Presidency

The Presidency Biography  Ronald Reagan was handsome and charismatic when he started running for office. He was very appealing to voters because of his experience in movies and television. Of the eight Republican candidates, Reagan was the most conservative. He won the primary and ran against then current President Jimmy Carter. Carter had lost support due to inflation and low economic growth of the U.S. and failure to fix foreign policy. Meanwhile Reagan gained support with his relaxed and confident appearance in the only television debate of the campaign. Reagan won the presidential election of 1980 with 51% of the popular vote. While in office, President Reagan expected his secretaries to reflect his general philosophy. However, his passive personality led to unstopped feuds between cabinet members. Reagan attempted to eliminate the federal bureaucracy and simplify government but it was difficult for him to get businesses to change their routines. Also, his main interest in domestic policy was decreasing federal taxes and federal regulation of the economy. His main interest in foreign policy was anticommunist actions, including upgrading the military with new weapons and a stronger defense program. As Reagan approached his final year as President in 1989 his image was ruined. Many government official published works about how he was a man who could not understand the operations of government. Reagan left the legacy of the importance of media in elections. Reagan’s role as an actor and his charismatic appearance had given him advantages. The media went on to become an important tool for presidential candidates. Yet the Reagan administration’s most important legacies were ending the Cold War and ending Communism as a world threat.

Executive Orders Delegation to the Secretary of State and the Director of the International Development Cooperation Agency concerning foreign assistance Continuance of the President's Commission on Organized Crime President's Commission on Executive Exchange National White House Conference on Small Business Repealing Provisions Establishing an Administrative Position in the Food-for-Peace Program Establishing an emergency board to investigate a dispute between the United Transportation Union and certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference Board of the Foreign Service President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Adjustments of certain rates of pay and allowances President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management 1996 Executive Orders (37 total) National Commission on Space Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984 Establishing an emergency board to investigate disputes between the Maine Central Railroad Company/Portland Terminal Company and certain of their employees represented by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Administration of foreign relations and related functions Drug-Free Federal Workplace Prescribing a comprehensive system of financial reporting for officers and employees in the executive branch Inter-American Investment Corporation, Commission for the Study of Alternatives to the Panama Canal, and Pacific Salmon Commission Implementation of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act Establishing an experimental program within the President's Commission on Executive Exchange Victims of terrorism compensation Supported Legislation
 * 1985 Executive Orders (45 total) **
 * Executive Order 12500 **
 * Signed: January 24, 1985
 * Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 3733; January 28, 1985
 * Amends: EO 12163, September 29, 1979
 * Executive Order 12507**
 * Signed: March 22, 1985
 * Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 11835; March 26, 1985
 * Amends: EO 12435, July 28, 1983
 * Executive Order 12516 **
 * Signed: May 21, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 21417; May 24, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12493, December 5, 1984
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12523 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: June 27, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 26963; July 1, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12527 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: August 7, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 32157; August 9, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 11252, October 20, 1965
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12531 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: August 30, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 36033; September 5, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12536 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: October 9, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 41477; October 11, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12293, February 23, 1981
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12539 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: December 3, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 50 FR 49829; December 5, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12345, February 2, 1982
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12540 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: December 30, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 577; January 7, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12496, December 28, 1984
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12542 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: December 30, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 587; January 7, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12526, July 15, 1985
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12545 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: January 14, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 2343; January 16, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12490, October 12, 1984
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12550 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: February 19, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 6497; February 25, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 12473, April 13, 1984
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12557 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: May 16, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 18429; May 20, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12560 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: May 24, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 19159; May 28, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 11958, January 18, 1977; EO 12163, September 29, 1979
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12564 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: September 15, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 32889; September 17, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12565 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: September 25, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 34437; September 29, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 11222, May 8, 1965
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Revoked by: EO 12674, April 12, 1989
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12567 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: October 2, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 35495; October 6, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Amends: EO 11269, February 14, 1966
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12571 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: October 27, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 39505; October 29, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">See: EO 12769, July 10, 1991
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12574 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: November 20, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 42199; November 24, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">See: EO 12136, May 15, 1979
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Order 12576 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Signed: December 2, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Register page and date: 51 FR 43721; December 4, 1986
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Superseded by: EO 12598, June 17, 1987

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">**Reauthorization of Voting Rights Act of 1965**- Extended protection from discrimination for blind, disabled, and illiterate voters. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Anti-Drug Abuse Act-** Strengthened enforcement on drug trafficking.
 * Civil Liberties Act of 1988**- victims of Japanese-American internment camps were recompensed for their containment during World War II.
 * Tax Reform Act of 1986**- Simplified the income tax code.
 * Legislation on the Death Penalty** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">- Authorized the death penalty for murders involving extensive drug trafficking and other serious murder offenses.

Presidential Vetoes



The House overrode the veto on September 29, 1986 by a vote of 313 yeas to 83 nays. The Senate overrode the veto on October 2, 1986 by a vote of 78 yeas to 21 nays. ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Regular Vetoes-First Session ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bill ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Date Vetoed ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Veto Status ** ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 1096 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To authorize appropriations for famine relief and recovery in Africa. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">March 6, 1985. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 1562 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To achieve the objectives of the Multi-Fiber and to promote the economic recovery of United States textile and apparel industry and its workers. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">December 27, 1985. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Sustained ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 2409 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To amend the Public Health Service Act, to revise and extend the authorities under that Act relating to the National Institutes of Health and National Research Institutes. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">November 6, 1985 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Overridden ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 3036 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations, fiscal year 1986. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">November 15, 1985 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Regular Vetoes-Second Session ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bill ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Date Vetoed ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Veto Status ** ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">S.J. Res. 316 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">A joint resolution prohibiting the sale to Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and related defense services. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">May 21, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Sustained ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.J. Res. 748 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1987. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 9, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 1404 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To establish the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and National Fish and Wildlife Service Training Center at Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">January 14, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 2316 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">For the relief of Paulette Mendes-Silva. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">September 25, 1986. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 2466 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To make miscellaneous changes in laws affecting the United States Coast Guard. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">November 14, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 2787 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To extend through fiscal year 1988 Small Business Administration Pilot Programs under section 8 of the Small Business Act. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 7, 1986. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 3247 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1987 through 1990, || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">September 26, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 3384 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To amend Title 5, United States Code, to expand the class of individuals eligible for refunds or other returns of contributions from contingency reserves in the Employees’ Health Benefits Fund; to amend the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">January 17, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Unchallenged ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 4868. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To prohibit loans to, other investments in, and certain other activities with respect to, South Africa. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">September 26, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Overridden
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Pocket Vetoes ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bill ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Date Vetoed ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reason ** ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">S. 593 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">For the relief of Merchants National Bank of Mobile, Alabama. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">S. 1128 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To amend the Clean Water Act. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">S. 2057 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To establish the President's Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 4175 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1987 for certain maritime programs of the Department of Transportation and the Federal Maritime Commission. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 4961 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To amend the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1987, 1988, 1989. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 5465 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to energy conservation for appliances. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">H.R. 5495 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">To authorize appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">October 18, 1986 || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Occurred after the 2nd session of the 99th Congress adjourned sine die. ||

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 200%;">Supreme Court Appointments Sandra Day O'Connor, William Rehnquist,Anthony Kennedy, and Antonin Scalia <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 200%;"> Highlights, Criticisms, and Pitfalls
 * For the most part Ronald Reagan had a successful presidency. One of Reagan’s major highlights was the way he turned around the economy through his steps referred to as “Reaganomics.” Reganomics were based on doing four things: deducting government spending, reduce income and capital gains marginal tax rates, reduce government regulation of the economy, and control the money supply to reduce inflation. Under his plan Reagan managed to drop inflation to 4.4% as opposed to the rate under Carter’s campaign which was a staggering 12.5%. Another major highlight in Reagan’s career was his action on the war on drugs. Reagan was able to manage to pass major pieces of legislation that heavily enforced anti-drug use in America. Along with the drug policies Reagan also did a good job working on immigration control; he showed this by getting the Immigration Reform and Control Act passed. As well as Reagan’s presidency y seemed he still had his downfalls. Some of the major downfalls Reagan had were within his foreign affairs. Within the affairs one area where Reagan messed up was when he went in to support Contra- Rebels in Nicaragua, another was when he negotiated with Muslim terrorists extremists from Iran. The Iran-Contra Affairs put a bad name out for Reagan because he went against U.S policies and broke codes of law.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 200%;"> Characteristics of Presidency


 * Ronald Reagan was a favorable president because of his actions and the plans that he had on his agenda. With his conservative ways Reagan was able to gain support from Southern Democrats in order to push many of his legislation. By finding ways and outlets to cut government spending, moving national programs to the state level, and cut national spending Reagan gained support from both sides and was successfully able to have his way with Congress. Along with Congress Reagan also sucessfully got his way with the Supreme Court since he was able to appoint four justices during his presidency. This face Reagan a nice influence in the Supreme Court since almost fifty percent of the justices were judges that went along with Reagan's beliefs.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 200%;">Foreign Relations
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">From the start of his presidency Reagan focused on weakening Communism. Reagan showed his eagerness during the first ten days of his presidency when he referred to the Kremlin as being dedicated to, "the promotion of world revolution and a one-world Socialist or Communist state." Reagan also understood that past administrations had resulted in "one way streets" in favor of the Soviets, so he had to do something to strengthen America's image and power. Realizing that the Soviets respected power Reagan started a weapons build-up that surpassed the Soviet's ability to manufacture. Around the same time [[image:iran_contra_affair align="right" caption="http://sargecharlie.blogspot.com/2009/10/do-you-remember-1987.html."]]Reagan's Administration was able to negotiate with Saudi Arabia and lower gas price to 1/3 of the previous price while oil production went up. The drop of the oil prices and increase in production gave the Soviets another major hit, and it brought Gorbachev and the Soviet Union to a halt.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">With the blockage of Communism on one level Reagan continued to attempt to pierce through Communism by taking on a different faction of Communism in Central America. First Reagan suspended aid to Nicaragua because it was controlled by the Marxist-led Sandinista regime. Then Reagan brought out a lending hand to the Contra rebels who were fighting to overthrow the regime. Although Reagan was pretty confident with what he was doing he knew that people wouldn’t cope well with the rest of the nation because the memories of Vietnam had still been lurking in people’s minds at the time, so in order to continue his operations Reagan employed the CIA to indirectly aid the Contra Rebels. Reagan's operation was soon revealed when the CIA mined Nicaraguan Harbors, and Congress passed the Boland Amendment that outlawed further assistance to the Contra’s from America.

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 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">One of the main issues within foreign affairs during Reagan’s Presidency was terrorist organizations. Reagan pledged to fight off terrorism and he also promised that he would never negotiate with terrorists. As a result to Reagan's stance hundreds of Americans were killed including 214 Marines who were stationed in Beirut. Then it was found that Muslim extremists were holding U.S hostages in Lebanon, and that was when the CIA went in to trade weapons in return for the U.S Citizens plus an extra sum of money that was used back in Nicaragua to help the Contra Rebels. This act led to many violations of U.S Policy and congressional mandates. Soon the scandal was released, but Reagan’s administration stated that they were not aware of all the events that were taking place. Finally the congressional committee concluded by stating that Reagan failed to faithfully execute the laws.

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