1998-2002 National Security Congressional Scorecard

(Washington, D.C.): On the eve of the mid-term elections, the Center for Security Policy released its fifth Congressional National Security Scorecard.

The new Scorecard evaluates a total of 45 important votes by the two chambers (25 in the House and 20 in the Senate) and gives each legislator a Center National Security rating. Highlights include: the 23 Members who demonstrated the greatest commitment to the security of our Nation by achieving a perfect score of 100 percent (18 in the House and 5 in the Senate); and the two Members who have scored 100 on this and every previous Center National Security Scorecard — Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK).

National Security Measures: Reviewing the Choices

The forty-five key votes tracked for this Center National Security Scorecard span the spectrum of security policy issues. Among those scored were votes to: cut critical defense spending (including funds earmarked for the Trident D-5 submarine-launched ballistic missile, and space-based missile defense programs); weaken controls over sensitive dual-use exports; protect U.S. troops from the International Criminal Court; ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; weaken the economic embargo on Cuba; object to the Clinton’s Administration’s renewal of Most-Favored Nation trading status with Communist China; and authorize the use of military force against Iraq.

Honor Roll, Hall of Shame: Tallying the Scores

In addition to Sens. Inhofe and Kyl the group of 23 perfect-scoring officials include: Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC); Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL); Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH); Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA); Chairman of the House Military Research and Development Subcommittee Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA); and Chairman of the Government Reform Committee Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)

Regrettably, 12 elected officials received scores of ten or under on this Scorecard — 5 in the House of Representatives and 7 in the Senate — suggesting deplorably poor judgment on security policy matters. These 12 include: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VI), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

The Center for Security Policy produces its National Security Scorecard in furtherance of its mission of educating the public and their elected representatives about security policy — and in the interest of holding the latter accountable for their performance in this regard. Toward that end, the Center has distributed its 2002 National Security Scorecard to all current U.S. Senators and Representatives, members of the press and citizens around the country concerned with the security of our Nation and the defense of its interests overseas.

View full Scorecard (PDF)