INTRODUCTION

The Center for Security Policy is pleased to release its tenth National Security Scorecard since its first in 1994. As with previous iterations, it is designed to illuminate the voting record of members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives on important defense and foreign policy issues.

Toward that end, this edition of the National Security Scorecard conforms to the approach taken in previous versions. We have selected Congressional votes on the basis of their significance to the vital security policy interests of the United States. We have, moreover, selected votes that offer real insights into the attitude of the legislators casting them concerning critical national security issues of the day. Such considerations prompt us generally to exclude near-unanimous votes, non- controversial or hortatory resolutions, or votes on final passage of each chambers’ annual defense spending bills or their conference reports.

This year marks the first time the Center is releasing its scorecard not only in PDF format, but also as a navigable online report, consisting of individual legislator scorecards. It is our hope that this feature will enable constituents and local media to closely examine their specific legislator’s national security voting record and encourage focused discussion on it at the local level.

It is important to note that while the scorecard is a critical tool for analyzing a legislator’s national security record, it is not the only measure of that record. By definition, scorecards look only at issues that were brought to a vote – they do not capture statements or other forms of discus- sion and debate, on and off Capitol Hill, that also contribute to the totality of a legislator’s views.

In producing this year’s National Security Scorecard, the Center for Security Policy hopes to assist the American people in understanding the performance of their elected officials with respect to vital national security issues—and to encourage greater accountability on the part of Senators and Members of Congress for their votes in this portfolio.

Scores are based upon the legislator’s aggregate record on these important votes. If, for example, a Senator was absent for two of the examined votes, but cast his or her remaining votes in a pro-national security way, he or she would receive a total score of 100%. The same applies for votes taken before a Senator assumed office in mid-term; votes for the session from before he or she started serving do not count towards the total votes cast.

DOWNLOAD: National Security Scorecard for the 112th Congress (2011-2012) [PDF]

National Security Scorecard for the 112th Congress (2011-2012)
National Report

Rarely has good sense and accountability been more important than today when we face dangerous and increasingly sophisticated enemies who threaten our safety and seek the destruction of our way of life. The Center commends those in the Senate and House who have, in the face of these threats, distinguished themselves as ‘Champions of National Security,’ and hopes that the numbers of such legislators will grow substantially in the 113th Congress and beyond. —FRANK GAFFNEY, President, Center for Security Policy

Rating

Created by the Center for Security Policy – Data Source: www.Govtrack.us

For more information contact: Ben Lerner, Center for Security Policy – 202-835-9077 – lerner@securefreedom.org

www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org

CSP 112th Congressional Scorecard Generator (v.1.0.1) October 21, 2012 20:35:03 www.supportsecurefreedom.org/2012scorecard