Scorecard 110-1 - The New American
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A Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

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 110-1

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 110th Congress (January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009) and ranks congressmen based on his or her fidelity to constitutional and limited-government principles.

House of Representatives

1. Bailout Bill

Good Vote: No

HR1424 Bailout Bill (Passed 263 to 171 on 10/03/2008, Roll Call 681). Authorizes the Treasury Department to use $700 billion of taxpayer money to purchase troubled mortgage-related securities from banks and other financial-related institutions.

2. Budget Resolution

Good Vote: No

S Con Res 70 Budget Resolution (Passed 214 to 210 on 6/5/2008, Roll Call 382). Drafted by the Democrats, this $3.03 trillion budget sets nonbinding limits for the 12 annual appropriations bills. 

3. Economic Stimulus

Good Vote: No

HR5140 Economic Stimulus (Passed 385 to 35 on 1/29/2008, Roll Call 25).  Would provide about $150 billion in economic stimulus, including $101.1 billion in direct payments of rebate checks (typically $600) to most taxpayers in 2008

4. Peru Free Trade Agreement

Good Vote: No

HR3688 Peru Free Trade Agreement (Passed 285 to 132 on 11/8/2007, Roll Call 1060). Transfers the power to regulate trade (and other powers as well) to regional arrangements.

5. Global Climate Change

Good Vote: Yes

Amendment to HR2643 Global Climate Change (Rejected 153 to 274 on 6/26/2007, Roll Call 555).  Strikes from the bill nonbinding language calling for a mandatory program to combat global warming.

6. Iraq Troop Withdrawal

Good Vote: Yes

HR2237 Iraq Troop Withdrawal (Rejected 171 to 255 on 5/10/2007, Roll Call 330). The bill would require the withdrawal of troops and contractors to begin within 90 days of the bill's enactment, and to be completed within 180 days from the beginning date of the withdrawal.

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 50% ++--+-
Rodney Alexander R LA 33% -+--+-
Thomas Allen D ME 33% ---+-+
Jason Altmire D PA 33% +--+--
Robert Andrews D NJ 33% ---+-+
Michael Arcuri D NY 33% ---+-+
Joe Baca D CA 33% ---+-+
Michele Bachmann R MN 50% ++--+-
Spencer Bachus R AL 20% -+--.-
Brian Baird D WA 33% --+--+
Richard Baker R LA 33% ...-+-
James Barrett R SC 33% -+--+-
John Barrow D GA 33% ++----
Roscoe Bartlett R MD 33% ++----
Joe Barton R TX 50% ++--+-
Melissa Bean D IL 0% -.----
Xavier Becerra D CA 33% +----+
Shelley Berkley D NV 17% ---+--
Howard Berman D CA 0% ------
Robert Berry D AR 33% --+--+
Judy Biggert R IL 17% -+----
Brian Bilbray R CA 50% ++--+-
Gus Bilirakis R FL 50% ++--+-
Rob Bishop R UT 67% ++-++-
Sanford Bishop D GA 0% ------
Timothy Bishop D NY 17% -----+
Earl Blumenauer D OR 33% +----+
John Boehner R OH 33% -+--+-
Jo Bonner R AL 33% -+--+-
Mary Bono Mack R CA 17% -+----
Dan Boren D OK 20% -+-.--
Leonard Boswell D IA 0% ------
Frederick Boucher D VA 20% -.-+--
Charles Boustany R LA 33% -+--+-
Allen Boyd D FL 17% --+---
Nancy Boyda D KS 33% +--+--
Kevin Brady R TX 33% -+--+-
Robert Brady D PA 20% ---+-.
Bruce Braley D IA 20% ---.-+
Paul Broun R GA 75% +++-..
Henry Brown R SC 33% -+--+-
Corrine Brown D FL 0% --.--.
Virginia Brown-Waite R FL 33% ++----
Vern Buchanan R FL 17% -+----
Michael Burgess R TX 83% +++++-
Dan Burton R IN 50% ++--+-
George Butterfield D NC 33% +----+
Stephen Buyer R IN 60% ++-.+-
Ken Calvert R CA 33% -+--+-
Dave Camp R MI 33% -+--+-
John Campbell R CA 40% -.+-+-
Christopher Cannon R UT 33% -+--+-
Eric Cantor R VA 40% -+--+.
Lois Capps D CA 17% -----+
Michael Capuano D MA 33% ---+-+
Dennis Cardoza D CA 0% ------
Russ Carnahan D MO 33% ---+-+
Christopher Carney D PA 33% +--+--
Julia Carson D IN 50% ....-+
André Carson D IN 0% --....
John Carter R TX 50% ++--+-
Michael Castle R DE 17% -+----
Kathy Castor D FL 33% +----+
Donald Cazayoux D LA 100% ++....
Steve Chabot R OH 50% ++--+-
Ben Chandler D KY 33% +--+--
Travis Childers D MS 100% ++....
Yvette Clarke D NY 17% -----+
Wm. Clay D MO 33% +----+
Emanuel Cleaver D MO 17% -----+
James Clyburn D SC 17% -----+
Howard Coble R NC 50% -++-+-
Steve Cohen D TN 33% ---+-+
Tom Cole R OK 33% -+--+-
K. Conaway R TX 33% -+--+-
John Conyers D MI 50% +--+-+
Jim Cooper D TN 17% --+---
Jim Costa D CA 0% ------
Jerry Costello D IL 50% +--+-+
Joe Courtney D CT 50% +--+-+
Robert Cramer D AL 0% ------
Ander Crenshaw R FL 33% -+--+-
Joseph Crowley D NY 17% -----+
Barbara Cubin R WY 60% -++.+-
Henry Cuellar D TX 0% ------
John Culberson R TX 50% ++--+-
Elijah Cummings D MD 33% ---+-+
David Davis R TN 50% ++--+-
Jo Ann Davis R VA 0% .....-
Thomas Davis R VA 33% -++---
Artur Davis D AL 17% -----+
Lincoln Davis D TN 17% +-----
Geoff Davis R KY 40% ++--.-
Danny Davis D IL 33% ---+-+
Susan Davis D CA 20% ----.+
Nathan Deal R GA 67% +++-+-
Peter DeFazio D OR 50% +--+-+
Diana DeGette D CO 17% -----+
William Delahunt D MA 50% +--+-+
Rosa DeLauro D CT 33% ---+-+
Charles Dent R PA 17% -+----
Lincoln Diaz-Balart R FL 50% ++--+-
Mario Diaz-Balart R FL 50% ++--+-
Norman Dicks D WA 17% -----+
John Dingell D MI 17% -----+
Lloyd Doggett D TX 33% +----+
John Doolittle R CA 50% ++--+-
Michael Doyle D PA 33% ---+-+
Thelma Drake R VA 50% ++--+-
David Dreier R CA 33% -+--+-
John Duncan R TN 83% ++-+++
Thomas Edwards D TX 0% ------
Donna Edwards D MD 0% -.....
Vernon Ehlers R MI 17% -+----
Keith Ellison D MN 33% ---+-+
Brad Ellsworth D IN 17% -+----
Rahm Emanuel D IL 17% -----+
Jo Ann Emerson R MO 33% -+--+-
Eliot Engel D NY 0% -----.
Philip English R PA 33% ++----
Anna Eshoo D CA 17% -----+
Bob Etheridge D NC 0% ------
Terry Everett R AL 20% -.--+-
Mary Fallin R OK 33% -+--+-
Sam Farr D CA 17% -----+
Chaka Fattah D PA 0% -.---.
Tom Feeney R FL 60% ++.-+-
Michael Ferguson R NJ 17% -+----
Bob Filner D CA 60% +-.+-+
J. Forbes R VA 67% +++-+-
Jeff Fortenberry R NE 33% ++----
Vito Fossella R NY 17% -+----
Bill Foster D IL 50% -+....
Virginia Foxx R NC 50% ++--+-
Barney Frank D MA 17% -----+
Trent Franks R AZ 50% ++--+-
Rodney Frelinghuysen R NJ 17% -+----
Elton Gallegly R CA 50% ++--+-
Scott Garrett R NJ 50% ++--+-
Jim Gerlach R PA 17% -+----
Gabrielle Giffords D AZ 20% -+-.--
Wayne Gilchrest R MD 20% -+--.-
Paul Gillmor R OH 50% ....+-
Phil Gingrey R GA 67% +++-+-
Louie Gohmert R TX 67% +++-+-
Charles Gonzalez D TX 17% -----+
Virgil Goode R VA 83% +++++-
Bob Goodlatte R VA 50% ++--+-
Barton Gordon D TN 0% ------
Kay Granger R TX 33% -+--+-
Sam Graves R MO 50% ++--+-
Al Green D TX 33% ---+-+
Gene Green D TX 33% +--+--
Raul Grijalva D AZ 50% +--+-+
Luis Gutierrez D IL 33% ---+-+
John Hall D NY 33% ---+-+
Ralph Hall R TX 50% ++--+-
Phil Hare D IL 33% ---+-+
Jane Harman D CA 17% -----+
J. Hastert R IL 33% ...-+-
Alcee Hastings D FL 40% --.+-+
Doc Hastings R WA 67% ++-++-
Robin Hayes R NC 67% ++-++-
Jeb Hensarling R TX 50% ++--+-
Walter Herger R CA 33% -+--+-
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin D SD 17% +-----
Brian Higgins D NY 33% ---+-+
Baron Hill D IN 33% ++----
Maurice Hinchey D NY 50% +--+-+
Ruben Hinojosa D TX 17% -----+
David Hobson R OH 17% -+----
Paul Hodes D NH 50% +--+-+
Peter Hoekstra R MI 50% -+-++-
Tim Holden D PA 33% +--+--
Rush Holt D NJ 33% ---+-+
Michael Honda D CA 17% -----+
Darlene Hooley D OR 17% -----+
Steny Hoyer D MD 0% ------
Kenny Hulshof R MO 50% ++--+-
Duncan Hunter R CA 60% +++.--
Bob Inglis R SC 17% -+----
Jay Inslee D WA 33% +----+
Steve Israel D NY 17% -----+
Darrell Issa R CA 50% ++--+-
Jesse Jackson D IL 33% ---+-+
Sheila Jackson-Lee D TX 40% -.-+-+
William Jefferson D LA 50% +--+-+
Bobby Jindal R LA 0% ....--
Timothy Johnson R IL 50% +++---
Eddie Johnson D TX 17% -----+
Henry Johnson D GA 50% +--+-+
Sam Johnson R TX 50% ++--+-
Stephanie Jones D OH 25% .-.--+
Walter Jones Jr. R NC 50% ++-+--
Jim Jordan R OH 50% ++--+-
Steve Kagen D WI 50% +--+-+
Paul Kanjorski D PA 33% ---+-+
Marcy Kaptur D OH 67% +-++-+
Ric Keller R FL 50% ++--+-
Patrick Kennedy D RI 33% ---+-+
Dale Kildee D MI 33% ---+-+
Carolyn Kilpatrick D MI 33% ---+-+
Ron Kind D WI 0% ------
Peter King R NY 17% -+----
Steve King R IA 50% ++--+-
Jack Kingston R GA 67% +++-+-
Ron Klein D FL 17% -----+
John Kline R MN 33% -+--+-
Joseph Knollenberg R MI 33% -+--+-
Dennis Kucinich D OH 67% ++-+-+
John Kuhl R NY 33% -+--+-
Ray LaHood R IL 20% -+-.--
Doug Lamborn R CO 50% ++--+-
Nicholas Lampson D TX 33% ++----
James Langevin D RI 33% ---+-+
Tom Lantos D CA 50% ....-+
Rick Larsen D WA 17% -----+
John Larson D CT 17% -----+
Tom Latham R IA 50% ++--+-
Steven LaTourette R OH 50% ++-+--
Robert Latta R OH 67% ++-...
Barbara Lee D CA 33% ---+-+
Sander Levin D MI 17% -----+
Ron Lewis R KY 40% -+.-+-
Jerry Lewis R CA 33% -+--+-
John Lewis D GA 17% -----+
John Linder R GA 67% +++-+-
Daniel Lipinski D IL 33% +--+--
Frank LoBiondo R NJ 50% ++-+--
David Loebsack D IA 33% ---+-+
Zoe Lofgren D CA 17% -----+
Nita Lowey D NY 17% -----+
Frank Lucas R OK 50% ++--+-
Daniel Lungren R CA 40% -+-.+-
Stephen Lynch D MA 33% +----+
Connie Mack R FL 50% ++--+-
Tim Mahoney D FL 0% ------
Carolyn Maloney D NY 17% -----+
Donald Manzullo R IL 50% ++--+-
Kenny Marchant R TX 50% ++--+-
James Marshall D GA 20% -.-+--
Jim Matheson D UT 33% ++----
Doris Matsui D CA 17% -----+
Carolyn McCarthy D NY 17% -----+
Kevin McCarthy R CA 50% ++--+-
Michael McCaul R TX 50% ++--+-
Betty McCollum D MN 17% -----+
Thaddeus McCotter R MI 50% ++--+-
James McCrery R LA 33% -+--+-
Jim McDermott D WA 33% +----+
James McGovern D MA 33% ---+-+
Patrick McHenry R NC 50% ++--+-
John McHugh R NY 33% -+-+--
Mike McIntyre D NC 33% +--+--
Howard McKeon R CA 33% -+--+-
Jerry McNerney D CA 17% ---+--
Michael McNulty D NY 33% ---+-+
Martin Meehan D MA 50% ....-+
Kendrick Meek D FL 17% -----+
Gregory Meeks D NY 17% -----+
Charles Melancon D LA 0% ------
John Mica R FL 50% ++--+-
Michael Michaud D ME 50% +--+-+
Juanita Millender-McDonald D CA NA ......
R. Miller D NC 33% ---+-+
Candice Miller R MI 50% ++--+-
Gary Miller R CA 40% -+.-+-
George Miller D CA 33% ---+-+
Jeff Miller R FL 60% ++-.+-
Harry Mitchell D AZ 17% -+----
Alan Mollohan D WV 33% ---+-+
Dennis Moore D KS 0% ------
Gwen Moore D WI 20% ---.-+
James Moran D VA 17% -----+
Patrick Murphy D PA 50% -+-+-+
Tim Murphy R PA 67% ++-++-
John Murtha D PA 17% -----+
Marilyn Musgrave R CO 50% ++--+-
Sue Myrick R NC 33% -+--+-
Jerrold Nadler D NY 33% ---+-+
Grace Napolitano D CA 50% +--+-+
Richard Neal D MA 17% -----+
Randy Neugebauer R TX 50% ++--+-
Eleanor Norton D 0% ....-.
Charles Norwood R GA NA ......
Devin Nunes R CA 50% ++--+-
James Oberstar D MN 20% ---.-+
David Obey D WI 33% ---+-+
John Olver D MA 33% ---+-+
Solomon Ortiz D TX 0% ----.-
Frank Pallone D NJ 33% ---+-+
Bill Pascrell D NJ 17% -----+
Ed Pastor D AZ 33% ---+-+
Ron Paul R TX 100% ++++++
Donald Payne D NJ 60% +--+.+
Stevan Pearce R NM 50% ++--+-
Nancy Pelosi D CA 20% ----.+
Mike Pence R IN 50% ++--+-
Ed Perlmutter D CO 17% -----+
John Peterson R PA 33% -+--+-
Collin Peterson D MN 50% +-++--
Thomas Petri R WI 33% ++----
Charles Pickering R MS 33% -+--+-
Joseph Pitts R PA 50% ++--+-
Todd Platts R PA 33% ++----
Ted Poe R TX 80% +++.+-
Earl Pomeroy D ND 0% ------
Jon Porter R NV 17% -+----
David Price D NC 17% -----+
Tom Price R GA 67% +++-+-
Deborah Pryce R OH 0% -.----
Adam Putnam R FL 33% -+--+-
George Radanovich R CA 33% -+--+-
Nick Rahall D WV 33% ---+-+
James Ramstad R MN 17% -+----
Charles Rangel D NY 17% -----+
Ralph Regula R OH 33% -+--+-
Dennis Rehberg R MT 50% ++--+-
David Reichert R WA 33% ++----
Rick Renzi R AZ 50% ++--+-
Silvestre Reyes D TX 17% -----+
Thomas Reynolds R NY 33% -+--+-
Laura Richardson D CA 25% ---+..
Cathy McMorris Rodgers R WA 80% ++-++.
Ciro Rodriguez D TX 33% +--+--
Harold Rogers R KY 33% -+--+-
Mike Rogers R MI 50% ++--+-
Mike Rogers * R AL 33% -+--+-
Dana Rohrabacher R CA 67% +++-+-
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R FL 33% -+--+-
Peter Roskam R IL 50% ++--+-
Mike Ross D AR 0% ------
Steven Rothman D NJ 40% +--.-+
Lucille Roybal-Allard D CA 50% +--+-+
Edward Royce R CA 67% +++-+-
C. Ruppersberger D MD 0% ------
Bobby Rush D IL 40% -.-+-+
Paul Ryan R WI 33% -+--+-
Tim Ryan D OH 33% ---+-+
John Salazar D CO 17% +-----
Bill Sali R ID 50% ++--+-
Loretta Sanchez D CA 67% +-++-+
Linda Sanchez D CA 50% +--+-+
John Sarbanes D MD 33% ---+-+
H. Saxton R NJ 17% -+----
Steve Scalise R LA 100% ++....
Janice Schakowsky D IL 33% ---+-+
Adam Schiff D CA 17% -----+
Jean Schmidt R OH 33% -+--+-
Allyson Schwartz D PA 0% ----.-
David Scott D GA 17% ---+--
Robert Scott D VA 50% +--+-+
F. Sensenbrenner R WI 67% +++-+-
José Serrano D NY 50% +--+-+
Pete Sessions R TX 20% -+--.-
Joe Sestak D PA 17% -----+
John Shadegg R AZ 50% -++-+-
Christopher Shays R CT 17% -+----
Carol Shea-Porter D NH 50% +--+-+
Brad Sherman D CA 50% +--+-+
John Shimkus R IL 50% ++--+-
Heath Shuler D NC 40% +.-+--
Bill Shuster R PA 33% -+--+-
Mike Simpson R ID 40% -+.-+-
Albio Sires D NJ 17% -----+
Ike Skelton D MO 0% ------
Louise Slaughter D NY 33% ---+-+
Adam Smith D WA 33% --+--+
Adrian Smith R NE 50% ++--+-
Christopher Smith R NJ 50% ++-+--
Lamar Smith R TX 33% -+--+-
Victor Snyder D AR 0% ------
Hilda Solis D CA 33% ---+-+
Mark Souder R IN 40% -+--+.
Zachary Space D OH 17% ---+--
Jackie Speier D CA 0% --....
John Spratt D SC 17% ---+--
Fortney Stark D CA 50% +--+-+
Clifford Stearns R FL 50% ++--+-
Bart Stupak D MI 50% +--+-+
John Sullivan R OK 33% -+--+-
Betty Sutton D OH 33% ---+-+
Thomas Tancredo R CO 50% -++-+-
John Tanner D TN 0% ------
Ellen Tauscher D CA 17% -----+
Gene Taylor D MS 50% +-++--
Lee Terry R NE 33% -+--+-
Bennie Thompson D MS 50% +--+-+
Mike Thompson D CA 17% -----+
Mac Thornberry R TX 33% -+--+-
Todd Tiahrt R KS 50% ++--+-
Patrick Tiberi R OH 17% -+----
John Tierney D MA 33% ---+-+
Edolphus Towns D NY 17% -----+
Niki Tsongas D MA 25% ---+..
Michael Turner R OH 33% ++----
Fred Upton R MI 17% -+----
Nydia Velázquez D NY 33% ---+-+
Peter Visclosky D IN 50% +--+-+
Tim Walberg R MI 50% ++--+-
Greg Walden R OR 33% -+--+-
James Walsh R NY 17% -+----
Timothy Walz D MN 50% +--+-+
Zach Wamp R TN 33% -+--+-
Debbie Wasserman Schultz D FL 20% --.--+
Maxine Waters D CA 33% ---+-+
Diane Watson D CA 33% ---+-+
Melvin Watt D NC 17% -----+
Henry Waxman D CA 17% -----+
Anthony Weiner D NY 17% -----+
David Weldon R FL 33% -+--+-
Gerald Weller R IL 17% -+----
Lynn Westmoreland R GA 67% +++-+-
Robert Wexler D FL 50% --++-+
Ed Whitfield R KY 50% ++--+-
Heather Wilson R NM 33% -+--+-
Charles Wilson D OH 17% ---+--
Joe Wilson R SC 33% -+--+-
Robert Wittman R VA 67% ++-...
Frank Wolf R VA 17% -+----
Lynn Woolsey D CA 33% ---+-+
David Wu D OR 33% ---+-+
Albert Wynn D MD 50% ..-+-+
John Yarmuth D KY 33% ---+-+
C. Young R FL 50% ++--+-
Don Young R AK 50% ++--+-

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Democrat 27.1%
Republican 42.4%