Secretary Clinton worked tirelessly to revitalize American diplomacy and strengthen alliances by traveling nearly a million miles for hundreds of meetings with foreign leaders in 112 countries. As America’s lead diplomat, Secretary Clinton understood the importance of engaging the public and took diplomacy directly to people around the world. Just as she was as a senator, Secretary Clinton was a workhorse, often taking on difficult challenges and addressing them directly around the world.
Secretary Clinton helped impose the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history by getting Russia and China on board. Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board noted that, “Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China…on board.” And as Howard Dean recently told CNN, “Hillary Clinton cranked up the sanctions for the first time under President Obama that actually made the Iranians come to the table.”
Secretary Clinton played an active role in reaching a missile reduction agreement with Russia, working to push it through the Senate and securing more than the necessary two-thirds majority. She entered the treaty into force in Munich with her Russian counterpart. As a result of the treaty’s passage, there will be fewer nuclear missile launchers. Simply put, the world is safer.
As NBC News reported, “Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recommended an air strike with no forces on the ground. CIA Director Panetta supported a raid by Special Forces and so did Secretary of State Clinton.”
As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton met with the regional leaders of Israel, Palestine, and Egypt to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In a critical moment, Politico noted “Hillary Clinton Scores Gaza Cease Fire Success,” when hope for an end to the violence in Gaza seemed dead, she made the case for returning calm to the region and ending the rocket attacks.
Working closely with Department of Defense colleagues and as part of the President’s national security team, Secretary Clinton played a role in the end of war in Iraq and in beginning a transition in Afghanistan, with all NATO allies having agreed to stand-up a post withdrawal support plan. As President Obama told 60 Minutes, it was “all a consequence of the great work that Hillary did and her team did and the State Department did in conjunction with our national security team.”
As Martin Indyk of the Brookings Institute wrote in Foreign Policy, “The ‘pivot’ to East Asia will probably be Obama’s most lasting strategic achievement… [but] it is Clinton’s too. She laid the groundwork, built the relationships, and developed the complex architecture of the new strategy — and she turned up at that pivotal moment in Vietnam in July 2010 to declare the U.S. commitment to the region.” Secretary Clinton earned praise for her work in opening up Burma, a place that had not been visited by a Secretary of State in 50 years.
As the Washington Post reported upon the end of NATO operations in Libya, “U.S. officials and key allies are offering a detailed new defense of the approach and Clinton’s pivotal role – both within a divided Cabinet and a fragile, assembled-on-the-fly international alliance. What emerges from these accounts is a picture of Clinton using her mixture of political pragmatism and tenacity to referee spats among NATO partners, secure crucial backing from Arab countries and tutor rebels on the fine points of message management.”
Secretary Clinton’s focus on economic engagement resulted in increased investment through three new free trade agreements (Colombia, Panama and South Korea) and 15 Open Skies agreements including with Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Secretary Clinton helped the State Department adapt to emerging issues such as cyber security by creating the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications to combat Al-Qaeda’s growing influence online. She recognized the important role of energy in U.S. foreign policy and helped create the Bureau of Energy Resources to protect our energy infrastructure and influence how nations move to cleaner fuel.
Secretary Clinton recognized women’s rights as a major foreign policy issue. It is, according to Newsweek, the area of “hardships faced by women and girls across the world–that her impact has been most profound.” Hillary appointed the first-ever Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the State Department to work on the human rights of women worldwide.
]]>During her 2008 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton said “fairness doesn’t just happen. It requires the right government policies.” It was during that campaign that one New York Times columnist estimated that Hillary “might bring the toughest regulatory scrutiny of any president in a generation.” Reflecting on America’s 20th century economic history, Hillary said “we were most successful when we had that balance between an effective, vigorous government and a dynamic, appropriately regulated market… And we have systematically diminished the role and the responsibility of our government, and we have watched our market become imbalanced.”
Hillary Clinton put Elizabeth Warren’s idea of a Financial Product Safety Commission “at the heart” of her financial reform agenda, calling for its creation so it could “crack down on abusive and predatory lenders and to protect consumers.” This idea – now known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – was implemented two years later in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law of 2010. And in 2006, Hillary introduced legislation to require financial companies give consumers a copy of all company records related to a given consumer every year free of charge.
In 2008, Hillary Clinton urged the SEC to restore the so-called “uptick rule” to prevent abusive short-selling and reduce market volatility. “The abuses that disrupt the markets today will impact the broader economy and the lives of middle class Americans tomorrow,” Clinton wrote. The SEC adopted a revised “uptick rule” in 2010 to place restrictions on short selling and “preserve investor confidence and promote market efficiency.” Hillary also called for addressing the conflicts-of-interest between credit rating agencies and financial institutions and, two years later, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law enhanced SEC oversight of these agencies.
Hillary Clinton introduced legislation to provide shareholders a vote on executive compensation, especially on benefits packages for executives when companies are merged or bought out, so-called “golden parachutes.” The Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law included a similar “say on pay” provision. Hillary’s bill also would have created a three year look-back period (also known as a “claw-back” policy) within which the SEC could require CEOs and CFOs to repay bonuses, profits or other compensation if they were found to have overseen or been complicit in corporate misconduct or illicit activity. While the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law includes claw-back provisions, the SEC rule-making process is ongoing.
Cracking down on tax loopholes for hedge fund and private equity managers.
Hillary Clinton called for closing the so-called “carried interest” loophole that allows millionaire Wall Street executives to pay a lesser percentage of their income tax than regular working Americans. In 2008 she pledged to “ensure that the carried interest earned by some multimillionaire Wall Street managers is recognized for what it is: ordinary income that should be taxed at ordinary income tax rates.” She estimated this could create over four billion dollars a year in new money that could be used for middle class tax relief and new education initiatives. The Obama Administration has also proposed closing this tax loophole.
Reevaluating government breaks to big corporations and ending corporate offshore tax havens.
In 2005, Hillary Clinton called for cracking down on “abusive corporate tax transactions, such as setting up offshore tax havens in places like Bermuda to avoid paying U.S. taxes.” She continued to make the case that it is “simply not fair that as corporate profits have skyrocketed, the percentage of taxes paid by corporations have fallen. It’s time we restored the balance and required corporations to pay their fair share.” The Obama Administration has repeatedly proposed closing these offshore loopholes. Hillary also proposed a new watchdog agency, the Corporate Subsidy Information Service, that would track “every tax subsidy that Congress gives to big corporations” to allow the American people to “know exactly how much each company gets” and “track whether those subsidies actually promote results for the country and not just the company.”
Increasing oversight of complex financial products like derivatives.
In March 2008, Hillary Clinton proposed that financial institutions involved with derivatives be “subject to minimum capital requirements… based on the principle that capital requirements related to risk should be applied to all bank-like institutions that issue credit.” The Dodd Frank Wall Street reform law created new oversight authority over derivatives by the SEC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The House of Representatives has attempted to loosen these regulations, which Hillary called “risky and wrong.”
]]>The Republican Party, on the other hand, is attempting to undercut this historic diplomatic breakthrough at every turn. But the American people know what true strength looks like. They only need to consult Hillary Clinton’s record of efforts to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
Hillary Clinton’s Response to Iran Agreement:
In a statement released this week, Clinton announced her support for the Iran agreement and emphasized the need to ensure its enforcement and compliance. Here are a few highlights:
Fighting For and Winning the Harshest Iran Sanctions in History:
As Secretary of State, Clinton built a sweeping international coalition to crack down on Iran.
Even conservative media praised Clinton’s negotiating strength.
When the historic new sanctions were put to Congress, Clinton fought tirelessly to see them passed.
Hillary Clinton has Long Been a Leader on the Iran Threat:
“I come to the current debate as a long-time advocate for crippling sanctions against Iran,”
Hillary Clinton’s Steadfast Support of Israel:
Supporting the DREAM Act.
Hillary Clinton has called passage of DREAM Act “long overdue.” This legislation, which would allow immigrant children who “have demonstrated good moral character, and are pursuing a college education or have enlisted in the military, the… opportunity to earn legal status in this country,” was cosponsored by Clinton in 2003, 2005, and 2007.
Fighting for comprehensive immigration reform.
Hillary Clinton has long been an advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. She was one of the two cosponsors of Senator Ted Kennedy’s 2004 bill, the S.O.L.V.E. Act, and during her time in the Senate she continued to cosponsor and vote for comprehensive immigration reform legislation. As a presidential candidate in 2008, Hillary called for “a path to legalization” to bring people “out of the shadows,” and she pledged that, if elected, she would introduce a plan for immigration reform “in the first 100 days” of her presidency. As Sec. Clinton recently told a tearful young undocumented immigrant, “I’m a huge supporter of immigration reform and a path to citizenship and will continue to advocate for that.”
Expanding access to health care.
Hillary Clinton introduced the Legal Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act to end the five-year waiting period for immigrant children and pregnant women to participate in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Advocating for her 2007 bill, she said, “While most children receive preventative medical care, such as vaccines and routine dental care, too often immigrant children do not. They are forced to forego treatment and can ultimately end up seeking needed care in emergency rooms—the least cost-effective place to provide care.” Reintroduced and passed in 2009 as part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization, former Secretary of Health and Human Resources Kathleen Sebelius praised this legislative push that ultimately allowed health “coverage to all children who are lawfully present in the United States.”
Job training for people with limited English proficiency.
Hillary Clinton developed and introduced legislation to expand job training access to people with limited English language skills. Touting this bill, the Access to Employment and English Acquisition Act, Hillary said, “There is no question that English proficiency is critical to economic advancement and improved quality of life for LEP [Limited English Proficient] workers and their families. Workers who are fluent in oral and written English earn about 24 percent more than those who lack fluency, regardless of their qualifications. These individuals are better able to participate in the civic life of their community, which so many LEP individuals in New York tell me they want to do.”
Expanding opportunities to gain permanent residency.
As a candidate for Senate, Hillary Clinton called for passage of legislation so that “All immigrants on the verge of gaining residency status should not be forced to leave this country while they wait for the INS to process their application.” The LIFE Act and LIFE Act Amendments, enacted in December 2000, allowed certain eligible immigrants until April, 2001 to apply for permanent residency without being forced to leave the United States first. As a Senator, Hillary urged those eligible to apply for the program and she cosponsored legislation to extend it until April, 2002.
Keeping families together.
In 2007, during debate over the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, Hillary Clinton introduced an amendment to reclassify the spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents as immediate relatives. As she said before the vote, “It is time to take all the rhetoric about family values and put it into action and show that we mean what we say when we talk about putting families first. That is what my amendment does… It is our view we must make reuniting families a priority in our immigration system, that we should show compassion for those living apart from their spouses and minor children, that we should reform immigration in a way that honors families and brings them together.” The bipartisan amendment failed, 44-53.
]]>Making human rights a foreign policy priority.
Building on a lifetime of advocacy for human rights, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton affirmed that American foreign policy would “reflect our deep commitment to the cause of making human rights a reality for millions of oppressed people around the world.” One of Secretary Clinton’s first steps to secure human rights as a pillar of foreign policy was joining the United Nations Human Rights Council, reversing the Bush administration’s policy of shunning the organization. She pledged to focus her energy as Secretary of State on human rights and, through the Human Rights Council, the U.S. deepened international engagement on efforts to fight human rights violations.
Defending free expression and speech.
Hillary Clinton upheld that universal rights “include freedom of expression and freedom of belief, even if our words or beliefs denigrate the humanity of others. Yet, while we are each free to believe whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not in a world where we protect the human rights of all.” She stood by those “who exercise their fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly in a peaceful way, whether in person, in print, or in pixels,” and fought powerfully for those who support expanding human rights and individuals working to advance democracy.
Upholding the fundamental freedom of the press.
Hillary Clinton hosted the first World Press Freedom Day by the U.S. to “champion those who stand for media freedom – and let us continue to expose those who deny it.” As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton went on Russian radio to express “support for independent media…at a time when free expression is under threat” and denounced the murders of journalists in Russia. She praised the “brave men and women” of independent media “who risk their lives every day to keep the rest of us informed, to keep governments accountable and societies more democratic, prosperous and successful.”
Promoting religious protection and tolerance.
Hillary Clinton underscored the responsibility governments have in standing up for the rights of all people as religious freedom is threatened. She challenged other countries, such as China, by calling for “protection of rights of minorities in Tibet and Xinxiang; for the rights to express oneself and worship freely.” In 2011, Hillary worked with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other nations to secure adoption of the U.N. Human Rights Council resolution “[c]ombating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief.”
Giving a voice to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Hillary Clinton launched an assistance fund for embattled nongovernmental organizations that supported much needed “legal representation, communication technologies like cell phones and internet access, and other forms of quick support.” She appointed the first Special Advisor for International Disability Rights to increase protection for “one group of people whose human rights are still denied in too many parts of the world today. In many ways, they are an invisible minority.” As Secretary of State, she spoke out against regimes who arbitrarily detain and arrest artists, activists, lawyers, and intellectuals in their countries.
Advocating globally for LGBT rights.
Hillary Clinton championed LGBT rights internationally and declared to the world that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights. In partnership with other countries, she worked to support LGBT advocacy and pass the first United Nations resolution highlighting “the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.” As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton forcefully spoke out against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and denounced countries who criminalize homosexuality.
Setting an example internationally.
Hillary Clinton helped set an international example by participating in the U.N. Universal Periodic Review of America’s human rights record, stating, “By holding ourselves accountable, we reinforce our moral authority to demand that all governments adhere to obligations under international law.” Hillary also included the U.S. for the first time in a country report on human trafficking and helped launch a website to provide NGOs, scholars, and citizens with “information they need to hold governments accountable.”
Continuing work to make human rights a human reality.
When Hillary Clinton was asked what was next for her, she said, “I would go back to being a voice for the voiceless, standing up against conditions that just leech the life out of children and oppress women and prevent people from fulfilling their God-given potential.” In 2013, Hillary was honored by Jeb Bush for her public service and dedication “to serving and engaging people across the world in democracy.” She outlined a vision for the future where the U.S. can “show the world that free people and free markets, human rights and human dignity, respect for our fellow men and women, is our core strength.” Hillary launched efforts to address the “unfinished business of the 21st century” – seeking women’s full participation in society – and give future generations of Americans a chance at success.
]]>Opposing outsourcing.
Hillary Clinton called for eliminating “any tax break that promotes or rewards outsourcing,” and she suggested a plan to close those loopholes in the U.S. tax code. She also proposed a new tax credit called the Insourcing Markets Tax Credit to boost investment in communities across America hurt by international trade and technology. Hillary voted in support of legislation that discouraged outsourcing in the private sector, and she also voted to restrict federal agencies from outsourcing work.
Giving workers family and sick leave.
Hillary Clinton proposed a $1 billion per year innovation fund to encourage states to develop family leave and paid leave policies and repeatedly cosponsored legislation to provide seven paid sick days a year to American workers. President Obama called for similar actions in his 2015 State of the Union Address, noting that he would be “taking new action to help states adopt paid leave laws of their own” and calling on Congress to “Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave.” Hillary also called for providing paid parental leave to all federal employees, an action President Obama has taken steps on with a recent Presidential Memorandum.
Spurring advanced manufacturing jobs.
Hillary Clinton introduced bills to bring new manufacturing technology to small and medium-sized businesses. She called for doubling the funding for Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, public-private partnerships that help manufacturers, and proposed expanding them to focus on renewable energy. Hillary worked across the aisle to challenge the Bush Administration’s cuts to these partnerships and she also cofounded the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus.
Standing against unfair Chinese trade practices.
Hillary Clinton voted in support of authorizing action on Chinese imports if the Chinese government did not reform its currency practices. She also urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to crack down on Chinese metals sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices, noting that if industrial companies “do not receive appropriate relief from the impact of unfair foreign trade practices, the situations for these companies, and for working men and women, will only grow worse.”
Expanding job training opportunities for workers.
Hillary Clinton has praised the idea of a “national skills corporation” to focus American efforts on job training, and in 2007 she called for doubling the funding for job training programs for workers displaced by international competition. Hillary also introduced bills to create “Regional Skills Alliances” to bring together local businesses, governments educational institutions and labor organizations to collaborate on new programs to train workers for modern technology jobs.
Protecting worker compensation.
Hillary Clinton cosponsored legislation to expand protections for worker’s pensions and cosponsored bills to protect overtime pay for working Americans. Fighting alongside her Senate colleagues against the Bush Administration’s efforts to cut overtime pay for millions of workers, she said on the Senate floor, “I have yet to hear a compelling reason that some workers currently eligible for overtime should lose that eligibility.” Hillary also cosponsored legislation to strengthen the law requiring employers to give workers advance notice before mass layoffs are announced.
Fighting for steel and mine workers.
Hillary Clinton cosponsored legislation to strengthen safety protections for coal miners and she proposed expanding the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)’s power to penalize companies that violate mine safety laws. Hillary also cosponsored bills to secure health care coverage for laid off and retired steelworkers. Describing the 2002 legislation, Senator Rockefeller (D-W.V.) said it would provide “desperately needed medical care to retirees whose companies have been forced out of business by imports.”
Helping Americans save for the future.
In 2007 Hillary Clinton proposed giving all workers the opportunity to easily save for the future in portable “American Retirement Accounts.” Workers would be able to keep this retirement account with them if they changed jobs and the plan would allow workers to save up to $5,000 a year on a tax-deferred basis. Workers could choose how they want to invest the savings and they would be able to tap into the savings penalty-free for major life investments like college, buying a home, and retirement. The Washington Post editorial board noted that Hillary’s plan was “the boldest of the campaign to address this troubling situation.”
Downloadable version below:
]]>
Boosting alternative energy power.
Hillary Clinton repeatedly voted for legislation that extended the production tax credit for electricity produced from renewable energy sources and she proposed making tax credits for wind and solar production permanent. Hillary also teamed up with Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to create new job-training programs for renewable energy workers.
Fighting for cleaner energy.
Hillary Clinton repeatedly cosponsored the Clean Power Act to get power plants to cut back on air pollution that contributes to both global warming and health problems. The 2007 legislation would have increased renewable energy use by launching the goal of generating 20% of our electricity from renewables by the year 2020 – the so-called Renewable Portfolio Standard. Hillary also pledged to support a goal of generating 25% of our electric power from renewable energy sources by 2025.
Using excess oil profits to develop new energy technologies.
Hillary Clinton proposed getting big oil companies to reinvest some of their excess profits to help reduce American dependence on oil. These investments – combined with the savings gained by repealing tax breaks for oil companies – could have directed $50 billion into a new Strategic Energy Fund geared towards researching and developing smarter energy technologies like more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, and wind and solar power.
Modernizing buildings to save energy and money.
Hillary Clinton worked across the aisle to get the federal government to expand the use of geothermal energy in powering its buildings. She introduced legislation to make federal buildings more energy efficient and she proposed making energy efficiency “a core mission” of the General Services Administration. Hillary also introduced legislation to help states upgrade school buildings to make them more energy efficient.
Getting cleaner vehicles on the road.
Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act to allow more investment in technologies to reduce pollution from diesel-powered trucks and other modes of transportation. She procured funding for the creation of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Hillary also passed legislation to reduce air pollution from construction equipment used on highway projects, and she even teamed up with one of the Senate’s climate change deniers to fund cleaner school bus emissions across the nation.
Bringing America’s power grid into the 21st century.
Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Electric Reliability Act to give the federal government more authority to make America’s power grid more reliable and efficient. She advocated moving more aggressively towards smart grid technology and called for a nationwide net metering standard so that “families and companies that install these new technologies can sell power back to the grid for a fair price all over the country.”
Prioritizing cleaner energy worldwide.
Under Hillary Clinton, the State Department joined the Department of Energy and other U.S. government agencies in a regional partnership with countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean to promote clean energy development and smarter growth policies. Through this program, the U.S. has collaborated with other countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promoted cleaner energy through the Peace Corps, and connected public and private-sector officials across the hemisphere with renewable energy companies in America.
Getting smarter energy projects off the ground in Africa.
Hillary Clinton helped launch a new partnership – the U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance Initiative – to jump-start private sector investment in cleaner energy projects and sustainable development across Africa. Funding provided through the initiative sparked wind, solar and hydro-powered projects in several African nations bringing electricity to thousands of homes.
Finding common goals with China to address access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy.
Hillary Clinton spearheaded U.S. relations with China to enhance cooperation on climate change, energy and the environment. Under bilateral agreements, the U.S. and China established frameworks for increasing access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy as well as connecting businesses and government to support energy and environmental goals.
]]>Hillary Clinton made promoting women’s rights a signature part of her tenure as Secretary of State. She elevated their role in peacekeeping efforts and helped inaugurate Georgetown’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security. Recently, she spoke about security through inclusive leadership, saying, “Today marks a very important next step. Shifting from saying the right things to doing the right things. Putting into action the steps that are necessary to not only protect women and children but to find ways of utilizing women as makers and keepers of peace.” As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton fought to do just that.
Elevated Role of Women as Peacekeepers
Under Hillary Clinton, “tradition-bound” bureaus and agencies were pushed “to think differently about the role of women in conflicts and peacemaking.”
In her book Hard Choices, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote, “We had to push tradition-bound bureaus and agencies to think differently about the role of women in conflicts and peacemaking, economic and democratic development, public health, and more. I didn’t want [the Office of Global Women’s Issues] to be the only place where this work was done; rather I wanted it to be integrated into the daily routine of our diplomats and development experts everywhere.” [Hard Choices, pg. 567, 2014]
Sec. Clinton “funded aid programs to train women leaders in developing countries for government, civil society, and peace negotiations.”
“Last week, Georgetown University inaugurated a new Institute for Women, Peace, and Security to research the role of women in mitigating global conflicts. The institute was first announced by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made promotion of women’s rights a signature part of her tenure. Clinton funded aid programs to train women leaders in developing countries for government, civil society, and peace negotiations. Ambassador Melanne Verveer, who will head the Georgetown institute – and ran Clinton’s office for Global Women’s Issues – clearly hopes to build on that legacy in her new role.” [Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/28/13]
Sec. Clinton promoted investing in women and girls because they “build peace and prosperity and political stability for everyone.”
“The United States is committed to making women and their advancement a cornerstone of our foreign policy not just because it’s the right thing to do. Investing in women and girls is good for societies, and it is also good for the future prosperity of countries. Women drive our economies. They build peace and prosperity and political stability for everyone—men and women, boys and girls.” [Statement on International Women’s Day, state.gov, 3/8/12]
Sec. Clinton: “When women participate in peace processes, they tend to focus discussion on issues like human rights, justice, national reconciliation, and economic renewal.”
In her book Hard Choices, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote, “When women participate in peace processes, they tend to focus discussion on issues like human rights, justice, national reconciliation, and economic renewal that are critical to making peace. They generally build coalitions across ethnic and sectarian lines and are more likely to speak up for other marginalized groups. They often act as mediators and help to foster compromise. Yet despite all that women tend to bring to the table, more often than not they’re excluded. Of the hundreds of peace treaties signed since the early 1990s, fewer than 10 percent had any women negotiators, fewer than 3 percent had any women signatories, and only a small percentage included even a single reference to women. So it’s not too surprising that more than half of all peace agreements fail within five years.” [Hard Choices, pg. 571, 2014]
Sec. Clinton pushed equal participation for women in peace efforts in countries affected by war, insecurity, and violence.
According to the State Department website, the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP) “seeks to ensure that women participate equally in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence, and insecurity. The Department’s implementation of the NAP demonstrates its commitment to furthering the promotion of gender equality in service of U.S. foreign policy and national security.” [“Department of State Implementation of the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security,” state.gov, 8/15/12]
Sec. Clinton: “We must support women and girls” if we want to support “stable, peaceful societies worldwide.”
“So if we want to support strong democracies, thriving economies, and stable, peaceful societies worldwide, we must support women and girls. And that means focusing on a wide range of issues – from working to improve women’s leadership in industries where they are currently underrepresented, as Australia has pledged to do in the mining and construction industries, to enforcing and strengthening laws that guarantee women’s equal political participation, as Senegal has committed to do, to addressing once and for all the problem of nationality laws that discriminate against women and leave they and their families vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.” [Remarks at the Equal Futures Partnership Launch, state.gov, 9/24/12]
Coordinated National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security
Sec. Clinton coordinated the development of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security with USAID and the Defense Department.
In her book Hard Choices, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote, “I spent years trying to get generals, diplomats, and national security policymakers in our own country and around the world to tune in to this reality. I found sympathetic allies at the Pentagon and in the White House, including Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy and Admiral Sandy Winnefeld, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. State, USAID, and Defense got to work on a plan that would change the way diplomats, development experts, and military personnel interact with women in conflict and postconflict areas. There would be new emphasis on stopping rape and gender-based violence and empowering women to make and keep peace. We called it a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. In December 2011, President Obama issued an executive order launching the plan.” [Hard Choices, pg. 572, 2014]
Under Sec. Clinton’s leadership, America developed “its national action plan to promote the essential role of women when it comes to securing peace.”
According to a Courier-Journal op-ed by Kentucky state legislator Mary Lou Marzian, “With the leadership of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, America joined the ranks of more than 30 countries in developing its national action plan to promote the essential role of women when it comes to securing peace. All of this started with a movement of women that has risen up across the globe and has been developing through the United Nations.” [Mary Lou Marzian, Courier-Journal, 8/25/12]
The National Action Plan better coordinated U.S. efforts to implement a UN resolution on women and peacekeeping.
According to a State Department fact sheet, “In this process, the United States has reaffirmed its support for [UN Security Council Resolution] 1325 and decided to initiate development of a National Action Plan to better coordinate and advance our efforts. The plan will include regular consultation with civil society groups in countries affected by conflict in recognition of their knowledge and expertise in the promotion of peace. We also will continue to partner with other countries, bilaterally and multilaterally, in support of 1325 principles.” [“The United States and UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Promoting the Political Participation of Women in all Aspects of Peace and Security,” state.gov, 10/26/10]
Secured Support for UN Security Council Resolution 1325
Sec. Clinton helped lead the charge to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325, “the first ever to recognize the role of women in restoring peace and maintaining security.”
According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks on making human rights a human reality, “We led the charge for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the first ever to recognize the role of women in restoring peace and maintaining security. We created a National Action Plan and encouraged others to do the same.” According to the United Nations, “Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) stresses the importance of women’s equal and full participation as active agents in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace-building and peacekeeping.” [Remarks on Making Human Rights a Human Reality, state.gov, 12/6/12; UN.org, accessed 6/24/14]
Made Fighting Sexual Violence a Peacekeeping Priority
Sec. Clinton achieved consensus in the UN to make ending sexual violence a priority for global peacekeeping missions.
In her book Hard Choices, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote, “A little more than a month after my trip to Goma, in late September 2009, I presided over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council focused on women, peace, and security, where I proposed making the protection of women and children from the kinds of rampant sexual violence I witnessed in the Congo a priority for UN peacekeeping missions around the world. All fifteen Council members agreed. It wasn’t going to solve the problem overnight, but it was a start.” [Hard Choices, pg. 282, 2014]
Sec. Clinton “led the unanimous adoption of UN Resolution 1888,” which mandated that “peacekeeping missions protect women and children from sexual violence during armed conflict.”
“Secretary Clinton has long worked to highlight the urgent need to end sexual violence against women and promote their in participation in peace and security. She led the unanimous adoption of UN Resolution 1888, the successor resolution to UNSCR 1325 and 1320.” According to the UN website, “Resolution 1888, as a follow up to Resolution 1820, mandates that peacekeeping missions protect women and children from sexual violence during armed conflict, and requests that the Secretary-General appoint a special representative on sexual violence during armed conflict (Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict).” [“The United States and UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Promoting the Political Participation of Women in all Aspects of Peace and Security,” state.gov, 10/26/10; UN.org, accessed 6/24/14]
]]>Launched Education Initiatives to Raise the Status of Girls Around the World
Sec. Clinton launched multiple public and private sector initiatives to raise the status of girls and promote girls’ education around the world.
According to a fact sheet on Sec. Clinton’s new public and private initiatives to raise the status of girls, “On the eve of the inaugural International Day of the Girl Child, Secretary Clinton today convened a meeting with leaders in government and the private sector, including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chair of The Elders, to discuss their shared commitment to improving the lives of girls worldwide. Following the meeting, the Secretary announced new U.S. Government and private initiatives to prevent child marriage and promote girls’ education around the world.” [“Secretary Clinton Launches New Public and Private Initiatives to Raise the Status of Girls,” state.gov, 10/10/12]
Sec. Clinton started the TechGirls classroom exchange program to increase the number of girls entering the tech field.
According to a State Department press release, “The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that the inaugural group of TechGirls – an initiative that brings 25 teenage girls from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen to the United States – will arrive June 25 in New York City for a three-week exchange. As part of U.S. efforts to increase the number of girls and women entering the technology field, the TechGirls will engage with their American counterparts in the classroom and within the broader technology community as they learn how to harness their potential in the science and technology sectors through hands-on skill development, such as programming, robotics, mobile application building, web design, video graphics, and 3D game design.” [“TechGirls: Empowering Girls in the Middle East and North Africa through Technology,” state.gov, 6/22/12]
Under Sec. Clinton, the State Department partnered with the NGO Room to Read to support girls from South Asia who were at risk of dropping out of school.
According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks at the UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education, “The United States has partnered with the NGO Room to Read to support girls from South Asia who are at risk of dropping out of school. This is a small project. We invested only $145,000 in things like school uniforms, shoes, educational supplies, and medical checkups. And we also put in place support for mentoring programs, tutoring and community organizing. Not a single one of the more than 1,000 participating girls dropped out of school.” [Remarks at the UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education, state.gov, 5/26/11]
Sec. Clinton introduced the Empowering Adolescent Girls to Lead through Education (EAGLE) initiative, emphasizing leadership training and reducing barriers for girls to attend secondary school.
According to a State Department fact sheet on Sec. Clinton’s new public and private initiatives to raise the status of girls, “Empowering Adolescent Girls to Lead through Education (EAGLE). The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are working together to ensure thousands of adolescent girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) make successful transitions to secondary school. Just 11 percent of Congolese women over age 25 have secondary educations, and studies show that keeping girls in school dramatically reduces their vulnerability to HIV and improves overall health outcomes. A five-year $15 million initiative, EAGLE seeks to raise this rate by tackling many of the barriers keeping girls from continuing their post-primary educations – including cost and school safety. The program will emphasize leadership training for girls.” [“Secretary Clinton Launches New Public and Private Initiatives to Raise the Status of Girls,” state.gov, 10/10/12]
Spearheaded Efforts to Study and Improve Education for Girls
Sec. Clinton launched the Secretary’s International Fund for Women and Girls to invest in improvements to education, health, and economic opportunities.
According to a State Department press release, “Secretary Clinton announced the launch of the ‘Secretary’s International Fund for Women and Girls’ this morning during remarks for the Summit on Entrepreneurship. The Fund is a State Department-led public-private partnership committed to providing flexible, rapid, targeted, and high-impact grants to nongovernmental organizations working to meet the critical needs of women and girls around the world. It is administered by the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues. The Fund invests in efficient and innovative solutions to combat violence, improve health and education, promote climate change solutions, and create economic and political opportunities for women and girls.” [“Secretary Clinton Announces the ‘Secretary’s International Fund for Women and Girls,’” state.gov, 4/28/10]
Sec. Clinton’s State Department sponsored teacher exchange programs focused on education for girls.
According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks in honor of the first-ever International Day of the Girl, “Every teacher who comes to the United States through our teacher training programs will receive training to address the challenges that girls face staying in school. And we will sponsor teacher exchanges focused exclusively on girls’ education.” [Remarks in Honor of the First-ever International Day of the Girl, state.gov, 10/10/12]
Sec. Clinton initiated a study with UNESCO on “education for women and girls around the world.”
In her remarks at the UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education, Sec. Clinton said, “The United States is proud to join with UNESCO to launch what we hope will be an important new study on education for women and girls around the world. And before you say, ‘Another report,’ which is often the reaction, let me quickly add that this report will draw on UNESCO’s unique expertise in data collection and analysis to provide new insights into the causes of gender disparities and education and what we can do about them. It will focus in particular on two critical areas: adult literacy and secondary education. We are making progress in many parts of the world on primary education, but something happens at the end of primary school.” [Remarks at the UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education, state.gov, 5/26/11]
Secured Greater Investment in Education for Women and Girls
Sec. Clinton launched a partnership with the Abbott Fund “to invest one million dollars in the health and education” of women and girls.
In her remarks to the Lower Mekong Initiative Women’s Gender Equality and Empowerment Dialogue in Cambodia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “[T]oday I am pleased to add that we are also launching a new partnership with the nonprofit Abbott Fund to invest one million dollars in the health and education for women and girls.” [Remarks to the Lower Mekong Initiative Women’s Gender Equality and Empowerment Dialogue, state.gov, 7/13/12]
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program committed $39 million to support secondary education to disadvantaged girls in Ghana and Uganda.
According to a State Department fact sheet on Sec. Clinton’s new public and private initiatives to raise the status of girls, including, “The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program. As part of a $500 million commitment to education, The MasterCard Foundation has committed $39 million over the next ten years to provide comprehensive support for secondary education, including peer support and mentorship, to talented yet economically disadvantaged girls in Ghana and Uganda.” [“Secretary Clinton Launches New Public and Private Initiatives to Raise the Status of Girls,” state.gov, 10/10/12]
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation committed $10 million to improve participation in education for marginalized girls.
According to a State Department fact sheet on Sec. Clinton’s new public and private initiatives to raise the status of girls, including, “MacArthur Foundation Girls Secondary Education in Developing Countries Strategy. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has committed $10 million over the next five years to efforts to improve participation by marginalized girls in quality, relevant secondary education.” [“Secretary Clinton Launches New Public and Private Initiatives to Raise the Status of Girls,” state.gov, 10/10/12]
A collaborative effort by “the MacArthur Foundation, The MasterCard Foundation, the Douglas B. Marshall Jr. Family Foundation and two anonymous donors” awarded $6 million to support secondary education initiatives.
According to a State Department fact sheet on Sec. Clinton’s new public and private initiatives to raise the status of girls, including, “Joint Initiative on Girls’ Secondary Education. The MacArthur Foundation, The MasterCard Foundation, the Douglas B. Marshall Jr. Family Foundation and two anonymous donors will collaborate to award more than $6 million over the next year to support innovative secondary education initiatives that provide learning opportunities and life and livelihood skills for underserved youth in East Africa, Nigeria, and India, with a special focus on girls.” [“Secretary Clinton Launches New Public and Private Initiatives to Raise the Status of Girls,” state.gov, 10/10/12]
]]>Fighting to Protect AmeriCorps
Senator Clinton fought alongside America’s mayors and governors to protect AmeriCorps from budget cuts.
Senator Clinton stood with the nation’s governors and mayors in 2003 against budget reductions to the AmeriCorps program. Senator Clinton noted that 44 governors, “including Governor Bush from Florida,” and 145 mayors sent a letter to the President and Congress asking for additional funding for AmeriCorps. [Senator Clinton floor speech, 7/31/03 (via archive.org)]
Senator Clinton called for an emergency appropriation of $100 million to protect AmeriCorps.
Senator Clinton called for an “emergency appropriation of $100 million to save AmeriCorps and prevent 20,000 volunteers—including 1,300 New Yorkers—from being cut from the program.” Following the inclusion of such an appropriation in the Senate supplemental appropriations bill, Senator Clinton praised the appropriations committee for taking action and noted the “funds will mean a tremendous amount to New York communities across the state.” After Senator Session’s amendment to eliminate the additional AmeriCorps funding was rejected 71-21, the funding increase passed the Senate as part of the appropriations bill. The appropriation for AmeriCorps was not included in the final version of the bill that became law. [Senator Clinton press release, 7/9/03 (via archive.org); Vote #272, 7/11/03; Vote #273, 7/11/03]
Senator Clinton called the House Republican’s obstruction of increased AmeriCorps funding “wrong for America.”
Senator Clinton blasted the House Republican leadership for killing an effort to add $100 million for AmeriCorps to the House supplemental appropriations bill. Following this legislative action by the House, Senator Clinton called them out: “What the House Republican Leadership did was wrong. It was wrong for America, New York, and every young person who has a desire to give back to their community.” [Senator Clinton press release, 7/25/03 (via archive.org)]
Senator Clinton to House Republicans: “AmeriCorps works.”
Rebuking the House of Representatives for blocking $100 million for AmeriCorps, Senator Clinton said, “of most concern to me and to the New Yorkers I represent, the House bill fails to include $100 million in emergency spending for AmeriCorps. With the passage of this bill, we are telling 20,000 eager AmeriCorps members that their service is no longer needed. And I have to say that there is something wrong with this picture. Less than three weeks ago, 71 of us voted to provide $100 million to AmeriCorps.” Noting that 54 governors, 145 mayors, and 190 college and university presidents had called for additional AmeriCorps funding, Senator Clinton asked her Senate colleagues, “how do we account for this outpouring of support? Mr. President, I submit that it is for the simple reason that AmeriCorps works.” [Senator Clinton floor speech, 7/31/03 (via archive.org)]
Senator Clinton urged President Bush’s nominee for CNCS administrator to protect AmeriCorps from budget cuts.
“Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton conveyed her very serious concerns about the funding crisis facing AmeriCorps in a meeting with David Eisner, the Administration’s nominee for Chief Executive of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation manages AmeriCorps… In her visit with Eisner, Senator Clinton discussed her fear that some of the outstanding New York programs funded through AmeriCorps will be gravely hurt. ‘There are so many programs at risk. Everything from the Response to Love Center in Buffalo, which serves the homeless, to the Student Conservation Association in Saranac lake, to project ROSES, which is helping small upstate towns with homeland security issues. These and many more could go by the wayside if this crisis isn’t addressed,’ Senator Clinton said.” [Senator Clinton press release, 10/3/03 (via archive.org)]
Strengthening AmeriCorps
Senator Clinton pushed through a bill that revised AmeriCorps formulas to ensure every volunteer gets their education award.
SenatorClinton cosponsored the Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act. Enacted July 3, 2003, the Act revised the approval, accounting, and recording procedures used by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to manage AmeriCorps. Speaking to the legislation in the Senate, Ted Kennedy noted the bill would “ensure that every person who commits to a year of service to their community in AmeriCorps will receive the education award.” [S.1276, 6/18/03; Congressional Record, Page S8164, 6/18/03]
Senator Clinton cosponsored a bill to increase funding for AmeriCorps by $200 million for fiscal year 2002.
Senator Clinton cosponsored Senator Dodd’s Leave No Child Behind Act of 2001.This legislation would have increased fiscal year 2002 funding for AmeriCorps from $300 million to $500 million. [S.940, 5/23/01]
Expanding AmeriCorps
Senator Clinton proposed doubling the education award for AmeriCorps volunteers.
On the presidential campaign trail Senator Clinton proposed “doubling the education awards that AmeriCorps volunteers receive.” Explaining why the education awards should be expanded, Senator Clinton said the “young men and women are building homes, mentoring children, providing disaster relief, and so much more. They’re serving our country every day. And I want our country to serve them in return.” [Senator Clinton speech, 10/11/07 (via archive.org)]
Senator Clinton called for an AmeriCorps program in which recent college graduates would help encourage high school students to go to college.
Senator Clinton introduced the Coaching our Adolescents for College Heights (COACH) Act to “recruit, train and place recent college graduates in high schools to increase the number of low- and middle-income, high-achieving high school students who enroll in college.” The COACH Act would have created a pilot program within AmeriCorps to “train and place 100 coaches in five high-need” educational systems to build “a strong college-going culture within the school.” [S.3027, 5/15/08; Senator Clinton press release, 5/16/08 (via archive.org)]
Senator Clinton suggested creating an AmeriCorps program to connect high school seniors with community service opportunities.
Senator Clinton introduced the Senior Year Community Service Act to “promote community service among high school seniors by connecting them with service opportunities within their schools and communities.” Senator Clinton’s legislation would have created a pilot program within AmeriCorps to “use funds to establish partnerships with community based organizations, provide a service coordinator to assist participating high schools, and provide information regarding service opportunities to students in their junior years.” [S.3028, 5/15/08; Senator Clinton press release, 5/16/08 (via archive.org)]
Senator Clinton cosponsored a bill to base AmeriCorps’ education awards on the average public college tuition.
Senator Clinton cosponsored the AmeriCorps: Together Improving Our Nation Act. This legislation would have changed “the formula for determining the amount of the national service educational award to base the award on the average cost of attending a four-year institution of higher education.” [S.3037, 5/20/08]
Championing AmeriCorps in the White House
Hillary Clinton pressed Congress to extend AmeriCorps through 2002.
“Saying millions of Americans are learning ‘age-old, eternal’ lessons while giving back to their communities, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton urged Congress Thursday to extend AmeriCorps and other national volunteer service programs. ‘These programs work,’ said Mrs. Clinton. The first lady was joined at a Capitol Hill news conference by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are sponsoring a bill to extend the Corporation for National Service through 2002… Mrs. Clinton said every participant was learning important ‘age-old, eternal lessons about how much more we get when we give.’ ‘I think if every member of Congress heard just these three stories there wouldn’t be any doubt that the bill you are introducing today would pass unanimously,’ she said.” [Associated Press, 3/19/98]
Hillary Clinton unveiled a plan for AmeriCorps volunteers to help out in D.C. high schools.
“Hillary Rodham Clinton visited a District of Columbia high school Friday to push for projects that link students to community service and to unveil a plan to put AmeriCorps volunteers in all city high schools by the fall. The volunteers will help teachers and administrators coordinate service learning programs, which combine community service with classroom learning, in the troubled school system’s 20 high schools, she said. ‘Service learning is good for students and the community,’ Mrs. Clinton told volunteers, teachers and AmeriCorps administrators in a round-table discussion at Cardozo High School. ‘Service learning programs can help young people build their own sense of confidence and can inspire them to be active volunteers in communities throughout their lives.’ Around the country, 750,000 young people are involved in such projects, Mrs. Clinton said, adding that she hoped more schools and states would make community service part of the curriculum.” [Associated Press, 4/11/97]
]]>