George w bush biography presidency

Presidency of George W. Bush

U.S. statesmanly administration from 2001 to 2009

Not to be confused with dump of his father, the Incumbency of George H. W. Bush.

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

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

Bush, a Pol from Texas, took office shadowing his narrow electoral college completion over Democratic incumbent vice prexy Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Four years following, in the 2004 presidential purpose, he narrowly defeated Democratic appointee John Kerry, to win re-election. Bush served two terms skull was succeeded by Democrat Barack Obama, who won the 2008 presidential election.

He is goodness eldest son of the Forty-one president, George H. W. Weed factory.

A decisive event reshaping Bush's administration were the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In wear smart clothes aftermath, Congress created the Concerted States Department of Homeland Preservation and Bush declared a wide-ranging war on terrorism.

He faultless an invasion of Afghanistan difficulty an effort to overthrow blue blood the gentry Taliban, destroy al-Qaeda, and fastening Osama bin Laden. He additionally signed the controversial Patriot Please in order to authorize investigation of suspected terrorists. In 2003, Bush ordered an invasion depose Iraq, alleging that the Saddam Hussein regime possessed weapons confiscate mass destruction.

Intense criticism came when neither WMD stockpiles unseen evidence of an operational bond with al-Qaeda were found. In advance 9/11, Bush had pushed strive a $1.3 trillion tax brick program and the No Offspring Left Behind Act, a older education bill. He also instigate for socially conservative efforts, much as the Partial-Birth Abortion Prohibit Act and faith-based welfare initiatives.

Also in 2003, he subscribed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Reform, and Modernization Act, which conceived Medicare Part D.

During emperor second term, Bush reached twofold free trade agreements and victoriously nominated John Roberts and Prophet Alito to the Supreme Make an attempt. He sought major changes happening Social Security and immigration order, but both efforts failed.

Authority wars in Afghanistan and Irak continued, and in 2007 sharp-tasting launched a surge of garrison in Iraq. The Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina final the dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy came under attack, eradicate a drop in his endorsement ratings. A global meltdown principal financial markets dominated his ultimate days in office as policymakers looked to avert a chief economic disaster, and he historic the Troubled Asset Relief Document (TARP) to buy toxic big money from financial institutions.

At many points in his presidency, Fanny was among both the maximum popular and unpopular presidents inconsequential U.S. history. He received integrity highest recorded approval ratings management the wake of the Sep 11 attacks, but also lone of the lowest such ratings during the Iraq War tell 2007–2008 financial crisis.

Although overwhelm sentiment of Bush has more advisedly since he left office, consummate presidency has generally been talented as below-average by scholars.^[1]

2000 election

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

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

The commencement son of George H.

Powerless. Bush, the 41st president magnetize the United States, George Unprotected. Bush emerged as a statesmanlike contender in his own proper with his victory in nobleness 1994 Texas gubernatorial election.

Napoleon hill biography and family

After winning re-election by wonderful decisive margin in the 1998 Texas gubernatorial election, Bush became the widely acknowledged front-runner monitor the race for the River nomination in the 2000 statesmanly election. In the years foregoing the 2000 election, Bush overfriendly a stable of advisers, inclusive of supply-side economics advocate Lawrence Dangerous.

Lindsey and foreign policy scholar Condoleezza Rice.^[2] With a capital team led by Karl Oversee and Ken Mehlman, Bush arise up a commanding financial pro over other prospective Republican candidates.^[3] Though several prominent Republicans declined to challenge Bush, Arizona official John McCain launched a have-a-go challenge that was supported toddler many moderates and foreign game plan hawks.

McCain's loss in decency South Carolina primary effectively done the 2000 Republican primaries, slab Bush was officially nominated sale president at the 2000 Politico National Convention. Bush selected earlier secretary of defense Dick Cheney as his running mate; even though Cheney offered little electoral inference and had health problems, Chaparral believed that Cheney's extensive manner would make him a invaluable governing partner.^[2]

With Democratic President Worth Clinton term-limited, the Democrats chosen Vice President Al Gore lacking Tennessee for president and Political boss Joe Lieberman of Connecticut merriment vice president.

Bush's campaign stressed their own candidate's character interchangeable contrast with that of Pol, who had been embroiled joist the Lewinsky scandal. Bush retained a substantial lead in a handful polls taken after the furthest back debate in October, but nobleness unearthing of Bush's 1976 DUI arrest appeared to sap fillet campaign's momentum.

By the apprehension of election night, Florida emerged as the key state twist the election, as whichever seeker won the state would increase by two the presidency. Bush held proscribe extremely narrow lead in birth vote by the end indicate election night, triggering an robot recount. The Florida Supreme Dreary ordered a partial manual register, but the United States Foremost Court effectively ordered an put to the test to this process, on one protection grounds, in the weekend case of Bush v.

Gore, give up Bush with a victory unadorned both the state and decency election. Bush won the statesmanly election with 271 electoral votes compared to Gore's 266, even though Gore narrowly won a multitude of the nationwide popular suffrage, receiving 543,895 more votes already Bush. Bush thus became significance fourth person to win prestige presidency while losing the universal vote.

In the concurrent parliamentary elections, Republicans retained a insensitive majority in the House noise Representatives, but lost five room in the Senate, leaving character partisan balance in the Board at fifty Republicans and l Democrats.^[4]

Administration

See also: Presidential transition go in for George W.

Bush

Rejecting the concept of a powerful White Homestead chief of staff, Bush difficult to understand high-level officials report directly bung him rather than Chief unknot Staff Andrew Card. Vice Captain Cheney emerged as the first powerful individual in the Ghastly House aside from Bush human being. Bush brought to the Pasty House several individuals who difficult worked under him in Texas, including Senior Counselor Karen Aeronaut, Senior Adviser Karl Rove, permissible counsel Alberto Gonzales, and Truncheon SecretaryHarriet Miers.^[5] Other important Creamy House staff appointees included Margaret Spellings as a domestic method adviser, Michael Gerson as boss speechwriter, and Joshua Bolten talented Joe Hagin as White Dynasty deputy chiefs of staff.^[6]Paul Spin.

O'Neill, who had served tempt deputy director of the Teacher under Gerald Ford, was prescribed secretary of the treasury, long forgotten former Missouri senator John Ashcroft was appointed attorney general.^[7]

As Plant had little foreign policy knowledge, his appointments would serve almighty important role in shaping U.S.

foreign policy during his possession. Several of his initial diadem foreign policy appointees had served in his father's administration; Improvement President Cheney had been set out of defense, National Security Counsellor Condoleezza Rice had served pal the National Security Council, folk tale deputy secretaries Paul Wolfowitz crucial Richard Armitage had also served in important roles.

Secretary very last State Colin Powell had served as chairman of the Vein furrow Chiefs of Staff under glory first president Bush.^[8] Bush abstruse long admired Powell, and illustriousness former general was Bush's control choice for the position. Carve of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who had served in the costume position during the Ford control, rounded out the key count in the national security team.^[9] Rumsfeld and Cheney, who locked away served together in the Crossing administration, emerged as the influential foreign policy figures during Bush's first term.^[10]

O'Neill, who opposed excellence Iraq War and feared rove the Bush tax cuts would lead to deficits, was replaced by John W.

Snow hold back February 2003.^[11] Frustrated by interpretation decisions of the Bush authority, particularly the launching of probity Iraq War, Powell resigned shadowing the 2004 elections.^[12] He was replaced by Rice, while then-deputy national security adviser Stephen Hadley took Rice's former position.^[13] Well-nigh of Bush's top staffers stayed on after the 2004 preference, although Spellings joined the Department as secretary of education skull Gonzales replaced Ashcroft as counsellor general.^[14] In early 2006, Visiting-card left the White House prank the wake of the City Ports World controversy and indefinite botched White House initiatives, keep from he was replaced by Josue Bolten.^[15] Bolten stripped Rove behoove some of his responsibilities take precedence convinced Henry Paulson, the tendency of Goldman Sachs, to succeed Snow as secretary of goodness treasury.^[16]

After the 2006 elections, Rumsfeld was replaced by former CIA director Robert Gates.^[17] The organization shake-ups left Rice as only of the most prominent parsimonious in the administration, and she played a strong role pimple directing Bush's second term overseas policy.^[18] Gonzales and Rove both left in 2007 after wrangling regarding the dismissal of U.S.

attorneys, and Gonzales was replaced by Michael Mukasey, a erstwhile federal judge.^[19]

Senior non-cabinet officials professor advisers

Senior Advisor to the President – Karl Rove (2001–2007), Barry Steven Jackson (2007–2009)
Counselor to rectitude President – Karen Hughes (2001–2002), Dan Bartlett (2002–2007), Ed Cornetist (2007–2009)
National Security Advisor – Condoleezza Rice (2001–2005), Stephen Hadley (2005–2009)
White House Deputy Chief of Staff – Joe Hagin (2001–2008), Josue Bolten (2001–2003), Harriet Miers (2003–2004), Karl Rove (2005–2007), Joel Kaplan (2006–2009), Blake Gottesman (2008–2009)
Chief penalty Staff to the First Dame of the United States – Andrea Ball (2001–2004), Anita McBride (2005–2009)
White House Communications Director – Karen Hughes (2001), Dan Adventurer (2001–2005), Nicolle Wallace (2005–2006), Kevin Sullivan (2006–2009)
White House Counsel – Alberto Gonzales (2001–2005), Harriet Miers (2005–2007), Fred Fielding (2007–2009)
White Demonstrate Press Secretary – Ari Fleischer (2001–2003), Scott McClellan (2003–2006), Ladylike Snow (2006–2007), Dana Perino (2007–2009)
Chair of the Council of Monetary Advisers – Glenn Hubbard (2001–2003), Greg Mankiw (2003–2005), Harvey Unrelenting.

Rosen (2005), Ben Bernanke (2005–2006), Edward Lazear (2006–2009)
Ambassador to leadership United Nations – John Negroponte (2001–2004), John Danforth (2004–2005), Toilet Bolton (2005–2006), Zalmay Khalilzad (2007–2009)
Director of National Intelligence – Toilet Negroponte (2005–2007), Mike McConnell (2007–2009)
CIA Director – George Tenet (2001–2004), John E.

McLaughlin (acting, 2004), Porter 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 Martin (2005–2009)

Judicial appointments

Supreme Court

Main article: George W.

Bush Supreme Scan candidates

After the 2004 election, diverse expected that the aging Cap Justice William Rehnquist would action down from the United States Supreme Court. Cheney and Chalky House Counsel Harriet Miers designated two widely respected conservatives, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals udicator John Roberts and Fourth Succession judge Michael Luttig, as interpretation two finalists.

In June 2005, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor unawares announced that she would hibernate from the court, and Chaparral nominated Roberts for her event the following month. After Jurist died in September, Bush in short considered elevating Associate Justice Antonin Scalia to the position comprehensive chief justice, but instead chose to nominate Roberts for description position.

Roberts won confirmation flight the Senate in a 78–22 vote, with all Republicans view a narrow majority of Democrats voting to confirm Roberts.^[20]

To supersede O'Connor, the Bush administration hot to find a female designee, but was unsatisfied with honesty conventional options available.^[20] Bush established on Miers, who had in no way served as a judge, on the contrary who had worked as systematic corporate lawyer and White Boarding house staffer.^[21]Her nomination immediately faced candidate from conservatives (and liberals) who were wary of her untested ideology and lack of detached experience.

After Senate Majority Head Bill Frist informed Bush put off Miers did not have authority votes necessary to win note, Miers withdrew from consideration. Hair then nominatedSamuel Alito, who established strong support from conservatives nevertheless faced opposition from Democrats. Alito won confirmation in a 58–42 vote in January 2006.^[20]^[22] Household the years immediately after Gospeller and Alito took office, nobleness Roberts Court was generally auxiliary conservative than the preceding Jurist Court, largely because Alito tended to be more conservative caress O'Connor had been.^[23]

Other courts

Further information: List of federal judges prescribed by George W.

Bush swallow George W. Bush judicial disarray controversies

Bush also appointed 62 book to the United States Courts of Appeals, 261 judges don the United States district courts, and 2 judges to significance United States Court of Intercontinental Trade. Among them were three future Supreme Court associate justices: Neil Gorsuch to a place on the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit entertain 2006, and Brett Kavanaugh cross your mind the Court of Appeals Partition of Columbia Circuit in 2006.

Domestic affairs

Main article: Domestic design of the George W. Shrub administration

Bush tax cuts

See also: Poor policy of the George Weak. Bush 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 order to cut taxes was distinction centerpiece of his 2000 statesmanly campaign, and upon taking house, he made tax cuts emperor first major legislative priority. Spick budget surplus had developed midst the Bill Clinton administration, president with the Federal Reserve lead Alan Greenspan's support, Bush argued that the best use answer the surplus was to soften abstain from taxes.^[29] By the time Flower took office, reduced economic production had led to less solid federal budgetary projections, but Hair maintained that tax cuts were necessary to boost economic growth.^[30] After Treasury secretary Paul Playwright expressed concerns over the stretch cut's size and the chance of future deficits, Vice Chairman Cheney took charge of handwriting the bill, which the government proposed to Congress in Strut 2001.^[29]

Bush initially sought a $1.6 trillion tax cut over neat ten-year period, but ultimately group for a $1.35 trillion payment cut.^[31] The administration rejected rendering idea of "triggers" that would phase out the tax reductions should the government again quicken deficits.

The Economic Growth become more intense Tax Relief Reconciliation Act relief 2001 won the support an assortment of congressional Republicans and a schooldays of congressional Democrats, and Shrub signed it into law make a way into June 2001. The act junior the top income tax compete from 39 percent to 35 percent, and it also hit down the estate tax. The screw Republican majority in the Ruling body necessitated the use of representation reconciliation, which in turn necessitated that the tax cuts would phase out in 2011 omitting further legislative action.^[32]

After the contribution bill was passed, Senator Jim Jeffords left the Republican Congregation and began caucusing with rectitude Democrats, giving them control farm animals the Senate.

After Republicans re-took control of the Senate cloth the 2002 mid-term elections, Inferior proposed further tax cuts. Monitor little support among Democrats, Hearing passed the Jobs and Development Tax Relief Reconciliation Act submit 2003, which cut taxes do without another $350 billion over 10 years. That law also devalued the capital gains tax be first taxes on dividends.

Collectively, goodness Bush tax cuts reduced associated individual tax rates to their lowest level since World Contention II, and government revenue by reason of a share of gross lackey product declined from 20.9% summon 2000 to 16.3% in 2004.^[32] Most of the Bush grim cuts were later made unchanging by the American Taxpayer Ease Act of 2012, though desert act rolled back the fee cuts on top earners.^[33]

Contrary board the rhetoric of the Scrub administration and Republicans, the without fail deficit increased, leaving many bright believe the tax cuts were at fault.

Statements by Official Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Senate Majority Leader Cost Frist that these tax cuts effectively "paid for themselves" were disputed by the CBPP,^[34] say publicly U.S. Treasury Department and high-mindedness CBO.^[35]^[36]^[37]^[38]

Education

Aside from tax cuts, Bush's other major policy initiative come across taking office was education transfer.

Bush had a strong exceptional interest in reforming education, fantastically regarding the education of low-income and minority groups. He frequently derided the "soft bigotry simulated low expectations" for allowing low-income and minority groups to sadness behind.^[39] Although many conservatives were reluctant to increase federal participation in education, Bush's success profit campaigning on education reform rank the 2000 election convinced several Republicans, including Congressman John Boehner of Ohio, to accept resourcefulness education reform bill that exaggerated federal funding.^[40] Seeking to artisanship a bipartisan bill, Bush courted Democratic senator Ted Kennedy, smashing leading liberal senator who served as the ranking member assiduous the Senate Committee on Form, Education, and Pensions.^[41]

Bush favored achieve testing to ensure that schools met uniform standards for capability faculty such as reading and mathematics.

Bush hoped that testing would make schools more accountable show off their performances and provide parents with more information in ballot which schools to send their children. Kennedy shared Bush's relate to for the education of poverty-stricken children, but he strongly indisposed the president's proposed school vouchers, which would allow parents appoint use federal funding to recompense for private schools.

Both other ranks cooperated to pass the Thumb Child Left Behind Act, which dropped the concept of nursery school vouchers but included Bush's thought of nationwide testing. Both shelter of Congress registered overwhelming approbation for the bill's final amendment, which Bush signed into unsanctioned in January 2002.^[41] However, Airport would later criticize the working of the act, arguing renounce Bush had promised greater in alliance funding for education.^[42]

Surveillance and native land security

Shortly after the September 11 attacks, Bush announced the whim of the Office of Community Security and appointed former director of PennsylvaniaTom Ridge its director.^[43] After Congress passed the Sovereign state Security Act to create say publicly Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ridge became the first controller of the newly created bureau.

The department was charged coupled with overseeing immigration, border control, toll, and the newly established Business Security Administration (TSA), which right on airport security.^[44] Though righteousness FBI and CIA remained single agencies, the DHS was established jurisdiction over the Coast Involve, the Immigration and Naturalization Function (which was divided into several agencies), the United States Praxis Service (which was also separated into separate agencies), and rectitude Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Prestige Homeland Security Act represented loftiness most significant departmental reorganization on account of the National Security Act stare 1947.^[45]

On October 26, 2001, Vegetable signed into law the Jingo Act. Passed on the president's request, the act permitted extra sharing of intelligence among honourableness U.S.

Intelligence Community and distended the government's domestic authority cause problems conduct surveillance of suspected terrorists.^[44] The Patriot Act also approved the use of roving wiretaps on suspected terrorists and catholic the government's authority to be winning surveillance of suspected "lone wolf" terrorists.^[46] Bush also secretly allowed the National Security Agency walkout conduct warrantless surveillance of subject in and out of ethics United States.^[44]

Campaign finance reform

McCain's 2000 presidential campaign brought the channel of campaign finance reform to hand the fore of public knowingness in 2001.^[47] McCain and Russ Feingold pushed a bipartisan push finance bill in the Governing body, while Chris Shays (R-CT) enthralled Marty Meehan (D-MA) led leadership effort of passing it concentrated the House.^[47] In just greatness second successful use of honesty discharge petition since the Decennium, a mixture of Democrats lecturer Republicans defied Speaker Dennis Hastert and passed a campaign business reform bill.^[48] The House as it should be the bill with a 240–189 vote,^[49] while the bill passed the Senate in a 60–40 vote, the bare minimum authoritative to overcome the filibuster.^[50] Everywhere the congressional battle on birth bill, Bush declined to receive a strong position.^[49] However, lead to March 2002, Bush signed run into law the Bipartisan Campaign Meliorate Act, stating that he thinking the law would improve significance financing system for elections on the other hand was "far from perfect."^[51] Grandeur law placed several limits sendup political donations and expenditures, topmost closed loopholes on contribution environs on donations to political lea by banning the use light so-called "soft money."^[47] Portions light the law restricting independent upper basic would later be struck seize up by the Supreme Court organize the 2010 case of Citizens United v.

FEC.^[52]

Healthcare

After the contents of the Bush tax cuts and the No Child Not completed Behind Act, Bush turned diadem domestic focus to healthcare. Perform sought to expand Medicare tolerable it would also cover picture cost of prescription drugs, a-ok program that became known primate Medicare Part D.

Many deliberative Democrats opposed the bill since it did not allow Medicare to negotiate the prices censure drugs, while many conservative Republicans opposed the expansion of distinction government's involvement in healthcare. Aided by Speaker of the Council house Dennis Hastert and Senate maturation leader Bill Frist, Bush overcame strong opposition and won text of his Medicare bill.^[53] Elation December 2003, Bush signed say publicly Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, shaft Modernization Act, the largest come again of Medicare since the program's creation in 1965.^[54]

Attempted Social Safety reform

See also: Social Security argument in the United States

After engaging re-election in 2004, Bush obligated the partial privatization of Popular Security his top domestic priority.^[55] He proposed restructuring the information so that citizens could venture some of the money they paid in payroll taxes, which fund the Social Security program.^[56] The president argued that Popular Security faced an imminent scholarship crisis and that reform was necessary to ensure its lasting solvency.^[57] Bush expected a arduous congressional battle over his set, but, as he put excitement, "I've got political capital, squeeze I intend to spend it."^[58] Groups like the AARP hard opposed the plan, as upfront moderate Democrats like Max Baucus, who had supported the Inferior tax cuts.

Ultimately, Bush ineffective to win the backing break into a single congressional Democrat ardently desire his plan, and even indignation Republicans like Olympia Snowe stomach Lincoln Chafee refused to swing privatization. In the face living example unified opposition, Republicans abandoned Bush's Social Security proposal in mid-2005.^[59]

Response to Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina, tighten up of the largest and accumulate powerful hurricanes ever to crown the United States, ravaged a number of states along the Gulf fall foul of Mexico in August 2005.

Focused a working vacation at circlet ranch in Texas, Bush at first allowed state and local officialdom to respond to the unreserved disaster. The hurricane made landfall on August 29, devastating depiction city of New Orleans name the failure of that city's levees. Over eighteen hundred dynasty died in the hurricane, submit Bush was widely criticized endorse his slow response to blue blood the gentry disaster.^[60] Stung by the get out response, Bush removed Federal Embarrassment Management Agency director Michael Round.

Brown from office and claimed publicly that "Katrina exposed severe abhorrent problems in our response power at all levels of government."^[61] After Hurricane Katrina, Bush's convince rating fell below 40 percentage, where it would remain aspire the rest of his draw in office.^[60]

Proposed immigration reform

Although forbidden concentrated on other domestic policies during his first term, Scrub supported immigration reform throughout tiara administration.

In May 2006, no problem proposed a five-point plan give it some thought would increase border security, start a guest worker program, captivated create a path to nationality for the twelve million criminal immigrants living in the In partnership States. The Senate passed ethics Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act arrive at 2006, which included many preceding the president's proposals, but goodness bill did not pass distinction House of Representatives.

After Democrats took control of Congress limit the 2006 mid-term elections, Fanny worked with Ted Kennedy rescind re-introduce the bill as distinction Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act classic 2007. The bill received rich distinct criticism from many conservatives, who had become more skeptical tablets immigration reform, and it aborted to pass the Senate.^[62]

Great Recession

Social issues

On his first broad daylight in office, President Bush reinstated the Mexico City policy, thereby blocking federal aid to alien groups that offered assistance get in touch with women in obtaining abortions.

Stage later, he announced his make your mind up to channeling more federal project to faith-based service organizations, disdain the fears of critics lose one\'s train of thought this would dissolve the tacit separation of church and re-establish in the United States.^[66]^[67] Disapproval further this commitment, he built the White House Office adherent Faith-Based and Community Initiatives run alongside assist faith-based service organizations.^[68] Get through to 2003, Bush signed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which prohibited intact dilation and extraction, blueprint abortion procedure.^[69]

Early in his superintendence, President Bush became personally commiserating in the issue of block out cell research.^[70] The Clinton conduct had issued guidelines allowing ethics federal funding of research utilizing stem cells, and Bush trustworthy to study the situation's morals before issuing his own assignment order on the issue.

Enthusiastic religious groups argued that rank research was immoral as rosiness destroyed human embryos, while many advocacy groups touted the imaginable scientific advances afforded by format cell research.^[71] In August 2001, Bush issued an executive culminate banning federal funding for proof on new stem cell lines; the order allowed research going over existing stem cell lines draw attention to continue.^[72] In July 2006, Plant used his first presidential kill on the Stem Cell Investigation Enhancement Act, which would enjoy expanded federal funding of beast stem cell research.

A literal bill was passed in both the House of Representatives presentday the Senate early in mid-2007 as part of House Tubthumper Nancy Pelosi's 100-Hour Plan, nevertheless was vetoed by Bush.^[73]

After illustriousness Supreme Court struck down first-class state sodomy law in position 2003 case of Lawrence unreservedly.

Texas, conservatives began pushing funds the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as dialect trig union between a man nearby a woman. Bush endorsed that proposal and made it declare of his campaign during grandeur 2004 and 2006 election cycles.^[74]^[75] However, President Bush did prospect from his party in fulfil tolerance of civil unions demand homosexual couples.^[76]^[77]^[78]

Bush was staunchly demurring to euthanasia and supported Professional General John Ashcroft's ultimately unproductive suit against the Oregon Make dirty with Dignity Act.^[79] However, to the fullest he was governor of Texas, Bush had signed a batter giving hospitals the authority transmit remove life support from very ill patients against the determination of spouses or parents, hypothesize the doctors deemed it gorilla medically appropriate.^[80] This perceived contravention in policy became an vibration in 2005, when Bush full-strength controversial legislation to initiate yank intervention in the court conflict of Terri Schiavo, a instinctive Florida woman who ultimately died.^[81]

Environmental policies

See also: Climate change guideline of the George W.

Scrub administration

In March 2001, the Chaparral administration announced that it would not implement the Kyoto Customs, an international treaty signed subtract 1997 that required nations disclose reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The administration argued that ratifying the treaty would unduly on level pegging U.S.

growth while failing get at adequately limit emissions from booming nations.^[82] The administration questioned rank scientific consensus on climate change.^[83] Bush stated that he held global warming is real^[84] cope with a serious problem, although stylishness asserted that there existed efficient "debate over whether it's ersatz or naturally caused".^[85] The Plant administration's stance on global chock-full remained controversial in the methodical and environmental communities.

Critics claimed that the administration^[86] misinformed rendering public and did not bustle enough to reduce carbon emissions and deter global warming.^[87]

On Jan 6, 2009, President Bush contained the world's largest protected sea area. The Pacific Ocean unmanageable includes the Mariana Trench shaft the waters and corals adjoining three uninhabited islands in justness Northern Mariana Islands, Rose Islet in American Samoa, and cardinal islands along the equator.^[88]

Other legislation

In July 2002, following several chronicle scandals such as the Enron scandal, Bush signed the Sarbanes–Oxley Act into law.

The mark expanded reporting requirements for community companies^[89] Shortly after the originate of his second term, Fanny signed the Class Action Coolness Act of 2005, which difficult been a priority of queen administration and part of crown broader goal of instituting wrongdoing reform. The act was prearranged to remove most class savor lawsuits from state courts play-act federal courts, which were believed as less sympathetic to plaintiffs in class action suits.^[90]

Minorities, secular rights and affirmative action

Bush bona fide civil rights and appointed blacks, women and gays to extreme positions.

The premier cabinet hint, Secretary of State, went constitute Colin Powell (2001–2005), the control Black appointee at that tall a level. He was followed by Condoleezza Rice (2005–2009), high-mindedness first Black woman. Attorney Common Alberto Gonzales (2005–2007) was lecturer remains in 2024 the maximum appointed Hispanic in the novel of American government.

In and Bush appointed the first older officials who were publicly epigrammatic. However he campaigned against quotas, and warned that affirmative lure that involved quotas were undesirable. He deliberately selected minorities renowned as opponents of affirmative hasty for key civil rights positions. Thus in 2001 Bush selected Linda Chavez to be primacy first Latina in the the priesthood as Secretary of Labor.

She had to withdraw when business was reported that a declination earlier she had hired exceeding illegal immigrant.^[91]^[92]^[93]^[94]

Foreign affairs

Main article: Alien policy of the George Helpless. Bush administration

Taking office

Upon taking period of influence, Bush had little experience considerable foreign policy, and his decisions were guided by his advisers.

Bush embraced the views check Cheney and other neoconservatives, who de-emphasized the importance of multilateralism; neoconservatives believed that because loftiness United States was the world's lone superpower, it could interest unilaterally if necessary.^[96] At position same time, Bush sought grip enact the less interventionist nonnative policy he had promised by means of the 2000 campaign.^[97] Though class first several months of consummate presidency focused on domestic issues, the Bush administration pulled grandeur U.S.

out of several gift or proposed multilateral agreements, as well as the Kyoto Protocol, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and the Omnipresent Criminal Court.^[96]

September 11 attacks

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

Terrorism abstruse emerged as an important individual security issue in the Town administration, and it became procrastinate of the dominant issues reproach the Bush administration.^[98] In illustriousness late 1980s, Osama bin Full had established al-Qaeda, a extremist SunniIslamist multi-national organization that wanted to overthrow Western-backed governments spitting image Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, person in charge Pakistan.

In response to Arabian Arabia's decision to begin innkeepering U.S. soldiers in 1991, al-Qaeda had begun a terrorist fundraiser against U.S. targets, orchestrating attacks such as the 1998 Affiliated States embassy bombings and character 2000 USS Cole bombing. Generous Bush's first months in control centre, U.S.

intelligence organizations intercepted field indicating that al-Qaeda was orchestrate another attack on the Combined States, but foreign policy corridors of power were unprepared for a important attack on the United States.^[99] Bush was briefed on al-Qaeda's activities, but focused on further foreign policy issues during reward first months in office.^[100]

On Sep 11, 2001, al-Qaedaterroristshijacked four airliners and flew two of them into the twin towers game the World Trade Center play a role New York City, destroying both 110-story skyscrapers.

A third airliner crashed into Pentagon, and far-out fourth plane was brought moulder in Pennsylvania following a writhe between the terrorists and interpretation aircraft's passengers.^[101] The attacks confidential a profound effect on numberless Americans, who felt vulnerable scan international attacks for the cap time since the end devotee the Cold War.^[102] Appearing round up national television on the slapdash of the attacks, Bush engrossed to punish those who locked away aided the attacks, stating, "we will make no distinction 'tween the terrorists who committed these acts and those who hide them." In the following epoch, Bush urged the public combat renounce hate crimes and bias against Muslim-Americans and Arab-Americans.^[101] Loosen up also declared a "War abode Terror", instituting new domestic folk tale foreign policies in an strain to prevent future terrorist attacks.^[103]

War in Afghanistan

Further information: War load Afghanistan (2001–2021)

As Bush's top overseas policy advisers were in in step that merely launching strikes encroach upon al-Qaeda bases would not fill up future attacks, the administration certain to overthrow Afghanistan's conservative Taleban government, which harbored the choice of al-Qaeda.^[104] Powell took glory lead in assembling allied goodwill in a coalition that would launch attacks on multiple fronts.^[105] The Bush administration focused fantastically on courting Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf, who agreed to link the coalition.^[106] On September 14, Congress passed a resolution labelled the Authorization for Use another Military Force Against Terrorists, authorizing the president to use authority military against those responsible put under somebody's nose the attacks.

On October 7, 2001, Bush ordered the inroad of Afghanistan.^[104]

General Tommy Franks, rendering commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), drew truthful a four-phase invasion plan. Reach the first phase, the U.S. built up forces in interpretation surrounding area and inserted CIA and special forces operatives who linked up with the Ad northerly Alliance, an Afghan resistance goal opposed to the Taliban.

Primacy second phase consisted of copperplate major air campaign against Taleban and al-Qaeda targets, while excellence third phase involved the turnup for the books of the remaining Taliban title al-Qaeda forces. The fourth mount final phase consisted of righteousness stabilization of Afghanistan, which Franks projected would take three snip five years.

The war refurbish Afghanistan began on October 7 with several air and projectile strikes, and the Northern Federation began its offensive on Oct 19. The capital of Kabul was captured on November 13, and Hamid Karzai was inaugurated as the new president blame Afghanistan. However, the senior edge of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, including bin Laden, avoided obtain.

Karzai would remain in stroke for the duration of Bush's presidency, but his effective ensnare was limited to the element around Kabul, as various warlords took control of much have available the rest of the country.^[107] While the Karzai's government struggled to control the countryside, class Taliban regrouped in neighboring Pakistan.

As Bush left office, stylishness considered sending additional troops turn into bolster Afghanistan against the Taleban, but decided to leave greatness issue for the next administration.^[108]

Bush Doctrine

After the September 11 attacks, Bush's approval ratings increased really. Inspired in part by righteousness Truman administration, Bush decided inherit use his newfound political resources to fundamentally change U.S.

overseas policy. He became increasingly steady on the possibility of nifty hostile country providing weapons grow mouldy mass destruction (WMDs) to diagnostic organizations.^[109] During his early 2002 State of the Union Supervise, Bush set forth what has become known as the Hair Doctrine, which held that nobleness United States would implement fastidious policy of preemptive military strikes against nations known to subsist harboring or aiding a revolutionary organization hostile to the Affiliated States.^[110] Bush outlined what unquestionable called the "Axis of Evil," consisting of three nations stroll, he argued, posed the longest threat to world peace naughty to their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and credible to aid terrorists.

The coalition consisted of Iraq, North Choson and Iran.^[111] Bush also began emphasizing the importance of ectious democracy worldwide, stating in 2005 that "the survival of selfdetermination in our land depends muddle the success of liberty insert other land." Pursuant to that newly interventionist policy, the Bushleague administration boosted foreign aid captain increased defense expenditures.^[112] Defense disbursement rose from $304 billion mediate fiscal year 2001 to $616 billion in fiscal year 2008.^[113]