Senator Debbie Stabenow has an impressive record of legislative successes and responsive constituent services. Elected to the Senate just five years ago, she has fought tirelessly to give Michigan citizens the voice they deserve in Congress. Her principled advocacy and leadership were rewarded in 2005, when she was elected to the third highest Democratic leadership position in the United States Senate. The following are highlights of this record:

• Author of First Federal Ban on Great Lakes Drilling
  With bipartisan support, Senator Stabenow successfully passed the first ever federal ban on drilling for gas and oil in the Great Lakes to protect these waters for future generations.




• Tax Relief for Job Creation
  A tax cut, based on Senator Stabenow's MORE JOBS bill, was enacted into law in 2004 giving manufacturers $2 billion in immediate tax relief to create incentives for job creation in the U.S., rather than overseas.




• A Leader in the Effort to Stop Canadian Trash & Protect Our Borders
  In leading the fight to stop the Canadian trash flooding Michigan landfills, Senator Stabenow has mobilized thousands of citizens in the fight to stop the trash. She successfully authored a law requiring that high-tech equipment be used to search Canadian trash trucks crossing Michigan's borders. Since May of 2003, this new law has resulted in trash trucks being regularly turned away at our border for carrying radioactive material, dangerous medical waste and record quantities of illegal drugs.




• A Recognized National Leader on Health Care & Prescription Drugs
  Senator Stabenow's knowledge and expertise on health care and prescription drugs was recognized early in her first term when she was named head of the Senate Health Care Task Force for her Caucus. In 2002, she authored and helped lead the passage of legislation in the U.S. Senate to lower prescription drug prices by allowing states to negotiate lower prices and providing citizens access to lower-priced generic prescription drugs. Keeping her promise to fight for passage of a real Patients' Bill of Rights to give families and their doctors control over medical treatment, the Senate also passed a strong Patients' Bill of Rights in 2001. In 2003, she led a successful effort to increase health care funding for our nation's veterans.




• Homeland Security & Support for First Responders
  Senator Stabenow has been instrumental in increasing security along our Northern Border by providing critical resources to law enforcement, firefighters, health officials and other emergency first responders. Through her leadership, 100% of Michigan's firefighters are now eligible for reimbursement for homeland security training. Seventy-two percent of firefighters had been denied reimbursement because they were volunteer and part-time firefighters. After September 11, Congress enacted anti money-laundering amendments, authored by Senator Stabenow, to make it difficult for terrorists and drug dealers to hide the money financing their criminal networks.




• Stronger Protections for Consumers
  As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Stabenow has authored and passed laws to stop identity theft, protect consumer privacy, protect corporate whistle blowers and stop unscrupulous lenders from swindling consumers through predatory lending practices.




• Setting the Standard for Constituent Service
  Throughout her years of service, Debbie Stabenow has set the standard for service to her constituents, and her work as Michigan's newest U.S. Senator has been no exception. She travels home to Michigan nearly every week and has visited all 83 counties in Michigan. Through her seven offices, she responds to thousands of citizens, solving their problems with the federal government and bringing resources to local communities for critical services such as new hospital emergency rooms and life-saving equipment for local fire departments. Since her election to the Senate, Senator Stabenow has responded to over one million letters, calls and emails from Michigan citizens.