Hillary Clinton

Party:

• Democrat

Hometown:

• Park Ridge, Ill.

Education:

• J.D., Yale Law School, 1973
• B.A., Wellesley College, 1969
• Maine South High School, 1965

Occupation:

• U.S. Senator (New York), Lawyer

Personal:

• Married to former President Bill Clinton; one daughter, Chelsea
• Religion: United Methodist

Experience:

Businesses Owned, Past Careers, Board Memberships, etc.

• Attorney, Rose Law Firm, 1976-92
• Faculty, University of Arkansas Law School, 1975
• Board member, TCBY Yogurt Company, 1985-92
• Board member, Wal-Mart, 1985-92
• Board member, Arkansas Children's Hospital
• Board member, Children's Defense Fund
• Co-founder, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

Public Service, Elected Offices:

• U.S. Senator from New York, 2001-present
• First lady of the United States, 1993-2001
• First lady of Arkansas, 1979-81, 1983-93
• House Judiciary Committee, 1974

Web site:

• HillaryClinton.com

Issues

Abortion:

• Will sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. Would overturn the "global gag rule," which prohibits Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from talking about abortion in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. Voted against the Prohibit Partial Birth Abortion bill in 2003. Did not cast a vote on Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions amendment in 2007. Disagreed with Supreme Court ruling to uphold the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act."

Economic stimulus:

• Would establish a $30 billion emergency housing fund to assist states and cities mitigate the effects of mounting foreclosures. Would also include a 90-day moratorium on subprime foreclosures and an automatic rate freeze on subprime mortgages of at least five years. Would provide $25 billion in emergency energy assistance for families facing skyrocketing heating bills. Would invest $10 billion in extending and broadening unemployment insurance for those who are struggling to find work. Would accelerate $5 billion in energy efficiency and alternative energy investments to jump-start green-collar job growth.

Iraq:

• Voted for use of military force in Iraq, but now says she would have voted differently "if we knew then what we know now." Supports de-authorizing the war. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Supports a phased redeployment.

Health care:

• Mandates individual health insurance coverage for all Americans. Offers federal subsidies for those who cannot afford it. Allows individuals to choose from among several private plans also offered to members of Congress, as well as a new public insurance plan modeled after Medicare. Requires insurance companies to offer coverage to anyone who applies, and bars insurance companies from charging higher premiums to those with pre-existing conditions. Requires large businesses to provide or help pay for employee coverage. Expands Medicaid and federal children's health care programs. Offers tax credits to limit health care premiums to a certain percentage a family's income. Cost estimated at $110 billion annually, to be paid for by eliminating the Bush tax cuts for those earning over $250,000, as well as by reducing waste and inefficiencies in the current system. Also limits the amount employers can exclude from taxes for health care benefits for those making over $250,000.

Guns:

• Voted for a 10-year extension of the assault weapons ban. Voted for requiring extensive background checks at gun shows. Supports licensing and registration of handguns, mandatory trigger locks for handguns, holding adults responsible for their children's use of guns, raising the youth handgun ban from age 18 to 21, limiting gun sales to one per month and allowing the Consumer Products Safety Commission regulate guns.

Same-sex marriage:

• Opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions. Says states should ultimately decide the issue. Opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Immigration:

• Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Stem cell research:

• Supports expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Social Security:

• Opposes all efforts to privatize Social Security. Has stated her plan for Social Security is fiscal responsibility first, and then deal with any long-term challenges. Would support the creation of a bipartisan commission.

Taxes:

• Opposed 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Opposed extending tax cuts through 2010.