Published on October 18, 2004 By drmiler In Politics
Can any of you Kerry supporters tell me what John Kerry has done in 20 years in the senate? I've been told that he has only passed 5 bills in 20 years. Can you offer proof to show different?
Comments
on Oct 18, 2004
Bills Kerry co-sponsored that became law:

2003: Fund nanotechnology research & development
2001: Increase SBA loan subsidies for small businesses
2001: Establish Maritime Security grants for ports and vessels
2001: Federalize aviation security
1997: Collect data on birth defects and present to the public
1997: Fund 2,500 Boys and Girls Clubs in underserved areas
1996: Establish an FBI registry of sexual offendors
1996: Educational assistance to survivors of injured federal police
1995: Fund studies of sustainable fisheries
1995: Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem

He and John McCain negotiated an agreement with Vietnam to provide a full accounting for POW-MIAs. He wrote the first bill reducing acid rain. He has repeatedly led the charge in protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling. He has passed legislation that shut down money laundering activities of terrorists and drug traffickers.

“When we tried to get past six years of talking tough on crime but nothing happening, rhetoric and rhetoric and rhetoric and no action, to put 100,000 police on the street, to ban deadly assault weapons to pass the Brady bill, the other side, [the Republicans] led the fight against it. But John Kerry helped us pass the toughest, smartest, best crime bill this country has seen in many a day, and the crime rate has gone down for four years in a row. John Kerry was on the right side of history.”
--Bill Clinton

“’The Kerry-Frist bill is a huge step forward,” said [current Majority Leader Bill] Frist. “It further validates U.S. leadership in the global effort to end devastation many countries face in the fight against HIV/AIDS’.” [Office of Senator Frist, press release 7/12/02] (Bush didn't want to give as much money as Kerry and Bill Frist, so the White House scrapped the bill)

Broke with the Democrats to vote to balance the budget in the 80's. Was one of the first to raise question about Iran-Contra.
on Oct 18, 2004
Im not a Kerry supporter, but this is ALL he has actually gotten passed, verified by a list I have of Kerry's voting record pulled from .gov info and Factcheck.org:

5 items of legislation that Kerry authored:

* S.791: Authorizes $53 million over four years to provide grants to woman-owned small businesses. (1999)
* S.1206: Names a federal building in Waltham, Massachusetts after Frederick C. Murphy, who was killed in action during World War II and awarded (posthumously) the Medal of Honor. (1994)
* S.1636: A save-the-dolphins measure aiming “to improve the program to reduce the incidental taking of marine mammals during the course of commercial fishing operations.” (1994)
* S.1563: Funding the National Sea Grant College Program, which supports university-based research, public education, and other projects “to promote better understanding, conservation and use of America’s coastal resources.” (1991)
* S.423: Granting a visa and admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident to Kil Joon Yu Callahan. (1987)

2 items legislated by Kerry but changed by the house before passing:

* H.R.1900 (S.300): Awarded a congressional gold medal to Jackie Robinson (posthumously), and called for a national day of recognition. (2003)
* H.R.1860 (S.856): Increased the maximum research grants for small businesses from $500,000 to $750,000 under the Small Business Technology Transfer Program. (2001)

4 joint resolutions by Kerry and other Senators, all concern national events:

* S.J.Res.158: To make the week of Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 1989 “World Population Awareness Week.” (1989)
* S.J.Res.160: To renew “World Population Awareness Week” for 1991. (1991)
* S.J.Res.318: To make Nov. 13, 1992 “Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day.” (1992)
* S.J.Res.337: To make Sept. 18, 1992 “National POW/MIA Recognition Day." (1992)

This makes up 11 items, a vast difference to what the Kerry campaign claims. The other 45 items they claim Kerry worked on during his 20 years were all shot down. 56 items in 20 years? No wonder he hasn't resigned from his seat on the Senate... if he loses I'd want my cushy job back as well.Despite the fact it is a long standing tradition for Senators running for the White House to step down so their district can be represented properly. Once again, Kerry cares more about his own political grabs for power than doing the peoples work.

Sorry Myrrander, your info is incorrect.
on Oct 18, 2004
Blah, if you would read, I listed bills that Kerry was CO SPONSOR of. That means he would not necessarily be the MAIN AUTHOR of them.

Really, it's pointless trying to tell you Republican robots anything.

on Oct 18, 2004

on the orther hand, Jeb's brother has a perfect record: Not One Bill Vetoed in 3+ years

"major combat mission is accomplished"

" now watch this swing"

pete

on Oct 18, 2004
Really, it's pointless trying to tell you Republican robots anything.


Take another sip of coffee, Myrrander. You're better when you're not in ad hominem mode.

Even if you include the co-sponsored bills, that's not very much for 20 years, but we have to admit that there is a lot of committee work (or is that circle jerk) going on all the time in DC. When you think about it, though, the issue cuts both ways. I'm personally grateful that's all he's "accomplished." Less Congress does, the better. Surprised all us Conservatives haven't jumped on the Kerry Do No Harm Bandwagon.

Cheers,
Daiwa
on Oct 18, 2004
Bills Kerry co-sponsored that became law:

2003: Fund nanotechnology research & development
2001: Increase SBA loan subsidies for small businesses
2001: Establish Maritime Security grants for ports and vessels
2001: Federalize aviation security
1997: Collect data on birth defects and present to the public
1997: Fund 2,500 Boys and Girls Clubs in underserved areas
1996: Establish an FBI registry of sexual offendors
1996: Educational assistance to survivors of injured federal police
1995: Fund studies of sustainable fisheries
1995: Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem


Interesting that your list does not go back farther than 1995. He was elected 10 years earlier. Did he sleep through the first 10 years in the Senate before he finally woke up and just became impotent?
on Oct 18, 2004

Reply #3 By: Myrrander - 10/18/2004 12:11:24 PM
Blah, if you would read, I listed bills that Kerry was CO SPONSOR of. That means he would not necessarily be the MAIN AUTHOR of them.

Really, it's pointless trying to tell you Republican robots anything.


Republican robot huh? I didn't ask for bills he co-sponsered. I asked for stuff he's done. Co-sponsering is nothing more than climbing on somone elses bandwagon for the ride. Now can you tell me what *he* has done in 20 years?
on Oct 18, 2004
A question for a fellow blogger: Shouldnt you be teaching school today? I know Id be a little irritated if my childrens teachers were browsing online forums...
Still, your list is WRONG. Research is key to educating.

Republican robot my shiny ass.