Scorecard 109-1 - The New American
Skip to content

Freedom Index

A Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

The New American  »  Freedom Index  »  Scorecard 109-1

Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

The Congressional Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how members of Congress are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about the constitutionality of their congressman's votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

Congressional Scorecard

Based on the U.S. Constitution

Scorecard 109-1

The Congressional Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how members of Congress are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about the constitutionality of their congressman's votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

The following scorecard lists several key votes in the 109th Congress (January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007) and ranks congressmen based on his or her fidelity to constitutional and limited-government principles.

Senate
House

House of Representatives

1. Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

Good Vote: No

HR 810 Embryonic Stem-Cell Research (Passed 238 to 194 on 5/24/2005, Roll Call 204). Would allow federal funds to be used for research on embryonic stem-cell lines, which can be created only by destroying human embryos (i.e., innocent human life).

2. WTO Withdrawal

Good Vote: Yes

HJR 27 WTO Withdrawal (Rejected 86 to 338 on 6/9/2005, Roll Call 239). To withdraw the U.S. from the World Trade Organization (WTO).

3. U.S. Treasury Borrowing

Good Vote: Yes

Rep. Ron Paul's (R-TX) amendment to HR 1461 U.S. Treasury Borrowing (Rejected 47 to 371 on 10/26/2005, Roll Call 544). To "eliminate the ability of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to borrow from the Treasury." See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

4. Border Security

Good Vote: Yes

HR 4437 Border Security (Passed 239 to 182 on 12/16/2005, Roll Call 661). Would authorize 700 miles of security fence to be built on the U.S.-Mexican border and make unlawful entry into the United States a criminal offense.

5. Gun Seizure

Good Vote: Yes

HR 5013 Gun Seizure (Passed 322 to 99 on 7/25/2006, Roll Call 401). Would prohibit the confiscation of firearms in the wake of a natural disaster. See U.S. Const., amend. 2.

6. Electronic Surveillance

Good Vote: No

HR 5825 Electronic Surveillance (Passed 232 to 191 on 9/28/2006, Roll Call 502). Would allow electronic surveillance of communications with suspected terrorists without first obtaining approval from the secret FISA Court. See U.S. Const., amend. 4.

Legislator Scores

Legend: [ + ] Constitutional Vote[ - ] Unconstitutional Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party State Score 123456
Neil Abercrombie D HI 33% -+---+
Gary Ackerman D NY 17% -----+
Robert Aderholt R AL 67% ++-++-
W. Akin R MO 67% +-+++-
Rodney Alexander R LA 50% +--++-
Thomas Allen D ME 33% ----++
Robert Andrews D NJ 17% -----+
Joe Baca D CA 33% ----++
Spencer Bachus R AL 50% +--++-
Brian Baird D WA 33% ----++
Richard Baker R LA 50% +--++-
James Barrett R SC 60% ++-.+-
John Barrow D GA 50% -+-++-
Roscoe Bartlett R MD 67% +++-+-
Joe Barton R TX 40% --+.+-
Charles Bass R NH 33% ---++-
Melissa Bean D IL 33% ---++-
Bob Beauprez R CO 50% +--++-
Xavier Becerra D CA 17% -----+
Shelley Berkley D NV 33% ----++
Howard Berman D CA 17% -----+
Robert Berry D AR 33% ---++-
Judy Biggert R IL 33% ---++-
Brian Bilbray R CA 50% ....+-
Michael Bilirakis R FL 67% ++-++-
Rob Bishop R UT 67% ++-++-
Sanford Bishop D GA 40% --.-++
Timothy Bishop D NY 17% -----+
Earl Blumenauer D OR 17% -----+
Sherwood Boehlert R NY 33% ---++-
John Boehner R OH 50% +-+-+-
Henry Bonilla R TX 50% +--++-
Jo Bonner R AL 50% +--++-
Mary Bono Mack R CA 33% ---++-
Dan Boren D OK 33% ---++-
Leonard Boswell D IA 40% --.++-
Frederick Boucher D VA 50% ---+++
Charles Boustany R LA 50% +--++-
Allen Boyd D FL 33% ----++
Jeb Bradley R NH 33% ---++-
Kevin Brady R TX 50% +--++-
Robert Brady D PA 17% -----+
Henry Brown R SC 50% +--++-
Corrine Brown D FL 17% -----+
Virginia Brown-Waite R FL 40% --.++-
Michael Burgess R TX 50% +--++-
Dan Burton R IN 67% +-+++-
George Butterfield D NC 33% ----++
Stephen Buyer R IN 50% +--++-
Ken Calvert R CA 33% ---++-
Dave Camp R MI 50% +--++-
John Campbell R CA 67% ...++-
Christopher Cannon R UT 50% +--++-
Eric Cantor R VA 50% +--++-
Lois Capps D CA 17% -----+
Michael Capuano D MA 17% -----+
Dennis Cardoza D CA 50% -+--++
Russ Carnahan D MO 33% ----++
Julia Carson D IN 20% ----.+
John Carter R TX 50% +--++-
Ed Case D HI 33% ---+-+
Michael Castle R DE 40% ---++.
Steve Chabot R OH 60% +--++.
Ben Chandler D KY 50% ---+++
Chris Chocola R IN 67% +-+++-
Wm. Clay D MO 33% ----++
Emanuel Cleaver D MO 17% -----+
James Clyburn D SC 33% ----++
Howard Coble R NC 50% -+-++-
Tom Cole R OK 40% +--.+-
K. Conaway R TX 50% +--++-
John Conyers D MI 17% -----+
Jim Cooper D TN 33% ----++
Jim Costa D CA 50% -+--++
Jerry Costello D IL 83% ++-+++
C. Cox R CA 100% +.....
Robert Cramer D AL 33% ---++-
Ander Crenshaw R FL 50% +--++-
Joseph Crowley D NY 17% -----+
Barbara Cubin R WY 50% +--++-
Henry Cuellar D TX 17% ----+-
John Culberson R TX 50% +--++-
Elijah Cummings D MD 17% -----+
Randall Cunningham R CA 0% ---...
James Davis D FL 33% ----++
Jo Ann Davis R VA 33% +.-..-
Thomas Davis R VA 33% ---++-
Artur Davis D AL 33% ----++
Lincoln Davis D TN 67% ++-++-
Geoff Davis R KY 50% +--++-
Danny Davis D IL 33% -+---+
Susan Davis D CA 17% -----+
Nathan Deal R GA 83% +++++-
Peter DeFazio D OR 67% -+-+++
Diana DeGette D CO 33% ----++
William Delahunt D MA 17% -----+
Rosa DeLauro D CT 17% -----+
Thomas DeLay R TX 50% +--+..
Charles Dent R PA 33% ---++-
Lincoln Diaz-Balart R FL 40% +-.-+-
Mario Diaz-Balart R FL 50% +-..+-
Norman Dicks D WA 17% -----+
John Dingell D MI 33% ----++
Lloyd Doggett D TX 33% ----++
John Doolittle R CA 50% +--++-
Michael Doyle D PA 50% -+--++
Thelma Drake R VA 50% +--++-
David Dreier R CA 33% ---++-
John Duncan R TN 83% +++++-
Thomas Edwards D TX 33% ---++-
Vernon Ehlers R MI 50% +--++-
Rahm Emanuel D IL 20% --.--+
Jo Ann Emerson R MO 33% ---++-
Eliot Engel D NY 17% -----+
Philip English R PA 50% +--++-
Anna Eshoo D CA 17% -----+
Bob Etheridge D NC 33% ----++
Lane Evans D IL 25% -+--..
Terry Everett R AL 67% ++-++-
Sam Farr D CA 17% -----+
Chaka Fattah D PA 17% -----+
Tom Feeney R FL 83% +++++-
Michael Ferguson R NJ 50% +--++-
Bob Filner D CA 17% -----+
Michael Fitzpatrick R PA 50% +--++-
Mark Foley R FL 40% --.++-
J. Forbes R VA 50% +--++-
Harold Ford Jr. D TN 20% ---+.-
Jeff Fortenberry R NE 50% +--++-
Vito Fossella R NY 33% ---++-
Virginia Foxx R NC 83% +++++-
Barney Frank D MA 50% -+--++
Trent Franks R AZ 83% +++++-
Rodney Frelinghuysen R NJ 33% ---++-
Elton Gallegly R CA 50% +--++-
Scott Garrett R NJ 100% ++++++
Jim Gerlach R PA 33% ---++-
James Gibbons R NV 50% -+-++-
Wayne Gilchrest R MD 33% ---++-
Paul Gillmor R OH 50% +--++-
Phil Gingrey R GA 67% ++-++-
Louie Gohmert R TX 83% +++++-
Charles Gonzalez D TX 33% ----++
Virgil Goode R VA 83% +++++-
Bob Goodlatte R VA 50% +--++-
Barton Gordon D TN 33% ---++-
Kay Granger R TX 33% ---++-
Sam Graves R MO 50% +--++-
Mark Green R WI 50% +--++-
Al Green D TX 33% ----++
Gene Green D TX 50% -+--++
Raul Grijalva D AZ 33% -+---+
Luis Gutierrez D IL 0% -----.
Gilbert Gutknecht R MN 50% +--++-
Ralph Hall R TX 50% +--++-
Jane Harman D CA 17% -----+
Katherine Harris R FL 40% +--+.-
Melissa Hart R PA 50% +--++-
J. Hastert R IL 100% +..+..
Alcee Hastings D FL 20% -.---+
Doc Hastings R WA 20% .---+-
Robin Hayes R NC 50% +--++-
John Hayworth R AZ 33% +---+-
Joel Hefley R CO 50% +--++-
Jeb Hensarling R TX 67% +-+++-
Walter Herger R CA 50% +--++-
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin D SD 33% ---++-
Brian Higgins D NY 50% ---+++
Maurice Hinchey D NY 50% -+--++
Ruben Hinojosa D TX 33% ----++
David Hobson R OH 40% +.--+-
Peter Hoekstra R MI 67% +-+++-
Tim Holden D PA 67% +--+++
Rush Holt D NJ 17% -----+
Michael Honda D CA 17% -----+
Darlene Hooley D OR 33% ----++
John Hostettler R IN 100% ++++++
Steny Hoyer D MD 17% -----+
Kenny Hulshof R MO 60% +.-++-
Duncan Hunter R CA 67% ++-++-
Henry Hyde R IL 40% +--.+-
Bob Inglis R SC 83% +-++++
Jay Inslee D WA 33% ----++
Steve Israel D NY 17% -----+
Darrell Issa R CA 33% ---++-
Ernest Istook R OK 75% +++..-
Jesse Jackson D IL 33% -+---+
Sheila Jackson-Lee D TX 17% -----+
William Jefferson D LA 33% ----++
William Jenkins R TN 67% ++-++-
Bobby Jindal R LA 50% +--++-
Nancy Johnson R CT 33% ---++-
Timothy Johnson R IL 67% +--+++
Eddie Johnson D TX 33% ----++
Sam Johnson R TX 50% +--++-
Stephanie Jones D OH 50% -+--++
Walter Jones Jr. R NC 100% ++++++
Paul Kanjorski D PA 50% ---+++
Marcy Kaptur D OH 67% ++--++
Ric Keller R FL 50% +--++-
Sue Kelly R NY 33% ---++-
Mark Kennedy R MN 50% +--++-
Patrick Kennedy D RI 33% -+---+
Dale Kildee D MI 67% ++--++
Carolyn Kilpatrick D MI 17% -----+
Ron Kind D WI 33% ----++
Peter King R NY 50% +--++-
Steve King R IA 50% +--++-
Jack Kingston R GA 67% +-+++-
John Kline R MN 50% +--++-
Joseph Knollenberg R MI 50% +--++-
James Kolbe R AZ 20% ---.+-
Dennis Kucinich D OH 33% -+---+
John Kuhl R NY 50% +--++-
Ray LaHood R IL 50% +.-.+-
James Langevin D RI 33% ----++
Tom Lantos D CA 17% -----+
Rick Larsen D WA 50% ---+++
John Larson D CT 17% -----+
Tom Latham R IA 50% +--++-
Steven LaTourette R OH 50% -+-++-
James Leach R IA 50% --+-++
Barbara Lee D CA 33% -+---+
Sander Levin D MI 17% -----+
Ron Lewis R KY 50% +--++-
Jerry Lewis R CA 33% ---++-
John Lewis D GA 0% -----.
John Linder R GA 67% +-+++-
Daniel Lipinski D IL 80% +.-+++
Frank LoBiondo R NJ 50% +--++-
Zoe Lofgren D CA 17% -----+
Nita Lowey D NY 17% -----+
Frank Lucas R OK 50% +--++-
Daniel Lungren R CA 60% +.-++-
Stephen Lynch D MA 50% -+--++
Connie Mack R FL 67% --++++
Carolyn Maloney D NY 17% -----+
Donald Manzullo R IL 67% +-+++-
Kenny Marchant R TX 50% +--++-
James Marshall D GA 67% ++-++-
Jim Matheson D UT 33% ---++-
Robert Matsui D CA 0% .-....
Doris Matsui D CA 20% -.---+
Carolyn McCarthy D NY 20% ---.-+
Michael McCaul R TX 50% +--++-
Betty McCollum D MN 17% -----+
Thaddeus McCotter R MI 67% ++-++-
James McCrery R LA 50% +--++-
Jim McDermott D WA 17% -----+
James McGovern D MA 17% -----+
Patrick McHenry R NC 67% +-+++-
John McHugh R NY 50% +--++-
Mike McIntyre D NC 83% ++-+++
Howard McKeon R CA 33% ---++-
Cynthia McKinney D GA 40% -+--.+
Michael McNulty D NY 17% -----+
Martin Meehan D MA 0% -----.
Kendrick Meek D FL 40% --.-++
Gregory Meeks D NY 17% -----+
Charles Melancon D LA 33% ---++-
John Mica R FL 50% +--++-
Michael Michaud D ME 33% ----++
Juanita Millender-McDonald D CA 20% .----+
R. Miller D NC 33% ----++
Candice Miller R MI 50% +--++-
Gary Miller R CA 50% +--++-
George Miller D CA 17% -----+
Jeff Miller R FL 83% +++++-
Alan Mollohan D WV 67% ++--++
Dennis Moore D KS 50% ---+++
Gwen Moore D WI 17% -----+
James Moran D VA 17% -----+
Tim Murphy R PA 50% +--++-
John Murtha D PA 33% ----++
Marilyn Musgrave R CO 50% +--++-
Sue Myrick R NC 67% +-+++-
Jerrold Nadler D NY 17% -----+
Grace Napolitano D CA 20% ---.-+
Richard Neal D MA 33% ----++
Randy Neugebauer R TX 50% +--++-
Robert Ney R OH 80% ++-++.
Anne Northup R KY 50% +--++-
Charles Norwood R GA 83% +++++-
Devin Nunes R CA 33% +---+-
James Nussle R IA 60% +-++.-
James Oberstar D MN 67% ++--++
David Obey D WI 50% -+--++
John Olver D MA 17% -----+
Solomon Ortiz D TX 33% ----++
Thomas Osborne R NE 50% +--++-
C.L. Otter R ID 100% ++++++
Major Owens D NY 33% -+---+
Michael Oxley R OH 50% +--++-
Frank Pallone D NJ 33% -+---+
Bill Pascrell D NJ 33% -+---+
Ed Pastor D AZ 33% -+---+
Ron Paul R TX 100% ++++++
Donald Payne D NJ 33% -+---+
Stevan Pearce R NM 33% +---+-
Nancy Pelosi D CA 17% -----+
Mike Pence R IN 67% +-+++-
John Peterson R PA 50% +--++-
Collin Peterson D MN 50% +--++-
Thomas Petri R WI 50% +--++-
Charles Pickering R MS 50% +--++-
Joseph Pitts R PA 67% +-+++-
Todd Platts R PA 50% --+++-
Ted Poe R TX 50% +--++-
Richard Pombo R CA 67% ++-++-
Earl Pomeroy D ND 50% ---+++
Jon Porter R NV 33% ---++-
David Price D NC 17% -----+
Tom Price R GA 67% +-+++-
Deborah Pryce R OH 33% ---++-
Adam Putnam R FL 50% +--++-
George Radanovich R CA 33% +---+-
Nick Rahall D WV 67% ++--++
James Ramstad R MN 33% ---++-
Charles Rangel D NY 17% -----+
Ralph Regula R OH 33% ---++-
Dennis Rehberg R MT 50% +--++-
David Reichert R WA 50% +--++-
Rick Renzi R AZ 50% +--++-
Silvestre Reyes D TX 40% --.-++
Thomas Reynolds R NY 50% +--++-
Cathy McMorris Rodgers R WA 50% +--++-
Harold Rogers R KY 50% +--++-
Mike Rogers R MI 50% +--++-
Mike Rogers * R AL 50% +--++-
Dana Rohrabacher R CA 67% -++++-
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R FL 40% +-.-+-
Mike Ross D AR 50% ---+++
Steven Rothman D NJ 33% ----++
Lucille Roybal-Allard D CA 20% --.--+
Edward Royce R CA 67% +-+++-
C. Ruppersberger D MD 33% ----++
Bobby Rush D IL 17% -----+
Paul Ryan R WI 67% +-+++-
Tim Ryan D OH 50% -+--++
Jim Ryun R KS 50% +--++-
Martin Sabo D MN 33% -+---+
John Salazar D CO 50% ---+++
Loretta Sanchez D CA 33% ----++
Linda Sanchez D CA 33% -+---+
H. Saxton R NJ 50% +--++-
Janice Schakowsky D IL 33% -+---+
Adam Schiff D CA 17% -----+
Jean Schmidt R OH 50% ..-++-
Allyson Schwartz D PA 17% -----+
John Schwarz R MI 33% ---++-
David Scott D GA 33% ----++
Robert Scott D VA 17% -----+
F. Sensenbrenner R WI 83% +++++-
José Serrano D NY 17% -----+
Pete Sessions R TX 50% +--++-
John Shadegg R AZ 67% +-+++-
E. Shaw R FL 40% --.++-
Christopher Shays R CT 67% --++++
Brad Sherman D CA 20% --.--+
Donald Sherwood R PA 50% +--++-
John Shimkus R IL 50% +--++-
Bill Shuster R PA 50% +--++-
Robert Simmons R CT 33% ---++-
Mike Simpson R ID 50% +--++-
Ike Skelton D MO 50% ---+++
Louise Slaughter D NY 17% -----+
Adam Smith D WA 33% ----++
Christopher Smith R NJ 33% +---+-
Lamar Smith R TX 50% +--++-
Victor Snyder D AR 33% ----++
Michael Sodrel R IN 50% +--++-
Hilda Solis D CA 17% -----+
Mark Souder R IN 33% +---+-
John Spratt D SC 17% ----+-
Fortney Stark D CA 17% -----+
Clifford Stearns R FL 50% +--++-
Ted Strickland D OH 60% -+-++.
Bart Stupak D MI 60% ++--+.
John Sullivan R OK 60% ++-+.-
John Sweeney R NY 33% ---++-
Thomas Tancredo R CO 83% +++++-
John Tanner D TN 50% ---+++
Ellen Tauscher D CA 17% -----+
Charles Taylor R NC 67% ++-++-
Gene Taylor D MS 67% ++-++-
Lee Terry R NE 50% +--++-
William Thomas R CA 17% ----+-
Bennie Thompson D MS 33% ----++
Mike Thompson D CA 33% ----++
Mac Thornberry R TX 50% +--++-
Todd Tiahrt R KS 50% +--++-
Patrick Tiberi R OH 40% +.--+-
John Tierney D MA 50% -+--++
Edolphus Towns D NY 17% -----+
Michael Turner R OH 33% +---+-
Fred Upton R MI 33% ---++-
Nydia Velázquez D NY 17% -----+
Peter Visclosky D IN 67% -+-+++
Greg Walden R OR 33% ---++-
James Walsh R NY 50% +--++-
Zach Wamp R TN 67% ++-++-
Debbie Wasserman Schultz D FL 17% -----+
Maxine Waters D CA 33% -+---+
Diane Watson D CA 17% -----+
Melvin Watt D NC 17% -----+
Henry Waxman D CA 17% -----+
Anthony Weiner D NY 17% -----+
W. Weldon R PA 50% +--++-
David Weldon R FL 67% ++-++-
Gerald Weller R IL 50% +--++-
Lynn Westmoreland R GA 83% +++++-
Robert Wexler D FL 25% --.-.+
Ed Whitfield R KY 80% ++.++-
Heather Wilson R NM 0% ----.-
Joe Wilson R SC 50% +--++-
Frank Wolf R VA 50% +--++-
Lynn Woolsey D CA 17% -----+
David Wu D OR 33% ----++
Albert Wynn D MD 17% -----+
C. Young R FL 20% ---.+-
Don Young R AK 60% --+.++

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Democrat 31.1%
Republican 52.4%