Federalsim Under Obama

Question 1

Under Obama how much did government assistance to states increase?

Answer 1

. In the last year of the Bush administration, government assistance to states was at 3.7% of the national GDP
. In the first year of Obama’s administration, this had increase to 4.6% of the national GDP

Question 2

How did Federal spending increase under Obama?

Answer 2

. Under Bush’s ESP just $20billion went to the states

. Under Obama $246billion went to or through the state governments

Question 3

How did Obama’s federal intervention in the area of medical care and what Act was seen as the end of Federalism for many?

Answer 3

. Obama re-authorised the S-CHIP or State Children’s Health Insurance programme.

. The Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 was heavily criticised by many republicans for being too far to the left

Question 4

How did Federal intervention under Obama increase in the area of education?

Answer 4

. $4billion was invested in the ‘Race to the Top programme’ to boost education in the states as well as programmes like the ‘Pell Grants’ for university education.