List of his 9 bills in 20 years) John Kerry in the Senate: "The Man Who Wasn't There"

georgewbush.com ^ | July | georgewbush.com

[dennisw]

Saturday, July 31, 2004
John Kerry in the Senate: "The Man Who Wasn't There"

Yesterday on ABC's World News Tonight, John Kerry attempted to refute the notion that he has a thin record in the United States Senate, stating, "I've introduced many pieces of legislation that are the law of the land today…" The reality is that during his 19 years in the United States Senate, only five bills and four resolutions John Kerry has been a lead sponsor on have become laws. These bills and resolutions are listed below, following a quote from Dick Morris on Kerry's meager Senate record during the Clinton years.

Dick Morris: Kerry Is A "Back-Bencher." "Where did his 20 years in the Senate go? Oddly, his absence of biography confirms the impression I formed of him during my White House years: He's a back-bencher. I never can recall a single time that his name came up in any discussion of White House strategy on anything. He was the man who wasn't there." (Dick Morris, "The Bagel Candidacy," The New York Post, 7/30/04)

Kerry's Five Bills That Became Law:

1. A Bill To Amend The Small Business Act With Respect To The Women's Business Center Program. (S. 791, Latest Major Action: 12/9/1999 Became Public Law No: 106-165) 
2. A Bill To Redesignate The Federal Building Located At 380 Trapelo Road In Waltham, Massachusetts, As The "Frederick C. Murphy Federal Center." (S. 1206, Latest Major Action: 4/14/1994 Became Public Law No: 103-234)
3. A Bill To Authorize Appropriations For The Marine Mammal Protection Act Of 1972 And To Improve The Program To Reduce The Incidental Taking Of Marine Mammals During The Course Of Commercial Fishing Operations, And For Other Purposes. (S. 1636, Latest Major Action: 4/30/1994 Became Public Law No: 103-238) 
4. A Bill To Authorize Appropriations To Carry Out The National Sea Grant College Program Act, And For Other Purposes. (S. 1563, Latest Major Action: 12/4/1991 Signed by President)
5. A Bill For The Relief Of Kil Joon Yu Callahan. (S. 423, Latest Major Action: 11/19/1987 Became Private Law No: 100-2)

Kerry's Four Resolutions That Became Law:

1. A Joint Resolution Designating The Week Beginning October 20, 1991, As "World Population Awareness Week." (S.J. Res. 160, Latest Major Action: 10/30/1991 Signed by President)
2. A Joint Resolution Designating November 13, 1992, As "Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day." (S.J. Res. 318, Latest Major Action: 10/24/1992 Became Public Law No: 102-518)
3. A Joint Resolution Designating September 18, 1992, As "National POW/MIA Recognition Day," And Authorizing Display Of The National League Of Families POW/MIA Flag. (S.J. Res. 337, Latest Major Action: 9/30/1992 Became Public Law No: 102-373)
4. A Joint Resolution Designating October 22 Through 28, 1989, As "World Population Awareness Week." (S.J. Res. 158, Latest Major Action: 10/25/1990 Signed by President)

_______________

 

My commentary:

John Kerry claimed during last night's debate:

KERRY: Once again, the president is misleading America. I've actually passed 56 individual bills that I've personally written and, in addition to that, and not always under my name, there is amendments on certain bills.

After last night's debate the John Kerry campaign came out with this. It's an instant response to last night's debate:

57 bills and resolutions John Kerry has sponsored over the years have passed the U.S. Senate. Countless others have been improved because of his work, including the Clean Air Act, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the COPS program.
http://blog.johnkerry.com/rapidresponse/archives/003473.html#more

Notice the sly wording, how Kerry's 57 bills and resolutions passed the US Senate. Only got past the US Senate and no further is my conclusion. However this 57 most likely includes the 9 the Republicans mentioned, that made it past the House and got signed by the President into law. So the Kerry breakdown is probably:

   9      John Kerry  bills and  resolutions got signed into law

 48    John Kerry  bills and  resolutions got passed by the US Senate and got no further. IOW they were duds.

**** The numbers 57 and 56 are not my errors. Are as quoted

 

[hometoroost]

John Kerry - The Man in Empty Flannel Suit.

[Dog]

A Bill To Authorize Appropriations For The Marine Mammal Protection Act Of 1972 And To Improve The Program To Reduce The Incidental Taking Of Marine Mammals During The Course Of Commercial Fishing Operations, And For Other Purposes. (S. 1636, Latest Major Action: 4/30/1994 Became Public Law No: 103-238)

He sponsored a bill to save Flipper..

[pikachu]

Well, he wrote them before he erased them. Hey, it's not easy being more liberal than Teddy K. and finding a bunch of regular guys to go windsurfing with off Hyannas. A senator has to have his priorities even if his priority is not being a senator! /sarcasm

[afnamvet]

Thanks for posting this. Good research.

Sponsoring legislation=adding your name to it.

What a stellar career! /sarcasm

[ctdonath2]

Bump!

[rllngrk33]

According to this Kerry hasn't done anything in the senate since 1999.

[flashbunny]

John kerry - the senator who wasn't there.

[Dog]

Its hard being a gigalo.

[Mo1]

He sponsored a bill to save Flipper..

BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ... I am dying here ...

Saving Private Flipper ... hahahaha

[alloysteel]

Does the term "party hack" come to mind? Senator Herbert Kohl of Wisconsin may have a more remarkable record of attendance and engagement in the passage of effective legislation, and he doesn't leave much of a footprint.

[My2Cents]

He's spent 20 years windsurfing.

[Sacajaweau]

And now he's stuck with a million of them!!

[Radix]

He sponsored a bill to save Flipper..

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

[Dante3]

Kerry and Edwards -- two liberal empty suits, who flipflop and lack any leadership abilities. With their money, they have no idea what it means to be middle class or working class nowadays.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Kerry could suggest we name the UN Building for Mr Magoo.

[Txsleuth]

I may be wrong but those bills sound as empty-headed and inconsequential as Kedwards.

[EdReform]

BTTT

[Flint]

Oh! If I lived in Mass. I would be so proud of my Senator!