Bill Clinton. Election of 1992 Clinton (Dem.), Bush (Rep.) & Ross Perot (Independent) Main Issue: Bush’s handling of economy Clinton wins.

Bill Clinton

Election of 1992• Clinton (Dem.), Bush (Rep.) & Ross Perot

(Independent)• Main Issue: Bush’s handling of economy• Clinton wins

Medical Issues• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)– Most full-time employees guaranteed 12 workweeks of

unpaid leave each year

• Universal Healthcare– Headed by Clinton’s wife Hilary Rodham Clinton– Ultimately shot down

Violence In US Under Clinton• Brady Bill– Federal background checks & five-day waiting period to

purchase firearms– Clinton’s biggest success

• Oklahoma City Bombings– Timothy McVeigh kills 168 people– Biggest act of domestic terrorism in US

• Columbine High School – Two students kill 12 people – Security increased across the nation in schools

Oklahoma City & Columbine

Contract With America• Republicans unhappy with Clinton– Led by Newt Gingrich– Wanted Rep. control of Congress

• Contract With America– Balanced federal budget– welfare reform– tax cuts for middle class

• Result: 1994- Rep. gained control of Congress for 1st time in 40 years

Whitewater Scandal• Whitewater– Clintons’ investment in Whitewater Development Corp.– Kenneth Starr: lead investigator– No evidence found against Clinton

• Major Result– Starr starts to investigate Clinton’s relationship with

Monica Lewinsky (White House intern)

Lewinsky & Clinton

“I did not have sexual relations with that women”

• Clinton denies affair under oath– Later admits to lying

• Starr recommends impeachment– One count of perjury and one count of obstruction of

justice– Clinton: 2nd president impeached– Clinton acquitted• Failed to get 2/3 vote in Senate

NAFTA

• North American Free Trade Agreement• Free trade zone in North America– Canada, Mexico & US– Economic growth, reduce prices, increase exports

Clinton Foreign Policy Issues

• Somalia– US forces led peace coalition & distribute food– US troops withdraw due to steep causalities

• Haiti– US helps bring stability to restore order

• Ethnic cleansing in Eastern Europe– Mass murder, violence, rape– UN provides humanitarian aid

Al Qaeda• Terrorist group formed by Saudi Arabian businessman–Osama Bin laden–Goal: to end US involvement in Middle East

• 2 attacks against US– 1993: World Trade Center bombing• 6 dead, 1000s injured

– 2000: USS Cole• American warship bombed• 17 dead