Update: 2007 Congressional Scorecard

The Shriver Center is set to release its State of Poverty 2007 Congressional Scorecard in February 2008. A collaborative effort among Shriver Center staff and an advisory group of policy experts and advocacy leaders from across the nation, the second annual Congressional Scorecard will be a major resource for community members, policymakers, and advocates interested in the connections between policy and poverty.

Why a Scorecard?
The State of Poverty—America’s most populous state—is made up of close to 37 million Americans who live in poverty. They face inadequate health care, lack of decent housing, hunger, and many other barriers to a stable, decent quality of life. Through the Shriver Center’s State of Poverty Campaign, which incorporates the Congressional Scorecard, the Shriver Center aims to engage and mobilize constituencies into antipoverty action. The Scorecard itself is an important tool with which to show how members of Congress have the ability and obligation to serve even their poorest constituents.

What Does the Congressional Scorecard Do?
The Shriver Center’s Congressional Scorecard informs voters of each legislator’s voting record and holds congressional members accountable for their actions regarding antipoverty legislation. As a comprehensive resource on policy actions, the Congressional Scorecard supports advocacy work. It also sets a benchmark for progress.
 
How Does the Congressional Scorecard Work?
Since January 2007, the Shriver Center has been tracking legislation on key issues including health care, immigration reform, and budget policy. This fall the Shriver Center narrowed the roster to around 30 pieces of legislation that Congress has voted on, with final cuts to be made in the coming month. The Congressional Scorecard will describe each piece of legislation and the Shriver Center’s position and show a voting record for each member of Congress. Through the Scorecard, the Shriver Center will highlight how the 110th Congress has been handling the task of ending poverty in the United States.

When Can You Get Involved?
If you are an advocate or policymaker who would like to host an event, attend a teleconference, or learn more about the Scorecard, contact project director, Natasha Eziquiel-Shriro at neziquielshriro@povertylaw.org, or call 312.263.3830 ext. 242. Press inquiries about the Scorecard can be directed to Joanna VanderWoude, media relations associate, at jvanderwoude@povertylaw.org or 312-263-3830 ext. 253.