Organizing for America

Fact Check on NBC's Today Show on Obama's Record of Accomplishment

RHETORIC: "But Obama went 17 months before making a major speech against the war on the Senate floor."

REALITY: OBAMA FIRST ADDRESSED THE IRAQ WAR IN COMMITTEE IN JANUARY 2005 AND ON THE FLOOR IN APRIL 2005, FOUR MONTHS AFTER ENTERING THE US SENATE

1/19/05: Obama Criticized Condoleezza Rice For Not Offering A Timetable, Reiterated That Job Of Senator Is To Confirm That Administration Is Making Decisions Based On Facts. During Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearing, Obama criticized her for not offering a timetable. Obama said, "And I recognize that you are hesitant in your current position to provide a timetable. On the other hand, constituents and families in small towns all across Illinois need some more satisfactory answer than that. And it strikes me that this whole issue of training troops, turning over security functions to the Iraqi government is critical to that...I guess the comment that I'd like to make is that in the activist proactive strategies that you pursue, it seems to me that this administration often asks that we simply go along and have faith that you're making the right decisions. But I think that from the perspective of my constituents in Illinois, at least, a number of people did vote for George Bush and do trust him. But my job as a senator is to make sure that we're basing these decisions on facts and that I probe and not simply take it on faith that good decisions are being made. [Coverage Of Rice Hearings, Newshour with Jim Lehrer, 1/19/05]

4/14/05: Obama First Addressed The War On The Floor Of The Senate. Obama said on the floor, "The other day I had the opportunity to visit some of our wounded heroes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I know that many of my colleagues have made the same trip and I'd heard about their visits, but there is nothing that can fully prepare you for what you see when you take that first step into the Physical Therapy room. These are kids in there. Our kids. The ones we watched grow up. The ones we hoped would live lives that were happy, healthy, and safe. These kids left their homes and families for a dangerous place halfway around the world. After years of being protected by their parents, these kids risked their lives to protect us. And now, some of them have come home from that war with scars that may change their lives forever -- scars that may never heal. And yet they sit there in that hospital, so full of hope and still so proud of their country. These kids are the best of America. They deserve our highest respect, and they deserve our help." [Speech, 4/14/05]

2005: Obama Spoke Out Against the War Repeatedly. During 2005, Obama continued to criticize the war, saying that security was "horrible", that the war never should have been waged, and that the US should get out of Iraq as "soon as we can." [Coverage Of Rice Hearings, Newshour with Jim Lehrer, 1/19/05, Pantagraph, 2/25/05; Chicago Daily Herald, 5/28/05; Rockford Register Star, 10/30/05; State Journal-Register, 12/8/05]

2006: Obama Spoke Out Against the War Repeatedly. During 2006, Obama continued to criticize the war, saying that we should start phasing down troops soon and calling for an "expeditious yet responsible" exit from Iraq. [Charleston Gazette, 9/26/06; Rockford Register Star, 10/1/06; Obama Floor Statement On Kerry Amendment, 6/21/06; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/12/06; Chicago Tribune, 4/13/06; Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3/20/06; Chicago Sun-Times, 1/8/06]

RHETORIC: "Yet, like most democrats, Obama voted to keep funding the war until last year." [Today Show, 1/17/08]

REALITY: EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRAT HAS VOTED TO FUND THE WAR IN IRAQ

2005-2007: Since Obama Came To Washington, Every Single Senate Democrat Has Voted For Every Bill Funding Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan Until President Bush Vetoed A Timetable For Withdrawal – Including Both Emergency Supplemental Bills And Defense Appropriations Bills. Since Obama came to Washington in January of 2005, every single Senate Democrat has voted for every bill funding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan until President Bush vetoed a timetable for withdrawal – including both emergency supplemental bills and defense appropriations bills that included bridge funding with the expressed purpose of continuing operations in Iraq as well as Afghanistan. [HR 1268, Vote 109, 4/21/05, Passed 99-0: R 55-0, D 43-0, I: 1-0; HR 2863, Vote 366, 12/21/05, Adopted 93-0: R: 51-0, D: 41-0, I: 1-0; HR 4939, Vote 112, 5/4/06, Passed 77-21: D 43-0, R 33-21, I: 1-0; HR 5631, Vote 261, 9/29/06, Passed 100-0: D: 44-0, R 55-0, I: 1-0; HR 1591, Vote 147, 4/26/07, Passed 51-46: R 2-45, D 48-0, I: 1-1]

RHETORIC: "Observers say Obama was more aggressive and more effective in reducing the influence of lobbyists in the Senate. One of two Democrats leading the charge on ethics reforms, including banning free meals and vacations from lobbyists. But so far, Obama has not been a major player on bread-and-butter issues like taxes, energy, or health care." [Today Show, 1/17/08]

REALITY: OBAMA HAS PASSED LEGISLATION ON TAXES, ENERGY, AND HEALTH CARE

ENERGY

Obama Has Been "Active – Even Hyperactive On Matters Of Energy And The Environment." "In his two and a half years in the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has been active -- even hyperactive -- on matters of energy and the environment. The Democrat from Illinois has introduced or cosponsored nearly 100 eco-related bills on issues ranging from lead poisoning and mercury emissions to auto fuel economy and biofuels promotion. Along the way, he has racked up a notable 96 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters." [Salon, 8/27/07]

Obama Was Singled Out For His Work As A Negotiator On Ethanol Tax Breaks And Leadership On Ethanol. The Chicago Sun-Times reported, "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 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; Chicago Sun-Times, 7/30/05]

Obama's CAFE Proposal "Gained Support Of Senators Who Had Never Supported CAFE Increases Before...Helped Lay The Foundation For Senate Passage Of Updated CAFE Standards." "In 2006, I developed an innovative approach to gradually increase CAFE [corporate average fuel economy] standards while protecting the financial future of American automakers. The resulting Obama-Lugar-Biden Fuel Economy Reform Act gained the support of senators who had never supported CAFE increases before. This, in turn, helped lay the foundation for Senate passage of updated CAFE standards last month. After climate and energy, what do you think is the most important environmental issue facing the nation? Restoring the strength of the EPA to adequately enforce our clean-air, clean-water and other environmental protection laws, after over six years of ruling by ideology rather than science and adherence to the law." [Salon, 8/27/07]

HEALTH CARE

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]

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]

Obama Passed Legislation Providing $25 Million In Funding For Avian Flu Research And Containment Efforts By U.S. Agencies In South East Asia. "The amendment calls for greater investment in our preparedness efforts by providing more than $3 billion to build a stockpile of antiviral drugs and necessary medical supplies...Obama first introduced legislation in April requiring the United States to stockpile antiviral drugs...In May, Obama worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to appropriate the $25 million called for in the Foreign Assistance Act authorization bill. This money is currently being used by U.S. agencies in South East Asia to combat and contain possible outbreaks of avian flu." [Obama Press Release, 10/7/05]

TAXES

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. [H.R. 4440, Became Public Law No: 109-135]

Obama Passed An Amendment To Create A Reserve Fund In The Event A 50% Tax Credit To Employers Who Continue To Pay Guard/Reserve Salaries. Obama cosponsored an amendment to establish a reserve fund in the event that legislation is passed to provide a 50 percent tax credit to employers that continue to pay the salaries of Guard and Reserve employees who have been called to active duty. [SA 219 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 100 - 0. Record Vote Number: 62, 3/17/05]

2005: Obama Passed An Amendment In The U.S. Senate Reducing Taxes For Employers Who Keep Jobs On U.S. Soil. In 2005, Obama and Durbin passed an amendment passed on their Patriot Employers legislation reducing taxes on businesses amended the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer certified as a Patriot employer by the Secretary of the Treasury a tax credit for one percent of such employer's taxable income. The amendment passed by voice vote. [SA 2623, Agreed to 11/17/05, 109th Congress]

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]

RHETORIC: Christine Radogno said, "I don't think that Barack served in the Illinois senate long enough to have a real list of accomplishments that he and he alone was responsible for." [Today Show, 1/17/08]

REALITY: OBAMA PASSED 313 LAWS AS A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS SENATE ON ON ISSUES LIKE ETHICS REFORM, HEALTH CARE, TAXES, AND JUSTICE

Obama Passed 313 Laws As A Member Of The Illinois Senate Including The Toughest Campaign Finance Overhaul In Illinois History, An Expansion Of Health Insurance To 150,000 Kids and Parents, Landmark Welfare Reform That Protected Women And Children, $105 Million In Tax Relief To Working Families, And Death Penalty Reform To A Justice System That Was Broken. In the 90th GA, Obama sponsored 35 bills that became law. In the 91st GA, Obama sponsored 44 bills that became law. In the 92nd GA, Obama sponsored 72 bills that became law. In the 93rd GA, Obama passed 167 bills that become law; for the first time in his career in the state legislature, the Democrats controlled the Senate and Governor's Mansion. As a member of the Senate, Obama passed Illinois campaign finance reform that was "heralded as the most sweeping good-government legislation in decades." Obama passed bipartisan legislation that expanded health care coverage to 154,000 Illinois residents, including 70,000 children. Obama passed law creating the Illinois Temporary Assistance For Needy Families program which included a six-fold increase in daycare spending. Obama passed a law creating $100 million Earned Income Tax Credit, Formed an alliance of Republicans and Democrats to pass the EITC. Obama passed laws to overhaul the death penalty in Illinois and to require videotaped interrogations in capital cases. [90th GA, 91st GA, 92nd GA, 93rd GA, Sponsored Abbreviated Reports, Accessed 4/2/07; HB672, 3R P 52-4-1, 5/22/98; PA 90-0737, 8/12/98; Chicago Independent Bulletin, 6/4/98; Chicago Tribune, 8/13/98; [93rd GA, SB 130, 3R P 42-13-2; Signed into law 6/30/03, PA 93-0063; Chicago Daily Herald, 7/2/03; Blagojevich release, 1/9/07; Blagojevich release, 4/13/07; Kaiser family report, 5/07; State Journal-Register, 10/29/04; ­90th GA, HB 204, 3R P 56-1-1, 5/31/97, PA 90-0017, 6/19/97; State Journal Register, 6/1/97; 91st GA, HB 3939; 4/14/00, 3R P; 59-0-0; P.A. 91-0700, 5/11/00; Chicago Tribune, 4/10/99; 93rd GA, SB 0015, 4/3/03, 3R P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0517, 8/12/03; 93rd GA, HB 0223, 5/15/03, 3R P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0206, 7/18/03; Chicago Tribune, 3/4/03; Chicago Tribune, 7/18/03; 93rd GA, SB 0472; 4/3/03, 3R P; 57-1-0; 5/29/03, HA1 SC; 56-3-0; 11/5/03, OAV P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0605, 11/25/03; Pantagraph, 4/4/03; Associated Press, 4/24/03]

RHETORIC: "Obama did introduce legislation in Illinois to provide universal health care, a very important issue in this campaign, but he couldn't muster the votes to pass it and had to settle for establishing a commission, Matt." [Today Show, 1/17/08]

REALITY: HEALTH CARE JUSTICE ACT PROPOSED A COMMISSION BEFORE THE LEGISLATION CAME TO THE ILLINOIS SENATE

Obama Passed Health Care Justice Act; IL's Largest Health Care Coalition Applauded Obama's Leadership In Passing the Bill. In 2004, Obama was chief sponsor of bill creating the Health Care Justice Act, providing that the State of Illinois shall implement a health care access plan that provides uniform benefits for all Illinois residents by establishing a Bipartisan Commission that is required to submit a report to form the basis for the health care access plan to: "1) Provides access to a full range of preventive, acute and long-term health care services; 2) Maintains and improves the quality of health care services offered to IL residents; 3) Provides portability of coverage regardless of employment status; 4) Provides core benefits for all IL residents; 4) Encourages regional and local consumer participation; 5) Contains cost-containment measures." The Journal Register wrote the bill was "amended to make full access to health care a goal instead of a policy and to strongly encourage, instead of require, the state to implement a health-care access plan." The bill passed. When the bill was funded in 2005, Jim Duffett, executive director of Campaign for Better Health Care, the largest health care coalition in Illinois, said, "We applaud the leadership of Governor Blagojevich, state Rep. William Delgado and former state Sen. Barack Obama, who were the chief sponsors of this act." [93rd GA, HB 2268, 5/19/04, 3R P; 31-26-1, 6/24/04, Sent to the Governor; 93rd GA, SB 2581, 3/24/04, Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3R 3/25/04; Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky), 1/18/07; State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), 6/15/04; Campaign for Better Health Care release, 7/31/05]

Original Bill Language Of The HB 2268 Established A Commission. The language that was introduced in the Illiois House for HB 2268 said that the bill would establish the Bipartisan Health Care Reform Commission with members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders and provide for public hearings and a report by the Commission the bill would require a preliminary report by February 1, 2005 and a final report by February 1, 2006. [93rd GA, HB 2268, 5/19/04, 3R P; 31-26-1, 6/24/04; PA 93-0973, 8/20/04]

Obama Said He Would Not Let The Insurance Industry Hold Those Without Insurance "Hostage" While The Other Side Stalled. "Obama said that there was an "unwillingness on the part of industry to negotiate a bill and go back on their word. And I'm not going to have a situation in which people who are struggling without health care are held hostage and are not even willing to have a discussion about how to solve the problem. If this is a problem with respect to you thinking that I have violated my commitment to you, so be it. And I regret that and will be happy to have a conversation about that afterwards. But what I do know is this: That I made every effort. And anybody who was involved—and I would ask the Chairman of your committee acknowledge the fact that I made every effort to negotiate this thing and nothing would move the other side.'" [93rd GA, HB2268, Floor Transcript, 5/19/04]