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Scorecard Lets Americans Know Where Their Representatives Stand on GLBT Equality

WASHINGTON - To inform the public about where congressional leaders stand on policies important to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, the Human Rights Campaign has compiled a scorecard that outlines how they have voted on GLBT issues during the 109th Congress.

“This scorecard is a vital tool for rating members of Congress on votes important to our community in the last legislative session,” said HRC Legislative Director Allison Herwitt. “With the Federal Marriage Amendment and other critically important votes to our community rated in this scorecard, we would encourage all GLBT individuals and straight supporters to take a careful look and know where your representative stands on issues of equality and fairness.”

The 2006 Human Rights Campaign scorecard rates members of Congress on important votes and their support of critical legislation taken during the 109th legislative session.

These Senate bills and votes include: S.J. Res. 1 — the Federal Marriage Amendment; the confirmation of Judge William Pryor; the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito; S. 403 — the Lautenberg Amendment to the Child Custody Protection Act; co-sponsorship of S. 311 — the Early Treatment for HIV Act; co-sponsorship of S. 1278 — the Uniting American Families Act; and co-sponsorship of S. 1145 — the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act.

The House bills and votes scored include: H.J. Res. 88 — the Federal Marriage Amendment; H.R. 3132 — the Conyers Hate Crimes Amendment to the Child Safety Act; co-sponsorship of H.R. 2662 — the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act; co-sponsorship of H.R. 1059 — the Military Readiness Enhancement Act; and co-sponsorship of H.R. 3006 — the Uniting American Families Act.

There are 11 members of the U.S. Senate (10 Democrats and one Republican) who scored a perfect 100 percent on this year’s scorecard. Additionally, there are 96 members of the U.S. House (92 Democrats; three Republicans and one Independent) who also scored a perfect 100 percent.

This year’s scorecard reflects the resounding defeat of the Federal Marriage Amendment, for the second time. In the Senate, the 49 to 48 vote failed to muster even a majority (67 votes were needed for passage), but seven Republicans voted against the measure, including two senators, Gregg and Specter, who had voted in 2004 to move the amendment forward. Following the Senate vote, the House again rejected the effort to put discrimination into the Constitution with a 236 to 187 bipartisan vote against the Federal Marriage Amendment, with 27 Republicans voting in opposition to the amendment.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that GLBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.