We release this year’s Scorecard at a critical juncture for American democracy. While Americans believe that our democracy works best when everyone has their voice and vote in the process, that value is under attack and our democracy is at a crisis point.
The threats to democracy we faced in 2022 have only expanded and become more dire as we begin 2024. Now is the time to prioritize support for vital legislation to protect the freedom to vote, end discrimination at the ballot box, stop the dominance of big money, and restore ethics and accountability in government.
We applaud the many lawmakers who have spent the last two years fighting for a democracy that works for all people.
A. Freedom to Vote Act (S.1/H.R.11): Legislation to protect the freedom to vote, end the dominance of big money in politics, and stop discrimination in voting and redistricting.
House and Senate actions scored: Co-sponsor.
B. John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R.14): Legislation to restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act and protect voters from discrimination at the ballot box.
House action scored: Co-sponsor.
C. DISCLOSE Act (S.512/H.R.1118): Legislation that will ensure voters know who is trying to influence their vote by requiring politically active groups to disclose their largest donors who give over $10,000.
House and Senate actions scored: Co-sponsor.
D. Democracy for All Amendment (S.J.Res.45/H.J.Res.13): An amendment to the Constitution to give Congress and state legislatures the power to set commonsense restrictions on big money’s influence in politics.
House and Senate actions scored: Co-sponsor.
E. Washington, D.C. Admissions Act (S.51/H.R.51):
Granting statehood and voting representation to Washington, D.C’s nearly 700,000 citizens.
House and Senate actions scored: Co-sponsor.
F. Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act (S.359/H.R.926):
Legislation that requires the Supreme Court to adopt a code of conduct for Justices, establish procedures to investigate complaints of judicial misconduct, and expands the circumstances under which justices must recuse themselves from cases.
House and Senate actions scored: Co-sponsor.
G. Protecting our Democracy Act (H.R. 5314):
Legislation to protect American democracy by preventing the abuse of presidential power, defending checks and balances, and guarding against foreign interference in our elections.
House action scored: Co-Sponsor.
H. Expulsion of George Santos (H.Res.878):
Resolution providing for the expulsion of former Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives.
House action scored: Vote YES to expel Santos.
I. Impeachment Inquiry of President Joe Biden (H.Res.918):
Directing certain committees of the House to continue their investigation to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to impeach President Biden.
House action scored: Vote NO to continue impeachment inquiry.
J. Motion to Vacate the Chair (H.Res.757):
Declaring the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant..
House action scored: Vote YES to remove McCarthy as Speaker.
K. No Corporate PAC: Over 65 members of the 118th Congress have chosen to reject contributions from corporate PACs.
L. Senate Filibuster Reform: Supports reforming the filibuster, which stands in the way of protecting our democracy from big money and attacks on voting rights.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries set the overall agenda for House and Senate Democrats, which have made democracy reform a top priority – including designating comprehensive reform bills as H.R.11 and S.1. It has been our past practice not to issue grades to the top Democratic leaders in Congress, and we continue that practice in this year’s scorecard.
Over the course of the 118th Congress, ECU // LAV Action Fund has endorsed a wide variety of anti-corruption and democracy reform bills. While we have not included all of those bills in our 2024 Legislative Scorecard, we continue to highlight and applaud the important reform bills introduced by Members of Congress this session by adding a score to any member who has sponsored or cosponsored a bill we’ve endorsed this Congress. You can find a comprehensive list of ECU // LAV Action Fund-endorsed bills here.
No member currently facing criminal indictment for a felony charge has received a score on this scorecard.