George H. W. Bush
Oversaw the end of the Cold War and led the coalition that drove Iraq out of Kuwait in the Gulf War. He broke his 'no new taxes' pledge in a 1990 budget deal to cut deficits, signed the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act amendments, and lost re-election during a recession.
The economy, first day to last
Shaded areas show the years in office, with a few years before and after for comparison. Budget years run October to September, so a new president's first budget year starts the fall after they take office.
National debt
Sept 30, 1988 (end of fiscal 1988): $2.60 trillion → Sept 30, 1992 (end of fiscal 1992): $4.06 trillion
Daily debt figures don't exist before 1993, so these numbers use the fiscal years closest to his term.
Debt compared with the economy
Debt as a share of GDP. Above 100% means the debt is bigger than a year of everything the country produces.
Deficits and surpluses
Money borrowed each budget year (below the line) or paid down (above).
Unemployment
Jan 1989: 5.4% → Jan 1993: 7.3%. Monthly rates; the chart shows yearly averages.
Inflation
How much prices rose each year (consumer price index).
Cost of living
What everyday prices and paychecks did while in office.
Prices use the consumer price index (MeasuringWorth). The minimum wage is the federal rate set by Congress.
Executive orders
166 orders, numbered 12668–12833.
Orders signed each year
Source: National Archives: G.H.W. Bush executive orders (full list of every order).
Notable orders
Protecting Chinese students after TiananmenEO 12711April 11, 1990
Let Chinese students in the U.S. stay and work after the 1989 crackdown in Beijing.
Federal RegisterFreezing Iraqi assetsEO 12722August 2, 1990
Blocked Iraqi government property and banned trade after Iraq invaded Kuwait.
Federal RegisterCivil justice reformEO 12778October 23, 1991
Set rules to reduce unnecessary lawsuits brought by and against the federal government.
Federal RegisterUnion dues noticesEO 12800April 13, 1992
Required federal contractors to tell workers they could not be forced to pay union dues for politics. Revoked by Clinton.
Federal RegisterPrivatizing infrastructureEO 12803April 30, 1992
Encouraged state and local governments to sell or lease roads, bridges and utilities built with federal money.
Federal RegisterReturning Haitian refugees at seaEO 12807May 24, 1992
Ordered the Coast Guard to stop Haitian boats and return people without asylum hearings. Upheld by the Supreme Court in 1993.
Federal RegisterEvery executive order 166Search, filter by topic or year, and open any order's full text
- EO 12668January 25, 1989President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform
- EO 12669February 20, 1989Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
- EO 12670March 9, 1989Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
- EO 12671March 14, 1989Exclusion of the Customs Office of Enforcement From the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program
- EO 12672March 21, 1989Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees
- EO 12673March 23, 1989Delegation of Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Functions
- EO 12674April 12, 1989Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees
- EO 12675April 20, 1989Establishing the National Space CouncilSuperseded
- EO 12676April 26, 1989Delegating Authority To Provide Assistance for the Nicaraguan Resistance
- EO 12677April 28, 1989Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- EO 12678April 28, 1989Level IV of the Executive Schedule
- EO 12679June 23, 1989Level IV of the Executive Schedule
- EO 12680July 5, 1989Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related Functions and Arms Export Controls
- EO 12681July 6, 1989Exclusions From the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program
- EO 12682July 7, 1989Commission on Alternative Utilization of Military Facilities
- EO 12683July 21, 1989Prescribing Regulations Relating to Certain Travel Time of Members of the Uniformed Services Called to Active Duty
- EO 12684July 27, 1989Conforming the Central Intellegence Agency and Civil Service Retirement and Disability Systems
- EO 12685July 28, 1989Noncompetitive Conversion of Personal Assistants to Employees with Disabilities
- EO 12686August 4, 1989President's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism
- EO 12687August 15, 1989President's Education Policy Advisory Committee
- EO 12688August 15, 1989Transfer Authority Choctawhatchee National Forest, Florida
- EO 12689August 15, 1989Debarment and Suspension
- EO 12690September 20, 1989Providing for the Restoration of Law and Order in the Virgin Islands
- EO 12691September 23, 1989President's Advisory Committee on the Points of Light Initiative Foundation
- EO 12692September 29, 1989Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
- EO 12693September 29, 1989Exclusion of the Defense Mapping Agency Reston Center and Elements Under the Joint Special Operations Command From the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program
- EO 12694October 11, 1989Amending Executive Order No. 12345
- EO 12695November 1, 1989Delegation of Debt Relief Authority
- EO 12696November 13, 1989President's Drug Advisory Council
- EO 12697December 22, 1989Extending the National Commission on Superconductivity
- EO 12698December 23, 1989Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
- EO 12699January 5, 1990Seismic Safety of Federal and Federally Assisted or Regulated New Building ConstructionRevoked
- EO 12700January 19, 1990President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
- EO 12701February 14, 1990Amending Executive Order No. 12334
- EO 12702February 20, 1990Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Czechoslovakia
- EO 12703February 20, 1990Support for East European Democracy (SEED) ProgramAmended
- EO 12704February 26, 1990Amendments to Executive Orders Nos. 11830, 12367, and 12692
- EO 12705March 3, 1990Extending the President's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism
- EO 12706March 9, 1990Nuclear Cooperation with EURATOM
- EO 12707March 13, 1990Termination of Emergency With Respect to Nicaragua
- EO 12708March 23, 1990Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984
- EO 12709April 4, 1990Increasing the Membership of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- EO 12710April 5, 1990Termination of Emergency With Respect to Panama
- EO 12711April 11, 1990Policy Implementation With Respect to Nationals of the People's Republic of China
- EO 12712April 26, 1990Adding the Secretary of Energy to the National Space Council
- EO 12713May 1, 1990Report Required by Section 502 of the Automotive Products Trade Act of 1965
- EO 12714May 3, 1990Establishment of a Presidential Emergency Board To Investigate Railroad Labor Disputes
- EO 12715May 3, 1990Support of Overseas Scouting Activities for Military Dependents
- EO 12716May 24, 1990Extending the National Commission on Superconductivity
- EO 12717June 18, 1990Revoking Executive Order No. 12691
- EO 12718June 29, 1990President's Advisory Commission on the Public Service
- EO 12719July 11, 1990President's Commission on the Federal Appointment Process
- EO 12720July 16, 1990President's Council on Rural America
- EO 12721July 30, 1990Eligibility of Overseas Employees for Noncompetitive Appointments
- EO 12722August 2, 1990Blocking Iraqi Government Property and Prohibiting Transactions with IraqRevoked
- EO 12723August 2, 1990Blocking Kuwaiti Government Property
- EO 12724August 9, 1990Blocking Iraqi Government Property and Prohibiting Transactions With IraqRevoked
- EO 12725August 9, 1990Blocking Kuwaiti Government Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Kuwait
- EO 12726August 15, 1990Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the German Democratic Republic
- EO 12727August 22, 1990Ordering the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active DutyAmended
- EO 12728August 22, 1990Delegating the President's Authority To Suspend any Provision of Law Relating to the Promotion, Retirement, or Separation of Members of the Armed ForcesAmended
- EO 12729September 24, 1990Educational Excellence for Hispanic AmericansRevoked
- EO 12730September 30, 1990Continuation of Export Control Regulations
- EO 12731October 17, 1990Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees
- EO 12732October 31, 1990International Fund for Agricultural Development
- EO 12733November 13, 1990Authorizing the Extension of the Period of Active Duty of Personnel of the Selected Reserve of the Armed ForcesAmended
- EO 12734November 14, 1990National Emergency Construction AuthorityRevoked
- EO 12735November 16, 1990Chemical and Biological Weapons ProliferationRevoked
- EO 12736December 12, 1990Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
- EO 12737December 12, 1990President's Commission on Environmental Quality
- EO 12738December 14, 1990Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related Functions and Arms Export Controls
- EO 12739December 17, 1990Half-Day Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on Monday, December 24, 1990
- EO 12740December 29, 1990Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the Soviet Union
- EO 12741December 31, 1990Extending the President's Education Policy Advisory Committee
- EO 12742January 8, 1991National Security Industrial ResponsivenessAmended
- EO 12743January 18, 1991Ordering the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active DutyRevoked
- EO 12744January 21, 1991Designation of Arabian Peninsula Areas, Airspace, and Adjacent Waters as a Combat Zone
- EO 12745January 22, 1991Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Bulgaria
- EO 12746January 23, 1991Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Mongolia
- EO 12747January 25, 1991National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council
- EO 12748February 1, 1991Providing for Federal Pay AdminstrationPartially revoked
- EO 12749February 4, 1991Additions to Level IV of the Executive Schedule
- EO 12750February 14, 1991Designation of Arabian Peninsula Areas, Airspace, and Adjacent Waters as the Persian Gulf Desert Shield Area
- EO 12751February 14, 1991Health Care Services for Operation Desert StormRevoked
- EO 12752February 25, 1991Implementation of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as Amended, and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, as AmendedAmended
- EO 12753March 8, 1991Nuclear Cooperation With EURATOM
- EO 12754March 12, 1991Establishing the Southwest Asia Service Medal
- EO 12755March 12, 1991Administration of Export Controls
- EO 12756March 18, 1991Continuance of the President's Drug Advisory Council
- EO 12757March 19, 1991Implementation of the Enterprise for the Americas InitiativeRevoked
- EO 12758April 5, 1991Addition to Level IV of the Executive Schedule
- EO 12759April 17, 1991Federal Energy ManagementRevoked
- EO 12760May 2, 1991President's Commission on Executive Exchange
- EO 12761May 21, 1991Establishment of the President's Environment and Conservation Challenge Awards
- EO 12762June 4, 1991Amendment Relating to Basic Allowance for Quarters
- EO 12763June 4, 1991Facilitating the Operation of the Advisory Commission on Conferences in Ocean Shipping
- EO 12764June 5, 1991Federal Salary Council
- EO 12765June 11, 1991Delegation of Certain Defense Related Authorities of the President to the Secretary of Defense
- EO 12766June 18, 1991European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and European Space Agency
- EO 12767June 27, 1991Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984
- EO 12768June 28, 1991Extension of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
- EO 12769July 10, 1991Implementation of Section 311(a) of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act
- EO 12770July 25, 1991Metric Usage in Federal Governmental Programs
- EO 12771July 25, 1991Revoking Earlier Orders With Respect to Kuwait
- EO 12772August 17, 1991Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Romania
- EO 12773September 26, 1991Amending Executive Order 10480Partially revoked
- EO 12774September 27, 1991Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
- EO 12775October 4, 1991Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to HaitiRevoked
- EO 12776October 8, 1991Extending the National Defense Service Medal to Members of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States During the Period of the Persian Gulf Crisis
- EO 12777October 18, 1991Implementation of Section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of October 18, 1972, as Amended, and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990Amended
- EO 12778October 23, 1991Civil Justice ReformRevoked
- EO 12779October 28, 1991Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to HaitiRevoked
- EO 12780October 31, 1991Federal Agency Recycling and the Council on Federal Recycling and Procurement Policy
- EO 12781November 20, 1991Delegation of Functions and Authorities, Development of Requirements and Regulations, and Correction of Title
- EO 12782November 21, 1991Amending Executive Order No. 12594
- EO 12783December 17, 1991Extending the President's Council on Rural America
- EO 12784December 19, 1991Delegation of Authority Regarding the Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves
- EO 12785December 26, 1991Extending the President's Education Policy Advisory Committee
- EO 12786December 26, 1991Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
- EO 12787December 31, 1991The Order of Succession of Officers To Act as Secretary of DefenseRevoked
- EO 12788January 15, 1992Defense Economic Adjustment ProgramAmended
- EO 12789February 10, 1992Delegation of Reporting Functions Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986Amended
- EO 12790March 3, 1992Amending the Order Establishing the Southwest Asia Service Medal
- EO 12791March 9, 1992Nuclear Cooperation With Euratom
- EO 12792March 12, 1992National Commission on America's Urban Families
- EO 12793March 20, 1992Continuing the Presidential Service Certificate and the Presidential Service BadgeAmended
- EO 12794March 31, 1992Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate Disputes Between Certain Railroads and Their Emploees Represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- EO 12795March 31, 1992Establishing in Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between the Consolidated Rail Corporation and its Employees Represented by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
- EO 12796March 31, 1992Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate Disputes Between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and its Employees Represented BY Certain Labor Organizations
- EO 12797April 3, 1992Review of Increases in Rates of Basic Pay for Certain Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Other Agencies
- EO 12798April 6, 1992Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Armenia
- EO 12799April 7, 1992Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Officer Promotions
- EO 12800April 13, 1992Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees
- EO 12801April 15, 1992Barring Overflight, Takeoff, and Landing of Aircraft Flying to or from LibyaRevoked
- EO 12802April 16, 1992Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the Republic of Byelarus, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation
- EO 12803April 30, 1992Infrastructure Privatization
- EO 12804May 1, 1992Providing for the Restoration of Law and Order in the City and County of Los Angeles, and Other Districts of California
- EO 12805May 11, 1992Integrity and Efficiency in Federal Programs
- EO 12806May 19, 1992Establishment of a Fetal Tissue Bank
- EO 12807May 24, 1992Interdiction of Illegal AliensAmended
- EO 12808May 30, 1992Blocking "Yugoslav Government" Property and Property of the Governments of Serbia and MontenegroRevoked
- EO 12809June 3, 1992Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
- EO 12810June 5, 1992Blocking Property of and Prohibiting Transactions With the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)Revoked
- EO 12811June 24, 1992Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
- EO 12812July 22, 1992Declassification and Release of Materials Pertaining to Prisoners of War and Missing in Action
- EO 12813August 4, 1992President's Commission on Management of the Agency for International Development (AID) Programs
- EO 12814September 10, 1992Additions to Level IV of the Executive Schedule for Members of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
- EO 12815September 30, 1992Extending the President's Commission on Management of the Agency for International Development (AID) Programs
- EO 12816October 14, 1992Management Improvement in the Federal GovernmentRevoked
- EO 12817October 21, 1992Transfer of Certain Iraqi Government Assets Held by Domestic BanksRevoked
- EO 12818October 23, 1992Open Bidding on Federal and Federally Funded Construction Projects
- EO 12819October 28, 1992Establishing a Presidential Youth Award for Community Service
- EO 12820November 5, 1992Facilitating Federal Employees' Participation in Community Service Activities
- EO 12821November 16, 1992Improving Mathematics and Science Education in Support of the National Education GoalsSuperseded
- EO 12822November 16, 1992Providing for Payment of Separate Maintenance Allowances to Employees Assigned to Johnston Island
- EO 12823December 3, 1992Amendments to Executive Order No. 12757—Implementation of the Enterprise for the Americas InitiativeRevoked
- EO 12824December 7, 1992Establishing the Transportation Distinguished Service MedalAmended
- EO 12825December 18, 1992Half-Day Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on Thursday, December 24, 1992
- EO 12826December 30, 1992Adjustment of Certain Rates of Pay and AllowancesSuperseded
- EO 12827December 30, 1992Amendment to Executive Order No. 12792
- EO 12828January 5, 1993Delegation of Certain Personnel Management AuthoritiesPartially revoked
- EO 12829January 6, 1993National Industrial Security ProgramAmended
- EO 12830January 9, 1993Establishing the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service MedalAmended
- EO 12831January 15, 1993Additional Measures with Respect to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)Revoked
- EO 12832January 19, 1993Amendments Relating to the National Research Council
- EO 12833January 19, 1993Addition to Level V of the Executive Schedule: Transition Manager for the United States Enrichment Corporation
Source: Executive Orders Archive, compiled from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register. Topics are the archive's automated tags; "Revoked" and similar labels come from the Federal Register's records.
Pardons and commutations
A pardon wipes out the punishment for a federal crime; a commutation shortens a sentence but leaves the conviction. Counts are by federal fiscal year. He granted clemency less often than any president of the 20th century.
Granted each year
Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, clemency statistics, which lists every recipient with the crime and sentence.
Notable grants: tap to see the crime
Caspar Weinberger and five others (Iran-Contra)PardonDecember 24, 1992
The crime: Lying to Congress and to investigators, and withholding information, in the Iran-Contra affair. Covered Weinberger, Robert McFarlane, Elliott Abrams, Clair George, Alan Fiers and Duane Clarridge.
Sentence: Weinberger was about to go on trial; others had pleaded guilty or been convicted
Why it drew attention: Independent counsel Lawrence Walsh said the pardons completed the Iran-Contra cover-up. Bush, who was vice president during the affair, had himself withheld his diary from investigators.
SourceArmand HammerPardonAugust 14, 1989
The crime: Illegal contributions to Nixon's 1972 campaign (pleaded guilty 1976)
Sentence: Probation and a $3,000 fine
Why it drew attention: The oil executive had donated to Republican causes, including Bush's inauguration.
SourceEdwin Cox Jr.PardonJanuary 18, 1993
The crime: Bank fraud (pleaded guilty 1988)
Sentence: Probation and restitution
Why it drew attention: His father, a Texas oilman, had donated to Republicans and lobbied for the pardon.
SourceInvestigations and legal record
The same checklist for every president. Tap a row for details and sources.
ImpeachedNoNo
No articles of impeachment were voted on.
Criminally chargedNoNo
Never charged. Independent counsel Lawrence Walsh criticized him for withholding his diary but brought no charges.
SourceAides or cabinet convictedNoNo
No member of his own administration was convicted. Chief of staff John Sununu resigned in 1991 after using government planes for personal and political trips.
Special counselsYes — twoYes
Iran-Contra (continuing from the Reagan years) and Joseph diGenova, on the search of Bill Clinton's passport files during the 1992 campaign, who found no crimes.
Misuse of DOJ, FBI or IRSAlleged — not establishedPartly
In the 'Iraqgate' affair, critics alleged the administration and Justice Department covered up loans that helped arm Iraq before the Gulf War. A special counsel appointed by Attorney General William Barr found no wrongdoing (1992). State Department officials improperly searched Bill Clinton's passport records during the 1992 campaign, the department's inspector general found.
SourcePeople around the president who were charged or penalized
Controversies and scandals
What happened, what was proven, and how it ended.
Breaking 'no new taxes'Proven1990
After pledging 'Read my lips: no new taxes', he agreed to a budget deal that raised taxes to cut the deficit.
Outcome: It helped reduce later deficits but split his party and hurt him in 1992.
SourceThe Iran-Contra pardonsDisputedDecember 1992
He pardoned six Iran-Contra figures, including the former defense secretary, weeks before his trial.
Outcome: The independent counsel said it completed the cover-up; Bush said the prosecutions were political.
Source'Iraqgate'Alleged1989–1992
U.S.-backed loans through an Italian bank's Atlanta branch helped Iraq build its military before the Gulf War.
Outcome: Congressional Democrats alleged a cover-up; a Justice Department special counsel found no wrongdoing.
SourceSearching Clinton's passport fileProven1992
Political appointees at the State Department searched Bill Clinton's passport records looking for damaging information during the campaign.
Outcome: The inspector general found it improper; an independent counsel found no crime.
SourceNeil Bush and SilveradoProven1988–1991
The president's son was a director of a savings and loan that made loans to his business partners before failing.
Outcome: Regulators found conflicts of interest; he settled without admitting wrongdoing.
SourceIn their own words
Widely quoted remarks, with the context they were said in.
Read my lips: no new taxes.
This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait.
We were not in the loop.