Barbara Boxer

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Barbara Boxer
Junior Senator from California
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 5, 1993 Serving with Dianne Feinstein
Preceded by	Alan Cranston
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 6th district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Phillip Burton
Succeeded by	Lynn C. Woolsey
Born	November 11, 1940 (1940-11-11) (age 67) Brooklyn, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Stewart Boxer
Alma mater	Brooklyn College
Net Worth	$1-5.5 million (USD) [1]
Religion	Jewish
Website	Barbara Boxer: US Senator from California

Barbara Levy Boxer (born November 11, 1940) is an American Democratic politician and the current junior U.S. Senator from the State of California. She holds the record popular votes in a statewide contested election in California, having received 6,955,728 ballots, in her 2004 re-election over former Republican Secretary of State Bill Jones.

Boxer was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, becoming one of the first two female Jewish senators, along with Dianne Feinstein. Throughout her career, Boxer has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues, abortion rights, gun control, and medical research. She is generally classified as a progressive or liberal in the left wing of her party and is often in conflict with conservative groups. Her electoral margins have increased each time she has sought re-election. With the 110th Congress convening, Boxer has taken position as Chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. She is the first woman to chair the Committee.

She has held the position of Chief Deputy Whip in Minority, and as of January 4, 2007, is the Chief Deputy Whip in Majority.

[edit] Early life and family

Boxer was born in Brooklyn, New York to Jewish parents Sophie Silvershein (who was born in Austria) and Ira Levy.^[2] She attended public schools, and graduated from Wingate High School in 1958. She also attended Camp Kinder Ring in Hopewell Junction, New York.^[3] Levy graduated from Brooklyn College in 1962 with a degree in Economics. She was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, in the Phi chapter. Later the same year she married Stewart Boxer.

Boxer worked as a stockbroker for the next three years, while her husband went through law school. Later, the couple moved to Greenbrae, Marin County, California, and had two children, Doug and Nicole. During the 1970s Boxer worked as a journalist for the Pacific Sun and as a congressional aide.^[4] In 1976, Boxer was elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors, serving for six years.^[5] During part of this time she served as the first woman president of the board.^[6]

In 1994, her daughter, Nicole Boxer, married Tony Rodham, brother of then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a ceremony at the White House. The couple had one son, Zachary, and divorced in 2000.^[7]

Boxer's husband, Stewart, is a prominent attorney in Oakland, where he has always practiced. He mainly handles worker's compensation cases (on the side of injured workers) and is known for keeping a very low profile, when it comes to politics. Many cases are referred to him by labor unions, including the Teamsters. Recently, in 2006, the Boxers sold their house in Greenbrae, where they had lived for many years, and moved to Oakland — allowing Stewart to stop commuting. Their son, Douglas, a lawyer, practices with Stewart and is a member of the Oakland Planning Commission, having been appointed to that office by then-mayor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr.

According to one story, which Boxer has acknowledged, originally Stewart was going to run for the Marin County Board of Supervisors back in 1972, but he decided the campaign would interfere with his law practice in Oakland — so Barbara ran for the seat instead. That led to the beginning of her political career.

Senator Boxer is physically diminutive, standing at 4'11". Along with Barbara Mikulski,^[8] Boxer is one of the two shortest United States Senators currently in office.^[9] She uses a box (known as the Boxer Box) for height when speaking at a lectern.^[10]

Boxer's first novel, A Time to Run, published in 2005 by San Francisco-based publishing company Chronicle Books was released to mixed reception.^[11]

[edit] U.S. Representative

Boxer was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982, defeating Louise Renne. Her slogan was "Barbara Boxer Gives a Damn." In the House, she represented California District 6 (Marin and Sonoma County) for five terms.^[12]

During this time she focused on human rights, environmental protection, military procurement reform, and abortion issues, from a pro-choice stance. She was also involved in seeking protection for whistleblowers in government and pushed for higher budget allocations for health, biomedical research, and education.

Boxer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, exposed, with the help of the Project on Military Procurement (now POGO), the '$7,600 Pentagon coffee pot' and successfully passed more than a dozen procurement reforms.

Boxer was embarrassed by the House banking scandal, in which more than 450 Congressional representatives and aides, herself included, wrote overdraft checks covered by overdraft protection by the House Bank. In response, she issued a statement saying "in painful retrospect, I clearly should have paid more attention to my account" and wrote a $15 check to the Deficit Reduction Fund for each of her 87 overdrafts.^[13]

In 1991, during the Anita Hill Senate hearings, where Hill accused U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, Boxer led a group of women House members to the Senate Judiciary Committee — demanding that the all-white, all-male Committee of Senators take Hill's charges seriously.^[14] This helped propel Boxer's candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 1992, when a record number of women ran for the U.S. Senate.

[edit] U.S. Senator

[edit] Elections

Senator Boxer's predecessor, Democrat Alan Cranston, retired in 1992. She won the open seat contest in the US Senate elections that year. She defeated Bruce Herschensohn, a conservative television commentator, by 3 percentage points after a last-minute revelation that Herschensohn had attended a strip club.^[15] In 1998 she was re-elected for a second term, beating Matt Fong, a former state treasurer, by 10 percentage points.^[16] She had decided to retire in 2004 but says she decided to run to "fight for the right to dissent" against conservatives like Tom DeLay. After facing no primaries opposition in the 2004 election, Boxer defeated GOP candidate Bill Jones, a former California Secretary of State, by a margin of 20 percentage points.^[17]

A December 2007 poll has her approval rating at 51%, while her disapproval rating is at 37%.[1]

[edit] Senate Committee assignments

Boxer is a member of the following U.S. Senate Committees:

• U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
  • Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
  • Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety
  • Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard|Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
  • Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
• U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Chairwoman)
  • As Chairwoman of the full committee, Sen. Boxer is an ex officio member of all subcommittees.
  • Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and Children’s Health Protection (Chairwoman)
• U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  • East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Chairwoman)
  • International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection
  • Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs

A member of the Senate Democratic Leadership, Boxer serves as the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip, which gives her the job of lining up votes on key legislation. She also serves on the Democratic Policy Committee's Committee on Oversight and Investigations.

[edit] Objection to certification of 2004 U.S. Presidential Election electoral votes

On January 6, 2005, Boxer joined Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio in filing a Congressional objection to the certification of Ohio's Electoral College votes in the 2004 U.S. presidential election.[2] She called the objection her "opening shot to be able to focus the light of truth on these terrible problems in the electoral system".[3], [4], [5] The Senate voted the objection down 1-74; the House vote the objection down 31-267.[6] It was only the second Congressional objection to an entire State's electoral delegation in U.S. history; the first instance was in 1877. [7], [8]

On Valentine's Day 2005, Senator Boxer received 4,500 roses for calling attention to alleged voting irregularities in Ohio during the 2004 presidential election.

As a gesture of appreciation and support for her stance on the alleged Presidential election irregularities and Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings, Stacy Davies of California began, via e-mail, the "Barbara Boxer Rose Campaign", wherein people collaborated to buy Senator Boxer roses. The campaign drew an impressive response, and 4,500 roses were sent en masse to Senator Boxer's office on Valentine's Day, 2005.

[edit] 2010 election

On February 19, 2007, Boxer announced that she will seek a fourth term in 2010.^[18] "You can't wait until the last minute", she said. She estimates that she will need $20 million for the campaign. The announcement was made at a fundraiser hosted by her Senate colleague, Barack Obama. It is unlikely that she will face a major challenger in the Democratic primary. There is speculation that many prominent California Republicans are considering running against Boxer, most notably, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Others include Congressmen David Dreier, Darrell Issa, State Senator Tom McClintock and possibly insurance commissioner Steve Poizner. McClintock, however, has since organized a race for the U.S. House in 2008.

[edit] Bills and policy positions

[edit] Health care

Senator Boxer is part of a coalition to increase medical research to find cures for diseases. In 2007, she authored successful bipartisan legislation with Senator Gordon Smith to combat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis globally.^[19] She authored a Patients' Bill of Rights in 1997. She has written a bill to make health insurance tax deductible and another bill to let any American buy into the same health insurance program that members of Congress have. She supports comprehensive prescription drug coverage through Medicare and the right of all consumers to purchase lower-cost prescription drugs re-imported from Canada.^[20]

In October, 2002, Boxer urged the Bush Administration to take specific steps to address the causes of the steep increase in autism cases in California.^[21] She wrote Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson to establish a common national standard for the diagnosis of autism; instruct the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to convene a task force to review the current literature on autism and conduct its own study if necessary; and direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to work with the states to create a national chronic disease database.

Boxer is an advocate for embryonic stem-cell research, which she believes has the potential to help those with diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injuries, and other diseases.^[22]

[edit] Education

Boxer introduced legislation providing Federal funding for local after-school programs, which have been shown to increase student performance while decreasing juvenile delinquency, crime, and drug use.^[23] Her 'Computers in Classrooms' law encourages the donation of computers and software to schools.

Boxer supported the No Child Left Behind Act. Since its passage in 2001, she claims that the bill has been underfunded by billions of dollars. She vows to work towards a goal that assures it will be fully funded going forward, as originally pledged by President George W. Bush.

Boxer has voted to increase the maximum award for the Pell Grant program, which provides grants to lower income students for college. In addition, she has supported tax benefits that she claims will help more families pay for higher education.

Boxer has co-introduced legislation that she claims is designed to allow college graduates to refinance their student loans at market rate, in order to ease the financial burden on those starting their careers.

Boxer established the Excellence in Education award to recognize teachers, parents, businesses and organizations that are working to make positive changes in education. Since 1997 Senator Boxer has presented the Excellence in Education Award to 38 recipients.^[24]

[edit] The economy

Senators Boxer and John Ensign (R-NV) are the authors of the Invest in the USA Act. This legislation, which was signed into law in October 2004 as a small part of the more comprehensive American Jobs Creation Act, is intended to encourage American companies to bring overseas profits back to the United States, to create jobs in the U.S., and stimulate domestic economic growth. According to one economic estimate, the Invest in the USA Act will create over 600,000 new American jobs.[9]

In March 2004, Boxer offered an amendment to the Federal budget to create a $24 billion jobs reserve fund. The amendment would set aside funds for a variety of investments to improve the economy and create jobs by establishing a manufacturing jobs tax credit for companies that create jobs in the United States, expanding investment in science research and development, providing a tax credit to small businesses to pay for health insurance for their employees, and expanding trade adjustment assistance to help those who lose their jobs because of foreign trade. The Boxer amendment would also end the tax break that companies receive after moving plants overseas.

[edit] The environment

Boxer successfully led the 2003 Senate floor battle to block oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.^[25] In 2005, Boxer voted again to block oil drilling at ANWR.

Boxer has introduced the National Oceans Protection Act (NOPA) of 2005.^[26] Some of the provisions of this act are: strengthen ocean governance; protect and restore marine wildlife and habitats; address ocean pollution; improve fisheries management. The bill also addresses needs regarding marine science, research and technology, marine mammals, coastal development, and invasive species.

Boxer is an original cosponsor of Senator Jim Jeffords’ (I-VT) Clean Power Act.^[27] This legislation would reduce emissions of four pollutants coming from power plants; sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and mercury.

As the new head of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in January 2007, Boxer wants to reduce energy consumption. She is trying to curb global warming by leading pilot programs. The few things that she and some of her fellow Senators are doing could cut electricity consumption by as much as 50 percent in their Capitol Hill offices.^[28]

Senator Boxer was the Senate sponsor of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act, which was signed in to law by President George W. Bush on October 17, 2006. The bill protected 275,830 acres (1,116 km²) of federal land as wilderness and 21 miles (34 km) of stream as a wild and scenic river, including such popular areas as the King Range and Cache Creek[10]. Senator Boxer worked with Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Mike Thompson (the bill's House sponsor) in the five-year effort to pass the legislation.

Boxer along with her colleague Dianne Feinstein voted in favor of subsidy payments to conventional commodity farm producers at the cost of subsidies for conservation-oriented farming.^[29]

[edit] Abortion

Boxer speaking at an ACLU event.

Boxer authored the Freedom of Choice Act of 2004 and participated in the floor fight for passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Boxer is an original cosponsor of the Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2005, S.844, by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). This legislation aims to improve access to women's health care. It authorizes funding for family planning services grants; allows states to provide such services to individuals who may not be eligible for Medicaid; prohibits health insurance providers from excluding contraceptive services, drugs or devices from benefits; establishes a program to disseminate information on emergency contraception; requires hospitals receiving federal funding to offer emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault; provides grants to public and private entities to establish or expand teen pregnancy prevention programs; and requires that federally funded education programs about contraception be medically accurate and include information about health benefits and failure rates.

Boxer does not support restrictions on the availability of abortion, such as late term ("partial-birth") abortion procedures, and parental notification requirements.

[edit] Victims of violence

As a member of the House of Representatives, Boxer authored the original Violence Against Women Act. Later in 1994, she cosponsored, and the Senate passed, the Violence Against Women Act, which provided reforms to the criminal justice system to better prosecute violent crimes against women, and provided Federal funding to local law enforcement agencies for training and equipment necessary for prosecution. Boxer has also authored the Violence Against Children Act, based on the successful VAWA. (Boxer has been a consistent advocate of the death penalty until recently. In 2006 she introduced a bill calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.)

[edit] Social Security

Boxer supports the current system of Social Security, and opposed President George W. Bush's plan for partial privatization of Social Security.^[30][31] She introduced the 401(k) Pension Protection Act to protect retirement by requiring the diversification of 401(k) plans. A modified version of the bill was signed into law as part of the 1997 tax bill.

Following the Enron scandal, Boxer again worked to ensure that retirement plans are diversified. She also introduced a bill to prohibit accounting firms from auditing and consulting for the same company.

[edit] National security

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Boxer authored a bill to protect commercial airliners against attacks by shoulder-fired missiles, and wrote the law allowing airline pilots with special training to carry guns in the cockpit.

Senator Boxer has lunch with California Marines during her visit to Iraq. (2005-03-22)

Boxer wrote the High-Tech Port Security Act, and sponsored the Chemical Security Act to address terrorist threats against chemical plants. Senator Boxer also cosponsored comprehensive rail security legislation.

[edit] Iraq War

In October 2002 Boxer voted against the joint resolution passed by the U.S. Congress to authorize the use of military force by the Bush Administration against Iraq. [11], [12], [13] Later on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart she characterized that vote as "The best vote of my life."

In June 2005, Senators Boxer and Russ Feingold (D-WI) cosponsored Senate Resolution 171 calling for a timeframe for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Boxer's petition demanding an exit strategy from Iraq drew 107,218 signatures. [14].

[edit] Election reform

Senators Boxer and Clinton unveil the Count Every Vote Act. (2005-02-18)

On February 18, 2005 Senators Boxer, Hillary Clinton, and Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2005, which would provide a voter verified paper ballot for every vote cast in electronic voting machines and ensure access to voter verification for all citizens. The bill mandates that this ballot be the official ballot for purposes of a recount. The bill sets a uniform standard for provisional ballots and requires the Federal Election Assistance Commission to issue standards that ensure uniform access to voting machines and trained election personnel in every community. The bill also mandated improved security measures for electronic voting machines.^[32] The bill did not pass.

[edit] Bush nominees

During the confirmation hearings for the United States Secretary of State nominee Condoleezza Rice in January 2005, Boxer challenged her to admit to alleged mistakes and false statements made by the Bush Administration in leading the United States into the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and ultimately voted against confirmation, along with twelve other senators. [15], [16] The dissent comprised the highest vote against a Secretary of State nominee since 1825 when Henry Clay was so named.^[33]

Boxer voted against John Bolton's nomination for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and filibustered him on the Senate floor. As a result of the strong Democratic opposition Bolton could not obtain Senate approval. However, President Bush bypassed the Senate by employing the constitutional right of recess appointment, only the second time such an appointment has been used for a United States ambassador to the United Nations since the UN's founding in 1945. Recess appointments themselves have been used numerous times by various presidents.

Boxer voted against the confirmation of Chief Justice of the United States nominee John Roberts, and against the confirmation of Associate Justice nominee Samuel Alito.[17], [18] Her votes against these two nominees were motivated by concerns over their record on abortion, women's rights, and the proper role of executive authority.

[edit] Foreign policy

In 1997 the Senate passed a Boxer resolution calling on the United States not to recognize the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan because of its human rights abuses against women. In October 2001, Boxer successfully authored a resolution calling for the inclusion of women in the temporary government of Afghanistan.^{[citation needed]}

Senator Boxer meets Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. (2005-03-30)

In 2002, Senator Boxer voted against the U.S. invasion of Iraq. She has subsequently referred to that vote as the best vote of her career. She also voted against the first Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) while a member of the House in 1991^[34] and was a very vocal protester against the Vietnam War in the 1970s.^[35]

In March 2005 the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed Boxer's amendment to the Foreign Affairs Reauthorization Bill strongly urging Saudi Arabia to permit women to run for office and vote in all future elections.^{[citation needed]}

Boxer is a cosponsor of S. 495, or the Darfur Accountability Act of 2005, which would impose sanctions against perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Darfur. Sanctions under this legislation include imposition of a military no-fly zone in Darfur, a coordinated effort between the U.S. and Sudanese governments to track down and prosecute individuals in Sudan in any way involved with genocide or other war crimes in Darfur, a call for the Sudanese Government to take an active roll in combating Janjaweed forces within its borders, and a policy of sanctions against the Sudanese government, including sanctions that will affect the petroleum sector, and individual members of the Sudanese government whose actions support the crimes of violent militias in Darfur.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] The Internet

Along with former Republican Senator George Allen (R-VA), Boxer authored the Jumpstart Broadband Act. This bill would make more spectrum available for use by devices that incorporate new broadband technology, such as WiFi. The Federal Communications Commission is now implementing the Boxer-Allen bill. Boxer is also supporting legislation to provide a 20% tax credit for expanding broadband to rural areas.^{[citation needed]}

Boxer opposes access and sales taxes on the Internet, co-authoring a bill with Republican Sen. George Allen in 2001 to extend the Internet tax moratorium for five years. She is also the co-author of bipartisan legislation to protect stock options.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Gun control

Boxer authored legislation to require child safety locks on guns.^{[citation needed]}

Senator Boxer joined colleagues to pass a Federal ban on various semi-automatic firearms and established the COPS program. She supports reauthorization of both programs. She also supports a ban on so-called 'cop-killer' bullets (with hard metal cores that can penetrate protective vests).^{[citation needed]}

Senator Boxer introduced legislation that would require American-made handguns to meet the same quality and safety standards as imported guns.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] LGBT issues

The Human Rights Campaign gave Boxer ratings of 100%, 88% and 100% for the 107th,108th and 110th sessions of Congress respectively, indicating a support of the HRC's slate of pro-gay legislative issues.^[36]. In 1996, she was one of fourteen Senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act.^[37] and also voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and 2006^[38], although when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom issued a directive to the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples she stated that she supported California's domestic partnership law but agreed with its definition that marriage was between a man and a woman.^[39] She has also co-sponsored the Matthew Shepard Act^[40], which would expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include crimes based on the victim's sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the Uniting American Families Act^[41].

[edit] India-U.S. nuclear deal

Boxer is one of the most outspoken critics of the nuclear energy deal between the United States and India. Boxer is of the opinion that India should not get help from the U.S. in the civilian nuclear energy sector until it breaks its relationship with Iran.^[42]

[edit] Indian gaming

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, formerly the Federated Coast Miwok, was officially recognized by the U.S. government on December 27, 2000, pursuant to an act of Congress. California 6th District Representative Lynn Woolsey introduced the Graton Rancheria Restoration Act (105th CONGRESS, 2d Session, H.R. 4434) August 6, 1998. It was ultimately approved and signed by President Clinton as Title XIV of the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act (Public Law No. 106-568).

Representative Woolsey's original bill (H.R. 4434, later H.R. 946) would not have permitted the FIGR to have a casino. Senator Boxer removed that prohibition when she included Woolsey's bill in the Omnibus Act.

[edit] Censuring President Bush

Senator Boxer is, along with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, one of only two Senate Democrats to come out in favor of Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold's resolution to censure President George W. Bush.^[43]

[edit] Support for Fellow Democrats

Senator Boxer is a major supporter of fellow Democrats running for office. Boxer’s PAC for a Change, an ActBlue-active PAC, is a progressive organization that advocated for basic human rights, economic justice, and social justice, and supports candidates who share those values.

[edit] Congressional scorecards

See also

• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart

Project Vote Smart provides the following results from congressional scorecards.^[44]

• American Civil Liberties Union — 83% for 2005–2006
• Americans for Democratic Action — 95% for 2006
• American Land Rights Association — 11% for 2006
• Americans for Tax Reform — 5% for 2006
• AFL-CIO — 100% in 2006
• Campaign for America's Future — 100% for 2005–2006
• Conservative Index-John Birch Society — 20% for Fall 2004
• Children's Defense Fund — 100% for 2006
• Drum Major Institute — 100% for 2005
• Family Research Council — 0% for 2006
• FreedomWorks — 17% for 2006
• Gun Owners of America — 0% for 2006
• Humane Society of the United States — 100% for 2005–2006
• League of Conservation Voters — 100% for 2006
• NARAL Pro-Choice America — 100% for 2006
• National Association of Wheat Growers — 0% for 2005
• National Education Association — 100% for 2005–2006
• National Federation of Independent Business — 0% for 2005–2006
• National Journal — Composite liberal score of 95% for 2006
• National Organization for Women — 96% for 2005–2006
• National Rifle Association — F for 2006
• National Right to Life Committee — 0% for 2005–2006
• National Taxpayers Union — 11% for 2006
• Population Connection — 100% for 2006
• Republican Liberty Caucus — 10% for 2005
• Secular Coalition for America — 90% on 2006 scorecards^[45]
• United States Chamber of Commerce — 25% for 2006

[edit] Ideological ratings

The American Civil Liberties Union has given her 75%. [19]

The League of Conservation Voters has given her 100% on environmental issues. [20]

The American Conservative Union has given her a lifetime rating of 3%[21]

The Human Rights Campaign has given her ratings of 100%, 88%, and 100% (in 2006, 2004, and 2002 respectively) on issues of GLBT equality. [22]

[edit] Criticizing Condoleezza Rice's judgement

Boxer has criticised United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's judgement in relation to the war in Iraq: "I personally believe — this is my personal view — that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell the war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth."^[46]

In January 2007, Boxer was in the news for comments she made when responding to Bush's plans to send an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq. "Who pays the price?" Boxer asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "I'm not going to pay a personal price. My kids are too old and my grandchild is too young. You're not going to pay a personal price, as I understand it, with an immediate family. So who pays the price? The American military and their families... not me, not you." When Rice interjected, Boxer responded by saying, "Madam Secretary, please. I know you feel terrible about it. That's not the point. I was making the case as to who pays the price for your decisions. And the fact that this administration would move forward with this escalation with no clue as to the further price that we're going to pay militarily... I find really appalling."^[47]

The New York Post and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow considered this an attack on Rice's status as a single, childless female and referred to Boxer's comments as "a great leap backward for feminism."^[48] Rice later echoed Snow's remarks, saying "I thought it was okay to not have children, and I thought you could still make good decisions on behalf of the country if you were single and didn’t have children." Boxer responded to the controversy by saying "They’re getting this off on a non-existent thing that I didn’t say. I’m saying, she’s like me, we do not have families who are in the military."^[49]

Keith Olbermann accused the commentators, particularly Rush Limbaugh, of making Boxer's comments into an issue when the same people were not outraged when "Laura Bush said Secretary Rice would never be elected president because she was not married."^[50]

[edit] Theatrical appearances

She has made cameo appearances as herself in several television shows, including Murphy Brown (1994),^[51] Gilmore Girls (2002)^[51] and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2007),^[52] as well as a cameo in the 2000 film Traffic.^[51]

[edit] Awards and honors

Boxer has been honored in Congress by:

• Consumer Federation of America
• Planned Parenthood
• The League of Conservation Voters
• Public Citizen
• Sierra Club
• The Center for Environmental Education
• The Center for Defense Information
• The American Association of University Women

Boxer has been recognized as a champion of human rights by:

• The Anti-Defamation League
• The Human Rights Campaign
• The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
• Women's Image Network, The WIN Awards Lifetime Achievement Honoree 2006
• The Family Violence Law Centre
• Division of Women's Issues of the New York State Psychological Association
• NETWORK, National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Boxer has been presented with various other honors:

• The Trustees of Mills College in the State of California — Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa
• The Trustees of Dominican University of California — Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa

[edit] Major speeches and statements

• Excerpts from Senator Boxer's Senate Floor Statement on the Resolution Authorizing the Use of Military Force against Iraq, October 10, 2002
• On Her Objection to the Certification of Ohio’s Electoral College Votes, January 6, 2005
• Transcript from the Confirmation Hearing of Condoleezza Rice, January 18, 2005
• Senate Floor Debate on the Confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, January 26, 2005
• On the Nomination of Alberto Gonzales to be Attorney General, February 1, 2005
• On the President's Budget, February 7, 2005
• On Social Security, February 11, 2005
• Senate Floor Debate on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, March 16, 2005
• Statement on Earth Day, April 20, 2005
• On the Iraq War, July 6, 2005
• On Karl Rove's CIA Leak, July 20, 2005
• On the Energy Bill, July 29, 2005
• On Her Opposition to the Confirmation of Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts, September 21, 2005
• Addressing World Affairs Council of Northern California (Video), October 13, 2006

[edit] Electoral history

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Find more about Barbara Boxer on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Dictionary definitions
	Textbooks
	Quotations
	Source texts
	Images and media
	News stories
	Learning resources

• United States Senator Barbara Boxer official Senate site
  • List of Bills Sponsored
• Barbara Boxer's PAC for a Change

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• New York Times — Barbara Boxer News collected news and commentary
• Barbara Boxer speaks at The World Affairs Council of Northern California video

[edit] Articles

• Barbara Boxer on Darfur humanitarian crisis
• Elena Ong's Woman of the Year 2005
• Progressive Magazine: Barbara Boxer Interview
• Hero for a New Generation of Democrats
• NPR: Barbara Boxer: Rice Hearings and the 2004 Vote

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