Freedom Index

A Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

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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 112-1

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 112th Congress (January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013) and ranks congressmen based on his or her fidelity to constitutional and limited-government principles.

Senate
House

House of Representatives

1. Federal Reserve Audit

Good Vote: Yes

HR459 Federal Reserve Audit (Passed 327 to 98 on 7/25/2012, Roll Call 513).  Requires a full audit of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System by the comptroller general of the United States.

2. Immigration Enforcement

Good Vote: Yes

Amendment to HR5855 Immigration Enforcement (Passed 238 to 175 on 6/7/2012, Roll Call 363). Rep. King introduced an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce Immigration and Customs Enforcement memos.

3. Oil and Gas Development; Keystone XL Pipeline

Good Vote: Yes

HR3408 Oil and Gas Development; Keystone XL Pipeline (Passed 237 to 187 on 2/16/2012, Roll Call 71). Would open up part of Alaska's resource-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development. 

4. South Korea Trade Agreement

Good Vote: No

HR3080 South Korea Trade Agreement (Passed 278 to 151 on 10/12/2011, Roll Call 783). Both the House and Senate approved three separate trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama.

5. Patriot Act Extension

Good Vote: No

S990 Patriot Act Extension (Passed 250 to 153 on 5/26/2011, Roll Call 376). Extended for four years three provisions of the Patriot Act that were set to expire.

6. Omnibus Appropriations

Good Vote: No

HR2055 Omnibus Appropriations (Passed 296 to 121 on 12/16/2011, Roll Call 941). This catch-all legislative package (H.R. 2055), which would provide $915 billion in discretionary appropriations for fiscal 2012.

Legislator Scores

Legend: [ + ] Constitutional Vote[ - ] Unconstitutional Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party State Score 123456
Gary Ackerman D NY 17% ----+-
Sandy Adams R FL 50% ++---+
Robert Aderholt R AL 67% ++++--
W. Akin R MO 75% +.+-.+
Rodney Alexander R LA 50% +++---
Jason Altmire D PA 67% ++++--
Justin Amash L MI 67% +-+-++
Mark Amodei R NV 80% +++-.+
Robert Andrews D NJ 17% ---+--
Steve Austria R OH 60% ++.--+
Joe Baca D CA 40% +--+.-
Michele Bachmann R MN 60% +++--.
Spencer Bachus R AL 50% +++---
Ron Barber D AZ 100% +.....
Lou Barletta R PA 50% +++---
John Barrow D GA 67% ++++--
Roscoe Bartlett R MD 83% +++-++
Joe Barton R TX 50% +++---
Charles Bass R NH 33% ++----
Karen Bass D CA 40% -.-++-
Xavier Becerra D CA 0% ----.-
Dan Benishek R MI 50% +++---
Rick Berg R ND 67% +++--+
Shelley Berkley D NV 33% +--+--
Howard Berman D CA 20% +---.-
Judy Biggert R IL 50% +++---
Brian Bilbray R CA 33% ++----
Gus Bilirakis R FL 20% +.----
Rob Bishop R UT 100% ++++++
Sanford Bishop D GA 50% +-++--
Timothy Bishop D NY 33% +--+--
Diane Black R TN 50% +++---
Earl Blumenauer D OR 17% ----+-
John Boehner R OH 100% ..+...
Suzanne Bonamici D OR 0% ---...
Jo Bonner R AL 50% +++---
Mary Bono Mack R CA 50% ++.-.-
Dan Boren D OK 50% +++---
Leonard Boswell D IA 50% +-++--
Charles Boustany R LA 80% +++-.+
Kevin Brady R TX 50% +++---
Robert Brady D PA 33% ---++-
Bruce Braley D IA 50% +--++-
Mo Brooks R AL 67% +++--+
Paul Broun R GA 83% +++-++
Corrine Brown D FL 17% ---+--
Vern Buchanan R FL 40% ++--.-
Larry Bucshon R IN 67% +++--+
Ann Marie Buerkle R NY 67% +++--+
Michael Burgess R TX 50% +++---
Dan Burton R IN 67% +++--+
George Butterfield D NC 17% ---+--
Ken Calvert R CA 50% +++---
Dave Camp R MI 50% +++---
John Campbell R CA 80% ++.-++
Francisco Canseco R TX 50% +++---
Eric Cantor R VA 50% +++---
Lois Capps D CA 33% ---++-
Michael Capuano D MA 50% ---+++
Dennis Cardoza D CA 20% ---+-.
Russ Carnahan D MO 50% +--++-
John Carney D DE 0% ------
André Carson D IN 40% ---++.
John Carter R TX 50% +++---
Kathy Castor D FL 0% ----.-
Steve Chabot R OH 67% +++--+
Jason Chaffetz R UT 83% +++-++
Ben Chandler D KY 33% ++----
Judy Chu D CA 33% ---++-
David Cicilline D RI 50% +--++-
Hansen Clarke D MI 67% +--+++
Yvette Clarke D NY 67% +--+++
Wm. Clay D MO 50% +--++-
Emanuel Cleaver D MO 60% --.+++
James Clyburn D SC 17% ----+-
Howard Coble R NC 75% +.++-.
Mike Coffman R CO 67% +++--+
Steve Cohen D TN 50% +--++-
Tom Cole R OK 50% +++---
K. Conaway R TX 50% +++---
Gerald Connolly D VA 33% +---+-
John Conyers D MI 25% -.-+.-
Jim Cooper D TN 33% --+--+
Jim Costa D CA 33% +-+---
Jerry Costello D IL 67% +--+++
Joe Courtney D CT 50% +--++-
Chip Cravaack R MN 67% +++--+
Eric Crawford R AR 50% +++---
Ander Crenshaw R FL 50% +++---
Mark Critz D PA 50% +-++--
Joseph Crowley D NY 17% ----+-
Henry Cuellar D TX 33% +-+---
John Culberson R TX 50% +++---
Elijah Cummings D MD 33% ---++-
Geoff Davis R KY 60% +++--.
Danny Davis D IL 17% ----+-
Susan Davis D CA 0% ------
Peter DeFazio D OR 67% +--+++
Diana DeGette D CO 17% ----+-
Rosa DeLauro D CT 33% ---++-
Jeff Denham R CA 50% +++---
Charles Dent R PA 50% +++---
Scott DesJarlais R TN 67% +++--+
Theodore Deutch D FL 17% ---+--
Mario Diaz-Balart R FL 17% +-----
Norman Dicks D WA 0% ------
John Dingell D MI 20% ---+.-
Lloyd Doggett D TX 50% +--++-
Bob Dold R IL 33% ++----
Michael Doyle D PA 67% +--+++
David Dreier R CA 50% +++---
Sean Duffy R WI 50% +++---
Jeff Duncan R SC 100% ++++++
John Duncan R TN 100% ++++++
Donna Edwards D MD 33% ---++-
Keith Ellison D MN 50% ---+++
Renee Ellmers R NC 67% ++++--
Jo Ann Emerson R MO 50% +++---
Eliot Engel D NY 33% ---++-
Anna Eshoo D CA 17% ----+-
Blake Farenthold R TX 50% +++---
Sam Farr D CA 50% +--++-
Chaka Fattah D PA 33% ---++-
Bob Filner D CA 67% +.-+..
Stephen Fincher R TN 50% +++---
Michael Fitzpatrick R PA 67% +++-+-
Charles Fleischmann R TN 50% +++---
John Fleming R LA 67% +++--+
Bill Flores R TX 50% +++---
J. Forbes R VA 50% +++---
Jeff Fortenberry R NE 67% +++--+
Virginia Foxx R NC 67% ++++--
Barney Frank D MA 50% ---+++
Trent Franks R AZ 67% +++--+
Rodney Frelinghuysen R NJ 33% ++----
Marcia Fudge D OH 50% ---+++
Elton Gallegly R CA 50% +++---
John Garamendi D CA 40% .--++-
Scott Garrett R NJ 67% +++--+
Jim Gerlach R PA 50% +++---
Bob Gibbs R OH 50% +++---
Christopher Gibson R NY 67% +++-+-
Gabrielle Giffords D AZ NA ......
Phil Gingrey R GA 67% +++--+
Louie Gohmert R TX 67% +++--+
Charles Gonzalez D TX 17% ----+-
Bob Goodlatte R VA 67% +++--+
Paul Gosar R AZ 50% +++---
Trey Gowdy R SC 83% ++++-+
Kay Granger R TX 50% +++---
Sam Graves R MO 50% +++---
Tom Graves R GA 83% +++-++
Al Green D TX 67% +-+++-
Gene Green D TX 60% +-++.-
Tim Griffin R AR 50% +++---
H. Griffith R VA 100% ++++++
Raul Grijalva D AZ 67% +--+++
Michael Grimm R NY 50% +++---
Frank Guinta R NH 67% +++--+
Brett Guthrie R KY 60% +++--.
Luis Gutierrez D IL 40% ---++.
Janice Hahn D CA 60% +--+.+
Ralph Hall R TX 50% +++---
Colleen Hanabusa D HI 17% ----+-
Richard Hanna R NY 67% +++-+-
Jane Harman D CA NA ......
Gregg Harper R MS 50% +++---
Andy Harris R MD 83% +++-++
Vicky Hartzler R MO 50% +++---
Alcee Hastings D FL 33% ---++-
Doc Hastings R WA 60% +++-.-
Nan Hayworth R NY 33% ++----
Joseph Heck R NV 50% +++---
Jeb Hensarling R TX 50% +++---
Walter Herger R CA 60% +++--.
Jaime Herrera Beutler R WA 67% +++-+-
Brian Higgins D NY 33% +--+--
James Himes D CT 17% ----+-
Maurice Hinchey D NY 33% ---++-
Ruben Hinojosa D TX 50% +-++--
Kathleen Hochul D NY 60% +-++.-
Tim Holden D PA 50% +--+-+
Rush Holt D NJ 33% ---++-
Michael Honda D CA 50% +--++-
Steny Hoyer D MD 0% ------
Tim Huelskamp R KS 80% +++-.+
Bill Huizenga R MI 67% +++--+
Randy Hultgren R IL 67% +++--+
Duncan Hunter R CA 67% ++++--
Robert Hurt R VA 83% ++++-+
Jay Inslee D WA 25% ..--+-
Steve Israel D NY 17% ---+--
Darrell Issa R CA 50% +++---
Jesse Jackson D IL 25% .--+.-
Sheila Jackson-Lee D TX 40% .--++-
Lynn Jenkins R KS 50% +++---
Timothy Johnson R IL 50% ++--+-
Bill Johnson R OH 67% +++--+
Eddie Johnson D TX 0% -----.
Henry Johnson D GA 33% ---++-
Sam Johnson R TX 50% +++---
Walter Jones Jr. R NC 100% ++++++
Jim Jordan R OH 67% +++--+
Marcy Kaptur D OH 33% ---++-
William Keating D MA 17% ---+--
Mike Kelly R PA 50% +++---
Dale Kildee D MI 50% +--++-
Ron Kind D WI 17% -----+
Peter King R NY 50% +++---
Steve King R IA 67% +++--+
Jack Kingston R GA 50% +++---
Adam Kinzinger R IL 67% +++--+
Larry Kissell D NC 67% ++++--
John Kline R MN 50% +++---
Dennis Kucinich D OH 80% +.-+++
Raul Labrador R ID 83% +++-++
Doug Lamborn R CO 67% +++--+
Leonard Lance R NJ 50% +++---
Jeff Landry R LA 67% +++--+
James Langevin D RI 33% +--+--
Rick Larsen D WA 17% ----+-
John Larson D CT 17% ----+-
Tom Latham R IA 50% +++---
Steven LaTourette R OH 60% +.++--
Robert Latta R OH 50% +++---
Christopher Lee R NY NA ......
Barbara Lee D CA 50% ---+++
Sander Levin D MI 0% ------
Jerry Lewis R CA 40% +.+---
John Lewis D GA 50% ---+++
Daniel Lipinski D IL 50% ++-+--
Frank LoBiondo R NJ 50% ++-+--
David Loebsack D IA 50% +--++-
Zoe Lofgren D CA 67% +--+++
Billy Long R MO 60% +++-.-
Nita Lowey D NY 0% ------
Frank Lucas R OK 50% +++---
Blaine Luetkemeyer R MO 50% +++---
Daniel Lungren R CA 50% +++---
Stephen Lynch D MA 50% +--++-
Connie Mack R FL 80% ++.-++
Carolyn Maloney D NY 17% ----+-
Donald Manzullo R IL 83% +++-++
Kenny Marchant R TX 67% +++--+
Tom Marino R PA 40% +.+---
Jim Matheson D UT 50% +-+--+
Doris Matsui D CA 17% ----+-
Carolyn McCarthy D NY 20% +---.-
Kevin McCarthy R CA 50% +++---
Michael McCaul R TX 50% +++---
Tom McClintock R CA 83% +++-++
Betty McCollum D MN 33% ---++-
Thaddeus McCotter R MI 60% .++--+
Jim McDermott D WA 17% ----+-
James McGovern D MA 50% +--++-
Patrick McHenry R NC 83% ++++-+
Mike McIntyre D NC 67% ++++--
Howard McKeon R CA 60% +++-.-
David McKinley R WV 67% ++++--
Jerry McNerney D CA 50% +--++-
Patrick Meehan R PA 50% +++---
Gregory Meeks D NY 17% ----+-
John Mica R FL 50% +++---
Michael Michaud D ME 50% +--++-
R. Miller D NC 17% ---+--
Candice Miller R MI 50% +++---
Gary Miller R CA 67% +++--+
George Miller D CA 20% ---+.-
Jeff Miller R FL 33% ++----
Gwen Moore D WI 33% ---++-
James Moran D VA 33% +---+-
Mick Mulvaney R SC 83% ++++-+
Tim Murphy R PA 67% +++--+
Sue Myrick R NC 75% +.++.-
Jerrold Nadler D NY 50% +--++-
Grace Napolitano D CA 40% ---++.
Richard Neal D MA 20% -.--+-
Randy Neugebauer R TX 67% +++--+
Kristi Noem R SD 67% +++--+
Richard Nugent R FL 33% ++----
Devin Nunes R CA 50% +++---
Alan Nunnelee R MS 60% +++--.
Pete Olson R TX 50% +++---
John Olver D MA 20% ---+.-
William Owens D NY 40% +-+-.-
Steven Palazzo R MS 50% +++---
Frank Pallone D NJ 33% ---++-
Bill Pascrell D NJ 33% +--+--
Ed Pastor D AZ 50% +--++-
Ron Paul R TX 100% +...+.
Erik Paulsen R MN 33% ++----
Donald Payne D NJ 67% ...++-
Stevan Pearce R NM 50% +++---
Nancy Pelosi D CA 17% ----+-
Mike Pence R IN 67% +++--+
Ed Perlmutter D CO 50% +--++-
Collin Peterson D MN 50% +++---
Thomas Petri R WI 67% +++--+
Chellie Pingree D ME 67% +--+++
Joseph Pitts R PA 50% +++---
Todd Platts R PA 50% +++---
Ted Poe R TX 67% +++--+
Jared Polis D CO 50% +---++
Mike Pompeo R KS 60% +++-.-
Bill Posey R FL 83% +++-++
David Price D NC 17% ----+-
Tom Price R GA 50% +++---
Ben Quayle R AZ 67% +++--+
Mike Quigley D IL 33% +----+
Nick Rahall D WV 50% ++-+--
Charles Rangel D NY 40% --.-++
Tom Reed R NY 67% +++--+
Dennis Rehberg R MT 67% +++-+-
David Reichert R WA 33% ++----
James Renacci R OH 50% +++---
Silvestre Reyes D TX 17% ---+--
Reid Ribble R WI 67% +++--+
Laura Richardson D CA 67% +--+++
Cedric Richmond D LA 40% .-+-+-
E. Rigell R VA 50% +++---
David Rivera R FL 33% +----+
Martha Roby R AL 50% +++---
Cathy McMorris Rodgers R WA 50% +++---
David Roe R TN 67% +++-+-
Harold Rogers R KY 50% +++---
Mike Rogers R MI 50% +++---
Mike Rogers * R AL 50% +++---
Dana Rohrabacher R CA 83% +++++-
Todd Rokita R IN 67% +++-+-
Thomas Rooney R FL 50% +++---
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R FL 17% +-----
Peter Roskam R IL 50% +++---
Mike Ross D AR 33% +-+---
Dennis Ross R FL 67% +++--+
Steven Rothman D NJ 0% ------
Lucille Roybal-Allard D CA 33% ---++-
Edward Royce R CA 67% +++--+
Jon Runyan R NJ 40% +.+---
C. Ruppersberger D MD 33% +--+--
Bobby Rush D IL 33% ---++-
Paul Ryan R WI 50% +++---
Tim Ryan D OH 50% ---+++
Loretta Sanchez D CA 25% +-.-.-
Linda Sanchez D CA 33% ---++-
John Sarbanes D MD 33% ---++-
Steve Scalise R LA 50% +++---
Janice Schakowsky D IL 50% ---+++
Adam Schiff D CA 17% +-----
Robert Schilling R IL 67% +++--+
Jean Schmidt R OH 67% +++--+
Aaron Schock R IL 50% +++---
Kurt Schrader D OR 33% +---+-
Allyson Schwartz D PA 0% ------
David Schweikert R AZ 67% +++--+
Austin Scott R GA 50% +++---
David Scott D GA 33% +--+--
Robert Scott D VA 33% +---+-
F. Sensenbrenner R WI 67% +++--+
José Serrano D NY 33% ---++-
Pete Sessions R TX 50% +++---
Terri Sewell D AL 0% ------
Brad Sherman D CA 50% +--++-
John Shimkus R IL 50% +++---
Heath Shuler D NC 25% -..+--
Bill Shuster R PA 50% +++---
Mike Simpson R ID 50% +++---
Albio Sires D NJ 20% ---+.-
Louise Slaughter D NY 25% -.-.+-
Adam Smith D WA 17% +-----
Adrian Smith R NE 50% +++---
Christopher Smith R NJ 50% ++-+--
Lamar Smith R TX 50% +++---
Steve Southerland R FL 50% ++---+
Jackie Speier D CA 60% +--++.
Fortney Stark D CA 50% ---+++
Clifford Stearns R FL 67% +++--+
Steve Stivers R OH 40% .++---
Marlin Stutzman R IN 67% +++--+
John Sullivan R OK 60% +++-.-
Betty Sutton D OH 50% +--++-
Lee Terry R NE 67% +++--+
Bennie Thompson D MS 33% ---++-
Mike Thompson D CA 50% +---++
Glenn Thompson R PA 50% +++---
Mac Thornberry R TX 50% +++---
Patrick Tiberi R OH 50% +++---
John Tierney D MA 50% +--++-
Scott Tipton R CO 83% +++-++
Paul Tonko D NY 50% +--++-
Edolphus Towns D NY 60% -.-+++
Niki Tsongas D MA 33% +--+--
Robert Turner R NY 40% -++-.-
Michael Turner R OH 67% +++--+
Fred Upton R MI 50% +++---
Nydia Velázquez D NY 50% ---+++
Peter Visclosky D IN 50% +--++-
Tim Walberg R MI 67% +++--+
Greg Walden R OR 50% +++---
Joe Walsh R IL 67% +++--+
Timothy Walz D MN 50% ++--+-
Debbie Wasserman Schultz D FL 0% ------
Maxine Waters D CA 67% +--+++
Melvin Watt D NC 33% ---++-
Henry Waxman D CA 50% ---+++
Daniel Webster R FL 50% +++---
Anthony Weiner D NY 100% ....+.
Allen West R FL 50% ++--+-
Lynn Westmoreland R GA 67% +++--+
Ed Whitfield R KY 50% +++---
Joe Wilson R SC 83% ++++-+
Frederica Wilson D FL 20% ---.+-
Robert Wittman R VA 67% +++--+
Frank Wolf R VA 50% +++---
Steve Womack R AR 50% +++---
Rob Woodall R GA 67% +++-+-
Lynn Woolsey D CA 50% ---+++
David Wu D OR 100% ....+.
John Yarmuth D KY 50% +--++-
Kevin Yoder R KS 50% +++---
C. Young R FL 33% ++----
Don Young R AK 67% +++-+-

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Democrat 36.9%
Republican 58.3%
Libertarian 67%