sponsor. However, some databases are updated differently. Remember that senators are added to the list of sponsors as they join the effort -- some databases will only show the original team of sponsors and not the additional sponsors. Some, like Link tend to show them all.

Way to silence the critics! | Report to Admin

By Elidet Sep 5th 2008 at 2:11 am EDT (Updated Sep 5th 2008 at 2:11 am EDT)

With facts!

Great post!

Barack's Legislative experience | Report to Admin

By Claudia Sep 5th 2008 at 12:40 pm EDT (Updated Sep 5th 2008 at 12:40 pm EDT)

Thank you for the research. Going to use this as a flyer when needed.

This proves the lies about Barack "not accomplishing anything" from the Republicans.

This needs to be forwarded to every group to forward far and wide.

Even post on the media, cable news sites.

Amazing | Report to Admin

By Debbie Sep 6th 2008 at 2:12 pm EDT (Updated Sep 6th 2008 at 2:12 pm EDT)

This is such an informative, thoroughly researched blog. Very impressive. I would love for you to email this to Sarah Palin or post this on the McCain site. It was so repulsive to view this woman degrading Barack Obama's accomplishments and hard work all of these years. I know that someone put those words in her mouth because I don't see her as being that intelligent. You have put to rest any argument that Barack has no experience.

Useful when phone banking | Report to Admin

By Cem Kaner Sep 13th 2008 at 11:05 pm EDT (Updated Sep 13th 2008 at 11:05 pm EDT)

I have been asked for this type of information when I talk with undecided voters. This gives me something I can quote, and sometimes, something I can mail to people.

Thank you!

-- cem kaner

Content on blogs in My.BarackObama represents the opinions of community members and in no way should be interpreted as endorsed or approved by the campaign.