Barack Obama

===Domestic policy===
{{See also|Social policy of the Barack Obama administration}}

The first bill signed into law by Obama was the [[Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009]], relaxing the [[statute of limitations]] for equal-pay lawsuits.<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Signs Equal-Pay Legislation |work = The New York Times |first=Sheryl Gay|last=Stolberg|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/us/politics/30ledbetter-web.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130125449/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/us/politics/30ledbetter-web.html |archive-date=January 30, 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date = June 15, 2009 |date = January 30, 2009 }}</ref> Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama signs into law expansion of SCHIP health care program for children |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-kids-health-care_thufeb05,0,30310.story |access-date=June 15, 2009 |first=Noam N. |last=Levey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430194400/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-kids-health-care_thufeb05%2C0%2C30310.story |archive-date=April 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |date=February 5, 2009 }}</ref> In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding of [[embryonic stem cell]] research and pledged to develop "strict guidelines" on the research.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/obama.stem.cells/index.html |title = Obama overturns Bush policy on stem cells |publisher = CNN |date = March 9, 2009 |access-date = April 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330183125/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/obama.stem.cells/index.html |archive-date = March 30, 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:Barack Obama addresses joint session of Congress 2009-02-24.jpg|thumb|left|Obama delivers a [[Barack Obama speech to joint session of Congress, February 2009|speech at a joint session of Congress]] with Vice President [[Joe Biden]] and [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] on February 24, 2009.|alt=Photo of Obama giving a speech to Congress, with Pelosi and Biden clapping behind him]]

Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominated [[Sonia Sotomayor]] on May 26, 2009, to replace retiring [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|Associate Justice]] [[David Souter]]. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/06/sonia.sotomayor/ |first1=Lisa |last1=Desjardins |first2=Kristi |last2=Keck |first3=Bill |last3=Mears |date=August 6, 2009 |publisher=CNN |access-date=August 6, 2009 |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925110216/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/06/sonia.sotomayor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the first Supreme Court Justice of [[Hispanic]] descent.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/26/supreme.court/index.html |first1=Peter |last1=Hamby |first2=Ed |last2=Henry |first3=Suzanne |last3=Malveaux |first4=Bill |last4=Mears |title=Obama nominates Sotomayor to Supreme Court |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915214022/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/26/supreme.court/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Obama nominated [[Elena Kagan]] on May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate Justice [[John Paul Stevens]]. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20101004/News/608110519/LL/ |title = New Era Begins on High Court: Kagan Takes Place as Third Woman |last = Sherman |first = Mark |date = October 4, 2010 |agency = Associated Press |access-date = November 13, 2010 |archive-date = October 10, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171010074850/http://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20101004/News/608110519/LL/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>

On March 11, 2009, Obama created the [[White House Council on Women and Girls]], which formed part of the [[White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs|Office of Intergovernmental Affairs]], having been established by {{Executive Order|13506}} with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired by [[Senior Advisor to the President]] [[Valerie Jarrett]]. Obama also established the [[White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault]] through a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on Women and Girls and [[Office of the Vice President of the United States]], and prior to that the 1994 [[Violence Against Women Act]] first drafted by Biden.

In July 2009, Obama launched the [[Priority Enforcement Program]], an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and the [[Secure Communities]] fingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2015 |title=Obama Administration Implements Priority Enforcement Program, Limits Interior Enforcement |url=https://www.numbersusa.com/news/obama-administration-implements-priority-enforcement-program-limits-interior-enforcement |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=www.numbersusa.com |language=en |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525035043/https://www.numbersusa.com/news/obama-administration-implements-priority-enforcement-program-limits-interior-enforcement |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a [[Space policy of the Barack Obama administration|major space policy speech]] in April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction at [[NASA]], the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return of [[human spaceflight]] to the moon and development of the [[Ares I]] rocket, [[Ares V]] rocket and [[Constellation program]], in favor of funding [[earth science]] projects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to the [[International Space Station]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Robert |last1=Block |first2=Mark K. |last2=Matthews |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-27-la-na-nasa-budget27-2010jan27-story.html |title=White House won't fund NASA moon program |quote=President Obama's budget proposal includes no money for the Ares I and Ares V rocket or Constellation program. Instead, NASA would be asked to monitor climate change and develop a new rocket |date=January 27, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 30, 2011 |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026070433/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-27-la-na-nasa-budget27-2010jan27-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Barack Obama visiting victims of 2012 Aurora shooting.jpg|thumb|Obama visits an [[2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting|Aurora shooting]] victim at [[University of Colorado Hospital]], 2012.|alt=Photo of Obama smiling at a hospital patient while hugging her friend]]

On January 16, 2013, one month after the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regarding [[Gun politics in the United States|gun control]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21049942 |publisher = BBC News |title = US gun debate: Obama unveils gun control proposals |first = Mark |last = Mardell |date = January 16, 2013 |access-date = January 16, 2013 |archive-date = January 16, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130116181612/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21049942 |url-status = live }}</ref> He urged Congress to reintroduce an [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban|expired ban]] on military-style [[assault weapons]], such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federal [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] for the first time since 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title = What's in Obama's Gun Control Proposal |url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/01/16/us/obama-gun-control-proposal.html |work = The New York Times |date = January 16, 2013 |access-date = February 12, 2013 |archive-date = February 21, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130221133649/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/01/16/us/obama-gun-control-proposal.html |url-status = live }}</ref> On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.<ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/05/politics/obama-gun-control-executive-action/ |title=Obama announces gun control executive action (full transcript) |work=CNN |date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2016 |archive-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221221129/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/05/politics/obama-gun-control-executive-action/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2016 editorial in ''The New York Times'', Obama compared the struggle for what he termed "common-sense gun reform" to [[women's suffrage]] and other [[civil rights movements]] in American history.

In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/43180202/ns/us_news-security/t/obama-europe-signs-patriot-act-extension/ |work=[[NBC News]] |title=Obama, in Europe, signs Patriot Act extension |date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=August 8, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810204645/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43180202/ns/us_news-security/t/obama-europe-signs-patriot-act-extension/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the [[Global surveillance disclosures (2013–present)|2013 global surveillance disclosures]] by [[whistleblower]] [[Edward Snowden]], Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,<ref name="CNN-Snowden">{{cite news | work=CNN | url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/12/politics/obama-snowden-whistleblower | title=Fact-checking Obama's claims about Snowden | date=August 13, 2013 | access-date=August 8, 2019 | last=Wolf | first=Z. Byron | archive-date=August 8, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808215548/https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/12/politics/obama-snowden-whistleblower | url-status=live }}</ref> but called for increased restrictions on the [[National Security Agency]] (NSA) to address violations of privacy.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-security-obama-idUSL1N0MS1QW20140403?type=companyNews | title=Obama's NSA overhaul may require phone carriers to store more data | date=April 3, 2014 | work=Reuters | access-date=August 8, 2019 | author=Hosenball, Mark | archive-date=June 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602160321/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-security-obama-idUSL1N0MS1QW20140403?type=companyNews | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ackerman |first=Spencer |date=January 17, 2014 |title=Obama to overhaul NSA's bulk storage of Americans' telephone data |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/17/obama-end-nsa-bulk-storage-telephone-metadata |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812214452/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/17/obama-end-nsa-bulk-storage-telephone-metadata |url-status=live }}</ref> Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Roth |first=Kenneth |date=January 9, 2017 |title=Barack Obama's Shaky Legacy on Human Rights |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/09/barack-obamas-shaky-legacy-human-rights |access-date=June 26, 2022 |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |language=en |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202082511/https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/09/barack-obamas-shaky-legacy-human-rights |url-status=live }}</ref> He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to the [[United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court]] (FISC).<ref name=":0" />

====Racial issues====
{{see also|Race and ethnicity in the United States}}

In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dyson |first1=Michael Eric |title=The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-544-38766-9 |page=275|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gillion |first=Daniel Q. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/governing-with-words/5D4F713A016401E3FC3922C66D371FF2 |title=Governing with Words |date=2016 |isbn=978-1-316-41229-9 |language=en |doi=10.1017/CBO9781316412299 |access-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810185603/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/governing-with-words/5D4F713A016401E3FC3922C66D371FF2 |url-status=live }}</ref> but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Butler |first1=Bennett |last2=Mendelberg |first2=Tali |last3=Haines |first3=Pavielle E. |date=2019 |title="I'm Not the President of Black America": Rhetorical versus Policy Representation |journal=Perspectives on Politics |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=1038–1058 |doi=10.1017/S1537592719000963 |issn=1537-5927 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a "[[Post-racial America|postracial America]]".<ref name="wrodgers">{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Walter |date=January 5, 2010 |title=A year into Obama's presidency, is America postracial? |work=The Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0105/A-year-into-Obama-s-presidency-is-America-postracial |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117065412/http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0105/A-year-into-Obama-s-presidency-is-America-postracial |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="shearalcindor1">{{cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael |last2=Alcindor |first2=Yamiche |date=January 14, 2017 |title=Jolted by Deaths, Obama Found His Voice on Race |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/us/politics/obama-presidency-race.html |access-date=January 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116205805/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/us/politics/obama-presidency-race.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,<ref name="wrodgers" /><ref name="ccil2">{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |date=August 14, 2014 |title=President Obama's vision of post-racial America faces another stress test with Ferguson |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/14/president-obamas-desire-to-reshape-race-relations-runs-into-stark-realities/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/14/president-obamas-desire-to-reshape-race-relations-runs-into-stark-realities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.<ref name="jblake">{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=John |date=July 1, 2016 |title=What black America won't miss about Obama |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/politics/why-black-america-may-be-relieved-to-see-obama-go/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003024730/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/politics/why-black-america-may-be-relieved-to-see-obama-go/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> The [[Trial of George Zimmerman|acquittal]] of [[George Zimmerman]] following the [[killing of Trayvon Martin]] sparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that "Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago."<ref name="ccilliza">{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |date=July 19, 2013 |title=President Obama's remarkably personal speech on Trayvon Martin and race in America |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/07/19/president-obamas-remarkably-personal-speech-on-trayvon-martin-and-race-in-america/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022902/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/07/19/president-obamas-remarkably-personal-speech-on-trayvon-martin-and-race-in-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The shooting of [[Shooting of Michael Brown|Michael Brown]] in [[Ferguson, Missouri]] [[Ferguson unrest|sparked a wave of protests]].<ref name="capeheart2">{{cite news |last1=Capeheart |first1=Jonathan |date=February 27, 2015 |title=From Trayvon Martin to 'black lives matter' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/02/27/from-trayvon-martin-to-black-lives-matter/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117013956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/02/27/from-trayvon-martin-to-black-lives-matter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These and other events led to the birth of the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement, which campaigns against violence and [[Institutional racism|systemic racism]] toward [[black people]].<ref name="capeheart2" /> Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups.<ref name="pbacon">{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Perry Jr. |date=January 3, 2015 |title=In Wake of Police Shootings, Obama Speaks More Bluntly About Race |publisher=NBC |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/barack-obama/wake-police-shootings-obama-speaks-more-bluntly-about-race-n278616 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111003526/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/barack-obama/wake-police-shootings-obama-speaks-more-bluntly-about-race-n278616 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.<ref name="bridgethedivide">{{cite news |last1=Hirschfield Davis |first1=Julie |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Obama Urges Civil Rights Activists and Police to Bridge Divide |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/tensions-between-police-and-blacks-are-likely-to-worsen-obama-says.html |access-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718174834/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/tensions-between-police-and-blacks-are-likely-to-worsen-obama-says.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 2016 |title=U.S. Worries About Race Relations Reach a New High |publisher=Gallup |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/190574/worries-race-relations-reach-new-high.aspx?g_source=race%20obama&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |access-date=December 5, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220044735/http://www.gallup.com/poll/190574/worries-race-relations-reach-new-high.aspx?g_source=race%20obama&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |url-status=live }}</ref>

====LGBT rights====
On October 8, 2009, Obama signed the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], a measure that expanded the [[Hate crime laws in the United States#Federal|1969 United States federal hate-crime law]] to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/28/hate.crimes/ |title=Obama signs hate crimes bill into law |work=CNN |date=October 28, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2011 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112004850/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/28/hate.crimes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated by [[Immigration Equality]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Preston |first=Julia |date=October 30, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/us/politics/31travel.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407213122/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/us/politics/31travel.html |archive-date=April 7, 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Obama Lifts a Ban on Entry Into U.S. by H.I.V.-Positive People |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=February 8, 2017 }}</ref> On December 22, 2010, Obama signed the [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010]], which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaign<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/22/obama-repeals-dont-ask-dont-tell |title = 'Don't ask, don't tell' repealed as Obama signs landmark law |work = The Guardian |location = London |date = December 22, 2010 |access-date = June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223060037/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/22/obama-repeals-dont-ask-dont-tell |archive-date = December 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sheryl Gay Stolberg|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/us/politics/23military.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512170430/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/us/politics/23military.html |archive-date=May 12, 2011 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Obama Signs Away 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'|date=December 23, 2010|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> to end the [[don't ask, don't tell]] policy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the [[United States Armed Forces]]. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barred [[Transgender personnel in the United States military|transgender people from serving openly in the military]].<ref name=TransBan1>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/30/us-military-ends-ban-transgender-service-members |first1=Molly |last1=Redden |first2=Amanda |last2=Holpuch |title=US military ends ban on transgender service members |work=The Guardian |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219181650/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/30/us-military-ends-ban-transgender-service-members |url-status=live }}</ref>

===== Same-sex marriage =====
As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizing [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage]].<ref name="WCT0114">{{cite news |last = Baim |first = Tracy |title = Windy City Times exclusive: Obama's Marriage Views Changed. WCT Examines His Step Back |url = http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Windy-City-Times-exclusive-Obamas-Marriage-Views-Changed-WCT-Examines-His-Step-Back/20524.html |access-date = May 10, 2012 |newspaper = [[Windy City Times]] |date = January 14, 2009 |archive-date = November 14, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121114030720/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Windy-City-Times-exclusive-Obamas-Marriage-Views-Changed-WCT-Examines-His-Step-Back/20524.html |url-status = live }}</ref> During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.<ref name="WCT0204">{{cite news |last = Baim |first = Tracy |title = Obama Seeks U.S. Senate seat |url = http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=3931 |access-date = May 10, 2012 |newspaper = [[Windy City Times]] |date = February 4, 2004 |archive-date = May 14, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120514034445/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=3931 |url-status = live }}</ref> In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/may/11/barack-obama/president-barack-obamas-shift-gay-marriage/|title=President Barack Obama's shifting stance on gay marriage|work=PolitiFact|access-date=November 28, 2018|archive-date=November 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126060141/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/may/11/barack-obama/president-barack-obamas-shift-gay-marriage/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-backs-same-sex-marriage/ |first=Corbett |last=Daly |title=Obama backs same-sex marriage |work=[[CBS News]] |date=May 9, 2012 |access-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219204646/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-backs-same-sex-marriage/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Huffington Post">{{cite news |url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html |title = Obama Backs Gay Marriage |last = Stein |first = Sam |date = May 9, 2012 |work = The Huffington Post |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = June 29, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150629071547/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html |url-status = live }}</ref> During his second [[Second inauguration of Barack Obama|inaugural address]] on January 21, 2013,<ref name="NYT20130121" /> Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mention [[LGBT rights in the United States|gay rights]] or the word "gay" in an inaugural address.<ref>{{cite news |last = Robillard |first = Kevin |title = First inaugural use of the word 'gay' |url = https://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/first-inaugural-use-of-the-word-gay-086499 |access-date = January 21, 2013 |work = Politico |date = January 21, 2013 |archive-date = July 23, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723110125/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/first-inaugural-use-of-the-word-gay-86499.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Inauguration Speech Makes History With Mention of Gay Rights Struggle, Stonewall Uprising |url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/21/obama-inauguration-speech-stonewall-gays_n_2520962.html |work = The Huffington Post |access-date = January 21, 2013 |first = Noah |last = Michelson |date = January 21, 2013 |archive-date = September 19, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180919184320/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/21/obama-inauguration-speech-stonewall-gays_n_2520962.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] to rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases of ''[[Hollingsworth v. Perry]]'' (regarding same-sex marriage)<ref name="huffpo-amicus">{{cite news |url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/28/obama-gay-marriage_n_2783912.html |title = Obama Administration: Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional In Prop. 8 Supreme Court Case |last = Reilly |first = Ryan J. |date = February 28, 2013 |work = [[The Huffington Post]] |access-date = April 21, 2013 |archive-date = April 11, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130411220023/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/28/obama-gay-marriage_n_2783912.html |url-status = live }}</ref> and ''[[United States v. Windsor]]'' (regarding the [[Defense of Marriage Act]]).<ref name="cnn-amicus">{{cite news |url = https://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/22/politics/supreme-court-marriage |title = Obama administration weighs in on defense of marriage law |last = Mears |first = Bill |date = February 27, 2013 |publisher = CNN |access-date = April 21, 2013 |archive-date = September 1, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130901110517/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/22/politics/supreme-court-marriage |url-status = live }}</ref>

====Economic policy====
{{Main|Economic policy of the Barack Obama administration}}

On February 17, 2009, Obama signed the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], a $787{{spaces}}billion (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|787|2009}} billion in {{Inflation/year|US}}) [[stimulus (economics)|economic stimulus]] package aimed at helping the economy recover from the [[Great Recession|deepening worldwide recession]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/13/stimulus/index.html |title = Stimulus package en route to Obama's desk |access-date = March 29, 2009 |publisher = CNN |date = February 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330094958/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/13/stimulus/index.html |archive-date = March 30, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks and [[tax incentive|incentives]], and direct assistance to individuals.<ref name="direct assistance" /> In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary, [[Timothy Geithner]], took further steps to manage the [[financial crisis of 2007–08|financial crisis]], including introducing the [[Public–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets]], which contains provisions for buying up to $2{{spaces}}trillion in depreciated real estate assets.<ref name="markets opened" />

[[File:U.S. Total Deficits vs. National Debt Increases 2001-2010.png|thumb|[[United States federal budget|Deficit]] and [[National debt of the United States|debt]] increases, 2001–2016|alt=Graph showing large deficit increases in 2008 and 2009, followed by a decline]]

Obama intervened in the [[automotive industry crisis of 2008–10|troubled automotive industry]]<ref>{{cite news|title=White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler |date=March 30, 2009 |work=The Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/30/obama-denies-bailout-fund_n_180563.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407010806/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/30/obama-denies-bailout-fund_n_180563.html |archive-date=April 7, 2009 }}</ref> in March 2009, renewing loans for [[General Motors]] (GM) and [[Chrysler]] to continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including the [[Chrysler Chapter 11 reorganization|sale of Chrysler]] to Italian automaker [[Fiat]]<ref>{{cite news |title = Chrysler and Union Agree to Deal Before Federal Deadline |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/business/27chrysler.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428062100/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/business/27chrysler.html |archive-date=April 28, 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |work = The New York Times |first1 = Nick |last1 = Bunkley |first2 = Bill |last2 = Vlasic |date = April 27, 2009 |access-date = April 12, 2010 }}</ref> and a [[General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization|reorganization of GM]] giving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.<ref>{{cite news|title=GM Begins Bankruptcy Process With Filing for Affiliate |first1=John |last1=Hughes |first2=Caroline |last2=Salas |first3=Jeff |last3=Green |first4=Bob |last4=Van Voris |url=http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aw4F_L7E4xYg |agency=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=June 1, 2009 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613163056/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087 |archive-date=June 13, 2010 }}</ref> In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.<ref name="Christopher Conkey and Louise Radnofsky">{{cite news |title = Obama Presses Cabinet to Speed Stimulus Spending |date = June 9, 2009 |work = The Wall Street Journal |publisher = News Corp |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124445867883193821 |first1 = Christopher |last1 = Conkey |first2 = Louise |last2 = Radnofsky |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = July 26, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130726203047/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124445867883193821.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> He signed into law the [[Car Allowance Rebate System]], known colloquially as "Cash for Clunkers", which temporarily boosted the economy.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082002699.html |title = U.S. Says 'Cash for Clunkers' Program Will End on Monday |last = Hedgpeth |first = Dana |newspaper = The Washington Post |date = August 21, 2009 |access-date = March 26, 2010 |archive-date = May 16, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110516094603/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082002699.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1918692,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828040214/http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1918692,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 28, 2009 |title = Was Cash for Clunkers a Success? |last = Szczesny |first = Joseph R. |magazine = Time |date = August 26, 2009 |access-date = March 26, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1 = Mian |first1 = Atif R. |first2 = Amir |last2 = Sufi |s2cid = 219352572 |title = The Effects of Fiscal Stimulus: Evidence from the 2009 'Cash for Clunkers' Program |date = September 1, 2010 |ssrn = 1670759 |doi = 10.2139/ssrn.1670759 |journal=The Quarterly Journal of Economics|volume=127|issue=3|pages=1107–1142}}</ref>

The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from the [[Federal Reserve System|Federal Reserve]] and the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Department of the Treasury]]. These guarantees totaled about $11.5{{spaces}}trillion, but only $3{{spaces}}trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title = CNNMoney.com's bailout tracker |work = CNNMoney |page = 20 |volume = 06 |url = https://money.cnn.com/news/storysupplement/economy/bailouttracker/ |access-date = March 26, 2010 |last = Goldman |first = David |date = April 6, 2009 |archive-date = April 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190407090433/https://money.cnn.com/news/storysupplement/economy/bailouttracker/ |url-status = live }}</ref> On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisan [[Budget Control Act of 2011]]. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5{{spaces}}trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2{{spaces}}trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.<ref>{{cite web |last = Stein |first = Sylvie |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/02/7231805-a-breakdown-of-the-debt-limit-legislation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114001916/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/02/7231805-a-breakdown-of-the-debt-limit-legislation |archive-date = January 14, 2012 |title = First Read—A breakdown of the debt-limit legislation |publisher = MSNBC |access-date = August 3, 2011 }}</ref> By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent a [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]] [[Default (finance)|default]] on its obligations.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/43967924 |title = House passes debt ceiling bill |work = NBC News |date = March 8, 2011 |access-date = August 3, 2011 |archive-date = July 21, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200721161500/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43967924 |url-status = live }}</ref>

The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.<ref name="Theodossiou">{{cite journal |last1 = Theodossiou |first1 = Eleni |last2 = Hipple |first2 = Steven F. |year = 2011 |title = Unemployment Remains High in 2010 |journal = Monthly Labor Review |volume = 134 |issue = 3 |pages = 3–22 |url=http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2011/03/art1full.pdf |access-date = April 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508050328/http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2011/03/art1full.pdf |archive-date = May 8, 2011 }}</ref> Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.<ref name="Eddlemon">{{cite journal |last1 = Eddlemon |first1 = John P. |year = 2011 |title = Payroll Employment Turns the Corner in 2010 |journal = Monthly Labor Review |volume = 134 |issue = 3 |pages = 23–32 |url=http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2011/03/art2full.pdf |access-date = April 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506195757/http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2011/03/art2full.pdf |archive-date = May 6, 2011 }}</ref> By November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet |title = Unemployment Rate |publisher = [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date = December 11, 2012 |archive-date = November 21, 2011 |archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20111121071552/http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dbdown?Your+request+was+invalid+for+this+Data+Access+Service.+Please+attempt+other+data+requests.+Thank+you+for+using+LABSTAT. |url-status = live }}</ref> decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |title = Unemployment Rate |publisher = [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date = January 10, 2014 |archive-date = April 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190428090214/https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |url-status = live }}</ref> During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |title = Unemployment Rate |publisher = [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date = June 6, 2014 |archive-date = April 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190428090214/https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |url-status = live }}</ref> GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.<ref name="BEA1">{{cite web |url=http://bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&ViewSeries=NO&Java=no&Request3Place=N&3Place=N&FromView=YES&Freq=Qtr&FirstYear=2009&LastYear=2010&3Place=N&Update=Update&JavaBox=no#Mid |title = Percent Change in Real Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly) |website = National Income and Product Accounts Table |publisher = [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] |access-date = April 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512014536/http://bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&ViewSeries=NO&Java=no&Request3Place=N&3Place=N&FromView=YES&Freq=Qtr&FirstYear=2009&LastYear=2010&3Place=N&Update=Update&JavaBox=no#Mid |archive-date = May 12, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.<ref name="BEA1" /> In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairman [[Ben Bernanke]] said the economic outlook was "unusually uncertain".<ref>{{cite news |last = Harding |first = Robin |title = Beige Book survey reports signs of slowdown |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dac3245a-9a7b-11df-87fd-00144feab49a.html |work = [[Financial Times]] |access-date = July 29, 2010 |date = July 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729184009/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dac3245a-9a7b-11df-87fd-00144feab49a.html|archive-date=July 29, 2010 }}</ref> Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&ViewSeries=NO&Java=no&Request3Place=N&3Place=N&FromView=YES&Freq=Year&FirstYear=2009&LastYear=2010&3Place=N&Update=Update&JavaBox=no#Mid |title = Percent Change in Real Gross Domestic Product (Annual) |website = National Income and Product Accounts Table |publisher = Bureau of Economic Analysis |access-date = April 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512014513/http://bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&ViewSeries=NO&Java=no&Request3Place=N&3Place=N&FromView=YES&Freq=Year&FirstYear=2009&LastYear=2010&3Place=N&Update=Update&JavaBox=no#Mid |archive-date = May 12, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| total_width       = 700
| align             = left
| image1            = US Employment Statistics.svg
| caption1          = U.S. [[unemployment rate]] and monthly changes in net employment during Obama's tenure as president<ref>{{cite web |url = http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |title = Unemployment Rate |publisher = [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date = September 12, 2018 |archive-date = April 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190428090214/https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0000000001?output_view=net_1mth |title = 1-month net change in employment |publisher = [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date = September 12, 2018 |archive-date = April 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190428085608/https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0000000001?output_view=net_1mth |url-status = live }}</ref>
| alt1              = Graph showing increased unemployment in Obama's first year, followed by consistent jobs growth
| image2            = Job Growth by U.S. President - v1.png
| caption2          = Job growth during the presidency of Obama compared to other presidents, as measured as a cumulative percentage change from month after inauguration to end of his term
| alt2              = Graph showing lower jobs growth under Obama was lower than previous presidents, except George W. Bush
}}

The [[Congressional Budget Office]] (CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.<ref name="estimated" /><ref name="newc" /> The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1{{spaces}}million,<ref name="newc">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/business/economy/21stimulus.html |title = New Consensus Sees Stimulus Package as Worthy Step |work = The New York Times |date = November 20, 2009 |access-date = December 21, 2010 |first1 = Jackie |last1 = Calmes |first2 = Michael |last2 = Cooper |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511230904/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/business/economy/21stimulus.html|archive-date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/62343-cbo-stimulus-created-as-many-as-2-1-million-jobs/ |title = CBO: Stimulus created as many as 2.1 million jobs |date = February 23, 2010 |access-date = April 25, 2010 |archive-date = March 3, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100303115604/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/83253-cbo-stimulus-created-as-many-as-21-million-jobs |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Isidore |first = Chris |url = https://money.cnn.com/2010/01/29/news/economy/gdp/index.htm |title = Best economic growth in six years |publisher = CNN |date = January 29, 2010 |access-date = April 18, 2010 |archive-date = April 20, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100420161722/http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/29/news/economy/gdp/index.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> while conceding that "it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package."<ref name="estimated">{{cite web |url = http://www.cbo.gov/publication/42715 |title = Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output |date = November 22, 2011 |publisher = Congressional Budget Office |access-date = February 21, 2012 |archive-date = February 29, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120229112907/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/42715 |url-status = live }}</ref> Although an April 2010, survey of members of the [[National Association for Business Economics]] showed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nabe.com/publib/indsum.html |title=New NABE Survey Shows Business Recovery Gaining Momentum, with More Jobs Ahead |access-date=April 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502053859/http://www.nabe.com/publib/indsum.html |archive-date=May 2, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other original [[NATO]] members by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end of [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web |work=Politics that Work |url=http://politicsthatwork.com/graphs/gdp-growth-vs-nato-president |title=U.S. GDP Growth Relative to Original NATO Members |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=April 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423174827/http://politicsthatwork.com/graphs/gdp-growth-vs-nato-president |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[OECD|Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] credits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union.<ref>{{cite news |first=Irene |last=Chapple |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/29/business/oecd-u-s-europe-economic-recovery/ |title=OECD: U.S. will recover faster, Europe faces unemployment crisis |work=CNN |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220015240/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/29/business/oecd-u-s-europe-economic-recovery/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Within a month of the [[2010 United States elections|2010 midterm elections]], Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the [[Bush tax cuts|2001 and 2003 income tax rates]], a one-year [[Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax|payroll tax]] reduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount for [[Estate tax in the United States|estate taxes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/us/politics/08cong.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209044154/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/us/politics/08cong.html |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title = Democrats Skeptical of Obama on New Tax Plan |last1 = Herszenhorn |first1 = David M. |last2 = Stolberg |first2 = Sheryl Gay |newspaper = The New York Times |date = December 7, 2010 }}</ref> The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858{{spaces}}billion (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|.858|2010|r=1}} trillion in {{Inflation/year|US}}) [[Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010]] passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/17/tax.deal/index.html |title = Obama signs tax deal into law |publisher = CNN |date = December 17, 2010 |access-date = December 17, 2010 |archive-date = December 18, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101218125507/http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/17/tax.deal/index.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

In December 2013, Obama declared that growing [[Income inequality in the United States|income inequality]] is a "defining challenge of our time" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of the [[Fast food worker strikes|nationwide strikes of fast-food workers]] and Pope Francis' criticism of inequality and [[trickle-down economics]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/obama-income-inequality-defining-challenge-164430631.html |title = Obama: Income Inequality a Defining Challenge |first = Jim |last = Kuhnhenn |agency = Associated Press |date = December 4, 2013 |access-date = January 9, 2014 |archive-date = December 7, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131207035721/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obama-income-inequality-defining-challenge-164430631.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-obama-makes-trade-deal-a-top-priority-in-remaining-months/ |title=President Obama uses his final months to bring congressional approval of a 12-nation free trade pact called the Trans-Pacific Partnership |date=September 5, 2016 |work=CBS News |access-date=September 5, 2016 |archive-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906160240/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-obama-makes-trade-deal-a-top-priority-in-remaining-months/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Environmental policy====
{{See also|Climate change policy of the United States|Energy policy of the Barack Obama administration}}
[[File:Obama-venice-la.jpg|thumb|Obama at a 2010 briefing on the [[BP oil spill]] at the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] Station Venice in [[Venice, Louisiana]]|alt=Photo of Obama listening to a briefing, surrounded by senior staffers]]

On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshore [[drilling rig]] at the [[Macondo Prospect]] in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], causing a [[Deepwater Horizon oil spill|major sustained oil leak]]. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review by [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] [[Ken Salazar]] and concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on new [[deepwater drilling]] permits and leases, pending regulatory review.<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Halts Drilling Projects, Defends Actions |publisher = NPR |date = May 27, 2010 |url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127205462&ps=rs |access-date = April 5, 2018 |archive-date = September 19, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180919115513/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127205462&ps=rs |url-status = live }}</ref> As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.<ref>{{cite news |first = Patrik |last = Jonsson |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0529/Gulf-oil-spill-Obama-s-big-political-test |title = Gulf oil spill: Obama's big political test |work = [[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date = May 29, 2010 |access-date = June 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601094118/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0529/Gulf-oil-spill-Obama-s-big-political-test |archive-date = June 1, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of the [[East Coast of the United States]] and along the coast of [[Arctic Alaska|northern Alaska]] in an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Neuman|first=Scott|date=March 31, 2010|title=Obama Ends Ban On East Coast Offshore Drilling|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125378223|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103203751/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125378223|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he "would reject the [[Keystone XL pipeline]] if it increased carbon pollution [or] greenhouse emissions."<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldenberg |first=Suzanne |date=July 28, 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jul/28/obama-reservations-keystone-pipeline-project |title=Barack Obama expresses reservations about Keystone XL pipeline project |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229153228/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jul/28/obama-reservations-keystone-pipeline-project |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stein |first=Sam |date=June 25, 2013 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-keystone_n_3497292 |title=Obama: Keystone XL Should Not Be Approved If It Will Increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301134515/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-keystone_n_3497292 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/02/24/388738159/obama-to-veto-keystone-xl-pipeline-today-without-drama-or-fanfare-or-delay |title=Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=February 24, 2015 |publisher=NPR |first=Krishnadev |last=Calamur |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609085930/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/02/24/388738159/obama-to-veto-keystone-xl-pipeline-today-without-drama-or-fanfare-or-delay |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/234615-senate-fails-to-override-obama-keystone-veto/ |title = Keystone veto override fails |date = March 4, 2015 |first = Laura |last = Barron-Lopez |website = [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |publisher = Capitol Hill Publishing |access-date = July 2, 2015 |archive-date = July 15, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150715070123/http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/234615-senate-fails-to-override-obama-keystone-veto |url-status = live }}</ref>

In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 21, 2016|title=Obama bans oil drilling 'permanently' in millions of acres of ocean|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38387525|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030021148/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38387525|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=David|date=December 20, 2016|title=This article is more than 4 years old Barack Obama bans oil and gas drilling in most of Arctic and Atlantic oceans|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/20/barack-obama-bans-oil-gas-drilling-arctic-atlantic|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030022650/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/20/barack-obama-bans-oil-gas-drilling-arctic-atlantic|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Volcovici|first1=Valerie|last2=Gardner|first2=Timothy|date=December 20, 2016|title=Obama bans new oil, gas drilling off Alaska, part of Atlantic coast|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-drilling-idUSKBN1492KU|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030021142/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-drilling-idUSKBN1492KU|url-status=live}}</ref>

Obama emphasized the [[Conservation movement|conservation]] of [[federal lands]] during his term in office. He used his power under the [[Antiquities Act]] to create 25 new [[National monument (United States)|national monuments]] during his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of {{convert|553000000|acre|ha}} of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president.<ref name="Monuments">{{cite news |first1=Juliet |last1=Eilperin |first2=Brady |last2=Dennis |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-new-monuments-in-nevada-utah-obama-adds-to-his-environmental-legacy/2016/12/28/e9833f62-c471-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html |title=With new monuments in Nevada, Utah, Obama adds to his environmental legacy |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108190102/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-new-monuments-in-nevada-utah-obama-adds-to-his-environmental-legacy/2016/12/28/e9833f62-c471-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/12/29/507436648/obama-s-newly-designated-national-monuments-upset-some-lawmakers-and-constituent |title=Obama's Newly Designated National Monuments Upset Some Lawmakers |publisher=NPR |work=[[All Things Considered]] |date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010075711/http://www.npr.org/2016/12/29/507436648/obama-s-newly-designated-national-monuments-upset-some-lawmakers-and-constituent |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Amy R. |last=Connolly |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/02/13/Obama-expands-public-lands-more-than-any-US-president/1161455298784/ |title=Obama expands public lands more than any U.S. president |work=[[United Press International]] |date=February 13, 2016 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519003556/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/02/13/Obama-expands-public-lands-more-than-any-US-president/1161455298784/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Health care reform====
{{Main|Healthcare reform in the United States}}

Obama called for [[United States Congress|Congress]] to pass legislation reforming [[health care in the United States]], a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.<ref name="health reform" /> He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900{{spaces}}billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as the [[public health insurance option|public option]], to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage for [[pre-existing condition]]s, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10obama.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912093912/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10obama.html |archive-date=September 12, 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title = Obama, Armed With Details, Says Health Plan Is Necessary |last1 = Stolberg |first1 = Sheryl Gay |last2 = Zeleny |first2 = Jeff |date = September 9, 2009 |newspaper = The New York Times |access-date = July 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first = Mike |last = Allen |url = http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26907.html |title = Barack Obama will hedge on public option |work = [[Politico]] |access-date = July 5, 2015 |date = September 9, 2009 |archive-date = July 26, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130726215752/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26907.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:PPACA Premium Chart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|left|Maximum Out-of-Pocket Premium as Percentage of Family Income and [[federal poverty level]], under [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], starting in 2014 (Source: [[Congressional Research Service|CRS]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41137.pdf |title = Health Insurance Premium Credits in the PPACA |publisher = Congressional Research Service |access-date = May 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121014002318/https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41137.pdf |archive-date = October 14, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>|alt=Graph of maximum out-of-pocket premiums by poverty level, showing single-digit premiums for everyone under 400% of the federal poverty level.]]

On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.<ref name="health reform">{{cite news|url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/07/obama_july_22_2009_press_confe.html |title=Obama July 22, 2009 press conference. Transcript |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |first=Lynn |last=Sweet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416063154/http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/07/obama_july_22_2009_press_confe.html |archive-date=April 16, 2015 }}</ref> After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivered [[Barack Obama speech to joint session of Congress, September 2009|a speech to a joint session of Congress]] on September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/09/obama.speech/index.html |title = Obama calls for Congress to face health care challenge |date = September 9, 2009 |access-date = September 9, 2009 |publisher = CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910083332/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/09/obama.speech/index.html |archive-date = September 10, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/10/obama-stem-cell-research |title = Stem cell |first = Daniel |last = Nasaw |newspaper = The Guardian |access-date = September 13, 2014 |date = March 10, 2009 |archive-date = July 26, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130726203242/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/10/obama-stem-cell-research |url-status = live }}</ref>

On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.<ref name="nyt1">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/health/policy/08health.html |title = Sweeping Health Care Plan Passes House |last1 = Hulse |first1 = Carl |first2 = Robert |last2 = Pear |date = November 7, 2009 |work = The New York Times |access-date = November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331033230/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/health/policy/08health.html|archive-date=March 31, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/health/policy/08scene.html |title = Abortion Was at Heart of Wrangling |last1 = Herszenhorn |first1 = David M. |first2 = Jackie |last2 = Calmes |date = December 7, 2009 |work = The New York Times |access-date = December 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331073732/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/health/policy/08scene.html|archive-date=March 31, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121854289 |title = Senate Says Yes To Landmark Health Bill |author = Hensley, Scott |date = December 24, 2009 |access-date = December 24, 2009 |publisher = [[NPR]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121191700/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121854289 |archive-date = January 21, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 21, 2010, the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] (ACA, colloquially "Obamacare") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/health/policy/24health.html |title = Obama Signs Landmark Health Care Bill |date = March 23, 2010 |access-date = March 23, 2010 |newspaper = The New York Times |author = Stolberg, Sheryl Gay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325033529/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/health/policy/24health.html |archive-date = March 25, 2010 }}</ref>

The ACA includes [[Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|health-related provisions]], most of which took effect in 2014, including expanding [[Medicaid]] eligibility for people making up to 133 percent{{spaces}}of the [[federal poverty level]] (FPL) starting in 2014,<ref name="cnn_ref1">{{cite news |last = Rice |first = Sabriya |url = http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/25/health.care.law.basics/index.html |title = 5 key things to remember about health care reform |publisher = CNN |date = March 25, 2010 |access-date = January 6, 2013 |archive-date = January 2, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130102173326/http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/25/health.care.law.basics/index.html |url-status = live }}</ref> subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percent{{spaces}}of the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum "out-of-pocket" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,<ref>{{cite news |last = Grier |first = Peter |url = http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0320/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-gets-subsidized-insurance |date = March 20, 2010 |title = Health Care Reform Bill 101 |newspaper = [[The Christian Science Monitor]] |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = July 6, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150706014515/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0320/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-gets-subsidized-insurance |url-status = live }}</ref> providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishing [[health insurance exchange]]s, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level.<ref name="cbo_est">{{cite web |last = Elmendorf |first = Douglas W. |url=http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-premiums.pdf |title = An Analysis of Health Insurance Premiums Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act |publisher = Congressional Budget Office |date = November 30, 2009 |access-date = April 9, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227142305/http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-premiums.pdf |archive-date = February 27, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:Percentage of Individuals in the United States Without Health Insurance, 1963-2015.png|thumb|Percentage of Individuals in the United States without Health Insurance, 1963–2015 (Source: [[JAMA (journal)|JAMA]])<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Obama|first1=Barack|title=United States Health Care Reform|journal=JAMA|date=August 2, 2016|volume=316|issue=5|pages=525–532|doi=10.1001/jama.2016.9797|pmid=27400401|issn=0098-7484|pmc=5069435}}</ref>|alt=Graph showing significant decreases in uninsured rates after the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, and after the creation of Obamacare]]

The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-income [[tax bracket|brackets]], taxes on [[indoor tanning]], cuts to the [[Medicare Advantage]] program in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Grier |first = Peter |date = March 21, 2010 |url = http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0321/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-will-pay-for-reform |title = Health care reform bill 101: Who will pay for reform? |journal = Christian Science Monitor |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = July 6, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150706012138/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0321/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-will-pay-for-reform |url-status = live }}</ref> there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0319/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-must-buy-insurance |title = Health care reform bill 101: Who must buy insurance? |last = Grier |first = Peter |date = March 19, 2010 |work = [[The Christian Science Monitor]] |access-date = April 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405075157/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0319/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-must-buy-insurance |archive-date = April 5, 2010 }}</ref> In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143{{spaces}}billion over the first decade.<ref>{{cite web |last = Elmendorf |first = Douglas W. |title = H.R. 4872, Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Final Health Care Legislation) |date = March 20, 2010 |url = http://www.cbo.gov/publication/21351 |publisher = Congressional Budget Office |access-date = January 6, 2013 |archive-date = January 2, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130102193615/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/21351 |url-status = live }}</ref>

The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote in ''[[National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius]]'' that the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.<ref name="WP-uphold">{{cite news |first = Robert |last = Barnes |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-to-rule-thursday-on-health-care-law/2012/06/28/gJQAarRm8V_story.html |title = Supreme Court upholds Obama health care overhaul by 5–4 vote, approving insurance requirement |date = June 28, 2012 |newspaper = The Washington Post |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 29, 2012 |archive-date = June 28, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120628232111/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-to-rule-thursday-on-health-care-law/2012/06/28/gJQAarRm8V_story.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In ''[[Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.|Burwell v. Hobby Lobby]]'' the Court ruled that "closely-held" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under the [[Religious Freedom Restoration Act]] from regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 in ''[[King v. Burwell]]'' that subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans "established by the State", as the statute reads.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/06/25/supreme-court-upholds-obamacare-subsidies-in-king-v-burwell |title=Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare Subsidies |first=Kimberly |last=Leonard |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |access-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116072123/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/06/25/supreme-court-upholds-obamacare-subsidies-in-king-v-burwell |archive-date=January 16, 2016 }}</ref>