Originally issued as a CGS press release on April 16, 2004.
Senate and House Voting Record on International Issues Available in ‘Global Solutions Rating Guide’
Washington, DC – Launched today, the Citizens for Global Solutions Rating Guide presents each Senator and Representative’s voting record on key global issues. The Global Solutions Rating Guide provides information on votes including:
+ Iraq and the United Nations
+ Space-based Missiles
+ International Criminal Court
+ Nuclear-tipped Interceptors
+ International Civilian Policing
+ International AIDS Fund
+ Global Environment and more….
“In the November elections foreign policy will be front and center because voters recognize that no one country can solve global problems alone.” said Don Kraus, Executive Vice President of Citizens for Global Solutions.
“From the environment to terrorism, there is an urgent need for solutions that transcend national borders. Making the world a safe, just and equitable place will require teamwork and a common set of rules we can all live by. The Global Solutions Rating Guide is the best resource available to determine whether or not Members of Congress champion cooperative solutions to global problems.”
Although, the ratings reveal that Democrats are far more likely to support global solutions to pressing international concerns, members from both sides of the aisle score well in the guide. In the Senate the average score for a Democrat is 71%, ten times the average of the Republicans. Meanwhile, in the House, the average Democrat outscored the average Republican by over 60%.
However, not all Republicans scored so poorly. The majority of Republicans reflected national sentiment in their support for continued funding for the United Nations. Representatives Leach (R-IA) and Jim Gerlach (R-PA) both scored over 70, and Senator Richard Chafee (R-RI) scored above 50%. Extra points were awarded to those who supported HR1414 Rule of Law and Anti-Terrorism Act calling for the established of a UN Civilian Police Corps. U.S. Rep. Leach (R-IA) along with colleagues Amo Houghton (R-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT), who also scored highly on the Global Solutions Ratings Guide, supported the bill.
Republican ratings average in the House was brought down by 70 Republicans Representatives who scored 0% including House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). In the Senate, of the 23 Republican Senators received a 0% rating, include Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN).
