United States Senate:
Senator Boxer was first elected to the Senate from California on November 3, 1992, and was reelected over Republican businesswoman Carly Fiorina to a fourth term on November 2, 2010. Boxer has chaired the powerful Senate Environment and Public Works Committee since 2007.
The senator is a feisty and courageous advocate for liberal causes, especially for issues that affect women and children, the environment, and peace and human rights issues.
Sen. Boxer was one of 23 senators with the wisdom and courage to vote NO in 2002 for the Iraq War.
Recent Notability:
As of April 2010, Sen. Boxer's reelection bid became an unusually tight race against various Republican oppponents. President Obama has personally traveled twice to California to campaign for Sen. Boxer. For more, see Why Barbara Boxer Is Struggling Among California Democrats.
In January 2005, Boxer as she he lone senator to sign Black Caucus objections to certifying Ohio's electoral college Presidential vote count, due to voting irregularies in Ohio. In 2002, Boxer was one of only 23 senators to vote against the Iraq War.
Major Areas of Interest:
Senator Boxer is a bold and feisty advocate for environmental issues including global warming, womens' issues, human rights at home and abroad, and for children and families.
She's garnered numerous awards for her efforts to create a cleaner environment. She authored legislation providing federal support for local after-school programs.
Senator Boxer has authored successful legislation to accelerate the combat of global HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, and is an unyielding advocate for abortion rights and pro-choice issues.
Senate Committees in 112th Congress, 2011-2012:
- Environment and Public Works Committee, Chair
- Foreign Relations Committee
- Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations & Terrorism
- Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps & Narcotics
- Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South Asian Affairs
- Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee
- Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation
- Commmerce Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Product Safety, Insurance
- Commerce Subcommittee on National Ocean Policy Study
- Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Merchant Marine
- Select Committee on Ethics
Prior Experience :
Prior to being a US Senator, Barbara Boxer was member of the US House of Representatives from 1982 to 1992, and a member of the Marin County, CA Board of Supervisors from 1976 to 1982. She also worked as a journalist and a stockbroker.
Personal Data:
- Birth - November 11, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York
- Education - BA in economics from Brooklyn College
- Family - Married, two adult chldren, grandchildren
- Faith - Jewish
Memorable Quotes:
"We have fought for social justice. We have fought for economic justice. We have fought for environmental justice. We have fought for criminal justice. Now we must add a new fight---the fight for electoral justice."
"We have the greatest hospitals, doctors and medical technology in the world. We need to make them accessible to every American."
"You know, I wish the world well. I want Iraq to have democracy and the Haitians to have democracy. I want the people of Afghanistan to thrive. Lord knows, we spend enough money there to help them. What about the people at home? Isn't that our first responsibility?"
"Let me be very clear: I will never be a rubber-stamp for any President. That would be contrary to the Constitution of the United States."
"When service members are discharged, we should express our gratitude for their profound personal sacrifice, not hand them a bill for their hospital food."
"Now we face the ultimate special interest issue: Drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For six months of oil, not to be realized for ten years, my colleagues seem bent on handing over this most pristine land to the big oil companies. Never mind that we can save the equivalent of an infinite number of ANWR fields by simply raising fuel economy a modest amount -- that doesn't matter. The Republicans don't care about the native peoples whose lives will be ruined; they don't care that President Eisenhower set this land aside; they don't care about the more than one hundred species of wildlife that depend on this refuge."