Presidency of Ted Kennedy (Soviet Survival)

= Administration =

= Domestic Affairs =

Kennedy's Domestic Policy focused primarily on reducing the national deficit, reforming education, and attempting to reform the healthcare system.

The Economic and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1989
Democrats were eager to reverse Reagan's conservative policies after eight years away from the White House. Kennedy's presidency would be focused on domestic issues, which he believed propelled him to the White House. As many economic experts warned of an impending recession, the economy became the main priority of the first weeks of the administration. The Economic and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1989 was President Kennedy's response, which injected significant stimulus into the economy along with increasing the Capital Gains Tax rate and rolling back many of the tax breaks for the rich. The bill passed congress, thanks partly to Kennedy's personal connections with congress which swayed key conservative Democrats to his side.

Education Reforms
Kennedy made an attempt to reform national education standards. His most significant contribution was the creation of the National Education Standards and National Teacher Corps. These two reforms faced significant opposition from Republicans statewide, who felt the federal government was getting too involved with Education. The budget of the Department of Education was expanded by nearly 30 percent, using funds reserved for the military during the Reagan Administration.

Healthcare Reform Attempts
Healthcare, which Kennedy considered his life's work, became a primary agenda item. During the campaign, Kennedy promised to implement a universal single-payer healthcare system. After his stimulus package was signed, President Kennedy shifted his focus toward getting healthcare through congress. He faced opposition from not only the GOP but conservative Democrats mostly in the house (who Kennedy coined "Reagan Democrats"). Despite his best efforts and national political battles, he was unable to pass the legislation before the midterms.

Despite midterm losses and opposition from Republicans and Conservative Democrats, Kennedy pressed on with his single-payer healthcare plan. The ambitious plan would be modeled after Medicare, with implementation left to each individual state. The full cost of most medical procedures would be paid in full by the government and a series of additional reforms were proposed for hospitals and medical providers in an effort to ensure all had access to quality care. All of this would be paid with new taxes.

The GOP launched a national effort to oppose the plan, teaming up with major figures in the healthcare industry. Opponents targeted Kennedy's new taxes, calling them unreasonably high. The new federal standards for the healthcare industry were also attacked as being a catalyst for an inefficient and bureaucratic system. The Religious Right took particular aim at the plan's funding for the abortion industry and promise to distribute free contraceptives in most major hospitals.

The United States National Health Care Act of 1991 would be voted down in Congress, with a substantial number of Conservative Democrats voting against the measure.

Soviet Hostage Scandal
Kennedy's Defense Department scrambled to quickly and covertly retrieve the Americans who were now being held by the Soviets. The captures were kept secret, even from the families of the 23 Americans. Within 5 months, all 23 Americans would return home and each was sworn to secrecy. One man, James Roman, blew the whistle and went public with the story in early 1994.

The Kennedy Administration denied the claims, labeling Roman as a sensationalist. Congress quickly launched an investigation. One congressman, Newt Gingrich, was chosen to be the ranking member of the special committee assigned to investigate the claims. He used this opportunity to improve his national image and make a case to voters for the upcoming midterm elections.

Late that summer, a bombshell report would be published in the Washington Post which contained leaked documents dated December of 1992 that all but confirmed that the CIA did cover up the fact that 23 Americans were held hostage by the Soviets for months after the Berlin Wall Skirmish. President Kennedy denied knowledge and insisted that the CIA conducted the cover-up themselves. The head of the CIA tendered his resignation the day after the report was released.

= Foreign Policy =

Response to Collapse of Yugoslavia
= Legacy =