Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer (b. November 11, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY) is a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from the state of California. Boxer was first elected to the Senate in 1992.

Boxer did not seek re-election to the Senate in 2016. On January 8, 2015, she announced her plan to retire at the end of the current term. She stated, "I'm going to continue working on the issues that I love. I'll have more time to help other people through my PAC for Change community, I have to make sure the Senate seat stays progressive -- that is so critical -- and I want to help our Democratic candidate for president make history. But you know what? I want to come home."^[1]

Boxer began her political career by winning election to the U.S. House in 1982. She served in that position until her election to the Senate in 1992.

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Boxer is one of the most reliable Democratic votes, meaning she can be considered a safe vote for the Democratic Party in Congress.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Boxer's academic, professional and political career:^[2]

• 1993-Present: U.S. Senator from California
• 1983-1993: U.S. Representative from California
• 1976-1982: Board of Supervisors, Marin County
• 1974-1976: Congressional Aide
• 1972-1974: Newspaper Editor
• 1962-1965: Stockbroker
• 1962: Graduated from Brooklyn College with B.A.

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2015-2016

Boxer serves on the following committees:^[3]

• Select Committee on Ethics, Ranking Member
• Environment and Public Works Committee, Ranking Member
  • Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
  • Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Ranking Member
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife
• Foreign Relations Committee
  • Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
  • Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy
  • Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development
  • Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues, Ranking Member

2013-2014

Boxer served on the following Senate committees:^[4]

• Environment and Public Works, Chairman
• Commerce, Science and Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
  • Subcommittee on Science and Space
  • Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
  • Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
  • Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
• Foreign Relations
  • The Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs
  • The Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
  • The Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women's Issues Chairman
  • The Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
• Ethics, Chairman

2011-2012

• Commerce, Science and Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
  • Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
  • Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
  • Subcommittee on Science and Space
  • Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
• Environment and Public Works, Chairman
• Foreign Relations
  • Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
  • Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy, and Global Women's Issues, Chair
  • Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs
• Ethics, Chairman

Key votes

114th Congress

The first session of the 114th Congress has enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session.^[5] The Senate has confirmed 3,934 out of 5,051 executive nominations received (77.9 percent). For more information pertaining to Boxer's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.^[6]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015

See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

On May 22, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the president trade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended by Congress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions for trade adjustment assistance. Boxer voted with 30 other Democratic senators against the bill.^[7][8]
Trade promotion authority
On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, the Senate approved trade promotion authority (TPA) as part of HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Boxer was one of 31 Democrats to vote against the bill. After, Senate Republican leadership honored a pledge to support trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part of HR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. The House passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.^[9][10][11]

2016 Budget proposal

On May 5, 2015, the Senate voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government before funding runs out on October 1, 2015. The vote marked the first time since 2009 that Congress approved a joint budget resolution. All 44 Democrats, including Boxer, voted against the resolution.^[12][13][14]

Defense spending authorization

On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed S 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.^[15][16] Boxer voted with 41 Democrats, 48 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.^[17] On November 5, 2015, the House passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.^[18]

On June 18, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Boxer voted with 21 Democrats, two Republicans and one Independent against the bill.^[19] The House passed the bill on May 15, 2015.^[20] President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.^[21]

2015 budget

On October 30, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.^[22] Boxer voted with 43 Democrats, 18 Republicans and two independents in favor of the bill.^[23] It passed the House on October 28, 2015.^[24] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal

See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

On May 7, 2015, the Senate voted to approve HR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill requires President Barack Obama to submit the details of a nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review, if negotiators reach a final agreement. Congress will have 30 days to review the deal and vote to approve or disapprove the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran cannot be lifted. Democratic Senator Boxer did not vote on the bill.^[25][26]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015
On September 10, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.^[27] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Boxer voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.^[28]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes
On September 15, 2015, the Senate voted for a second time to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.^[29] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Boxer voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.^[30] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.^[31]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote
On September 17, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster a vote on S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."^[32] Boxer voted with 42 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the amendment.^[33]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

On June 2, 2015, the Senate passed HR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revised HR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, increasing transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Boxer voted with 42 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one Independent to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.^[34][35]

Cyber security

On October 27, 2015, the Senate passed S 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.^[36] The bill proposes procedures that will allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Boxer voted with 29 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.^[37]

Immigration

On October 20, 2015, the Senate voted against proceeding to a vote on S 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."^[38] Boxer voted with 41 Democrats, one Republican and two Independents against proceeding to the bill.^[39]

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.^[40] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Boxer's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.^[41]

National security

Committee vote on Syria

See also: United States involvement in Syria

On September 4, 2013, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved an authorization for President Obama to use limited force against Syria. It was approved by a 10-7 vote.^[42][43]

The vote came after a three-hour briefing with top Obama administration officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry and James Clapper, the director of national intelligence.^[42]

Of the nine Democratic members and eight Republican members that made up the committee, seven Democrats and three Republicans voted in favor, while five Republicans and two Democrats opposed the authorization.^[44] A single "present" vote was cast by Ed Markey (D). Boxer was one of the seven Democrats who approved the authorization.^[45]

John Brennan CIA nomination

Boxer did not vote on the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.^[46]

Economy

Farm bill

On February 4, 2014, the Democratic controlled Senate approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.^[47] It passed the Senate with a vote of 68-32. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop; however, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.^[48] Boxer joined with 46 other Democratic senators in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 16, 2014, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.^[49][50] The Senate voted 72-26 for the 1,582 page bill, with 17 Republicans and 55 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.^[50] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.^[51] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and left the Affordable Care Act without any drastic cuts. Boxer voted with the Democratic Party in favor of the bill.^[49][50]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.^[52] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Boxer voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.^[53]

Boxer announced a proposal to stop pay for members of Congress during a shutdown.^[54]

“It’s absolutely inappropriate. We should be treated the same as everyone,” Boxer said in a news conference on October 1, 2013.^[54]

The bill, called the “Government Shutdown and Default Prevention Act,” would prevent members of Congress and the president from receiving pay if “(1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached.”^[54]

Boxer also sent a message to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner saying, “Act like a speaker of the House not just like a speaker of the Republicans and pass my bill so your people don’t get paid.”^[54]

“If he is going to force pain on everyone else, he ought to take the pain, he and his members really,” Boxer said.^[54]

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013

Boxer voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.^[55]

Immigration

Mexico-U.S. border

Boxer voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.^[56]

Social issues

Violence Against Women (2013)

Boxer voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.^[57]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Boxer voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.^[58]

Senator Boxer voted in favor of TARP.^[59] According to a Gallup poll from September 13, 2010, 61 percent of Americans disapproved of TARP, while 37 percent approved.^[60]

Boxer also supported the stimulus bill.^[61] A total of 57 percent of U.S. voters believed that the stimulus had hurt the economy (36 percent) or had no impact (21 percent). Only 38 percent believed the stimulus helped the economy.^[62]

In addition, Boxer voted for the health care reform bill.^[63] Polling showed that 57% of likely voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care reform bill, including 46% who strongly favor repeal. Meanwhile, 35% of likely voters oppose repeal and 51% of likely voters believe the health care reform bill will be bad for the country, while 36% believe it will be beneficial.^[64]

Finally, Boxer voted against an amendment that would have defunded the Obama Administration's lawsuit against Arizona over its new immigration law.^[65] As of July 8, 2010, 56% of U.S. voters were opposed to the Obama Administration's challenge to the Arizona immigration law.^[66]

Voting record

Issues

On The Issues Vote Match

See also: On The Issues Vote Match

On The Issues conducts a VoteMatch analysis of elected officials based on 20 issue areas. Rather than relying on incumbents to complete the quiz themselves, the VoteMatch analysis is conducted using voting records, statements to the media, debate transcripts, or citations from books authored by or about the candidate.^[67]

The table below contains the results of analysis compiled by staff at On The Issues.

On The Issues Vote Quiz[68]
Economic Issues		Social Issues
Issue	Stance	Issue	Stance
Legally require hiring women & minorities	Strongly Favors	Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right	Strongly Favors
Expand Obamacare	Strongly Favors	Comfortable with same-sex marriage	Strongly Favors
Vouchers for school choice	Strongly Opposes	Keep God in the public sphere	Strongly Opposes
Absolute right to gun ownership	Strongly Opposes	No "rights" to clean air and water	Strongly Opposes
Higher taxes on the wealthy	Strongly Favors	Stricter punishment reduces crime	Opposes
Support & expand free trade	Opposes	Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens	Strongly Favors
More enforcement of the right to vote	Favors	Maintain U.S. sovereignty from UN	Strongly Opposes
Prioritize green energy	Strongly Favors	Expand the military	Favors
Stimulus better than market-led recovery	Strongly Favors	Stay out of Iran	Favors
Privatize Social Security	Strongly Opposes	Never legalize marijuana	Opposes
Note: Information last updated: May 20, 2015.[67] If you notice the rating has changed, email us.

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Boxer endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democrat primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.^[69]

See also: Endorsements for Hillary Clinton

2016 Presidential Endorsements by U.S. Senators
State Sen.	Candidate	Date	Source
Angus King	Hillary Clinton	July 2016	Politico
Elizabeth Warren	Hillary Clinton	June 2016	The Boston Globe
Bob Menendez	Hillary Clinton	May 2016	Philly.com
Roy Blunt	Donald Trump	May 2016	The Atlantic
Richard Burr	Donald Trump	May 2016	IndyWeek.com
Mitch McConnell	Donald Trump	May 2016	Politico
Cory Gardner	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Hill
Pat Toomey	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Morning Call
Jeff Merkley	Bernie Sanders	April 2016	The New York Times
Mike Lee (Utah)	Ted Cruz	March 2016	Politico
Lamar Alexander	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Jeff Sessions	Donald Trump	February 2016	Politico
Harry Reid	Hillary Clinton	February 2016	Politico
Dan Coats	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Bloomberg
Dean Heller	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Tim Scott	Marco Rubio	February 2016	NBC News
Ron Wyden	Hillary Clinton	January 2016	The Oregonian
Jack Reed	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Providence Journal
Heidi Heitkamp	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	The Huffington Post
Ed Markey	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WBUR
Gary Peters	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Michael Bennet	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Bob Casey, Jr.	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	CBS Pittsburgh
Tom Udall	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	Albuquerque Journal
Jeanne Shaheen	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WMUR
Brian Schatz	Hillary Clinton	February 2015	Honolulu Civil Beat
Mazie Hirono	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Al Franken	Hillary Clinton	December 2014	The Huffington Post
Mark Warner	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	The Hill
Martin Heinrich	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	New Mexico Telegram
Patrick Leahy	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Vermont Public Radio
Dick Durbin	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	Politico
Amy Klobuchar	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Politico
Debbie Stabenow	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	CNN
Tim Kaine	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	The Washington Post
Sheldon Whitehouse	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Chris Murphy (Connecticut)	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	The Connecticut Mirror
Richard Blumenthal	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	WestportNow.com
Joe Manchin III	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	Politico
Maria Cantwell	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Tammy Baldwin	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Dianne Feinstein	Hillary Clinton	December 2013	MSNBC
Kirsten Gillibrand	Hillary Clinton	August 2014	People
Patty Murray	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Chuck Schumer	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	The Washington Post
Barbara Boxer	Hillary Clinton	October 2013	ABC News
Claire McCaskill	Hillary Clinton	June 2013	Politico
Jim Inhofe	Marco Rubio	January 2016	Politico
Rob Portman	John Kasich (primary) Donald Trump (general)	August 2016	The Columbia Dispatch
Thad Cochran	Jeb Bush	December 2015	USA Today
John Boozman	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Mike Rounds	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Orrin Hatch	Jeb Bush	August 2015	Deseret News
Susan Collins	Jeb Bush	July 2015	Portland Press Herald
John McCain	Lindsey Graham (primary)	January 2015	Bloomberg.com
Bill Nelson (Florida)	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Miami Herald
Barbara Mikulski	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Ben Cardin	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Chris Coons	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Jim Risch	Marco Rubio	November 2015	Politico
Steve Daines	Marco Rubio	November 2015	The Huffington Post
Sherrod Brown	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	MSNBC
Tom Carper	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	Roll Call
Cory Booker	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	NBC News

David Vitter

After beginning the 113th Congress working jointly in the Senate as an unlikely duo, in September 2013 David Vitter and Boxer ended their working relationship.^[70]

Vitter accused Boxer of “bribery,” while she responded that Vitter is demeaning the Senate, all as part of a complex feud over Obamacare that has revived ghosts of Vitter’s prostitution scandal.^[70] The ending of the bi-partisan relationship between the two could have profound consequences for public policy.^[70]

Despite the duos disagreement on major issues, they were able to pass a water infrastructure bill through the Senate and were even seen chatting amiably.^[70]

“A good bipartisan news story,” they echoed each other in a August 2014 conference call introducing their water bill. When it coasted through the Senate a couple of months later, Boxer said that “when it comes to the infrastructure of our country, we come together.”^[70]

Since then, the relationship between Boxer and Vitter has continued to deteriorate. Vitter, who has used his committee position to separate himself from “official Washington,” helped organize a spring boycott on new Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, upsetting Boxer, who argued he and other Republicans “take the side of the polluters.”^[70]

Vitter's September 2013 amendment added an energy bill that would end Obamacare subsidies for lawmakers and Capitol Hill aides sparked an ugly bout of name calling and finger-pointing. In response, Democratic lawmakers drafted an amendment that would dig up Vitter’s past by denying senators Obamacare subsidies given “probable cause” they solicited prostitutes, an explicit reference to Vitter’s ties to the “D.C. Madam” that surfaced in 2007.^[70]

Vitter then insisted for an ethics investigation into Harry Reid and Boxer, who is the chairwoman of the Select Committee on Ethics. “Senator Reid and Boxer have apparently led an effort to employ political scare tactics, personal attacks and threats that would affect each Senator’s personal finances (i.e. bribery),” Vitter wrote in his letter requesting an investigation.^[70]

Elections

2016

See also: United States Senate election in California, 2016

Boxer did not seek re-election to the Senate in 2016. On January 8, 2015, she announced her plan to retire at the end of the current term.^[1]

2010

On November 2, 2010, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Carly Fiorina (R), Gail Lightfoot (L), Marsha Feinland (P&F), Duane Roberts (G), Edward Noonan (American Independent), and several write-in candidates in the general election.^[71]

U.S. Senate, California General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Barbara Boxer incumbent	52.2%	5,218,441
	Republican	Carly Fiorina	42.2%	4,217,366
	Libertarian	Gail Lightfoot	1.8%	175,242
	Peace and Freedom	Marsha Feinland	1.4%	135,093
	Green	Duane Roberts	1.3%	128,510
	American Independent	Edward Noonan	1.3%	125,441
	Write-in	James Harris	0%	41
	Write-in	Connor Vlakancic	0%	11
	Write-in	Jerry Leon Carroll	0%	10
	Write-in	Hans Kugler	0%	5
Total Votes				10,000,160

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Barbara Boxer, click [show] to expand the section.

2004 On November 2, 2004, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Bill Jones (R), Marsha Feinland (P&F), Jim Gray (L) and Don Grundmann (American Independent) in the general election.[72] U.S. Senate, California General Election, 2004 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer incumbent 57.7% 6,955,728      Republican Bill Jones 37.8% 4,555,922      Peace and Freedom Marsha Feinland 2% 243,846      Libertarian Jim Gray 1.8% 216,522      American Independent Don Grundmann 0.7% 81,224      N/A Write-in 0% 53 Total Votes 12,053,295 1998 On November 3, 1998, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Matt Fong (R), Ted Brown (L), Timothy Erich (Reform), H. Joseph Perrin, Sr. (American Independent), Ophie Beltran (P&F) and Brian Rees (Natural Law) in the general election.[73] U.S. Senate, California General Election, 1998 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer incumbent 53.1% 4,410,056      Republican Matt Fong 43% 3,575,078      Libertarian Ted Brown 1.1% 93,926      Reform Timothy Erich 1% 82,918      American Independent H. Joseph Perrin, Sr. 0.7% 54,699      Peace and Freedom Ophie Beltran 0.6% 48,685      Natural Law Brian Rees 0.6% 46,543 Total Votes 8,311,905 1992 On November 3, 1992, Barbara Boxer won election to the United States Senate. She defeated Bruce Herschensohn (R), Jerome McCready (American Independent), Genevieve Torres (P&F) and June Genis (L) in the general election.[74] U.S. Senate, California General Election, 1992 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer 47.9% 5,173,467      Republican Bruce Herschensohn 43% 4,644,182      American Independent Jerome McCready 3.5% 373,051      Peace and Freedom Genevieve Torres 3.5% 372,817      Libertarian June Genis 2.2% 235,919      N/A Write-in 0% 267 Total Votes 10,799,703 1990 On November 6, 1990, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Bill Boerum (R) in the general election.[75] U.S. House, California District 6 General Election, 1990 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer incumbent 68.1% 137,306      Republican Bill Boerum 31.9% 64,402 Total Votes 201,708 1988 On November 8, 1988, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States House. She defeated William Steinmetz (R) in the general election.[76] U.S. House, California District 6 General Election, 1988 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer incumbent 73.4% 176,645      Republican William Steinmetz 26.6% 64,174 Total Votes 240,819 1986 On November 4, 1986, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Franklin Ernst, III (R) in the general election.[77] U.S. House, California District 6 General Election, 1986 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer incumbent 73.9% 142,946      Republican Franklin Ernst, III 26.1% 50,606 Total Votes 193,552 1984 On November 6, 1984, Barbara Boxer won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Douglas Binderup (R) and Howard Creighton (L) in the general election.[78] U.S. House, California District 6 General Election, 1984 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer incumbent 68% 162,511      Republican Douglas Binderup 29.7% 71,011      Libertarian Howard Creighton 2.3% 5,574 Total Votes 239,096 1982 On November 2, 1982, Barbara Boxer won election to the United States House. She defeated Dennis McQuaid (R), Howard Creighton (L) and Timothy-Allen Albertson (P&F) in the general election.[79] U.S. House, California District 6 General Election, 1982 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Barbara Boxer 52.4% 96,379      Republican Dennis McQuaid 44.6% 82,128      Libertarian Howard Creighton 1.7% 3,191      Peace and Freedom Timothy-Allen Albertson 1.3% 2,366 Total Votes 184,064

Campaign donors

Fundraising events

The below chart from Find The Best tracks the fundraising events Boxer attends.

Comprehensive donor history

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.
Why is that? While candidates and parties must file detailed expenditure reports, independent organizations and unions are not required to file reports in every case. Outside groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer.

Comprehensive donor information for Boxer is available dating back to 2004. Based on available campaign finance records, Boxer raised a total of $45,989,839 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 25, 2013.^[80][81]

Barbara Boxer Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2010	U.S. Senate (California)		$29,331,343
2004	U.S. Senate (California)		$16,658,496
Grand Total Raised			$45,989,839

2010

Boxer won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Boxer's campaign committee raised a total of $29,331,343 and spent $29,537,796.^[82]

Her top five contributors between 2005-2010 were:

U.S. Senate election, California, 2010 - Barbara Boxer Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$29,331,343
Total Spent	$29,537,796
Total Raised by General Election Opponent	$21,521,397
Total Spent by General Election Opponent	$21,484,825
Top contributors to Barbara Boxer's campaign committee
EMILY's List	$368,127
University of California	$102,540
Girardi & Keese	$92,000
News Corp	$79,300
Time Warner	$75,150
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms	$2,090,295
Retired	$1,433,826
Women's Issues	$1,302,265
TV/Movies/Music	$985,668
Misc Business	$610,142

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Boxer's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Endorsements

2012

Boxer endorsed Representative Howard Berman over primary opponent and fellow incumbent Brad Sherman in the District 30 congressional election. She stated, "Because of Brad’s campaign mailing, which outrageously tries to connect you to the San Bruno tragedy, I will no longer stay neutral in this race." This is referring to a 2010 explosion in San Bruno, which resulted in eight deaths, caused by PG&E's failure to maintain their gas line.^[83]

Personal Gain Index

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Boxer's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $1,182,007 and $5,481,000. That averages to $3,331,503, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2012 of $13,566,333.90. Boxer ranked as the 41st most wealthy senator in 2012.^[84] Between 2004 and 2012, Boxer's calculated net worth^[85] decreased by an average of 2 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.^[86]

Barbara Boxer Yearly Net Worth
Year	Average Net Worth
2004	$4,057,706
2012	$3,331,503
Growth from 2004 to 2012:	-18%
Average annual growth:	-2%[87]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[88]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the 113th Congress, Boxer is the Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Boxer received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Lawyers/Law Firms industry.

From 1989-2014, 19.58 percent of Boxer's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.^[89]

Barbara Boxer Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$76,218,139
Total Spent	$66,689,762
Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Lawyers/Law Firms	$5,248,607
Women's Issues	$3,061,698
Retired	$2,703,446
TV/Movies/Music	$2,596,718
Real Estate	$1,314,372
% total in top industry	6.89%
% total in top two industries	10.9%
% total in top five industries	19.58%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Boxer was a "far-left Democrat" as of July 2014. This was the same rating Boxer received in June 2013.^[90]

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.^[91]

Boxer most often votes with: Mazie Hirono Susan Collins

Boxer least often votes with: Joe Manchin James Risch

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Boxer missed 304 of 7,645 roll call votes from February 1993 to September 2015. This amounts to 4 percent, which is worse than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.^[92]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Boxer paid her congressional staff a total of $4,412,720 in 2011. She ranked 1st on the list of the highest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranked 1st overall of the highest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, California ranked 1st in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.^[93]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Boxer ranked 16th in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2013.^[94]

2012

Boxer ranked 10th in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2012.^[95]

2011

Boxer ranked 5th in the liberal rankings among U.S. senators in 2011.^[96]

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Boxer voted with the Democratic Party 96.1 percent of the time, which ranked 20th among the 53 Senate Democratic members as of July 2014.^[97]

2013

Boxer voted with the Democratic Party 95.5 percent of the time, which ranked 19th among the 52 Senate Democratic members as of June 2013.^[98]

2016 Democratic National Convention

See also: Democratic National Convention, 2016

Barbara Boxer
Democratic National Convention, 2016
Status:	Superdelegate
State:	California
Supporting:	Hillary Clinton
Delegates to the DNC 2016
Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • State election law and delegates • Superdelegates by state

Boxer was a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from California.^[99] Boxer was one of 75 superdelegates from California. Superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention were not bound by the results of their state’s primary or caucus to support a specific presidential candidate. Boxer supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.^[100] Clinton formally won the Democratic nomination for president on July 26, 2016.^[101]

What is a superdelegate?

See also: Superdelegates and the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Superdelegates, in 2016, were automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention, meaning that, unlike regular delegates, they were not elected to this position. Also unlike regular delegates, they were not required to pledge their support to any presidential candidate, and they were not bound by the results of their state's presidential primary election or caucus. In 2016, superdelegates included members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and distinguished party leaders, including former presidents and vice presidents. All superdelegates were free to support any presidential candidate of their choosing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.^[102]

California primary results

See also: Presidential election in California, 2016

In California's Democratic primary—which took place on June 7, 2016—475 pledged delegates were at stake, more than any other state in the 2016 Democratic nominating season. California's delegate haul represented almost 20 percent of the 2,383 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination and almost 12 percent of the 4,038 pledged delegates up for grabs in 2016. Polling from March and April showed Hillary Clinton with a lead in California over rival Bernie Sanders, ranging from six to 14 points. In 2008, Clinton won the state over Barack Obama 52 to 43 percent. California's pledged delegates were allocated on a proportional basis. California's seventy-three superdelegates were not required to adhere to the results of the June 7 primary election.

California Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes	Delegates
Hillary Clinton	54.2%	2,580,865	269
Bernie Sanders	44.9%	2,135,718	206
Roque De La Fuente	0.2%	7,757	0
Henry Hewes	0.1%	6,997	0
Keith Judd	0.1%	6,771	0
Michael Steinberg	0.2%	10,247	0
Willie Wilson	0.2%	11,260	0
Totals		4,759,615	475
Source: The New York Times and California Secretary of State

Delegate allocation

See also: 2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules

California had 551 delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Of this total, 476 were "pledged delegates." National party rules stipulated how Democratic delegates in all states were allocated. Pledged delegates were allocated to a candidate in proportion to the votes he or she received in a state's primary or caucus. A candidate was eligible to receive a share of the state's pledged delegates if he or she won at least 15 percent of the votes cast in the primary or caucus. There were three types of pledged Democratic delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates, and party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs). Congressional district delegates were allocated proportionally based on the primary or caucus results in a given district. At-large and PLEO delegates were allocated proportionally based on statewide primary results.^[103][104]

Seventy-five party leaders and elected officials served as unpledged delegates. These delegates were not required to adhere to the results of a state's primary or caucus.^[103][105]

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Barbara + Boxer + California + Senate

See also

• United States Senate
• United States congressional delegations from California

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Alan Cranston	U.S. Senate - California 1993-Present	Succeeded by -

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