Modern Era

Prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. Required reasonable accommodations in the workplace and accessibility in public buildings.

The most comprehensive disability rights law in the world, transforming accessibility in American life.

Strengthened the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by allowing jury trials and compensatory and punitive damages in employment discrimination cases. Addressed several Supreme Court decisions that had narrowed civil rights protections.

Restored and expanded employment discrimination protections that the courts had weakened.

Guaranteed eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for family and medical reasons. Applied to employers with 50 or more employees.

Established the first federal right to family and medical leave for American workers.

Deregulated the telecommunications industry, allowing companies to compete across previously separate markets for local phone, long-distance, and cable services. Included the Communications Decency Act provisions addressing internet content.

The first major overhaul of telecommunications law in 62 years, reshaping the media and technology landscape.

Protected health insurance coverage for workers who change or lose jobs and established national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information. Created the Privacy Rule governing medical records.

Established the framework for health data privacy that governs the healthcare industry.

Defined marriage for federal purposes as between one man and one woman and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. Section 3 was struck down by the Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor (2013).

Became a central battleground in the marriage equality movement before being largely invalidated.

Expanded law enforcement and intelligence agencies' surveillance and investigation powers following the September 11 attacks. Authorized roving wiretaps, library record searches, and expanded FISA court jurisdiction.

Dramatically expanded government surveillance authority, sparking ongoing civil liberties debates.

Mandated annual standardized testing in reading and math for grades 3-8 and required states to bring all students to 'proficient' levels. Tied federal funding to test performance and school accountability.

Dramatically increased federal involvement in K-12 education and established high-stakes testing as national policy.

Banned national party committees from raising unlimited 'soft money' contributions and restricted issue advertising near elections. Key provisions were later struck down by the Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC (2010).

Represented the last major attempt at comprehensive campaign finance reform before Citizens United.

Established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibited federal agencies from accepting non-compliant IDs. Enacted as part of post-9/11 security measures.

Created national identification standards while sparking federalism debates over state sovereignty.

Expanded health insurance coverage through individual mandates, health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid expansion. Prohibited denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions and allowed young adults to remain on parents' plans until age 26.

The most significant healthcare reform since Medicare, extending coverage to over 20 million previously uninsured Americans.

Enacted comprehensive financial regulation in response to the 2008 financial crisis. Created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), imposed stricter capital requirements on banks, and established the Volcker Rule limiting proprietary trading.

The most sweeping financial regulation since the New Deal era.

Replaced No Child Left Behind and returned more control over education standards and accountability to states. Maintained annual testing requirements but eliminated federal mandates for teacher evaluations based on test scores.

Rebalanced federal and state roles in education policy after the backlash against No Child Left Behind.

Invested $369 billion in energy security and climate change programs, allowed Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, and extended Affordable Care Act subsidies. Funded through a corporate minimum tax and enhanced IRS enforcement.

The largest climate investment in American history and a landmark in healthcare cost reduction.