The Obameter: Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises

The Promise:

"He will use trade agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the world"

Update November 6th, 2009:

Pursuing new trade policies

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The Promise:

"The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) works with manufacturers across the country to improve efficiency, implement new technology and strengthen company growth. This highly-successful program has engaged in more than 350,000 projects across the country and in 2006 alone, helped create and protect over 50,000 jobs. But despite this success, funding for MEP has been slashed by the Bush administration. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will double funding for the MEP so its training centers can continue to bolster the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers."

Update November 6th, 2009:

Not quite double, but a start

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The Promise:

Will "lead federal efforts to look for a safe, long-term disposal solution based on objective, scientific analysis. In the meantime, Obama will develop requirements to ensure that the waste stored at current reactor sites is contained using the most advanced dry-cask storage technology available. Barack Obama believes that Yucca Mountain is not an option."

Update November 6th, 2009:

Money to close Yucca Mountain

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The Promise:

"They will appoint a Federal ASD Coordinator to oversee federal ASD research and federal efforts to improve awareness of ASD and improve the training of medical professionals to identify and treat ASD. By establishing one top-level point person to coordinate ASD efforts in the White House, they will ensure that ASD receives the recognition and priority it deserves in the federal government. The Federal ASD Coordinator will also be tasked with eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that may be delaying implementation of important ASD measures and ensuring that all federal ASD dollars are being spent in a manner that prioritizes results. The Coordinator will work with state task forces on ASD to ensure effective communication and collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies."

Update November 5th, 2009:

No sign of progress on naming autism czar

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The Promise:

"President Obama will fully fund the Combating Autism Act, which provides nearly $1 billion in autism-related funding over 5 years, and work with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs."

Update November 5th, 2009:

Congress on its way to fully funding Combating Autism Act

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The Promise:

"As president, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will initiate a 50-state strategy to encourage all of the states to adopt paid-leave systems (as part of the Family and Medical Leave Act). Barack Obama and Joe Biden will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers. Obama's Department of Labor will also provide technical information to the states on how to craft paid-leave programs consistent with their local needs."

Update November 4th, 2009:

Bill would offer funding for states that promote paid family and medical leave

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The Promise:

"Expand the purposes for which leave can be taken under the Family Medical Leave Act to include reasons related to domestic violence or sexual assault."

Update November 4th, 2009:

Bill would allow family and medical leave to be used for domestic violence, sexual assault

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The Promise:

"The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees of larger employers (i.e., 50 or more employees) with 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a family member's or their own serious health condition. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will guarantee that millions more workers have access to FMLA leave by reducing the threshold for which employers are covered from companies with 50 or more employees to those with 25 or more."

Update November 4th, 2009:

Lawmakers push bill to require smaller companies to provide family and medical leave

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The Promise:

"Will repair the damage done to our national parks by inadequate funding and emphasize the protection and restoration of our National Forests."

Update November 4th, 2009:

National parks and forests get more government dollars

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The Promise:

"Require that employers provide seven paid sick days per
year – which may be taken on an hourly basis – so that Americans with disabilities can take the time off
they need without fear of losing their jobs or a paycheck."

Update November 4th, 2009:

Democrats wrangling support for bill on sick days

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The Promise:

"That's why I am committed to pursuing greater funding for the EPA so that its
responsibilities are carried out. Clean water, land and air, and ensuring the health and safety of
our citizens, especially children, will be high priorities in an Obama Administration."

Update November 4th, 2009:

EPA gets a funding boost

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The Promise:

Will support "increased funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports land acquisition and maintenance of parks" and "will lead efforts to acquire and conserve new parks and public lands, focusing on ecosystems such as the Great Plains and Eastern forests which do not yet have the protection they deserve."

Update November 4th, 2009:

Obama keeps his promise on land and water conservation

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The Promise:

"Will sign the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act into law and charge the Voting Rights Section with vigorously enforcing that law and the provisions of the Voting Rights Act. The act will will enable investigations into deceptive and fraudulent practices. It establishes significant, harsh penalties for those who have engaged in fraud, and it provides voters who have been misinformed with accurate and full information so they can vote."

Update November 2nd, 2009:

Bill pending in Congress

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The Promise:

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden will institutionalize the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a global initiative aimed at stopping shipments of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials worldwide. They will expand the responsibilities of its members, not only in stopping illicit nuclear shipments, but also in eradicating nuclear black market networks. A stronger PSI will produce greater international intelligence and police cooperation, maintain tougher export controls and criminal penalties for violations in countries around the world, and apply the tools developed to combat terrorist financing to shut down proliferators' financial networks."

Update October 30th, 2009:

Obama promotes 2010 summit that includes Proliferation Security Initiative

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The Promise:

"Will place the weight of (his) administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes."

Update October 28th, 2009:

Obama signs hate crimes bill

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