• Marine national monument that will permanently protect nearly 5,000 square miles of underwater canyons and mountains off the coast of New England designated by President Obama
    Sep 15 2016
  • Median household income up 5.2% for the first time in over seven years due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income Americans
  • Poverty rate at its lowest level since 1999 due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income Americans
  • Marine national monument that will permanently protect 582,578 square miles of land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands designated by President Obama
    Aug 26 2016
  • 87,500 acres of wildlife, forests, rivers and mountains in Maine’s North Woods designated as a national monument that will be protected by the National Park Service
  • Scientists researching the potential benefits of medical marijuana can apply to grow their own marijuana after the DEA lifted the ban limiting the number of institutions allowed grow the plant
  • 214 prisoners serving excessive and unfair prison sentences for nonviolent crimes have sentences commuted
    Aug 03 2016
  • Transgender Americans able to serve openly in the military after the Department of Defense lifted a ban prohibiting them from serving
  • All Freedom of Information request responses to be posted online after a successful pilot program was permanately expanded and signed into law
    Jun 30 2016
  • Students who were defrauded or had their contract breached by a college or university can more easily petition to have their student loans forgiven under new rules by the Department of Education
    Jun 13 2016
  • 42 prisoners serving excessive and unfair prison sentences for nonviolent crimes have sentences commuted
    Jun 03 2016
  • Suggested maximum daily sugar amount added to nutritional labels for the first time under new labeling rules by the Food and Drug Administration
    May 20 2016
  • First openly gay Secretary of the Army confirmed unanimously by the Senate
  • Over four million Americans to qualify for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week under new rule by the Labor Department that raised the salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 per year
    May 17 2016
  • Environmentally dangerous methane emissions from the oil and gas sector regulated for the first time under new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency
    May 12 2016
  • Transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the bathrooms of their gender identity under new rule by the Obama Administration
    May 12 2016
  • American bison named as the first national mammal after the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into law
    May 09 2016
  • Stonewall Inn named the first national monument honoring the history of gays and lesbians in the United States
  • 40 ISIS operatives responsible for multiple attacks in Europe and the Middle East killed by Delta Force and Navy SEAL commandos during various raids
  • First woman on American currency in more than 100 years will be Harriet Tubman after the Treasury Department announced she will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill
    Apr 20 2016
  • Individuals investing in retirement accounts protected under new rule requiring financial advisers to provide investment advice that puts their client's best interests above all else
  • 387,000 Americans unable to to work due to a permanent disability have their student loan debts forgiven by the Department of Education
    Apr 12 2016
  • Homeowners taken advantage of by deceptive mortgage practices from Goldman Sachs to receive monetary relief after agreement between the bank and the Justice Department
    Apr 11 2016
  • American banks must identify the owners of shell companies they do business with under a new rule by the Treasury Department
    Apr 10 2016
  • Gender neutral restrooms available for White House staff and visitors so individuals can use the bathroom that conforms to their gender identity
    Apr 07 2016
  • Sentences reduced and adapted for 61 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimes
    Mar 30 2016
  • Hazardous industrial material crystalline silica which is known to pose serious risks of incurable lung disease and lung cancer regulated to lower the allowable exposure limit
    Mar 23 2016
  • Workers must be informed of their employers and its contractors direct or indirect persuading against forming a union under a new rule by the Labor Department
    Mar 23 2016
  • Cuban citizens witnessed Cuban President Raul Castro take questions from the media for the first time during press conference with President Obama
  • Public Wi-Fi areas in Cuba greatly expanded since American telecommunication companies were allowed to do business in the country
  • President Obama becomes the first U.S. President to visit Cuba since 1928 after successful diplomatic negotiations
  • General Lori Robinson becomes first woman nominated to lead a combatant command in the United States military
    Mar 18 2016
  • Offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast prohibited after local communities voiced strong opposition
  • Cubans may open U.S. bank accounts under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce Departments
  • U.S. citizens may travel to Cuba for people-to-people educational reasons under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce Departments
  • Moderates winning a majority in Iran's parliament and Assembly of Experts partially attributed to improved diplomacy and landmark nuclear deal with major world powers
  • American citizens may fly to Cuba for the first time in 50 years after the two countries sign an agreement restoring commercial air travel
  • All active duty service members eligible for 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave through new rule by the Department of Defense
  • Juveniles in federal prisons can no longer be placed in solitary confinement after executive order by President Obama
    Jan 25 2016
  • Consumers who reduce their electricity use during peak hours receive a discount through new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
    Jan 25 2016
  • Four United States citizens imprisoned in Iran released after a prisoner swap between the United States and Iran
  • Ten Yemeni detainees held at Guantanamo Bay for fourteen years transferred to Oman
    Jan 14 2016
  • New coal mining leases on public lands halted under new rule by the Department of Interior
    Jan 14 2016
  • Ten Navy sailors detained by Iran after accidentally sailing into their waters freed within 24 hours through diplomatic negotiations
  • Sentences reduced and adapted for 97 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimes
    Dec 18 2015
  • Female soldiers roles expanded to serve in any combat position
    Dec 03 2015
  • Final phase of Keystone pipeline rejected because it would not serve the national interest of the United States
  • Federal job applicants can't be denied employment solely for having a prior conviction
    Nov 02 2015
  • Sentences reduced and adapted for 6,000 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimes
    Oct 06 2015
  • First openly gay American nominated to become Secretary of the Army
  • Employees of Federal government contractors must be offered seven days of paid sick leave per year
    Sep 07 2015
  • Transgender Americans may not be discriminated against by health insurance companies or medical providers
    Sep 03 2015
  • Tallest mountain in North America renamed Mount Denali
    Aug 31 2015
  • First openly transgender person hired by White House to work as civilian employee
  • Each state must reduce carbon emissions by set amounts by 2030
    Aug 04 2015
  • Sexual orientation discrimination against Federal employees ruled illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
    Jul 16 2015
  • Six major world powers reach agreement with Iran to curb their nuclear program
    Jul 14 2015
  • Sentences commuted for 46 people serving excessive & unfair punishment for nonviolent crimes
    Jul 13 2015
  • National monuments consist of 260 Million Acres throughout America
    Jul 12 2015
  • United States and Cuba re-open embassies after 54 year diplomatic freeze
  • Government mandated threshold for all hourly workers to qualify for overtime pay increased from $23,660 to $50,440.
    Jun 30 2015
  • 53 political prisoners in Cuba released as a show of good will in the ongoing restoratiation of diplomatic relationship between the two countries
  • United States restores diplomatic relationship with Cuba after 50 year freeze
  • President Obama issues executive order allowing the parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents to continue residing in the United States
    Nov 20 2014
  • China and the United States agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to twenty-five percent by 2030
    Nov 12 2014
  • President Obama signs executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminting against LGBT individuals
  • International Trade Data System created to streamline small business Export/Import process
  • Minimum wage for Federal Contractors raised to $10.10 per hour.
    Feb 12 2014
  • Federal Government reopens after 16 day shutdown defeating Republican partisan attempt to cancel health care benefits for millions under Obamacare
  • President Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have first formal communication between the two nations in 35 years
  • Syria agrees to dismantle chemical weapons stockpile after deal reached between the Obama Administration and Russia
  • Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court
  • President Obama becomes first sitting president to publicly support marriage equality
  • Federal unemployment benefits programs extended an additional 13 to 20 weeks
  • Cuts in Medicare physician payment rates averted with extension of existing rates through 2012
  • Employee social security payroll tax reduction from 6.2% to 4.2 % extended through 2012
  • Self-employed social security payroll tax reduction from 12.4% to 10.4 % extended through 2012
  • US government international campaign initiated to build respect for the human rights of LGBT persons worldwide
    Dec 06 2011
  • Defense of Marriage Act declared unconstitutional and no longer defended in federal courts by the Obama Administration
    Feb 23 2011
  • US sponsored measure to include “sexual orientation” in the definition of human rights adopted by the UN General Assembly, 122- 0.
    Dec 22 2010
  • Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military
  • $193 million saved over five years by eliminating recruiting and retraining costs of replacing soldiers discharged due to DADT
  • $30 billion lending program created for community banks with incentives to increase small business lending
  • $12 billion in assistance for small businesses through eight separate tax cuts
  • Long-term economic stability improved through new FDIC powers to liquidate failing financial firms such as insurance companies and non-bank financial companies
  • Borrowers protected from bad loans with rules and penalties requiring that lenders verify that they are able to repay the loans that they issue
  • Financial Stability Oversight Council established to identify and monitor excessive risks to the U.S. financial system
  • Future economic downturns minimized with new rules and transparency regarding bank trading in credit default swaps and derivatives including the "Volker Rule"
  • Risk in the financial system reduced with new SEC Office of Credit Ratings (OCR) to monitor credit rating agencies for conflict of interests & inaccuracies
  • FDIC bank deposit insurance increased from $100,000 to $250,000
  • Transparency of Federal Reserve improved with additional government oversight and new audits to be performed by the GAO
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau established to promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer financial products
  • Federal benefits extended to same sex partners of workers through memorandum by Obama administration
  • Transgender Americans able to list their gender identity on their passports under rule issued by the State Department
  • $68 billion to expand Pell grants & make it easier for students to repay outstanding loans after graduation through savings in the federal student loan program
    Mar 30 2010
  • $2 billion investment to laid off workers for education and career training programs in community colleges over four years starting in 2010
    Mar 30 2010
  • People denied coverage for a pre-existing condition given access to a temporary high risk health insurance plan
    Mar 23 2010
  • Children under 19 can no longer be denied coverage or benefits for a pre-existing condition
    Mar 23 2010
  • Young adults can stay on parent's insurance plan up until age 26
    Mar 23 2010
  • $250 rebate for those in the Medicare Prescription drug "donut hole" during 2010
    Mar 23 2010
  • 50% discount on prescription drug costs for seniors in the Medicare "donut hole" starting in 2011
    Mar 23 2010
  • Health care insurance plans prohibited from putting a lifetime limit on the benefits you receive
    Mar 23 2010
  • Annual dollar limits on health benefits restricted and phased out by 2014
    Mar 23 2010
  • Insurers selling to groups of 50 or more employees must spend 85% of premiums on medical care and quality improvement
    Mar 23 2010
  • Consumers guaranteed the right to choose the primary care doctor or pediatrician from their health plan’s provider network
    Mar 23 2010
  • HIV Testing Will Now Be Covered Under Obamacare
    Mar 23 2010
  • Consumers are guaranteed the right to appeal decisions made by their health insurance provider
    Mar 23 2010
  • Women are no longer charged higher premiums because of their gender
    Mar 23 2010
  • Preventative services will be covered at no additional cost
    Mar 23 2010
  • Insurance companies must provide consumers a short, easy to understand summary of their benefits and coverage
    Mar 23 2010
  • Health insurance companies can not charge higher premiums for out of network emergency room care
    Mar 23 2010
  • People with a pre-existing condition cannot be denied health coverge by an insurance company starting in 2014
    Mar 23 2010
  • $143 billion in deficit reduction estimated between 2010-2019 from health care reform law provisions
    Mar 23 2010
  • Mental health and drug addiction coverage is an "essential benefit" that can not be denied
    Mar 23 2010
  • Insurance companies must spend 80% of the money raised from consumers premiums on health care and quality improvement
    Mar 23 2010
  • Social Security payroll tax credits in 2010 for employers that hired people who have been unemployed for 60+ days
    Mar 18 2010
  • Tax credits to employers who keep new hires for 52 weeks to encourage retention of new hires
    Mar 18 2010
  • $17.5 billion in tax cuts, business credits and subsidies for state and local construction bonds to stimulate business investment and hiring
    Mar 18 2010
  • $20 billion to the highway trust fund for spending on highway and transit programs.
    Mar 18 2010
  • Encourages job creation by expanding investments in schools and clean energy projects
    Mar 18 2010
  • Offsets costs through a 30 percent withholding tax on income from certain U.S. financial assets held by foreign banks who have not agreed to disclosures.
    Mar 18 2010
  • Discrimination based on gender identity banned in federal workplaces
    Jan 01 2010
  • Liquidation of General Motors and Chrysler avoided through government mandated restructuring plans and conditional investment and loan programs
  • 115,000 jobs created at General Motors and Chrysler since government financing and restructuring implemented
    2009
  • 1.45 million American jobs saved overall by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidation
    2009
  • $96 billion in personal income losses avoided by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidation
    2009
  • $28.6 billion net public benefit in income taxes and social security taxes paid because liquidation of GM and Chrysler avoided
    2009
  • People with HIV/AIDS no longer prohibited from entering the United States
    Oct 30 2009
  • Federal hate crime law expanded to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
  • Existing hate crime laws strengthened with funding to investigate and prosecute those crimes
  • First-ever reception at the White House honoring Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual Pride Month hosted by the President and First lady
    Jun 29 2009
  • Homeowners' foreclosures avoided by improved terms for loan modification and restructuring of their debt
  • Lenders incentivized to reduce foreclosures by loss mitigation guarantees, compensation and lender protection from lawsuits by investors holding the loans
  • $2.2 billion appropriated to help communities address the homeless crisis.
  • Restrictions eased on Cuba travel, money transfers, and cellular telephone/satellite service.
  • Deeper recession or depression averted in 2009 and beyond with the help of stimulus bill provisions
  • Approximately 2.7 million jobs added to US payrolls and unemployment rate kept 1½ percentage points lower due to Stimulus spending
  • 2010 real GDP increased by about 3.4% due to stimulus spending
  • Tax credit of $400 per worker ($800 per couple) for middle income workers for 2009 & 2010 totaling $116 billion
  • $82.2 billion in aid for low income workers, unemployed and retirees (including job training)
  • $70 billion in tax relief for middle class workers by patching the Alternative Minimum Tax for one year
  • $155 billion in health care assistance for the poor & unemployed primarily for Medicaid, health information technology and insurance premium subsidies
  • $100 billion in education aid to prevent lay-offs, modernize schools, award Pell grants and help low income children & special education programs
  • $48.1 billion in investments for highway, bridge, high-speed rail & other transportation projects
  • 4 million more children insured under SCHIP in addition to the 6.6 million already covered
  • Statute of limitations on filing equal-pay lawsuits eased by setting period to start from the date of the most recent paycheck.
  • Pay discrimination based on gender, race, color, national origin, age and disability prohibited.
  • Employers prompted to review, develop and update their criteria on employee compensation to ensure they are applied consistently and uniformly.
  • Use of torture by CIA and military to interrogate prisoners prohibited.
    Jan 21 2009