Civics 101: John Kerry's Thin Senate Record

George W. Bush ^ | October 14, 2004

[RWR8189]

To:       Interested Parties
From:   Bush-Cheney '04 Communications
Date:    10/14/04
Re:       Civics 101: John Kerry's Thin
             Senate Record

Last night, President Bush said John Kerry "introduced 300 some bills and he's passed five," meaning just five of Kerry's bills became law.  Kerry responded by claiming, "I've actually passed 56 individual bills that I've personally written."  Nineteen years is long enough for most senators to learn how a bill becomes a law, but John Kerry and his campaign seem to need a civics lesson.  A bill does not become a law until it passes the Senate, passes the House, is reconciled by a conference committee, passes both chambers again and is signed into law by the president.

Fifty-six of Kerry's bills passed the Senate, but only five passed both houses of Congress and were signed into law by the president.  Fifty-one of the 56 bills and resolutions Kerry says he "passed" did not become law.  Kerry's claim is akin to taking credit for running a full marathon without even making it to mile 13.

The reality is that since joining the U.S. Senate in 1985, Kerry has been the lead sponsor on 316 bills.  Of these bills: 31 passed the Senate (10 percent) and five became law (1.6 percent).  Of the 60 resolutions on which Kerry has been the lead sponsor: 28 passed the Senate (47 percent), four of which became law (6.6 percent).

It's no wonder the Associated Press has said Kerry has a "short list of laws that bear his name" and CQ Weekly has highlighted his "thin record."  As President Bush said last night, John Kerry has "no record of leadership." 

John Kerry's Thin Record 

Since Joining The U.S. Senate In 1985, Kerry Has Been The Lead Sponsor On:

• 316 Bills, 31 Of Which Passed The Senate (10 Percent), Five Of Which Became Law (1.6 Percent).
• 60 Resolutions, 28 Of Which Passed The Senate (47 Percent), Four Of Which Became Law (Five Percent).

Kerry Has "A Short List Of Laws That Bear His Name." "Asked what he has accomplished during his 19 years in the Senate, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry gives a lengthy answer but has a short list of laws that bear his name. … Kerry has been the lead sponsor of eight bills that have become law. Two are related to his work on the Senate panel on oceans and fisheries - a 1994 law to protect marine mammals from being taken during commercial fishing and a 1991 measure for the National Sea Grant College Program Act, which finances marine research. In 1999, President Clinton signed his bill providing grants to support small businesses owned by women. The rest of the laws he saw passed were ceremonial - renaming a federal building, designating Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and World Population Awareness Week in two separate years." (Nedra Pickler, "Kerry's Senate Career Marked By Investigations, Not Legislation," The Associated Press, 7/21/03)

"[O]n Education And Health Care, Two Of The Most Important Domestic Battlegrounds Between Democrats And Republicans, Kerry Has A Thin Record." (David Nather, "Kerry's Complex Record And His Pursuit Of The Presidency," CQ Weekly, 4/24/03)

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)

[kpp_kpp]

Can someone tell me how this compares to an average or a high-performing senator?

[siunevada]

Maybe he meant that he passed 56 bills around for everybody to have a look at.

He certainly has been 'fighting for us' in a rather lethargic fashion.

[The Great Yazoo]

Good God!

You guys KNEW this stuff and the President didn't tick off Kerry's legislative accomplishments!

No wonder we always seem to have to come from behind!

[EdReform]

BTTT

[Verginius Rufus]

Too bad he didn't try a little harder, so he could have bragged about passing 57 bills.

World Population Awareness? Making sure people are aware there are people in the world?

[TheLurkerX]

Maybe I was wrong about Kerry. Where would the world be if he hadn't passed such important and sweeping legislation.... /sarcasm

[GnuHere]

He is confusing his Senate bills with the ones he passes on to Theeereeezah to pay. Manicures, windsurfing gear, custom rifles to use while crawling on his belly, etc. - gets expensive!

[orangelobster]

Kerry's senate record is awful. What's worse is that Edwards is completely unqualified to potentially be the President. I think a major issue for swing voters is the chilling idea of a "President Edwards."

[Earl B.]

"A Bill For The Relief Of Kil Joon Yu Callahan"

Anyone know the story on this guy?

[ServesURight]

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)

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)

Bush I signed both of these hair-brained resolutions. Unbelievable.

[RWR8189]

Resolutions are something within Congress and not signed by the POTUS.