Barack Obama
The Public Record
Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate from 2005 to 2008 and served in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004. Obama is known for his signature policies including the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and his efforts in economic recovery following the 2008 financial crisis. His presidency was marked by significant legislative achievements and a focus on healthcare reform, climate change, and foreign policy initiatives such as the Iran nuclear deal.
Most widely reported
by number of sources- The American people are facing a moment of economic crisis.3 sources2008presidency.ucsb.edu
- today, I am introducing new legislation to build on the excellent work my colleagues began with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. That bill would close the revolving door between Capitol Hill and lobbying jobs. It would end all lobbyist-funded gifts, meals, and travel, and it would shine a bright light of monitoring and public disclosure on lobbyists' operations, secret conference committee negotiations and last-minute special-interest provisions. These are important steps forward that should be approved by this Congress and signed into law. The first bill I am introducing now builds on these steps by focusing on enforcement. We can pass all the new ethics rules in the world, but if we don't establish a body that can monitor and enforce those rules, it'll be easy to break them. My legislation will establish a nonpartisan, independent Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission that would investigate ethics violations and report their findings to the public. The idea of an independent Commission to conduct initial investigations is not new. It is modeled on successful efforts in a number of States including Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee. Similar commissions in those States have a track record of working well and making the ethics enforcement process much more effective.…3 sources2006govinfo.gov
- The events of the last few days have made it clear that we must take further bold and decisive action to shore up confidence in our financial markets and avoid a deepening economic crisis that could jeopardize the life savings and well-being of millions of Americans.2 sources2008presidency.ucsb.edu
- we have all heard from folks back home about the high price of gasoline. When you pull into a gas station to fill up your tank, you're now paying some of the highest prices of all time. And when you turn on the news, you see that our dependence on foreign oil keeps us tied to one of the most dangerous and unstable regions in the world. With oil at more than $50 per barrel, some argue that the best way to deal with high gasoline prices is to wait it out--to wait until the world market dynamics change. I disagree with that mindset. For too long now, we've relied too heavily on foreign oil to fuel our energy needs in this country. This is not good for the United States--not for our economy, not for our national security, and not for our people. The bill I am introducing today, along with my distinguished colleagues from Illinois and Missouri, is designed to do something about fuel prices and our reliance on foreign oil--something rooted in reality, something achievable in the short term, and something that actually works. Last week, I visited a gasoline station in Springfield, IL, where along with regular gasoline, a new kind of fuel is offered for consumers--a fuel known as E-85. E-85 is a clean, alternative form of transportation fuel consisting of a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is made from renewable, Midwestern corn, and it is 40-60 cents cheaper per gallon than standard gasoline.…2 sources2005govinfo.gov
Jul 19, 2026
At least one of our major parties has been captured by politics that is not that subtle about suggesting that ‘We the people’ means a certain kind of people.
Jun 25, 2026
It shows me somebody who’s not focused on the American people and the job they’re supposed to do.
Jun 22, 2026
While we are non-partisan, we are not value-neutral. We have a point of view.
Jun 21, 2026
Of course, we did not accomplish everything we set out to do. No administration does. Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business, in some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes, in some cases because - as a sign I kept on the…
Jun 21, 2026
I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.
Jun 20, 2026
People aren't looking for perpetual anger and division. They are looking for fairness and common sense and mutual respect, that deep in our gut, we want to find a way to turn towards each other again, not further away.
Jun 19, 2026
We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse…
Jun 19, 2026
That's what I hope every visitor to this center takes away from their experience.
Jun 19, 2026
a belief that our military and law enforcement owe allegiance not to any president or political party, but to the people and our constitution … a belief in the peaceful transfer of power
Jun 19, 2026
the American people want to find a way to turn towards each other again, not further away"
Jun 19, 2026
In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property.
Jun 19, 2026
Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold the values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did.
Jun 19, 2026
This idea that any suggestion or criticism that America was anything other than perfect is unpatriotic... is a suggestion that you hate your country.
Jun 19, 2026
It fortifies you to say that, yes, this has been part of the journey that we’re on.
Politicians like Barack Obama
