George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2009. A Republican and former governor of Texas, his presidency was shaped by the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and consequential domestic policies.
Bush's presidency is most widely remembered for the response to the September 11 attacks, the launch of the global War on Terror, and military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Decisions on intelligence, national security, and counterterrorism had long-lasting international and political effects.
On the domestic front, his administration passed major laws including the No Child Left Behind education reform and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, and he appointed two Supreme Court justices. The 2008 financial crisis and emergency responses also significantly influenced assessments of his record.
Led U.S. response to 9/11 and launched the War on Terror; Ordered U.S. invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003); Enacted No Child Left Behind education reform (2001); Created Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit (2003); Appointed Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito; Responded to the 2008 financial crisis, including signing the TARP bailout
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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President Bush signed into law the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, instituting a means test for Chapter 7 filings and new credit-counseling and reporting requirements.
After the conclave elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, 2005, President Bush issued a public congratulatory statement recognizing the new pope.
On April 2, 2005, President George W. Bush released an official statement mourning the death of Pope John Paul II and offering condolences to the Vatican and the Catholic faithful.
On March 24, 2005, the U.S. House voted to approve CAFTA-DR, advancing a major Bush administration trade priority to expand U.S. free-trade ties with Central American countries and the Dominican Republic.
On March 21, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law a bill that provided for federal court review of the case involving Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman in a persistent vegetative state.
The U.S. Senate confirmed President George W. Bush’s nominee John R. Bolton to be Ambassador to the United Nations by a narrow majority vote.
In a 5–4 decision in Roper v. Simmons, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Eighth Amendment forbids capital punishment for crimes committed by juveniles.
The U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture on President Bush's nominee John R. Bolton, effectively blocking his immediate confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
President Bush signed the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA), which expanded federal jurisdiction over many large interstate class-action lawsuits.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Michael Chertoff to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Tom Ridge.
President George W. Bush announced the nomination of John R. Bolton to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
President Bush transmitted his FY2006 budget request to Congress, outlining spending priorities and funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year, including continued support for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.