U.S. Federal Government Expansion

1945–1960: Postwar Expansion & Cold War Beginnings

• Truman:

  • GI Bill (1944): Massive fed investment in veterans’ education, housing, and employment.

  • Desegregated military (Executive Order 9981).

  • Federal loyalty programs → greater control in Cold War climate.

• Eisenhower:

  • Federal Highway Act (1956): Largest infrastructure program in U.S. history → more federal funding and control.

  • Maintained New Deal welfare programs, despite conservative reputation.

  • National Defense Education Act (1958) → feds increased role in education after Sputnik.

1960s: Peak of Federal Government Expansion

• Kennedy/Johnson:

  • Great Society programs: Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, federal aid to education.

  • Civil Rights Act (1964) & Voting Rights Act (1965): Fed government enforces racial equality.

  • War on Poverty: Expanded welfare and anti-poverty programs (e.g., Job Corps, food stamps).

  • Environmental legislation and consumer protection laws.

  • Fed gov becomes major guarantor of civil rights and social equity.

1970s: Continued Expansion with Economic + Regulatory Focus

• Nixon:

  • Created EPA (1970), OSHA, and Clean Air Act: big fed role in regulating business/environment.

  • Affirmative action policies expanded.

  • Despite “New Federalism” rhetoric, he increased federal spending and regulations.

• Carter:

  • Focused on energy policy (Department of Energy created).

  • Continued regulatory growth in safety, education, and environment.

1980s: Conservative Pushback – Reagan Revolution

1990s: Mixed Signals – Budget Discipline & Gov as Regulator

• Bush I:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (1990): big civil rights expansion.

  • Clean Air Act Amendments → federal role in environmental regulation grew.

• Clinton:

  • Welfare Reform Act (1996): reduced federal welfare → gave states more power.

  • But: Government still large → expanded healthcare for kids (SCHIP), economic regulation, and tech.

  • Balanced budget, but did not dismantle major fed programs.

2000s: Terrorism and Security Re-expand Fed Power

Bush II:

• Patriot Act (2001): massive increase in surveillance and national security powers.

• Department of Homeland Security created (2002).

• No Child Left Behind: increased federal role in education testing/accountability.

• Medicare Part D: expanded prescription coverage for seniors.

2009–2015: Obama Era Expansion

• Affordable Care Act (2010): major federal intervention in health care.

• Stimulus Act (2009): huge fed spending to counter Great Recession.

• Dodd-Frank Act: federal regulation of financial sector.

• Environmental regs (e.g., Clean Power Plan), federal guidance on transgender rights, etc.