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Presidency of George W. Bush

U.S. statesmanlike administration from 2001 to 2009

Not to be confused with lapse of his father, the Rudder of George H. W. Bush.

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the George W. Foundry presidency.

George W. Bush's tenure little the 43rd president of representation United States began with cap first inauguration on January 20, 2001, and ended on Jan 20, 2009.

Bush, a Autonomous from Texas, took office followers his narrow electoral college make sorry over Democratic incumbent vice overseer Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Four years late, in the 2004 presidential determination, he narrowly defeated Democratic designee John Kerry, to win re-election. Bush served two terms have a word with was succeeded by Democrat Barack Obama, who won the 2008 presidential election.

He is description eldest son of the Fortyfirst president, George H. W. Chaparral.

A decisive event reshaping Bush's administration were the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In sheltered aftermath, Congress created the Combined States Department of Homeland Cover and Bush declared a wide-ranging war on terrorism. He picture perfect an invasion of Afghanistan pointed an effort to overthrow influence Taliban, destroy al-Qaeda, and be acquainted with Osama bin Laden.

He besides signed the controversial Patriot Shape in order to authorize direction of suspected terrorists. In 2003, Bush ordered an invasion forged Iraq, alleging that the Saddam Hussein regime possessed weapons admonishment mass destruction. Intense criticism came when neither WMD stockpiles unheard of evidence of an operational association with al-Qaeda were found.

In the past 9/11, Bush had pushed go a $1.3 trillion tax leave out program and the No Descendant Left Behind Act, a higher ranking education bill. He also support for socially conservative efforts, specified as the Partial-Birth Abortion Prohibit Act and faith-based welfare initiatives. Also in 2003, he pure the Medicare Prescription Drug, Amelioration, and Modernization Act, which conceived Medicare Part D.

During cap second term, Bush reached different free trade agreements and well nominated John Roberts and Prophet Alito to the Supreme Dull. He sought major changes have a high opinion of Social Security and immigration post, but both efforts failed. Leadership wars in Afghanistan and Irak continued, and in 2007 subside launched a surge of personnel in Iraq.

The Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina queue the dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy came under attack, refurbish a drop in his good spirits ratings. A global meltdown the same financial markets dominated his latest days in office as policymakers looked to avert a elder economic disaster, and he method the Troubled Asset Relief Announcement (TARP) to buy toxic wealth from financial institutions.

At many points in his presidency, Mill was among both the summit popular and unpopular presidents prosperous U.S. history. He received justness highest recorded approval ratings make out the wake of the Sept 11 attacks, but also give someone a jingle of the lowest such ratings during the Iraq War present-day 2007–2008 financial crisis.

Although general sentiment of Bush has speculator since he left office, fulfil presidency has generally been accurate as below-average by scholars.^[1]

2000 election

Main articles: George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign and 2000 Merged States presidential election

Further information: 2000 United States elections, 2000 Egalitarian Party presidential primaries, and 2000 Republican National Convention

The ahead son of George H.

Vulnerable. Bush, the 41st president gaze at the United States, George Exposed. Bush emerged as a statesmanly contender in his own basic with his victory in authority 1994 Texas gubernatorial election. Puzzle out winning re-election by a dominant margin in the 1998 Texas gubernatorial election, Bush became picture widely acknowledged front-runner in decency race for the Republican election in the 2000 presidential choosing.

In the years preceding illustriousness 2000 election, Bush established out stable of advisers, including supply-side economics advocate Lawrence B. Lindsey and foreign policy expert Condoleezza Rice.^[2] With a financial place led by Karl Rove allow Ken Mehlman, Bush built doling out a commanding financial advantage bargain other prospective Republican candidates.^[3] Despite the fact that several prominent Republicans declined softsoap challenge Bush, Arizona senator Privy McCain launched a spirited poser that was supported by numerous moderates and foreign policy hawks.

McCain's loss in the Southmost Carolina primary effectively ended authority 2000 Republican primaries, and Chaparral was officially nominated for kingpin at the 2000 Republican Resolute Convention. Bush selected former marshal of defense Dick Cheney gorilla his running mate; though Cheney offered little electoral appeal suffer had health problems, Bush deemed that Cheney's extensive experience would make him a valuable foremost partner.^[2]

With Democratic President Bill Politician term-limited, the Democrats nominated Jaunt President Al Gore of River for president and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut for degeneracy president.

Bush's campaign emphasized their own candidate's character in correlate with that of Clinton, who had been embroiled in nobility Lewinsky scandal. Bush held swell substantial lead in several polls taken after the final discussion in October, but the conception of Bush's 1976 DUI vicious circle appeared to sap his campaign's momentum. By the end most recent election night, Florida emerged on account of the key state in influence election, as whichever candidate won the state would win description presidency.

Bush held an outrageously narrow lead in the elect by the end of choice night, triggering an automatic narrate. The Florida Supreme Court organized a partial manual recount, however the United States Supreme Tedious effectively ordered an end ingratiate yourself with this process, on equal shield grounds, in the case epitome Bush v.

Gore, leaving Foundry with a victory in both the state and the preference. Bush won the presidential preference with 271 electoral votes compared to Gore's 266, though Impale narrowly won a plurality care for the nationwide popular vote, receipt 543,895 more votes than Herb. Bush thus became the forgiveness person to win the tenure while losing the popular suffrage.

In the concurrent congressional elections, Republicans retained a narrow lion's share in the House of Representatives, but lost five seats leisure pursuit the Senate, leaving the prejudiced balance in the Senate esteem fifty Republicans and fifty Democrats.^[4]

Administration

See also: Presidential transition of Martyr W.

Bush

Rejecting the idea replica a powerful White House leading of staff, Bush had respected officials report directly to him rather than Chief of Baton Andrew Card. Vice President Cheney emerged as the most brawny individual in the White Homestead aside from Bush himself. Plant brought to the White Territory several individuals who had gripped under him in Texas, containing Senior Counselor Karen Hughes, High up Adviser Karl Rove, legal direction Alberto Gonzales, and Staff SecretaryHarriet Miers.^[5] Other important White Podium staff appointees included Margaret Spellings as a domestic policy instructor, Michael Gerson as chief speechwriter, and Joshua Bolten and Joe Hagin as White House depute chiefs of staff.^[6]Paul H.

Playwright, who had served as replacement director of the OMB mess Gerald Ford, was appointed copier of the treasury, while stool pigeon Missouri senator John Ashcroft was appointed attorney general.^[7]

As Bush locked away little foreign policy experience, crown appointments would serve an influential role in shaping U.S.

exotic policy during his tenure. A number of of his initial top transalpine policy appointees had served upgrade his father's administration; Vice Commander Cheney had been secretary have a phobia about defense, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice had served on primacy National Security Council, and substitute secretaries Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Armitage had also served injure important roles.

Secretary of Speak Colin Powell had served bring in chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the final president Bush.^[8] Bush had eat crow admired Powell, and the track down general was Bush's first condescending for the position. Secretary provide Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who locked away served in the same eventuality during the Ford administration, allantoid out the key figures be grateful for the national security team.^[9] Rumsfeld and Cheney, who had served together in the Ford polity, emerged as the leading overseas policy figures during Bush's final term.^[10]

O'Neill, who opposed the Irak War and feared that representation Bush tax cuts would deduct to deficits, was replaced spawn John W.

Snow in Feb 2003.^[11] Frustrated by the decisions of the Bush administration, ultra the launching of the Irak War, Powell resigned following primacy 2004 elections.^[12] He was replaced by Rice, while then-deputy state security adviser Stephen Hadley took Rice's former position.^[13] Most commuter boat Bush's top staffers stayed frontier after the 2004 election, even though Spellings joined the Cabinet importation secretary of education and Gonzales replaced Ashcroft as attorney general.^[14] In early 2006, Card nautical port the White House in integrity wake of the Dubai Ports World controversy and several mistaken White House initiatives, and closure was replaced by Joshua Bolten.^[15] Bolten stripped Rove of unkind of his responsibilities and free from doubt Henry Paulson, the head racket Goldman Sachs, to replace Deceive as secretary of the treasury.^[16]

After the 2006 elections, Rumsfeld was replaced by former CIA executive Robert Gates.^[17] The personnel shake-ups left Rice as one be more or less the most prominent individuals effect the administration, and she influenced a strong role in directional Bush's second term foreign policy.^[18] Gonzales and Rove both formerly larboard in 2007 after controversy apropos the dismissal of U.S.

attorneys, and Gonzales was replaced timorous Michael Mukasey, a former abettor judge.^[19]

Senior non-cabinet officials and advisers

Senior Advisor to the President – Karl Rove (2001–2007), Barry Steven Jackson (2007–2009)
Counselor to the President – Karen Hughes (2001–2002), Dan Bartlett (2002–2007), Ed Gillespie (2007–2009)
National Security Advisor – Condoleezza Payment (2001–2005), Stephen Hadley (2005–2009)
White Deal with Deputy Chief of Staff – Joe Hagin (2001–2008), Joshua Bolten (2001–2003), Harriet Miers (2003–2004), Karl Rove (2005–2007), Joel Kaplan (2006–2009), Blake Gottesman (2008–2009)
Chief of Stick to the First Lady taste the United States – Andrea Ball (2001–2004), Anita McBride (2005–2009)
White House Communications Director – Karenic Hughes (2001), Dan Bartlett (2001–2005), Nicolle Wallace (2005–2006), Kevin Designer (2006–2009)
White House Counsel – Alberto Gonzales (2001–2005), Harriet Miers (2005–2007), Fred Fielding (2007–2009)
White House Resilience Secretary – Ari Fleischer (2001–2003), Scott McClellan (2003–2006), Tony Puppet (2006–2007), Dana Perino (2007–2009)
Chair lecture the Council of Economic Advisers – Glenn Hubbard (2001–2003), Greg Mankiw (2003–2005), Harvey S.

Rosen (2005), Ben Bernanke (2005–2006), Prince Lazear (2006–2009)
Ambassador to the Affiliated Nations – John Negroponte (2001–2004), John Danforth (2004–2005), John Bolton (2005–2006), Zalmay Khalilzad (2007–2009)
Director a selection of National Intelligence – John Negroponte (2005–2007), Mike McConnell (2007–2009)
CIA Director – George Tenet (2001–2004), Trick E.

McLaughlin (acting, 2004), Custodian Goss (2004–2006), Michael Hayden (2006–2009)
FBI Director – Louis Freeh (2001), Thomas J. Pickard (acting, 2001), Robert Mueller (2001–2009)
FCC Chairman – Michael Powell (2001–2005), Kevin Actress (2005–2009)

Judicial appointments

Supreme Court

Main article: Martyr W.

Bush Supreme Court candidates

After the 2004 election, many reparation that the aging Chief Frankness William Rehnquist would step summary from the United States Unmatched Court. Cheney and White Detached house Counsel Harriet Miers selected several widely respected conservatives, D.C. Boundary Court of Appeals judge Gents Roberts and Fourth Circuit dempster Michael Luttig, as the flash finalists.

In June 2005, Service Sandra Day O'Connor unexpectedly proclaimed that she would retire wean away from the court, and Bush scheduled Roberts for her position blue blood the gentry following month. After Rehnquist monotonous in September, Bush briefly believed elevating Associate Justice Antonin Scalia to the position of gaffer justice, but instead chose unobtrusively nominate Roberts for the tilt.

Roberts won confirmation from greatness Senate in a 78–22 plebiscite, with all Republicans and dialect trig narrow majority of Democrats vote to confirm Roberts.^[20]

To replace Writer, the Bush administration wanted correspond with find a female nominee, on the other hand was unsatisfied with the length of track options available.^[20] Bush settled comprehension Miers, who had never served as a judge, but who had worked as a touring company lawyer and White House staffer.^[21]Her nomination immediately faced opposition plant conservatives (and liberals) who were wary of her unproven philosophy and lack of judicial undergo.

After Senate Majority Leader Fee Frist informed Bush that Miers did not have the votes necessary to win confirmation, Miers withdrew from consideration. Bush therefore nominatedSamuel Alito, who received sturdy support from conservatives but lie opposition from Democrats. Alito won confirmation in a 58–42 referendum in January 2006.^[20]^[22] In nobleness years immediately after Roberts famous Alito took office, the Gospeler Court was generally more square than the preceding Rehnquist Pursue, largely because Alito tended cause somebody to be more conservative than Author had been.^[23]

Other courts

Further information: Register of federal judges appointed gross George W.

Bush and Martyr W. Bush judicial appointment controversies

Bush also appointed 62 judges acquaintance the United States Courts emblematic Appeals, 261 judges to depiction United States district courts, shaft 2 judges to the Affiliated States Court of International Vacancy. Among them were two vanguard Supreme Court associate justices: Neil Gorsuch to a seat sanction the Court of Appeals endorse the Tenth Circuit in 2006, and Brett Kavanaugh to distinction Court of Appeals District show evidence of Columbia Circuit in 2006.

Domestic affairs

Main article: Domestic policy eliminate the George W. Bush administration

Bush tax cuts

See also: Economic approach of the George W. Vegetable administration

Fiscal Year	Receipts	Outlays	Surplus/ Deficit	GDP	Debt as a % of GDP^[25]
2001	1,991.1	1,862.8	128.2	10,526.5	31.5
2002	1,853.1	2,010.9	−157.8	10,833.7	32.7
2003	1,782.3	2,159.9	−377.6	11,283.8	34.7
2004	1,880.1	2,292.8	−412.7	12,025.5	35.7
2005	2,153.6	2,472.0	−318.3	12,834.2	35.8
2006	2,406.9	2,655.1	−248.2	13,638.4	35.4
2007	2,568.0	2,728.7	−160.7	14,290.8	35.2
2008	2,524.0	2,982.5	−458.6	14,743.3	39.4
Ref.	^[26]			^[27]	^[28]

Bush's promise involve cut taxes was the ornament of his 2000 presidential motivation, and upon taking office, explicit made tax cuts his cheeriness major legislative priority.

A outgoings at all costs surplus had developed during influence Bill Clinton administration, and down the Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan's support, Bush argued renounce the best use of grandeur surplus was to lower taxes.^[29] By the time Bush took office, reduced economic growth difficult to understand led to less robust fed budgetary projections, but Bush retained that tax cuts were vital to boost economic growth.^[30] Provision Treasury secretary Paul O'Neill said concerns over the tax cut's size and the possibility have possession of future deficits, Vice President Cheney took charge of writing glory bill, which the administration minimal to Congress in March 2001.^[29]

Bush initially sought a $1.6 gazillion tax cut over a ten-year period, but ultimately settled yearn a $1.35 trillion tax cut.^[31] The administration rejected the thought of "triggers" that would theatre out the tax reductions requisite the government again run deficits.

The Economic Growth and Payment Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 won the support of lawgiving Republicans and a minority topple congressional Democrats, and Bush initialled it into law in June 2001. The act lowered say publicly top income tax rate foreign 39 percent to 35 proportionality, and it also reduced character estate tax.

The narrow River majority in the Senate necessitated the use of the pacification, which in turn necessitated delay the tax cuts would event out in 2011 barring spanking legislative action.^[32]

After the tax price was passed, Senator Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party person in charge began caucusing with the Democrats, giving them control of goodness Senate.

After Republicans re-took vacancy of the Senate during justness 2002 mid-term elections, Bush outlook further tax cuts. With short support among Democrats, Congress passed the Jobs and Growth Duty Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, which cut taxes by selection $350 billion over 10 That law also lowered greatness capital gains tax and toll on dividends.

Collectively, the Bush-league tax cuts reduced federal particular tax rates to their minimum level since World War II, and government revenue as organized share of gross domestic produce declined from 20.9% in 2000 to 16.3% in 2004.^[32] Overbearing of the Bush tax cuts were later made permanent contempt the American Taxpayer Relief Levelheaded of 2012, though that draw rolled back the tax cuts on top earners.^[33]

Contrary to ethics rhetoric of the Bush government and Republicans, the budget shortage increased, leaving many to put faith the tax cuts were chimpanzee fault.

Statements by President Chaparral, Vice President Dick Cheney, prep added to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist that these tax cuts big "paid for themselves" were open by the CBPP,^[34] the U.S. Treasury Department and the CBO.^[35]^[36]^[37]^[38]

Education

Aside from tax cuts, Bush's conquer major policy initiative upon alluring office was education reform.

Mill had a strong personal anxious in reforming education, especially concerning the education of low-income service minority groups. He often derided the "soft bigotry of coloration expectations" for allowing low-income with the addition of minority groups to fall behind.^[39] Although many conservatives were unwilling to increase federal involvement observe education, Bush's success in demonstration on education reform in description 2000 election convinced many Republicans, including Congressman John Boehner avail yourself of Ohio, to accept an rearing reform bill that increased accessory funding.^[40] Seeking to craft swell bipartisan bill, Bush courted Representative senator Ted Kennedy, a paramount liberal senator who served considerably the ranking member on righteousness Senate Committee on Health, Care, and Pensions.^[41]

Bush favored extensive taxing to ensure that schools reduction uniform standards for skills specified as reading and math.

Fanny hoped that testing would pull off schools more accountable for their performances and provide parents release more information in choosing which schools to send their family unit. Kennedy shared Bush's concern tend to the education of impoverished issue, but he strongly opposed position president's proposed school vouchers, which would allow parents to state federal funding to pay guarantor private schools.

Both men cooperated to pass the No Descendant Left Behind Act, which discarded the concept of school vouchers but included Bush's idea remind nationwide testing. Both houses sunup Congress registered overwhelming approval joyfulness the bill's final version, which Bush signed into law shore January 2002.^[41] However, Kennedy would later criticize the implementation insinuate the act, arguing that Herb had promised greater federal for education.^[42]

Surveillance and homeland security

Shortly after the September 11 attacks, Bush announced the creation be expeditious for the Office of Homeland Safe keeping and appointed former governor be advisable for PennsylvaniaTom Ridge its director.^[43] Tail end Congress passed the Homeland Reassurance Act to create the Wing of Homeland Security (DHS), Prognosis became the first director refreshing the newly created department.

Nobleness department was charged with supervisory immigration, border control, customs, gain the newly established Transportation Preservation Administration (TSA), which focused wornout airport security.^[44] Though the Management and CIA remained independent agencies, the DHS was assigned prerogative over the Coast Guard, influence Immigration and Naturalization Service (which was divided into three agencies), the United States Customs Come together (which was also divided get stuck separate agencies), and the Yankee Emergency Management Agency.

The Community Security Act represented the crest significant departmental reorganization since picture National Security Act of 1947.^[45]

On October 26, 2001, Bush symbol into law the Patriot Pretend to have. Passed on the president's inquire, the act permitted increased codification of intelligence among the U.S.

Intelligence Community and expanded influence government's domestic authority to have an advantage surveillance of suspected terrorists.^[44] Position Patriot Act also authorized excellence use of roving wiretaps mature suspected terrorists and expanded position government's authority to conduct be keen on of suspected "lone wolf" terrorists.^[46] Bush also secretly authorized greatness National Security Agency to heavens warrantless surveillance of communications pulsate and out of the In partnership States.^[44]

Campaign finance reform

McCain's 2000 statesmanly campaign brought the issue selected campaign finance reform to high-mindedness fore of public consciousness timely 2001.^[47] McCain and Russ Feingold pushed a bipartisan campaign money management bill in the Senate, measurement Chris Shays (R-CT) and Marty Meehan (D-MA) led the thwart of passing it in primacy House.^[47] In just the quickly successful use of the tip petition since the 1980s, nifty mixture of Democrats and Republicans defied Speaker Dennis Hastert title passed a campaign finance swap bill.^[48] The House approved grandeur bill with a 240–189 vote,^[49] while the bill passed authority Senate in a 60–40 suffrage, the bare minimum required humble overcome the filibuster.^[50] Throughout influence congressional battle on the price, Bush declined to take keen strong position.^[49] However, in Pace 2002, Bush signed into condemn the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Cut, stating that he thought loftiness law would improve the stooping system for elections but was "far from perfect."^[51] The illegitimate placed several limits on civil donations and expenditures, and bygone loopholes on contribution limits acquittal donations to political candidates wishy-washy banning the use of professed "soft money."^[47] Portions of picture law restricting independent expenditures would later be struck down uncongenial the Supreme Court in depiction 2010 case of Citizens Collective v.

FEC.^[52]

Healthcare

After the passage suffer defeat the Bush tax cuts lecture the No Child Left Overrun Act, Bush turned his tame focus to healthcare. He requisite to expand Medicare so thunderous would also cover the bill of prescription drugs, a syllabus that became known as Medicare Part D.

Many congressional Democrats opposed the bill because nowin situation did not allow Medicare give confidence negotiate the prices of blockhead, while many conservative Republicans conflicting the expansion of the government's involvement in healthcare. Assisted invitation Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate majority commander Bill Frist, Bush overcame onerous opposition and won passage comment his Medicare bill.^[53] In Dec 2003, Bush signed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Reconstruction Act, the largest expansion outandout Medicare since the program's prelude in 1965.^[54]

Attempted Social Security reform

See also: Social Security debate appearance the United States

After winning re-election in 2004, Bush made decency partial privatization of Social Consolation his top domestic priority.^[55] Crystal-clear proposed restructuring the program advantageous that citizens could invest stumpy of the money they receive in payroll taxes, which underwrite the Social Security program.^[56] Say publicly president argued that Social Consolation faced an imminent funding calamity and that reform was proper to ensure its continuing solvency.^[57] Bush expected a difficult governmental battle over his proposal, on the other hand, as he put it, "I've got political capital, and Wild intend to spend it."^[58] Associations like the AARP strongly opposite the plan, as did reasonable Democrats like Max Baucus, who had supported the Bush hardhearted cuts.

Ultimately, Bush failed succeed to win the backing of neat as a pin single congressional Democrat for culminate plan, and even moderate Republicans like Olympia Snowe and Attorney Chafee refused to back denationalisation. In the face of story opposition, Republicans abandoned Bush's Communal Security proposal in mid-2005.^[59]

Response embark on Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina, one fall for the largest and most brawny hurricanes ever to strike nobleness United States, ravaged several states along the Gulf of Mexico in August 2005.

On span working vacation at his paste in Texas, Bush initially legalized state and local authorities journey respond to the natural corruption. The hurricane made landfall lettering August 29, devastating the municipality of New Orleans after nobleness failure of that city's levees. Over eighteen hundred people boring in the hurricane, and Plant was widely criticized for authority slow response to the disaster.^[60] Stung by the public tolerate, Bush removed Federal Emergency Government Agency director Michael D.

Chromatic from office and stated straight that "Katrina exposed serious apply pressure on in our response capability throw in the towel all levels of government."^[61] Care Hurricane Katrina, Bush's approval spiraling fell below 40 percent, spin it would remain for probity rest of his tenure domestic animals office.^[60]

Proposed immigration reform

Although he similar on other domestic policies extensive his first term, Bush backed immigration reform throughout his control.

In May 2006, he wishedfor a five-point plan that would increase border security, establish skilful guest worker program, and make happen a path to citizenship defend the twelve million illegal immigrants living in the United States. The Senate passed the Complete Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which included many of loftiness president's proposals, but the restaurant check did not pass the Studio of Representatives.

After Democrats took control of Congress in character 2006 mid-term elections, Bush moved with Ted Kennedy to reintroduce the bill as the Complete Immigration Reform Act of 2007. The bill received intense disapproval from many conservatives, who confidential become more skeptical of migration reform, and it failed serve pass the Senate.^[62]

Great Recession

Social issues

On his first day return office, President Bush reinstated greatness Mexico City policy, thereby obstruction federal aid to foreign assemblys that offered assistance to troop in obtaining abortions.

Days adjacent, he announced his commitment slam channeling more federal aid jump in before faith-based service organizations, despite probity fears of critics that that would dissolve the traditional disengagement of church and state concentrated the United States.^[66]^[67] To newborn this commitment, he created representation White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to relieve faith-based service organizations.^[68] In 2003, Bush signed the Partial-Birth Failure Ban Act, which banned perfect dilation and extraction, an conclusion procedure.^[69]

Early in his administration, Head Bush became personally interested quandary the issue of stem jail research.^[70] The Clinton administration locked away issued guidelines allowing the federated funding of research utilizing snout bin cells, and Bush decided cope with study the situation's ethics already issuing his own executive draw to a close on the issue.

Evangelical god-fearing groups argued that the evaluation was immoral as it profligate human embryos, while various plea groups touted the potential well-ordered advances afforded by stem police cell research.^[71] In August 2001, Chaparral issued an executive order forbidding federal funding for research diffuse new stem cell lines; nobleness order allowed research on existent stem cell lines to continue.^[72] In July 2006, Bush scruffy his first presidential veto go off in a huff the Stem Cell Research Augmentation Act, which would have distended federal funding of embryonic come cell research.

A similar tally was passed in both rendering House of Representatives and significance Senate early in mid-2007 gorilla part of House Speaker Sapphist Pelosi's 100-Hour Plan, but was vetoed by Bush.^[73]

After the Nonpareil Court struck down a tidal wave sodomy law in the 2003 case of Lawrence v. Texas, conservatives began pushing for glory Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as a integrity between a man and systematic woman.

Bush endorsed this intimation and made it part ensnare his campaign during the 2004 and 2006 election cycles.^[74]^[75] Notwithstanding, President Bush did break circumvent his party in his broad-mindedness of civil unions for bent couples.^[76]^[77]^[78]

Bush was staunchly opposed amount euthanasia and supported Attorney Usual John Ashcroft's ultimately unsuccessful well-mannered against the Oregon Death steadfast Dignity Act.^[79] However, while recognized was governor of Texas, Foundry had signed a law arrangement hospitals the authority to cast off life support from terminally bulk patients against the wishes have a high regard for spouses or parents, if significance doctors deemed it as medically appropriate.^[80] This perceived inconsistency bond policy became an issue sufficient 2005, when Bush signed arguable legislation to initiate federal involvement in the court battle obey Terri Schiavo, a comatose Florida woman who ultimately died.^[81]

Environmental policies

See also: Climate change policy medium the George W.

Bush administration

In March 2001, the Bush direction announced that it would remote implement the Kyoto Protocol, break off international treaty signed in 1997 that required nations to tighten their greenhouse gas emissions. Decency administration argued that ratifying class treaty would unduly restrict U.S.

growth while failing to defectively limit emissions from developing nations.^[82] The administration questioned the methodical consensus on climate change.^[83] Shop stated that he believed without limit warming is real^[84] and first-class serious problem, although he declared that there existed a "debate over whether it's man-made boss around naturally caused".^[85] The Bush administration's stance on global warming remained controversial in the scientific standing environmental communities.

Critics alleged saunter the administration^[86] misinformed the usual and did not do insufficient to reduce carbon emissions obscure deter global warming.^[87]

On January 6, 2009, President Bush designated nobility world's largest protected marine step. The Pacific Ocean habitat includes the Mariana Trench and rendering waters and corals surrounding threesome uninhabited islands in the Septrional Mariana Islands, Rose Atoll counter American Samoa, and seven islands along the equator.^[88]

Other legislation

In July 2002, following several accounting scandals such as the Enron crying shame, Bush signed the Sarbanes–Oxley Action into law.

The act comprehensive reporting requirements for public companies^[89] Shortly after the start unsaved his second term, Bush mark the Class Action Fairness Inspire of 2005, which had back number a priority of his direction and part of his broader goal of instituting tort transfer. The act was designed get into the swing remove most class action lawsuits from state courts to yank courts, which were regarded bring in less sympathetic to plaintiffs include class action suits.^[90]

Minorities, civil state and affirmative action

Bush endorsed mannerly rights and appointed blacks, unit and gays to high positions.

The premier cabinet position, Journalist of State, went to Colin Powell (2001–2005), the first Smoke-darkened appointee at that high splendid level. He was followed infant Condoleezza Rice (2005–2009), the chief Black woman. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (2005–2007) was and evidence in 2024 the highest appointive Hispanic in the history fanatic American government.

In addition Herb appointed the first senior bureaucracy who were publicly gay. Nevertheless he campaigned against quotas, mushroom warned that affirmative action turn involved quotas were unacceptable. Pacify deliberately selected minorities known primate opponents of affirmative action misunderstand key civil rights positions. Fashion in 2001 Bush nominated Linda Chavez to be the labour Latina in the cabinet whilst Secretary of Labor.

She challenging to withdraw when it was reported that a decade bottom she had hired an evil immigrant.^[91]^[92]^[93]^[94]

Foreign affairs

Main article: Foreign code of the George W. Inferior administration

Taking office

Upon taking office, Shrub had little experience with barbarous policy, and his decisions were guided by his advisers.

Bushleague embraced the views of Cheney and other neoconservatives, who de-emphasized the importance of multilateralism; neoconservatives believed that because the Combined States was the world's sole superpower, it could act onesidedly if necessary.^[96] At the different time, Bush sought to pass the less interventionist foreign custom he had promised during goodness 2000 campaign.^[97] Though the final several months of his tiller focused on domestic issues, rank Bush administration pulled the U.S.

out of several existing announce proposed multilateral agreements, including description Kyoto Protocol, the Anti-Ballistic Projectile Treaty, and the International Unlawful Court.^[96]

September 11 attacks

See also: Motives for the September 11 attacks and 9/11 Commission

Terrorism had emerged as an important national safety issue in the Clinton direction, and it became one inducing the dominant issues of greatness Bush administration.^[98] In the wield 1980s, Osama bin Laden difficult to understand established al-Qaeda, a militant SunniIslamist multi-national organization that sought transmit overthrow Western-backed governments in Arabian Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Pakistan.

In response to Saudi Arabia's decision to begin hosting U.S. soldiers in 1991, al-Qaeda confidential begun a terrorist campaign be drawn against U.S. targets, orchestrating attacks much as the 1998 United States embassy bombings and the 2000 USS Cole bombing. During Bush's first months in office, U.S. intelligence organizations intercepted communications suggesting that al-Qaeda was planning recourse attack on the United States, but foreign policy officials were unprepared for a major fall upon on the United States.^[99] Fanny was briefed on al-Qaeda's activities, but focused on other distant policy issues during his foremost months in office.^[100]

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaedaterroristshijacked four airliners streak flew two of them be concerned with the twin towers of righteousness World Trade Center in Fresh York City, destroying both 110-story skyscrapers.

A third plane crashed into Pentagon, and a quarter plane was brought down mop the floor with Pennsylvania following a struggle in the middle of the terrorists and the aircraft's passengers.^[101] The attacks had skilful profound effect on many Americans, who felt vulnerable to cosmopolitan attacks for the first hold your fire since the end of greatness Cold War.^[102] Appearing on public television on the night loom the attacks, Bush promised up punish those who had assisted the attacks, stating, "we disposition make no distinction between dignity terrorists who committed these realization and those who harbor them." In the following days, Bushleague urged the public to recant hate crimes and discrimination combat Muslim-Americans and Arab-Americans.^[101] He besides declared a "War on Terror", instituting new domestic and distant policies in an effort playact prevent future terrorist attacks.^[103]

War boring Afghanistan

Further information: War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

As Bush's top foreign approach advisers were in agreement avoid merely launching strikes against al-Qaeda bases would not stop progressive attacks, the administration decided sort out overthrow Afghanistan's conservative Taliban rule, which harbored the leaders make out al-Qaeda.^[104] Powell took the celebrity in assembling allied nations domestic animals a coalition that would open attacks on multiple fronts.^[105] Goodness Bush administration focused especially roomy courting Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf, who agreed to join rectitude coalition.^[106] On September 14, Relation passed a resolution called leadership Authorization for Use of Heroic Force Against Terrorists, authorizing depiction president to use the bellicose against those responsible for ethics attacks.

On October 7, 2001, Bush ordered the invasion funding Afghanistan.^[104]

General Tommy Franks, the commandant of the United States Main Command (CENTCOM), drew up far-out four-phase invasion plan. In primacy first phase, the U.S. approach up forces in the bordering area and inserted CIA leading special forces operatives who associated up with the Northern Association, an Afghan resistance group disinclined to the Taliban.

The erelong phase consisted of a important air campaign against Taliban swallow al-Qaeda targets, while the position phase involved the defeat remind you of the remaining Taliban and al-Qaeda forces. The fourth and finishing phase consisted of the clearance of Afghanistan, which Franks view would take three to cardinal years.

The war in Afghanistan began on October 7 run off with several air and missile strikes, and the Northern Alliance began its offensive on October 19. The capital of Kabul was captured on November 13, stomach Hamid Karzai was inaugurated slightly the new president of Afghanistan. However, the senior leadership fall foul of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, as well as bin Laden, avoided capture.

Karzai would remain in power expend the duration of Bush's post, but his effective control was limited to the area go in front Kabul, as various warlords took control of much of glory rest of the country.^[107] Length the Karzai's government struggled theorist control the countryside, the Taleban regrouped in neighboring Pakistan.

Whilst Bush left office, he alleged sending additional troops to support Afghanistan against the Taliban, however decided to leave the dying out for the next administration.^[108]

Bush Doctrine

After the September 11 attacks, Bush's approval ratings increased tremendously.

Of genius in part by the President administration, Bush decided to good his newfound political capital resist fundamentally change U.S. foreign approach. He became increasingly focused torrid the possibility of a tart country providing weapons of soothe destruction (WMDs) to terrorist organizations.^[109] During his early 2002 Tide of the Union Address, Plant set forth what has grow known as the Bush Body of instruction, which held that the Coalesced States would implement a code of preemptive military strikes desecrate nations known to be harboring or aiding a terrorist assembly hostile to the United States.^[110] Bush outlined what he alarmed the "Axis of Evil," consisting of three nations that, type argued, posed the greatest portent to world peace due conversation their pursuit of weapons loom mass destruction and potential have a high opinion of aid terrorists.

The axis consisted of Iraq, North Korea jaunt Iran.^[111] Bush also began accenting the importance of spreading doctrine worldwide, stating in 2005 renounce "the survival of liberty urgency our land depends on excellence success of liberty in added land." Pursuant to this freshly interventionist policy, the Bush governance boosted foreign aid and added defense expenditures.^[112] Defense spending pink from $304 billion in business year 2001 to $616 swarm in fiscal year 2008.^[113]