This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden talk as they walk up a staircase in the West Wing of the White House, April 3, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

2009 through 2016

THE RECORD

“America is not the project of any one person. The single-most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘we.’” -President Obama

Eight years ago, America hovered on the brink of a second Great Depression. We were losing hundreds of thousands of jobs each month — 800,000 in the month President Obama took office alone. Millions of Americans lost their homes. Millions more saw hard-earned savings vanish. The auto industry was on the verge of collapse. But today, the American economy has recovered from recession, and made lasting strides toward a more perfect union.

An in-depth look at President Obama’s record in five areas:

President Obama shakes hands with doctors at an event in the White House

President Obama promised that he would make quality, affordable health care not a privilege, but a right. After nearly 100 years of talk, and decades of trying by presidents of both parties, that’s exactly what he did. Today, 20 million more Americans have access to health coverage. We’ve driven the uninsured rate below 10 percent — the lowest level since we started keeping records.

President Obama looks over a rapidly melting glacier in Alaska to bring awareness to the impacts of climate change

Climate and Energy

President Obama has protected more natural resources — land, bodies of water, and endangered species — than any previous president. He’s made the largest investments in renewable energy in our nation’s history. He’s cut pollution from power plants, vehicles, and agriculture, and led the world in forging an unprecedented agreement to combat climate change.

President Obama in front of American flags

American Leadership

The President has refocused and reaffirmed American leadership in the world, recognizing that American strength derives not only from our military power but also our economic vitality, the depth and breadth of our global partnerships, and our values. In doing so, the President has remained relentless in taking action against terrorist networks, while also focusing on key emerging regions and policies that will shape the 21st century.

President Obama hugs a woman while greeting American workers outside a factory during his visit

Economic Progress

In 2008, the American people turned to Barack Obama to lead the country through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. His north star was to make the economy work for the middle class and for those fighting to join it. He took steps to create jobs, rescue the auto industry, and rebuild the economy on a new foundation for growth and prosperity.

President Obama speaks with youth in the oval office with a bust of Martin Luther King Jr in the foreground

Equality and Social Progress

President Obama has fought to make sure America’s founding promise — that all of us are created equal — ring true for every American. Since the day he took office he has fought against discrimination, from signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to ending Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to defending the voting rights of all Americans.