How many bills did John Kerry get passed? 5 bills and 4 resolutions in 20 years

oct 14 2004 | vanity

[dennisw]

This is very important since Kerry flat out lied during the debate and claimed he got 56 bills passed in his Senate career. Fact is he was lazy and chasing skirts before getting hitched to Teresa, or was it the other way around?

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During the debate, Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt sent out an "Urgent Alert" to reporters that read, complete with weird capitalization: "John Kerry's statement that he passed 56 bills during his 20 years in the senate is a complete and utter falsehood.  Kerry passed five bills and four resolutions." In Spin Alley after the debate was over, Bush campaign communications director Nicolle Devenish called Kerry's comment about the number of bills he authored his "Al Gore moment." But when Schmidt asserts that Kerry passed only five bills and four resolutions, he means bills that passed both houses of Congress and were signed into law. The Bush campaign's own "Breaking Debate Fact" e-mailed during the debate says that Kerry was the lead sponsor of 31 bills, 122 amendments, and 28 resolutions that passed the Senate.

[chainsaw]

I see and hear a lot about T. Heinz. What ever happened to his first wife?

[CMailBag]

I thought they said that of the 5 bills passed, 4 of the 5 were resolutions.

[Bon mots]

Does anyone know?....

Who is the record holder for bills passed?
What is the average?


I'm actually in favor of a less 'activist' government, so I'm glad when far-left liberals do nothing in the Senate.
It's even better when they don't bother to show up.
For that reason, I hope Kerry stays in the Senate - that is, if he's not replaced by a Republican.

[Kaslin]

He divorced her

[mtbopfuyn]

The canidates know that, the biased media knows that, we know that. The problem is Joe Voter hasn't bothered to get off his couch to check the numbers himself.

[trebb]

She got sick and he dumped her - and his daughter tried to claim he is warm and loving...

[InvisibleChurch]

frankly, i say that if all of congress passed only 5 bills in 20 years that we might be better off... no reason for the frenchlooking candidate to be prez, though

[thoughtomator]

I don't really love this line of attack... most of the time we're better off when the legislature does nothing. I think hammering his non-attendance at intelligence briefings, or his staunch participation in the unconstitutional filibustering of judicial nominations - knowingly acting to prevent the Senate from being able to fulfill its Constutional duty - are much better angles.

[dennisw]

I don't really love this line of attack... most of the time we're better off when the legislature does nothing.

True in theory. But good  legislation is good legislation and it doesn't always expand federal government or pass redundant laws.

Bob Dole ran for President. I'll bet my boots he got  a lot more bills, good bills, passed than John Kerry. Dole had a real record of leadership and accomplishment in his Senate years.

[NavVet]

You're right 5 passed, 4 of which were resolutions.

[Bahbah]

" most of the time we're better off when the legislature does nothing."

I couldn't agree more. What Kerry's lack of activity says to me, however, and I think this is borne out by his actions generally, is that he does not like to be bothered showing up to work. Fine for a member of Congress, not fine for the President.

[brewcrew]

As a conservative, I must say that gridlock can be a very good thing.

[ThomasMore]

I believe it was five PIECES of legislation.  One BILL and four RESOLUTIONS.

 

This is really a testament to the types of legislation he either writes or endorses.  So far out of the mainstream as to be shelved or rejected.  What a legacy...FIVE PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN 20 YEARS!

[DrDavid]

"John Kerry's statement that he passed 56 5 or 6 bills during his 20 years in the senate is a complete and utter falsehood. Kerry passed five bills and four resolutions."

Kerry was just misunderstood.

[ShelleyAa]

When the media lies, America dies. President Bush blew Kerry out of the water. Will we allow the media to do what they did during Viet Nam? It is time to take on this enemy - Big Time!

The liberal media is doing their best to downplay anything that makes Kerry look bad and exaggerating everything negative about President Bush. This is not new, just more intense. why should we believe a word they say?

I want the media to address Kerry's lies - they never will.

[igoramus987]

I believe it was five PIECES of legislation. One BILL and four RESOLUTIONS.

This is really a testament to the types of legislation he either writes or endorses. So far out of the mainstream as to be shelved or rejected. What a legacy...FIVE PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN 20 YEARS!

One bill every four years. Outstanding!

Why doesn't Kerry just live in France, and every 4th year come back to pass a bill.

[gunnedah]

Kerry didn't have a first wife he got it annulled and she agreed apparently.
There were two daughters involved before Teresa and I guess they were created by immaculate conception since by law the marriage doesn't exist.

[freekitty]

This is the one thing that Kerry has against him. He has no credibility and it would be a real shame for this country to suffer more of the Clinton like people.

[dennisw]

http://www.georgewbush.com/KerryMediaCenter/Read.aspx?ID=3134
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)