Editing Barbara Boxer (section)

==Platform and votes==
Boxer has been described as a "liberal lion",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-boxer-retire-20150108-story.html|title=Sen. Barbara Boxer, liberal lion from California, to retire after 2016|date=January 8, 2015|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> as well as a "progressive force".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/01/08/retiring-boxer-expected-to-remain-force-in-progressive-politics |title=Sen. Boxer Expected to Remain Progressive Force |website=USNews.com |last=Levy |first=Gabrielle |date=January 8, 2015}}</ref>

===George W. Bush===
Boxer and [[Iowa]] Senator [[Tom Harkin]] were the only two Senate Democrats to support [[Wisconsin]] Senator [[Russ Feingold]]'s 2006 resolution to [[Censure in the United States|censure]] President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/washington/call-to-censure-bush-is-answered-by-a-mostly-empty-echo.html|title=Call to Censure Bush Is Answered by a Mostly Empty Echo|first=David D.|last=Kirkpatrick|newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 1, 2006}}</ref>

====Bush nominees====
During the confirmation hearings for the [[United States secretary of state]] nominee [[Condoleezza Rice]] in January 2005, Boxer challenged her to admit to alleged mistakes and false statements made by the Bush administration in leading the United States into the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. Along with 12 other senators, Boxer voted against confirmation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/01/18/RICEBOXER.DTL |title=Transcript of remarks between Boxer and Rice |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=January 19, 2005 |access-date=May 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00002 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528133604/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00002| archive-date= May 28, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 12 "no" votes were the most votes against a secretary of state nominee since 1825, when [[Henry Clay]] was so named.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/world/rice-is-sworn-in-as-secretary-after-senate-vote-of-85-to-13.html|title=Rice Is Sworn In as Secretary After Senate Vote of 85 to 13|first=Sheryl Gay|last=Stolberg|work=The New York Times |date=May 12, 2018|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

Boxer voted against [[John R. Bolton|John Bolton]]'s nomination for [[U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations]] in the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] and [[filibuster]]ed him on the Senate floor. Because of the strong [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] opposition, Bolton could not obtain Senate approval. However, President Bush bypassed the Senate by employing the constitutional right of [[recess appointment]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bumiller |first=Elisabeth |author2=Sheryl Stolberg |date=August 2, 2005 |title=President sends Bolton to U.N.; bypasses Senate |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/02/politics/02bolton.html |access-date=February 8, 2008}}</ref>

Boxer voted against the confirmation of [[Chief Justice of the United States]] nominee [[John G. Roberts|John Roberts]] and against the confirmation of [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|Associate Justice]] nominee [[Samuel Alito]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxer.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=246228 |title= U.S. SENATOR BARBARA BOXER - Newsroom|website=boxer.senate.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103014454/http://boxer.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=246228 |archive-date=January 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00245 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527163745/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00245 |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref>

===Economy===
On October 1, 2008, Boxer voted for the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00213 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=May 25, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100528063758/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00213| archive-date= May 28, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

On August 26, 2013, Boxer told ''[[The Ed Show]]'' on [[MSNBC]] that the [[Minimum wage in the United States#Federal minimum wage|federal minimum wage]] should be raised to $10.00 an hour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richinick |first=Michele |title=Raise minimum wage to $10! Sen. Boxer demands increase for workers |url=http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/27/raise-minimum-wage-to-10-sen-boxer-demands-increase-for-workers/ |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=27 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827130539/http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/27/raise-minimum-wage-to-10-sen-boxer-demands-increase-for-workers/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013}}</ref>

===Education===
Boxer established the Excellence in Education award to recognize teachers, parents, businesses and organizations working to make positive changes in education. Beginning in 1997, Boxer presented the Excellence in Education Award to 38 recipients.<ref>[http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/edu_award.cfm Boxer website: Excellence in Education Awards], Accessed May 6, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428032325/http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/edu_award.cfm |date=April 28, 2006}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}

===Election and Electoral College reform===
Boxer voted for the 2002 [[Help America Vote Act]], which mandated the use of voting machines across the country, among other provisions. On February 18, 2005, Boxer and others introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2005, which would have provided a voter-verified paper ballot for every vote cast in [[electronic voting]] machines and ensured access to voter verification for all citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-450 |title=S. 450 [109th&#93;: Count Every Vote Act of 2005 |publisher=GovTrack.us |access-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref> The bill did not pass.

Boxer introduced a bill on November 15, 2016, calling for a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College and to select future presidents by a simple national vote only. This bill was introduced six days after Donald Trump won the 2016 election despite losing the national popular vote to Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/17/13664592/boxer-abolish-electoral-college |title=California Sen. Barbara Boxer files a bill to abolish the Electoral College once and for all |date=November 17, 2016 |publisher=Vox |access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref>

=== Energy ===
Boxer opposed the [[Nuclear power|nuclear energy]] deal between the United States and India. She believed that India should not receive aid from the U.S. in the civilian nuclear energy sector until it broke [[Iran-India relations|its relationship with Iran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/04/07/1549608.htm |title=Nuke deal gets thumbs up in Senate hearing |publisher=Tmcnet.com |access-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref>

===Environment===
Boxer successfully led the 2003 Senate floor battle to block oil drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]].<ref>For the whole section, except where noted: [http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/environment/index.cfm Boxer Website: The Environment], Accessed May 6, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106104012/http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/environment/index.cfm |date=January 6, 2010}}</ref> In 2005, Boxer voted again to block oil drilling at ANWR.

Boxer introduced the National Oceans Protection Act (NOPA) of 2005.<ref>[http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr010=ufev20xk71.app1b&abbr=press_&page=NewsArticle&id=7343 oceanconservancy.org: Senator Boxer Introduces National Oceans Protection Act of 2005], Accessed May 6, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927033051/http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr010=ufev20xk71.app1b&abbr=press_&page=NewsArticle&id=7343 |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

Boxer was an original cosponsor of Senator [[Jim Jeffords]]' (I-VT) [[Clean Power Act]].<ref>[http://epw.senate.gov/107th/box_061202.htm Senate.gov: Statement by Barbara Boxer before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, June 12, 2002], Accessed May 6, 2006</ref>

Boxer was the Senate sponsor of the [[Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act]], which was signed into law by President [[George W. Bush]] on October 17, 2006. The bill protected {{convert|275830|acre|km2|0}} of federal land as [[wilderness]] and {{convert|21|mi|km|0}} of stream as a [[wild and scenic river]], including such popular areas as the [[King Range (California)|King Range]] and [[Cache Creek (Sacramento River)|Cache Creek]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=pubLawLibResults&PLID=150&WID=0 |title=Wilderness Law Library |publisher=Wilderness.net |date=October 17, 2006 |access-date=May 25, 2010}}</ref>

Boxer, along with her colleague Dianne Feinstein, voted in favor of subsidy payments to conventional commodity farm producers at the cost of subsidies for conservation-oriented farming.<ref>{{Cite news|title=California Farmers Reconsidering Opposition To Subsidies |author=Becker, Elizabeth |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/08/us/california-farmers-reconsidering-opposition-to-subsidies-443638.html | date=April 8, 2002 | access-date=April 26, 2010}}</ref>

===Foreign policy===
In 1999, the Senate passed a Boxer resolution opposing the [[Taliban]] as the official government of [[Afghanistan]] because of its human rights abuses against women.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 1999 |title=CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE (May 5, 1999) |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-1999-05-05/pdf/CREC-1999-05-05-pt1-PgS4818.pdf#page=1}}</ref>

[[File:Boxer Sharon.jpg|thumb|240px|Senator Boxer meets [[Prime Minister of israel|Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Ariel Sharon]] in 2005.]]

She voted against the first [[Operation Desert Storm|Gulf War]] while a member of the House in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1991/roll009.xml |title=Final tally |website=clerk.house.gov}}</ref>

In 2012, Boxer and a bipartisan group of six senators introduced a resolution condemning Russia for aiding [[Syrian President]] [[Bashar al-Assad]]'s government as the country [[Syrian civil war|faced civil war]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/article/bipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-condemns-russias-arms-sales-to-syria|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123131346/http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/article/bipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-condemns-russias-arms-sales-to-syria|url-status=dead|title=Bipartisan group of lawmakers condemns Russia's arms sales to Syria -…|date=January 23, 2013|archive-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref>

====Iraq War====
In October 2002, Boxer voted against the [[joint resolution]] passed by the [[US Congress]] to authorize the use of military force by the Bush administration against [[Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxer.senate.gov/newsroom/200210/20021003_frelat.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021017220016/http://boxer.senate.gov/newsroom/200210/20021003_frelat.html |archive-date=October 17, 2002 |title=U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer - Newsroom |date=October 3, 2002 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hlrecord.org/media/paper609/news/2002/10/24/News/Senator.Boxer.Defends.Vote.On.Iraq.Resolution-304772.shtml |title=The Harvard Law Record – Senator Boxer defends vote on Iraq resolution |publisher=Hlrecord.org |access-date=May 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103105434/http://www.hlrecord.org/media/paper609/news/2002/10/24/News/Senator.Boxer.Defends.Vote.On.Iraq.Resolution-304772.shtml |archive-date=January 3, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=May 25, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100528130156/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237| archive-date= May 28, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In June 2005, Senators Boxer and [[Russ Feingold]] of Wisconsin, cosponsored Senate Resolution 171 calling for a timeframe for [[Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq (2007–2011)|US troop withdrawal from Iraq]].{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

In 2005, Boxer criticized [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]]'s judgment in relation to the [[war in Iraq]]: "I personally believe&nbsp;– this is my personal view&nbsp;– that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell the war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27818-2005Jan21.html Why the Crass Remarks About Rice?]. ''[[The Washington Post]]'', January 22, 2005.</ref>

Boxer was sharply critical of US Army General [[David Petraeus]]' testimony regarding the political and military situation of Iraq in 2007, charging him with reporting while wearing "rosy glasses".<ref>{{cite web|last=Bresnahan |first=John |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0907/Boxer_to_Petraeus_Take_off_your_rosy_glasses.html |title=Boxer to Petraeus: 'Take off your rosy glasses' – POLITICO Live |publisher=Politico.Com |date=September 11, 2007 |access-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref>

In January 2007, Boxer was in the news for comments she made when responding to [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|Bush's plans to send an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq]]. "Who pays the price?" Boxer asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "I'm not going to pay a personal price. My kids are too old and my grandchild is too young. You're not going to pay a personal price with an immediate family. So who pays the price? The American military and their families... not me, not you." When Rice interjected, Boxer responded by saying, "Madam Secretary, please. I know you feel terrible about it. That's not the point. I was making the case as to who pays the price for your decisions. And the fact that this administration would move forward with this escalation with no clue as to the further price that we're going to pay militarily... I find really appalling."<ref>Barrett, Ted. ''GOP senator: Bush plan could match Vietnam blunder'' [http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/11/iraq.congress/index.html CNN, January 11, 2007]</ref>

===Gun laws===
Senator Boxer joined colleagues to pass a [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban|federal ban]] on various [[semi-automatic firearm]]s and established the COPS program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Boxer |url=https://dornsife.usc.edu/center-for-political-future/fellows-program/former-fellows/barbara-boxer/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=USC Center for the Political Future |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sen. Barbara Boxer says she won't seek a sixth term in 2016 (VIDEO) |url=https://www.guns.com/news/2015/01/08/sen-barbara-boxer-says-she-wont-seek-a-sixth-term-in-2016-video |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Guns.com |language=en}}</ref>

In the wake of the 2016 [[Orlando nightclub shooting]], Boxer posted on Facebook that it was an "unspeakable tragedy" and she encouraged others to support "common-sense gun safety laws to protect our communities from these weapons of war."<ref name="Berkowitz61616">{{cite news|last1=Berkowitz|first1=Bonnie|last2=Cai|first2=Weiyi|last3=Lu|first3=Denise|last4=Gamio|first4=Lazaro|title=Everything lawmakers said (and didn't say) after the Orlando mass shooting|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/how-lawmakers-responded-to-the-orlando-mass-shooting/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=31 December 2017}}</ref>

===Hate crimes===
Boxer co-sponsored the [[Matthew Shepard Act]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01105:@@@P|title=Cosponsors - S.1105 - 110th Congress (2007-2008): Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007|first=Kennedy|last=Edward|date=September 26, 2007|website=thomas.loc.gov|access-date=March 30, 2008|archive-date=July 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703230544/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01105:@@@P|url-status=dead}}</ref> which expanded the federal definition of hate crimes to include crimes based on the victim's [[sexual orientation]] and [[gender identity]].

===Health care===
[[File:WEB-SIZE-04-13-11-Women-s-Health-Presser-1.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Senator Boxer joined with Senate Democratic women at a press conference to speak about women's health.]]
Boxer was part of a coalition to increase medical research to find cures for diseases. In 2007, she authored successful bipartisan legislation with Senator [[Gordon Smith (politician)|Gordon Smith]] to combat HIV/AIDS and [[tuberculosis]] globally.<ref>[http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=282354 Recent Press Release from Barbara Boxer, US Senator from California] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926203222/http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=282354 |date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref> In 1997, she authored a Patients' Bill of Rights. She has written a bill to make [[health insurance]] tax-deductible and a bill to allow any American buy into the same health insurance program that members of Congress have. She supported comprehensive prescription drug coverage through [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] and the right of all consumers to purchase lower-cost prescription drugs re-imported from Canada.<ref>[http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/economy/ Strengthening the Economy: Barbara Boxer, US Senator, California] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228214749/http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/economy/ |date=February 28, 2007 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}

In October 2002, Boxer urged the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration]] to take specific steps to address the causes of the [[Epidemiology of autism#Changes with time|steep increase in autism]] cases in California.<ref>For the whole paragraph: [http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/healthcare/ Boxer page on U.S. Senate website], Accessed May 6, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106111420/http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/healthcare/ |date=January 6, 2010 }}</ref>

Boxer advocated for embryonic [[stem-cell research]], asserting that it has the potential to help those with [[diabetes]], [[Parkinson's disease]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], spinal cord injuries, and other diseases.<ref>[http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/healthcare/reagan.cfm An Open Letter to Nancy Reagan, by Barbara Boxer], Accessed May 6, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428024147/http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/healthcare/reagan.cfm |date=April 28, 2006 }}</ref>

===Intellectual property===

Boxer supported [[PROTECT IP Act|PIPA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:SN00968:@@@P |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904220447/http://thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112%3ASN00968%3A%40%40%40P |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2013 |title=THOMAS.gov |publisher=THOMAS.gov |access-date=March 6, 2012 }}</ref>

===LGBT rights===
In 1996, Boxer was one of 14 senators to vote against the [[Defense of Marriage Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=104&session=2&vote=00280 |title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 104th Congress – 2nd Session |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref> She also voted against the [[Federal Marriage Amendment]] in 2004 and 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senate.ontheissues.org/Senate/Barbara_Boxer.htm |title=Barbara Boxer on the Issues |publisher=Senate.ontheissues.org |access-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref> although when San Francisco Mayor [[Gavin Newsom]] [[San Francisco 2004 same-sex weddings|issued a directive]] to the city-county clerk to issue [[same-sex marriage|marriage]] licenses to [[Homosexuality|same-sex couples]], she stated that she supported [[Domestic partnership in California|California's domestic partnership law]] but believed that marriage was between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Mark Simon |author2=Carla Marinucci |author3=Chronicle Political Writers |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/02/20/MNGSF54RDD1.DTL |title=Top state Dems criticize S.F. mayor / TIGHTROPE: Politicians try not to anger voters – 50% of Californians oppose same-sex unions |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=February 20, 2004 |access-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref> She opposed [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|Proposition 8]], a constitutional amendment that prohibited same-sex marriage in California, and supported the [[Uniting American Families Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:@@@P|title=Cosponsors - S.1328 - 110th Congress (2007-2008): Uniting American Families Act of 2007|first=Leahy|last=Patrick|date=May 8, 2007|website=thomas.loc.gov|access-date=March 30, 2008|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704161824/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:@@@P|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During her 2010 campaign, Boxer stated her strong support for same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/boxer-makes-pitch-to-southern-california-gay-voters/|title=Boxer Makes Pitch To Southern California Gay Voters - CBS San Francisco|date=October 27, 2010|website=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref>

===Marijuana===
Boxer opposed reforming marijuana policy and opposed a California ballot measure to legalize and tax marijuana for those 21 and older in the state.<ref>{{cite web|last=Byrne |first=John |url=http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0405/boxer-legalizing-pot-increase-crime-car-accidents/ |title=Boxer: Legalizing pot could increase crime, car accidents |publisher=Raw Story |date=April 5, 2010 |access-date=May 25, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100411082009/http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0405/boxer-legalizing-pot-increase-crime-car-accidents/| archive-date= April 11, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:Boxer Marines.jpg|thumb|240px|Senator Boxer has lunch with American Marines during her visit to [[Iraq]], 22 March 2005.]]

===Reproductive rights===
[[File:Barbara Boxer.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Boxer speaking at an event]]
As a senator, Boxer was an outspoken supporter of abortion rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/01/barbara-boxers-legacy-for-women/384356/|title=Barbara Boxer: 'One of the Most Steadfast Champions for Women'|last=Graves |first=Lucia |date=January 8, 2015|website=The Atlantic}}</ref> She authored the [[Freedom of Choice Act]] of 2004 and participated in the floor fight for passage of the [[Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Boxer {{!}} Institute of Governmental Studies |url=https://igs.berkeley.edu/people/barbara-boxer |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=igs.berkeley.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen. Boxer |first=Barbara [D-CA |date=2007-04-19 |title=S.1173 - 110th Congress (2007-2008): A bill to protect, consistent with Roe v. Wade, a woman's freedom to choose to bear a child or terminate a pregnancy, and for other purposes. |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/1173 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>

Boxer was critical of the [[Stupak-Pitts Amendment]] to Obamacare.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/10/boxer-senate-has-votes-to_n_352064.html |title=Boxer: Senate Has Votes To Block Stupak Amendment |work=Huffington Post |access-date=March 6, 2012 |first=Sam |last=Stein |date=November 10, 2009}}</ref>

===Social Security===
Boxer supported the then-current system of [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]], and opposed President [[George W. Bush]]'s plan for partial privatization of Social Security.<ref>[http://boxer.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=232056 Boxer Delivers Major Speech On Social Security] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103024732/http://boxer.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=232056 |date=January 3, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/sstexas.cfm SOCIAL SECURITY PRESS CONFERENCE] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050825063823/http://boxer.senate.gov/issues/sstexas.cfm |date=August 25, 2005 }}</ref>

===Surveillance===
In June 2008, Boxer spoke in the Senate in opposition to the [[FISA Amendments Act of 2008]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.politico.com/static/PPM104_080619_fisapromise.htm |title=Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 |website=[[Politico]] }}</ref> a pending bill in the United States Congress to amend the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=299645 |title=Boxer Statement on FISA Bill |date=June 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626015425/https://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=299645 |archive-date=June 26, 2008 }}</ref> and later broke with her counterpart [[Dianne Feinstein]] and voted against it.<ref>{{cite web
  |title=Senate Vote 168 (110th Congress, 2nd Session)
  |publisher=U.S. Senate
  |date=July 9, 2008
  |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00168
  |access-date=July 9, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080711124005/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00168| archive-date= July 11, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>