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 113-1

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 113th Congress (January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015) and ranks congressmen based on his or her fidelity to constitutional and limited-government principles.

Senate
House

House of Representatives

1. Omnibus Appropriations

Good Vote: No

HR83 Omnibus Appropriations (Passed 219 to 206 on 12/11/2014, Roll Call 563). Provides $1.013 trillion in discretionary appropriations in fiscal 2015 for federal departments and agencies.

2. Keystone XL Pipeline

Good Vote: Yes

HR3 Keystone XL Pipeline (Passed 241 to 175 on 5/22/2013, Roll Call 179). Declares that "no Presidential permit shall be required for the pipeline described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, by TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P."

3. Surveillance

Good Vote: Yes

HR4870 Surveillance (Passed 293 to 123 on 6/19/2014, Roll Call 327). Prevents defense funds from being used to allow U.S. intelligence agencies to sift through electronic metadata that contains the personal information of U.S. citizens.

4. Militarizing Local Police

Good Vote: Yes

Amendment to HR4870 Militarizing Local Police (Rejected 62 to 355 on 6/19/2014, Roll Call 329).  Prohibited any funding in the bill from being used to transfer excess military equipment for police.

5. Ukraine Aid

Good Vote: No

HR4152 Ukraine Aid (Passed 378 to 34 on 4/1/2014, Roll Call 149). Provides $150 million for direct aid to Ukraine.

6. Short-term Debt Limit Increase

Good Vote: No

HR325 Short-term Debt Limit Increase (Passed 285 to 144 on 1/23/2013, Roll Call 30). Would suspend the public debt limit through May 18, 2013 and, in effect, allow the Treasury Department to borrow as much as it needs in order to pay its bills over the next four months.

Legislator Scores

Legend: [ + ] Constitutional Vote[ - ] Unconstitutional Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party State Score 123456
Alma Adams D NC 100% +.....
Robert Aderholt R AL 17% -+----
Rodney Alexander R LA 50% .+...-
Justin Amash L MI 100% +.++++
Mark Amodei R NV 33% -++---
Robert Andrews D NJ 50% .-...+
Michele Bachmann R MN 50% ++---+
Spencer Bachus R AL 17% -+----
Ron Barber D AZ 0% ------
Lou Barletta R PA 17% -+----
Garland Barr R KY 17% -+----
John Barrow D GA 50% -+-+-+
Joe Barton R TX 50% +++---
Karen Bass D CA 50% +-+--+
Joyce Beatty D OH 33% +----+
Xavier Becerra D CA 50% +-+--+
Dan Benishek R MI 17% -+----
Kerry Bentivolio R MI 67% +++-+-
Ami Bera D CA 17% --+---
Gus Bilirakis R FL 17% -+----
Rob Bishop R UT 33% -++---
Sanford Bishop D GA 33% -++---
Timothy Bishop D NY 17% --+---
Diane Black R TN 33% -++---
Earl Blumenauer D OR 67% +-++-+
John Boehner R OH 0% -....-
Suzanne Bonamici D OR 50% +-+--+
Jo Bonner R AL 0% .....-
Charles Boustany R LA 17% -+----
Kevin Brady R TX 17% -+----
Robert Brady D PA 33% --+--+
Bruce Braley D IA 50% +-++--
David Brat R VA 100% +.....
Jim Bridenstine R OK 83% ++++-+
Mo Brooks R AL 67% +++--+
Susan Brooks R IN 17% -+----
Paul Broun R GA 100% ++++++
Corrine Brown D FL 50% +-+--+
Julia Brownley D CA 0% ------
Vern Buchanan R FL 40% -++-.-
Larry Bucshon R IN 33% -++---
Michael Burgess R TX 50% +++---
Cheri Bustos D IL 17% -+----
George Butterfield D NC 33% +-+---
Bradley Byrne R AL 25% -.+--.
Ken Calvert R CA 17% -+----
Dave Camp R MI 17% -+----
John Campbell R CA 50% .++-.-
Eric Cantor R VA 20% .+----
Lois Capps D CA 33% +-+---
Michael Capuano D MA 50% .-+-.+
Tony Cardenas D CA 60% +-++-.
John Carney D DE 17% --+---
André Carson D IN 50% +-+--+
John Carter R TX 17% -+----
Matthew Cartwright D PA 67% +-++-+
Kathy Castor D FL 50% +-++--
Joaquin Castro D TX 33% +-+---
Steve Chabot R OH 33% -++---
Jason Chaffetz R UT 33% -++---
Judy Chu D CA 67% +-++-+
David Cicilline D RI 40% +-+-.-
Katherine Clark D MA 50% +.+--.
Yvette Clarke D NY 50% +-+--+
Curtis Clawson R FL 100% +.....
Wm. Clay D MO 33% --+--+
Emanuel Cleaver D MO 40% .-+--+
James Clyburn D SC 40% -.+--+
Howard Coble R NC 33% -+---+
Mike Coffman R CO 33% -++---
Steve Cohen D TN 50% +-+--+
Tom Cole R OK 0% -.----
Doug Collins R GA 50% -++--+
Chris Collins R NY 17% -+----
K. Conaway R TX 33% ++----
Gerald Connolly D VA 17% --+---
John Conyers D MI 67% +-++-+
Paul Cook R CA 33% -++---
Jim Cooper D TN 33% ++----
Jim Costa D CA 20% -+--.-
Joe Courtney D CT 33% +-+---
Eric Crawford R AR 33% ++----
Ander Crenshaw R FL 17% -+----
Joseph Crowley D NY 33% --+--+
Henry Cuellar D TX 33% -++---
John Culberson R TX 33% -++---
Elijah Cummings D MD 50% +-+--+
Danny Davis D IL 50% +-+--+
Susan Davis D CA 33% --+--+
Rodney Davis R IL 17% -+----
Peter DeFazio D OR 33% +-+---
Diana DeGette D CO 60% +.+--+
John Delaney D MD 0% ------
Rosa DeLauro D CT 50% +-+--+
Suzan DelBene D WA 33% +-+---
Jeff Denham R CA 17% -+----
Charles Dent R PA 17% -+----
Ron DeSantis R FL 50% +++---
Scott DesJarlais R TN 83% +++-++
Theodore Deutch D FL 33% +-+---
Mario Diaz-Balart R FL 0% -.----
John Dingell D MI 33% --+--+
Lloyd Doggett D TX 33% +-+---
Michael Doyle D PA 50% +-+--+
Sean Duffy R WI 33% -++---
Jeff Duncan R SC 67% +++-+-
John Duncan R TN 100% ++++++
Donna Edwards D MD 67% +-++-+
Keith Ellison D MN 67% +-++-+
Renee Ellmers R NC 17% -+----
Jo Ann Emerson R MO NA ......
Eliot Engel D NY 50% +-+--+
William Enyart D IL 50% +++---
Anna Eshoo D CA 50% +-+--+
Elizabeth Esty D CT 33% +-+---
Blake Farenthold R TX 50% +++---
Sam Farr D CA 33% --+--+
Chaka Fattah D PA 33% --+--+
Stephen Fincher R TN 40% -++-.-
Michael Fitzpatrick R PA 33% -++---
Charles Fleischmann R TN 33% -++---
John Fleming R LA 50% +++---
Bill Flores R TX 50% +++---
J. Forbes R VA 17% -+----
Jeff Fortenberry R NE 33% -++---
Bill Foster D IL 17% --+---
Virginia Foxx R NC 33% -++---
Lois Frankel D FL 33% +----+
Trent Franks R AZ 33% ++----
Rodney Frelinghuysen R NJ 17% -+----
Marcia Fudge D OH 50% +-..-+
Tulsi Gabbard D HI 50% +-+--+
Pete Gallego D TX 0% ------
John Garamendi D CA 17% --+---
Joe Garcia D FL 50% +-+--+
Scott Garrett R NJ 67% +++-+-
Jim Gerlach R PA 17% -+----
Bob Gibbs R OH 33% -++---
Christopher Gibson R NY 67% -++++-
Phil Gingrey R GA 33% -+---+
Louie Gohmert R TX 67% +++--+
Bob Goodlatte R VA 17% -+----
Paul Gosar R AZ 67% +++-+-
Trey Gowdy R SC 67% +++-+-
Kay Granger R TX 17% -+----
Sam Graves R MO 20% -+--.-
Tom Graves R GA 50% -++-+-
Alan Grayson D FL 83% +-++++
Al Green D TX 50% +++---
Gene Green D TX 60% +++--.
Tim Griffin R AR 33% -++---
H. Griffith R VA 67% ++++--
Raul Grijalva D AZ 67% +-++-+
Michael Grimm R NY 17% -+----
Brett Guthrie R KY 33% -++---
Luis Gutierrez D IL 60% +-+-.+
Janice Hahn D CA 33% +-+---
Ralph Hall R TX 40% .++---
Colleen Hanabusa D HI 50% +-+--+
Richard Hanna R NY 40% -++-.-
Gregg Harper R MS 33% -++---
Andy Harris R MD 33% -++---
Vicky Hartzler R MO 17% -+----
Alcee Hastings D FL 50% +-+--+
Doc Hastings R WA 17% -+----
Joseph Heck R NV 33% -+---+
Denny Heck D WA 33% +-+---
Jeb Hensarling R TX 40% .++---
Jaime Herrera Beutler R WA 60% -.+-++
Brian Higgins D NY 33% +-+---
James Himes D CT 0% ------
Ruben Hinojosa D TX 33% ++----
George Holding R NC 33% -+--+-
Rush Holt D NJ 67% +-++-+
Michael Honda D CA 67% +-++-+
Steven Horsford D NV 17% --+---
Steny Hoyer D MD 17% -----+
Richard Hudson R NC 50% -++--+
Tim Huelskamp R KS 83% +++-++
Jared Huffman D CA 50% +-+--+
Bill Huizenga R MI 33% -++---
Randy Hultgren R IL 33% -++---
Duncan Hunter R CA 33% -++---
Robert Hurt R VA 50% +++---
Steve Israel D NY 17% +-----
Darrell Issa R CA 33% -++---
Sheila Jackson-Lee D TX 50% +-+--+
Hakeem Jeffries D NY 50% +-+--+
Lynn Jenkins R KS 33% -++---
Bill Johnson R OH 17% -+----
Eddie Johnson D TX 50% +-+--+
Henry Johnson D GA 67% +-++-+
Sam Johnson R TX 50% +++---
David Jolly R FL 0% -.---.
Walter Jones Jr. R NC 100% ++++++
Jim Jordan R OH 67% ++++--
David Joyce R OH 20% -+--.-
Marcy Kaptur D OH 33% --+--+
William Keating D MA 33% +-+---
Mike Kelly R PA 17% -+----
Robin Kelly D IL 40% +-+--.
Joseph Kennedy D MA 33% +----+
Daniel Kildee D MI 50% +-+--+
Derek Kilmer D WA 33% +-+---
Ron Kind D WI 17% --+---
Peter King R NY 33% -+---+
Steve King R IA 67% +++--+
Jack Kingston R GA 60% -+++.-
Adam Kinzinger R IL 17% -+----
Ann Kirkpatrick D AZ 25% +-..--
John Kline R MN 17% -+----
Ann Kuster D NH 17% --+---
Raul Labrador R ID 83% +++++-
Doug LaMalfa R CA 50% +++---
Doug Lamborn R CO 50% +++---
Leonard Lance R NJ 33% -++---
James Langevin D RI 17% +-----
Rick Larsen D WA 50% +-+--+
John Larson D CT 50% +-+--+
Tom Latham R IA 17% -+----
Robert Latta R OH 33% -++---
Barbara Lee D CA 67% +-++-+
Sander Levin D MI 33% +----+
John Lewis D GA 50% +-++--
Daniel Lipinski D IL 0% --.---
Frank LoBiondo R NJ 17% -+----
David Loebsack D IA 33% +-+---
Zoe Lofgren D CA 50% +-+--+
Billy Long R MO 17% -+----
Alan Lowenthal D CA 33% +-+---
Nita Lowey D NY 33% --+--+
Frank Lucas R OK 17% -+----
Blaine Luetkemeyer R MO 33% -++---
Michelle Lujan Grisham D NM 25% +-..--
Stephen Lynch D MA 40% +-+-.-
Daniel Maffei D NY 33% --++--
Carolyn Maloney D NY 50% +-+--+
Sean Maloney D NY 33% -++---
Kenny Marchant R TX 50% +++---
Tom Marino R PA 17% -+----
Thomas Massie R KY 100% ++++++
Jim Matheson D UT 33% -+-+--
Doris Matsui D CA 67% +-++-+
Vance McAllister R LA 75% +.+-+.
Carolyn McCarthy D NY 0% --..--
Kevin McCarthy R CA 17% -+----
Michael McCaul R TX 17% -+----
Tom McClintock R CA 83% ++++-+
Betty McCollum D MN 50% +-+--+
Jim McDermott D WA 67% +-++-+
James McGovern D MA 67% +-++-+
Patrick McHenry R NC 33% -++---
Mike McIntyre D NC 50% +++---
Howard McKeon R CA 17% -+----
David McKinley R WV 50% +++---
Jerry McNerney D CA 50% +-++--
Mark Meadows R NC 50% +++---
Patrick Meehan R PA 17% -+----
Gregory Meeks D NY 33% --+--+
Grace Meng D NY 40% +-+-.-
Luke Messer R IN 17% -+----
John Mica R FL 33% -++---
Michael Michaud D ME 33% +-+---
Candice Miller R MI 33% -++---
Gary Miller R CA 0% ..--.-
George Miller D CA 50% --++-+
Jeff Miller R FL 33% ++----
Gwen Moore D WI 50% +-+--+
James Moran D VA 17% --+---
Mick Mulvaney R SC 75% ++..+-
Tim Murphy R PA 17% -+----
Patrick Murphy D FL 17% -+----
Jerrold Nadler D NY 67% +-++-+
Grace Napolitano D CA 50% +-+--+
Richard Neal D MA 33% +-+---
Gloria Negrete McLeod D CA 60% .-++-+
Randy Neugebauer R TX 67% +++--+
Kristi Noem R SD 33% -++---
Richard Nolan D MN 33% +-+---
Donald Norcross D NJ 0% -.....
Richard Nugent R FL 33% -++---
Devin Nunes R CA 17% -+----
Alan Nunnelee R MS 25% -+..--
Beto O'Rourke D TX 67% +-+++-
Pete Olson R TX 50% +++---
William Owens D NY 33% -++---
Steven Palazzo R MS 33% -++---
Frank Pallone D NJ 67% +-++-+
Bill Pascrell D NJ 50% +-+--+
Ed Pastor D AZ 20% --+-.-
Erik Paulsen R MN 33% -++---
Donald Payne D NJ 60% +.+--+
Stevan Pearce R NM 33% -+---+
Nancy Pelosi D CA 50% +-+--+
Ed Perlmutter D CO 50% --++-+
Scott Perry R PA 67% ++++--
Scott Peters D CA 0% ------
Collin Peterson D MN 33% ++----
Thomas Petri R WI 67% -+++-+
Chellie Pingree D ME 50% +-+--+
Robert Pittenger R NC 17% -+----
Joseph Pitts R PA 17% -+----
Mark Pocan D WI 67% +-++-+
Ted Poe R TX 67% +++--+
Jared Polis D CO 25% +-..--
Mike Pompeo R KS 33% ++----
Bill Posey R FL 83% +++-++
David Price D NC 33% --+--+
Tom Price R GA 33% -++---
Mike Quigley D IL 17% --+---
Trey Radel R FL 50% .+...-
Nick Rahall D WV 33% +-+---
Charles Rangel D NY 50% +-..-+
Tom Reed R NY 33% -++---
David Reichert R WA 17% -+----
James Renacci R OH 17% -+----
Reid Ribble R WI 33% -++---
Tom Rice R SC 67% +++-+-
Cedric Richmond D LA 25% --..-+
E. Rigell R VA 17% -+----
Martha Roby R AL 17% -+----
Cathy McMorris Rodgers R WA 33% -++---
David Roe R TN 33% -++---
Harold Rogers R KY 17% -+----
Mike Rogers R MI 17% -+----
Mike Rogers * R AL 33% ++----
Dana Rohrabacher R CA 100% ++++.+
Todd Rokita R IN 50% -++-+-
Thomas Rooney R FL 50% -++-+-
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R FL 0% -.----
Peter Roskam R IL 17% -+----
Dennis Ross R FL 33% -++---
Keith Rothfus R PA 33% -++---
Lucille Roybal-Allard D CA 50% +-+--+
Edward Royce R CA 17% -+----
Raul Ruiz D CA 17% --+---
Jon Runyan R NJ 33% -++---
C. Ruppersberger D MD 0% ------
Bobby Rush D IL 33% +-..-.
Paul Ryan R WI 33% -++---
Tim Ryan D OH 50% +-..-+
Matt Salmon R AZ 83% +++-++
Loretta Sanchez D CA 67% +-++-+
Linda Sanchez D CA 50% +-+--+
Marshall Sanford R SC 100% +++++.
John Sarbanes D MD 80% +.++-+
Steve Scalise R LA 33% -++---
Janice Schakowsky D IL 67% +-++-+
Adam Schiff D CA 33% +----+
Bradley Schneider D IL 17% --+---
Aaron Schock R IL 33% -++---
Kurt Schrader D OR 33% +-+---
Allyson Schwartz D PA 33% --+--+
David Schweikert R AZ 50% +++---
Austin Scott R GA 50% +++---
David Scott D GA 17% --+---
Robert Scott D VA 67% +-++-+
F. Sensenbrenner R WI 67% +++--+
José Serrano D NY 67% +-++-+
Pete Sessions R TX 33% -++---
Terri Sewell D AL 17% -+----
Carol Shea-Porter D NH 50% +-+--+
Brad Sherman D CA 33% --+--+
John Shimkus R IL 50% -+++--
Bill Shuster R PA 33% -++---
Mike Simpson R ID 17% -+----
Albio Sires D NJ 50% +-+--+
Louise Slaughter D NY 67% +-++-+
Adam Smith D WA 60% .-++-+
Adrian Smith R NE 33% -++---
Christopher Smith R NJ 50% +++---
Lamar Smith R TX 33% ++----
Jason Smith R MO 25% -.+--.
Steve Southerland R FL 33% -++---
Jackie Speier D CA 80% +.++-+
Chris Stewart R UT 50% -+++--
Steve Stivers R OH 17% -+----
Steve Stockman R TX 100% .+++.+
Marlin Stutzman R IN 50% +++---
Eric Swalwell D CA 50% +-+--+
Mark Takano D CA 50% +-++--
Lee Terry R NE 33% -++---
Bennie Thompson D MS 50% +-..-+
Mike Thompson D CA 33% +----+
Glenn Thompson R PA 17% -+----
Mac Thornberry R TX 17% -+----
Patrick Tiberi R OH 17% -+----
John Tierney D MA 50% +-++--
Scott Tipton R CO 50% -++-+-
Dina Titus D NV 33% +-+---
Paul Tonko D NY 50% +-++--
Niki Tsongas D MA 33% +-+---
Michael Turner R OH 33% -+---+
Fred Upton R MI 17% -+----
David Valadao R CA 17% -+----
Juan Vargas D CA 50% +-+--+
Marc Veasey D TX 50% +-+--+
Filemon Vela D TX 50% +++---
Nydia Velázquez D NY 80% +-++.+
Peter Visclosky D IN 20% +---.-
Ann Wagner R MO 33% -++---
Tim Walberg R MI 17% -+----
Greg Walden R OR 17% -+----
Jackie Walorski R IN 33% -++---
Timothy Walz D MN 25% +-..--
Debbie Wasserman Schultz D FL 17% -----+
Maxine Waters D CA 67% +-++-+
Melvin Watt D NC 50% .-...+
Henry Waxman D CA 40% +.+---
Randy Weber R TX 67% +++-+-
Daniel Webster R FL 33% ++----
Brad Wenstrup R OH 33% -++---
Lynn Westmoreland R GA 20% -.--+-
Ed Whitfield R KY 33% -+--+-
Roger Williams R TX 67% +++--+
Joe Wilson R SC 17% -+----
Frederica Wilson D FL 50% +-+--+
Robert Wittman R VA 33% ++----
Frank Wolf R VA 17% -+----
Steve Womack R AR 17% -+----
Rob Woodall R GA 50% -++-+-
John Yarmuth D KY 67% +++--+
Kevin Yoder R KS 33% -++---
Ted Yoho R FL 67% -++-++
C. Young R FL 0% .....-
Don Young R AK 0% -.----

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Democrat 41.4%
Republican 37%
Libertarian 100%