But Wait: There's More!

by hilzoy

For all you policy junkies who were absolutely riveted by my last post, here's more: a list of substantive bills of which Clinton and Obama were original co-sponsors in the 109th and 110th Congresses, and a list of substantive amendments of which they were original co-sponsors in the 110th. (The amendments in the 109th is what I haven't finished yet.)

This list undoubtedly includes too much, since it's possible to co-sponsor a bill you did not help write. I just don't know how to narrow it down further. It's probably a good idea to look at how many co-sponsors each bill has: in the case of S. 761, which has 69 co-sponsors, the fact that Clinton was among them is less likely to be significant than in the case of a bill for which she is the only co-sponsor. Where the Congressional Record helps, I note that fact.

Methodology: I list only bills/amendments that they are described as having sponsored as early as possible: in the Congressional Record if that's available, on the first possible day when they could have co-sponsored if not. I exclude bills/amendments that are largely ceremonial (e.g., naming post offices, directing that coins be struck, etc.); bills that are of merely local interest (counting bills about NYC and 9/11 as being of more than local interest); bills that simply state policy or require a report; and bills that appropriate less than $50 million and do nothing else not covered in one of the earlier exclusions.

In what follows, an asterisk means: both candidates were original co-sponsors of this bill/amendment.

110th Congress: Bills Co-sponsored by Clinton:

S.657: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding trauma care, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Sen Reed, Jack [RI] (introduced 2/16/2007) Cosponsors (11) Note: For further action, see H.R.727, which became Public Law 110-23 on 5/3/2007.

* S.761: A bill to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy. Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 3/5/2007) Cosponsors (69) Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Senate incorporated this measure in H.R. 2272 as an amendment. Note: For further action, see H.R.2272, which became Public Law 110-69 on 8/9/2007. Another note: HRC co-sponsor, along with basically everyone; no record of her playing central role, nor did she speak on its behalf.

S.992: A bill to achieve emission reductions and cost savings through accelerated use of cost-effective lighting technologies in public buildings, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 3/27/2007) Cosponsors (11) Note: This bill text was generally incorporated in S. 1419, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, as reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. CR: "Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the ``Public Buildings Cost Reduction Act of 2007.'' I am joined by my Environment and Public Works Committee colleagues Senators INHOFE, LAUTENBERG, ALEXANDER, CARDIN, LIEBERMAN, CLINTON, and KLOBUCHAR."

S.2106: A bill to provide nationwide subpoena authority for actions brought under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. Sponsor: Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [DE] (introduced 9/27/2007) Cosponsors (7) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-113. CR: "By Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SCHUMER, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. CRAPO, and Mr. MARTINEZ)"

110th Congress: Bills Co-sponsored by Obama:

* S.761: A bill to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy. Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 3/5/2007) Cosponsors (69) Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Senate incorporated this measure in H.R. 2272 as an amendment. Note: For further action, see H.R.2272, which became Public Law 110-69 on 8/9/2007. Another note: Obama co-sponsor, along with basically everyone; no record of him playing central role, nor did he speak on its behalf.

S.962: A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize and improve the carbon capture and storage research, development, and demonstration program of the Department of Energy and for other purposes._Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (15) Note: This bill and S. 731 became Title III of S. 1321, the Energy Savings Act of 2007, as reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. CR: "Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be able to introduce the Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007, along with my co-sponsors, Senators DOMENICI, TESTER, BUNNING, SALAZAR, OBAMA, and WEBB."

S.2488: A bill to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes._Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 12/14/2007) Cosponsors (17) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-175. (CR: no indication that Obama played a major role.)

110th Congress: Amendments Co-sponsored by Clinton

S.AMDT.299 to S.4 To authorize NTIA to borrow against anticipated receipts of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund to initiate migration to a national IP-enabled emergency network capable of receiving and responding to all citizen activated emergency communications. Sponsor: Sen Stevens, Ted [AK] (introduced 3/1/2007) Cosponsors (6) Latest Major Action: 3/13/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 299 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.337 to S.4 To provide for the use of funds in any grant under the Homeland Security Grant Program for personnel costs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 3/5/2007) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 3/13/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 337 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.596 to S.CON.RES.21 To increase LIHEAP spending by $703 million in FY 2008 for a total LIHEAP level of $3.2 billion, divided between the regular and contingency grant funds at FY 2006 levels. _Sponsor: Sen Reed, Jack [RI] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (13) Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 596 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.1053 to S.1082 to modify provisions related to pediatric testing and medical products. Sponsor: Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] (introduced 5/7/2007) Cosponsors (3) Latest Major Action: 5/8/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1053 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.1515 to H.R.6 To establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program. Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 6/12/2007) Cosponsors (4) Latest Major Action: 6/12/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1515 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.1572 to H.R.6 To reduce United States dependence on foreign oil by promoting the development of plug-in electric vehicles, deploying near-term programs to electrify the transportation sector, and including electric drive vehicles in the fleet purchasing programs. Sponsor: Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] (introduced 6/14/2007) Cosponsors (13) Latest Major Action: 6/14/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1572 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

S.AMDT.1660 to H.R.6 To modify sections to provide for the use of geothermal heat pumps. Sponsor: Sen Inhofe, James M. [OK] (introduced 6/19/2007) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 6/21/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1660 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2220 to H.R.1585 To authorize the payment of inactive duty training travel costs for certain Selected Reserve members. Sponsor: Sen Sessions, Jeff [AL] (introduced 7/16/2007) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 9/17/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2220 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2251 to H.R.1585 To provide justice for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. Sponsor: Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] (introduced 7/16/2007) Cosponsors (20) Latest Major Action: 9/26/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2251 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2262 to H.R.1585 To modify the sunset date for the Office of the Ombudsman of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] (introduced 7/16/2007) Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 9/20/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2262 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2377 to S.1642 To provide loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders. Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 7/23/2007) Cosponsors (4) Latest Major Action: 7/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2377 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

* S.AMDT.2402 to H.R.1538 In the nature of a substitute. Sponsor: Sen Levin, Carl [MI] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (51) Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2402 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2631 to H.R.976 To expand family and medical leave in support of servicemembers with combat-related injuries. Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 8/2/2007) Cosponsors (16) Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2631 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

* S.AMDT.2719 to H.R.2764 To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 9/6/2007) Cosponsors (12) Latest Major Action: 9/6/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2719 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 41. Record Vote Number: 319.

S.AMDT.2792 to H.R.3074 To expand the extension of authority of the Secretary of Transportation and provide additional obligation authority for the highway bridge program. Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 9/10/2007) Cosponsors (11) Latest Major Action: 9/10/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2792 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 33. Record Vote Number: 329.

* S.AMDT.2797 to H.R.3074 To prohibit the establishment of a program that allows Mexican truck drivers to operate beyond the commercial zones near the Mexican border. Sponsor: Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND] (introduced 9/10/2007) Cosponsors (6) Latest Major Action: 9/11/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2797 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 75 - 23. Record Vote Number: 331.

* S.AMDT.2999 to H.R.1585 To provide for the study and investigation of wartime contracts and contracting processes in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 9/20/2007) Cosponsors (31) Latest Major Action: 9/27/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2999 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.3250 to H.R.3093 To provide necessary expenses for return to flight activities associated with the space shuttle and to provide that funding for such expenses is designated as emergency spending. Sponsor: Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] (introduced 10/4/2007) Cosponsors (12) Latest Major Action: 10/4/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3250 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.3256 to H.R.3093 To appropriate an additional $110,000,000 for community oriented policing services and to provide a full offset for such amount. _Sponsor: Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [DE] (introduced 10/4/2007) Cosponsors (29) Latest Major Action: 10/15/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3256 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

110th Congress: Amendments Co-sponsored by Obama:

S.AMDT.3 to S.1 In the nature of a substitute. Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 1/9/2007) Cosponsors (8) Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 3 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. A substitute for the big ethics bill. CR: "SA 3. Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Obama, Mr. Salazar, and Mr. Durbin)"

S.AMDT.4 to S.1 To strengthen the gift and travel bans. Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 1/9/2007) Cosponsors (4) Latest Major Action: 1/17/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 4 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 88 - 9. Record Vote Number: 15.

S.AMDT.15 to S.1 To require Senate committees and subcommittees to make available by the Internet a video recording, audio recording, or transcript of any meeting not later than 14 business days after the meeting occurs. Sponsor: Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] (introduced 1/10/2007) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 1/10/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 15 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.31 to S.1 To prohibit former Members of Congress from engaging in lobbying activities in addition to lobbying contacts during their cooling off period. Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/11/2007) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 31 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.33 to S.1 To prohibit former Members who are lobbyists from using gym and parking privileges made available to Members and former Members. Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/11/2007) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 33 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.529 to S.CON.RES.21 To increase funding for the COPS Program to $1.15 billion for FY 2008 to provide state and local law enforcement with critical resources necessary to prevent and respond to violent crime and acts of terrorism and is offset by an unallocated reduction to non-defense discretionary spending and/or reduction to administrative expenses. Sponsor: Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [DE] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (13) Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 529 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 65 - 33. Record Vote Number: 110.

S.AMDT.1009 to S.1082 To insert provisions relating to antibiotic access and innovation and certain enantiomer drugs. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 5/2/2007) Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 5/8/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1009 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.1169 to S.1348 To reduce to 200,000 the number of certain non-immigrants permitted to be admitted during a fiscal year. Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 5/23/2007) Cosponsors (4) Latest Major Action: 5/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1169 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 175.

S.AMDT.2132 to H.R.1585 To provide and enhance rehabilitative treatment and services to veterans with traumatic brain injury and to improve health care and benefits programs for veterans. Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 7/12/2007) Cosponsors (12) Latest Major Action: 7/12/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2132 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2268 to H.R.1585 To provide for an increase in the number of nurses and faculty. Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 7/16/2007) Cosponsors (10) Latest Major Action: 9/17/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2268 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

* S.AMDT.2402 to H.R.1538 In the nature of a substitute. Sponsor: Sen Levin, Carl [MI] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (51) Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2402 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2467 to H.R.2638 To authorize the release of data used to determine eligibility for assistance under title IV of the Robert T Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2467 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2509 to H.R.2638 To mitigate the health risks posed by hazardous chemicals in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] (introduced 7/26/2007) Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2509 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

* S.AMDT.2719 to H.R.2764 To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 9/6/2007) Cosponsors (12) Latest Major Action: 9/6/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2719 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 41. Record Vote Number: 319.

* S.AMDT.2797 to H.R.3074 To prohibit the establishment of a program that allows Mexican truck drivers to operate beyond the commercial zones near the Mexican border. Sponsor: Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND] (introduced 9/10/2007) Cosponsors (6) Latest Major Action: 9/11/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2797 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 75 - 23. Record Vote Number: 331.

S.AMDT.2872 to H.R.1585 To assist certain Iraqis who have worked directly with, or are threatened by their association with, the United States. Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] (introduced 9/17/2007) Cosponsors (17) Latest Major Action: 9/27/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2872 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2893 to H.R.1585 To enhance the national defense through empowerment of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau. Sponsor: Sen Bond, Christopher S. [MO] (introduced 9/18/2007) Cosponsors (24) Latest Major Action: 9/20/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2893 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2962 to H.R.1585 To implement the recommendations of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health. Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 9/20/2007) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 9/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2962 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

S.AMDT.2969 to H.R.1585 To provide for the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Military Eye Injuries. Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 9/20/2007) Cosponsors (6) Latest Major Action: 9/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2969 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

* S.AMDT.2999 to H.R.1585 To provide for the study and investigation of wartime contracts and contracting processes in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 9/20/2007) Cosponsors (31) Latest Major Action: 9/27/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2999 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

109th Congress: Bills Co-sponsored by Clinton:

S.50: A bill to authorize and strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami detection, forecast, warning, and mitigation program, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/24/2005) Cosponsors (25) Note: For further action, see H.R.1674, which became Public Law 109-424 on 12/20/2006. (Note: introductory remarks in the CR make it sound as though Inouye and Stevens did the work on this one.)

S.418: A bill to protect members of the Armed Forces from unscrupulous practices regarding sales of insurance, financial, and investment products. Sponsor: Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] (introduced 2/17/2005) Cosponsors (12) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-290. CR lists the original sponsor and co-sponsors as "By Mr. ENZI (for himself, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. HAGEL, and Mr. SCHUMER)"; Enzi then begins: "I rise today with my colleague from New York", which could be either Schumer or Clinton; I suspect that the fact that Clinton is listed before Schumer, contrary to seniority, means it's her.

S.467: A bill to extend the applicability of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002. Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 2/18/2005) Cosponsors (33) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-144

* S.1172: A bill to provide for programs to increase the awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers with respect to gynecologic cancers. Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 6/6/2005) Cosponsors (45) Note: For further action, see H.R.1245, which became Public Law 109-475 on 1/12/2007.

S.2653: A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to make efforts to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas. Sponsor: Sen Stevens, Ted [AK] (introduced 4/26/2006) Cosponsors (44) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-459

109th Congress: Bills Co-sponsored by Obama:

S.728 : A bill to provide for the consideration and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes._Sponsor: Sen Bond, Christopher S. [MO] (introduced 4/6/2005) Cosponsors (19) Note: On 7/19/2006, the Senate incorporated S. 728 in H.R. 2864. See H.R. 2864 for further action.

* S.1172 : A bill to provide for programs to increase the awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers with respect to gynecologic cancers. Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 6/6/2005) Cosponsors (45) Note: For further action, see H.R.1245, which became Public Law 109-475 on 1/12/2007.

S.2590 : A bill to require full disclosure of all entities and organizations receiving Federal funds. Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] (introduced 4/6/2006) Cosponsors (47) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-282. Note: though there are 47 co-sponsors, Coburn introduced the bill as follows: "Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, today, along with Senators BARACK OBAMA, THOMAS CARPER, and JOHN MCCAIN, I introduced legislation to create an online public database that itemizes Federal funding."

S.2703 : A bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 5/3/2006) Cosponsors (57) Note: For further action, see H.R.9, which became Public Law 109-246 on 7/27/2006.

S.4044 : A bill to clarify the treatment of certain charitable contributions under title 11, United States Code. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 9/29/2006) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-439 Summary: "Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Clarification Act of 2006 - Amends federal bankruptcy law with respect to calculation of the projected disposable income of an individual with regular income to meet the requirements for court confirmation of a plan for adjustment of the individual's debts. Removes charitable contributions from the statutory formula used to determine what portion of such contributions is reasonably necessary to be expended for such purposes from a debtor's current monthly income. (Thus allows full deduction of such contributions from current monthly income to arrive at disposable income, consistent with the requirements of the Religious Liberty and Charitable Contribution Protection Act of 1998.)"

Comments

[Batocchio]

Oooh. You're making my wonky heart go all aflutter. I'll have to take some time to pore over these in detail, but thanks very much for providing this.

[Jason Williams]

Someone's been busy :-)

Seriously though, thanks very much for doing this. It is a very interesting read.

[rawdawgbuffalo]

well if obama doesnt get the nod, i hope the dems wont run into a brick wall

[publius]

very useful, but we should be wary of co-sponsorship alone. For one, it's a common tactic to give the appearance of doing something without actually doing anything. For instance, when I was on the Hill, i did a lot of letter answering. People would write in about something and we'd try to stick some reference to a bill that the congress-person had co-sponsored.

Less cynically, it's just not always a good proxy for whether they're willing to work for something.

And in the worst case scenario, it can be misleading if they refuse to take certain action on the grounds that they've co-sponsored a bill that everyone knows won't be law.

[OCSteve]

Wow that’s a lot of effort hilzoy. Thanks for this.

[hilzoy]

publius: yes, I am pretty wary of that, which is why I excluded all the bills that the candidates weren't cosponsors on from the get-go. I'm pretty sure this includes a lot of stuff that the candidates did not personally work on.

On the other hand, not including cosponsored bills has its own problems -- see, for instance, the list of ethics amendments Obama co-sponsored in the 110th, which he worked a lot on. The main bill was sponsored by Harry Reid, and while that might be because he actually wrote it, it might also be because he's the Majority Leader, and having him as sponsor gives it clout. What I'm sure of is that Obama was heavily involved in creating those bills, and so not including them seemed to run into problems of its own.

[hilzoy]

Oh, one more thing: one reason why I specifically excluded bills and amendments that didn't actually become law is that I wanted to test effectiveness, but another was precisely to exclude bills and amendments that people wrote or co-sponsored knowing that they wouldn't become law.

[Curt Adams]

Hilzoy - that's lots of work, thanks much.

Just glancing at the list seems to verify my previous impressions about substantive work. Obama is involved in lobbyist reform and the Obama-Coburn sunshine amendment. Both are involved auditing the Iraq war and restricting Mexican truck drivers. Clinton isn't working on anything bold or substantive that Obama isn't in on too. Anybody care to disagree with me?

[Bill]

Kudos to Obama for supporting lobbying amendments (giving him the benefit of the doubt that he would support extending the provisions to the Presidency). Kudos also for being supporting government openness and protecting American truck drivers from Mexican truck drivers.

But really, we have $70 trillion in unfunded entitlement liabilities, growing by $3 trillion per year, and the rest of Obama’s list boils down to this (Clinton’s is similar):

110th Congress: Bills Co-sponsored by Obama:
S.761: Spend more money to improve ‘competitiveness’ (fund more government workers).
S.962: Spend more feel-good money to ‘capture’ Carbon Dioxide emissions (the energy, and resulting CO2 emission, necessary to do this doubles emissions; beer companies (with smart private sector people) have tried and failed to do this for decades with the CO2 given off from fermentation; and they still buy their CO2 in bottles)

110th Congress: Amendments Co-sponsored by Obama:
S.AMDT.529 to S.CON.RES.21: Spend more money on policemen.
S.AMDT.1169 to S.1348: ?
S.AMDT.2132 to H.R.1585: Spend more money on hospitals.
S.AMDT.2268 to H.R.1585: Spend more money on hospitals.
S.AMDT.2509 to H.R.2638: Spend more money on FEMA trailers.
* S.AMDT.2719 to H.R.2764: ???? But looks to me like a sell out to foreign NGOs (likely since Boxer initiated it).
S.AMDT.2872 to H.R.1585: Allow Iraqis to move to the US and get on the social safety net.
S.AMDT.2893 to H.R.1585: Spend more money on the National Guard.
S.AMDT.2962 to H.R.1585: Spend more money on hospitals
S.AMDT.2969 to H.R.1585: Spend more money on hospitals

Don’t get me started on his pledge to end poverty around the world.

Moody’s has warned the government that they will down-grade our credit rating unless the entitlement ‘crisis’ (it really is) is addressed. Instead of addressing the big issues, Congress makes things worse. Do our leaders think about what happens when we can’t borrow money any more? What will happen in America’s pockets of dependence?

I’ve got another prediction, and it isn’t pretty.

[hilzoy]

Bill: Here's the text of SA 2179:

"On page 410, between lines 15 and 16, insert the following:
REMOVAL OF CERTAIN RESTRICTIVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO FOREIGN NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Sec. 699B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, regulation, or policy, in determining eligibility for assistance authorized under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), foreign nongovernmental organizations shall not be ineligible for such assistance solely on the basis of health or medical services, including counseling and referral services, provided by such organizations with non-United States Government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided and would not violate United States Federal law if provided in the United States, and shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-United States Government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to United States nongovernmental organizations receiving assistance under part I of such Act."

I believe it's what's called "lifting the global gag rule": preventing the Bush administration from refusing to give funds to groups that provide abortions with non-US government funds (e.g., family planning groups, etc.)

Both Clinton and Obama were original co-sponsors.

[hilzoy]

About Clinton and substance: I quite like S 418 from the 109th, which protects military people from unscrupulous insurance salespeople, lenders, etc.

And for Bill: it's lucky that both Clinton and Obama support repealing the Bush tax cuts, isn't it.

[Bill]

Thanks Hilzoy;

I’ve read the text several times, and am still a little confused. Since I trust Senator Boxer and her husband about as far as I could throw them, and the text seems to involve giving tax money to foreign organizations, I’ll remain skeptical.

I think we can both agree that the energy put into H.R. 2764 is not addressing the civilizational issues that the Country is facing.

[hilzoy]

Actually, lifting the global gag rule was pretty important. The gag rule meant that if, say, we were giving money to stop HIV, we couldn't give it to any group that (with independent funds) provided abortions. A lot of good family planning groups did, and our rule meant that we didn't get to spend HIV prevention money in the most effective possible way. In some cases, it led to those groups needlessly dividing themselves into separate organizations, etc.

The bill in question doesn't appropriate any new money; it just says that the money that has been appropriated can be spent on groups that also provide abortions. And I actually think that doing HIV prevention right is fairly important.

[john miller]

Bill, I am really interested about the civilizational issues the country is facing. Care to elaborate, and please don't do the Muslim thing again.

[john miller]

Oh, and, if you want to go in that direction, the bill you are specifically referencing is actually very pertinent to that.

[Bill]

To echo the other comments; Hilzoy’s summaries have been some of the most informative stuff in a while. Thank you.

To answer John Miller, nobody is addressing the fact that we’re broke. Bush didn’t and neither will Obama or McCain. See the summary above. You can’t keep writing checks when you are broke. Everything else is window dressing.

The parallels between America/Russia-2008 and USSR/America-1980s are interesting:

In 1985, the wheels were coming off of the Soviet economy and they were squandering resources and national will in the Middle East. The American economy was strong and we outspent the Soviets literally into the dirt. The Ruble collapsed, nobody saved it, and that was the end of the Soviets. Recovered Russia is now run by an efficient dictator.

In 2008, the wheels are coming off of the American economy and we are squandering resources and national will in the Middle East. The Russian economy is strong and they are warning of a new arms race, one which we will not be able to afford. A combination of greed at the top and dependence at the bottom is the process of collapsing the dollar.

Putin surely recognizes this and is looking for payback for what we did to his Country in Afghanistan.

Back to civilizational issues, the Soviet population in the 1980s didn’t expect much from their government. The American population in 2008 does; our Seniors get $27,000 each in government benefits. Entire urban populations are dependent on the government for their basic needs.

President Bush doesn’t get too many things right, but he or his speechwriter got it right when he stated that unless we address the entitlement crisis, the social safety net’s collapse will be ‘sudden’ and ‘massive’. Since our form of government seems to be unable to reign in spending, I think that that is what we have to look forward to.

Plato’s opinion was that democratic governments were the second worst form of government, because they lead to dictatorships, which were the worst form of government. When the checks stop showing up for the dependent, it is very likely that we will see the emergence of a strong executive. Franklin warned us.

[Bill]

Darker thoughts, after a few beers.

Russia has been holding state-sponsored ethnic procreation parties, with rallies during the day and sleeping accommodations at night.

Modern medicine allows for the implantation of high IQ embryos into low IQ wombs. A low-caste womb goes for $5,000 / 9 months in India today. Things would get cheaper in the event of a global depression.

[Gary Farber]

"In 1985, the wheels were coming off of the Soviet economy and they were squandering resources and national will in the Middle East."

I'll bite: where in the Middle East, exactly? (Please don't say Afghanistan is in the Middle East, since it no more is than Australia is.)

"President Bush doesn’t get too many things right, but he or his speechwriter got it right when he stated that unless we address the entitlement crisis, the social safety net’s collapse will be ‘sudden’ and ‘massive.’"

Perhaps you'd care to link to a paper from a credible economist on this?

Be sure to find one who specifically says that "the social safety net’s collapse will be ‘sudden’ and ‘massive.’"

That's actually using the words "sudden" and "massive," since you put those words in quotes.

But if you can't, for a booby prize, perhaps you can find one that's a reasonable paraphrase. A paper, mind, not a two-sentence quote in a magazine article, or the equivalent.

[Bill]

Gary;

My intent was Afghanistan. And if that is not in the Middle East, I claim ignorance.

Bush’s words were during his attempt to ‘privatize’ some small percent of Social Security (another bunch of BS because Social Security in its entirety pales in comparison to our medical and other obligations). I cannot provide a link for you tonight, but the words stuck in my mind, for whatever that’s worth.

But I do know that you can’t continue to write bad checks over time. Here’s a link from a smart guy who worries about our future, his $161k per head figure does not include future promises. His work is endorsed by Milton Friedman.

http://mwhodges.home.att.net/nat-debt/debt-nat-a.htm

Good night.

[Gary Farber]

"My intent was Afghanistan. And if that is not in the Middle East, I claim ignorance."

Okay. You might look at a map, though, and distances. Afghanistan is in Asia. It's the furthest east Alexander the Great got. Paris, France is only about 100 miles further from Amman (2094 miles), Jordan than Kabul is (1923 miles). But we don't consider Paris to be in the Middle East, either.

"Bush’s words were during his attempt to ‘privatize’ some small percent of Social Security (another bunch of BS because Social Security in its entirety pales in comparison to our medical and other obligations). I cannot provide a link for you tonight, but the words stuck in my mind, for whatever that’s worth."

Since I'm unaware that Bush is a qualified professional "credible economist," that would be nonresponsive, and I also think you would not find searching for a paper he's written that's been published in a credible economics journal to be a profitable use of time.

Which part of this was it that you found difficult to understand?

Perhaps you'd care to link to a paper from a credible economist on this?

Be sure to find one who specifically says that "the social safety net’s collapse will be ‘sudden’ and ‘massive.’"

That's actually using the words "sudden" and "massive," since you put those words in quotes.

But if you can't, for a booby prize, perhaps you can find one that's a reasonable paraphrase. A paper, mind, not a two-sentence quote in a magazine article, or the equivalent.

"But I do know that you can’t continue to write bad checks over time."

Analogies from individual humans to countries don't work very well, and they particularly don't work when discussing economics. People don't possess a federal reserve, their own currency, and so on.

Thus my interest in a cite to an actual economist to support your claims. Presumably, if what you say is true, one won't be difficult to find.

If you can't find one, whatever opinions you have aren't credible or interesting.

Either your opinions on economics are supported by mainstream economists, or they aren't. If they are, produce some. If they aren't, why should anyone care about your unsupportable opinions on economics?

But presumably you wouldn't opine without knowing what you're talking about, so producing a few quick cites to a couple of economics papers should be no problem.

I assume you've made some study of economics: who are a few of your favorite economists?

[Bill]

Gary;

1. I like you.
2. Bush is a pathological idiot (giving him the benefit of the doubt).
3. Nobody knows how much people cost until they run a business.
4. Milton Friedman was smart.

[OCSteve]

Gary: But we don't consider Paris to be in the Middle East, either.

Well, these days I do…