Obama Infomercial Leaked – Get the Inside Scoop

We’re no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitment’s what I’m thinking of
You wouldn’t get this from any other guy
I just wanna tell you how I’m feeling
Gotta make you understand
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
We’ve know each other for so long
Your heart’s been aching
But you’re too shy to say it
Inside we both know what’s been going on
We know the game and we’re gonna play it
And if you ask me how I’m feeling
Don’t tell me you’re too blind to see
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

Reply

Wayne, here is a record of Barack Obama’s accomplishments:

UNITED STATES SENATE

ETHICS AND TRANSPARENCY

ETHICS OVERHAUL: Obama Joined With Feingold to Introduce a “Gold Standard” Ethics Bill; Set the Standard For Reform Legislation Passed Into Law. In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Feingold to introduce a “Gold Standard” ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill’s most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January: a full ban on gifts and meals from lobbyists including those paid by the firms that employ lobbyists; an end to subsidized travel on corporate jets; full disclosure of who’s sponsoring earmarks and for what purpose; additional restrictions to close the revolving door between public service and lobbying to ensure that public service isn’t all about lining up a high-paying lobbying job; and requiring lobbyists to disclose the contributions that they “bundle” – that is, collect or arrange – for members of Congress, candidates, and party committees. [S. 230, 110th Congress; Obama Press Release, 1/18/07]

New York Times: Obama/Feingold Amendments Strengthened Bill After “Party Leaders Began Teaming Up To Introduce A Much Weaker Bipartisan Bill” And Other “Behind-The-Scenes Resistance.”  In its story on passage of the Senate’s 2007 ethics reform bill, the New York Times reported that “…party leaders began by teaming up to introduce a much weaker bipartisan bill, and lawmakers in both parties acknowledged behind-the-scenes resistance to strengthening it. But many found amendments to strengthen the bill — a number of them offered by Senators Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin and Barack Obama of Illinois, both Democrats — politically difficult to oppose.” [New York Times, 1/19/07]

Obama and Feingold Pressured the Senate Into Adopting Tougher Ethics Reforms. “After Democratic and Republican leaders introduced their bipartisan working version of an ethics plan, pressure from Obama and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) inspired them to open the measure up for some tougher restrictions…” [Chicago Tribune, 1/19/07]

Dayton Daily News: Obama Ethics Amendments Got Reform Bill “Watered Up.” The Dayton Daily News wrote in an editorial, “Indeed, the bill goes further than Democrats even promised during the campaign. This was one of those rare occasions when a reform bill is introduced, then, rather than get watered down, gets watered up. This fact has been widely attributed to the work of Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Russ Feingold, D-Wis. They proposed reforms that the other senators – while reportedly not happy about – decided they couldn’t oppose in the current political environment.” [Dayton Daily News, Editorial, 1/24/07]

LOBBYIST BUNDLING: Obama Passed Into Law Legislation Requiring Lobbyists To Disclose Their Bundling Activity, Making Him Unpopular Even Among Other Democrats. Obama sponsored an amendment to require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged. The amendment was passed by unanimous consent and attached to the Senate ethics bill, which was signed into law on September 15, 2007. The New York Times wrote, “The disclosure idea’s lead sponsor, Senator Barack Obama… ‘has not been the most popular person in our caucus in the last couple of weeks,’ said a Democratic aide involved in deliberations over the bill.” [S. Amdt. 41 to S. 1, S. Amdt. 3, Submitted 1/11/07, Agreed to By Unanimous Consent, 1/18/07; S. 1, Signed into Law 9/14/07;New York Times, 1/20/07; CQ, 9/15/07]

Take A Look At The Lobbying Contributions Database! LINK

Washington Post: “No Single Change Would Add More To Public Understanding Of How Money Really Operates In Washington.” In an editorial , The Washington Post wrote, “The most pernicious aspect of the relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists doesn’t involve skybox tickets or golf junkets. It centers on the role that lobbyists play in providing lawmakers with the campaign cash they need to survive. Lobbyists write their own checks, which must be disclosed. But lobbyists are even more valuable to politicians in their role as bundlers, tapping their clients and other networks to deliver campaign cash far in excess of what they are permitted to contribute personally…Yet while you can be assured that lawmakers and their campaigns know who their big bundlers are, and that the bundlers keep careful track of how much they help bring in, the people aren’t let in on the news. That information ought to be made public, especially regarding those who make their livings seeking to influence Congress…A provision that would require such disclosure is part of a strong package of ethics and lobbying reforms introduced yesterday by Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.). It would require lobbyists to disclose not only their contributions but also the donations they collect or arrange, along with checks going to presidential libraries, inaugural committees and lawmakers’ charities. No single change would add more to public understanding of how money really operates in Washington…We look forward to the vote on the bundling amendment, with the new leader providing strong support.” [Washington Post, Editorial, 1/9/07]

NYT: Schumer Delivered An “Angry Rebuke To The [Bundling] Disclosure Idea’s Lead Sponsor, Senator Barack Obama.”  The Republicans who controlled the Senate last year refused to let it come up. And on Jan. 12, before the details of the proposal had been disclosed, Senator Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat in charge of his party’s fund-raising as head of the senatorial campaign committee, used a run-in on the Senate floor to deliver an angry rebuke to the disclosure idea’s lead sponsor, Senator Barack Obama, Democrat of Illinois, several people present or briefed on the confrontation said. In a subsequent conversation, Mr. Schumer said he worried that the proposal could cramp fund-raising by placing an undue burden on potential bundlers, said aides who were briefed and a lawmaker familiar with their talk, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the nature of the talks.’”   [The New York Times, 1/20/07]

GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT: Obama Passed Legislation Creating A “Google-Like” Search Database That Will Shine Light On Federal Spending; Bill Became Law After Public Pressure Forced Two Most Senior Senators to Lift Secret Hold.  Obama joined with Coburn to co-author and pass legislation that would create a “Google-like” database of information on federal funding. When the bill was signed into law, the AP reported: “Senate leaders had tried to pass the bill in early August but Rep. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., blocked passage by lodging secret “holds” on the bill. The bloggers tracked down those responsible for the delay and the senators let the bill advance under the pressure.” [S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 9/7/06; PL 109-282, 9/26/06; AP, 9/26/07] 

Obama/Coburn Bill Was Too Strong for the House, Senate Bill Passed After Public Pressure Ended Secret Hold.  “A more limited bill sponsored by House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican, and Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, Virginia Republican, passed the House in June, but the Coburn-Obama bill was blocked in the Senate by a “secret hold.” This Senate tradition allows a single member to obstruct a bill’s progress anonymously. Bloggers from the left and right formed a coalition last month to expose the obstructors by urging readers call their senators and demand to know whether they had placed the secret hold. The senators relented under public pressure. After brief negotiations, the bill passed both chambers of Congress. Mr. Coburn and Mr. Obama, in a joint statement, gave ‘all the credit and praise’ for the bill’s passage to bloggers, editorial writers and citizens. Mr. Johnson said the campaign showed that the public has the power to demand tools for good governance.” [The Washington Times, 9/27/06]

Free Congress Foundation: Let’s Hope That Obama and the People Prevail Over the Status Quo.  “The more Americans learn about how their hard-earned dollars are handled—or really, mishandled—by Washington the more demand there will be for effective, far-reaching reform. Who will dare stop them? There are plenty of powerful politicians and lobby groups who recognize it is in their best interest to preserve the status quo. Let’s hope they fail and that Coburn, Obama and the people will prevail.” [Accuracy in Media, 8/17/06]

Coburn-Obama Spending Database Was Launched In December 2007 And Now Available To The Public.  “U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today applauded the Office of Management and Budget for launching ahead of schedule the web site http://www.USAspending.gov that will feature the most comprehensive searchable database of federal spending ever made available to the American public. The site is the product of legislation, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (S. 2590), sponsored by Senators Coburn and Obama, that was signed into law last year.” [Obama Press Release, 12/13/07]

Chicago Sun-Times: Obama Spending Database A “Brilliant Idea.” The Chicago Sun-Times wrote in an editorial, “It would enable the public to see where federal money goes and how it is spent. It’s a brilliant idea…In 1802, Thomas Jefferson called for more transparency in government spending…Anything that allows a clearer look at the way our government doles out money — including on defense — is a bonus. Thomas Jefferson definitely would have voted ‘yes’ for this.” [Chicago Sun-Times, Editorial, 7/25/06]

VETERANS AND OUR TROOPS

MENTAL HEALTH: Obama Proposals Providing Improvements In Health Care For Recovering Soldiers Were Passed Into Law, Including Requirements For Post-Deployment Mental Health Screenings And National Study On The Needs Of Iraq War Veterans.  H.R. 976, passed by the Senate on August 2, 2007, includes several provisions from bills originally sponsored by Senators Obama and McCaskill. The provisions would improve health care services and health care tracking for service members, and would require post-deployment, face to face mental health screenings for returning service members within 30 days. The bill also adopts other Obama-McCaskill legislation, the HERO Act, which would launch a major national research endeavor into the readjustment needs of returning service members, veterans and their families. The bill also included measures to improve and reform the disability rating process. [Vote 307, H.R. 976, Passed, 68-31, 8/2/07; S. 713, 110th Congress; S. 1271, 110th Congress; Obama Press Release, 7/25/07; H.R. 4986, Became Public Law No: 110-181, 1/28/08]

Politifact: “Obama And Sen. Claire McCaskill Contributed Key Portions To The National Defense Authorization That Required Postdeployment Mental Health Screenings And A National Study On The Needs Of Iraq Veterans.” Politifact, a service of the St. Petersburg Times and CQ wrote, “In 2008, Obama and Sen. Claire McCaskill contributed key portions to the National Defense Authorization Act that required postdeployment mental health screenings and a national study on the needs of Iraq veterans. We looked into the legislative history of the bill and found that Obama and McCaskill can at least take some credit for developing the list of requirements.” [Politifact]

MILITARY MEDICAL FACILITIES: Obama Provisions Improving Standards For Military Medical Treatment Facilities And Requiring Annual Reports On Conditions Of Military Medical Care Facilities Passed Into Law.  In 2008, Obama passed several provisions into law that would improve standards at military medical care facilities. The new law would require the Secretary of Defense to establish a set of standards for military medical care facilities and oversee compliance with those standards by a specific deadline. Finally, the new law would require an annual report to Congress on the conditions of those facilities. [S. 713, 110th Congress; S. 1271, 110th Congress; Obama Press Release, 7/25/07; H.R. 4986, Became Public Law No: 110-181, 1/28/08, McCaskill Press Release, 1/29/08]

VA/DISABLED VETS: Obama Passed An Amendment, Which Became Law, To Require The VA To Conduct A Campaign To Inform Disabled Vets Of Disparities In Compensation And Explaining Their Rights To Seek Review.  In 2005, Obama was an original cosponsor on an amendment requiring the VA to conduct a campaign to inform veterans in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, Ohio and New Jersey about their right to seek a review of their past claims. Specifically, the legislation required the VA to send letters to all veterans currently receiving disability who live in six states with a past history of below-average disability compensation, informing them of the past disparity, and explaining how to request a review of past claims and ratings and how to submit new claims. The VA was also required to inform all other veterans whose past claims may have been properly denied of this disparity by other means such as broadcast of print advertising. States whose average annual disability compensation payment was less than $7,300 qualified as below average. In 2003, Illinois veterans received an average of $6,802. The amendment became law on November 30, 2005. [S. Amdt. 1865, Passed by Voice Vote, 9/22/05, to H.R.2528, Signed by the President and Became Public Law No: 109-114 on 11/30/05]

After It Started to Mail Letters, VA Acknowledged That It Would Not Have Reached Out To Veterans If It Had Not Been For Obama’s Legislation.  The Chicago Tribune wrote, “U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is sending letters to 326,000 veterans in six states, including 62,000 in Illinois, where VA benefits have been the lowest. The letter tells veterans about benefit disparities and how to reapply if they believe they were shortchanged or if their conditions have worsened. A report by the VA office of inspector general showed that in 2004, the most recent figures available, Illinois veterans received the lowest average disability payments in the nation, $6,961. In New Mexico, the state with the highest average benefit, veterans received an average of $12,004…‘For far too long, where a veteran lives determined how much compensation they received,’ said Obama, who sits on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. ‘That’s unfair, and it’s wrong.’ The VA was required to send the letter as a result of an amendment offered by Durbin and Obama to the military construction and veterans affairs appropriations bill. Acknowledging that the VA would not have sent the letters on its own, spokesman Terry Jemison said in a written statement, ‘This provision of law requires us to selectively conduct additional outreach to veterans based on where they live…’ Veterans in Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, Ohio and New Jersey also will receive the letter.” [Chicago Tribune, 5/9/06]

PTSD: Obama Passed An Amendment, Which Became Law, Preventing The VA From Conducting A Review Of PTSD Cases Aimed At Reducing Benefits. In 2005, Obama was an original cosponsor of an amendment that became law preventing the VA from conducting a review of cases, without first providing Congress with a complete report regarding the implementation of such review. In November 2005, the VA announced that it was abandoning its planned review. [SA 1864 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote, 9/22/05; Became Public Law No: 109-114]

Obama Joined Durbin, Murray, And Akaka In Blocking The VA’s Attempt To Initiate A Review Of Veterans’ PTSD Claims That Would Likely Have Resulted In Reduction Of Their Benefits.  Military Update wrote, “Obama had several generations of veterans in mind, he suggested, when he joined fellow Democrats Richard Durbin (Ill.), Patty Murray (Wash.) and Daniel Akaka (Hawai’i) Sept. 22 on a successful amendment to block the Department of Veterans Affairs from reviewing case files of 72,000 veterans rated 100-percent disabled by post-traumatic stress disorder…VA officials believe some PTSD claims have been decided for veterans without proper documentation. They announced their massive review only after the VA inspector general studied 2,100 randomly selected cases of PTSD disability awards and found that 25 percent lacked documents to verify that a traumatic, service-connected incident occurred…But the Senate’s amendment would bar the VA from conducting its case review until it justifies the program to Congress. It also would prohibit the VA from lowering PTSD awards except in cases of fraud…‘None of us wants to see any fraud or waste in government spending,’ said Obama, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. ‘But nowhere should we be more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt than with the brave men and women who served our country…VA, [Obama] said, ‘is presuming significant fraud for people who have received 100 percent disability payments on PTSD claims. They are not conducting a comparable survey of people whose claims were denied. What that indicates, to me at least, is there is some bias against those who have received payments.’” [Military Update, 10/3/05]

JOB PROTECTION: Obama Passed An Amendment Providing Job Protections For Family Members Caring For Wounded Soldiers. In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment providing job protections for military families as an amendment to the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The legislation, called the Military Family Job Protection Act would ensure that military families are not forced to wonder whether their job will still be there when they get back home and would ease the burden on service members who must focus on their own recovery. The amendment was agreed to unanimously and the underlying bill passed the Senate. [SA 2588 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 8/2/07; Vote 307, H.R. 976, Passed, 68-31, 8/2/07; S. 713, Obama Press Release, 7/25/07]

MENTAL HEALTH/DISCHARGE: Obama Passed An Amendment Providing Stronger Protections For Service Members Against Discharges For Personality Disorders Was Included In A Bill Passed By The Senate.  In 2007, Obama was the original cosponsor of an amendment based on a bill he introduced with McCaskill providing stronger protections for service members against improper discharges for service-connected mental health conditions. According to a McCaskill press release, “this amendment mandates a temporary moratorium on personality disorder discharges until the Department of Defense conducts a proper review and revision of its current policies and procedures related to this diagnosis. It also gives the DOD flexibility by granting an exception to the moratorium in those cases in which a service member provides false or misleading information, or omits information about past criminal behavior during the recruitment or enlistment process. The moratorium would be lifted after the DOD reviews its current policies, ensures it is following standard clinical diagnostic practices, and has established an independent review board to ensure that service members who have received this diagnosis may seek a review.” [http://mccaskill.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=278829]

READJUSTMENT: Obama Passed An Amendment Requiring A Major National Research Project Into The Needs Of Returning Service-Members, Veterans And Their Families. In 2007, Obama passed an amendment to the SCHIP reauthorization bill providing for a major national research endeavor into the readjustment needs of returning service members, veterans and their families. The provisions were based off of the HERO Act, which Obama introduced earlier in the year. [S. Amdt.; S. 1271, 110th Congress]

HOMELESS VETS: Obama Passed Legislation, Which Became Law, Improving And Increasing Services For Homeless Veterans.  In 2006, Congress passed a Veterans Affairs Committee bill which included several provisions originating in Obama’s SAVE Act (S. 1180) and Homes for Heroes Act (S. 3475). “The legislation…includes a number of proposals from legislation Senator Obama had previously introduced (S.1180, the SAVE Act and S.3475 the Homes for Heroes Act) to expand and improve services for homeless veterans. The bill permanently authorizes and increases funding to $130 million per year for a competitive grant program to provide homeless services to veterans. It greatly increases a successful program to provide rental vouchers to homeless veterans. The legislation extends programs to providing treatment for veterans with mental illnesses and other special needs. And it permanently extends VA’s ability to transfer property it owns to homeless shelters.” [S. 3421/P.L. 109-461; S. 1180, 109th Congress; S. 3475, 109th Congress; Obama Press Release, 6/26/06]

Veterans Committee Omnibus Bill Included Several Proposals From Obama’s Homeless Veterans Legislation.  “Legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) that would improve and extend services to homeless veterans passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today. The legislation was included as part of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committees omnibus bill, a bipartisan effort combining a number of pieces of legislation to improve benefits and services for veterans. ‘Each and every night, more than 200,000 of our nation’s veterans are homeless,’ said Obama. ‘More than 400,000 will experience homelessness over the course of a year, but our government is doing far too little to help get these veterans off the streets. This legislation will provide some much-needed assistance to these veterans who have sacrificed so much for us…’ The legislation that passed Committee today includes a number of proposals from legislation Senator Obama had previously introduced (S.1180, the SAVE Act and S.3475 the Homes for Heroes Act) to expand and improve services for homeless veterans. The bill permanently authorizes and increases funding to $130 million per year for a competitive grant program to provide homeless services to veterans. It greatly increases a successful program to provide rental vouchers to homeless veterans. The legislation extends programs to providing treatment for veterans with mental illnesses and other special needs. And it permanently extends VA’s ability to transfer property it owns to homeless shelters.’ [Obama Press Release, 6/22/06]

Obama Worked With Leaders On The Senate Veterans Committee To Craft The First Comprehensive Homeless Veterans Legislation In Five years.  “A Civil War-era policy that prevents veterans from hiring attorneys moved one step closer to being removed Tuesday when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved S. 2694, the “Veterans’ Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006…[Veterans Committee Chairman Larry Craig said,] “Title V of S. 2694 represents the first effort in five years to enact comprehensive homeless veterans’ assistance legislation. Five years ago, Congress set an ambitious goal to end homelessness among veterans by 2011. I am not one who sets goals lightly, especially one so important. Therefore, I joined with Senators Akaka, Burr and Obama to craft the provisions in title V which will both improve services for homeless veterans, and help prevent chronic homelessness among our servicemen and women returning from the War on Terror. Among other things, this measure would extend the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive services for homeless veterans, reauthorize a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, and extend the authority of the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. It would also extend the authority of VA to transfer properties it obtains after foreclosures on homes financed with VA-guaranteed loans to organizations which assist homeless veterans and their families in acquiring shelter. Finally, the bill would authorize appropriations for a program designed to prevent homelessness by providing financial assistance to eligible entities to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing.” [Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Press Release, 8/3/06]

Obama Said The Veterans Committee’s Success At Extending And Expanding Homeless Veterans Services Was An Important Step, But Not As Far As We Need To Go.  “At the very end of the last Congress, we worked together to extend and expand some critically important services for homeless veterans. It was an important step forward, but not as far as we need to go. Right now, the services that are provided by the VA are only treating a fraction of the veterans who need them. So I would like us to take a look at expanding the successful voucher program that allows more veterans to afford their rent. We need more long-term affordable housing, which can be served through community organizations, purchasing, building, and rehabilitating housing for veterans. I plan on introducing a bill earlier this year to work on that issue, and I look forward to working with all of you to make sure that we are dealing with homeless veterans in an effective way.” [Senate Committee On Veterans Affairs Meeting Transcript, 1/9/07]

MILITARY EITC: Obama Passed Legislation Extending Tax Credits For Military Families By Allowing Service Members Deployed In War Zones To Apply Non-Taxable Combat Pay To The EITC.  In 2006, Congress passed legislation based on an Obama proposal that extended tax credits for military families by allowing service members deployed to war zones to apply their non-taxable combat pay toward the Earned Income Tax Credit. The amendment was introduced during debate on the Senate’s 2006 tax reconciliation bill, ruled out of order, but later included in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act, which passed both chambers and became law on December 22, 2005. [H.R. 4440, Became P.L. 109-135, 12/22/05; SA 2616, 109th Congress]

MEALS/PHONE CALLS: Obama Passed Law Ensuring That Wounded Veterans Recovering In Military Hospitals Do Not Have To Pay For Their Meals Or Phone Calls To Family Members.  In 2005, Obama sponsored and passed an amendment that to the 2005 emergency supplemental appropriations act ensuring that wounded veterans recovering in military hospitals do not have to pay for their own meals or phone calls to family members. The amendment was then passed in each of the following Congresses. Prior to passage of the amendment, service members receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services in a medical hospital for more than 90 days were required to pay for their meals. Obama’s amendment required the military to provide free meals for service members in military hospitals undergoing recuperation or therapy as a result of wounds sustained in Iraq or Afghanistan. The amendment was retroactive to January 1, 2005 in an effort to provide those injured service members who received bills for their meals with some relief from those costs. The amendment became law. [S. Amdt. 390, Passed by unanimous consent, 4/14/05 to H.R.1268, Signed by the President, 5/11/05, Became Public Law No: 109-013; Obama Press Release, 5/11/05]

BRAC: Obama Passed A Law Requiring The Air Force To Report On Planning For BRAC-Affected Air Force And Air National Guard Bases In The Wake Of The 2005 Base Closures.  In 2006, Obama passed an amendment, which became law, to the FY 2007 Defense Authorization Act that required the Air Force to report on its planning for the realignment of aircraft, weapons systems, and functions at active and Air National Guard bases as a result of the 2005 round of defense bases closure and realignment. Obama introduced the amendment in response to the 2005 BRAC closures, which resulted in the planned relocation of the historic 183rd F-16 fighter jet squadron based in Springfield, Illinois. [SA 4541 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/22/06; S. 2766, Became PL 109-364 on 10/17/06]

FLU PREPARATION: Obama Passed A Law Requiring The Defense Secretary To Report On The Pentagon’s Efforts To Prepare For Military And Civilian Personnel For A Possible Influenza Outbreak.  In 2006, Obama sponsored an amendment to the FY 2006 Defense Authorization Act that required the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the Pentagon’s efforts to prepare for pandemic influenza, including pandemic avian influenza, including status on the procurement of vaccines, public health containment measures that could be implemented on military bases and other facilities; surge capacity for the provision of medical care during pandemics; surveillance efforts domestically and internationally and how such efforts are integrated with other ongoing surveillance systems; the integration of pandemic and response planning with those of other Federal departments; collaboration (as appropriate) with international entities engaged in pandemic preparedness and response. [SA 1453 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 11/18/05; S. 1042/H.R. 1815, Became Public Law No: 109-163]

ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS: Obama Passed A Law Requiring The Military To Report On The Feasibility Of Providing Copies Of Electronic Medical Records To Discharged Service-Members. In 2006, Obama sponsored an amendment to the FY 2007 Defense Authorization Act that required the military to issue a report on the provision of an electronic copy of military records to members of the Armed Forces upon their discharge or release from the Armed Forces. The Defense Authorization passed into law. [SA 4409 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/22/06, S. 2766, Became PL 109-364 on 10/17/06]

Obama Passed An Amendment Requiring The Pentagon To Report On The Progress Of Its Development Of A Two-Way Medical Data Exchange System Between DOD And VA.   In 2005, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Senate’s version of the FY 2005 Defense Authorization Act requiring the Pentagon to report to Congress on the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System II (CHCS II) and include in the report (1) a chronology and description of previous efforts to develop an electronic medical records system capable of maintaining a two-way exchange of data between the Department of Defense and the VA Affairs; (2) plans and projected commencement dates for the implementation of the Composite Health Care System II; the schedule for development of the system until completion; (4) estimates of funds needed for the completion of the system; a description of the accountability measures utilized during the development of the system. The amendment was not included in the final version of the bill that passed into law. [SA 1362 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 11/8/05]

ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT

LEAD PAINT: Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law That Pressured The EPA to Comply With New Lead-Paint Regulations Seven Years After The Statutory Deadline.  In 2005, Obama passed an amendment, which became law, to the FY 2006 Department of Interior Appropriations Act prohibiting the use of funds in the bill to delay or contravene implementation of an existing but unmet statutory requirement passed by Congress in 1992 that the EPA rewrite regulations on dispersal of lead paint by home remodeling contractors by October 1996. As of July 2005, the regulations still had not been written. Weeks after Obama’s amendment passed the Senate, Obama received commitments in writing and during a Senate hearing that the EPA would comply with the law. According to an Obama press release, “In 1992, Congress required the EPA to write regulations relating to the dispersal of lead paint by contractors during home remodeling by October, 1996. As of July 2005, these regulations still have not been written. In April, Administrator Johnson stated that to address the problem of lead paint poisoning, the EPA ‘will determine what additional steps may be necessary, including regulation’ despite the fact that the 1992 law does not say the regulations are optional.” [SA 1061 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/28/05, Obama Press Release, 7/25/05; H.R. 2361, Became Public Law No: 109-54, 8/2/05]

EPA Finally Published Nine-Years-Overdue Lead Paint Regulations Four Months After Obama Passed Legislation And Held Up EPA Nominations. Building Products wrote, “The EPA recently published long-overdue proposed regulations that affect contractors working on older houses that contain lead-based paints. The regulations, if adopted, would require that contractors be trained in lead-safe work practices and be certified by the EPA. The rules also would impose protective standards for those working on houses with lead paint. In 1992, Congress directed the EPA to write regulations that would limit lead paint pollution during home remodeling by October 1996. By last summer, with no sign of the new regulations, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-III., introduced more legislation designed to encourage the EPA to publish the rules. When that didn’t work, Obama announced in the fall that he would block the appointment of every nominee to top EPA jobs until the agency produced the new rules. The EPA finally announced the proposed regulations Dec. 29, 2005.” [Building Products, March-April, 2006]

E-85 PUMPS: Obama Passed Legislation Creating A Tax Credit For The Installation Of E-85 Fuel Pumps.  In 2005, Obama introduced legislation that provided a tax credit for up to 50% of the cost of installing an E-85 pump. Obama passed the tax credit as an amendment to the 2005 transportation bill. The amendment was not included in the final version of the bill but was signed into law as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The AP reported, “Under the provision, gas stations would get a tax credit to install equipment accommodating E-85 – an ethanol-based fuel alternative that its promoters say is up to 50 cents cheaper per gallon than unleaded gasoline. The credit would cover 30 percent of the installation costs at a given station up to $30,000…Freshman Sen. Barack Obama introduced the tax-credit measure in the Senate in the spring, and it was co-sponsored by Illinois’ other Democratic senator, Dick Durbin. Obama also worked for the credit’s inclusion in the energy bill as one of the conferees preparing the Senate-House conference committee report…” [AP, 7/27/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58; S. 918, 109th Congress; SA 670 agreed to, 5/12/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58; S. 918, Referred to the Committee On Environment and Public Works]

The E-85 Tax Credit Was Introduced By Obama And Then Included In The Energy Bill.  “After years of delay, Congress gave final approval Friday to a massive energy bill that would dramatically increase the use of ethanol, ensuring a growing future market for Illinois corn growers and ethanol producers…The House-Senate compromise bill would require refiners to almost double their use of ethanol and other renewable fuels to 7.5 billion gallons a year by 2012…In addition to the ethanol mandate, the bill also would provide tax credits to encourage more gas stations around the country to provide motorists with E-85, an ethanol-based fuel alternative that supporters say is 50 cents cheaper than unleaded gasoline. Gas stations would get a tax credit to install equipment accommodating E-85, a fuel that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The subsidy would provide 30 percent of the installation costs up to $30,000. Of 180,000 gas stations across the country, only 400 provide E-85 fuel, including 20 in Illinois…The measure was introduced by Obama and included in the Senate bill. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Plano, ensured it stayed in the conference agreement.” [Copley News Service, 7/29/05]

Obama Was Singled Out For His Work As A Negotiator On Ethanol Tax Breaks “Hastert, meeting with reporters on Friday, praised the “incredible teamwork” of the delegation, singling out freshman Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for his work on the House-Senate committee, which cut the final deals on the transit bill and ethanol tax breaks. The energy bill included an incentive for the use of what is called E-85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gas that can be used in “flexible fueled” cars and is supposed to be cheaper than conventional fuel. The bill calls for gas companies to get a tax credit to cover 30 percent of the cost to install E-85 pumps at service stations, up to $30,000.”  [Chicago Sun-Times, 7/30/05]

HYBRID/FLEX-FUEL: Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law To Fund Research For Hybrid/Flex Fuel Vehicles.  In 2005, Obama sponsored an amendment, which was signed into law, to the Energy Policy Act that established an applied research program to improve technologies for the commercialization of a combination hybrid/flexible fuel vehicle; or a plug-in hybrid/flexible fuel vehicle. The program would provide grants with preference to proposals that achieve the greatest reduction in miles per gallon of petroleum fuel consumption, achieve not less than 250 miles per gallon of petroleum fuel consumption and have the greatest potential of commercialization to the general public within 5 years. [SA 851 to HR 6, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 6/23/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58]

Former CIA Director James Woolsey Said The Plug-In Hybrid Could Get 500 Miles-Per-Gallon Of Gasoline If You Add Enough Battery Power And Use E-85.   “The former CIA director, who has become an authoritative voice on energy security, sees oil headed down the same path as salt, previously the only means of preserving meat. “Wars were fought and national strategies driven, in part, by salt. Today, we haven’t stopped using salt, but no part of our national behavior is driven by the need for it,” he said in congressional testimony in April…A lawyer by profession, Woolsey is one of 300 vice presidents at Booz Allen Hamilton. He works on security issues in the consulting firm’s energy practice in McLean, Va. He has served in the government five different times, including leading the CIA under President Clinton…Woolsey looks toward a combination of electricity and alternative liquid fuels, such as ethanol, as a key to replacing oil. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, which run partly on electricity and partly on liquid fuels, have great potential, he said, particularly hybrid models General Motors and Toyota are developing. “Today’s hybrids get around 50 mpg. If you add enough battery capacity to drive 25 miles on overnight electricity, you’re up to 100 gallons or more per mile. Now, if that car is a flex-fuel vehicle and you can use E85, you’re getting 500 miles per gallon of gasoline, because what you’re driving on is largely electricity,” he said. GM’s plans to offer conversion kits for existing hybrids to be plug-ins, will mean “you’ll start to see more cars moving faster than people think toward being powered by electricity.” [McClatchy-Tribune Business News, 9/29/07]

CLEAN COAL: Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law to Fund Coal-To-Liquid Research. In 2005, Obama sponsored an amendment, which became law, to the energy bill establishing a program to develop Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal. [SA 808 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/23/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58]

Obama Passed An Amendment To Add $200M For Carbon Capture And Sequestration Technology In Senate’s FY 2008 Budget. Obama was the chief sponsor of an amendment to the 2008 Senate Budget resolution that added $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy. [SA 599 to SCR 21, Agreed to by Unanimous Consent, 3/23/07]

CONTRACTS

NO BID CONTRACTS: Obama Passed Legislation Prohibiting DHS From Entering Into Open-Ended, No-Bid Contracts For Emergency Response Activities. “Legislation authored by U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) that will stop the abuse of no-bid contracting in the aftermath of a disaster was included in the final Department of Homeland Security funding bill likely to pass the Senate today. After Senate passage, the bill will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law…After Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency used emergency authority to enter into open-ended, no-bid contracts. What was meant to be temporary stop-gap authority ballooned into wasteful contracts that lasted many months and wasted significant federal resources. Obama and Coburn legislation will stop this practice by restricting the use of emergency contracting authority only to urgent needs in the immediate response to emergencies…On three separate occasions, Obama and Coburn have passed legislation in the Senate that would end no-bid contracting with Gulf Coast reconstruction funds. Legislation that would have specifically prohibited no-bid contracts with Gulf Coast reconstruction was stripped from a previously passed funding bill.” [Obama Press Release, 9/29/06]

Obama Had Previously Passed Amendments Prohibiting The No-Bid Contracts To Three Bills, But Each Was Stripped From Its Respective Funding Bill. “On three separate occasions, Obama and Coburn have passed legislation in the Senate that would end no-bid contracting with Gulf Coast reconstruction funds. Legislation that would have specifically prohibited no-bid contracts with Gulf Coast reconstruction was stripped from a previously passed funding bill.” [Obama Press Release, 9/29/06; SA 4624 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 7/13/06; SA 4254 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/16/06; Vote 106, SA 3810, Agreed to in Senate, 98 – 0; 5/2/06]

TAX EVADERS: Obama Passed An Amendment To Prohibit Military and VA Contracts or Grants Unless The Contractor Was Current in Their Tax Filings. In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Senate version of the VA/Military Construction Appropriations Act for FY 2008 that prohibits the use of funds in the bill for contracts in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has filed all Federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has not been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service and is not in default or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial appeal. The amendment passed on a voice vote. [SA 2658 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote, 9/5/07]

Obama Passed An Amendment To Prohibit Homeland Security Contracts or Grants Unless The Contractor Was Current In Their Tax Filings. In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Senate version of the DHS Appropriations Act for FY 2008 that prohibits the use of DHS funds for contracts in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has filed all Federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has not been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service and is not in default or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial appeal. [SA 2519 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 7/26/07]

Obama Passed An Amendment Obama Passed An Amendment To Prohibit Transportation And Housing Department Funds From Being Used For Contracts or Grants Unless The Contractor Was Current in Their Tax Filings. In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Senate version of the Transportation/HUD Appropriations Act for FY 2008 that prohibits the use of funds in the bill for contracts in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has filed all Federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has not been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service and is not in default or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial appeal. The amendment passed on a voice vote. [SA 2799 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote, 9/11/07]

IRAQ CONTRACTS: Obama Passed An Amendment In The Senate That Would Increase Accountability And Transparency For U.S. Security Contractors In Iraq And Afghanistan. In 2007, Obama introduce the Transparency and Accountability in Military and Security Contracting Act, which would require federal departments to “compile and report information to Congress on the role of private security contractors in Iraq.” Obama passed provisions of the bill as an amendment to the FY 2007 Defense Authorization Act. [S.674, Introduced 2/16/07, Referred To the Senate Committee On Armed Services; SA 3073 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 9/27/07]

Obama Sponsored Legislation, Which Passed The House, To Increase Accountability Of American Security Contractors In Iraq And Afghanistan By Subjecting Them To U.S. Criminal Laws. In 2007, Obama introduced legislation that would increase accountability of American security contractors operating in Iraq and Afghanistan by subjecting the contractors to U.S. criminal law. “The bill would clarify the language of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) to ensure that it applies to all contractors working in war zones. It would also establish Theater Investigative Units of the FBI to investigate allegations of criminal misconduct by contract personnel. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Durbin, Kerry, Byrd, and Whitehouse. Congressman David Price (D-NC) introduced companion legislation in the House (H.R. 2740), which passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 389-30.” [S. 2147, Introduced 10/4/07; Obama Press Release, 10/4/07; H.R. 2740, Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 389 – 30, Roll No 340, 10/4/07]

FAITH

TITHING: Obama And Hatch Passed Legislation To Protect Individuals’ Rights To Continue Donating To Charities And Religious Organizations During Bankruptcy.  In 2006, Obama was an original cosponsor of a bill that protected individuals’ rights to continue donating to charities and religious organizations during bankruptcy proceedings. The Hatch-Obama bill responded to a court ruling that above-medium income debtors in Chapter 13 bankruptcy could not deduct charitable contributions, including religious contributions, from their payment plans. The ruling was based on an interpretation of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA). Hatch and Obama authored S. 4044 to ensure that all individuals in bankruptcy, no matter their income, would be able to continue giving to charity and their church. The bill passed the senate by unanimous consent and was signed by the president. [S. 4044, Signed 12/20/06, Became Public Law No. 109-439]

Michelle Singletary Praised Obama’s Bill In A Washington Post Editorial.  Michelle Singletary wrote in an op-ed that a judge’s ruling that some debtors can’t tithe or donate money to charity if they want federal bankruptcy protection “prompted Sens. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to propose legislation that would allow individuals in bankruptcy to continue giving to churches and charities. Obama, who voted against the 2005 bankruptcy legislation, said the bill would clarify that Congress didn’t intend for the law to prioritize creditors over religious institutions and charities. The bill passed in the Senate and has been referred to the House. ‘For millions of Americans, charitable giving and tithing is an essential part of their lives,’ Obama said in a statement. ‘And in a country where 37 million citizens live in poverty, we should be encouraging charitable giving, not limiting it.’ I certainly hope the House follows the Senate’s lead. Even the judge in the New York case thinks the bankruptcy reform law is flawed.” [Washington Post, 11/19/06]

EDUCATION

WOMEN AND MINORITIES/MENTORING: Obama Passed Into Law An Amendment Creating A Mentoring Program For Women And Underrepresented Groups At DOE.  In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment, which became law, to the America Competes Act that established a mentoring program to support women and underrepresented groups as they progress through education programs proposed by the Department of Energy. The amendment was included in the final version of the bill that passed Congress and was signed into law. [S.Amdts. 905, Agreed to by unanimous consent, 4/25/07, S. 761, Incorporated into H.R. 2272, which became P.L. 110-289, 8/9/07]

WOMEN AND MINORITIES/SCIENCE: Obama Passed Into Law a Requirement that Women And Minority Scientists/Engineers Be Represented And Consulted on Specific Technology and Science Efforts. In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment, which became law, to the America Competes Act requiring that minorities and females be represented and consulted during the development of innovation/competitiveness strategies at the National Science and Technology Summit (NSTS), on the President’s Council on Innovation and Competitiveness, and elsewhere. [S.Amdts. 923, Agreed to by unanimous consent, 4/25/07; S. 761, Incorporated into H.R. 2272, which became P.L. 110-289, 8/9/07]

SUMMER SCHOOL: Obama Passed Into Law An Amendment Establishing A Grant Program To Support Summer Curricula That Emphasize Math And Problem Solving  In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment, which became law, to the America Competes Act that established a competitive state grant program to support summer learning opportunities with curricula that emphasize mathematics and problem solving. [S.Amdts. 924, Agreed to by unanimous consent, 4/25/07; S. 761, Incorporated into H.R. 2272, which became P.L. 110-289, 8/9/07]

PBIs: Obama Passed Legislation Into Law Making Black Colleges Eligible For $15 Million In Federal Funding.  In 2007, Obama introduced legislation that would make a predominantly black institution eligible for federal grant money. The legislation was written into the “The bill would define a PBI as a college of at least 1,000 undergraduates in which Blacks represent 40 percent or more of the student body. At least half of all undergraduates also must be low-income or first-generation students. The legislation would provide a minimum grant of $250,000. Jackson, another NAFEO board member, says Medgar Evers could find immediate uses for the funding.” [S. 1513, Referred to HELP Committee, 5/24/07; H.R. 2669, Became Public Law, 9/7/07; Diverse Issues In Higher Education, 6/29/07]

Obama PBI Bill Revamped Older Proposals And Cleared Old Hurdles That Prevented Aid From Being Provided To Black Colleges.  “A series of changes on Capitol Hill is providing new momentum for efforts to create a federal aid program for predominantly Black colleges — institutions that enroll a large number of African-Americans but are not recognized as historically Black schools. An estimated 50 to 75 colleges and universities — many in urban areas — may fit the description of predominantly Black institutions, or PBIs, by virtue of their high enrollments of Black students. Two of the most prominent are Chicago State University and City University of New York-Medgar Evers College. While leaders of some of these colleges are active in Black college organizations, the institutions do not qualify as HBCUs because they were not created specifically for Blacks after the Civil War or at any time before 1964. As a result, they have not been eligible for funding under the Higher Education Act’s Title III Black college program. But PBIs could get their own funding program within HEA, which is up for renewal on Capitol Hill this year. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., a Democratic presidential candidate, has introduced legislation to designate a new section of Title III for these institutions. ‘To restore America’s competitiveness, we must invest in the success of traditionally underrepresented groups,’ Obama has said. ‘This bill provides a good start in reaching that goal.’ Some observers are calling the Obama bill the best chance in years to pass a PBI proposal. In past years, some proponents had wanted to add PBIs to the existing federal HBCU program, which triggered fears of competition for limited funds as well as concern about potential legal challenges based on the different charters of the institutions. Adding PBIs to the existing Black college program was a priority for former U.S. Rep. Major Owens, D-N.Y., a longtime Congressional Black Caucus member. Owens had maintained that adding PBIs to the program would broaden political support for Black colleges. But the long-time lawmaker retired in January. A member of the board of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Education, Daniel says the Obama plan has picked up endorsements from NAFEO, the United Negro College Fund, the American Association of Community Colleges and other organizations. ‘The way the legislation has been revamped, it does not present the challenge that it once did,’ she says. [Diverse Issues In Higher Education, 6/29/07]

THURGOOD MARSHALL: Obama Passed An Amendment To Increase Funding For The Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program And The Department Of Special Education By A Total Of $4.5 Million.  In 2006, Obama passed an amendment, which became law, to the FY 2006 Labor/HHS appropriations bill that increased funding for the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program by $3.5 million and provided an additional $1.5 million for the Office of Special Education Programs of the Department of Education for the purposes of expanding positive behavioral interventions and supports. The amendment was offset by reducing funding for HHS consulting expenses. The amendment passed the Senate and was not included in the final bill that was signed into law. [SA 2301 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote, 10/27/05 H.R. 3010, Became Public Law No: 109-149]

HOMELAND SECURITY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

FAMILY LOCATOR: Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law Creating A National Family Locator System.  In 2006, Obama passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act that required the Department of Homeland Security to create a centralized family locator system through which family members can contact their lost loved ones during disasters. The amendment, which was signed into law as part of the final version of the bill, was based on legislation Obama introduced immediately after Hurricane Katrina. [SA 4573 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 7/13/06; H.R. 5441, Became Public Law No: 109-295; S. 1630, 109th Congress, Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs]

IMMIGRATION

OVERHAUL: Obama And Mel Martinez, The Senate’s Only Immigrant, Partnered To Lay Out First Principles On Immigration Reform As The Senate Began Considering Legislation in 2005.  “Sens. Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today said that any immigration reform legislation must include tough border and workplace enforcement measures as well as a realistic guest worker program that acknowledges the role of the 11 million immigrants currently living and working illegally in the U.S. At a press conference in Washington, the two announced a set of principles they believe must be included in any comprehensive immigration reform package. Those principles include combining the strongest elements of the current border security and employment verification proposals by Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) with the most realistic workplace and earned citizenship reform program proposed by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Martinez and Obama pledged to work on a bipartisan basis to ensure these complementary efforts are included in any final legislation…Martinez and Obama today sent a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) outlining their principles and offering suggestions on how they could be most effectively included into the Chairman’s Mark. The two are working to build a bipartisan coalition of likeminded members who agree that any successful immigration reform proposal must include both border security and a realistic guest worker program…Martinez is the only immigrant currently serving in the United States Senate. He came to the United States at age 15 after fleeing communist Cuba through a program called Operation Pedro Pan. His parents joined him four years later in Orlando, Florida.” [Martinez Press Release, 12/15/05]

Kennedy And McCain, Authors Of Immigration Reform Bill, Thanked Obama As One Of Small Bipartisan Group Of Senators Who “Stood Together To Make This Legislation Possible.”  McCain said, “After several weeks of extensive debate and consideration of numerous and complicated amendments, the Senate is about to move to final passage on S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act…I also commend the Senate Leadership on both sides of the aisle for their efforts to ensure that the Senate addressed this important issue and gave us more than adequate time for a thorough debate. This is a proud moment for the United States Senate, as we have conducted good work and returned to orderly traditions of the legislative process as envisioned by our founding fathers…And of course, I commend Senator Kennedy, who is perhaps the leading expert on this difficult issue…I also want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Graham, Salazar, Martinez, Obama, and Dewine for their shared commitment to this issue, and working to ensure this bill moved successfully intact through the legislative process.” In a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy said, “I thank those of our bipartisan group who stood together to make this legislation possible–Senator Graham, Senator Salazar, Senator Martinez, Senator Hagel, Senator Durbin, Senator Lieberman, Senator Brownback, Senator Obama, and Senator DeWine.” [McCain Press Release, 5/25/06; Congressional Record, 5/26/06]

Gannett: “Low-Ranking Obama Front-And-Center On Immigration.” In an article entitled, “Low Ranking Obama Front-And-Center On Immigration, Gannett News Service reported, “When the president sat down with eight senators to strategize about immigration last week, the group represented the Senate’s elite on the issue. Among them were the top Democratic and Republican leaders, those from border states, two Hispanics and those with a history of involvement with immigration legislation. And then, there was Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois’ junior senator, who ranks 98 out of 100 in seniority in the Senate. He is not on the Senate’s Judiciary Committee where immigration legislation originated and the state he represents is closer to the Canadian border than the deserts of Mexico…Alejandro Lugo, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois who studies border issues, says Obama’s recognition of a border control problem coupled with a practical solution will play well if people are paying attention.” [Gannett News Service, 5/1/06]

AMERICAN WORKERS: Obama Passed An Amendment To The Senate’s 2006 Immigration Bill That Protected American Workers From Losing Jobs To Guest Workers. In 2006, Obama passed an amendment to the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill that ensured that prevailing wage requirements apply to all workers covered by the bill’s wage protection provisions. Without the amendment, some workers would not have been protected, thus opening up millions of jobs to competition from guest workers despite there being American citizens prepared to take those jobs. In a speech on the Senate floor, Obama said, “this amendment essentially says that the prevailing wage provisions in the underlying bill should be tightened to ensure that they apply to all workers and not just some workers. The way the underlying bill is currently structured, essentially those workers who fall outside of Davis-Bacon projects or collective bargaining agreements or other provisions are not going to be covered. That could be 25 million workers or so which could be subject to competition from guest workers, even though they are prepared to take the jobs that the employers are offering, if they were offered at a prevailing wage. My hope would be that we can work out whatever disagreements there are on the other side. This is a mechanism to ensure that the guest worker program is not used to undercut American workers and to put downward pressure on the wages of American workers. Everybody in this Chamber has agreed that if we are going to have a guest worker program, it should only be made available where there is a genuine need that has been shown by the employers that American workers are not available for those jobs. Without this amendment, that will not be the case, and we will have a situation in which we have guest workers who are taking jobs that Americans are prepared to take, if, in fact, prevailing wages were provided for. I don’t know anybody here–and I have been working closely with those who are interested in passing a bill–who wants to see a situation in which we are creating a mechanism to undermine the position of American workers.” [SA 3971 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote, 5/17/06; Obama Press Release, 5/17/06]

EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION: Obama Passed An Amendment Establishing An Employment Verification System. In 2006, Obama was an original cosponsor of an amendment that would strike the underlying bill’s employment verification system and replace it with an electronic verification system that would allow employers to verify the legal status of workers within three days. If a worker’s status could not be verified, it would obligate the employer to discharge the worker. It would allow legitimate workers wrongly discharged because of a verification system error to be compensated by the government for lost wages. It would fine employers up to $20,000 for each unauthorized worker hired but the system would not take effect until 18 months after Congress appropriated the $400 million needed to put the program in place. The underlying bill did not pass. [S. Amdt. 4177, Vote 140, Adopted 59-39 (R 17-37; D 41-2; I 1-0); 5/23/06; CQ, 5/23/06]

Obama Worked With Grassley, Kennedy And Baucus To Create Employment Eligibility Provisions That Would Make It “Simple But Mandatory” For Employers To Verify Status. The amendment “was a collaborative effort with Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Max Baucus (D-MT) to create a new employment eligibility verification system. The legislation makes it simple, but mandatory for employers to verify that their employees are legally eligible to work in the United States. Obama said that the amendment is probably the single most important thing we can do to reduce the inflow of undocumented workers into the United States. [Obama Press Release, 5/25/06]

Obama Said Employment Verification Was The Single Most Important Thing We Can Do To Reduce Inflow Of Undocumented Workers.  “The Senate voted Tuesday to fine employers who hire illegal immigrants up to $20,000 for each unauthorized worker, providing teeth to a broad immigration bill before sending it to a final vote later this week. Employers would have to check Social Security numbers and the immigration status of all new hires within 18 months after money is provided to the Homeland Security Department to expand the electronic system for screening workers. “This is probably the single most important thing we can do in terms of reducing the inflow of undocumented workers, making sure we can enforce in a syste

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