In what ways can the Clinton administration (1993- 2001) be judged a success? Explain why in spite of his successes, Clinton was impeached towards the end of his presidency.

Bill Clinton was appointed the 42nd President of the United States in 1993 and his presidentship ended in 2001. During his presidentship, the US experienced widespread economic prosperity. He promoted a wide diversity of legislation and programs which were implemented by the executive branch.

Contribution

• He faced the huge budget deficit that was leftover from the Reagan and Bush administrations. In 1993, he presented a budget plan that proposed a combination of an increase of tax and reduction in spending to overcome the deficit in half by 1997. The plan helped to reduce spending and new revenue generation.
• At the very beginning of his presidentship, a significant percentage of American adults lacked health insurance. He proposed a health care plan based on the extension of employer-based health insurance. He signed the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 that guaranteed workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave for certain medical and family reasons, including pregnancy.
• He introduced several welfare schemes like the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, shifting of funding from AFDC to programs like job training and child care.
• The presidentship of Clinton witnessed an economical period of low inflation and low unemployment. The income inequality also increased during his time.
• His other initiatives include the introduction of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, several social issues, more than 300 foreign trade agreements, military inventions, etc.

Impeachment

In 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached on charges of sexual relationship with his intern. However, the Senate acquitted him. But even after the scandal, he left the White House with the highest approval rating of any US president in the era of post-World War II. Soon after he was succeeded by George W. Bush.