Obama for America

OUTLETS AGREE: MCCAIN AD ALLEGATIONS ARE NOT TRUE, AND OBAMA NEVER INTENDED TO BRING PRESS

Andrea Mitchell: The McCain Ad Is "Literally Not True" And "I Can Vouch" That Obama Had No Intention Of Bringing Cameras; "It Seems Inexplicable That This Whole Thing Has Become Such An Issue." Andrea Mitchell said, "As someone supporting John McCain, I've got to ask you about this new John McCain ad. It says, literally, he could have gone, but did other things, but not with cameras. That literally is not true. Let me play a bit of Robert Gibbs, Obama's spokesman reacting to that today… The point is he had no intention of bringing cameras. I was there, I can vouch for it. Why put up an ad claiming that's why he didn't visit the troops? They claim the reason they didn't go was they were concern it would seem to political since that was the political leg of his journey… Well, he wasn't planning to bring an entourage. He certainly visited the soldiers only four or five days earlier when he was in Iraq and visited them in Walter Reed without notice and entourage. It seems inexplicable that this whole thing has become such an issue, but clearly, the McCain campaign wants this to be an issue, wants to paint him as someone who's unfeeling about the troops." [MSNBC, 7/28/08]

Annenberg Fact Check: The McCain Ad's Insinuation That Obama Canceled The Visit Because Of the Press Ban Or The Desire For Gym Time "Is False." "A new McCain ad says Obama 'made time to go to the gym, but canceled a visit with wounded troops. Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras.' McCain's facts are literally true, but his insinuation – that the visit was canceled because of the press ban or the desire for gym time – is false. In fact, Obama visited wounded troops earlier – without cameras or press – both in the U.S. and Iraq. And his gym workouts are a daily routine. The Obama campaign canceled the visit with wounded troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Obama says, when he learned that the Pentagon would not allow him to bring along a retired Air Force major general who is serving as a foreign policy adviser to the campaign. Obama says that 'triggered then a concern that maybe our visit was going to be perceived as political.'" [FactCheck.org, 7/28/08]

Retired Chief Of Medical Operations For USAF At Ramstein Air Force Base: McCain's Ad Is "Dishonest And Shameful." Col. Katherine Scheirman (Ret.), the retired Chief of Medical Operations for United States Air Force in Europe Headquarters at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany said, "John McCain's new ad is dishonest and shameful, and I say that as the former Chief of Medical Operations. Senators Hagel and Reed confirmed to Bob Schieffer yesterday that Senator Obama visited the Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad as a part of their CODEL, with no media present. In Germany, Senator Obama made the right decision to respect wounded troops, and the doctors and nurses doing crucial and time-sensitive work, by not making a visit that was characterized as a campaign event by the Pentagon. Senator Obama should be thanked for putting our military above politics. And, I would hope that John McCain would think in those same terms, the next time he is put in a similar situation. Senator Obama has voted for the troops when John McCain has not, most recently on the new GI Bill. I am happy that Senator Obama puts the welfare of our troops above politics." [Politico, 7/28/08]

Tapper: "The McCain Campaign Provides No Evidence For The Assertion That Being Told He Couldn't Bring Media Had Anything To Do With The Trip's Cancellation." "McCain's ad asserts that Obama 'made time to go to the gym, but cancelled a visit with wounded troops. Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras.' The McCain campaign provides no evidence for the assertion that being told he couldn't bring media had anything to do with the trip's cancellation. Oddly, when discussing Obama's trip to the gym, the ad uses footage of Obama playing basketball with US troops in Kuwait over the weekend." [ABC News, 7/26/08]

Tumulty: "There Is Absolutely No Evidence" That Obama Cancelled The Trip Because He Couldn't Bring Media And The Military Confirmed That The Plan Was To Leave Media And Staff At The Airport. "Jake Tapper notes the ad also claims that Obama cancelled the trip because he was told he couldn't bring the media. There is absolutely no evidence for that one. The campaign insists that the plan had been to leave us at the airport, and the military has confirmed that arrangements were being made to hold media and staff there at a passenger terminal." [Time, 7/26/08]

TPM: A Pentagon Spokesperson Confirmed That Pentagon Officials Told Obama Aides That He Couldn't Visit The Base With His Campaign Staff. Greg Sargent at Talking Points Memo wrote, "A Pentagon spokesperson confirms to me that because of longstanding Department of Defense regulations, Pentagon officials told Obama aides that he couldn't visit the base with campaign staff. This left Obama with little choice but to cancel the trip, since the plan to visit with campaign aides had been in the works for weeks." [Talking Points Memo, 7/25/08]

OBAMA CAMPAIGN AND OTHERS: THE ISSUE WAS CONCERN THAT THE TROOPS WOULD BE POLITICIZED BY A "CAMPAIGN" VISIT

Obama Has Been Clear: He Did Not Want Visit to Wounded Soldiers To Be Perceived as Political, Which The Pentagon Had Ruled It Would Be. "We had scheduled to go, we had no problem at all in leaving, we always leave press and staff off -- that is why we left it off the schedule. We were treating it in the same way we treat a visit to Walter Reed which I was able to do a few weeks ago without any fanfare whatsoever. I was going to be accompanied by one of my advisors, a former military officer." Continued Obama, "And we got notice that he would be treated as a campaign person, and it would therefore be perceived as political because he had endorsed my candidacy but he wasn't on the Senate staff. That triggered then a concern that maybe our visit was going to be perceived as political. And the last thing that I want to do is have injured soldiers and the staff at these wonderful institutions having to sort through whether this is political or not or get caught in the crossfire between campaigns." "So rather than go forward and potentially get caught up in what might have been considered a political controversy of some sort," Obama said, "what we decided was that we not make a visit and instead I would call some of the troops that were there. So that essentially would be the extent of the story." [ABC News, 7/26/08]

NBC's Pentagon Correspondent: The Issue Is "Concern Over Exploitation Of The Wounded, For Any Reason." NBC's Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski said, "As a member of the Armed Service Committee John McCain could also have a legitimate reason for visiting a military base and attracting media coverage, but it hasn't happened and I think both sides would take a serious look at the implications. The other issue is concern over exploitation of the wounded, for any reason. When the president, the Defense secretary, or any member of Congress visit the wounded at a military hospital the media are not invited to cover the event." [MSNBC, 7/25/08]

Hagel Said Obama "Did The Right Thing" In Not Visiting The Troops In Germany And That He Didn't Think McCain's Ad Was Appropriate. "Schieffer also asked about McCain's new TV ad in which he says Obama in Europe 'made time to go to the gym but canceled a visit with wounded troops. Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras.' Hagel, who accompanied Obama on their official trip to Afghanistan and Iraq but broke off in Jordan, said, 'the congressional delegation that you referred to ended when we parted in Jordan. At that point, it was a political trip for Senator Obama. I think it would have been inappropriate for him and certainly he would have been criticized by the McCain people and the press and probably should have been if on a political trip in Europe paid for by political funds - not the taxpayers -to go, essentially, then and be accused of using our wounded men and women as props for his campaign...I think it would be totally inappropriate for him on a campaign trip to go to a military hospital and use those soldiers as props. So I think he probably, based on what I know, he did the right thing.' Hagel said he wasn't sure about all the details of the controversy, but 'we saw troops everywhere we went on the congressional delegation. We went out of our way to see those troops.' Hagel said of McCain's ad, 'I do not think it was appropriate.'" [ABC News, 7/27/08]

MCCAIN CAMPAIGN HAS ADDRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS OVER POLITICIZING AMERICAN TROOPS

McCain Senior Advisor Steve Schmidt: "We Follow The Rules" Banning Political Campaigning On Military Bases. "With Department of Defense rules prohibiting political campaigning on military bases, it was determined that in some cases McCain could visit the installations as a senator but could not engage in any political activity or have news media present. McCain campaign officials said Thursday they intentionally did not campaign on military property. 'We follow the rules,' said senior McCain adviser Steve Schmidt." [CNN.com, 4/3/08]

OBAMA HAS VISITED WITH WOUNDED TROOPS RECENTLY, CALLED SOLDIERS AT LANDSTUHL

Obama Visited Wounded Troops at Walter Reed Last Month. The AP wrote, "Barack Obama stopped by Walter Reed Army Medical Center Saturday to visit wounded war veterans, a group that he has said endures substandard care under the Bush administration. The presumed Democratic nominee, who was in Washington to speak to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, slipped into the facility shortly after 9 a.m. without stopping to speak to the small group of reporters who follow him. The visit wasn't on his public schedule." [AP, 6/28/08]

Obama Made Phone Calls To Wounded Soldiers At Landstuhl Germany. "Obama made phone calls to wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Germany this morning, in lieu of a personal visit to the forces that was canceled by the Obama campaign. Obama was expected to speak to a number of soldiers individually." [MSNBC, 7/25/08]

11:53 AM | Permalink

SPEECH AT LULAC, 7/8/08, WATCH IT HERE

"We have to finally bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. It is time we did that. Now, let's acknowledge, yes, they broke the law. And they should have to pay a fine, and learn English, and go to the back of the line, behind those who have been waiting patiently. But we also have to put them on a pathway to citizenship."

DEBATE, FEBRUARY 21, 2008, WATCH IT HERE
RAMOS: Senator Obama, is there any downside to the United States becoming a bilingual nation?

OBAMA: "Well, I think it is important that everyone learns English and that we have that process of binding ourselves together as a country. I think that's very important.

I also think that every student should be learning a second language because -- (interrupted by applause) -- you know -- so when you start getting into a debate about bilingual education, for example, now I want to make sure that children who are coming out of Spanish-speaking households have the opportunity to learn and are not falling behind. And if bilingual education helps them do that, I want to give them the opportunity. But I also want to make sure that English-speaking children are getting foreign languages because this world is becoming more interdependent, and part of the process of America's continued leadership in the world is going to be our capacity to communicate across boundaries, across borders.

And that's something, frankly, that's fallen very -- where we've fallen behind. And one of the failures of No Child Left Behind, a law that I think a lot of local and state officials have been troubled by, is that it is so narrowly focused on standardized tests that it has pushed out a lot of important learning that needs to take place. (Cheers, applause.)

And foreign languages is one of those areas that I think has been neglected. I want to put more resources into it."

OBAMA POLICY PAPER
"Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. Obama will also expand opportunities to learn English and obtain civic education classes to help immigrants assume all of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship."

06:34 PM | Permalink

June 2008: Obama: I've Consistently Said That I Will Consult With Military Commanders On The Ground And Be Open To The Possibility Of Tactical Adjustments. Obama said, "I've also consistently said that I will consult with military commanders on the ground and that we will always be open to the possibility of tactical adjustments. The important thing is to send a clear signal to the Iraqi people and most importantly to the Iraqi leadership that the U.S. occupation in Iraq is finite, it is gonna be coming to a foreseeable end." [MSNBC, 6/16/08]

March 2008: Obama Said He Would Give Senior Military Leaders Opinions Great Weight In Implementing His Iraq Plan But As Commander In Chief Would Make His Own Assessment Of The Situation. Obama was asked "what weight will you give to the counsel of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] commander, the combatant commander on the ground in Iraq and current intelligence chiefs on the ground in Iraq regarding an immediate phased withdrawal?" Obama said, "I will give their counsel great weight. But, as commander in chief, it is my responsibility to make my own assessment of the situation. We must send a clear signal to the Iraqi political leadership that we are leaving Iraq on a timeline. Doing so will put pressure on those leaders to begin to resolve the political impasse at the heart of this civil war. But I also want to be clear about another thing. I am worried our Army is overstretched and that we have asked an awful lot from our military families. Many in our senior military leadership are worried about a plan that will keep 130,000 troops on the ground in Iraq for the foreseeable future. So, as commander in chief, I will also have to take into consideration the counsel of other senior military leaders who may be concerned that Iraq is undercutting our ability to confront other security challenges." [Washington Post, 3/2/08]

March 2008: Obama Said The Size Of The Residual Force Will Depend On Consultation With Military Commanders And "Will Depend On The Circumstances On The Ground." Obama said, "The precise size of the residual force will depend on consultations with our military commanders and will depend on the circumstances on the ground, including the willingness of the Iraqi government to move toward political accommodation. But let me be clear on one thing: I will end this war, and there will be far fewer Americans in Iraq conducting a much more limited set of missions that include counterterrorism and protection of our embassy and U.S. civilians." [Washington Post, 3/2/08]

November 2007: Obama Said He Would Leave Residual Troops In Iraq Based On The Levels Of Violence, "It's Not My Job To Specify Troop Levels." Obama said, "If we see a serious effort by the Iraqi leadership to arrive at an agreement and an accommodation and you've seen continued reductions of violence, then you need one level of troop protection for the embassy…If things have gone to hell in a hand basket then you need another ... It's not my job to specify troop levels. My job is to tell our commanders on the ground, 'Here's your mission. Protect our embassy, protect our diplomats and our humanitarian workers in the area and make sure al Qaeda in Iraq, or other terrorist organizations inside of Iraq are not re-establishing bases there." [Fosters, 11/28/07]

November 2007: Obama Said U.S. Has To Make Sure "We Are Not Just Willy-Nilly Removing Troops" And That It May "Take A Little Bit Longer" In Some Areas Where There Is Less Stability. "According to all the reports, we should have been well along our way in getting the Iraqi security forces to be more functional. We then have another 16 months after that to adjust the withdrawal and make sure that we are withdrawing from those areas, based on advice from the military officers in the field, those places where we are secured, made progress and we're not just willy-nilly removing troops, but we're making a determination – in this region we see some stability. We've had cooperation from local tribal leaders and local officials, so we can afford to remove troops here. Here, we've still got problems, it's going to take a little bit longer. Maybe those are the last areas to pull out." [New York Times, 11/1/07]

November 2007: Obama: "If The Commanders Tell Me They Need X, Y And Z, In Order To Accomplish The Very Narrow Mission That I've Laid Out, Than I Will Take That Into Consideration." "You raise a series of legitimate questions. As commander in chief, I'm not going to leave trainers unprotected. In our counterterrorism efforts, I'm not going to have a situation where our efforts can't be successful. We will structure those forces so they can be successful. We would still have human intelligence capabilities on the ground. Some of them would be civilian, as opposed to military, some would be operating out of our bases as well as our signal intelligence…But listen, I am not going to set up our troops for failure and I'm going to do something half-baked. If the commanders tell me that they need X, Y and Z, in order to accomplish the very narrow mission that I've laid out, than I will take that into consideration." [New York Times, 11/1/07]

November 2007: Obama: "Even Something As Simple As Protecting Our Embassy Is Going To Dependent On What Is The Security In Baghdad…If There Is Some Sense Of Security, Then That Means One Level Of Force. If You Continue To Have Significant Sectarian Conflict, That Means Another." "I have not ascribed particular numbers to that and I won't for precisely the reason I was just talking to Michael about. I want to talk to military folks on the ground, No. 1. No. 2, a lot of it depends on what's happened on the political front and the diplomatic front. Even something as simple as protecting our embassy is going to be dependent on what is the security environment in Baghdad. If there is some sense of security, then that means one level of force. If you continue to have significant sectarian conflict, that means another, but this is an area where Senator Clinton and I do have a significant contrast." [New York Times, 11/1/07]

September 2007: Obama Said He Believed "That We Should Have All Our Troops Out By 2013, But I Don't Want To Make Promises." Obama said, "I think it's hard to project four years from now, and I think it would be irresponsible. We don't know what contingency will be out there. What I can promise is that if there are still troops in Iraq when I take office -- which it appears there may be, unless we can get of our Republican colleagues to change their mind and cut off funding without a timetable -- if there's no timetable -- then I will drastically reduce our presence there to the mission of protecting our embassy, protecting our civilians, and making sure that we're carrying out counterterrorism activities there. I believe that we should have all our troops out by 2013, but I don't want to make promises, not knowing what the situation's going to be three or four years out." [NH DNC Debate, 9/26/07]

05:41 PM | Permalink

RHETORIC: "The freshman Democratic senator received a discount. He locked in an interest rate of 5.625 percent on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, below the average for such loans at the time in Chicago. The loan was unusually large, known in banker lingo as a 'super super jumbo.' Obama paid no origination fee or discount points, as some consumers do to reduce their interest rates. Compared with the average terms offered at the time in Chicago, Obama's rate could have saved him more than $300 per month." [Washington Post, 7/2/08]

REALITY: OBAMA DID NOT GET SPECIAL TREATMENT AND RECEIVED HIS RATE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CUSTOMER. HIS RATE IS CONSISTENT WITH RATES FOR OTHERS WITH HIS FINANCIAL PROFILE.

REALITY: NORTHERN TRUST DOES NOT HAVE A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE DISCOUNTS TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Unlike Countrywide Northern Trust Did Not Have A Program To Provide Discounts To Public Officials. "Unlike Countrywide, where leaked internal e-mails documented a special discount program for friends of chief executive Angelo Mozilo, Northern Trust says it has no formal program to provide discounts to public officials." [Washington Post, 7/2/08]

REALITY: NORTHERN TRUST TAKES INTO ACCOUNT EVERY PERSON'S OCCUPATION AND SALARY

Northern Trust: Any Person's Occupation And Salary Would Be Taken Into Consideration For A Mortgage. "'A person's occupation and salary are two factors; I would expect those are two things we would take into consideration,' said Northern Trust Vice President John O'Connell. 'That would apply to anyone seeking to get a mortgage at Northern Trust.'" [Washington Post, 7/2/08]

REALITY: THE RATE OBAMA RECEIVED WAS CONSISTENT WITH INTERNAL NORTHERN TRUST RATES AT THE TIME

The Rate Obama Received Was Consistent With Internal Northern Trust Rates At The Time. "He added that the rates offered to Obama were 'consistent with internal Northern Trust rates at that time.' 'The bottom line is, this was a business proposition for us,' he said. 'Our business model is to service and pursue successful individuals, families and institutions.'" [Washington Post, 7/2/08]

REALITY: CONSISTENT WITH NORTHERN TRUST POLICIES THE LOAN RATE WAS ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR A COMPETING OFFER

The Loan Rate, Consistent With Northern Trust Policies, Was Adjusted To Account For A Competing Offer From Another Lender. "Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said the rate was adjusted to account for a competing offer from another lender and other factors. 'The Obamas have since had as much as $3 million invested through Northern Trust,' he said in a statement…The Obama campaign called the rate 'consistent with Northern Trust policies, and it reflected the base rate set for that period discounted to address the competition for the account and other opportunities, such as personal financial services, that the relationship would bring to Northern Trust.'" [Washington Post, 7/2/08]

RHETORIC: The Obamas bought the house for $300,000 less than the asking price of $1.95 million, while Rezko's wife, Rita, bought the neighboring lot for the full asking price of $625,000. Rita Rezko later sold a portion of the undeveloped lot to the Obamas, enlarging the senator's yard. [Washington Post, 7/2/08]

REALITY: OBAMA'S MADE THE THREE OFFERS ON THE HOUSE, INCLUDING THE HIGHEST; THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE WAS NOT CONTINGENT ON THE PRICE OF THE LOT

The Sellers Did Not Discount The Price Of The House Based On The Lot, Obamas Made Several Offers For The House Including The Highest. Bloomberg reported, "Burton said a campaign adviser discussed the sale with Wondisford by phone and followed up with an e-mail to Wondisford repeating his points. Wondisford responded: 'I confirm that the three points below are accurate,' according to the e-mail, provided to Bloomberg News and authenticated through records shown by the adviser. The e-mail says that the sellers 'did not offer or give the Obamas a 'discount' on the house price on the basis of or in relation to the price offered and accepted on the lot.' It also says that 'in the course of the negotiation over the sales price,' Obama and his wife, Michelle, 'made several offers until the one accepted at $1.65 million, and that this was the best offer you received on the house.'" [Bloomberg, 2/18/08]

Brown: "I See No Proof" That Obama Did Something Improper In The Purchase Of His House. Mark Brown wrote, "On the central question: Did Obama do something improper in the purchase of the house? I see no proof he did, other than that he had no business at all getting involved with Rezko in any personal financial transaction." [Chicago Sun-Times, 3/15/08]

Zorn: There Was No "Special Discount" And The Price Of The Lot Was Not Inflated. Eric Zorn wrote, "The Obamas did not get a special discount on the house" and "The sellers rejected two lower bids from the Obamas" and "The Rezkos did not pay an inflated price for the vacant lot."
[Chicago Tribune, 6/10/08]

AP: Obama "Has A Spotless Reputation" And "Has Been Accused Of No Wrongdoing Involving Rezko Or Anything Else." The AP reported, "Obama, who has a spotless reputation after 11 years in public offices, has been accused of no wrongdoing involving Rezko or anyone else." [AP, 1/22/08]

10:58 AM | Permalink

OBAMA PASSED WELFARE REFORM IN ILLINOIS THAT MOVED PEOPLE FROM WELFARE TO WORK AND GAVE THEM TOOLS TO ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT WORK, LIKE CHILD CARE AND TRANSPORTATION, AND WAS PRAISED BY REPUBLICANS FOR HIS WORK

Obama Passed Law Creating The Illinois Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program, Including A Six-Fold Increase In Daycare Spending. Obama was a chief co-sponsor of the bill to create the state of Illinois' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The bill created flexibility for victims of domestic violence, set a five-year limit for receiving public assistance, banned anyone convicted of a serious drug-related Class X or Class 1 felony from ever receiving assistance, required that all recipients develop a personal plan for self-sufficiency, listing the steps they will take to move from welfare to work, exempted those over 60 and adults with children younger than 1. According to the State Journal-Register, "The bill pours more money into day-care spending...as a result, an estimated 90,000 families would be able to take advantage of the child care benefit, subject to legislative appropriation of necessary funds. That represents a six-fold increase from the current number... State Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago, called the bill a good start but urged members not to rule out future changes to the system. He said there is a need for a commission to oversee the changes and ensure the system is working properly. '(Welfare recipients) generally are not represented down here in Springfield. They don't have powerful lobbies. They do not contribute to our political candidates,' he said. Consequently, Obama said, if there are problems with this bill, it is not clear they will be addressed. [­90th GA, HB 204, 3R P 56-1-1, 5/31/97, PA 90-0017, 6/19/97; State Journal Register, 6/1/97]

AP: Obama Worked With Republicans To Enact An Overhaul Of Welfare In Illinois And Was Thanked By Republicans During The Debate For His Long Hours Helping Them Improve The Bill. The AP wrote, "After federal officials agreed on an overhaul of the nation's welfare system, Obama worked with Republicans to enact those changes in Illinois. During the debate, two GOP senators made a point of thanking Obama for his long hours of helping them improve the bill." [AP, 6/25/08]

Republican Syverson Thanked Obama For The Hours He Spent Working On Welfare Reform. Republican Senator Dave Syverson said, "Next, in the area of felons, we have decided, through negotiation both with Senator Obama, with the House Leadership regarding this issue, that those who are convicted of Class X and Class 1 felonies will never be able to get onto the welfare system...I would like to take a second to thank Senator Obama for the hours of time that he spent with us in trying to work out a plan that is acceptable and workable." [ILGA Senate Transcript, 5/31/97]

Republican: Parker Commended Obama For His "Bipartisan Support And Work" On Welfare Reform. Republican Senator Kathleen Parker said, "First of all, to commend the Chairman, Senator Syverson, who did a lot of work on this issue, and Senator Obama, for his bipartisan support and work, and all of the comments that were made here." [ILGA Senate Transcript, 5/31/97]

Emanuel: Obama Passed Welfare Reform Law In IL To Lead The Country To The Biggest Reduction In Welfare Caseload, Adding Child Care, Job Training, and Transportation. "With the state Senate still in Republican hands, Obama brokered a welfare reform law that combined work requirements and time limits with significant investments in child care, job training and transportation. As a result, thousands of Illinoisans have gained the dignity of a job, and our state leads the nation in the biggest reduction in the welfare caseload." [Rahm Emanuel op-ed, Chicago Sun-Times, 3/27/04]

After Clinton Welfare Reform Passed, Obama Went Into Action To Make Sure That Illinois Provided A Safety Net So That "Those Who Need It Will Have Support." The Chicago Citizen reported, "With the Republican-sponsored, President Clinton approved welfare reform bill in effect Obama stressed concern over having the appropriate safety net prepared for those who will be affected. 'We want to make sure that there is health care, child care, job training, and transportation vouchers. Everything that is needed to ensure that those who need it will have support.'" [Chicago Citizen, 1/16/97]

The Number Of Illinois Families On TANF Reduced 78% From FY 1998-FY 2006. According to the Administration For Children And Families Office of Family Assistance, the number of TANF families in Illinois reduced from 167,124 in FY 1998 to 36,331 in FY 2006. This constitutes a 78 percent reduction. [Health And Human Services Data, FY 1998-FY2006]

Obama: Conservatives and Bill Clinton Were Right That Welfare As it Was Structured Was Wrong to Detach Income from Work. "We should also acknowledge that conservatives--and Bill Clinton--were right about welfare as it was previously structured: By detaching income from work, and by making no demands on welfare recipients other than a tolerance for intrusive bureaucracy and an assurance that no man lived in the same house as the mother of his children, the old AFDC program sapped people of their initiative and eroded their self-respect. Any strategy to reduce intergenerational poverty has to be centered on work, not welfare--not only because work provides independence and income but also because work provides order, structure, dignity, and opportunities for growth in people's lives. But we also need to admit that work alone does not ensure that people can rise out of poverty. Across America, welfare reform has sharply reduced the number of people on the public dole; it has also swelled the ranks of the working poor, with women churning in and out of the labor market, locked into jobs that don't pay a living wage, forced every day to scramble for adequate child care, affordable housing, and accessible health care, only to find themselves at the end of each month wondering how they can stretch the last few dollars that they have left to cover the food bill, the gas bill, and the baby's new coat. Strategies like an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit that help all low-wage workers can make an enormous difference in the lives of these women and their children. But if we're serious about breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, then many of these women will need some extra help with the basics that those living outside the inner city often take for granted. They need more police and more effective policing in their neighborhoods, to provide them and their children some semblance of personal security. They need access to community-based health centers that emphasize prevention--including reproductive health care, nutritional counseling, and in some cases treatment for substance abuse. They need a radical transformation of the schools their children attend, and access to affordable child care that will allow them to hold a full-time job or pursue their education." [Audacity of Hope, p 256]

Obama Passed Law To Collect And Report Welfare Data; Obama Bill Would Help Plan For The Future. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to collect and report on information, in addition to that required under the federal welfare reform law, for those who receive TANF and those who are eligible for other cash benefit programs and the reports shall be made available to the public. Obama, calling on Gov. Edgar to sign the welfare data bill he sponsored that required the state to collect data in the current federal welfare reform law and report that information to the public: "There must be an extensive review and evaluation of Illinois' implementation of welfare reform in order to plan future state public assistance programs. This bill, which was supported by all major anti-poverty groups, is the first step in a concerted effort to make sure that the new welfare reform law is compassionate and does not leave our most disadvantaged persons behind." [90th GA; SB 0755; Signed into law 7/8/97, PA 90-0074; Defender 5/29/97]

CHILD CARE

Obama Passed A Bill To Administer Child Care Test Program For Low Income Families Who Do Not Qualify for TANF. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of House bill providing that IDHS shall allocate $7.5 million annually for a child care test program for families who are income-eligible for child care assistance, who are not recipients of TANF under Article IV of the Public Aid Code and who need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities. [91st GA; HB 2217; 1999; Signed into law 8/13/99, PA 91-0509]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Improve Child Care Access. Co-sponsor of bill amending the Illinois Public Aid Code by increasing from $7.5 million to $15 million the allocation required by IDHS to a test program for certain families who are eligible for child care assistance. [91st GA; SB 1722; 2000; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Adjust Child Care Rates. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to conduct market rate surveys every 2 years, and requiring IDHS to adjust rates paid for child care at least annually so that the rates are established at the 75th percentile or higher of the market rate for each of the various types of care. [90th GA; SB 1514; 1998; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Reimburse Childcare At High Rate. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of bill providing that reimbursement rates for child care services set by IDHS shall not be less than 75% pf the prevailing market rate in a given region. [90th GA; SB 0676; 1997; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Extend Childcare To Former AFDC Recipients. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of bill authorizing IDHS to provide child care services to former AFDC recipients for a period of time in addition to the required initial 12 months after aid is cancelled because the recipient obtained employment. [90th GA; SB 0217; 1997; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

JOB TRAINING

Obama Passed A Law To Improve Job Training Programs Through Improvement And Review. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of House bill making numerous changes in the operation of the education, training and employment program, and provides that IDHS shall annually review procedures and written materials used for compliance with provisions requiring the Department to provide full and timely information to TANF applicants about their opportunities, rights and responsibilities. [91st GA; HB 2216; 1999; Signed into law 7/29/99, PA 91-0331]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Exempt TANF Recipients Who Voluntarily Participate In Job Training From Sanctions. Obama was the chief Senate sponsor of bill providing that a TANF recipient who is exempt from participating in education, training or employment programs but who volunteers to participate may not be sanctioned for not meeting program requirements. [93rd GA, HB 3022, Session Sine Die, 1/11/05]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Require TANF Recipient To Report Projected Earnings. Obama was the chief sponsor of House bill providing that when a TANF recipient reports that he or she has obtained employment, IDHS may project the recipient's likely earnings and eligibility for assistance and grant level under the TANF program, and may terminate or cancel the case based on projected income (but may restore assistance if the recipient presents evidence that his or her actual or projected earnings do not warrant termination). [91st GA; HB 1846; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Encourage Private Involvement In TANF. Obama was the chief sponsor of House bill providing that IDHS shall encourage entities in the private sector or otherwise to assist with the provision of support services, such as transportation, child care and others to attract additional employees and to aid in the transition of recipients under the TANF program into full-time employment. [91st GA; HB 2319; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Challenge IDHS To Move Public Aid Recipients To Work. Obama was the chief sponsor of House bill providing that IDHS shall adopt goals that implement strategies to move public aid recipients under Article IV into long-term employment in jobs paying wages that place them above the federal poverty line. [91st GA; HB 2589; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Require IDHS To Cover Low Income Family Activities. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to cover low income families participating in educational and training activities, if the Department has approved the activity and has determined that the individual is satisfactorily participating in the activity. [90th GA; SB 1644; 1998; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Expand Earnfare Eligibility. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of House bill authorizing IDHS to extend eligibility for Earnfare participation for successfully-employed participants for 3 months beyond the basic eligibility period of 6 months out of any 12-consecutive month period. [90th GA; HB 0611; 1997; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Welfare To Work Bill. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of House bill creating the Welfare to Work Act which places qualified welfare recipients in State jobs or jobs contracted out by the State. [90th GA; HB 1785; 1997; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Encourage Private Industry To Participate In Welfare To Work. Obama was the chief sponsor of House bill providing that IDPA or IDHS may cooperate with any Illinois private industry council, political subdivision or private entity awarded a competitive grant under provisions of the federal Balanced Budget Act and for Welfare to Work activities aimed at moving individuals into and keeping individuals into lasting unsubsidized employment. [90th GA; HB 3142; 1998; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Create Job Training Program. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill making appropriations to the City Colleges of Chicago for a workforce preparation and job training program. [90th GA; SB 1183; 1997; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Create Accountability For State Agency Job Training Programs. Co-sponsor of bill requiring certain State agencies to develop accountability measures for each of their job services programs, minimal outcomes for their programs and pilot programs for performance based payments for job training services. [90th GA; SB 1750; 1998; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

HEALTH CARE

Obama Passed A Bill To Provide Better Health Care Access To Welfare Recipients. Obama was the chief Senate sponsor of bill requiring IDHS and IDPA to jointly establish an interagency committee to incorporate health care advocates into education, training and placement programs for TANF recipients, developing more outreach and educational materials to help TANF families make informed choices concerning health, and to simplify the process of applying for Medicaid. When commenting on House bill 3608 Senator Obama stated, "this bill simply forms a interagency committee concerning health care issues between DHS and DPA. This was to help coordinate TANF and related programs. I know of no opposition." [93rd GA; HB 3608; 2003; Signed into law 7/10/03, PA 93-0150; 93rd GA, HB3608. Floor Transcript, 6/15/03, p.29]

Obama Passed Law for Health Care Advocates to Help Families Receiving TANF in Making Informed Choices. Obama helped amend the Illinois Public Aid Code, requiring the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Aid to jointly establish an interagency committee to (1) assist the departments in making recommendations on incorporating health care advocates into education, training, and placement programs for TANF recipients, (2) develop more outreach and educational materials to help TANF families make informed choices concerning health insurance and health care, and (3) develop methods to simplify the process of applying for Medicaid. [93rd, HB3608, 3R: 58-0-0, 5/15/03; PA 93-0150, 7/10/03]

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Obama Passed Law To Screen TANF Recipients For Victims Of Violence And Provide Services. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to screen and identify TANF applicants and recipients who are past or present victims of domestic violence, refer them for counseling and supportive services, and waive any program requirements that would make it more difficult for those persons to escape the domestic violence situation. [91st GA; HB 0650; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01; 91st GA; SB 0680; 1999; P.A. 91-0624]

Obama Passed Law To Train IDHS Employees To ID And Serve Violence Victims. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to implement a domestic violence training curriculum for Department employees who serve TANF applicants and recipients to better equip those employees to identify and serve domestic violence victims. [91st GA; SB 1712; 2000; Signed into law 6/2/00, PA 91-0759]

ADMINISTRATION

Obama Passed Law To Extend Trial Of Project To Prevent Double Dipping. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of House bill changing the length of the demonstration project to determine the cost-effectiveness of preventing multiple enrollments of aid recipients through use of an electronic automated 2-digit fingerprint matching identification system in local offices from 12 months to 36 months. [90th GA; HB 0204; 1997; Signed into law 6/19/97, PA 90-0017]

BANK FEES

Obama Passed Law To Prohibit Fees For Electronic-Benefit Card Users. Obama sponsored a bill and voted for prohibiting the imposition of fees for customers using a Link card (electronic benefit card for clients receiving TANF or food stamps). When commenting on House Bill 467 Senator Obama explained the Link Card Program System, which allowed banks to charge a fee for a clearinghouse, or to recover costs when a Link Card is used. Obama said, "The notion is that, generally, persons on Public Aid probably should not have to incur these costs...if I don't want to pay the buck or buck and a half, I don't do it, and if I want to enjoy the convenience, then I do it. But I can afford to make those expenditures...I think that the Public Aid recipient, whose benefits, by the way, we have not increased in a decade, probably can't afford to make those. And because the costs to the bank are actually covered, this is really a profit making enterprise on the part of banks." When countering an opposed commentary by Senator Roskam who stated that Senator Obama's proposal puts an undue burden on State banks and for making State banks pay through federal banks, Senator Obama stated that the effect on Federal banks is "a constraint that we have due to national banking laws." Senator Obama also countered that the additional charge which banks collect when the ATM is used already covers any lost costs [93rd GA; HB 0467; 2003; Signed into law 8/22/03, PA 93-0583; 93rd GA, HB0467, Floor Transcript, 5/16/03, p.42, 43]

TRANSPORTATION

Obama Sponsored Bill To Promote Transportation Assistance. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of bill prohibiting the trading in of State vehicles, requiring that used State vehicles be offered for sale to recipients of TANF before being offered for sale to others. [91st GA; SB 0221; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Extend Transportation Assistance To Former TANF Recipients. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to provide up to 12 months of transitional transportation assistance to former recipients of TANF if the former recipients are no longer eligible for assistance due to an increase in earned income in the household. [91st GA; SB 0683; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Create Public-Private Partnership For TANF Transportation. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to enter into agreements with local school districts, religious institutions and community organizations to provide recipients under the TANF program with transportation to work during non-traditional hours. [91st GA; SB 0682; 1999; Session Sine Die 1/9/01]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Pilot Welfare Transportation Program. Obama was the chief sponsor of bill requiring IDHS to operate a program (one in a city of over 500,000 and one in a rural area with limited public transportation) that will facilitate transportation to employment for welfare recipients and former welfare recipients. [90th GA; SB 0756; 1997; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

Obama Sponsored Bill To Add Transportation Problems As Excuse For Nonparticipation In A Required Program. Obama was the chief co-sponsor of bill providing that good cause for failure to participate in a required program or to accept or retain suitable employment includes a breakdown in transportation arrangements or lack of reasonable available transportation. [90th GA; SB 1668; 1998; Session Sine Die 1/12/99]

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