In the 1996 election, Bill Clinton was re-elected as president, defeating Republican Bob Dole and Reform candidate Ross Perot. During Clinton's first term he appointed his wife Hillary to head a task force to create a universal healthcare plan, but it was never brought to a vote due to opposition. Clinton worked with a Republican congress to cut spending and lower taxes, resulting in the first balanced budget in 24 years. He also signed welfare reform legislation and oversaw the implementation of NAFTA on January 1, 1994, which both had positive and negative economic effects.

1. 1996 Election
• Democrat – Bill
Clinton
• Republican – Bob
Dole
• Reform – Ross
Perot

2. Health Care
• Appointed his wife Hillary
to head a task force for
universal health care
• Bill never brought up for a
vote due to oppostion

3. Federal Deficit
• High deficit after Reagan
and Bush
• Made deal with
Republican Congress
• Cut Spending, lowered
taxes

4. Balanced Budget
• 1997 – first balanced
budget in 24 years
• Congress and Clinton
worked to shrink the
deficit

5. WELFARE REFORM
• Limited to five years
• Gave to states to run in block grants
• Training requirements
• Millions moved from welfare to work

6. NAFTA
• On January 1, 1994 the
North American Free
Trade Agreement took
effect.
• Under the NAFTA, Many
tariffs were eliminated
between the U.S., Canada,
and Mexico
• 100,000 low wage jobs left
• NAFTA was meant to
stimulate the economy by
encouraging increased
free trade

7. NAFTA
• NAFTA has had both
positive and negative
effects
• Many point to the poor
working conditions in
factories on the U.S./Mexico
border and the loss of jobs in
the U.S. as consequences
• Others point to the jobs
created as a result of
increased free trade and
increased agricultural
production in the U.S. as
benefits

8. NAFTA
• GATT
• Lowered trade barriers
• World Trade
Organization
• Rise of the Asian Tiger
Nations
• Resolve disputes
• Group of 7, later 8
• Rise of anti-globalization
protestors