Hillary Clinton Senate career
Hillary Clinton was an undistinguished United States Senator, serving the State of New York for eight years from 2001 to 2008. Other than leading the Democratic effort for Iraqi regime change and the singing the siren song of Saddam's WMD, Sen. Clinton can boast of only three minor legislative accomplishments.[1]
Contents
2000 Senate election
In 2000, Hillary Clinton ran for the New York Senate seat vacated by the Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Backed by the White House, she obtained the Democratic nomination for this Senate seat, and then won easily against Republican Rick Lazio (who entered the race when Rudy Giuliani withdrew). Clinton was a high visibility show horse, working to develop a base in upstate regions. She initiated no major legislation.[2] Clinton is said to have belonged to a conservative prayer group with the purpose of "bringing Jesus back to Capitol Hill."[3] A few of her collaborators in the group include Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan) and Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa).
In preparation for her Senate bid, President Clinton offered clemency to members of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) terrorist group [4] to curry favor with radical Puerto Rican voters among the New York electorate.[5] The FALN bombed Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan, killing four people in 1975. Over a six-year period, the group claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings that took six lives and injured some 130 people.[6]
Pro-war & WMD
Speaking on Saddam Hussein's possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Hillary invoked her experience in the Clinton White House:,
| “ | I have to say that this is something that I have followed for a decade. If he [Saddam] were serious about disarming, he would have been much more forthcoming. There may be progress, we may be destroying his missiles, there is no accounting for the chemical and biological stocks.[7] | ” |
Hillary Clinton further described the situation after weapons inspectors we're expelled during the time when America had two in the position of presidential leadership, "for the price of one."[8]
| “ | In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.[9] | ” |
DOMA and gay marriage
Candidate Clinton said in January 2000 that marriage does not include gay unions,
| “ | Marriage has got historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time and I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman. | ” |
Porkbarrel
The noted newspaper which covers legislative affairs, The Hill, reported Hillary Clinton received more earmarks for Congressional pork barrel projects than only one other United States Senator. Reforming the earmark process had been among the Democrats top priorities in the 110th Congress, up until the time Democrats voted to rescind the rules aimed at reform that were passed in the first 100 hours of the new Congress in January. Ethics reform and the earmark process is widely attributed as the cause why Republicans lost control of both Houses of Congress after several members had been caught up in ethical scandals. The Hill reported Sen. Clinton received 26 earmarks worth about $148.4 million total, much going to Pentagon contractors.[10]
Illegal fundraising
In January 2006 Hillary Clinton's New York Senate 2000 campaign was fined $35,000 for failing to accurately report $721,895 in contributions.[11]
Voting record
After voting to send troops to Iraq Hillary Clinton voted against funding the troops in Iraq. In May of 2007 Clinton voted against raising the minimum wage.[12]
References
- ↑ https://www.ijreview.com/2015/12/503111-here-are-the-3-bills-hillary-clinton-sponsored-that-became-law-while-u-s-senator/
- ↑ "The week—Hillary Clinton's spending of taxpayer money, other news from around the world" (April 22, 2002). National Review. See National Review.
- ↑ Joyce, Kathryn and Sharlet, Jeff (September 1, 2007). "Hillary's prayer: Hillary Clinton's religion and politics". Mother Jones website.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- "Coddling terrorists?" (September 21, 1999). Senate Republican Policy Committee. Retrieved from May 1, 2008 archive at Internet Archive.
- U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary (September 15, 1999). "Witness list (and transcribed statements): Hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 'Clemency for FALN Members'". U.S. Senate website/Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved from April 16, 2000 archive at Internet Archive.
- U.S. Senate, 106th Congress (September 14, 1999). "S.J. Res. 106-33: A joint resolution deploring the actions of President Clinton regarding granting clemency to FALN terrorists." U.S. Congress website/Legislation/106th Congress/Senate joint resolutions. Passed 95-2.
- ↑ "FALN clemency and NY Senate race" (1999-2009). Justice for Jonathan Pollard website.
- ↑ "Clinton pardons terror" (August 13, 1999). New York Post. Reprinted at Latin American Studies website.
- ↑ "Hillary Clinton talks about her vote to go to war, Saddam, and WMDs (March 6, 2003)" (February 2, 2011). YouTube video, 15:21, posted by Kirsten Michel.
- ↑ Krauthammer, Charles (November 2, 2007). "Two for the price of one". Townhall.com website.
- ↑ Clinton, Sen. Hillary (October 10, 2002). Quoted by Frank, Joshua (October 11, 2004). "Democrats and WMD". Znet website. Retrieved from April 15, 2008 archive at Internet Archive.
- ↑ Tiron, Roxana and Wurman, Ilan (June 13, 2007). "Clinton can boast wealth of earmarks". The Hill website/Leading the news. Retrieved from December 11, 2008 archive at Internet Archive.
- ↑ "Press release, Matter under review 5225" (January 26, 2006). Federal Election Commission website.
- ↑ "HR 2206 - Emergency Departmental Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007/National key votes" (2012 or bef.) Vote Smart website. Location of defense funding section in bill: "Title [section] 1 [of 10]: Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, International Affairs, and Other Security-Related Needs". Minimum wage section in bill: "Title [section] 8 [of 10]: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007". Bill became Public Law No. 110-28 on May 25, 2007.
