Where Does Barack Obama Stand on the Issues?

Where Barack Obama Stands on Education:

The failure of President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind program has education at the forefront of American's minds. Obama thinks that the choice between pouring in more money or mandating more tests and standards is not a good representation of our only options.

To attract and inspire better teachers, he introduced the Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act, which rewards school districts for implementing new and effective methods for improving student achievement and giving raises to teachers who perform well.

To assist disadvantaged children, he sponsored the Summer Term Education Programs for Upward Progress (STEP UP) Act to offer grants for summer learning programs.

To help make college education more affordable, Obama's very first bill was designed to increase the Federal Pell Grant limit from $4,050 to $5,100.

Education Voting Record:

· Yes on the After School Funding Amendment
· Yes on the Education Funding Amendment
· Yes on the Education Amendment
· Yes on the Elementary and Secondary Education Amendment
· Yes on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Amendment
· Yes to Increase the Maximum Federal Pell Grant Amendment

Where Barack Obama Stands on Health Care:

Health care has been an ever-worsening crisis in the United States through several presidential terms. Obama is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and has made affordable, quality health care a top priority. Obama's Hospital Quality Report Card Act would require hospitals to track and report on their quality of care, including safety and timeliness on treatment and services, thus giving consumers greater choice and the information needed to make important healthcare decisions.

To combat medical errors and excessive costs due to outdated technology, he proposed the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Efficiency Act.

His website lists some startling facts about children's exposure to lead poisoning that has inspired him to introduced two bills to address the issue: the Lead Poisoning Reduction Act and Lead Free Toys Act. These aim to reduce the large amount of lead found in many child care centers and children's toys.

Poor community planning can endanger children and citizens through lack of sidewalks and safe places to play. Obama's Healthy Places Act requires communities to evaluate how new projects and policies would effect the health of community members.

Obama has been traveling inside and outside of the United States to promote HIV testing and expand AIDS research and treatment. He collaborated with other officials to introduce the Microbicide Development Act. Microbicides are topical ointments that women can use to prevent the transmission of various infections, including HIV.

Health Care Voting Record:

· Yes on the Stem Cell Research Bill
· Yes on the Unintended Pregnancy Amendment
· Yes on the Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment
· Yes on the Medicaid Generic Drug Amendment
· Yes on the Hurricane Health Care for Survivors Amendment
· Yes on the Medical Assistance and Prescription Drug Amendment
· Yes on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program Amendment
· No on the Medicaid Amendment
· Yes on the Medicare Part D Amendment
· Yes on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Amendment
· Yes on the Prescription Drug Plan Amendment
· Yes on the Medicare Premiums Amendment
· Yes on the Prescription Drugs Amendment
· Yes on the Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment

Where Barack Obama Stands On National Security and Foreign Affairs:
Obama has been a very vocal opponent of the Iraq War, having voted against it from Day 1. In November 2005 he publicly called for "(1) a reduction in the number of U.S. troops; (2) a time frame for a phased withdrawal; (3) the Iraqi government to make progress on forming a political solution; (4) improved reconstruction efforts to restore basic services in Iraq; and (5) engaging the international community, particularly key neighboring states and Arab nations, to become more involved in Iraq." In January 2008 he introduced an alternative to President Bush's plan. which would reduce American troops in Iraq and pass more responsibility to the Iraqi government.

Together with Senator Richard Lugar, Obama traveled to the Soviet Union and spearheaded an initiative (signed into law in January 2007) which seeks to reduce conventional weapons caches before they fall into the hands of terrorists. It also assists nations with the detection and destruction of weapons of mass destruction before they are smuggled across their borders.

He introduced initiatives to stabilize the Democratic Republic of Congo and end the genocide in Sudan. His efforts included visiting refugee camps in Darfur and meet with Sudanese officials.

He introduced legislation to mandate evacuation plans for people with special needs during emergencies.

He assisted with the creation of legislation aimed at securing United States chemical plants, regulating spent nuclear fuel, requiring nuclear power plants to immediately inform the government about radioactive substance leaks, and preventing attacks on drinking water systems.

National Security and Foreign Affairs Voting Record:

· Yes on the Transit Security Amendment
· Yes on the Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization Bill
· Yes on the Emergency Supplement Appropriations Act, 2006
· Absent/Not Voting on the 2005 Future Military Funding for Iraq Amendment
· Yes on the Homeland Security Grant Program Amendment
· Yes on the Price-Gouging During Emergencies Amendment
· Yes on the Judicial Review of Detainees Amendment
· No on the Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment
· No on the Media in the Middle East Amendment
· Yes on the Reporting Matters in Iraq Amendment
· Yes on the Immigration Reform Bill
· Yes on the Secure Fence Act of 2006
· No on the English as National Language Amendment
· Yes on the Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment
· Yes on the Cluster Munitions Amendment
· No on the 2006 Troop Redeployment Amendment
· Yes on the Security of Cargo Containers Amendment
· Yes on the FEMA Amendment
· No on the CAFTA Implementation Bill

Where Barack Obama Stands On Family Issues:
Obama's website notes that "Children without fathers in their lives are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime, nine times more likely to drop out of school, and 20 times more likely to end up in prison." In order to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, enforce child support, and combat domestic violence, he collaborated with Senator Evan Bayh to sponsor the Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act.

He presented legislation aimed at lowering the income limit on the Child Tax Credit, allowing 600,000 more families to qualify.

His STOP FRAUD Act is the first federal bill designed to curb and criminalize mortgage fraud.

Family Affairs Voting Record:
· Yes on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment
· No on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment
· No on the Death/Estate Taxes and Minimum Wage Bill of 2006
· Yes on the 2005 Minimum Wage Amendment
· No on the Child Custody Protection
· Yes on the Child Safety Lock Amendment (concerns firearms)
· No on the Same Sex Marriage Resolution

A review of voting records and sponsored legislation also shows Barack Obama involved in improving benefits and programs for United States Veterans, eliminating barriers to voting, cultivating alternative energy resources, and advocating for transparency and accountability in politics.

It is critical that voters understand a candidates platform compared to his or her voting history in order to see if they consistently put their money where their mouth is, so to speak. Use this summary to determine if Barack Obama truly represents you as a voter.