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Bush moved quickly to prevent future terrorist attacks. Soon after September 11, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act to give law enforcement broader powers to monitor suspected terrorists.
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In 2001, Bush pushed a highly controversial $1.3 trillion tax cut through Congress.
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the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act penalized schools that did not reach federal performance standards. It also called for improving teacher quality and other reforms.
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Bush was able to make some progress on Medicare with the Medicare Act of 2003. But Democratic opposition to Social Security reform thwarted Bush’s efforts.
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On March 19, 2003, American and British military forces invaded Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Saddam’s forces collapsed almost immediately.
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In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Katrina caused much destruction in New Orleans. The government’s slow response to the damage was widely criticized. National discontent was reflected in the 2006 elections