Restarted international nuclear nonproliferation talks (Bush withdrew from them) and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions suspended under Bush Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office Banned the export of cluster bombs Overturned Bush era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning that was suspended during the Bush era Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive Renewed loan guarantees for Israel Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israelis economic and financial needs Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of USArab relations Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations Economy Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) years of neglect during the Bush era Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (1/3 of which was in tax cuts for workingclass families, 1/3 of which was to the states for infrastructure projects, and 1/3 of which was to the states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls) Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy toxic assets from failing financial institutions Authorized the Cash for Clunkers program that helped stimulate auto sales (with the related environmental/energy benefit of getting old, inefficient, polluting cars off the road) Convened a jobs summit to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance Ended the Bush era policy of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from the credit card industrys predatory practices Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses After former presidents of both parties refused such action (George W. Bush refused four times), Obama placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally dumping exports below cost In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again Called on Congress to deliver a Jobs bill in 2010 Taxes Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy uses the savings to promote insourcing investments to bring jobs back to the US Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of working families Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery In November 2009, Obama extended the Home Buyers Credit for firsttime home buyers Proposed doubling the child tax credit Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (families earning over $250,000/year) Budgeting Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (the NPO reports to the director of the Office of Management & Budget) Overturned the Bushera practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller); such off budget items are now included in the annual budget This includes appropriations for war This includes emergency appropriations Proposed a threeyear freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary Healthcare kattq
