Freedom Index

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 116-1

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)

In this Scorecard, we chose the most crucial votes of the 116th Congress (January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021). This includes legislation that violates the Constitution and infringes on individual rights, bills that expand the size and scope of government, and measures that surrender U.S. sovereignty and self-government.

House of Representatives

1. USMCA

Good Vote: No

HR 5430 USMCA (Passed 385 to 41 on 12/19/19). Contains the most dangerous provisions of NAFTA and the TPP. It will lead to a North American regional government similar to the European Union.

2. On Agreeing to the Amendment 33 to H R 2500

Good Vote: Yes

HR 2500 Amendment Indefinite Military Detention (Failed 187 to 236 on 7/12/19). Would prohibit indefinite military detention of any person (including Americans). Indefinite detention without trial violates habeas corpus.

3. Equality Act

Good Vote: No

H.R. 5 Equality Act (Passed 236 to 173 on 5/17/19). Expands definition of protected classes in federal law to include “gender identity.” Males who identify as females would be able to use public restrooms of the opposite sex — and vice versa.

4. Paris Agreement

Good Vote: No

H.R. 9 Paris Agreement (Passed 231 to 190 on 5/2/19). Would prohibit the use of federal funds for withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Fulfilling the agreement would stifle U.S. economy without impacting on alleged man-made global warming

5. Firearms Background Checks

Good Vote: No

HR 8 Firearms Background Checks (Passed 240 to 190 on 2/27/19). Extends federal background checks to private sales, severely and unconstitutionally infringing on the right to keep and bear arms.

6. Consolidated Appropriations (H.J.R. 31)

Good Vote: No

HJR 31 Consolidated Appropriations (Passed 300 to 128 on 2/14/19). Provides $333 billion in “discretionary” spending for the seven remaining fiscal 2019 appropriations bills. Most of the bill’s spending programs are unconstitutional.

Legislator Scores

Legend: [ + ] Constitutional Vote[ - ] Unconstitutional Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party State Score 123456
Ralph Abraham R LA 60% --+.++
Alma Adams D NC 20% -+-.--
Robert Aderholt R AL 67% --++++
Pete Aguilar D CA 17% -+----
Rick Allen R GA 67% --++++
Colin Allred D TX 0% -----.
Justin Amash L MI 100% ++++++
Mark Amodei R NV 50% --+++-
Kelly Armstrong R ND 50% --+++-
Jodey Arrington R TX 67% --++++
Cynthia Axne D IA 0% ------
Brian Babin R TX 67% --++++
Don Bacon R NE 50% --+++-
James Baird R IN 67% --++++
Troy Balderson R OH 50% --+++-
Jim Banks R IN 67% --++++
Garland Barr R KY 50% --+++-
Nanette Barragán D CA 33% ++----
Karen Bass D CA 17% -+----
Joyce Beatty D OH 17% -+----
Ami Bera D CA 17% -+----
Jack Bergman R MI 50% --+++-
Donald Beyer D VA 17% -+----
Andy Biggs R AZ 67% --++++
Gus Bilirakis R FL 67% --++++
Rob Bishop R UT 50% --+++-
Sanford Bishop D GA 17% -+----
Dan Bishop R NC 0% -.....
Earl Blumenauer D OR 17% -+----
Lisa Blunt Rochester D DE 17% -+----
Suzanne Bonamici D OR 17% -+----
Mike Bost R IL 50% --+++-
Brendan Boyle D PA 17% -+----
Kevin Brady R TX 75% -..+++
Anthony Brindisi D NY 0% ------
Mo Brooks R AL 67% --++++
Susan Brooks R IN 33% ---++-
Anthony Brown D MD 33% ++----
Julia Brownley D CA 17% -+----
Vern Buchanan R FL 17% --+---
Ken Buck R CO 67% --++++
Larry Bucshon R IN 60% --.+++
Tim Burchett R TN 60% --.+++
Michael Burgess R TX 67% --++++
Cheri Bustos D IL 0% ------
George Butterfield D NC 17% -+----
Bradley Byrne R AL 67% --++++
Ken Calvert R CA 50% --+++-
Salud Carbajal D CA 17% -+----
Tony Cardenas D CA 33% ++----
André Carson D IN 0% ------
John Carter R TX 50% --+++-
Buddy Carter R GA 67% --++++
Matthew Cartwright D PA 17% -+----
Ed Case D HI 0% ------
Sean Casten D IL 17% -+----
Kathy Castor D FL 17% -+----
Joaquin Castro D TX 33% -+---+
Steve Chabot R OH 67% --++++
Liz Cheney R WY 50% --+++-
Judy Chu D CA 17% -+----
David Cicilline D RI 17% -+----
Gilbert Cisneros D CA 17% -+----
Katherine Clark D MA 17% -+----
Yvette Clarke D NY 50% ++---+
Wm. Clay D MO 33% ++----
Emanuel Cleaver D MO 17% -+----
Ben Cline R VA 67% --++++
Michael Cloud R TX 67% --++++
James Clyburn D SC 20% -+.---
Steve Cohen D TN 17% -+----
Tom Cole R OK 50% --+++-
Doug Collins R GA 67% --++++
Chris Collins R NY 60% .-+++-
James Comer R KY 67% --++++
K. Conaway R TX 50% --+++-
Gerald Connolly D VA 17% -+----
Paul Cook R CA 50% --+++-
Jim Cooper D TN 17% -+----
J. Correa D CA 33% -+---+
Jim Costa D CA 0% ------
Joe Courtney D CT 17% -+----
TJ Cox D CA 0% ------
Angie Craig D MN 0% ------
Eric Crawford R AR 60% --+.++
Dan Crenshaw R TX 67% --++++
Charlie Crist D FL 0% ------
Jason Crow D CO 17% -+----
Henry Cuellar D TX 0% ------
Elijah Cummings D MD 20% .+----
Joe Cunningham D SC 0% ------
John Curtis R UT 67% --++++
Sharice Davids D KS 0% ------
Warren Davidson R OH 67% --++++
Danny Davis D IL 17% -+----
Susan Davis D CA 17% -+----
Rodney Davis R IL 50% --+++-
Madeleine Dean D PA 17% -+----
Peter DeFazio D OR 33% ++----
Diana DeGette D CO 17% -+----
Rosa DeLauro D CT 17% -+----
Suzan DelBene D WA 17% -+----
Antonio Delgado D NY 0% ------
Val Demings D FL 17% -+----
Mark DeSaulnier D CA 33% ++----
Scott DesJarlais R TN 67% --++++
Theodore Deutch D FL 20% -+---.
Mario Diaz-Balart R FL 17% ---+--
Debbie Dingell D MI 20% -+.---
Lloyd Doggett D TX 33% -+---+
Michael Doyle D PA 17% -+----
Sean Duffy R WI 100% ...+++
Jeff Duncan R SC 67% --++++
Neal Dunn R FL 67% --++++
Tom Emmer R MN 50% --+++-
Eliot Engel D NY 33% ++----
Veronica Escobar D TX 33% -+---+
Anna Eshoo D CA 17% -+----
Adriano Espaillat D NY 50% ++---+
Ron Estes R KS 67% --++++
Dwight Evans D PA 17% -+----
Drew Ferguson R GA 50% --+++-
Abby Finkenauer D IA 0% ------
Brian Fitzpatrick R PA 0% ------
Charles Fleischmann R TN 50% --+++-
Lizzie Fletcher D TX 0% ------
Bill Flores R TX 50% --+++-
Jeff Fortenberry R NE 50% --+++-
Bill Foster D IL 17% -+----
Virginia Foxx R NC 50% --+++-
Lois Frankel D FL 20% -+--.-
Marcia Fudge D OH 25% +.-.--
Russ Fulcher R ID 50% --+++-
Tulsi Gabbard D HI 0% -.----
Matt Gaetz R FL 50% --+++-
Mike Gallagher R WI 67% --++++
Ruben Gallego D AZ 17% -+----
John Garamendi D CA 17% -+----
Jesus G. Garcia D IL 50% ++---+
Sylvia Garcia D TX 33% -+---+
Mike Garcia R CA NA ......
Greg Gianforte R MT 50% --+++-
Bob Gibbs R OH 50% --+++-
Louie Gohmert R TX 67% --++++
Jared Golden D ME 33% +---+-
Jimmy Gomez D CA 33% -+---+
Vicente Gonzalez D TX 33% -+---+
Anthony Gonzalez R OH 50% --+++-
Lance Gooden R TX 67% --++++
Paul Gosar R AZ 67% --++++
Josh Gottheimer D NJ 0% ------
Kay Granger R TX 50% --+++-
Sam Graves R MO 80% -.++++
Tom Graves R GA 67% --++++
Garret Graves R LA 67% --++++
Al Green D TX 17% -+----
Mark Green R TN 67% --++++
H. Griffith R VA 83% -+++++
Raul Grijalva D AZ 33% -+---+
Glenn Grothman R WI 80% -.++++
Michael Guest R MS 50% --+++-
Brett Guthrie R KY 50% --+++-
Debra Haaland D NM 17% -+----
Jim Hagedorn R MN 50% --+++-
Josh Harder D CA 0% ------
Andy Harris R MD 67% --++++
Vicky Hartzler R MO 67% --++++
Alcee Hastings D FL 20% -+-.--
Jahana Hayes D CT 17% -+----
Denny Heck D WA 17% -+----
Kevin Hern R OK 67% --++++
Jaime Herrera Beutler R WA 50% --+++-
Jody Hice R GA 67% --++++
Brian Higgins D NY 17% -+----
Clay Higgins R LA 80% -.++++
French Hill R AR 50% --+++-
Katie Hill D CA 0% .-----
James Himes D CT 17% -+----
George Holding R NC 67% --++++
Trey Hollingsworth R IN 67% --++++
Kendra Horn D OK 0% ------
Steven Horsford D NV 17% -+----
Chrissy Houlahan D PA 0% ------
Steny Hoyer D MD 17% -+----
Richard Hudson R NC 67% --++++
Jared Huffman D CA 33% ++----
Bill Huizenga R MI 67% --++++
Duncan Hunter R CA 83% +-++++
Will Hurd R TX 17% ---+--
Sheila Jackson-Lee D TX 17% -+----
Chris Jacobs R NY NA ......
Pramila Jayapal D WA 50% ++---+
Hakeem Jeffries D NY 17% -+----
Bill Johnson R OH 40% --.++-
Eddie Johnson D TX 17% -+----
Henry Johnson D GA 17% -+----
Mike Johnson R LA 60% --.+++
Dusty Johnson R SD 50% --+++-
Jim Jordan R OH 67% --++++
David Joyce R OH 50% --+++-
John Joyce R PA 67% --++++
Marcy Kaptur D OH 33% ++----
John Katko R NY 20% ---+.-
William Keating D MA 17% -+----
Fred Keller R PA 0% --....
Mike Kelly R PA 67% --++++
Robin Kelly D IL 17% -+----
Trent Kelly R MS 67% --++++
Joseph Kennedy D MA 33% ++----
Ro Khanna D CA 17% -+----
Daniel Kildee D MI 17% -+----
Derek Kilmer D WA 17% -+----
Andy Kim D NJ 0% ------
Ron Kind D WI 17% -+----
Peter King R NY 33% --++--
Steve King R IA 67% --++++
Adam Kinzinger R IL 60% --+++.
Ann Kirkpatrick D AZ 0% ------
Raja Krishnamoorthi D IL 17% -+----
Ann Kuster D NH 17% -+----
David Kustoff R TN 50% --+++-
Darin LaHood R IL 60% --.+++
Doug LaMalfa R CA 50% --+++-
Conor Lamb D PA 0% ------
Doug Lamborn R CO 67% --++++
James Langevin D RI 17% -+----
Rick Larsen D WA 17% -+----
John Larson D CT 17% -+----
Robert Latta R OH 67% --++++
Brenda Lawrence D MI 0% -.----
Al Lawson D FL 0% ------
Barbara Lee D CA 33% ++----
Susie Lee D NV 0% ------
Debbie Lesko R AZ 67% --++++
Mike Levin D CA 17% -+----
Andy Levin D MI 33% ++----
John Lewis D GA 17% -+----
Ted Lieu D CA 33% ++----
Daniel Lipinski D IL 0% ------
David Loebsack D IA 17% -+----
Zoe Lofgren D CA 17% -+----
Billy Long R MO 67% --++++
Barry Loudermilk R GA 60% --+.++
Alan Lowenthal D CA 33% ++----
Nita Lowey D NY 17% -+----
Frank Lucas R OK 50% --+++-
Blaine Luetkemeyer R MO 50% --+++-
Elaine Luria D VA 0% ------
Stephen Lynch D MA 17% -+----
Tom Malinowski D NJ 17% -+----
Carolyn Maloney D NY 33% ++----
Sean Maloney D NY 0% ------
Kenny Marchant R TX 67% --++++
Thomas Massie R KY 100% ++++++
Brian Mast R FL 50% --++-+
Doris Matsui D CA 17% -+----
Ben McAdams D UT 0% ------
Lucy McBath D GA 0% ------
Kevin McCarthy R CA 50% --+++-
Michael McCaul R TX 50% --+++-
Tom McClintock R CA 67% --++++
Betty McCollum D MN 0% ------
A. McEachin D VA 33% ++----
James McGovern D MA 33% ++----
Patrick McHenry R NC 50% --+++-
David McKinley R WV 50% --+++-
Jerry McNerney D CA 17% -+----
Mark Meadows R NC 83% +-++++
Gregory Meeks D NY 17% -+----
Grace Meng D NY 33% ++----
Daniel Meuser R PA 67% --++++
Kweisi Mfume D MD NA ......
Carol Miller R WV 50% --+++-
Paul Mitchell R MI 67% --++++
John Moolenaar R MI 50% --+++-
Alex Mooney R WV 67% --++++
Gwen Moore D WI 17% -+----
Joseph Morelle D NY 17% -+----
Seth Moulton D MA 20% -+.---
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell D FL 0% ------
Stephanie Murphy D FL 0% ------
Gregory Murphy R NC 0% -.....
Jerrold Nadler D NY 33% ++----
Grace Napolitano D CA 17% -+----
Richard Neal D MA 17% -+----
Joe Neguse D CO 17% -+----
Dan Newhouse R WA 50% --+++-
Donald Norcross D NJ 33% ++----
Ralph Norman R SC 67% --++++
Eleanor Norton D 0% .-....
Devin Nunes R CA 50% --+++-
Tom O'Halleran D AZ 0% ------
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez D NY 50% ++---+
Pete Olson R TX 50% --+++-
Ilhan Omar D MN 50% ++---+
Steven Palazzo R MS 50% --+++-
Frank Pallone D NJ 33% ++----
Gary Palmer R AL 67% --++++
Jimmy Panetta D CA 17% -+----
Chris Pappas D NH 17% -+----
Bill Pascrell D NJ 33% ++----
Donald Payne D NJ 17% -+----
Nancy Pelosi D CA 0% -.----
Greg Pence R IN 50% --+++-
Ed Perlmutter D CO 0% -.----
Scott Perry R PA 67% --++++
Scott Peters D CA 0% ------
Collin Peterson D MN 20% --.-+-
Dean Phillips D MN 17% -+----
Chellie Pingree D ME 33% ++----
Mark Pocan D WI 33% ++----
Katie Porter D CA 0% ------
Bill Posey R FL 67% --++++
Ayanna Pressley D MA 50% ++---+
David Price D NC 17% -+----
Mike Quigley D IL 20% -+---.
Jamie Raskin D MD 33% ++----
John Ratcliffe R TX 60% --.+++
Tom Reed R NY 33% ---++-
Guy Reschenthaler R PA 67% --++++
Tom Rice R SC 80% -.++++
Kathleen Rice D NY 0% ------
Cedric Richmond D LA 17% -+----
Denver Riggleman R VA 50% --+++-
Martha Roby R AL 50% --+++-
Cathy McMorris Rodgers R WA 50% --+++-
David Roe R TN 50% --+++-
Harold Rogers R KY 50% --+++-
Mike Rogers R AL 67% --++++
Francis Rooney R FL 60% --+.++
Max Rose D NY 20% -+.---
John Rose R TN 67% --++++
Harley Rouda D CA 20% -+-.--
David Rouzer R NC 67% --++++
Chip Roy R TX 67% --++++
Lucille Roybal-Allard D CA 17% -+----
Raul Ruiz D CA 17% -+----
C. Ruppersberger D MD 17% -+----
Bobby Rush D IL 17% -+----
John Rutherford R FL 50% --+++-
Tim Ryan D OH 20% -+.---
Gregorio Sablan D 100% .+....
Michael San Nicolas D NA ......
Linda Sanchez D CA 17% -+----
John Sarbanes D MD 17% -+----
Steve Scalise R LA 50% --+++-
Mary Scanlon D PA 17% -+----
Janice Schakowsky D IL 17% -+----
Adam Schiff D CA 17% -+----
Bradley Schneider D IL 17% -+----
Kurt Schrader D OR 17% -+----
Kim Schrier D WA 0% ------
David Schweikert R AZ 67% --++++
Austin Scott R GA 67% --++++
David Scott D GA 17% -+----
Robert Scott D VA 17% -+----
F. Sensenbrenner R WI 67% --++++
José Serrano D NY 33% ++----
Terri Sewell D AL 17% -+----
Donna Shalala D FL 17% -+----
Brad Sherman D CA 17% -+----
Mikie Sherrill D NJ 17% -+----
John Shimkus R IL 67% +-+++-
Mike Simpson R ID 50% --+++-
Albio Sires D NJ 17% -+----
Elissa Slotkin D MI 17% -+----
Adam Smith D WA 17% -+----
Adrian Smith R NE 67% --++++
Christopher Smith R NJ 33% --++--
Jason Smith R MO 67% --++++
Lloyd Smucker R PA 60% --.+++
Darren Soto D FL 17% -+----
Abigail Spanberger D VA 0% ------
Ross Spano R FL 67% --++++
Jackie Speier D CA 17% -+----
Greg Stanton D AZ 17% -+----
Pete Stauber R MN 50% --+++-
Elise Stefanik R NY 17% ----+-
Bryan Steil R WI 50% --+++-
W. Steube R FL 60% --.+++
Haley Stevens D MI 17% -+----
Chris Stewart R UT 50% --+++-
Steve Stivers R OH 50% --+++-
Thomas Suozzi D NY 17% -+----
Eric Swalwell D CA 20% -+.---
Mark Takano D CA 17% -+----
Van Taylor R TX 67% --++++
Bennie Thompson D MS 0% ---.--
Mike Thompson D CA 17% -+----
Glenn Thompson R PA 50% --+++-
Mac Thornberry R TX 50% --+++-
Thomas P. Tiffany R WI NA ......
William Timmons R SC 67% --++++
Scott Tipton R CO 83% -+++++
Dina Titus D NV 20% -+-.--
Rashida Tlaib D MI 50% ++---+
Paul Tonko D NY 33% ++----
Norma Torres D CA 17% -+----
Xochitl Torres Small D NM 0% ------
Lori Trahan D MA 17% -+----
David Trone D MD 17% -+----
Michael Turner R OH 40% --.++-
Lauren Underwood D IL 0% ------
Fred Upton R MI 33% --++--
Jefferson Van Drew R NJ 0% ------
Juan Vargas D CA 40% -+-.-+
Marc Veasey D TX 0% ------
Filemon Vela D TX 33% -+---+
Nydia Velázquez D NY 50% ++---+
Peter Visclosky D IN 33% ++----
Ann Wagner R MO 50% --+++-
Tim Walberg R MI 67% --++++
Greg Walden R OR 33% ---++-
Bradley Walker R NC 60% --.+++
Jackie Walorski R IN 50% --+++-
Michael Waltz R FL 50% --+++-
Debbie Wasserman Schultz D FL 0% ------
Maxine Waters D CA 17% -+----
Steven Watkins R KS 67% --++++
Bonnie Watson Coleman D NJ 33% ++----
Randy Weber R TX 60% --.+++
Daniel Webster R FL 67% --++++
Brad Wenstrup R OH 50% --+++-
Bruce Westerman R AR 60% --.+++
Jennifer Wexton D VA 17% -+----
Susan Wild D PA 0% ------
Roger Williams R TX 67% --++++
Joe Wilson R SC 60% --.+++
Frederica Wilson D FL 17% -+----
Robert Wittman R VA 50% --+++-
Steve Womack R AR 50% --+++-
Rob Woodall R GA 50% --+++-
Ron Wright R TX 80% -.++++
John Yarmuth D KY 17% -+----
Ted Yoho R FL 100% ++++++
Don Young R AK 40% --.++-
Lee Zeldin R NY 67% --++++

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Republican 56.2%
Democrat 17.8%
Libertarian 100%