Letter grades for Congress
The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) scores the works for 2006.
By Mark Kilmer Posted in Congress — Comments (14) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
For those of you who like to see members of Congress given letter grades, Representative Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the Republican Study Group (RSG), is spreading the word about the 2006 Congressional ratings from the National Taxpayers Union (pdf), using, they say, "every vote that significantly affects taxes, spending, debt, and regulatory burdens on consumers and taxpayers." (Other outfits that do ratings pick a sample of votes.)
The highest score in the House, A (92%), belonged to Representative Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), while the highest rated Senator was Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) with an A (92%), tailed closely by John Ensign's (R-Nevada) A (91%).
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According to the NTU:
NTU believes a score qualifying for a grade of “A” indicates the Member is one of the strongest supporters of responsible tax and spending policies. We are pleased to give these Members of Congress our “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.” A score qualifying for a grade of “B” indicates that the Member voted for taxpayers most of the time, but slightly less than those who attained the grade of “A.” A score qualifying for a grade of “C” represents a minimally acceptable voting record on controlling taxes and spending. To qualify for a grade of “C” a Member must have a Taxpayer Score of at least 50
percent. While such a score may be “satisfactory,” there is clearly room for improvement.[ . . .]
A score qualifying for a grade of “D” indicates the Member has a “poor” voting record on controlling taxes and spending. A score significantly below average qualifies for a grade of “F.” This failing
grade places the Member into the “Big Spender” category.
In case you're curious, Hensarling came in second in the House, with Ron Paul (R-Texas) third and Mike Pence fourth. (See NTU's Taxpayer Friends in the House for 2006. In the Senate, DeMint and Ensign were followed by John Sununu (R-New Hampshire) and James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma). (See NTU's Taxpayer Friends in the Senate for 2006.
Hensarling's press release continues:
“It is time for Washington to show American taxpayers the accountability that they deserve. The federal government cannot be all things to all people, but it can be more responsible, less wasteful, and more rational to the people that it serves,” said Hensarling. “The RSC is dedicated to providing American taxpayers greater accountability in Washington, and within the next two weeks we will be unveiling a national, pro-taxpayer platform that does just that."
Though the average NTU pro-taxpayer score in the House of Representatives was 39 percent (D grade), current RSC Members (who served in Congress during 2006) averaged a 67 percent (B+) grade. In total, 27 current RSC members achieved an “A” Grade.
We await anticipatorily the RSC's platform.
Looking at possible '08 Presidential contenders and other, sundry notables in the House:
Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) – B (60%)
John Boehner (R-Ohio) – B- (59%)
Duncan Hunter (R-California) – B (62%)
Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana) – B- (58%)
Walter Jones (R-North Carolina) – B- (57%)
Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) – F (22%)
Jack Murtha (D-Pennsylvania) – F (23%)
Charles Norwood (R-Georgia) – A (75%) – Thank you, Charlie.
Nancy Pelosi (D-California) – F (11%)
And the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation – F (14%)
In the Senate, we have:
Joe Biden (D-Delaware) – F (11%)
Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) – A (84%)
Hillary Clinton (D-New York) – F (17%)
Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) – F (10%)
Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) – F (16%)
Russ Feingold (D-Cheese) – F (22%)
Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut) – F (15%)
Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) – B+ (76%)
John McCain (R-Arizona) – A (88%)
Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) – B+ (81%)
Barack Obama (D-Illinois) – F (15%)
In Maine, Susie Collins gets a C (50%) and Olympia Snow pulls a D (39%).
The complete listings are in the pdf, along with this caveat:
Although we believe this voting analysis is the most accurate guide available on Congressional fiscal performance, no study of roll call votes can fully evaluate a Member’s overall record. A Member’s committee work, leadership, and effectiveness with other Members also affect his or her influence on the amount of federal spending, taxes, debt, and regulatory impact.
For instance, former Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island) received a D (41%), but as chairman of the Senate Environment Committee's subcommittee on Fisheries Wildlife and Water… oh, never mind.
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Letter grades for Congress 14 Comments (0 topical, 14 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
that Tom Coburn was only at 86% (still an A). I would have tought he would be graded a little higher.
I think that demonstrates the scoring system isn't perfect...it 's probably best not to read to much into specific scores and just look at the general classifications.
is Sen. Byrd scored better (10%, along with Kennedy, Feinstein, and Dodd) than Leahy, Harkin, and Mikulski (9%). clearly there must be an error ;)
Hey guys...we better do what we can to be sure we keep Sununu, Collins, and Smith in the Senate next year - as well as protect the Colorado seat.
This report card is a perfect illustration of why.
that overall I am very pleased with them.
Unlike Bass (my former representative), who I didn't care for, because he was a bit too liberal for me, Sununu and Gregg have both been good senators who mostly have stood up for GOP principles.
I intend to do what I can here to get Sununu reelected-it would be a real loss for NH and the GOP if he loses his seat in '08.
B- REALLY? Is Mr. Bridge to Nowhere/Secret Hold on Earmark Reform a decent conservative otherwise? Not familiar enough with his voting record, but it would seem unlikely.
was an oversight. I thought I had included him when I listed the best scores in the House. He must have been #5.
I'm also surprised that his score isn't higher, though I haven't kept track of his votes. I had thought him to be something of a purist. (And I mean that in the best of senses!)
Rep. Jim McDermott - 18%
Sen. Maria Cantwell - 19%
Sen. Patty Murray - 13%
They must be big spenders for other people's districts because I'm not seeing what we are getting out of it here.
Glad to see my favorite, but not my own, Senator John Ensign at the top. If he does well as NRSC Chairman in '08, he could have a real bright future.
That is pretty damn good. Better than Brownback. Keep it up Johnny!
Any wonder as to why the caucus is utterly rudderless with the likes of Blunt and Boehner "leading" the way (leading over a cliff that is)?
“They chose dishonor. They will have war.” - Winston Churchill
Jeff Flake isn't running for president but Ron Paul (#3) is. Ron Paul 2008!
Notice that Ben Nelson, with a C+ rating, is the only Senate Democrat to rate better than a D.
Also, the list of Senate Republicans rated C+ or worse:
Coleman C+
DeWine C+
Voinovich C+
Smith C+
Collins C
Specter C
Snowe D
Chaffee D
Further evidence that social moderates, foreign policy moderates, and fiscal moderates tend to be all the same people, just as social conservatives, foreign policy conservatives, and fiscal conservatives tend to be all the same people.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill