William Jefferson Clinton

Birth-Death: (1946 -     ) Term: (1993- )

President Clinton wanted to improve the lives of the American people. To do so, he signed various bills that dealt with medicine, family income, and employment.

Domestic Events of Bill Clinton

    In 1993, Clinton signed a bill previously vetoed by both Reagan and Bush. The Family and Medical Leave Act requires certain companies to allow up to 12 weeks unpaid leave to qualifying employees in the event of family or medical emergencies. The goal of the act was to give employees job security during times of crisis.

    Prior Republican administrations passed into law a group of bans on abortion-related issues. Clinton revoked these bans, stating he wanted "an America where abortion is safe and legal, but rare." For the most part, these bans dealt with restricting abortion-related activities and products.

    With a growing national deficit, one of Clinton's top priorities was to cut federal spending. His proposal was designed to reduce the deficit in the long run, while using short-term techniques to encourage the economy. The short-term part of his plan was killed by Congress, but the rest approved.

    An existing ban on homosexuals in the military was lifted under the condition that any homosexuals did not openly engage in homosexual behavior and remained quiet about their sexual preference. This compromise has given rise to controversy over moral and constitutional issues.