The Legislative Legacy of Edward M. Kennedy

Sweeping biographies abound, authorized and nonauthorized, regarding Ted Kennedy. They tend either to applaud him for his ideals or criticize him for his personal flaws. The present work differs. Using historical tools and legal analysis, it closely examines ten major pieces of legislation Kennedy sponsored or strongly backed as well as the attempt at immigration reform he spearheaded with John McCain. This is a balanced and thoroughly researched book. By tracing the legislation from their introduction through passage, and analyzing the actual language of the legislation, the book sheds considerable light both on the unintended consequences through time of the legislation as well as consequences Kennedy intended in attempting to promote reform and combat discrimination.

Craig A. Horowitz is an employment lawyer living in Santa Monica, California.

Craig A. Horowitz
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 232
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7873-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1401-4
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1. Entrance into the Senate and the National Immigration Act of 1965 9

2. The Tumultuous Late 1960s and the National Cancer Act of 1971 28

3. The Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 47

4. The Watergate Scandal and the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1974 68

5. From Carter to Reagan and the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 81

6. From the Bork Hearing to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 95

7. The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 and Its Aftermath 112

8. Health Care Reform and the Health Care Act of 1996 128

9. Minimum Wage Legislation of 1996 142

10. The Lewinsky Scandal, Bush’s Controversial Election and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 158

11. From Bush, to Immigration Reform Attempts, to Obama and the Death of the Senator 172

Conclusion 193

Chapter Notes 197

Bibliographical Essay 211

Bibliography 217

Index 219

“very highly recommended…invaluable”—Midwest Book Review; “A thoughtful book, documenting how the career of a civil rights icon helped transform our society.”—Michael Waterstone, Professor, Loyola Law School Los Angeles; “Horowitz inspires a new generation, unfamiliar with the passionate and bipartisan artistry of the liberal lion, Ted Kennedy. Given the increased interest in non-fiction texts, this book will offer high school students a powerful resource in their study of American politics.”—Bonnie L. Kaplan, co-director of the Hudson Valley Writing Project at SUNY New Paltz.