Compare And Contrast

by hilzoy

During the primary, I compared the legislation Clinton and Obama had managed to get enacted (1, 2, 3); and it occurred to me that it would be useful to do the same thing for Obama and McCain. I compare the legislation each person has sponsored (later I'll do co-sponsored legislation) that actually became law. For one thing, this gives some idea of how effective they are at working with Congress, and for another, it's easy to write a bill that promises the moon so long as you don't think there's the least possibility that it will ever become law; sticking to legislation that actually got enacted avoids bothering with that stuff.

As during the primaries, I've excluded the following: (a) bills that just do something ceremonial, like name a post office; (b) bills that merely call for a report or express the sense of the Senate (too easy to mean anything); (c) bills that appropriate less than $40 million, and that do nothing else; (d) bills of purely local interest. (Interestingly, Obama didn't have any of these.) I have also only checked the 109th and 110th Congresses, since these are the only ones when both Obama and McCain were in Congress.

The interesting part, for me, is seeing how the comparisons come out. I never really know in advance; one reason I do this is as a check on my own objectivity. In this case, I assumed that McCain would absolutely dominate during the 109th Congress, both because his party was in power and because of his seniority. (These affect not just how likely his bills are to pass, but how likely they are to be listed as his bills: there's a reason that the bill Dick Lugar and Barack Obama wrote on nonproliferation was introduced as Lugar-Obama.) I wasn't sure about the 110th: Obama's party was in control, but McCain still had seniority; probably more importantly, both candidates were off campaigning. Was I right? No. Why not? See for yourselves, below the fold.

Note: descriptions of the bills and amendments are from Thomas. I can't link to the actual searches or bills; however, the master page from which all searches start is here. I have added comments in parentheses.

110th Congress

Bills Enacted, 110th Congress:

Obama: none.

McCain: S.327: A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement. (Who knew?)

Bills Placed On Calendar, 110th Congress: (I included these for the 110th Congress, since it's not over yet, and these are the bills most likely to be acted on.)

Obama:

S. 453: A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.

S.2433: A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day.

McCain:

S. 84: A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes.

Bills Enacted, 109th Congress:

Obama: S.2125: A bill to promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

McCain: S.1481: A bill to amend the Indian Land Consolidation Act to provide for probate reform.

S. 1892: A bill to amend Public Law 107-153 to modify a certain date. (Here is the substantive bit of this bill in its entirety: "Section 1(a) of Public Law 107-153 (25 U.S.C. 4044 note; 116 Stat. 79) is amended by striking `December 31, 1999' and inserting `December 31, 2000'.")

Amendments Passed, 110th Congress: (note: unless I indicate otherwise, amendments were part of bills that became law)

Obama (19 18 amendments):

S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.

S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers.

S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy.

S.AMDT.905 to S.761 To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.

S.AMDT.923 to S.761 To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness.

S.AMDT.924 to S.761 To establish summer term education programs. (Underlying bill held at the desk.)

S.AMDT.2519 to H.R.2638 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee owes no past due Federal tax liability. [Note: I changed 'one' to 'none' in the first sentence: I suspect3d it was a typo, since the sentence itself made no sense, checked the amendment in the Congressional Record, and found that it was.]

S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty. (Underlying bill vetoed by President. Specific protections offered: "A family member of a recovering servicemember described in subsection (c) shall not be denied retention in employment, promotion, or any benefit of employment by an employer on the basis of the family member's absence from employment as described in that subsection, for a period of not more than 52 workweeks.")

S.AMDT.2658 to H.R.2642 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.

S.AMDT.2692 to H.R.2764 To require a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan.

S.AMDT.2799 to H.R.3074 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.

S.AMDT.3073 to H.R.1585 To provide for transparency and accountability in military and security contracting. (Note: requires that various agencies (State, DoD, intelligence, etc.) provide information on the companies hired to do contract work in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of people employed to do such work, a way to track the number killed or wounded, and the cost of those contracts. Also requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report detailing his strategy for ensuring that contractors do not perform "inherently governmental functions", and are not placed in supervisory positions over US personnel.) (The underlying bill was vetoed by the President; amendment included in the bill that ultimately became law.)

S.AMDT.3078 to H.R.1585 Relating to administrative separations of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder. (Described here and here.) (The underlying bill was vetoed by the President; parts of the amendment were incorporated into the bill that became law.)

S.AMDT.3137 to H.R.3222 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.

S.AMDT.3234 to H.R.3093 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.

S.AMDT.3331 to H.R.3043 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.

S.AMDT.4113 to S.2663 To clarify and expand requirements with respect to information in recall notices.

S.AMDT.4114 to S.2663 To require the Comptroller General of the United States conduct a study and report on the effectiveness of authorities relating to the safety of imported consumer products.

S.AMDT.4330 to S.CON.RES.70 To provide an additional $5 million to the military departments' respective Boards for Correction of Military Records to expedite review of cases in which service members with combat-related psychological injuries (such as PTSD) or closed head injuries (such as TBIs) were administered discharges for personality disorders or other discharges resulting in a loss of benefits or care and seek a correction of records or upgraded discharge. (Should not have been included; it's less than $40 million)

McCain (7 amendments):

S.AMDT.19 to S.1 To include a reporting requirement. (Requires reporting for travel on private planes.)

S.AMDT.1190 to S.1348 To require undocumented immigrants receiving legal status to pay owed back taxes. (Underlying bill failed.)

S.AMDT.2133 to H.R.1585 To modify the calculation of back pay for persons who were approved for promotion as members of the Navy and Marine Corps while interned as prisoners of war during World War II to take into account changes in the Consumer Price Index. (Underlying bill vetoed; I could not find this amendment in the bill that did become law, though since it was the Defense Appropriations bill, I might easily have missed it.)

S.AMDT.2190 to H.R.1585 To designate the positions of Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretaries of the military departments for acquisition matters as critical acquisition positions. (Underlying bill vetoed; I didn't check to see whether it made it into the final appropriations bill, since it's a tiny little amendment, it would have taken forever, and it didn't seem wildly important.)

S.AMDT.3089 to H.R.1585 To provide for a continuation of transitional health benefits for members of the Armed Forces pending a resolution of their service-related medical conditions. (Underlying bill vetoed; I cannot find this amendment in the bill that did become law.)

S.AMDT.3090 to H.R.1585 To enhance the computation of years of service for purposes of retired pay for non-regular service. (Underlying bill vetoed; amendment incorporated in the bill that did become law.)

S.AMDT.3103 to H.R.1585 To require a pilot program on commercial fee-for-service air refueling support for the Air Force. (Underlying bill vetoed; amendment incorporated in the bill that did become law.)

Amendments Passed, 109th Congress: (note: unless I indicate otherwise, amendments were part of bills that became law)

Obama (15 amendments):

S.AMDT.159 to S.CON.RES.18 To prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu.

S.AMDT.390 to H.R.1268 To provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.

S.AMDT.670 to H.R.3 To provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

S.AMDT.851 to H.R.6 To require the Secretary to establish a Joint Flexible Fuel/Hybrid Vehicle Commercialization Initiative, and for other purposes.

S.AMDT.1061 to H.R.2361 To provide that none of the funds made available in this Act may be used in contravention of 15 U.S.C. section 2682(c)(3) or to delay the implementation of that section. (Note: 15 U.S.C. section 2682(c)(3) deals with the certification and training of people who do lead paint removal, and requiring that properly trained and certified people do lead paint removal.)

S.AMDT.1453 to S.1042 To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic.

S.AMDT.3144 to S.CON.RES.83 To provide a $40 million increase in FY 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans.

S.AMDT.3810 to H.R.4939 To provide that none of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for hurricane relief and recovery contracts exceeding $500,000 that are awarded using procedures other than competitive procedures.

S.AMDT.3971 to S.2611 To amend the temporary worker program. (Bill passed Senate, did not become law.)

S.AMDT.4224 to S.2766 To include assessments of Traumatic Brain Injury in the post-deployment health assessments of member of the Armed Forces returning from deployment in support of a contingency operation. (Underlying bill held at desk; amendment included in bill that became law.)

S.AMDT.4254 to S.2766 To require the use of competitive procedures for Federal contracts worth over $500,000 related to hurricane recovery, subject to existing limited national security, public interest, and other exceptions. (Underlying bill held at desk; amendment not included in bill that became law, as far as I can tell.)

S.AMDT.4545 to S.2125 To make certain improvements to the bill. (Makes modifications to his bill on the Congo.)

S.AMDT.4573 to H.R.5441 To assist individuals displaced by a major disaster in locating family members.

S.AMDT.4624 to H.R.5441 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available for expenses in carrying out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act may be used to enter into noncompetitive contracts based upon the unusual and compelling urgency exception under Federal contracting law unless the contract is limited in time, scope, and value as necessary to respond to the immediate emergency.

S.AMDT.4972 to H.R.4954 To ensure the evacuation of individuals with special needs in times of emergency. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/13/2006) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 9/13/2006 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 4972 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

McCain (5 12 amendments):

S.AMDT.1151 to H.R.2360 To specify how certain vehicles are to be deployed to enhance border security. (In its entirety: "On page 61, line 26, insert ``which shall be deployed between ports of entry along the southwestern border of the United States, taking into consideration the particular security risks in the area and the need for constant surveillance of such border,'' after ``unmanned aerial vehicles,".")

S.AMDT.1438 to S.1042 To redesignate the Naval Reserve as the Navy Reserve. (Underlying bill held at desk; amendment incorporated in the bill that did become law.)

S.AMDT.1555 to S.1042 To regulate management contracts, require an Analysis of Alternatives for major acquisition of the Department of Defense and impose additional limitations on certain leases and charters. (Underlying bill held at desk; amendment included in bill that did become law.)

S.AMDT.1977 to H.R.2863 Relating to persons under the detention, custody, or control of the United States Government. (Prohibits the use of interrogation techniques not authorized by the Army Field Manual on anyone in the custody of DoD; prohibits cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment of anyone in US custody.)

S.AMDT.1978 to H.R.2863 To prohibit the use of funds to pay salaries and expenses and other costs associated with reimbursing the Government of Uzbekistan for services rendered to the United States at Karshi-Khanabad airbase in Uzbekistan.

***

UPDATE: I cut this post off while I was entering it, but regrettably before I decided to add the totals. Here are the seven amendments from the 109th Congress that I cut off. I regret the error.

S.AMDT.2425 to S.1042 Relating to persons under the detention, custody, or control of the United States Government. (recaps SA 1977)

S.AMDT.2458 to S.1042 To enhance various authorities to assist the recruitment efforts of the Armed Forces. (Authorizes bonuses)

S.AMDT.2687 to S.1312 In the nature of a substitute. (Concerns communications of tribal employees.)

S.AMDT.4242 to S.2766 To require regular budgeting for ongoing military operations.

S.AMDT.4434 to S.2766 To ensure proper education, training, and supervision of personnel providing special education services for dependents of members of the Armed Forces under extended benefits under TRICARE.

S.AMDT.4880 to S.1899 To make certain revisions to the bill.

S.AMDT.4922 to H.R.4954 To provide increased rail transportation security.

Comments

[Lesley]

I come from a strong military family. And I think it's odd that McCain's work focuses almost always on the military. There's a whole lot else out there!

[slag]

Hilzoy-I so wish some of your analyses would actually get incorporated into the narratives of this campaign. Honestly, this is like the third time you've stripped a narrative down to illustrate how it's built on air. I--for one--appreciate it.

[Noodles]

if you want to cut and paste, here's the email I just sent to everyone I know:

Dear Friends and Family,

I have a very important link to share. We have just 1 and a half months until the election, and there are a few great ads that need to be shown as often as possible between now and November 4th. Sometimes I feel like there is not a whole lot I can do to make a difference. But today I dug deep to help fund these ads and get them on the air. Even 5 bucks will go a long way. Let's do this thing.

Follow this link to see the ads made by Planned Parenthood, the Defenders of Wildlife, Democracy for America and others. If you like the ad(s), you can go directly to the websites and make a contribution to get these on air.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/13/12029/3292/616/597390

And email this to your friends... why not to your entire address book? You never know how many people are just itching to have the opportunity to do something.

Much love to you all.

[Matt Weiner]

If I'm not mistaken, S. 1892 had the effect of extending by one year the statute of limitations for certain claims made by Indian tribes in response to reconciliation reports, whatever that amounts to. See here.

I have no idea what the practical effects, merits, or interests affected by this are -- I just looked it up out of context.

[glbnn]

Who is going to be the first ObWi'er to condemn Obama on questioning McCain's patriotism?

"So, when American workers hear John McCain talking about putting 'Country First,'" Obama said, "it's fair to ask -- which country?"

I won't hold my breath.

Any hope for correcting all comments about Palin now that we have the full text from the Gibson interview?

[Hartmut]

Since the Son of Cain's patriotism looks more and more questionable these days, I see no problem in questioning it per se. But I would not think that he puts another country first but himself and his ambition. He clearly doesn't put Georgia (the Caucasus one) first because his actions seem more likely to be to that country's detriment (also not Israel, that would be senator Palpatine*).

*who also imo puts himself before anything else.

[Grover Gardner]

"Who is going to be the first ObWi'er to condemn Obama on questioning McCain's patriotism?"

Probably no one, because he's not questioning McCain's patriotism. He's questioning McCain's commitment to American jobs. If he really meant "Country First" he'd vote to keep jobs at home rather than see production outsourced to some other country. It's a fairly lame attack, AFAIC, but it's not an attack on McCain's overall patriotism.

"Any hope for correcting all comments about Palin now that we have the full text from the Gibson interview?"

I doubt it, because having read it, I don't see much of a difference. I think she did okay, considering the position her own party put her in, and the full text doesn't really change that impression one way or the other. Maybe you can point to some edited passage that proves she's a foreign policy genius, but I doubt it.

[jack fate]

Fascinating analysis, hilzoy. Thank you for doing the work.

"To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability."

I noticed Obama stuck that amendment (or similarly worded ones) in a lot of bills. Procedural?

[REDRIDINGHOOD]

SARAH PALIN IS A 'PHONY MOM & POLITICIAN!'. Simply because...SHE DIDN'T EVEN 'BLINK OR CARE' she is leaving a 'special needs' child behind, with a pregnant teenager to take care of it, and her other two daughters to fend for themselves when daddy is on the trail too! DID SHE EVEN DISCUSS THE OFFER WITH HER HUSBAND? so much for her 'christian belief', the bible says the husband is the HEAD of the family! goes to show it's all about HER!

it happens every day in allot of homes, with moms who have to juggle between family and an 8 hour shift, but there's one difference..their not running for office! she is a poor example of a mother! whatever happened to 'sterilization', birth control pills, or family planning? 44 and unprotected sex?? really irresponsible!

secondly, she has no experience or has any idea what the job demands, is contrary to john Mc Cain on 'many issues', and is lying, repeating her lies NON-STOP!
I also hate the fact she doesn't give SQUAT about the environment! Especially her comments during her convention speech! quote referring to Obama; what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? she isn't even aware ALASKA'S ice cap IS MELTING ALL AROUND HER! and what's wrong with HEALING THE PLANET anyway? we're doing a lousy job of protecting it don't we! All she really cares about is lying, defaming others, hunting, and being in the 'spotlight'.
I'm a Hillary supporter who accepts Joe Biden, and i see clearly how 'phony she is'.

Look at her POOR record of protecting wildlife! she is totally oblivious of the fact, that the polar bears are dying off! LET THE GUNS BLAZE! DECLARE OPEN SEASON ON THE POLAR BEARS, MOOSE, CARIBOU, AND WOLVES! WHAT'S NEXT!? SHOOTING SOMEONE IN THE FOOT? LIKE DICK CHANEY? (i know the dude was shot in the face) DON'T TRUST HER AMERICA! I DON'T FOR-SURE

[hilzoy]

jack fate: it got stuck into a number of different appropriations bills, to prevent any monies appropriated by each of them, etc., etc.

RedRidingHood: We have no idea what arrangements Sarah and Todd Palin have made for their child. There is quite enough to criticize about her without dragging her status as a mother into it.

[peacefully evyl]

Wow, this is a really great piece. It has a lot of information that I never would have taken the time to find on my own. This is my first visit to your blog, but I think I'll be back again. Thanks

[Gary Farber]

"And email this to your friends... why not to your entire address book?"

That's the change we need: to piss off everyone who hates spammers.

[Gary Farber]

Also, let's convince everyone by our use of all caps: if that doesn't do the trick, I don't know what will.

Except MORE ALL CAPS!

Jeebus.

[Carleton Wu]

Any hope for correcting all comments about Palin now that we have the full text from the Gibson interview?

Im not even sure what this guy is asking for. Nor what amazing revelations he think came out of the transcript.
People are weird.

[ljs]

this is again an invaluable service. thanks for pulling this together, why is the msm not doing this?