As we’ve done with Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), this week we take a look at the legislative activities of Senator Barack Obama, (D-IL), the Democratic candidate for president.

Of the three, Obama is the most prolific legislator as far as bills introduced, but the least successful at getting them passed. None of his 59 bills have become law.

Senator Obama has had successes as a legislator, of course. In the government transparency movement (of which this Web site is a part), there is a great deal of fondness for the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (aka the Coburn-Obama bill). Passed in the 109th Congress, it created a federal government Web site that reveals where all that federal spending goes. A follow-on in the current Congress is S. 3077, The Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.

Senator Obama’s recent bills reflect a focus on energy issues and health care and benefits for military veterans, though he has bills in a wide variety of areas.

One or two are of particular interest. S. 2433, The Global Poverty Act of 2007, is probably the most controversial. It would require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce global poverty, but many believe it would do much more.

I made fun of the House version of a bill Obama has introduced in the Senate. That’s S. 976, The Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2007. The bill’s statement of purpose makes some exaggerated claims about what it will do, winning it membership in the “And a Pony” club.

With that, here are Senator Barack Obama’s legislative priorities, as expressed by his actions in the current Congress. It’s one of many snapshots of this contender for the presidency.

PASSED INTO LAW

none

INTRODUCED BILLS

S. 114
The Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act

S. 115
The Oil SENSE Act

S. 116
The STEP UP ACT OF 2007

S. 117
The Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007

S. 133
The American Fuels Act of 2007

S. 433
The Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007

S. 453
The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007
Costs $0.02 per family

S. 674
The Transparency and Accountability in Military and Security Contracting Act of 2007

S. 692
The VA Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2007

S. 713
The Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007

S. 737
The Voter Advocate and Democracy Index Act of 2007

S. 767
The Fuel Economy Reform Act

S. 768
The Fuel Economy Reform Act

S. 795
The Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007

S. 823
The Microbicide Development Act

S. 906
The Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007

S. 976
The Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2007

S. 1067
The Healthy Places Act of 2007

S. 1068
The Healthy Communities Act of 2007

S. 1084
The Homes for Heroes Act of 2007

S. 1151
The Health Care for Hybrids Act

S. 1181
The Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act

S. 1222
The STOP FRAUD Act

S. 1271
The Homecoming Enhancement Research and Oversight (HERO) Act

S. 1306
The Lead Free Toys Act of 2007

S. 1324
The National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Act of 2007

S. 1389
The Climate Change Education Act

S. 1430
The Iran Sanctions Enabling Act

S. 1513
The Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2007

S. 1574
The Teaching Residency Act

S. 1713
A bill to provide for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks

S. 1790
The Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007

S. 1811
The Lead Poisoning Reduction Act of 2007

S. 1817
A bill to ensure proper administration of the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder, and for other purposes

S. 1818
The Missing Mercury in Manufacturing Monitoring and Mitigation Act

S. 1824
The Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2007

S. 1873
The Improving Emergency Medical Care and Response Act of 2007

S. 1885
The Military Family Job Protection Act

S. 1977
The Nuclear Weapons Threat Reduction Act of 2007

S. 1989
The Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007

S. 2030
A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reporting relating to bundled contributions made by persons other than registered lobbyists

S. 2044
The Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007

S. 2066
The Back to School: Improving Standards for Nutrition and Physical Education in Schools Act of 2007

S. 2111
The Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act

S. 2132
A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of children’s products that contain lead, and for other purposes

S. 2147
The Security Contractor Accountability Act of 2007

S. 2202
The Renewable Fuel Standard Extension Act of 2007

S. 2224
The Nuclear Release Notice Act of 2007

S. 2227
The Success in the Middle Act of 2007

S. 2330
The Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

S. 2347
The Prevention Through Affordable Access Act

S. 2392
The National STEM Scholarship Database Act

S. 2428
The National STEM Scholarship Database Act

S. 2433
The Global Poverty Act of 2007
Costs $0.03 per family

S. 2519
The Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2007

S. 3047
The Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Act of 2008

S. 3077
The Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008

S. 3142
The Preventing Stillbirth and SUID Act of 2008

S. 3358
The Improving Food-borne Illness Surveillance and Response Act of 2008