PERSON: Joe Lieberman

Senator

Now in his fourth and final term representing Connecticut in the United States Senate, Joe Lieberman has earned a national reputation as a thoughtful, principled, and effective legislator.<br> <br> He is perhaps best known as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in 2000. More than that, he is a national leader who works across party lines to find common ground, who speaks his conscience, and who gets things done for Connecticut and the country.<br> <br> That reputation is based on a long and distinguished record. Senator Lieberman is one of Congress's most influential voices on security issues. He was the Senate's leading champion of legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security to better protect the nation from terrorist attacks. He has been at the forefront of efforts not only to increase our investment in defense, but to transform our armed forces to better meet the threats of the 21st Century. Senator Lieberman has been a strong and consistent advocate for using America's military might to defend America's interests and values when they are seriously endangered.<br> <br> Here at home, Senator Lieberman believes in equal opportunity for all Americans. He supports economic policies that spark business growth, encourage innovation, open the doors of opportunity for all, expand markets for American products, and keep the government's budget books in balance. He is also a champion for the ordinary investor and consumer, fighting to ensure that public and private watchdogs meet the highest standards of independence and integrity. Moreover, he led the successful legislative effort to repeal the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibits patriotic gay and lesbian Americans from serving openly in our armed services. <br> <br> Now in his fourth and final term representing Connecticut in the United States Senate, Joe Lieberman has earned a national reputation as a thoughtful, principled, and effective legislator.<br> <br> He is perhaps best known as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in 2000. More than that, he is a national leader who works across party lines to find common ground, who speaks his conscience, and who gets things done for Connecticut and the country.<br> <br> That reputation is based on a long and distinguished record. Senator Lieberman is one of Congress's most influential voices on security issues. He was the Senate's leading champion of legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security to better protect the nation from terrorist attacks. He has been at the forefront of efforts not only to increase our investment in defense, but to transform our armed forces to better meet the threats of the 21st Century. Senator Lieberman has been a strong and consistent advocate for using America's military might to defend America's interests and values when they are seriously endangered.<br> <br> Here at home, Senator Lieberman believes in equal opportunity for all Americans. He supports economic policies that spark business growth, encourage innovation, open the doors of opportunity for all, expand markets for American products, and keep the government's budget books in balance. He is also a champion for the ordinary investor and consumer, fighting to ensure that public and private watchdogs meet the highest standards of independence and integrity. Moreover, he led the successful legislative effort to repeal the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibits patriotic gay and lesbian Americans from serving openly in our armed services.<br> <br> Throughout his more than 20 years in the United States Senate, Senator Lieberman has proven himself a true environmental champion. From helping to negotiate the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, to consistently working to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska from oil and gas drilling and exploration, to fighting to better fund conservation efforts along Long Island Sound and authoring several bills to combat climate change – including the first one to ever make it to the Senate floor for a vote, Senator Lieberman has committed himself tirelessly to the preservation of our air, land and water.<br> <br> Senator Lieberman is a strong advocate for investing in our public schools, empowering parents, and challenging all students to meet higher academic standards. He seeks to give all Americans, regardless of income, the chance to go to college and develop the skills they need to succeed in our global information economy. He works to expand quality and affordable healthcare to all Americans and to safeguard Medicare and Social Security for future generations.<br> <br> Senator Lieberman is a vocal advocate for campaign finance reform and has written extensively on the dignity and nobility of public service. He urges America to be true to its tradition of tolerance by giving faith and its practitioners a place at the national table. Senator Lieberman is dedicated to strengthening America's families and renewing our common values by working with parents to improve the culture in which they raise their children.<br> <br> -- senate.gov