The Humane Society Legislative Fund | Humane Scorecard 109th

Humane Society Legislative Fund Issues Congressional Scorecard on Animal Protection Measures

October 25, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) today posted its Humane Scorecard for the 109th Congress at www.humanescorecard.org. The scorecard, which is published annually, provides a snapshot of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives and their records on major animal welfare policies. This most recent scorecard covers the two-year Congressional term for 2005 and 2006.

Lawmakers are scored on floor votes on horse slaughter and legislation to address the needs of pets in disaster planning; their co-sponsorship of key bills such as those to crack down on animal fighting and stop the sale of “downed” livestock who are too sick or injured to walk; and their signing of a letter requesting funding for enforcement of animal welfare laws. Members who led as prime sponsors of animal protection legislation receive extra credit.

“The 2006 Humane Scorecard provides an easy way for constituents to assess how their federal lawmakers acted on animal protection issues, and it helps chart the progress of our public policy work on behalf of animals,” said Michael Markarian, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund. “In the 109th Congress, animal welfare issues were part of our national public discourse at a higher level than ever before, and our elected officials are taking notice that the American people want stronger laws for animals.”

Highlights from the 2006 Humane Scorecard include:

A bipartisan group of 29 Senators and 101 Representatives covering 38 states led as prime sponsors of pro-animal legislation and/or scored a perfect 100—nearly one third of the Senate and one quarter of the House.
The average Senate score was a 48, with Senate Democrats averaging 68, and Senate Republicans averaging 32.
The average House score was a 57, with House Democrats averaging 73, and House Republicans averaging 41.
Eighteen Senators scored 100 or 100+ (14 Democrats, 4 Republicans).
Nineteen Senators scored zero (4 Democrats, 15 Republicans).
Eighty-six Representatives scored 100 or 100+ (69 Democrats, 16 Republicans, 1 Independent).
Fifteen Representatives scored zero (1 Democrat, 14 Republicans).
The New England region led the pack with an average Senate score of 85 and an average House score of 91.
The Rocky Mountains were at the bottom with an average Senate score of 14 and an average House score of 30.
California, Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts are the only states in which both Senators scored 100 or 100+.
Alabama, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico, and Wyoming are the only states in which both Senators scored zero.
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont are the only states with an average House score above 90.
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, and Utah are the only states with an average House score below 20.

Best of the Best: The following 9 Senators and 11 Representatives scored the highest possible 100+ for receiving a perfect score and also leading on animal protection legislation:

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA)
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY)
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
Rep. Philip English (R-PA)
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
Rep. Michael Ferguson (R-NJ)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA)
Rep. Robert Simmons (R-CT)
Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)

Worst of the Worst: The following 19 Senators and 15 Representatives scored a zero:

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT)
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID)
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM)
Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY)
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Sen. John Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO)
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)
Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO)
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY)
Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH)
Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT)
Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA)
Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO)
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX)
Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK)
Rep. William Jenkins (R-TN)
Rep. Steve King (R-IA)
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)
Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS)
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX)
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

--30--

Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Contributions or gifts to HSLF are not tax deductible. Your donation may be used for lobbying to pass laws to protect animals, as well as for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates. HSLF does not accept contributions from business corporations or labor organizations. On the web at www.hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.