The Family Research Council released their Action Vote Scorecard for 2022 covering the second legislative session of the 177th Congress. FRC ranks members of the House and Senate based on how conservatively they voted throughout the session.
Of Washington’s three conservative Representatives, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of District 5 had the highest score – a perfect 100. She voted against the Global Respect Act, which is described as a bill which would “enable visa bans against foreign individuals accused of violating human rights,” although in reality it only targets those who have violated “LGBT rights.” FRC strongly opposed this bill.
Rodgers also voted against the FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included appropriations to fund the government for the fiscal year. Although it had several pro-life and pro-family provisions, the bill also included the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, which dangerously incorporates ideas of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” into sexual discrimination cases. Due to this, FRC opposed the bill.
Republicans Rep. Dan Newhouse of District 4 and former Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of District 3 earned a score of 84.2% and 85%, respectively. While both voted against the Global Respect Act, they also voted in favor of FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Newhouse also voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify same-sex marriage into federal law. These votes hampered Newhouse and Beutler’s scores.
Every Democrat House member from Washington unanimously voted in favor of the Global Respect Act and the Respect for Marriage Act, both bills which FRC strongly opposed. Those members include: Rep. Suzan DelBene of District 1, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of District 7, Rep. Derek Kilmer of District 6, Rep. Rick Larsen of District 2, Rep. Kim Schrier of District 8, Rep. Adam Smith of District 9, and Rep. Marilyn Strickland of District 10.
All Democrat House members earned a 0 on FRC’s scoreboard, with the exception of Rep. Kim Schrier, who ranked at 5% due to her vote against the Sanchez Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which could be used to target the free speech of service members.
Both of Washington’s senators, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray, earned scores of 5.9%, voting against FRC’s stance on every major bill except one – the Amendment to Expand Abortion and Abortion Travel Funding in State Medicaid Plans, which would expand Medicaid across the United States to include costs associated with abortion.
This legislative session has proved yet again how direly Washington needs strong conservative leaders in the House and Senate. We urge you to continue contacting your legislators to voice your beliefs and encourage their support of the conservative agenda in Congress.
