Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer

Official portrait, 2013

• United States Senator from California In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2017

• Preceded by Alan Cranston • Succeeded by Kamala Harris

Senate positions

• Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017

• Preceded by David Vitter • Succeeded by Tom Carper

• Chair of the Senate Environment Committee In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2015

• Preceded by Jim Inhofe • Succeeded by Jim Inhofe

• Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2015

• Preceded by George Voinovich • Succeeded by Johnny Isakson

• Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California ’s 6th district In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1993

• Preceded by Phillip Burton • Succeeded by Lynn Woolsey

Personal details Born Barbara Sue Levy (1940-11-11) November 11, 1940 (age 85) New York City , New York , U.S.

Party Democratic

Spouse Stewart Boxer (m. 1962)

Children 2

Education Brooklyn College (BA )

Boxer’s voice

Boxer opening a Senate Environment Committee hearing on the environmental and economic impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Recorded May 11, 2010.

Barbara Sue Boxer (née Levy; born November 11, 1940) is a retired American politician and former reporter who served in the United States Senate , representing California from 1993 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party , she previously served as the U.S. representative for California’s 6th congressional district from 1983 until 1993. She was a force, a palpable presence in the halls of power, and her tenure was marked by a consistent, often unyielding, advocacy for her constituents and her deeply held beliefs.

Early life, family, and education

Born in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn , New York City, Barbara Sue Levy entered the world on November 11, 1940. Her parents, Ira and Sophie Levy, were Jewish immigrants who instilled in her a strong sense of identity and community. She navigated the public school system, graduating from George W. Wingate High School in 1958. Her academic journey continued at Brooklyn College , where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1962. It was also in 1962 that she married Stewart Boxer, a union that would shape her life and career. The couple relocated to the Golden State of California in 1965, a move that would eventually lead Barbara Boxer onto the national political stage.

Early career

The early years of her marriage saw Barbara Boxer working as a stockbroker while her husband pursued his legal education. This period, though perhaps not directly political, undoubtedly honed her understanding of financial markets and economic principles, skills that would prove invaluable in her later legislative work.

Upon their arrival in California in 1965, Boxer became increasingly involved in the political landscape. In 1968, she lent her energy to the presidential primary campaign of Eugene McCarthy , an antiwar challenger. This early engagement signaled a burgeoning passion for public service and a commitment to confronting the pressing issues of the era. By 1970, she was a co-founder of the Marin Alliance, an organization dedicated to opposing the Vietnam War .

Her initial foray into electoral politics occurred in 1972 when she ran for a seat on the Marin County Board of Supervisors . Though she narrowly lost to the incumbent Republican Peter Arrigoni, the campaign was a significant learning experience and demonstrated her tenacity. From 1972 to 1974, Boxer transitioned into journalism, serving as a reporter and editor for the Pacific Sun . This role likely sharpened her communication skills and her ability to distill complex issues for public consumption.

Following her journalistic endeavors, Boxer managed the Marin campaign for John Burton , a pivotal figure in California politics and the brother of Phillip Burton , then the congressman for San Francisco. This connection proved instrumental. When Congressman William S. Mailliard resigned from representing California’s 6th congressional district in March 1974, John Burton successfully ran in the special election to fill the remainder of the term. Boxer, having managed his campaign, then became his trusted staff aide, gaining firsthand experience in the intricacies of congressional operations.

Her dedication and effectiveness were further recognized when she was elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors in 1976. She served with distinction for six years, culminating in her election as the board’s first female president, a notable achievement that underscored her leadership capabilities and her ability to break barriers.

U.S. House of Representatives (1983–1993)

Boxer’s ascent in politics continued as she was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982, succeeding John Burton in representing California’s 6th congressional district . Her campaign was propelled by the memorable slogan, “Barbara Boxer Gives a Damn,” a phrase that encapsulated her passionate and engaged approach to public service. She served five terms in the House, initially winning with a slim 52 percent of the vote but subsequently securing re-election with comfortable margins, a testament to her growing influence and connection with her constituents.

During her tenure in the House, Boxer was a member of the original Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families , established in 1983, demonstrating an early commitment to addressing issues affecting the nation’s youth. She also served on the influential Armed Services Committee throughout her time in the House, contributing to critical defense and national security debates.

In 1991, Boxer played a prominent role in the Anita Hill hearings. When Hill came forward with accusations of sexual harassment against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas , Boxer led a delegation of women House members to the Senate Judiciary Committee . Their presence was a powerful statement, demanding that the all-male, all-white committee give serious consideration to Hill’s allegations. This act of solidarity and advocacy highlighted Boxer’s commitment to gender equality and her willingness to challenge established norms.

The year 1992 saw Boxer implicated in the House banking scandal , where it was revealed that numerous members and staff had written overdraft checks covered by the House Bank. In response, Boxer issued a statement acknowledging her oversight, stating, “In painful retrospect, I clearly should have paid more attention to my account.” She took steps to rectify the situation by writing a $15 check to the Deficit Reduction Fund for each of her 87 overdrafts, demonstrating a degree of accountability.

U.S. Senator (1993–2017)

Elections

The political landscape shifted dramatically in 1992, a year often referred to as the “Year of the Woman.” Four-term incumbent Democratic Senator Alan Cranston announced his retirement, opening the door for Boxer to run for the U.S. Senate. She navigated a competitive Democratic primary, defeating fellow Representative Mel Levine and Lieutenant Governor [Leo McCarthy] with 44% of the vote. In the general election, Boxer faced Republican Bruce Herschensohn . The race was hard-fought, with Boxer ultimately winning by a margin of 4.9%. A late-breaking revelation about Herschensohn’s patronage of a strip club is widely believed to have influenced the outcome.

Boxer secured a second term in 1998, defeating California State Treasurer Matt Fong by a comfortable 10.1% margin. Her 2004 re-election bid saw her face Republican candidate Bill Jones , the former California Secretary of State . Boxer won decisively with 20% of the vote. In 2010, she faced Carly Fiorina , the former chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard , in another successful bid for re-election, winning by 10%.

A significant milestone in her Senate career occurred in 2004 when she received an astonishing 6.96 million votes, making her the first person ever to surpass 6 million votes in a Senate election. This record stood until her colleague Dianne Feinstein , the senior senator from California, exceeded that number in her 2012 re-election . Boxer and Feinstein together represented a powerful duo, becoming the first female pair of U.S. senators representing any state simultaneously.

Boxer ultimately chose not to seek re-election in 2016 , concluding a remarkable 24-year career in Congress. She was succeeded by then-California attorney general and future Vice President of the United States , Kamala Harris .

Committees

Throughout her distinguished Senate career, Senator Boxer held significant leadership positions on key committees. She served as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation , overseeing its various subcommittees, including Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security; Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance; Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard; Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security; and Science and Space. This broad purview allowed her to influence legislation affecting a wide array of critical sectors.

Her deep commitment to environmental issues was evident in her long tenure on the Committee on Environment and Public Works . She served as its Chair from 2007 to 2015 and as its Ranking Member from 2015 to 2017, a period during which she was instrumental in shaping environmental policy. Additionally, she held influential roles on the Committee on Foreign Relations , chairing its Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women’s Issues, and was the Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Ethics from 2007 to 2015.

Caucus memberships

Boxer was an active participant in several important Senate caucuses, including the Senate Oceans Caucus and the Senate Ukraine Caucus . These memberships allowed her to engage with colleagues on specific policy areas and advance legislative initiatives relevant to her priorities.

Presidential politics

2004

In the contentious aftermath of the 2004 presidential election , Senator Boxer, alongside Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio , filed a congressional objection to the certification of Ohio’s Electoral College votes. Boxer characterized this action as an “opening shot to be able to focus the light of truth on these terrible problems in the electoral system.” Despite their efforts, the objection was ultimately voted down by both the Senate (74–1) and the House (267–31). This marked only the second time in U.S. history that a congressional objection had been raised against an entire state’s electoral delegation, the first instance occurring in 1877.

2008

As a superdelegate in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary , Boxer initially declared her support for Hillary Clinton , who won the California primary. However, she later adopted a neutral stance before officially endorsing Barack Obama shortly after he secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

2016

Prior to Hillary Clinton ’s official announcement, Senator Boxer was among a group of 16 Democratic female senators who signed a letter in October 2013 endorsing Clinton as the Democratic nominee for the 2016 presidential election .

Post-Senate career

Since leaving the U.S. Senate, Barbara Boxer has remained an active public figure, engaging in a variety of pursuits. She has delivered paid speeches, managed her political action committee (PAC for Change), co-hosted a weekly podcast with her daughter, Nicole Boxer, and has worked as a lobbyist.

In April 2017, Boxer delivered the keynote address for the Environmental Student Assembly’s Earth Month event at the University of Southern California . In 2020, she was appointed as a fellow at the USC Center for the Political Future , further solidifying her continued engagement with political discourse and analysis.

Lobbying

In January 2020, Boxer joined Mercury Public Affairs, a prominent lobbying and public affairs firm, as co-chair. This firm represented a diverse range of corporate clients, including Airbnb and AT&T , as well as foreign governments such as Qatar and Turkey .

Before her tenure at Mercury Public Affairs, Boxer had advised Lyft as a paid consultant. During this period, she actively opposed the passage of AB-5 , a California law that reclassified many workers, including Lyft drivers, from independent contractors to employees, a change that Lyft opposed.

Boxer also lent her expertise to Poseidon Water, assisting in their efforts to establish a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, California . Additionally, she worked with CityLift Parking, an Oakland-based company specializing in automated parking lift systems.

In a significant development in October 2021, Boxer, former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa , and former California State Assembly speaker Fabian Nunez led a notable exodus of employees from Mercury Public Affairs’ California office. This group subsequently established their own independent public affairs and consulting firm. At the time of their departure, Mercury’s notable California clients included Clorox , Lyft , the California Charter Schools Association, and the Westlands Water District , a major water utility serving the agricultural heart of the Central Valley .

Foreign agent

In January 2021, the inaugural committee of President-elect Joe Biden reportedly returned a $500 donation from Boxer. This action followed Boxer’s registration as a foreign agent on behalf of Hikvision , a Chinese state-owned surveillance equipment manufacturer. Hikvision had faced accusations of involvement in the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. In a statement defending her role, Boxer explained, “When I am asked to provide strategic advice to help a company operate in a more responsible and humane manner consistent with U.S. law in spirit and letter, it is an opportunity to make things better while helping protect and create American jobs.”

However, later that same day, Boxer reversed her decision and announced on Twitter that she would deregister as a foreign agent for Hikvision. She stated, “Due to the intense response to my registration I have determined that my continued work has become a negative distraction from my effort to preserve American jobs and make the company better. Therefore I have deregistered.” This swift reversal highlighted the complex ethical considerations and public scrutiny involved in such engagements.

Platform and votes

Boxer was widely recognized as a “liberal lion” and a “progressive force” within the Democratic Party . Her voting record and public statements consistently reflected a commitment to advancing social justice, environmental protection, and robust social programs.

George W. Bush

Senator Boxer and Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa were the sole Democratic senators to support Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold ’s 2006 resolution to censure President George W. Bush . This alignment underscored her willingness to stand apart from party consensus when she believed it was warranted.

Bush nominees

During the confirmation hearings for Condoleezza Rice as United States Secretary of State in January 2005, Boxer challenged her directly, urging her to acknowledge alleged misstatements made by the Bush administration regarding the 2003 invasion of Iraq . Boxer was among 12 senators who voted against Rice’s confirmation, the most votes against a secretary of state nominee since Henry Clay in 1825.

Boxer also opposed the nomination of John Bolton for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations . She voted against him in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and engaged in a filibuster on the Senate floor. Despite significant Democratic opposition, President Bush ultimately appointed Bolton through a recess appointment .

Furthermore, Boxer voted against the confirmation of John Roberts for Chief Justice of the United States and Samuel Alito for Associate Justice , signaling her deep reservations about their judicial philosophies.

Economy

On October 1, 2008, Boxer cast her vote in favor of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act , a critical piece of legislation enacted in response to the financial crisis. In August 2013, she advocated for an increase in the federal minimum wage , stating on MSNBC ’s The Ed Show that it should be raised to $10.00 per hour, reflecting her concern for low-wage workers.

Education

Boxer championed educational initiatives throughout her career. She established the Excellence in Education award to recognize outstanding teachers, parents, businesses, and organizations contributing to positive change in education. Beginning in 1997, this award honored 38 recipients, highlighting her commitment to celebrating educational achievements.

Election and Electoral College reform

Boxer supported the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which mandated the implementation of voting machines nationwide. In February 2005, she and other senators introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2005, a bill designed to ensure voter-verified paper ballots for all votes cast on electronic voting machines and guarantee universal access to voter verification. This bill, however, did not pass.

Demonstrating a consistent concern for electoral fairness, Boxer introduced a bill on November 15, 2016, proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College. This legislative action followed the 2016 election , where Donald Trump won the presidency despite losing the national popular vote to Hillary Clinton. Boxer’s bill sought to establish a direct popular vote for future presidents.

Energy

Boxer voiced strong opposition to the proposed nuclear energy deal between the United States and India. Her stance was rooted in the belief that U.S. aid to India’s civilian nuclear energy sector should be contingent upon India severing its ties with Iran .

Environment

A staunch advocate for environmental protection, Boxer led a successful Senate floor battle in 2003 to block oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge . She reiterated this position by voting to block drilling at ANWR again in 2005.

In 2005, she introduced the National Oceans Protection Act (NOPA), signaling her commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems. Boxer also served as an original cosponsor of Senator Jim Jeffords ’ Clean Power Act. Her legislative efforts extended to land conservation, as she was the Senate sponsor of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act . Signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 17, 2006, this act protected 275,830 acres of federal land as wilderness and designated 21 miles of stream as a wild and scenic river , encompassing popular areas like the King Range and Cache Creek .

Despite her environmental advocacy, Boxer, alongside her colleague Dianne Feinstein, voted in favor of subsidy payments to conventional commodity farm producers, even at the expense of subsidies for conservation-oriented farming. This decision reflected the complex interplay of competing interests within agricultural policy.

Foreign policy

In 1999, Boxer championed a Senate resolution opposing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan due to its egregious human rights abuses, particularly against women.

She voted against the initial Gulf War resolution in 1991 while serving in the House.

In 2012, Boxer joined a bipartisan group of six senators in introducing a resolution that condemned Russia for its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ’s government amidst the ongoing civil war .

Iraq War

Boxer cast a vote against the joint resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq in October 2002. She remained a consistent critic of the war, co-sponsoring Senate Resolution 171 with Senator Russ Feingold in June 2005, which called for a defined timeframe for US troop withdrawal from Iraq .

In 2005, she sharply criticized Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ’s role in the lead-up to the war in Iraq , stating, “I personally believe – this is my personal view – that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell the war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth.” Boxer was also highly critical of U.S. Army General David Petraeus ’ testimony in 2007, accusing him of presenting an overly optimistic view of the situation in Iraq, famously remarking that he was reporting with “rosy glasses.”

In January 2007, Boxer gained attention for her pointed remarks during a debate over Bush’s plans to send an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq . Addressing Secretary Rice, she questioned, “Who pays the price?” and elaborated, “The American military and their families… not me, not you.” She expressed her dismay at the administration’s decision to escalate the conflict without a clear understanding of the future costs.

Gun laws

Senator Boxer was a proponent of stricter gun control measures. She joined colleagues in supporting a federal ban on certain semi-automatic firearms and was instrumental in establishing the COPS program. Following the tragic Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016, Boxer publicly called for “common-sense gun safety laws to protect our communities from these weapons of war.”

Hate crimes

Boxer co-sponsored the Matthew Shepard Act , a significant piece of legislation that expanded the federal definition of hate crimes to encompass crimes motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation and gender identity .

Health care

Senator Boxer was a consistent advocate for accessible and comprehensive healthcare. She participated in coalitions aimed at increasing funding for medical research to find cures for diseases. In 2007, she collaborated with Senator Gordon Smith on bipartisan legislation to combat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis globally. In 1997, she authored a Patients’ Bill of Rights. Boxer also introduced legislation to make health insurance tax-deductible and to allow individuals to purchase into the same health insurance program offered to members of Congress. She supported the inclusion of comprehensive prescription drug coverage through Medicare and advocated for the right of consumers to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada.

In October 2002, Boxer urged the Bush administration to investigate the causes behind the significant increase in autism cases observed in California. She was also a vocal proponent of embryonic stem-cell research , recognizing its potential to aid individuals suffering from conditions such as diabetes , Parkinson’s disease , Alzheimer’s disease , and spinal cord injuries.

Intellectual property

Boxer supported the PROTECT IP Act , legislation aimed at combating online copyright infringement.

LGBT rights

Boxer maintained a consistent record of support for LGBT rights. In 1996, she was one of 14 senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act . She also opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment in both 2004 and 2006. However, when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom directed the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, Boxer stated her support for California’s domestic partnership law but expressed a belief that marriage was traditionally between a man and a woman. She later opposed Proposition 8 , the ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California, and supported the Uniting American Families Act . By the time of her 2010 re-election campaign, Boxer had publicly declared her strong support for same-sex marriage.

Marijuana

Boxer opposed reforms to marijuana policy and voted against a California ballot measure that sought to legalize and tax marijuana for individuals aged 21 and older within the state.

Reproductive rights

As a senator, Boxer was a prominent and outspoken champion of abortion rights. She authored the Freedom of Choice Act of 2004 and actively participated in the legislative efforts to pass the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act . She was also critical of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to the Affordable Care Act , commonly known as Obamacare, which sought to restrict abortion coverage.

Social Security

Boxer was a staunch defender of the existing Social Security system. She firmly opposed President George W. Bush ’s proposal for the partial privatization of Social Security, advocating for the preservation of the program’s integrity.

Surveillance

In June 2008, Boxer delivered a notable speech in the Senate opposing the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 . This bill aimed to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act . Breaking with her colleague Dianne Feinstein , Boxer ultimately voted against the legislation.

Public image

At 4 feet 11 inches (150 cm), Senator Boxer was one of the shortest members of Congress. When addressing the Senate chamber, she would occasionally stand on a portable platform, affectionately nicknamed the “Boxer Box,” which was carried by an aide, allowing her to be more visible.

Television appearances

Boxer made several notable cameo appearances as herself in popular television shows, including Murphy Brown in 1994, Gilmore Girls in 2002, and Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2007. She also had a cameo in the 2000 film Traffic . On November 2, 2005, she appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to discuss her novel, A Time to Run.

In September 2012, it was reported that Boxer and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe would appear together in an NBC sitcom. The two senators subsequently appeared in the fifth season premiere of Parks and Recreation in September 2012. Boxer later reprised her role in the show’s seventh season episode, “Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington,” alongside several other U.S. senators.

In November 2016, shortly after the results of the 2016 US presidential election were announced, Boxer appeared in an episode of Chelsea , hosted by Chelsea Handler , titled “Do Not Despair About Our Country.”

Major speeches and statements

• “Excerpts from Senator Boxer’s Senate Floor Statement on the Resolution Authorizing the Use of Military Force against Iraq, October 10, 2002”. Archived from the original on October 17, 2002. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
• Transcript from the Confirmation Hearing of Condoleezza Rice, January 18, 2005
• Senate Floor Debate on the Confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, January 26, 2005 at the Wayback Machine (archived March 31, 2005)
• “On the Nomination of Alberto Gonzales to be Attorney General, February 1, 2005”. Archived from the original on February 6, 2005. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
• “On the President’s Budget, February 7, 2005”. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved September 7, 2005.
• “On Social Security, February 11, 2005”. Archived from the original on February 25, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
• “Senate Floor Debate on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, March 16, 2005”. Archived from the original on March 31, 2005. Retrieved September 7, 2005.
• “Statement on Earth Day, April 20, 2005”. Archived from the original on April 21, 2005. Retrieved September 12, 2005.
• “On the Iraq War, July 6, 2005”. Archived from the original on August 25, 2005. Retrieved September 7, 2005.
• On Karl Rove’s CIA Leak, July 20, 2005
• On the Energy Bill, July 29, 2005 at the Wayback Machine (archived August 25, 2005)
• “On Her Opposition to the Confirmation of Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts, September 21, 2005”. Archived from the original on September 27, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
• Addressing World Affairs Council of Northern California (Video), October 13, 2006

Books

Boxer authored two novels. Her first, A Time to Run, was published in 2005 by Chronicle Books . Her second novel, Blind Trust, was released in July 2009, also by Chronicle Books.

Personal life

Barbara and Stewart Boxer were parents to two children, Doug and Nicole. On May 28, 1994, their daughter Nicole Boxer married Tony Rodham , the younger brother of Hillary Clinton , in a ceremony at the White House attended by 250 guests. This marked the first White House wedding since Tricia Nixon married Edward Cox in 1971. Nicole and Tony Rodham had a son, Zachary, before their divorce.

In 2006, Barbara and Stewart Boxer relocated from Greenbrae, California, to Rancho Mirage .

On July 26, 2021, Senator Boxer was the victim of an assault and robbery in Oakland, California’s Jack London Square area. Her mobile phone was stolen, and a $2,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. Fortunately, Boxer sustained no serious injuries during the incident.

Electoral history

• Main article: Electoral history of Barbara Boxer

See also

• Women in the United States House of Representatives
• Women in the United States Senate