BILL CLINTON FACTFILE
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Presidential tenure: 1993-2001 (two terms)
Key events:
February 26, 1993 - Explosion at the World Trade Center - Six people are killed and more
than a thousand suffer injuries after a bomb planted under the World Trade Center in New
York City explodes. The bomb marks the beginning of a string of threats against the United
States made during the Clinton administration by both foreign and domestic terrorists.
June 26, 1993 - Navy attacks Baghdad - The U.S. Navy, under President Clinton's orders,
attacks Iraqi intelligence operations in downtown Baghdad after learning that Iraqis had
plotted to kill former President Bush during his April 1993 visit to Kuwait. The twenty-three
tomahawk missiles fired reportedly kill eight people.
November 8, 1994 - Republicans gain seats - In mid-term congressional elections, the
Republican Party wins control of both houses of Congress for the first time in more than 40
years. It now holds a 53 to 47 advantage in the Senate and a 230 to 214 to 1 lead in the
House.
April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City bombed - In an act of domestic terrorism, a bomb planted in
a truck parked in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
kills 168 people and causes massive structural damage. In the days following the tragedy,
Clinton, in widely praised efforts, speaks with victims and to the country about how to
recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the attack.
December 19, 1998 - House votes to impeach Clinton – The House of Representatives voted
to impeach President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The
President's predicament flowed from an affair with the former White House intern, Monica
Lewinsky. He famously quoted in court “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,
Miss Lewinsky.” The Senate acquitted President Clinton (found him not guilty) on February
12, 1999.
Key policy aims:
Bill Clinton began his transition into the presidency promising to focus "like a laser beam" on the
economic needs of the nation: unemployment, the runaway deficit, the health care crisis, and
welfare reform. On all fronts but one, health care reform, he succeeded significantly but not
completely.
July 19, 1993 - “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” - President Clinton announces an “honourable
compromise” in the debate surrounding the participation of gay service members in the
military. It was determined that these individuals would be allowed to serve, but could face
military investigations if they acknowledged their orientation, as well as be expelled for it.
The policy is labelled “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”
August 22, 1996 - Welfare restructured - President Clinton signs a welfare reform bill that
radically restructures the American welfare system. The provisions of the new law limit
recipients of welfare benefits and enact a “welfare to work” initiative. On August 22, 1996,
President Bill Clinton signed into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act, reflecting his campaign promise to “end welfare as we know it.” The act
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Presidential tenure: 1993-2001 (two terms)
Key events:
February 26, 1993 - Explosion at the World Trade Center - Six people are killed and more
than a thousand suffer injuries after a bomb planted under the World Trade Center in New
York City explodes. The bomb marks the beginning of a string of threats against the United
States made during the Clinton administration by both foreign and domestic terrorists.
June 26, 1993 - Navy attacks Baghdad - The U.S. Navy, under President Clinton's orders,
attacks Iraqi intelligence operations in downtown Baghdad after learning that Iraqis had
plotted to kill former President Bush during his April 1993 visit to Kuwait. The twenty-three
tomahawk missiles fired reportedly kill eight people.
November 8, 1994 - Republicans gain seats - In mid-term congressional elections, the
Republican Party wins control of both houses of Congress for the first time in more than 40
years. It now holds a 53 to 47 advantage in the Senate and a 230 to 214 to 1 lead in the
House.
April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City bombed - In an act of domestic terrorism, a bomb planted in
a truck parked in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
kills 168 people and causes massive structural damage. In the days following the tragedy,
Clinton, in widely praised efforts, speaks with victims and to the country about how to
recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the attack.
December 19, 1998 - House votes to impeach Clinton – The House of Representatives voted
to impeach President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The
President's predicament flowed from an affair with the former White House intern, Monica
Lewinsky. He famously quoted in court “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,
Miss Lewinsky.” The Senate acquitted President Clinton (found him not guilty) on February
12, 1999.
Key policy aims:
Bill Clinton began his transition into the presidency promising to focus "like a laser beam" on the
economic needs of the nation: unemployment, the runaway deficit, the health care crisis, and
welfare reform. On all fronts but one, health care reform, he succeeded significantly but not
completely.
July 19, 1993 - “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” - President Clinton announces an “honourable
compromise” in the debate surrounding the participation of gay service members in the
military. It was determined that these individuals would be allowed to serve, but could face
military investigations if they acknowledged their orientation, as well as be expelled for it.
The policy is labelled “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”
August 22, 1996 - Welfare restructured - President Clinton signs a welfare reform bill that
radically restructures the American welfare system. The provisions of the new law limit
recipients of welfare benefits and enact a “welfare to work” initiative. On August 22, 1996,
President Bill Clinton signed into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act, reflecting his campaign promise to “end welfare as we know it.” The act
