Al Gore Accomplishments (Detailed List Cont.)
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Part XVI: Campaign Finance Reform
GORE WAS EARLY SUPPORTER OF CAMPAIGN REFORM MEASURES IN CONGRESS
Gore Called for Campaign Finance Reform During His First Term in Congress. In a 1978 newspaper opinion column, then-Rep. Al Gore of Tennessee stated that reforming the campaign finance system is “…one of the most important steps we can take to return government to the people.” Gore called for passage of legislation that would reduce the cost of campaigns by instituting a system of public financing for Congressional races.
Gore Co-Sponsored Legislation to Limit PAC Contributions. Then-Rep. Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Campaign Contribution Reform Act of 1979, which sought to place restrictions on PAC contributions to House candidates. The bill attempted to cut in half the amount a PAC could contribute to a House candidate - from $10,000 ($5,000 in the primary and $5,000 in the general election campaigns) to a total of $5,000 for the primary and general election campaigns. The bill also attempted to place a $50,000 limit on total contributions that a House candidate may receive from all PACs.
Gore Co-Sponsored Legislation to Reduce Spending in House Campaigns. In 1979, Al Gore was an original co-sponsor of legislation to limit spending in House campaigns. His proposal would have established a public financing system for House campaigns similar to the system used for presidential elections.
Gore Co-Sponsored the Clean Campaign Act. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1983, Al Gore co-sponsored the Clean Campaign Act, which sought to reduce spending for House campaigns and require that certain independent expenditures be reported to the Federal Election Commission.
Gore Co-Sponsored the Bipartisan Commission on Congressional Campaign Financing Act. In 1985, Al Gore co-sponsored legislation to create a Bipartisan Commission on Congressional Campaign Financing to review ways in which the financing of Congressional campaigns can be reformed.
Gore Co-Sponsored Legislation to Limit PAC Contributions. As a U.S. Senator, Al Gore cosponsored the Senate Election Campaign Act, which included a provision to limit PAC contributions. The Act sought to limit PAC contributions to 30 percent of total campaign expenditures and limit PAC contributions to the national parties. This legislation, which was defeated by a Republican filibuster, would have also offered financial incentives to those who limit their campaign spending.
GORE PRESSED FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IN SENATE
Gore Sponsored the Campaign Limitation and Public Financing Act. In 1986, then-Senator Al Gore introduced the Campaign Limitation and Public Financing Act, which sought to place limits on expenditures in exchange for public financing of U.S. Senate general election campaigns - similar to the current presidential system. This legislation also increased the spending caps of a candidate whose opponent does not abide by the limitation on expenditures. In January of 1987, Gore re-introduced the legislation.
Gore Sponsored Legislation to Provide Free Air Time to Candidates. As a member of the Senate in 1988, Al Gore sponsored the Presidential Election Issues Act, to give six and one half hours of free broadcast time to the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
Gore Supported Legislation to Ban PACs. In 1990, Al Gore voted for the Senatorial Election Campaign Act, which sought to eliminate political action committees.
Gore Supported Passage of the Senate Election Ethics Act. In 1992, Al Gore voted in favor of the conference report on the Senate Election Ethics Act. The bill limited spending in congressional campaigns by providing incentives to candidates to agree to voluntary spending limits, restricting money candidates can accept from political action committees and restricting “soft money” raised and spent by state parties in federal elections.
Gore Supported Passage of the Senatorial Election Campaign Act. In 1990, Al Gore voted for the Senatorial Election Campaign Act, which revised federal laws governing the financing of federal campaigns by providing for a voluntary system of spending limits for general elections that gives candidates public subsidies as an incentive to participate, eliminates political action committees, limits certain individual contributions, and makes other changes.
GORE URGED CONGRESS TO PASS THE MCCAIN-FEINGOLD CAMPAIGN REFORM ACT
Gore Urged Passage of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Proposal. In February of 1996, the Clinton-Gore Administration endorsed bipartisan campaign finance legislation cosponsored by Senators McCain and Feingold. The legislation, which sought to limit spending, eliminate “soft money” and curb the influence of political action committees and lobbyists, was introduced in September of 1995 an was killed on the floor of the Senate in June of 1996. Gore praised this bipartisan proposal, and has repeatedly called upon Congress to pass it.
“But today we speak with one voice in our demand for tough, mainstream, nonpartisan campaign finance reform. It's needed to clean up America's political system and make sure the voice of the average citizen is no longer drowned out by the roar of the special interests. At its heart, that is what campaign finance reform is all about; returning political power to regular Americans, reining in runaway campaign spending, revitalizing American democracy itself.”
“All we're asking today is for the whole Senate to let that majority be heard to give us a clean up or down vote on campaign finance reform, with no procedural roadblocks, no parliamentary slight of hand.”
“I make you this pledge today: If you elect me as your President, the McCain-Feingold bill will be the first domestic legislation I send to the Congress - on my first day in office. I will fight as long as I have to, and as hard as I have to, to pass the bill that bears the names of Russ Feingold and John McCain. And then, with your help, I will be the President who signs McCain-Feingold into law.”
“I will use the full reach of the bully pulpit to press the case for McCain-Feingold. I will identify by name the special interests blocking the way, the money they are giving, and the officials who are doing their bidding. I will listen to grassroots activists, support their mobilization, and build with them a powerful national coalition for reform. And I will make it clear to every special-interest apologist that I will not give up, I will not back down, I will not walk away until McCain-Feingold, the people’s will, is the law of the land.”
Part XVII: Civil Rights
GORE IS WORKING FOR EQUALITY FOR ALL
Gore Fought to Increase Funding for Civil Rights Enforcement. Al Gore and the Administration have worked hard to increase enforcement of our civil rights laws. In this year’s budget, the Administration has proposed a 13 percent increase to put civil rights enforcement funding at $698 million. Specifically, the budget includes $98 million for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (an 86% increase over the 1993 level), $322 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (15% more than the FY00 budget), $50 million for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Initiatives (14% more than last year), and increases in funding for the Civil Rights Offices of the Departments of Agriculture and Education.
Gore Opposed Efforts to Roll Back Civil Rights. Al Gore has strongly opposed state and local efforts to end affirmative action programs that help create opportunities for African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups. Gore urged voters to reject Proposition 209 in California and opposed similar measures in Houston and in Washington state. “The way to lift this nation up is not by pulling the weakest down,” Gore said in opposition to Prop. 209. “We need to continue to expand opportunities for everyone who wants to achieve.”
Gore Fought To Increase Investment in Urban Areas. Since 1993, Al Gore has served as chairman of the Community Empowerment Board, which has been central to the Administration’s efforts to invest in America’s urban communities. The Administration has created 31 Empowerment Zones and more than 100 Enterprise Communities, which have assisted in creating new jobs and new opportunities in American cities.
Gore Worked to Help Minority-Owned Businesses. Al Gore has worked with the Small Business Administration to help ensure that African-American, Hispanic, and other minority-owned businesses have access to lending and other business services. The Vice President also announced a new initiative between the SBA and the “Big Three” U.S. automakers to increase the contracts awarded to minority-owned businesses by nearly $3 billion over three years.
Gore Fought Wage Discrimination. The Administration has strongly encouraged Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. This legislation is designed to combat wage discrimination. This year, the President has proposed a $27 million initiative to help the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and the Labor Department fight wage discrimination.
Gore Helped To Ensure a Fair and Accurate Census. Al Gore and the Administration are working to ensure that this year’s Census accurately reflects all ethnic groups in a fair and accurate manner. The Census Bureau estimates that the 1990 count missed 8.4 million people, including 4.4 percent of all African Americans. In order to correct these disparities, Gore has advocated the use of statistical sampling methods - recommended by the National Academy of Science - to ensure that all Americans, regardless of ethnicity, are included in the Census count.
Gore Worked To Create a Diverse Administration. Al Gore believes that our government should reflect the diversity of the Nation. That is why he and the President have worked to create the most diverse Administration in history.
African Americans. The Administration named 14 African Americans as U.S. Attorneys, 12 African Americans as U.S. Marshals, and have nominated 57 African Americans to the Federal bench.
Asian Pacific Americans. The Administration has tripled the number of Asian Pacific Americans appointed by the previous Administration, including appointing the first Asian American member of the President’s Cabinet, Norman Mineta. The Administration has also nominated more Asian Pacific Americans to the federal bench than any other Administration.
Hispanic Americans. The Administration has appointed more Hispanics to senior level positions than any other Administration.
Gore Worked to End Hate Crimes. Al Gore worked to encourage passage of the Administration’s 1994 Crime Bill, which included provisions to combat hate crimes. The Act included the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act, which increased sentences for hate crimes by about one-third.
New Initiatives to Fight Hate Crimes. Vice President spoke at the first White House Conference on Hate Crimes in 1997, during which the Administration announced initiatives to get tough on hate crimes. Included among these initiatives were the addition of approximately 50 FBI agents and federal prosecutors to enforce hate crimes laws, improve data collection on hate crimes, and new education programs to educate the public - especially youth - about hate crimes.
The Administration Ordered an Assessment of Affirmative Action Programs. The Administration ordered a comprehensive review of the government's affirmative action programs which concluded that affirmative action is still an effective and important tool to expand educational and economic opportunity to all Americans. This review of federal affirmative action programs has helped to ensure that these programs are fair and effective and that they can survive legal challenges.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Remove Barriers to High Quality Education. The Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education is working to eliminate discriminatory educational practices within schools that contribute to deficiencies in minority student achievement. These practices included the inappropriate placement of minority students in special education, limited access of minority students to challenging curricula and programs such as gifted and honors classes and the lack of comparable resources.
Gore and the Administration Ensured Election Fairness. The Administration defended racially fair redistricting plans against claims that they were unconstitutional and also prevented election day discrimination against minority voters and voter intimidation and harassment by monitoring polling place activities in a record number of states and counties.
The Administration Defended Fairness. The Administration has filed more cases between 1993 and 1997 to enforce fair housing laws than any other Administration (more than 500 cases). Among other cases, this Administration desegregated a Vidor, Texas, public housing complex and ordered a Mississippi bank to implement remedial lending plans for minority customers who were unfairly denied loans by the bank.
Gore and the Administration Eliminated Discriminatory "Redlining" Practices. The Administration negotiated agreements with health care agencies to eliminate discriminatory "redlining" practices denying home health care services based on residential location.
GORE WORKED FOR PROGRESS AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Gore Cosponsored the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987. Al Gore cosponsored the Civil Rights Restoration Act to overturn several Supreme Court cases that undermined the effectiveness of a number of civil rights statutes. President Reagan’s veto of the act was overridden by Congress and the Civil Rights Restoration Act became law on March 22, 1988.
Gore Cosponsored the Civil Rights Act of 1990. Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Civil Rights Act of 1990, which attempted to overturn a number of Supreme Court rulings from 1989 that made it more difficult for minorities and women to win discrimination suits. President Bush vetoed the bill, and an attempt by the Senate to override the veto failed.
Gore Cosponsored the Martin Luther King Holiday Act. Al Gore was an original cosponsor of legislation to designate the third Monday of every January as a federal holiday in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King.
Gore Cosponsored the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act. Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act. This Act reauthorized funding for the commission, which promotes racial equality and encourages events honoring the memory of Dr. King on the anniversary of his birth.
Gore Cosponsored the Equal Remedies Act. Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Equal Remedies Act, which attempted to lift the cap on damages that can be recovered for workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, and disability.
Part XVIII: Government Reform
GORE LED THE ADMINISTRATION'S REINVENTING GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE
Under The Clinton-Gore Administration Federal Budget Deficits Have Been Eliminated: Between 1980 and 1992 the federal budget deficit exploded from $74 billion to $290 billion. Last year, the budget ran a surplus of $124 billion - the largest dollar surplus on record (even after adjusting for inflation) and the largest surplus as a share of our economy since 1951. In addition, the Administration has paid off $355 billion of the national debt.
Under The Clinton-Gore Administration Government Is Smaller: Between 1981 and 1992, the size of the Federal civilian workforce increased. Since 1993, however, the Federal civilian workforce has been cut by more than 370,000 employees -- giving us the smallest Federal workforce since the Kennedy Administration.
Under the Clinton-Gore Administration Federal Spending Is Lower: Spending as a share of GDP increased between 1981 and 1992 - rising from 21.7% to 22.5%. Since 1992, however, federal government spending as a share of the economy has been cut from 22.2 percent to 18.7 percent in 1999 - its lowest level since 1966.
GORE WORKED TO CREATE AN OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT
Gore Delivered the First Live Televised Speech on the Floor of the House. On March 19, 1979, Al Gore became the first Member to deliver a live, televised speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. During his speech, Gore stated that opening House proceedings to the American public would "revitalize representative democracy." He further stated that, "Television will change this institution, …just as it has changed the executive branch, but the good will far outweigh the bad." Two years earlier, Gore had cosponsored a resolution calling for television and radio coverage of the of House proceedings.
Gore Cosponsored Resolution Calling for Televised Senate Proceedings. In his first year in the U.S. Senate, Gore cosponsored a resolution that allowed Senate floor proceedings to be broadcast on cable television. After the resolution was passed, the first broadcast took place on June 2, 1986.
Gore Has Held Open Meetings With Voters for Nearly 24 Years. Al Gore has been holding open meetings with voters since he was first elected to Congress in 1976. In fact, within a month of his election to Congress, Gore held 30 open meetings in the 25 counties that made up Tennessee's 4th district. By 1982, Gore had held a total of 1,000 open meetings. Gore noted, "It's given me the chance to meet, on a regular basis, with anyone who wants to discuss problems related to the federal government."
GORE INVESTIGATED WASTE AND MISMANGEMENT IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Gore Investigated Corruption and Missing Public Funds at FEMA. As chairman of the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, then-Rep. Gore investigated allegations of waste and fraud within the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 1984, FEMA's deputy director resigned after Gore's subcommittee heard evidence alleging that he misused government property and sexually harassed an agency employee. Soon after the investigation, FEMA's director also resigned.
Gore Investigated Military Air Charter Procedures Following Crash that Killed 248 Soldiers. Al Gore investigated the military's procedures for chartering aircraft following the 1985 crash of a U.S. military air charter in Gander, Newfoundland, that killed 248 soldiers and 8 crewmembers. Gore was highly critical of Arrow Airlines - the charter company involved in the 1985 crash - citing FAA records showing that the company had the next to worst complaint record among 327 U.S. airlines. "It sounds as though the chairman is asleep in the boardroom and the whole company is on automatic pilot," Gore said.
Gore Proposed Aircraft Safety Reforms. Al Gore proposed an 8-point plan to improve aircraft safety to ensure that air travel remains safe for all Americans. This plan called for improvements in Military Airlift Command safety oversight, strict penalties for safety violations, and improved aircraft inspection procedures. Gore made these recommendations after participating in a Senate subcommittee investigation of air safety, which included a review of the 1985 Gander crash.
GORE WORKED TO REFORM THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM
Gore Called for Campaign Finance Reform During His First Term in Congress. In a 1978 newspaper opinion column, then-Rep. Al Gore of Tennessee stated that reforming the campaign finance system is "…one of the most important steps we can take to return government to the people." Gore called for passage of legislation that would reduce the cost of campaigns by instituting a system of public financing for Congressional races.
Gore Co-Sponsored Legislation to Limit PAC Contributions. Then-Rep. Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Campaign Contribution Reform Act of 1979, which sought to place restrictions on PAC contributions to House candidates. The bill attempted to cut in half the amount a PAC could contribute to a House candidate - from $10,000 ($5,000 in the primary and $5,000 in the general election campaigns) to a total of $5,000 for the primary and general election campaigns. The bill also attempted to place a $50,000 limit on total contributions that a House candidate may receive from all PACs.
Gore Sponsored the Campaign Limitation and Public Financing Act. In 1986, then-Senator Al Gore introduced the Campaign Limitation and Public Financing Act, which sought to place limits on expenditures in exchange for public financing of U.S. Senate general election campaigns - similar to the current presidential system. This legislation also increased the spending caps of a candidate whose opponent does not abide by the limitation on expenditures. In January of 1987, Gore re-introduced the legislation.
Gore Sponsored Legislation to Provide Free Air Time to Candidates. As a member of the Senate in 1988, Al Gore sponsored the Presidential Election Issues Act, to give six and one half hours of free broadcast time to the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
Part XIX: Defense
GORE WAS A CONGRESSIONAL LEADER ON ARMS CONTROL
Gore Plan Brought Innovative Thinking to Arms Control Debate. In 1982, then-Rep. Al Gore proposed a plan to stabilize the U.S.-Soviet arms race and reduce the risk of nuclear war. Gore advocated deterring a first-strike by replacing stationary, multi-warhead missiles with mobile, single-warhead, "Midgetman," missiles. In addition to reconfiguring both sides' nuclear arsenals, Gore also called for a reduction in the total number of warheads deployed by both the United States and the Soviet Union. The Gore plan became a critical component to the arms control debate, and was eventually adopted as part of the recommendations by a Reagan-appointed panel, led by Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, to study the MX missile. In an essay in Time magazine, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger also embraced the single-warhead concept.
Gore Recognized as an Arms Control Expert. Gore became involved in arms control issues as a young Congressman and was quickly considered "a respected authority on arms control," according to The Tennssean. The Washington Post explained that, "no policy game in this town is harder to break into than nuclear strategy…. Starting from scratch, in a brief time, through personal exertion, Gore can fairly claim to have had a major role in … moving a central set of ideas from the perimeter of the debate to the center." Gore was was "widely credited as the person most responsible for bringing to public notice the case for seeking a more stable nuclear balance based on single-warhead missiles." Paul Warnke, former director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, said, "to the best of my knowledge, I understand Gore was the first one to come up with the idea to restructure the ICBM. There's no question that he's a leader on the issue." During a visit to Moscow, Minneapolis Mayor Donald Fraser observed that, "all the Soviets wanted to talk about was this 'Gore Plan.'" In 1984, Gore traveled to Moscow to meet with Soviet military and foreign policy officials. Beginning in 1985, Gore traveled to Geneva several times as part of a congressional delegation monitoring U.S.-Soviet Arms talks.
Gore Proposed a Plan to End Stalemate in Arms Control Negotiations. In 1987, Gore served as a member of a Congressional delegation that met with the U.S. and Soviet delegations to arms control talks in Geneva. A contentious issue at these negotiations was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and whether testing the system would violate the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty. Gore disagreed with the Reagan Administration's broad interpretation of the Treaty, "I felt it was absolutely preposterous to change the way the treaty was viewed. It is intellectually dishonest..." Gore proposed a compromise between the Administration position and those in the Congress who subscribed to a narrow interpretation of Treaty. Under his plan, the Administration would agree not to undertake SDI development and testing, and the Senate would agree to support a moderate level of funding for SDI research.
Gore Named to Senate Armed Services Committee. In 1987, Gore was named to a coveted seat on the Senate Arms Services Committee. James Woolsey, who would later become CIA Director, called Gore "one of the very few members of Congress who has been a genuine intellectual contributor to the [arms control] debate." Gore used his new post to talk about new global security challenges. "Only when the superpowers begin working together to divert their energies from making weapons to wiping out disease, poverty, pollution and other problems can the world be saved from the threat of nuclear war," Gore said.
Gore Urged Senate to Ratify Major Arms Control Treaty. In 1988, Al Gore urged the Senate to ratify the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Gore had served as a Senate observer at the INF negotiations in Geneva and believed the pact could serve as a foundation for more meaningful arms control treaty in the future. Gore cautioned that, "Defeat of this treaty in the U.S. Senate would be a disaster of the first magnitude. It would waste the investment of every major European leader for the last decade and at least two U.S. presidents. It would demonstrate that our nation is inconsistent and undependable." The Senate ratified the INF Treaty on May 27, 1988.
GORE WORKED TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S MILITARY
Gore Emphasizes Importance of a Strong, Modern Military Force. Beginning with his own volunteer army service during Vietnam, Al Gore has long been committed to a strong military. In a West Point address in May 2000, Gore called for enhancing military readiness and maintaining a smart, agile force that is capable of defeating any threat to U.S. security. He also advocated increasing pay, benefits, and training for military personnel. He called for research into advanced weaponry, modernization of intelligence and information systems, and implementation of new military doctrines to assist the armed forces in meeting future challenges.
Gore Helped Reverse Decline in Defense Spending, Boosted Pay, and Invested in Modernization and Readiness. Al Gore and the Administration reversed the decline in defense spending that began under the Bush-Quayle Administration. Al Gore and the Administration's economic policies have created the first budget surplus in a generation, allowing for additional funding to: improve and replace aging equipment and weapons with more technologically advanced systems; integrate computer technology into the battlefield; develop defense systems against both theater and strategic ballistic missiles; improve readiness; and increase benefits for our servicemen and women. The Administration's defense proposals have included the largest increase for the Defense Department since the Reagan Administration.
Gore Worked to Improve Readiness. Al Gore and the Administration have invested in readiness by increasing funding to support unit operations and joint exercises, meet their required training standards, maintain their equipment in top condition, recruit and retain quality personnel, and procure sufficient spare parts and other equipment. Also, the Administration's FY2001 budget request included $60.3 billion for modernization to maintain our status as the best equipped armed force in the world. As Congressional Quarterly Outlook stated: "[T]he Pentagon has undertaken extensive reviews of military doctrine, modernized its arsenal, and restructured its forces into a leaner, more mobile military capable of responding quickly to a number of crises in different parts of the world." Last year, the Administration signed a 4.8% military pay increase - the largest in 20 years - as well as long-overdue reforms to the military retirement system.
Gore Backed Use of Military Force When Necessary to Protect U.S. Interests and Values. In 1987, Al Gore supported re-flagging Kuwaiti oil tankers and using American military forces to ensure safe passage and freedom of the seas in the Iran-Iraq war. In 1991, Gore was one of only 10 Senate Democrats who voted to authorize the use of military force against Iraq in the Persian Gulf War. Throughout the past seven-and-a-half years, Gore has repeatedly supported military intervention to protect U.S. interests and values. He supported the removal of the military junta in Haiti and the restoration of the democratically elected government. He argued strongly for punitive air strikes against the Serbs and the use of American military force to stop the genocide in Bosnia. He supported air strikes and continuous patrolling of the no-fly zone in Iraq to contain Saddam Hussein. He backed allied air strikes to defeat Serbian aggression in Kosovo in 1999. And he supported military retaliation against Osama Bin Laden for terrorist attacks against U.S. embassies in east Africa.
Gore Promoted Greater Efficiency in the Defense Establishment. As part of the National Performance Review, Al Gore presided over a comprehensive and innovative review of Defense Department procedures. His "Reinventing Government" project helped lead the Pentagon on a path toward acquisition reform, scrubbing of unnecessary military specifications, streamlining the civilian workforce, financial management reform, and modernizing logistics systems.
GORE WORKED TO COMBAT PROLIFERATION AND WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Gore Sponsored Legislation with John McCain to Stop Proliferation of Missile Technology. In 1989, Gore partnered with Sen. John McCain to sponsor two pieces of legislation that sought to stop the proliferation of ballistic missile technology. The two bills would have punished firms that export missile technology and granted the President the authority to deny export licenses to companies engaged in illegal technology transfers. "Congress must act to make illegal traffic in these technologies very hazardous to the pocketbooks of certain kinds of corporations and their subsidies," Gore said.
Gore Supported Legislation to Diminish WMD Threat. In 1991, Gore cosponsored a Senate amendment to provide $500 million in defense funds to assist the Soviet Union and its Republics dismantle Soviet nuclear, chemical, and other weapons. In 1992, he supported legislation that created the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, which has helped safeguard Americans from the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction from Russia and the Newly Independent States.
Gore Worked to Help Eliminate Nearly 5,000 Nuclear Weapons in Former Soviet States. Through the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Commission, which Gore co-chairs, the Administration has overseen implementation of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Under that program, nearly 5,000 nuclear warheads have been deactivated. Over 250 missile silos have been destroyed, along with 50 heavy bombers, and other nuclear weapons facilities. Khazahkstan, Belarus, and the Ukraine - which were all "born nuclear" - are now nuclear free. And today, there are no Russian nuclear weapons aimed at the United States.
Gore Assisted in Denuclearizing Ukraine. When the Soviet Union broke apart, the Ukraine inherited the world's third largest nuclear arsenal. In 1993 and 1994, Al Gore was directly involved in negotiations with Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk which ultimately resulted Ukraine's renunciation of nuclear weapons and participation in the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Gore's efforts led to the achievement of the Trilateral Statement between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., and the ultimate removal of nuclear weapons from Ukraine. Under the agreement, Russia is reprocessing fuel from the warheads and returning it to Ukraine as fuel elements for civilian nuclear reactors.
Gore's Efforts Prevented Emergence of New Nuclear Power. During a visit to Kazakhstan, Gore represented the U.S. at the signing of a Kazakhstan-U.S. agreement in which Kazakhstan agreed to dismantle its nuclear arsenal -- the third largest of the former Soviet Republics. In December 1993, Vice President Gore was present when Kazakhstan's Parliament voted to accede to the NPT as a non-nuclear state. This vote formalized Kazakhstan's willingness to forgo its nuclear weapons stockpile.
Gore's Efforts Helped Safeguard Weapons Material. Gore helped strike a deal to enable the U.S. to purchase and remove 600 kilograms of highly-enriched uranium from a Kazakhstani production facility. This transfer to secure storage in the U.S., known as Project Sapphire, was instrumental in preventing diversion, theft, or purchase of the material by terrorists or rogue states. Also, under the "Megatons to Megawatts" program, the United States has agreed to purchase 500 MT of Russian enriched uranium - the equivalent of thousands of nuclear warheads.
Gore's Intervention Helped Lead to Permanent Extension of NPT Treaty. In 1995, during the United Nations Review Conference on the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Vice President Gore "intervened at key moments to pressure heads of state" into adopting an indefinite extension of the historic treaty. The NPT is "a permanent pledge by non-nuclear nations that they would never develop or acquire nuclear arms."
Gore Criticized Senate for Not Ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. In 1996, the Administration signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans testing for nuclear explosives and calls upon world leaders to take further steps to limit weapons of mass destruction. Gore criticized the Senate for defeating the CTBT on a party-line vote and vowed to resubmit it to the Senate if elected President.
Gore Helped Establish Joint Space Programs with the Russians. Al Gore's work on developing U.S.-Russia space programs, such as the International Space Station, has helped prevent the collapse of the Russian civilian space program, thus accomplishing an important anti-proliferation strategic goal of the United States.
Gore and the Administration Secured Passage of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Al Gore and the Administration secured passage of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) through the Senate on April 25, 1997. The treaty bans the development, production, sale, use or stockpiling of chemical weapons. The Senate approval was "a big win" for the Clinton-Gore Administration, which "had faced determined opposition from GOP conservatives."
Gore Supports Deterring Attacks by Rogue States Within the Context of the ABM Treaty. Al Gore has long supported the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty as a component of a stable strategic relationship with Russia. As a result, Gore has backed the development of technology needed for the possible deployment of a National Missile Defense capable of deterring rogue states with long-range weapons without destabilizing the strategic balance with Russia and China.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Protect Americans Against Weapons of Mass Destruction. Al Gore and the Administration have pursued an aggressive arms control and non-proliferation agenda. This includes reducing Russia's nuclear forces through the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START I, II, and III); adapting the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty to enhance military predictability and stability in Europe; working with Russia to halt the flow of technology to Iran; developing a national missile defense system capable of defending against missile attacks from Iran and North Korea; and strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Working with China to Stop Proliferation. Al Gore and the Administration won an agreement from China in May 1996 to halt all assistance to non-safeguarded nuclear programs and strengthen China's nuclear export control system. In September 1997, China agreed to halt its nuclear cooperation with Iran. In 1998, the Administration secured China's pledge to further strengthen its export control regime for duel-use chemicals and related production equipment. The Administration also worked successfully to secure China's signature on the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993, and the CTBT in 1996.
Halting North Korea's Nuclear Program. In October 1994, the U.S. reached agreement on a framework with North Korea to freeze and eventually dismantle North Korea's putonium-capable nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and Taechon. Since April 1996, the U.S. and North Korea have held four rounds of bilateral missile talks, in which the U.S. has pressed for an end to the DPRK's testing and export of missiles.
GORE AND THE ADMINISTRATION WORKED TO COMBAT TERRORISM
Fighting Terrorist Threats. Under Al Gore and the Administration, annual funding for the FBI's Counterterrorism program has grown from $78.5 million in 1993 to $301.2 million in 1999. The number of agents funded for counterterrorism investigations has grown from 550 in 1993 to 1,383 in 1999. The Administration constantly monitors domestic and international threats and employs diplomatic pressure to isolate nations harboring terrorists.
Attacking Threats Overseas. In the wake of the 1998 embassy bombings in East Africa, the Clinton-Gore Administration ordered missile attacks against Osama Bin Laden's terrorist bases in Afghanistan. The FBI placed Bin Laden on the Ten Most Wanted List, and the State Department offered a $5 million reward, the largest amount ever offered by the government for a wanted fugitive. The Administration has also imposed sanctions on the Taliban movement, froze assets of businesses associated with Bin Laden, and indicted him and 16 of his associates.
Safeguarding Americans from Terrorism. In March 1999, Al Gore and the Administration unveiled a comprehensive plan to safeguard Americans from the threat of terrorism. As part of the program, the Defense Department has trained over 15,000 firemen and other first-responders in 52 cities to respond to bioterrorist and chemical weapons attacks. The Justice Department began implementing a $21 million initiative to train local emergency service personnel to respond to terrorist attacks, and the Department of Health and Human Services is investing $11 million in new rapid medical response teams trained to respond to biological and/or chemical weapons assaults, administer antidotes, decontaminate affected areas, and provide care.
Gore Led Task Force to Upgrade Airport Security. In September 1996, Al Gore led an interagency Airline Safety Commission that reviewed the threat of terrorism and proposed critical security upgrades to ensure the safety of America's airports.
GORE AND THE ADMINISTRATION WORKED TO PROMOTE PEACE AND DEMOCRACY
Gore and the Administration Helped Promote American Values Across the World. Al Gore and the Administration have helped support peace, halt ethnic cleansing, stand up for human rights, and plant the seeds of democracy. Highlights include:
Achieving historic breakthroughs in the Middle East Peace process by brokering the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, the Wye River Memorandum, and the Sharm el-Sheik agreement.
Ending a decade of repression and reversing ethnic cleansing in Kosovo by leading a 79-day NATO air war against Serb forces, and launching the Stability Pact to strengthen democracy, prosperity, and integration throughout the Balkans.
Helping to broker the Good Friday Peace Accords in Northern Ireland, the best hope in a generation for ending the violence and empowering the people of Northern Ireland to determine their own future.
Leading diplomatic efforts to end the civil war and foster multi-ethnic democracy in Bosnia.
Ousting the military junta in Haiti to give democracy a chance.
Supporting democratic transitions in South Africa, Nigeria, and Indonesia, and supporting the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, and along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border.
Helping end the violence and protect democracy in East Timor by leading diplomatic efforts and supporting an international peacekeeping mission.
Helping to settle the Peru-Ecuador border dispute and end the civil war in Guatemala.
Pressing for human rights and religious freedom worldwide, including in China, Burma, and Sudan.
Gore Helped Strengthen Democracy through the REGO Initiative. Al Gore hosted a Global Forum on Reinventing Government at the U.S. Department of State in January of 1999. Attended by delegations from more than 40 nations, this forum invited nations already engaged in serious programs of democratic reform a chance to exchange ideas, build relationships, and work together to build stronger democracies.
Gore Appealed for Respect for Basic Human Rights and Freedoms. In his keynote address at the opening of the APEC annual meeting in Malaysia, Gore spoke passionately about the importance of democracy and human rights in fostering economic growth. Gore's remarks focused attention on allegations that the government had unjustly jailed, then beaten a reformer, former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
GORE AND THE ADMINISTRATION STRENGTHENED ALLIANCES AND BUILD KEY PARTNERSHIPS
Gore and the Administration Strengthened Our Alliances and Helped Build Key Partnerships.
Helping to fulfill a vision of an undivided, democratic, and peaceful Europe by bringing Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic into NATO, integrating Southeast Europe, and strengthening NATO-Russian Partnership.
Deepening security alliance with Japan through adoption of Defense Guidelines and a Joint Security Declaration.
Maintaining military and economic aid to Israel, deepening U.S.-Israel cooperation to fight terrorism, and working with Israel to develop and deploy the Arrow anti-tactical ballistic missile system.
Strengthening cooperation with South Korea through jointly offered Four Party Talks with North Korea and the establishment of Trilateral Consultation and Oversight Group to coordinate North Korean policy.
Building a more constructive relationship with China through engagement and frank dialogue, leading to cooperation on non-proliferation and regional security issues, as well as environmental protection.
Expanding trade and strengthening democracy in Asia and Latin America through APEC and the Summit of the Americas.
Strengthening ties with Africa by passing the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and supporting regional peacekeeping efforts.
Gore Supported NATO Expansion. Al Gore strongly supported the accession of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary as a milestone in building a stronger NATO and a more democratic and unified Europe. His personal diplomacy helped foster greater NATO-Russian cooperation. The Administration has stated that it looks forward to bringing in additional qualified members in the future who share our values and are willing to take on the responsibilities of membership.
Gore Has Long Supported Close U.S.-Israel Relations. Throughout his public service career, Al Gore has supported a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, one based on shared values and a mutual commitment to democracy. In Congress, he was an unwavering supporter of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge, and he consistently voted for foreign assistance to Israel. In 1991, despite fierce opposition from the Bush-Quayle Administration, he supported extension of loan guarantees to assist Israel's historic absorption of Soviet refugees. He has always supported the Middle East peace process and has participated in talks with both Israelis and Arabs. He has traveled to Israel numerous times and represented the United States Government at Israel's 50th Anniversary celebration in Jerusalem.
GORE AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE EXPANDED GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Gore and the Administration Expanded Prosperity by Opening Markets, Promoting Free and Fair Trade, and Preventing International Financial Crises.
Opening markets for U.S. exports abroad and creating American jobs through NAFTA, GATT and more than 270 other free and fair trade agreements.
Integrating China into the global rules-based economy through a landmark agreement for China's entry into the World Trade Organization that opens markets for U.S. exports, slashes Chinese teriffs, and protects American workers from dumping.
Establishing the World Trade Organization to reduce tarrifs, settle trade disputes, and enforce rules.
Reducing the possibility that a future Asian financial crisis would undermine America's prosperity by promoting structural reform - including sound monetary policies, urging banking reforms and fighting corruption abroad.
Stimulating worldwide economic growth through support for the International Monetary Fund and the G-8 global economic strategy.
Assisting Mexico's economic recovery with $20 billion in emergency support loans.
Forgiving $500 million in African debt and announcing an initiative to link debt relief to health and education investments, and forging an agreement among G-8 industrialized countries to provide additional debt relief.
Gore Helped Open China's Markets to the U.S. Through the U.S.-China Policy Forum, which Gore co-directs with the Chinese Premier, the Vice President has helped open Chinese markets to foreign investment and U.S. environmental technologies in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and pollution control. In addition, the Vice President's efforts led to an unprecedented agreement for development of a natural gas pipeline in south central China with a U.S. company.
Gore Proposed Plan for Asian Financial Crisis. In November 1998, Al Gore spoke at the APEC annual meeting in Malaysia about the Asian economic crisis. He suggested opportunities for renewed economic growth and a recovery strategy for the region. He introduced the Asian Growth and Recovery Initiative to help revitalize and stabilize the region's financial systems. The plan would provide technical assistance, financing, and micro-credits for financial restructuring and reforms.
Gore Supported Free and Fair Trade. At the 1999 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Al Gore delivered a major address on ways to sustain prosperity and expand economic growth based on eliminating deficits, opening markets, and investing in people. Gore advised against protectionism and called for a reduction in agricultural tariffs and the elimination of agricultural export subsidies. He emphasized the interdependence of national economies, the importance of balancing budgets, and the need to deal with financial crises early. At the conclusion of GATT's Uruguay Round agreement, Gore described the importance of expanded trade, reducing barriers, lower tariffs, agricultural reforms, and new export opportunities.
Gore Advocated Workers Rights and Environmental Protection. In 1994, Gore attended the signing of the Uruguay Round Accord and made the case for labor and environmental protections in the new global trading system. In his remarks to ministers from over 120 countries, he called for balancing the pursuit of economic growth with addressing its consequences to the environment and labor. He warned against irresponsible development that exploits workers or neglects the environment. At the World Economic Forum, in 1999, Gore stressed the importance of building a trading system that includes strong safeguards for workers, health and safety, and children.
GORE CO-CHAIRED BINATIONAL COMMISSIONS
Gore Co-Chaired Binational Commissions. Capitalizing on his expertise in foreign relations, Al Gore co-chaired Binational Commissions with Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Egypt, and Kazakhstan. Through his work on these Commissions, Gore has been instrumental in strengthening political and economic ties between the U.S. and each of these countries. The Commissions are an important mechanism for sustaining dialogue especially when relations are strained, as in the case of Russia. Gore has developed strong working relationships with key foreign leaders, enabling him to engage his counterparts on subjects including the environment, trade, science and technology, economic development, business, health, space, energy, and defense conversion.
Gore Addressed Global Challenges Through Commissions. Through his leadership and direct intervention with foreign leaders and key ministers, Al Gore has helped opened markets, resolved trade disputes, and paved the way for U.S. investment abroad. Gore has contributed to nonproliferation and disarmament efforts, promoted political reforms, advanced environmental protections, and advised on ways to expand economic growth.
The U.S.-Russia Commission has reduced Russian trade barriers for U.S. products.
The U.S.-Russia Commission has assisted in destruction of Russian nuclear weapons facilities.
Through the U.S.-Russia Commission, the U.S. and Russia agreed to end the production of plutonium for use in nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Ukraine Commission developed a gas reform initiative to encourage a more competitive and efficient gas sector in Ukraine.
The U.S.-Ukraine Commission established scientific exchanges and facilitated joint research at the International Radioecology Laboratory at the Chornobyl Center on Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology.
The U.S.-South Africa Commission created a Housing Working Group to expand cooperation between our nations in finding public-private alternatives for construction of low income housing.
The U.S.-South Africa Commission has addressed HIV/AIDS and ways to confront the epidemic in South Africa through preventive measures, training, and education.
The U.S.-Egypt Commission has supported privatization of state-owned enterprises through technical assistance and training.
The U.S.-Egypt Commission has assisted in developing an Egyptian solid waste management strategy.
Gore Took Advantage of Forum Role to Influence Reforms in China. Through U.S.-China Policy Forum, which Al Gore co-directed with the Chinese Premier, Gore has worked to pursue progress on issues of concern to the U.S. The Forum provides for dialogue and cooperation on the environment and economic development.
Gore Supported Privatization Efforts Through Binational Commissions. In the context of the Binational Commissions with Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Egypt, and Kazakhstan, Al Gore has encouraged privatization and market-oriented competition. He has also worked to increase opportunities for U.S. investment and products.
Gore Supported Democratic Transitions. Through the Binational Commissions, Gore has worked to bolster human rights as well as prioritize democracy-building activities and programs to assist countries, such as Russia, in the transition to democracy and free market economies.
GORE ADDRESSED GLOBAL WARMING AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
Gore Helped Lead Early Efforts Against Global Warming. As Vice President and as a U.S. Senator, Al Gore has been recognized as an early leader in international efforts to combat global warming:
Sponsored early legislation to study the implications of global warming and to encourage the development of environmental technologies to combat global warming.
Chaired the U.S. Congressional delegation to the Interparliamentary Conference on the Global Environment, which reached an agreement between 40 nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Led the U.S. Senate delegation to the "Earth Summit," which produced a new understanding of the role of the interdependency of environment, trade and finance, consumption patterns and the need to set out to determine a long-term plan for global sustainable development.
Helped produce an agreement at the Kyoto Global Warming Conference among 150 nations for limiting the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere.
Gore Pushed the Bush Administration to Speed the Phase-Out of Ozone Depleting Chemicals. Al Gore sponsored an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that the EPA should accelerate the phase-out of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer and move to strengthen the 1987 Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer. The New York Times reported that Gore's amendment helped to push the Bush Administration to "a surprise reversal of its public position…support[ing] a Senate action to phase out much faster the chemicals that damage the protective ozone layer high in the atmosphere." In 1989, 300,000 metric tons of CFCs were emitted in the United States. By 1996, ozone depleting chloroflurocarbon (CFC) emissions were eliminated.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Phase Out Pollutants and Protect the Ozone. Gore has been involved in the Administration's efforts to phase out ozone-depleting CFCs and 12 of the most dangerous organic pollutants such as PCBs and DDT.
Gore Contributed to Strategy for Tackling Population Problems. In 1994, during the World Conference on Population in Cairo, Egypt, Gore called for a new global approach for stabilizing the world's population based on family planning, sustainable development, increased educational opportunities for women, and a reduction in infant mortality.
Gore Helped Promote Environmentally Responsible Trade. Gore has fought to assure that potential environmental impacts are considered in future trade negotiations. Gore has also worked for trade agreements that reflect a commitment to environmental protection.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Expand Our Ability to Address Global Climate Change. Al Gore and the Administration secured $11.6 billion for the Global Change Research Program to enhance surface and satellite monitoring of changes in temperature and precipitation and expand climate change research efforts. The Administration also secured more than $2 billion to research and develop clean energy technologies within carbon-emitting sectors of the economy as part of the Climate Change Technology Initiative.
Gore Met the Challenge of Global Warming. Al Gore and the Administration proposed an FY 2001 budget which includes $2.4 billion -- a 42 percent increase -- to combat global climate change, and $1.7 billion for scientific research into factors influencing climate and the likely consequences of global warming.
Gore Has Been a Leader on the Environment. Al Gore helped elevate the environment from a domestic concern to an international one through the translation of his best-selling book, Earth in the Balance, into several languages. During his career, Gore has supervised initiatives aimed at restoring endangered wildlife, ensuring clean air and water, encouraging "green" businesses and government, protecting oceans and coasts, and enhancing enforcement of environmental regulations. In addition, he has helped raise awareness on global warming, sustainable development, and clean energy issues.
Gore Urged Consideration of the Environment in Foreign Policy Initiatives. In an introduction to the U.S. Department of State's first annual report on the environment and foreign policy, Al Gore discussed the importance of addressing global environmental threats as part of U.S. foreign policy, "We have moved beyond Cold War definitions of the United States' strategic interests. Our foreign policy must now address a broad range of threats - including damage to the world's environment - that transcend countries and continents and require international cooperation to solve."
GORE AND THE ADMINISTRATION ADDRESSED GLOBAL AIDS CRISIS AND OTHER EPIDEMICS
Gore Presided Over Historic Security Council Session Devoted to AIDS Crisis. Al Gore helped focus global attention on the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa by presiding over the first U.N. Security Council session ever devoted to combating a health crisis. Saying that AIDS posed "a security threat of the greatest magnitude," Gore challenged world leaders to step up the fight against HIV/AIDS and announced new U.S. initiatives to combat the epidemic.
Gore and the Administration Invested in Stopping Infectious Diseases. Al Gore and the Administration included $150 million to assist efforts to combat international epidemics in their FY 2001 budget proposal. The proposal included $100 million for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and $50 million for vaccines against hepatitis B, meningitis, yellow fever, malaria, and TB. The Administration also announced that it would loan sub-Saharan Africa $1 billion a year to buy U.S.-made drugs to fight AIDS.
Part XX: Veterans
GORE WORKED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR AMERICA'S VETERANS
Gore and the Administration Improved the Effectiveness of the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1998, the Administration signed into law the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act that was designed to improve the quality of the services of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This Act authorized an increase in compensation payments to veterans who have service-related disabilities, which will help more than 2.3 million veterans and more than 300,000 surviving spouses and children of veterans. The Administration also passed legislation to permit the VA to pay compensation benefits to chronically disabled Gulf War veterans with undiagnosed illnesses. In 1999, Gore called on Congress to add an additional $1 billion in funding for veterans' health care, including long-term care, infrastructure needs and quality and waiting time issues - which was later signed into law by the President.
Gore and the Administration Fought for Gulf War Veterans' Health Research. The Administration has placed a priority on extending health care services for Gulf War veterans through 2001, and has committed additional funding for research of Gulf veterans' health issues. More than $100 million has been secured for 121 research projects related to Gulf War health issues. The Administration also created a Military and Veterans Health Coordinating Board to improve collaboration between the VA, Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services on a wide range of health care and research issues relating to past, present and future service in the Armed Forces.
Gore Worked to Provide Better Health Care Service for Veterans. This Administration has worked hard to expand quality health services to America's veterans. Since 1994, the Veterans Administration has expanded its health care system by more than 600 ambulatory and community-based clinics. In turn, the number of veterans treated has increased by 18-20 percent per year. The Administration launched a new health-care benefits plan for veterans in 1998 that will increase access to a broader array of services at VA facilities throughout the United States.
This year, the Department of Veteran's Affairs will treat about 673,000 patients in VA hospitals, 111,000 in nursing homes and 26,000 in domiciliaries. The VA's outpatient clinics will register close to 37.6 million visits. In all, 3.6 million people will receive care in VA health care facilities.
Gore and the Administration Provided Small Business Opportunities to Veterans. In 1999, the Administration signed the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act, which will provide assistance to veterans to maintain, grow, or establish their own business. In addition, the Administration signed the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act to preserve veteran preference for federal jobs.
Gore and the Administration Established the Center for Women Veterans. Under this Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs established the Center for Women Veterans, to assess and improve VA's delivery of services to women veterans. The CWV participates in and promotes improvements to women veterans' programs by integrating clinical care, education outreach and research on women veterans-related issues.
The Administration Worked to Help Homeless Veterans. In Fiscal Year 1999, the Department of Veterans Affairs spent more than $100 million in support of its homeless initiatives, and funded about $5 million in direct grants to homeless programs in communities across the nation. Over the past five years, the direct grants program has provided more than $26 million for community-based activities to help homeless veterans.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Help Unemployed Veterans. The Administration, through the direct funding efforts and assistance of the Department of Labor, has helped an estimated 500,000 veterans find jobs. A joint effort by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs provided job assistance to 130,000 special disabled veterans. Additionally, the Administration signed the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, which preserves veterans preference for federal jobs.
The Administration Provided Strong Budget For This Year. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Fiscal Year 2000 appropriation is $44.3 billion. Of this amount, $23.4 billion funds compensation, pension and education benefits and $19.4 funds fund medical programs.
Gore and the Administration Proposed Largest Increase Ever for Veterans Programs. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 budget proposal gives the Department of Veterans Affairs a $1.5 billion increase, the largest increase ever proposed for veterans' programs. This indicates the commitment that Al Gore and the Administration have to caring for those who served our country. Since 1993, the VA health system has increased the number of patients treated every year by over 29 percent; treated 83 percent more homeless patients; organized approximately 1,300 sites of care delivery under 22 Veterans Integrated Service Networks; and established more than 250 new community-based outpatient clinics.
The Administration Provided Home Loan Assistance. In Fiscal Year 1999, the VA guaranteed 485,610 loans valued at $54 billion and assisted 496 disabled veterans with grants totaling $19.9 million for specially adapted housing.
Gore and the Administration Helped Provide Life Insurance. The Department of Veterans Affairs operates one of the largest life insurance programs in the world and the fourth largest in the United States. The VA administers six life insurance programs and by the end of fiscal year 1998 had provided 2.2 million policies, with a face value of $24.1 billion.
GORE WORKED FOR AMERICA'S VETERANS AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Gore Worked to Improve Educational Benefits for Veterans. As a Congressman and throughout his public career Al Gore - himself a veteran - has been working to improve access and funding of educational and vocational programs for veterans. Gore sponsored a bill that would extend Educational Assistance Programs for veterans, and he voted for a 10 percent increase in payments to individuals that received benefits through veterans' educational programs. In addition, Gore cosponsored legislation to extend educational benefits of the GI bill.
Gore Fought to Preserve and Increase COLAs. As a Congressman, Gore voted for a 13 percent COLA increase for disability compensation and raising benefits for survivors of disabled veterans. In 1985, Gore supported an amendment to provide full COLAs for veterans' compensation and pensions and supported exempting veterans' benefits from COLA reductions. In 1991, Gore voted against the indexation of COLA adjustments for determining veterans' disability compensation.
Gore Voted to Restore Veterans' Health Care Funding. As a Congressman, Gore supported an amendment to restore more than $166 million to veterans' health care.
Gore Worked to Find Answers for Veterans' Exposed to Chemicals During Service. In Congress, Al Gore cosponsored legislation to help veterans determine the cause of disabilities and diseases relating to their time in active service or during wartime. Gore called on the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to conduct a scientific review of the evidence regarding association of diseases to chemical compounds or nuclear or atomic radiation.
Gore Fought for Better Job Training for Veterans. As a Member of Congress, Al Gore has fought for better job training programs for veterans. In 1983, he cosponsored the Emergency Veterans' Job Training Act, which provided more than $325 million to establish a job-training program for unemployed and disabled Vietnam veterans.
Gore Aided Veterans Facing Foreclosure. In 1983, Al Gore voted to provide financial assistance to unemployed veterans facing foreclosure on home mortgages guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.
Part XXI: Religon and Faith
GORE HELPED FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Gore Has Worked to Promote Faith-Based Organizations as New Partners in Building a More Just Nation. Al and Tipper Gore have witnessed first-hand the benefits of faith-based organizations in addressing other challenges that have defied attempted solutions. Through her work with the homeless people who come to Christ House in Washington, D.C., Tipper saw the power of faith in creating a loving, trusting atmosphere that helps address the issues that led to homelessness in the first place. Through the Coalition to Sustain Success, an organization formed at the urging of the Vice President, he has seen the transformative power of faith-based approaches in helping former welfare recipients succeed in the workplace.
Gore Has Worked to Harness the Best Efforts of Faith-Based Organizations. Al Gore knows that faith is critical to millions of families. That is why he has worked to promote the role of faith-based organizations in helping to strengthen families. Through the Coalition to Sustain Success, an organization formed at the urging of the Vice President, he has worked to harness the best efforts of faith-based, community-based, and non-profit organizations to help former welfare recipients succeed in the workplace. His experiences with the Coalition have shown him that faith-based organizations are making a difference in addressing other challenges that have defied attempted solutions.
Gore is Working to Assist Faith-Based Organizations. Al Gore believes government can play a greater role in sustaining the quiet revolution of faith and values - not by dictating solutions, but by supporting the effective new policies that are rising up from the grassroots level. That is why he is proposing concrete actions to help faith-based organizations do what they do best - offer new hope for social progress.
Extend Charitable Choice. The 1996 welfare reform law contains a provision called Charitable Choice that allows states to enlist faith-based organizations to provide basic welfare services and help move people from welfare to work -- as long as there is a secular alternative for anyone who wants one, and as long as no one is required to participate in religious observances as a condition for receiving services. Al Gore believes we should extend this carefully-tailored approach to supplement other vital services where faith can play a unique and effective role -- such as drug treatment, homelessness, and youth violence prevention. In contrast to most Republicans, however, Gore advocates using faith-based organizations to enhance governmental programs, not as a substitute for them.
Scaling Up the Role of Faith-Based Organizations. Al Gore believes that the solutions faith-based organizations are pioneering should be part of our national strategy for building a better, more just nation. By "scaling up" the efforts of faith-based organizations and making them integral to strategic local, state, and national planning, we can invigorate civil society; empower faith-based and secular non-profits alike; create a myriad of new multi-sector partnerships; and bring a whole new leadership into the political process -- that of the community.
Encourage Private Support for Faith-Based Organizations. We need to make sure the efforts of faith- and value-based organizations are recognized and supported across America. Right now it is common for employees to have their charitable contributions matched by their company, up to an annual limit. Rarely are faith-based programs approved for such matches. Al Gore calls upon the corporations of America to encourage and match contributions to faith and value-based organizations.
Gore and the Administration Issued Guidance Highlighting the Positive Role of Religion in Public Schools. Last year, the Administration issued a comprehensive set of religious guidelines for every public school in America. These guidelines encourage greater cooperation, within constitutional limits, between public schools and faith-based organizations. In announcing these religious guidelines, the Administration noted that schools and faith communities should be reaching out to each other, in constitutional ways, to support their common goals for assisting children and families. The new guidelines also emphasize both the protection of private religious expression in schools and the prohibitions against coerced student participation in religious expression.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Strengthen Non-profits' Role in Community Development. In their Fiscal 2001 budget proposal, the President and Vice President have called for increasing the involvement of religiously affiliated and community-based organizations in a variety of community development programs, such as after-school, housing, community development, criminal justice, welfare reform, teen pregnancy prevention, and juvenile justice programs. The Administration's proposal would be implemented in a manner consistent with the constitutional line between church and state.
GORE HELPED PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
While Al Gore believes faith-based organizations play a vital role in providing key community services, he remains committed to ensuring that government does not promote a particular religious view or try to force anyone to receive faith. He is committed to ensuring that a high-quality secular choice is always available. "We can protect against the establishment of religion without infringing in any way on its free exercise." [Al Gore, 5/24/99]
Gore Supported the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. In 1993, Vice President Al Gore praised the enactment of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Gore stated that the act restores "a freedom called for by Thomas Payne when he wrote in 'Common Sense' that 'It is the will of the Almighty that there should be diversity of religious opinions among us.'" This act, overturning a 1990 Supreme Court ruling that limited the rights of religious groups, ensures that government does not impinge upon religious practices or discriminate against those who engage in religious rituals.
Gore Supported Criminal Penalties for Religious Crimes. As a Member of Congress, Al Gore cosponsored legislation that established criminal penalties for damaging or destroying religious property or interfering with any person's free exercise of religious beliefs.
Gore Cosponsored "Religious Freedom Week." Al Gore was an original cosponsor of Senate resolutions that established a "Religious Freedom Week" in 1989 and 1990.
Gore Worked to Deny Funding to Organizations that Discriminate. Al Gore cosponsored the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 that denied funding to institutions, government agencies and corporations that discriminate based on religion, race, age or disability. In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned provisions from the 1964 Civil Rights Act in Grove City College v. Bell, which reduced the rights of those being discriminated against based on religion, race, disability or age. The 1987 bill sought to return civil rights coverage to the same levels as prior to the 1984 ruling. The bill was passed by Congress, but was vetoed by President Reagan. In March, 1988, Congress voted to override the presidential veto and the bill became law on March 22, 1988.
