 In the Senate , Bradley acquired a reputation for being somewhat aloof and was thought of as a " policy wonk " , specializing in complex reform initiatives . Among these was the 1986 overhaul of the federal tax code , co @-@ sponsored with Dick Gephardt , which reduced the tax rate schedule to just two brackets , 15 percent and 28 percent , and eliminated many kinds of deductions . Domestic policy initiatives that Bradley led or was associated with included reform of child support enforcement ; legislation concerning lead @-@ related children 's health problems ; the Earned Income Tax Credit ; campaign finance reform ; a re @-@ apportioning of California water rights ; and federal budget reform to reduce the deficit , which included , in 1981 , supporting Reagan 's spending cuts but opposing his parallel tax cut package , one of only three senators to take this position . He sponsored the Freedom Support Act , an exchange program between the republics of the former Soviet Union and the United States . 
