The latest (December 7) issue of The New American includes our second congressional scorecard on the 111th Congress. The scorecard, entitled “The Freedom Index: A Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution,” rates Congressmen based on their adherence to constitutional principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, national sovereignty, and a traditional foreign policy of avoiding foreign entanglements.

Each installment of the “Freedom Index” shows how every member of the House and Senate voted on 10 key issues. Our just-published index includes House and Senate votes on several major appropriations bills and the cash-for-clunkers program; House votes on cap-and-trade and healthcare “reform”; and Senate votes on ACORN funding and the Sotomayor confirmation.

The average House score for our new index (votes 11-20) is a dismal 38 percent, despite the fact that every Congressman takes an oath to uphold the Constitution. Forty-nine Congressmen earned 100 percent, as compared to three who earned 100-percent scores in the first “Freedom Index” (published in our July 20, 2009 issue) for the current Congress, and just one perfect scorer — Congressman Ron Paul of Texas — in our final index for the previous Congress (October 27, 2008 issue). Though the huge jump in 100-percent scores is encouraging, it must be kept in mind that many Republicans who are now voting against Obama- and Democrat-supported legislation often voted for big-government programs when they were in the majority and the President was a Republican. The average Senate score for this index is 32 percent. Three Senators scored 100 percent.

To download a free copy of the “Freedom Index” from our December 7 issue, click here. Please examine how your own U.S. representative and senators voted on each key issue, as well as overall. We also encourage readers to commend legislators for their constitutional votes and to urge improvement where needed.

Additional Resources:

For congressional contact information, click here.

For a series of pre-written letters to Congress on key issues, click here.

For a downloadable copy of our first Freedom Index for the 111th Congress (votes 1-10), click here.

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Flu-Bird said:

Our imperial CONgress Our imperial CONgress is bar far acting like a bunch of aristcratic imperialists sneer at us with impudence we certianly dont need these wackos running the nations their completly usless

November 29, 2009

PJ O'Malley said:

Get the most mileage out of the Freedom Index In a way I agree that most congressmen are "usless." But this index can go a long way toward alerting them that a growing contingent of Americanists are now aware of their voting records and hot on their trail. The next step is tell your lawmakers you read his record in The New American. Be specific about the source so he will get the understanding where the educational efforts are coming from. The Congress fears organization, and the organization they fear most is the JBS. Let them know we are alive and kicking.

November 30, 2009

Charles Byrd said:

My Congressman and Senators Congressman Dennis Cardoza's score: a very pathetic 10. Senators Feisntein and Boxer: also 10.

November 30, 2009

E. D. Stewart, Jr. said:

... "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary . . . ". I think it has again become necessary! Do you concur?

November 30, 2009

Robert Valentine said:

... I appreciate this grading service of our congressional representatives. Everyone should read these scores. Fewer that 100 representatives have a score of 70 and above. Fewer than 80 have a score of 80 and above. It is my firm belief that no congressman or senator should be returned to office who has a score of 80 or less.

December 14, 2009