Allowed the State Department of offer samesex benefits for employees Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy and commissioned a study After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment discrimination laws Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference (November 2009), inviting representatives from 564 federallyrecognized Indian tribes Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health Service Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands Education Policy Authorized construction funds for highspeed, broadband Internet access in K12 public schools Increased funding for school construction Increased funding available for student loans Expanded the national youth service program Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their loans Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform Initiated a Race to the Top competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative policies Instituted a judgment review allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than the previous years finances Launched Educate to Innovate, a public/private partnership making $236 million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of their income) Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public service jobs Other Domestic Policies & Initiatives New federal funding for science and research labs Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud Beginning discussions for comprehensive immigration reform Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage Ordered a review of existing mandatory minimum prison sentencing Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays Restored the EPA to Cabinet level status (this was the case under Clinton but not Bush) FEMA once again reports directly to the president (this was the case under Clinton but not Bush) Haiti Disaster Response The FBIs National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief Announced the ClintonBush Haiti Fund Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a person finder online to help families and friends to locate loved ones Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K. Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in Haiti Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel Timely dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Portau Prince P.S. A swing set was installed for the Obama girls outside the Oval Office and a garden was planted for the White Houses vegetables and flowers
