2009 acu ratings of congress
TRANSCRIPT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview ..................................................................... 1
Charts and Summary Ratings ...................................... 3
ACU Public Policy Staff ................................................. 4
Analysis of the Ratings ................................................. 5
How We Pick the Votes ................................................. 7
Defenders of Liberty .................................................... 8Those who scored 100%
True Liberals ................................................................ 9Those who scored 0%
ACU Conservatives ..................................................... 10Those who scored 80% or higher
Senate Vote Descriptions ........................................... 13
Senate Scores ........................................................... 19
House Vote Descriptions ............................................. 29
House Scores ............................................................. 37
2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
Front & Back covers, additional photos courtesy Craig Martin; others govt public domain.
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12009 ACU Ratings of Congress
David A. Keene
Chairman, ACU
Dear Conservative Friends:
Tis year marks the American Conservative Unions 46thyear. Since our founding in 1964, ACUs mission hasremained steadfast and unchanged: to advance the goalsand principles of conservatism. Our annual Ratings of
Congress are an important cornerstone of that mission.
You hold in your hand the 39th Edition of ACUs Ratingsof Congress. We are proud of the fact that the ACU ratingsare widely regarded as the gold standard, the definitiveconservative assessment of the federal legislative branch.Year after year, ACUs ratings are cited by journalists andscholars, and used by grassroots activists nationwide.
Soon after the 2008 election, liberal Washington Postcolumnist E.J. Dionne said he believed the results signifieda fundamental leftward shift in American thinking. Dionnecompared this to 1932, that this was an end of an era inwhich conservative ideas were predominant to one in whichNew Deal era thinking would carry the day. By years end,it was clear Dionne was as wrong in his evaluation as he is
on most issues of the day.
Of course, he was right about where the ObamaAdministration and the new overwhelming Democratmajorities in Congress were headed. Tat became clearin Obamas State of the Union speech, which outlined amassive effort to increase government control over everymajor economic sector of our country, whether it be health
care, energy, financial services or transportation. Te newtroika of Obama, Reid and Pelosi then rammed through thebiggest pork barrel bill in our countrys history, the $800billion Stimulus bill which did little for the economy butstimulated trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye could see.Tis was followed by multi-thousand page bills to squeezethe supply and raise the price of energy in the name ofglobal warming and to give total authority to the federalgovernment in deciding what each individuals health carewill be and how much it will cost.
But a funny thing happened on the way to this new era.Te people rebelled. After the House narrowly passed theso-called cap and trade global warming bill with the helpof a few foolish Republicans, its members got an earful fromthe folks back home about the prospect of higher utility
( continued on page 2 )
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32009 ACU Ratings of Congress
(2008 comparison: Republicans 82.65% Democrats 8%)
(2008 comparison: Republicans 72.45% Democrats 7.36%)
*Note, Senate Independents Caucus with the Democrats
SENATE OVERALL AVERAGE: 40.63% :a LIBERAL Senate
HOUSE OVERALL AVERAGE: 41.13% :a LIBERAL House
(2008 Overall Averages: Senate 39.27% House 41.62%)
ACU Ratings of Congress
111th Congress, 1st Session
2009 Overall Averages
United States Senate %
PARTISAN BREAKDOWN
House of Representatives %
3
8.63Senate Democrats
88.63
0 20 40 60 80 100
Senate Republicans
8.
88.
6.79House Democrats
91.19
0 20 40 60 80 100
House Republicans
6.
91.
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4 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
ACU Public Policy Staff
To Contact Us on a policy issue call 703-836-8602
or email [email protected].
Dennis E. Whitfield Executive Vice President
Larry Hart Director of Government Relations
For Media Inquiries, Call Brent Littlefield at 703-836-8602.
David A. KeeneCHAIRMANThomas S. Winter Washington, DC First Vice Chairman
Donald Devine Shady Side, MD Second Vice Chairman
Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr. Ottawa, IL Secretary
Al Cardenas Miami, FL Treasurer
Board of Directors
ACU Foundation Board
Richard H. Collins Dallas, TX
Millie Hallow Fairfax, VA
David A. KeeneAlexandria, VA
Robert Lamutt Marietta, GA
Carolyn Meadows Marietta, GA
Thomas S. Winter Washington, DC
Joe Bast Chicago, IL
Jeffrey Bell Washington, DC
Morton C. BlackwellArlington, VA
Ambassador John Bolton
Washington, DC
Floyd Brown University Place, WA
Muriel Coleman Middleton, WI
Tom DeLay Washington, DC
Becky N. DunlopArlington, VA
Dr. Larry Eastland
Newport Beach, CA
Charlie Gerow Harrisburg, PA
Alan M. Gottlieb Bellevue, WAVan D. Hipp, Jr. Washington, DC
Suhail A. Khan Washington, DC
James V. Lacy Laguna Niguel, CA
Wayne R. LaPierre, Jr. Fairfax, VA
Michael R. Long Brooklyn, NY
Honorable Serphin Maltese
Middle Village, NY
Carolyn D. Meadows Marietta, GA
Cleta Mitchell Washington, DC
Joseph A. Morris Chicago, IL
Grover D. Norquist Washington, DC
Ron Robinson Herndon, VA
Allen Roth New York, NY
Matt Schlapp Washington, DC
Tracy J. Sharp Richmond, CALewis K. Uhler Roseville, CA
Kirby Wilbur Duvall, WA
Of Counsel M.J. Mintz Washington, DC
Staff
Melissa Bowman Legacy Council
and Development AdministratorLynn Bradshaw Executive Director of
Development
Lisa DePasquale CPAC Director
Vincent Galatro Manager of New
Media and Special Projects
Larry Hart Director of Government
Relations
Tish LeonardAssistant to the
Chairman
Joseph LogueAssistant CPAC
DirectorHeather Madden Director of
Corporate and Foundation Dev.
Liz Neaton Finance and PAC
Administrator
Jennifer Needam Executive
Administrator
Michael Rehwaldt Senior
Development Associate
Dennis Whitfield Executive VicePresident
Cleta Mitchell Washington, DC Chairman
Tom Tripp Gahanna, OH SecretaryVan D. Hipp Washington, DC Treasurer
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52009 ACU Ratings of Congress
It did not seem possible after
2008s remarkably high levelof liberal voting that Congresscould move even further left.But Majority Leader Harry Reidand Speaker Nancy Pelosioutdid themselves in 2009.Both Democratic cohesionand liberal voting increased
compared to the alreadyhistorically high levels of leftvoting in both 2007 and 2008.
As in 2008, an absolutemajority of Senators andMembers of the House of
Representatives scored asliberal in their voting on themajor ideological issues beforethe just completed session ofCongress.
In 2009, 236 House Membersearned an ACU conservatism
score of 20 or lessourdefinition of a liberalupeven from last years 220liberal Congressmen, anincrease from only 144liberals as recently as 2006.No Republican rated aliberal designation. In a yearcharacterized by Democraticmembers uniting withPresident Barack Obama on acommon agenda, the numberof those earning a perfectliberalism score of zero totaledan impressive 143 members,
increasing the number of pureliberal members by a striking
58 more members than the
previous year.
The number of HouseRepublicans scoring an ACUrating of 80% or higherthatis voting as conservativesafter falling precipitously lastyear, returned to the average
of the final George Bush years,with 154 members ratingconservative in 2009, downsubstantially however from172 conservative membersas recently as 2006. Thoseearning a perfect conservative
rating of 100% increased to amore normal 56 members in2009, up from an anemic 31the previous year. The lowestranking Republican was
Anh Joseph Cao (LA), whoscored a modest 55% rating.The highest scoring Democrat
was Bobby Bright (AL) with arating of 72%.
Majority Leader Reid waseven more successful inmoving Senate voting to theleft. In 2009, a majority of 53Senators received an ACUliberal rating of 20% or less,all of them Democrats. Thisnumber is up from 40 in 2006,the last year Republicans werein control. More impressive,the number of DemocraticSenators earning a perfect
liberal zero rating doubledfrom the previous year to a
2009 Is Highpoint of Liberal
Voting in Congress:Republicans Move Modestly to the Right
By Dr. Donald J. Devine, ACU Vice Chairman
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72009 ACU Ratings of Congress
As the nations largest and strongest grassroots conservative
organization, the ACU serves as the umbrella organization for
conservatives in America.
The American Conservative Union tracks a wide range of issues
before Congress to determine which issues and votes serve as a
dividing line to help separate those Members of the U.S. House
and Senate who protect liberty as conservatives and those who
are truly liberal.
As a result, the ACU Ratings of Congress has throughout its 39
Editions included a wide variety of issues covering votes on
taxes, wasteful government spending, cultural issues, defense
and foreign policy.
The votes selected in this edition of the ACU Ratings of Congress
are not always considered the most important votes as defined
by others, instead the votes selected are chosen to create a clear
ideological distinction among those casting them.
These ratings have throughout the years become a go-to guide
to determine whether an elected officials philosophical rhetoric
matches his or her record.
ACUs purpose in this guide is to inform the public, in an
unbiased way, on where individual members of Congress fall on
the ideological spectrum.
How We Pick the Votes...
Te American Conservative Union wasfounded in 1964 to promote the principles ofliberty and the strength of the Constitution.
VOTE BREAKDOWNFor the First Session of the 111th Congress (2009), the ACU
rated 25 votes in the House and 25 votes in the Senate. As
a result, each vote is worth four points in the House and four
in the Senate. ACU does not count missed votes in these
ratings. Thus, the value of each vote increases for every
vote amember of Congress misses.When viewing a
Members score, this should be considered.
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8 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
ACU
AKIN
BACHMANN
BILIRAKIS
BISHOP Rob
BLACKBURN
BRADYBROUN
BURGESS
CANTOR
CHAFFETZ
CONAWAY
CULBERSON
DEAL
FLAKE
FLEMING
FOXX
FRANKS
GARRETT
GOHMERT
GOODLATTE
HENSARLING
HERGER
ISSA
JOHNSON Sam
JORDANKLINE
LAMBORN
LATTA
LINDER
LUMMIS
LUNGREN
MACK
MARCHANT
McCARTHY
McCLINTOCK
McHENRY
MICA
MILLER Jeff
NEUGEBAUER
OLSON
PENCE
POSEY
PRICE
RADANOVICHROHRABACHER
ROSKAM
ROYCE
SCALISE
SCHMIDT
SENSENBRENNER
SESSIONS
SHADEGG
SMITH Adrian
SULLIVAN
THORNBERRY
WESTMORELAND
SENATE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tose Members who scored 100% on theACU 2009 Ratings of Congress
8 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
BARRASSO
BURR
COBURN
CORNYN
DeMINT
ENSIGN
ENZI
INHOFE
THUNE
VITTER
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92009 ACU Ratings of Congress
AbercrombieAckermanAndrewsBaldwinBerkleyBermanBishopBlumenauerBoswellBradyBraleyBrown CorrineButterfieldCappsCapuano
CarnahanCarson AndreCastorChuClarkeCleaverClyburnCohenConnolly
ConyersCourtneyCrowleyCummingsDavis DannyDavis SusanDeGetteDelahuntDeLauroDicks
DingellEdwardsEllison
EngelEshooFarrFattahFilnerFrankFudgeGaramendiGonzalezGraysonGreen GeneGreen, A.GrijalvaGutierrezHall
HareHarmanHastings AlceeHigginsHincheyHinojosaHironoHoltHonda
HoyerInsleeIsraelJacksonJackson-LeeJohnsonJohnson EddieBerniceKagenKennedy Patrick
KleinLarsenLarson
LeeLevinLewisLoebsackLofgrenLoweyLujanMaffeiMaloneyMarkeyMatsuiMcCarthyCarolynMcCollumMcGovern
MeekMeeksMiller BradMiller GeorgeMooreMooreMoran JimNadlerNapolitano
OlverPallonePascrellPastorPaynePelosiPerlmutterPingreePriceQuigley
RangelRichardsonRothman
Roybal-AllardRushSanchez LorettaSarbanesSchakowskySchiffSchwartzScott DavidSerranoSestakShea-PorterShermanSiresSmith AdamSutton
ThompsonBennieThompson MikeTierneyTonkoTownsTsongasVan HollenVelazquez
Wasserman-SchultzWatersWatsonWattWaxmanWeinerWelchWexlerWoolsey
WuYarmuth
Tose Members who scored 0% on the
ACU 2009 Ratings of Congress
AkakaBoxerBrownBurrisCardinDodd
DurbinFeinsteinFrankenGillibrandHarkinInouye
KerryKirkLautenbergLevinMenendezMikulski
MurrayReedRockefellerSchumerStabenowWhitehouse
SENATE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TRUE
LIBERALS
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10 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
AKIN
BACHMANN
BILIRAKIS
BISHOP Rob
BLACKBURN
BRADY
BROUN
BURGESS
CANTOR
CHAFFETZ
CONAWAY
CULBERSONDEAL
FLAKE
FLEMING
FOXX
FRANKS
GARRETT
GOHMERT
GOODLATTEHENSARLING
HERGER
ISSA
JOHNSON Sam
JORDAN
KLINE
LAMBORN
LATTA
LINDER
LUMMIS
LUNGREN
MACK
MARCHANT
McCARTHY
McCLINTOCK
McHENRY
MICA
MILLER Jeff
NEUGEBAUER
OLSONPENCE
POSEY
PRICE
RADANOVICH
ROHRABACHER
ROSKAM
ROYCE
SCALISESCHMIDT
SENSENBRENNER
SESSIONS
SHADEGG
SMITH Adrian
SULLIVAN
THORNBERRY
WESTMORELAND
BARRETT
BARTLETT
BARTON
BOEHNER
BOOZMAN
BOUSTANY
BROWN Henry
BURTON
CARTER
COBLE
FALLIN
FORBESGALLEGLY
GINGREY
GRAVES
HARPER
HASTINGS Doc
HOEKSTRA
HUNTER
KING SteveKINGSTON
LUETKEMEYER
MANZULLO
McCAUL
McKEON
McMORRIS RODGERS
MORAN Jerry
MYRICK
Tose Members who scored 80% or higherRatings of CongressACU
Conservatives
10 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
BARRASSO
BURR
COBURN
CORNYN
DeMINT
ENSIGNENZI
INHOFE
THUNE
VITTER
BUNNING
GRASSLEY
HUTCHISONISAKSON
McCAIN
McCONNELL
RISCH
ROBERTS
SESSIONS
JOHANNSBROWNBACK
SENATE
HOUSE
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112009 ACU Ratings of Congress
NUNES
PITTS
PUTNAM
ROONEY
RYAN Paul
SMITH Lamar
STEARNS
TIAHRT
WAMP
WILSON Joe
ADERHOLT
BACHUSBLUNT
BONNER
CALVERT
CAMPBELL
COFFMAN
COLE
DAVIS
DREIERDUNCAN
GRANGER
HALL
HELLER
INGLIS
JENKINS
PETRI
POE
REHBERG
ROE
ROGERS Michael
SCHOCK
SHIMKUS
WITTMAN
YOUNG Bill
LUCAS Frank
PAUL
SOUDER
MILLER Gary
ALEXANDERAUSTRIA
BILBRAY
BUCHANAN
BUYER
CAMP
CASSIDY
FORTENBERRY
GUTHRIEKING Peter
LEE
PAULSEN
ROGERS Harold
SHUSTER
TERRY
THOMPSON
WHITFIELD
BROWN-WAITE
CRENSHAW
LEWIS
McCOTTER
SIMPSON
JONES Walter
TIBERI
BIGGERT
JOHNSON Tim
LATHAM
MILLER Candice
ROGERS MikeWALDEN
WOLF
on the ACU 2009
112009 ACU Ratings of Congress
CHAMBLISS
CRAPO
KYL
GRAHAM
HATCH
SHELBYWICKER
LeMIEUX
BENNETT
COCHRAN
CORKER
GREGG
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12 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
and co-sponsored by over 90 otherconservative organizations.
2011 MeetingFebruary 10 12, 2011
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel2660 Woodley Road, NWWashington, DC 20008
The largest annual gathering ofConservative leaders and activists
from throughout our nation.
Learn more at www.cpac.org or
www.conservative.org
CPAC is a project of the non-profit,American Conservative Union Foundation.
Hosted Annuallyby ACUF
the
American
ConservativeUnionFoundation
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132009 ACU Ratings of Congress
ACU Ratings of Congress111th Congress, 1st Session
Senate Vote Descriptions
Senate Vote Descriptions
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14 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
1. Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). S. J. Res. 5 (Roll
Call 5). The Senate defeated a measure that would have
prevented the release of the remaining $350 billion under
the financial industry bailout law. ACU supported this effort to
recapture some of the taxpayer money in this program, but
the effort was defeated January 15, 2009, by a vote of 42-52.
2. Abortion Promotion. HR 2 (Roll Call 19). The Senate de-
feated an amendment that would have re-instated the ban on
U.S. aid to organizations that promote abortion. ACU supports
this ban, usually called the Mexico City Policy, but it was
defeated January 28, 2009 by a vote of 37-60 .
3. Unborn Children Health Care. HR 2 (Roll Call 26). The
Senate defeated an amendment that would have expanded
the definition of low-income children to include unborn
children. ACU opposed the massive expansion of the SCHIP
Program but supported this expanded definition. However, it
was defeated January 29, 2009 by a vote of 39-59.
4. State Childrens Health Insurance (SCHIP). HR 2 (Roll
Call 31). The Senate voted to re-authorize the SCHIP and
increase its funding by $32.8 billion. The bill raises taxes, ex-
pands the program to include legal immigrants and pregnant
women, and loosens citizenship requirements. Although the
program was designed to help poor children, the bill prohib-
its the government from covering poor children first. ACUopposed this expansion of the program, but it was approved
January 29, 2009 by a vote of 66-32.
5. Confirmation of Eric Holder as Attorney General. Roll
Call 32. The Senate voted to confirm Eric Holder as Attorney
General of the United States. ACU opposed this nomination
because of Mr. Holders role in granting presidential pardons
at the end of the Clinton administration, his disdain of Second
Amendment rights, and other issues. However, Mr. Holder was
confirmed February 2, 2009 by a vote of 75-21.
6. Tax Cuts. HR 1 (Roll Call 38). The Senate rejected a
substitute to the Stimulus bill which would have replaced
government spending with tax cuts. It would have made
ACU 2009 Senate Vote Descriptions
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152009 ACU Ratings of Congress
permanent the tax cuts passed temporarily in 2001 and
2003. These include elimination of the marriage penalty, a
$1,000 per child tax credit, a 15 percent rate on capital gains,
and a repeal of the death tax on estates under $5 million.
The proposal also lowered the corporate tax rate from 35 to
25 percent and repealed the Alternative Minimum Tax. ACUstrongly supported these tax cuts, but they were defeated
February 4, 2009 by a vote of 36-61.
7. Earmarks. HR 1 (Roll Call 46). The Senate rejected an
effort to require 60 votes to approve unauthorized earmarks
and require disclosure of lobbying by recipients of such
spending. ACU opposes earmarks and supports disclosure,but the effort was defeated February 5 by a vote of 32-65.
8. ACORN Funding. HR 1 (Roll Call 56). The Senate re-
jected an amendment barring stimulus funds from going
to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform
Now (ACORN). ACU supported this amendment because of
ACORNs record of corruption, but the amendment was de-feated February 6, 2009 by a vote of 45-51.
9. Economic StimulusCloture. HR 1 (Roll Call 59). The
Senate agreed to stop debate and move to final passage of
the Economic Stimulus Bill, providing $838 billion in an effort
to stimulate the economy. ACU opposed the stimulus pack-
age. Under Senate rules, 60 votes were required to halt de-bate. The motion passed February 9, 2009 by a vote of 61-36.
10. D.C. Gun Laws. S. 160 (Roll Call 72). The Senate adopted
an amendment lifting the District of Columbia ban on firearms
ownership, and other restrictions on firearms. ACU supported
the application of the Second Amendment to the nations
capitol, and it passed February 26, 2009 by a vote of 62-36.
11. D.C. Voting Rights. S. 160 (Roll Call 73). The Senate
passed a bill adding two seats to the House of Representa-
tives, one temporarily for Utah and one permanently for the
District of Columbia. ACU opposed this effort on the grounds
that D.C. is not a state, but it passed February 26, 2009 by
a vote of 61-37.
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16 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
12. Spending Freeze. HR 1105 (Roll Call 74). The Senate
defeated an amendment freezing spending for most domestic
programs at FY 2008 levels through September 2009. ACU
supported this effort to control federal spending, but it was
defeated March 3, 2009 by a vote of 32-63.
13. Fairness Doctrine. HR 1105 (Roll Call 92). The Senate
defeated an amendment that would bar the use of federal
funds to re-instate the fairness doctrine, which required
broadcasters to give equal time to different viewpoints, thus
discouraging broadcasters from airing successful conser-
vative talk shows. ACU opposes this attempt at restricting
political speech, but the amendment failed March 10, 2009by a vote of 47-50.
14. D.C. School Vouchers. HR 1105 (Roll Call 94). The Sen-
ate defeated an amendment to preserve funds for the District
of Columbia school voucher program after the 2009-10
school year. ACU supports school choice in the District and
elsewhere, but the effort to keep choice was defeated March10, 2009 by a vote of 39-58.
15. Legislative Transparency. S.Con.Res. 13 (Roll Call 144).
The Senate killed an effort to require 60 votes to pass any
legislation that has not been available for public review for
five days. ACU supported this effort to help citizens be aware
of what Congress is doing, but it failed April 2, 2009 by a voteof 46-52.
16. International Monetary Fund (IMF). HR 2346 (Roll Call
201). The Senate defeated an amendment striking an ad-
ditional $5 billion no strings attached commitment to the IMF
requested by Treasury Secretary Geitner who used to work
there. ACU opposes giving a blank check to multilateral aid
agencies, but the amendment was defeated May 21, 2009 by
a vote of 30-64.
17. Sonia Sotomayor Nomination. Roll Call 262. The Senate
voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court. ACU opposed this nomination because
ACU 2009 Senate Vote Descriptions
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18 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
23. Medicare Advantage. HR 3690 (Roll Call 362). The
Senate defeated a motion to eliminate cuts in the Medicare
Advantage program as part of health care overhaul. ACU
supported this effort, since Medicare Advantage uses pri-
vate incentives to control Medicare costs, but the effort was
defeated December 4, 2009 by a vote of 41-57.
24. Medical Malpractice. HR 3590 (Roll Call 366). The Sen-
ate defeated an amendment limiting attorney fees in medical
malpractice suits. ACU supports medical malpractice reform,
but this attempt was defeated December 6, 2009 by a vote of
32-66.
25. Health Care OverhaulPassage. HR 3590 (Roll Call
396). The Senate passed legislation overhauling the health
care industry. Provisions include federal supervision of private
insurance plans, state-run insurance exchanges, mandatory
purchase of government approved insurance by individuals or
the payment of a steep excise tax, requirements that employ-
ers offer insurance or face fines, subsidies for individuals topurchase government approved insurance up to 400 percent
of the poverty level. The bill raises numerous taxes, including
a tax on health insurance plans, medical devices and tan-
ning salons. Insurance companies could not deny coverage
to those already sick, and Medicare and Medicaid would be
expanded. All states except Nebraska would share in the
Medicaid cost. The bill reduces support for Medicare Advan-tage except for designated counties in Florida and includes
$300 million in unrelated spending for the state of Louisiana.
ACU opposed this nationalization of the health care industry,
but it passed December 24, 2009 by a vote of 60-39.
ACU 2009 Senate Vote Descriptions
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20 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
1.EndTARP
2.MexicoCitypolicy
3.Unbornchildren
healthcare
4.SCHIPexpansion
5.EricHolderconfi
rmation
6.Taxcuts
7.Earmarks
8.ACORNfunding
9.Stimulusbill
10.D.C.gunlaws
11.D.C.votingrights
12.Spendingfreez
e
13.FairnessDoctrine
14.D.C.schoolvouchers
2009Votes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
Ala
bama
SHELBY
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
88.0
0
84
31
75.4
3
SESSIONS
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
(+)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
84
13
95.0
8
Alaska
MURKOWSKI
+
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
68.0
0
58
7
70.1
9
Begich
-
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
12.0
0
NA
1
12.0
0
Ar
izona
McCAIN
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
63
27
81.9
7
KYL
-
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
92.0
0
96
23
96.7
5
Ark
ansas
Lincoln
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
+
-
24.0
0
8
17
19.0
1
Pryor
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
4
7
16.8
6
California
Feinstein
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
17
8.5
3
Boxer
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
27
2.9
6
Colorado
UdallMark
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
16.0
0
13
11
9.1
5
Bennet*
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
NA
1
8.0
0
Connecticut
Dodd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
35
7.6
6
Lieberman
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
20.0
0
8
21
16.1
5
Delaware
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
23/72
212009 ACU Ratings of Congress
15.Legislativetran
sparency
16.InternationalM
onetaryFund
17.SupremeCourtconfirmation
18.CashforClunkers
19.Travelersgunr
ights
20.Terroristdetentionfacilities
21.HealthCareMotiontoProceed
22.NewHealthCa
reentitlement
23.SavingMedicareAdvantage
24.MedicalMalpracticereform
25.HealthCarefin
alpassage
2009Votes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
Carper
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
4.0
0
0
19
12.2
2
Kaufman**
I
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.0
0
NA
1
4.0
0
Florida
NelsonBill
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.0
0
8
19
35.5
3
LeMIEUX***
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
86.0
0
NA
1
86.0
0
Ge
orgia
CHAMBLISS
+
X
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
92.0
0
76
15
92.8
3
ISAKSON
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
76
11
89.0
9
Hawaii
Inouye
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
39
6.6
7
Akaka
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
33
6.7
6
Idaho
CRAPO
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
92.0
0
88
17
92.2
7
RISCH
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
96.0
0
NA
1
96.0
0
Illinois
Durbin
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
27
6.1
2
Ke
y:
+indicatesavotecastinfavorofthe
ACUposition
-indicatesavotecastinoppositiontotheACUposition
(+)indicatesanannouncementinfavoroftheACUposition
(-)
indicatesanannouncementinoppositiontotheACUposition
Xindicatesthatthememberdidnotv
ote
Iindicatesthatthememberswa
snoteligibletovote
*AppointedtoreplaceKenSalazar,whoresignedtobecomeSecre
tary
ofInterior
**AppointedtoreplaceJoeBide
n,whobecamevice-president
***AppointedtoreplaceMelMartinez,whoresigned
****AppointedtoreplaceTedKennedy,whodiedinoffice
*****Seatingdelayedduetoelectionrecounts
******Appointedtoreplace
HillaryClinton,whoresignedtobe
come
SecretaryofState
*******ChangedpartyregistrationtoDemocratsincelastyear
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
24/72
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
25/72
232009 ACU Ratings of Congress
2009Votes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
Massachusetts
Kerry
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
25
5.2
8
Kirk****
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
NA
1
0.0
0
Michigan
Levin
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
31
6.5
8
Stabenow
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
9
9.3
3
Min
nesota
Klobuchar
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
12.0
0
16
3
10.6
7
Fran-
ken*****
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
NA
1
0.0
0
Mississippi
COCHRAN
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
84.0
0
68
37
80.1
3
WICKER
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
88.0
0
80
15
90.8
0
Missouri
BOND
+
+
+
+
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
76.0
0
75
23
81.9
0
McCaskill
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
28.0
0
20
3
18.6
7
Mo
ntana
Ke
y:
+indicatesavotecastinfavorofthe
ACUposition
-indicatesavotecastinoppositiontotheACUposition
(+)indicatesanannouncementinfavoroftheACUposition
(-)
indicatesanannouncementinoppositiontotheACUposition
Xindicatesthatthememberdidnotv
ote
Iindicatesthatthememberswa
snoteligibletovote
*AppointedtoreplaceKenSalazar,whoresignedtobecomeSecre
tary
ofInterior
**AppointedtoreplaceJoeBide
n,whobecamevice-president
***AppointedtoreplaceMelMartinez,whoresigned
****AppointedtoreplaceTedKennedy,whodiedinoffice
*****Seatingdelayedduetoelectionrecounts
******Appointedtoreplace
HillaryClinton,whoresignedtobe
come
SecretaryofState
*******ChangedpartyregistrationtoDemocratsincelastyear
15.Legislativetran
sparency
16.InternationalM
onetaryFund
17.SupremeCourtconfirmation
18.CashforClunkers
19.Travelersgunr
ights
20.Terroristdetentionfacilities
21.HealthCareMotiontoProceed
22.NewHealthCa
reentitlement
23.SavingMedicareAdvantage
24.MedicalMalpracticereform
25.HealthCarefin
alpassage
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
26/72
24 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
2009Votes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
Baucus
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
20.0
0
8
35
14.2
1
Tester
(+)
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
16.0
0
16
3
16.0
0
Nebraska
NelsonBen
+
+
+
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
44.0
0
16
9
46.9
0
JOHANNS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
X
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
95.0
0
NA
1
95.0
0
Nevada
Reid
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
16
27
18.5
6
ENSIGN
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
92
15
94.3
7
NewH
ampshire
GREGG
-
+
+
+
-
X
X
X
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
81.0
0
83
25
78.6
8
Shaheen
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
NA
1
8.0
0
New
Jersey
Lautenberg
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
25
4.7
6
Menendez
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
17
8.1
2
New
Mexico
Bingaman
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.0
0
0
27
11.4
3
UdallTom
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
12
11
4.8
6
NewYork
Schumer
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
29
5.7
2
Gillibrand
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
23
3
10.3
3
North
Carolina
BURR
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
79
15
91.0
0
1.EndTARP
2.MexicoCitypolicy
3.Unbornchildren
healthcare
4.SCHIPexpansion
5.EricHolderconfi
rmation
6.Taxcuts
7.Earmarks
8.ACORNfunding
9.Stimulusbill
10.D.C.gunlaws
11.D.C.votingrights
12.Spendingfreez
e
13.FairnessDoctrine
14.D.C.schoolvouchers
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
27/72
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
28/72
26 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
2009Votes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
Rhod
eIsland
Reed
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
19
6.3
0
Whitehouse
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
8
3
2.6
7
South
Carolina
GRAHAM
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
88.0
0
82
15
89.6
8
DeMINT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
11
98.5
5
SouthDakota
Johnson,
Tim
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
12
23
17.9
1
THUNE
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
84
11
87.9
7
Ten
nessee
ALEXANDER
-
+
+
-
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
68.0
0
72
7
79.0
0
CORKER
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
84.0
0
83
3
83.3
3
Texas
HUTCHISON
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
76
17
89.7
7
CORNYN
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
(+)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
79
7
93.1
4
Utah
HATCH
(+)
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
(+)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
88.0
0
80
33
89.1
5
BENNETT
+
+
+
+
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
84.0
0
64
17
83.6
3
Ve
rmont
Leahy
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
4
35
5.8
8
Sanders
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
12.0
0
8
19
6.7
3
1.EndTARP
2.MexicoCitypolicy
3.Unbornchildren
healthcare
4.SCHIPexpansion
5.EricHolderconfi
rmation
6.Taxcuts
7.Earmarks
8.ACORNfunding
9.Stimulusbill
10.D.C.gunlaws
11.D.C.votingrights
12.Spendingfreez
e
13.FairnessDoctrine
14.D.C.schoolvouchers
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
29/72
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
30/72
Americas Oldest and Largest GrassrootsConservative Organization
Founded in 1964, the ACU represents the views
of Americans who are concerned with economic
growth through lower taxes and reduced
government spending and the issues of personal
responsibility, traditional values and national
security.
Learn More.
Visit: www.Conservative.org
Sign up for ACU email updates.
Participate in ACU programs.
The American Conservative Union
1007 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-8602
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
31/72
292009 ACU Ratings of Congress
ACU Ratings of Congress111th Congress, 1st Session
House Vote Descriptions
House Vote Descriptions
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
32/72
30 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
1. Wage Discrimination. HR 11 (Roll Call 9). The House
passed a bill that overturned a U.S. Supreme Court decision
requiring the filing of pay discrimination cases within a
reasonable period of time. The bill extended the time limit for
employees to file discrimination cases to within 180 days of
the last paycheck affected by the discrimination, rather thanthe date the discrimination occurred. ACU opposed opening a
new Pandoras Box for trial lawyers but the House passed it
January 9, 2009 by a vote of 247-171.
2. Childrens Health Insurance. HR 2 (Roll Call 16). The
House passed a bill to more than double spending on the
State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and raisestaxes to pay for it. States could insure pregnant women and
children of legal immigrants and families up to 300 percent of
the federal poverty level. Although the program was designed
for poor children, the bill prohibits HHS from requiring poor
children to be covered first. ACU opposed the bill, which
passed July 14, 2009 by a vote of 289-139.
3. Financial Industry Bailout. HR 384 (Roll Call 25).
The House defeated an attempt to provide for a plan for
repayment of all assistance given under the $700 billion
financial industry bailout program and prevent the Treasury
Secretary from spending the $350 billion still in the program.
ACU supported this effort, which was defeated January 21,
2009, by a vote of 199-228.
4. Economic Stimulus. HR 1 (Roll Call 70). The House
gave final approval to a bill providing $787 billion, mostly in
the form of government spending on programs that will take
a number of years to implement, in an effort to stimulate
the economy. The bill raised the deficit by $787 billion and
simultaneously raised the federal debt ceiling to $12.1 trillion.
ACU opposed this intervention in the economy, but it passed
February 13, 2009 by a vote of 246-183.
5. Omnibus Appropriations for FY 2009. HR 1105 (Roll Call
86). The House passed a bill appropriating $410 billion for
nine departments not dealt with in 2008. Although the bill didblock the automatic cost-of-living increase for Members of
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312009 ACU Ratings of Congress
Congress, it increased government spending by 8.4 percent
on top of increases in the Stimulus bill. ACU opposed this
example of irresponsible omnibus spending. The bill passed
February 25, 2009 by a vote of 245-178.
6. Mortgage Loan Modification Program. HR 1106 (Roll Call104). The House passed a bill allowing bankruptcy judges to
re-write mortgage contracts for the benefit of homeowners
and compensating some lenders for the resulting losses. ACU
strongly opposes this violation of the sanctity of contracts, but
the bill passed March 5, 2009 by a vote of 234-191.
7. Conservative Substitute. H. Con. Res. 85 (Roll Call189). The House defeated the Substitute sponsored by the
conservative Republican Study Committee to the annual
Budget Resolution. The substitute would have balanced the
budget in ten years, would have provided for an extension of
the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts along with another $1.2 trillion
in tax cuts and $482 billion in spending cuts over five years.
ACU supported this approach to government spending, but itwas defeated April 2, 2009 by a vote of 111-322.
8. Hate Crimes. HR 1913 (Roll Call 223). The House passed
a bill expanding federal hate crimes law to include sexual
orientation, gender, or disability. ACU opposes this attempt to
criminalize thought, but it was approved April 29, 2009 by a
vote of 249-175.
9. ACORN Grant Eligibility. HR 1728 (Roll Call 238). The
House adopted an amendment to the Mortgage Lending
Standards bill that watered down an amendment approved in
committee to bar ACORN or other organizations which employ
people who have been convicted of election law violations
from access to funds under the bill. This version only applies
to executives of an organization that have been convicted
of a felony. ACU opposed this effort to protect ACORN but it
passed on May 7, 2009 by a vote of 245-176.
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32 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
10. Johnstown Airport. HR 915 (Roll Call 290). The House
defeated an attempt to delete an earmark in the Federal
Aviation Administration authorization requested by Rep.
John Murtha for an airport near Johnstown, Pa. named after
Rep. Murtha. This airport handles six flights a week and has
already received $150 million in taxpayer subsidies. ACUopposes this kind of special funding, but the House rejected
the attempt May 21, 2009 by a vote of 154-263.
11. Parental Leave for Federal Employees. HR 626 (Roll Call
310). The House passed a bill providing that four of the 12
weeks of parental leave provided by the federal government
to its employees would be paid leave and removing therequirement that employees demonstrate a medical need
for sick leave used. ACU opposes this special benefit for
government employees, but the House passed it June 4, 2009
by a vote of 258-154.
12. Cash for Clunkers. HR 2751 (Roll Call 314). The House
voted to establish a new $4 billion program under which theDepartment of Transportation would buy old cars from people
for up to $4,500 each, so that people could buy new, more
fuel-efficient cars. ACU saw that this program would be as
wasteful and ineffective as it turned out to be, and so opposed
it. However, it passed June 9, 2009 by a vote of 298-119.
13. Legal Services Corporation. HR 2847 (Roll Call 359). TheHouse defeated an amendment that would have struck $440
million from the Commerce Department Appropriations Bill for
the Legal Services Corporation. ACU has always opposed this
wasteful program which has been used primarily to expand
the welfare state and was recently found by the GAO to be
rife with waste, fraud and abuse. The amendment failed June
18, 2009 by a vote of 105-323.
14. Missile Defense. HR 2647 (Roll Call 455). The House
defeated an amendment to the Defense Department
Authorization Bill that would have increased the amount
authorized for the Missile Defense Agency by $1.2 billion
and establish the policy of continued development of missiledefense systems. ACU has always supported missile defense
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332009 ACU Ratings of Congress
as a justified constitutional duty of the government and
opposes major reductions by the Obama Administration.
However, the amendment was defeated June 25, 2009 by a
vote of 171-244.
15. Cap-and-Trade Emissions Limits. HR 2454 (Roll Call477). The House passed a bill establishing a cap-and-
trade program for limiting greenhouse gas emission. The
program is a complicated system of emission allowances and
auctions, but its effect would be to roll back CO2
emissions to
17 percent of current levels, at enormous cost to individuals
and to the competitive position of the United States in the
world. ACU opposes these draconian measures as unneededand in fact counterproductive, but the bill passed June 26,
2009 by a vote of 219-212.
16. Spending Caps. HR 2920 (Roll Call 610). The House
defeated an amendment that would have established
spending caps through fiscal year 2014, limiting spending
and deficit limits to a percentage of Gross Domestic Product.ACU favors restricting government growth to the growth in
the economy, but the amendment was defeated July 22, 2009
by a vote of 169-259.
17. Spending Cuts. HR 3288 (Roll Call 623). The House
defeated an amendment that would have cut discretionary
government spending in the appropriations for theDepartments of Housing and Transportation by 5 percent,
less than the recent annual increase in appropriations. ACU
supported this amendment, which was defeated July 23,
2009 by a vote of 181-252.
18. Planned Parenthood. HR 3293 (Roll Call 643). The
House defeated an amendment to the Labor-HHS-Education
Appropriations bill that would have eliminated funding
for Planned Parenthood family planning services, which
includes abortion services. ACU has always opposed
Planned Parenthood and federal involvement in this area as
unconstitutional, but the amendment was defeated July 24,
2009 by a vote of 183-247.
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352009 ACU Ratings of Congress
23. Estate Tax Extension. HR 4154 (Roll Call 929). The
House passed a bill making permanent the estate and gift tax
levels now in the law. ACU opposes these taxes and opposed
the effort to make them permanent. However, it passed the
House December 3, 2009 by a vote of 225-200.
24. Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). HR 4173 (Roll
Call 967). The House defeated an attempt to repeal the
Troubled Asset Relief Program and lower the national debt
limit. ACU supports both these goals, but the attempt failed
December 11, 2009 by a vote of 190-232.
25. Financial Industry Regulation. HR 4173 (Roll Call 968).The House passed an overhaul of regulation of the financial
industry that creates an entirely new government agency. The
bill also sets national mortgage standards, federal registration
of investment advisers, overrules state consumer financial
laws, and authorizes the use of TARP funds for housing relief.
ACU opposed this massive expansion of federal regulation
without clear limits and definitions as to what would beregulated or how. However, the bill passed December 11,
2009 by a vote of 223-202.
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The ACU
Foundation has
fought the war of
ideas almost from
the beginning
of the modern
conservative
movement.
TOLEARNMOREABOUTHOWYOUCAN
HELPFURTHERTHEDISCUSSIONOF
CONSERVATIVEIDEASWITHAACUF
TAXDEDUCTIBLECONTRIBUTION,
PLEASECALL LYNN BRADSHAWAT
703-836-8602.
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372009 ACU Ratings of Congress
ACU Ratings of Congress111th Congress, 1st Session
House Scores
House Scores
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40 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
VoteNumber
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
13
Stark
-
-
-
-
X
X
-
X
X
X
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
10.0
0
13
37
4.0
8
14
Eshoo
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
17
4.4
9
15
Honda
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
9
3.1
1
16
Lofgren
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(-)
(-)
0.0
0
0
15
4.1
5
17
Farr
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
17
3.3
6
18
Cardoza
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
8
7
25.5
7
19
RADANOVICH
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
87
15
94.4
6
20
Costa
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
12.0
0
9
5
22.6
0
21
NUNES
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
(+)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
100
7
93.1
4
22
McCARTHY
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
3
100.0
0
23
Capps
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
12
6.4
7
24
GALLEGLY
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
92
23
88.8
0
25
McKEON
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
88
17
90.3
1
26
DREIER
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
92.0
0
86
29
91.0
4
27
Sherman
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
9
13
5.3
6
28
Berman
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
27
5.3
7
29
Schiff
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
9
7.6
1
30
Waxman
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
35
4.5
6
31
Becerra
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
4.0
0
8
17
3.1
3
32
Chu***
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
NA
1
0.0
0
33
Watson
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
9
2.6
2
1.PayDiscriminationlawsuits
2.SCHIPexpansion
3.PreventfurtherTARPspending
4.Stimulusbill
5.2009Omnib
usAppropriations
6.MortgageLoanModification
Program
7.ConservativeBudgetProposal
8.HateCrimes
9.ACORNGrantEligibility
10.Johnstown
Airportsubsidies
11.Parentalleaveforfederal
employees
12.CashforClunkers
13.LegalServ
icesCorporation
14.MissileDefense
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VoteNumber
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
50
BILBRAY
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
88.0
0
92
10
79.2
0
51
Filner
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
12
17
4.5
7
52
HUNTERDuncanD.
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
NA
1
96.0
0
53
DavisSusan
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
9
5.3
3
Colorad
o
1
DeGette
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
13
3.3
6
2
Polis
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.0
0
NA
1
4.0
0
3
SalazarJ
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
12
5
23.2
0
4
Markey
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
NA
1
8.0
0
5
LAMBORN
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
3
100.0
0
6
COFFMAN
+
+
+
+
+
(+)
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
92.0
0
NA
1
92.0
0
7
Perlmutter
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
3
1.3
3
Connec
ticut
1
Larson
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
11
5.5
5
2
Courtney
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
8
3
2.6
7
3
DeLauro
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
19
4.0
8
4
Himes
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
4.0
0
NA
1
4.0
0
5
Murphy
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
4.0
0
0
3
1.3
3
Delawa
re
AL
CASTLE
+
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
56.0
0
28
17
52.4
9
Florida
1.PayDiscriminationlawsuits
2.SCHIPexpansion
3.PreventfurtherTARPspending
4.Stimulusbill
5.2009Omnib
usAppropriations
6.MortgageLoanModification
Program
7.ConservativeBudgetProposal
8.HateCrimes
9.ACORNGrantEligibility
10.Johnstown
Airportsubsidies
11.Parentalleaveforfederal
employees
12.CashforClunkers
13.LegalServ
icesCorporation
14.MissileDefense
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VoteNumber
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
17
Meek
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
7
7.5
7
18
ROS-LEHTINEN
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
72.0
0
32
21
73.3
8
19
Wexler
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
5
13
6.2
7
20
Wasserman-Schultz
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
5
0.8
0
21
DIAZ-BALARTLincoln
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
71.0
0
52
17
72.0
0
22
Klein
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
3
1.3
3
23
HastingsAlcee
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
17
5.1
3
24
Kosmas
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
+
-
20.0
0
NA
1
20.0
0
25
DIAZ-BALARTMario
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
72.0
0
52
7
75.3
8
Georgia
1
KINGSTON
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
-
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
96
17
96.3
0
2
BishopSanford
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
+
-
8.0
0
4
17
30.8
7
3
WESTMORELAND
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
5
97.5
3
4
Johnson
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
8
3
2.6
7
5
Lewis
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
X
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
23
2.2
4
6
PRICE
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
5
97.6
0
7
LINDER
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
17
95.6
7
8
Marshall
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
32.0
0
28
7
44.9
8
9
DEAL
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
17
90.0
0
10
BROUN
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
100.0
0
100
3
100.0
0
11
GINGREY
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
96.0
0
96
7
95.4
3
1.PayDiscriminationlawsuits
2.SCHIPexpansion
3.PreventfurtherTARPspending
4.Stimulusbill
5.2009Omnib
usAppropriations
6.MortgageLoanModification
Program
7.ConservativeBudgetProposal
8.HateCrimes
9.ACORNGrantEligibility
10.Johnstown
Airportsubsidies
11.Parentalleaveforfederal
employees
12.CashforClunkers
13.LegalServ
icesCorporation
14.MissileDefense
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
47/72
452009 ACU Ratings of Congress
VoteNumber
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
12
Barrow
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
+
X
X
-
-
17.0
0
24
5
36.2
0
13
ScottDavid
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
7
20.5
0
Hawaii
1
Abercrombie
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
8
19
7.2
1
2
Hirono
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
3
1.3
3
Idaho
1
Minick
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
44.0
0
NA
1
44.0
0
2
SIMPSON
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
84.0
0
80
11
85.7
7
Illinois
1
Rush
-
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
13
17
4.0
1
2
Jackson
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
4
14
2.9
2
3
Lipinski
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.0
0
8
5
17.0
0
4
Gutierrez
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(-)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
17
4.7
3
5
Quigley
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
NA
1
0.0
0
6
ROSKAM
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
(+)
+
+
+
100.0
0
96
3
97.3
3
7
DavisDanny
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
X
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
13
2.6
9
Legend:
+indicatesavoteinaccordwithACUsposition
-in
dicatesavoteagainstACUsposition
(+)
indicatesthememberformallyannouncedapositioninaccord
withACUs
(-)indicatesthememberformallyannounce
dapositionagainstACUs
Xindicatesthememberdidnotcastavote
Iindicatesthatthememberwasnoteligibletovote
SBytradition,theSpeakeroftheHouserarelyvotes
*ListedhereasaDemocrat,Griffithh
assincechangedhisparty
registrationtoRepublican
**Elected3November2009toreplac
eEllenTauscher,whoresignedto
takeaStateDepartmentposition
***Elected14July2009torep
laceHildaSolis,whoresignedtobecomeSecretary
ofLabor
****Elected31March2009to
replaceKirstenGillibrand,whowas
appointedtotheU.S.Sena
te
*****Elected3November2009
toreplaceJohnMcHugh,whoresigned
tobecomeSecretaryoftheArmy
15.CapandTr
ade
16.Spendingcaps
17.Spendingcuts
18.PlannedParenthood
19.Taxpayerfundedabortion
20.HealthCareRepublican
substitute
21.HealthCarefinalpassage
22.EstateTax
repeal
23.EstateTax
extension
24.EndTARP
25.FinancialIndustryoverhaul
-
8/14/2019 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
48/72
46 2009 ACU Ratings of Congress
VoteNumber
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2009
2008
YOS
Life
8
Bean
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
16.0
0
20
5
23.4
0
9
Schakowsky
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.0
0
0
11
1.5
5
10
KIRK
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
72.0
0
48
9
57.5
0
11
Halvorson
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
20.0
0
NA
1
20.0
0
12
Costello
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
12.0
0
13
22
31.8
0
13
BIGGERT
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
80.0
0
84
11
70.4
5
14
Foster
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.0
0
13
2
8.5
0
15
JOHNSONTim
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
80.0
0
68
9
67.5
6
16
MANZULLO
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+