President
Barack
Obama
- AGE: 50 Years Old
- FAMILY: Wife - Michelle, Two daughters, Malia and Sasha
- HIS MOTHER: Stanley Ann Dunham, an anthropologist, died in 1995
- BIRTH PLACE: Honolulu, HI
- HOMETOWN: Chicago, IL/Washington D.C.
- MOST FAMOUS FOR: Being President of the United States
- FUN FACT: He is the winner of two Grammy Awards, received for audio renditions of his bestselling books, "Dreams from My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope."
Barack Obama's
POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES
THE ECONOMY
He supported the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act, providing benefits to workers who lost jobs when their employers moved jobs overseas. He created the National Export Initiative, to double exports by 2015, and signed free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. He launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, a national effort to invest in technologies that will create high-quality manufacturing jobs and enhance America's global competitiveness. He signed patent reform legislation that will help American entrepreneurs bring inventions to market sooner. He extended emergency loans to Chrysler and GM which saved the companies and the government made a profit when the loans were repaid. He is now seeking passage of the American Jobs Act, which includes a continued tax reduction in the payroll tax for employees. He established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. The country has added over 2.6 million private sector jobs during the recovery.
EDUCATION
Increased the number of Pell grants by 50%. Capped the amount of student loan payback, and provided for earlier forgiveness for responsible borrowers, and for nurses, teachers and military personnel. Supported the new $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit, which was available to 9.4 million college students this year. Implemented flexibility in waivers for No Child Left Behind. Implemented the Race to the Top program for raising standards, helping teachers perform and turn around struggling schools
NATIONAL SECURITY
Has killed much of hierarchy of al-Qaeda, including Osama Bin Laden. Signed the START treaty with Russia, to allow U.S. inspection of their warheads, and a reduction of nuclear weapons on both sides. Has removed troops from Iraq, and is removing troops from Afghanistan.
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Signed into law one of the largest expansions of federally protection wilderness land. Established new safety regulations after lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling in the Gulf after the BP spill. The U.S. became a net exporter of refined petroleum, and produced the most oil since 2003 and the most natural gas since 1981. Signed an agreement with auto manufacturers to increase the nation's overall fleet fuel economy to 54.5 mpg in 2025.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Signed the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" policy for the military. Signed the Hate Crimes Bill into law. Ordered the federal government to provide benefits to same sex partners of employees.
HEALTHCARE
Signed the Affordable Health Care law, which prohibits insurers from denying coverage for preexisting conditions, allows dependents to be covered until the age of 26, provides women with access to certain health services without a co-pay or deductible, provides a tax credit to small businesses for health premiums, provides Medicare beneficiaries with free annual checkups and health screenings to detect and prevent health problems, and prevents discrimination against women in setting rates.
