Mel MartinezSenatorFloridaRepublican |
Constitutional Votes
|
Mel Martinez
Senator
Florida
Republican
Status: Former Legislator
Committees
Constitutional Votes
Score | Congress |
---|---|
38% | Lifetime |
50% | 111th (2009-2010) 111th (2009-2010) |
33% | 110th (2007-2008) 110th (2007-2008) |
43% | 109th (2005-2006) 109th (2005-2006) |
Voting History
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.
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.
This legislator voted constitutionally on 33% of the votes shown below. |
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No Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) amendment to S 600 Abortion (Adopted 52 to 46 on 4/5/2005, Roll Call 83). To repeal the rule prohibiting U.S. foreign aid from going to organizations that provide or promote abortions. During consideration of the State Department authorization bill (S. 600), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) offered an amendment to repeal the rule prohibiting U.S. foreign aid from going to organizations that provide or promote abortions. Known as the "Mexico City" policy, this rule was imposed by President Reagan, lifted by President Clinton, and then reinstated by the second President Bush. Any federal aid to provide or promote abortions violates the right to life. Read more about this rollcall. AbortionDuring consideration of the State Department authorization bill (S. 600), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) offered an amendment to repeal the rule prohibiting U.S. foreign aid from going to organizations that provide or promote abortions. Known as the "Mexico City" policy, this rule was imposed by President Reagan, lifted by President Clinton, and then reinstated by the second President Bush. The Senate adopted Boxer's amendment on April 5, 2005 by a vote of 52-46 (Roll Call 83). We have assigned pluses to the nays because any federal aid to provide or promote abortions violates the right to life. View vote details at senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00083 |
Yes HR 3199 Patriot Act Reauthorization (Adopted 89 to 10 on 3/2/2006, Roll Call 29). Would reauthorize the unconstitutional and so-called Patriot Act. See U.S. Const., amend. 4. This is the final version (conference report) of the Patriot Act reauthorization (H.R. 3199). In the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress quickly passed the so-called Patriot Act, which gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to combat terrorism. The act increased the ability of law enforcement to secretly search home and business records, expanded the FBI's wiretapping and surveillance authority, and expanded the list of crimes deemed terrorist acts. When passed in 2001 the bill included a "sunset" provision under which the new surveillance powers "shall cease to have effect on December 21, 2005." The Patriot Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 3199) considered by Congress last year would make permanent 14 of the 16 provisions included in the bill, and extend for four years the two remaining provisions. The Patriot Act tramples on the constitutionally protected rights of U.S. citizens. Read more about this rollcall. Patriot Act ReauthorizationThis is the final version (conference report) of the Patriot Act reauthorization (H.R. 3199). In the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress quickly passed the so-called Patriot Act, which gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies vast new powers to combat terrorism. The act increased the ability of law enforcement to secretly search home and business records, expanded the FBI's wiretapping and surveillance authority, and expanded the list of crimes deemed terrorist acts. When passed in 2001 the bill included a "sunset" provision under which the new surveillance powers "shall cease to have effect on December 21, 2005." The Patriot Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 3199) considered by Congress last year would make permanent 14 of the 16 provisions included in the bill, and extend for four years the two remaining provisions. The Senate adopted the conference report for H.R. 3199 on March 2, 2006 by a vote of 89-10 (Roll Call 29). We have assigned pluses to the nays because the Patriot Act tramples on the constitutionally protected rights of U.S. citizens. View vote details at senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00029 |
Yes HJR 47 National Debt Limit (Adopted 52 to 48 on 3/16/2006, Roll Call 54). Would increase the national debt limit to $8.97 trillion. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8. Estimated Cost Per Household: $6,828 This legislation (House Joint Resolution 47) would increase the national debt limit, also known as the federal debt limit, to $8.97 trillion, a $781 billion increase in what the federal government is allowed to borrow. Raising the public debt limit by $781 billion facilitates a steady increase of gross fiscal irresponsibility. Read more about this rollcall. National Debt LimitThis legislation (House Joint Resolution 47) would increase the national debt limit, also known as the federal debt limit, to $8.97 trillion, a $781 billion increase in what the federal government is allowed to borrow. The Senate adopted the measure to increase the national debt limit on March 16, 2006 by a vote of 52-48 (Roll Call 54). We have assigned pluses to the nays because raising the public debt limit by $781 billion facilitates a steady increase of gross fiscal irresponsibility. View vote details at senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00054 |
Yes S 2611 Guest-Workers/Amnesty (Passed 62 to 36 on 5/25/2006, Roll Call 157). Would effectively grant amnesty to the 12 million illegal immigrants who already reside in the United States and create a guest-worker program for up to 200,000 immigrants a year. The Senate version of the so-called immigration reform bill (S. 2611) would effectively grant amnesty to the 12 million illegal immigrants who already reside in the United States and create a guest-worker program for up to 200,000 immigrants a year. Although S. 2611 may provide additional security at the border, it would also reward those who have broken the law by granting them legal status and establish an immigrant verification system managed by the Department of Homeland Security. This bill would reward those who have unlawfully entered the country with legal status and greatly increase the level of legal immigration through guest-worker programs. Read more about this rollcall. Guest-worker/Amnesty Immigration "Reform"The Senate version of immigration "reform" (S. 2611) would effectively grant amnesty to the 12 million illegal immigrants who already reside in the United States and create a guest-worker program for up to 200,000 immigrants a year. Although S. 2611 may provide additional security at the border, it would also reward those who have broken the law by granting them legal status and establish an immigrant verification system managed by the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate passed S. 2611 on May 25, 2006 by a vote of 62-36 (Roll Call 157). We have assigned pluses to the nays because the bill would reward those who have unlawfully entered the country with legal status and greatly increase the level of legal immigration through guest-worker programs. View vote details at senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157 |
No Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA.) amendment to S 2766 Iraq Troop Withdrawal (Rejected 13 to 86 on 6/22/2006, Roll Call 181). Would require a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by July 2007. Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) attached this amendment to the Defense authorization bill (S. 2766) that would require the president to have a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops by July 2007, with the exception of those needed to train Iraqi troops, target terrorists, and protect American citizens. Our troops should only be sent to war when necessary to defend the United States and her citizens, and only when declared by Congress. Read more about this rollcall. Iraq Troop WithdrawalSenator John Kerry (D-Mass.) attached this amendment to the Defense authorization bill (S. 2766) that would require the president to have a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops by July 2007, with the exception of those needed to train Iraqi troops, target terrorists, and protect American citizens. The Senate rejected Kerry's amendment on June 22, 2006 by a vote of 13-86 (Roll Call 181). We have assigned pluses to the yeas because our troops should only be sent to war when necessary to defend the United States and her citizens, and only when declared by Congress. View vote details at senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00181 |
Yes Sen. David Vitter's (R-LA.) amendment to HR 5441 Firearm Seizure (Passed 84 to 16 on 7/13/2006, Roll Call 202). Would prohibit any Homeland Security funds from being used to seize lawfully owned firearms during a state of emergency. During consideration for the Homeland Security appropriations bill (H.R. 5441) Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) offered an amendment that would prohibit any funds in the bill from being used to seize lawfully owned firearms during a state of emergency. Vitter said this amendment was prompted by the confiscation of over 1,000 firearms by law enforcement officials in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Gun confiscation violates the Second Amendment. Read more about this rollcall. Firearm SeizureDuring consideration for the Homeland Security appropriations bill (H.R. 5441) Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) offered an amendment that would prohibit any funds in the bill from being used to seize lawfully owned firearms during a state of emergency. Vitter said this amendment was prompted by the confiscation of over 1,000 firearms by law enforcement officials in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Senate overwhelmingly passed the Vitter amendment by a vote of 84-16 on July 13, 2006 (Roll Call 202). We have assigned pluses to the yeas because gun confiscation violates the Second Amendment. View vote details at senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00202 |