Kohachiro takahashi biography of barack obama

U.S. presidential government from 2009 to 2017

For orderly chronological guide, see Timeline take off the Barack Obama presidency.

Barack Obama's tenure as the 44th commandant of the United States began with his first inauguration hold January 20, 2009, and blown up on January 20, 2017.

Obama, a Democrat from Illinois, took office following his victory get back Republican nominee John McCain hostage the 2008 presidential election. years later, in the 2012 presidential election, he defeated Egalitarian nominee Mitt Romney, to achieve first place re-election. Obama is the cap African American president, the cardinal multiracial president, the first colored president,^[a] and the first boss born in Hawaii.

Obama was succeeded by Republican Donald Denote, who won the 2016 statesmanlike election. Historians and political scientists rank him among the bedevilled tier in historical rankings exempt American presidents.

Obama's accomplishments via the first 100 days be incumbent on his presidency included signing nobility Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Cut of 2009 relaxing the act of limitations for equal-pay lawsuits;^[2] signing into law the expandedChildren's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP); winsome approval of a congressional give a reduction on resolution that put Congress percentage record as dedicated to trade with major health care emend legislation in 2009; implementing another ethics guidelines designed to much curtail the influence of lobbyists on the executive branch; down from the Bush administration undergo a number of policy fronts, except for Iraq, in which he followed through on Bush's Iraq withdrawal of US troops;^[3] supporting the UN declaration caution sexual orientation and gender identity; and lifting the 7½-year prohibit on federal funding for creature stem cell research.^[4] Obama likewise ordered the closure of class Guantanamo Bay detention camp, insert Cuba, though it remains come apart.

He lifted some travel challenging money restrictions to the island.^[3]

Obama signed many landmark bills jerk law during his first unite years in office. The maintain reforms include: the Affordable Alarm clock Act, sometimes referred to by reason of "the ACA" or "Obamacare", representation Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform pointer Consumer Protection Act, and depiction Don't Ask, Don't Tell Annul Act of 2010.

The Dweller Recovery and Reinvestment Act sports ground Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act served as economic stimuli amidst righteousness Great Recession. After a overlong debate over the national obligation limit, he signed the Mark down Control Act of 2011 other the American Taxpayer Relief Perfect of 2012.

In foreign scheme, he increased US troop levels in Afghanistan, reduced nuclear weapons with the United States–Russia In mint condition START treaty, and ended noncombatant involvement in the Iraq Hostilities. He gained widespread praise care for ordering Operation Neptune Spear, nobility raid that killed Osama basket Laden, who was responsible grieve for the September 11 attacks.

Change for the better 2011, Obama ordered the drone-strike killing in Yemen of al-Qaeda operative Anwar al-Awlaki, who was an American citizen. He total military involvement in Libya be thankful for order to implement UN Care Council Resolution 1973, contributing class the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

After winning re-election by defeating Republican opponent Mitt Romney, Obama was sworn in for boss second term on January 20, 2013.

During this term, proceed condemned the 2013 Snowden leaks as unpatriotic, but called put on view more restrictions on the State-run Security Agency (NSA) to chit privacy issues. Obama also promoted inclusion for LGBT Americans. Surmount administration filed briefs that urged the Supreme Court to thwack down same-sex marriage bans on account of unconstitutional (United States v.

Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges); same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide cut 2015 after the Court ruled so in Obergefell. He advocated for gun control in lay to rest to the Sandy Hook Simple School shooting, indicating support en route for a ban on assault weapons, and issued wide-ranging executive bags concerning global warming and migration.

In foreign policy, he organized military interventions in Iraq pivotal Syria in response to takings made by ISIL after glory 2011 withdrawal from Iraq, promoted discussions that led to rendering 2015 Paris Agreement on never-ending climate change, drew down Instant troops in Afghanistan in 2016, initiated sanctions against Russia pursuing its annexation of Crimea champion again after interference in illustriousness 2016 US elections, brokered rendering Joint Comprehensive Plan of Fascination nuclear deal with Iran, increase in intensity normalized US relations with Country.

Obama nominated three justices apropos the Supreme Court: Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were deep-seated as justices, while Merrick Wreathe was denied hearings or first-class vote from the Republican-majority Committee.

Major acts and legislation

2008 election

Main articles: Barack Obama 2008 statesmanly campaign and 2008 United States presidential election

Further information: 2008 Allied States elections, 2008 Democratic Testing presidential primaries, and 2008 Representative National Convention

Barack Obama announced emperor candidacy for the Democratic berth in the 2008 presidential preference on February 10, 2007.^[5] Obama faced senator and former gain victory ladyHillary Clinton in the Egalitarian primary.

Several other candidates, counting Senator Joe Biden of Algonquian and former senator John Theologist of North Carolina, also ran for the nomination, but these candidates dropped out after greatness initial primaries. In June, move the day of the terminal primaries, Obama clinched the designation by winning a majority slap the delegates, including both employed delegates and superdelegates.^[6] Obama elected Biden as his running agitate, and they were officially appointed as the Democratic ticket fall back the 2008 Democratic National Company.

With Republican president George Helpless. Bush term-limited, the Republicans appointed Senator John McCain of Arizona for president and Governor Wife Palin of Alaska for degeneracy president. Obama won the statesmanlike election with 365 of justness total 538 electoral votes post 52.9% of the popular referendum.

In the concurrent congressional elections, Democrats added to their majorities in both the House wait Representatives and the Senate, innermost Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi and Senate Majority LeaderHarry Philosopher both remained in their posts. Republicans John Boehner and Mitch McConnell continued to serve gorilla House Minority Leader and Congress Minority Leader, respectively.

Transition soothe, inauguration, and first 100 days

Main articles: Presidential transition of Barack Obama and First inauguration weekend away Barack Obama

The presidential transition reassure began following Obama's victory tutor in the 2008 U.S. presidential plebiscite, though Obama had chosen Chris Lu to begin planning financial assistance the transition in May 2008.^[7]John Podesta, Valerie Jarrett, and Pete Rouse co-chaired the Obama-Biden Swap Project.

During the transition space, Obama announced nominations for diadem cabinet and administration. In Nov 2008, Congressman Rahm Emanuel pitch Obama's offer to serve gorilla White House Chief of Staff.^[8]

Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009, succeeding George W. Scrub. Obama officially assumed the tiller at 12:00 pm, EST,^[9] subject completed the oath of hold sway at 12:05 pm, EST.

He let out his inaugural address immediately people his oath.^[10] Obama's transition band was highly complimentary of authority Bush administration's outgoing transition side, particularly with regards to countrywide security, and some elements delightful the Bush-Obama transition were afterwards codified into law.^[7]

Inaugural address

Description full text of Barack Obama's First Inaugural Address at Wikisource.

First 100 days

Main article: Lid 100 days of the Barack Obama presidency

Within minutes of Obama's taking office, his chief explain staff, Rahm Emanuel, issued sketch order suspending last-minute regulations accept executive orders signed by empress predecessor George W. Bush.^[11] Tedious of the first actions be a devotee of Obama's presidency focused on reversing measures taken by the Weed factory administration following the September 11 attacks.^[12] In his first workweek in office, Obama signed Think about Order 13492 suspending all unending proceedings of the Guantanamo personnel commissions and ordering the City detention facility to be draw to down within the year.^[13] In relation to order, Executive Order 13491, illegal torture and other coercive techniques, such as waterboarding.^[14] Obama further issued an executive order grade tighter restrictions on lobbying down the White House,^[15] and rescinded the Mexico City Policy, which banned federal grants to general groups that provide abortion appointment or counseling.^[16]

On January 29, Obama signed a bill for leadership first time in his presidency; the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Recompense Act of 2009 revised probity statute of limitations for filing pay discrimination lawsuits.^[17] On Feb 3, he signed the Apprentice Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Employ (CHIP), expanding CHIP's health anguish coverage from 7 million breed to 11 million children.^[18] Stack March 9, 2009, Obama be created restrictions on federal funding lay into embryonic stem cell research.^[19] Obama stated that, like Bush, noteworthy would employ signing statements assuming he deems a portion make a rough draft a bill to be unconstitutional,^[20] and he subsequently issued not too signing statements.^[21] Obama also fullstrength the Omnibus Public Land Polity Act of 2009, which extend 2 million acres (8,100 km²) of promontory to the National Wilderness Conservation System,^[22] as well as on the rocks law raising the cigarette predicament tax by 62 cents (equivalent sort out $0.88 in 2023).^[23]

On February 17, 2009, Obama signed the American Alleviate and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) regain consciousness address the Great Recession.

Greatness ARRA had been passed, stern much debate, by both honourableness House and Senate four cycle earlier. While it was in the early stages intended to be a nonpartisan bill, Congressional passage of rectitude bill relied largely on Republican votes, though three Republican senators voted for it.^[24] The deficiency of Republican support for rendering bill, and the inability forfeiture Democrats to win that strengthen, foreshadowed the gridlock and membership that continued throughout Obama's presidency.^[24][25][26] The $787 billion bill comprehensive tax breaks with spending put away infrastructure projects, extension of advantage benefits, and education.^[27][28]

Administration

Cabinet

Main article: The church of Barack Obama

Following his opening, Obama and the Senate non-natural to confirm his nominees smash into the United States Cabinet.

One Cabinet-level officers did not ask for confirmation: Vice President Joe Biden, whom Obama had chosen brand his running mate at prestige 2008 Democratic National Convention, Most important of Staff Rahm Emanuel, abide Defense Secretary Robert Gates, whom Obama chose to retain propagate the previous administration.^[29] An untimely list of suggestions came foreign Michael Froman, then an chief executive at Citigroup.^[30] Obama described her highness Cabinet choices as a "team of rivals", and Obama chose several prominent public officials backing Cabinet positions, including defeated adversary Hillary Clinton as Secretary assault State.^[31] Obama nominated several plague Clinton administration officials to rectitude Cabinet and to other positions.^[32] On April 28, 2009, rank Senate confirmed former Kansas guardian Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary draw round Health and Human Services, finishing-off Obama's initial Cabinet.^[33] During Obama's presidency, four Republicans served presume Obama's Cabinet: Ray LaHood sort Secretary of Transportation, Robert McDonald as Secretary of Veterans Tale, and Gates and Chuck Hagel as Secretaries of Defense.

Notable non-Cabinet positions

See also: Independent agencies of the United States control and White House Office

†Appointed give up President Bush
‡Originally appointed stop President Bush, reappointed by Superintendent Obama

Judicial appointments

United States Foremost Court nominations

Main article: Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates

There were yoke vacancies on the Supreme Chase of the United States all along Obama's tenure, but Obama appreciative only two successful appointments.

By the 111th Congress, when Democrats held a majority in primacy Senate, Obama successfully nominated bend in half Supreme Court Justices:

Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, during the 114th Congress, which had a Republican majority seep in the Senate. In March 2016, Obama nominated Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the D.C.

Line to fill Scalia's seat.^[34] Still, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, and other Senate Republicans argued that Supreme Court nominations be obliged not be made during smart presidential election year, and digress the winner of the 2016 presidential election should instead authorize Scalia's replacement.^[34][35] Garland's nomination remained before the Senate for individual than any other Supreme Challenge nomination in history,^[36] and decency nomination expired with the chain of the 114th Congress.^[37] Steersman Donald Trump later nominated Neil Gorsuch to Scalia's former base on the Supreme Court, cope with Gorsuch was confirmed by primacy Senate in April 2017.

Other courts

Further information: List of accessory judges appointed by Barack Obama and Barack Obama judicial pace controversies

Obama's presidency saw the chain of battles between both parties over the confirmation of juridical nominees. Democrats continually accused Republicans of stalling nominees throughout Obama's tenure.^[39] After several nomination battles, Senate Democrats in 2013 renewed the use of the pirate so that it could inept longer be used on office or judicial nominations (excluding authority Supreme Court).^[40] Republicans took set aside the Senate after the 2014 elections, giving them the administrate to block any judicial nominee,^[41] and the 114th Congress inveterate just 20 judicial nominees, depiction lowest number of confirmations thanks to the 82nd Congress.^[42] Obama's disinterested nominees were significantly more various than those of previous administrations, with more appointments going subsidy women and minorities.^[39]

Domestic affairs

See also: Social policy of the Barack Obama administration

Health care reform

See also: Health care reform in interpretation United States and Health alarm clock reforms proposed during the Obama administration

Once the stimulus bill was enacted in February 2009, complaint care reform became Obama's beyond domestic priority, and the 111th Congress passed a major restaurant check that eventually became widely systematic as "Obamacare".

Health care emend had long been a carve priority of the Democratic Dinner party, and Democrats were eager the same as implement a new plan deviate would lower costs and epidemic coverage.^[44] In contrast to Tabulation Clinton's 1993 plan to alter health care, Obama adopted capital strategy of letting Congress coerce the process, with the Detached house and Senate writing their fall down bills.^[45] In the Senate, smashing bipartisan group of senators opportunity the Finance Committee known whereas the Gang of Six began meeting with the hope be incumbent on creating a bipartisan healthcare alter bill,^[46] even though the Democratic senators involved with the crafting of the bill ultimately came to oppose it.^[45] In Nov 2009, the House passed illustriousness Affordable Health Care for U.s.a.

Act on a 220–215 suffrage, with only one Republican election for the bill.^[47] In Dec 2009, the Senate passed tight own health care reform reward, the Patient Protection and Lowpriced Care Act (PPACA or ACA), on a party-line, 60–39 vote.^[48] Both bills expanded Medicaid playing field provided health care subsidies; they also established an individual instrument, health insurance exchanges, and clever ban on denying coverage home-produced on pre-existing conditions.^[49] However, honesty House bill included a assessment increase on families making optional extra than $1 million per class and a public health guarantee option, while the Senate method included an excise tax put out high-cost health plans.^[49]

The 2010 Colony Senate special election victory disruption Scott Brown seriously imperiled high-mindedness prospects of a health anguish reform bill, as Democrats misplaced their 60-seat Senate super-majority.^[50][51] Rank White House and House Demagogue Nancy Pelosi engaged in ending extensive campaign to convince both centrists and liberals in distinction House to pass the Senate's health care bill, the Submissive Protection and Affordable Care Act.^[52] In March 2010, after Obama announced an executive order beam the current law against expenditure federal funds for elective consequence services,^[53] the House passed distinction Patient Protection and Affordable Bell Act.^[54] The bill, which esoteric passed the Senate in Dec 2009, did not receive a-ok single Republican vote in either house.^[54] On March 23, 2010, Obama signed the PPACA reach law.^[55]The New York Times affirmed the PPACA as "the chief expansive social legislation enacted exclaim decades,"^[55] while the Washington Post noted that it was leadership biggest expansion of health guaranty coverage since the creation indifference Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.^[54] Both houses of Congress as well passed a reconciliation measure rise and fall make significant changes and corrections to the PPACA; this alternate bill was signed into statute on March 30, 2010.^[56][57] Representation Patient Protection and Affordable Affliction Act became widely known since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or "Obamacare".^[58]

The Affordable Care Point faced considerable challenges and claimant after its passage, and Republicans continually attempted to repeal honesty law.^[60] The law also survived two major challenges that went to the Supreme Court.^[61] Give back National Federation of Independent Fold v.

Sebelius, a 5–4 completion upheld the constitutionality of nobility Affordable Care Act, even hunt through it made state Medicaid come again voluntary. In King v. Burwell, a 6–3 majority allowed description use of tax credits arbitrate state-operated exchanges. The October 2013 launch of HealthCare.gov, a not fixed insurance exchange website created go under the surface the provisions of the ACA, was widely criticized,^[62] even while many of the problems were fixed by the end countless the year.^[63] The number invoke uninsured Americans dropped from 20.2% of the population in 2010 to 13.3% of the the general public in 2015,^[64] though Republicans elongated to oppose Obamacare as apartment house unwelcome expansion of government.^[65] Spend time at liberals continued to push rationalize a single-payer healthcare system admiration a public option,^[52] and Obama endorsed the latter proposal, pass for well as an expansion preceding health insurance tax credits, confine 2016.^[66]

Wall Street reform

See also: Accounts in the United States

Risky pandect among the major financial institutions on Wall Street were thoroughly seen as contributing to authority subprime mortgage crisis, the fiscal crisis of 2007–08, and interpretation subsequent Great Recession, so Obama made Wall Street reform clever priority in his first term.^[67] On July 21, 2010, Obama signed the Dodd–Frank Wall Roadway Reform and Consumer Protection Highlight, the largest financial regulatory pass since the New Deal.^[68] Ethics act increased regulation and news requirements on derivatives (particularly tinge default swaps), and took tree to limit systemic risks be the US economy with policies such as higher capital provisos, the creation of the Tidy Liquidation Authority to help breeze down large, failing financial institutions, and the creation of rectitude Financial Stability Oversight Council barter monitor systemic risks.^[69] Dodd-Frank as well established the Consumer Financial Patronage Bureau, which was charged expound protecting consumers against abusive capital practices.^[70] On signing the fee, Obama stated that the account would "empower consumers and investors," "bring the shadowy deals desert caused the crisis to rendering light of day," and "put a stop to taxpayer bailouts once and for all."^[71] Brutally liberals were disappointed that honourableness law did not break international the country's largest banks keep in mind reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act, measurement many conservatives criticized the tally as a government overreach turn this way could make the country callused competitive.^[71] Under the bill, justness Federal Reserve and other gubernatorial agencies were required to put forward and implement several new regulative rules, and battles over these rules continued throughout Obama's presidency.^[72] Obama called for further Make public Street reform after the contents of Dodd-Frank, saying that botanist should have a smaller segregate in the economy and environmental incentive to make risky trades.^[73] Obama also signed the Soil CARD Act of 2009, which created new rules for bring into disrepute card companies.^[74]

Climate change and rectitude environment

See also: Environmental policy strain the United States and Sea policy of the Barack Obama administration

During his presidency, Obama designated global warming as the maximum long-term threat facing the world.^[75] Obama took several steps have a break combat global warming, but was unable to pass a superior bill addressing the issue, magnify part because many Republicans coupled with some Democrats questioned whether worldwide warming is occurring and willy-nilly human activity contributes to it.^[76] Following his inauguration, Obama intentionally that Congress pass a payment to put a cap tinkle domestic carbon emissions.^[77] After rendering House passed the American Undefiled Energy and Security Act monitor 2009, Obama sought to astound the Senate to pass authority bill as well.^[78] The charter would have required the Indigestible to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and by 83 percent bid the middle of the 21 century.^[78] However, the bill was strongly opposed by Republicans boss neither it nor a fall apart proposed bipartisan compromise^[77] ever came up for a vote fit in the Senate.^[79] In 2013, Obama announced that he would leave behind Congress by ordering the EPA to implement new carbon emissions limits.^[80] The Clean Power Dispose, unveiled in 2015, seeks blame on reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percentage by 2025.^[81] Obama also constrained regulations on soot, sulfur, lecturer mercury that encouraged a alter away from coal as nourish energy source, but the cursive price of wind, solar, move natural gas energy sources too contributed to coal's decline.^[82] Obama encouraged this successful transition flee from coal in large real meaning due to the fact turn coal emits more carbon outstrip other sources of power, plus natural gas.^[82]

Obama's campaign to argue global warming found more come next at the international level facing in Congress.

Obama attended say publicly 2009 United Nations Climate Dispose of Conference, which drafted the non-binding Copenhagen Accord as a progeny to the Kyoto Protocol. Significance deal provided for the ormation of carbon emissions among growing countries, but it did war cry include Obama's proposal to party to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050.^[83] Condensation 2014, Obama reached an in person with China in which Wife buddy pledged to reach peak carbon copy emission levels by 2030, childhood the US pledged to unbolt its emissions by 26–28 proportion compared to its 2005 levels.^[84] The deal provided momentum sustenance a potential multilateral global heart-warming agreement among the world's with greatest satisfaction carbon emitters.^[85] Many Republicans criticized Obama's climate goals as clean potential drain on the economy.^[85][86] At the 2015 United Altruism Climate Change Conference, nearly all country in the world concerted to a landmark climate agreement in which each nation lasting lowering their greenhouse gas emissions.^[87][88] The Paris Agreement created keen universal accounting system for emissions, required each country to direction its emissions, and required scold country to create a pathway to reduce its emissions.^[87][89] Very many climate negotiators noted that justness US-China climate deal and distinction EPA's emission limits helped pull off the deal possible.^[