Report Card

by Richard Brown on October 6, 2008

2008 Honor Roll

Members who were ranked as Very Supportive (A/B)

Sen. Frank Lautenberg
Sen. Robert Menendez
Rep. Rob Andrews
Rep. Frank Pallone
Rep. Bill Pascrell
Rep. Donald Payne
Rep. Albio Sires

Members who were ranked as Supportive (B-)

Rep. Michael Ferguson
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen
Rep. Rush Holt
Rep. Frank LoBiondo
Rep. Jim Saxton
Rep. Chris Smith
Rep. Steve Rothman

Members who were ranked as Not Supportive (F)

Rep. Scott Garrett

Click on the icon to read the First Annual Congressional Report Card!

Click on the icon to read a PDF version of the First Annual Congressional Report Card!

H.R. 2895: The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act proposes to create a permanent funding mechanism within the Department of the Treasury to produce, preserve, and rehabilitate rental housing for the lowest-income Americans. A similar proposal was included in H.R. 3221, which was enacted as part of a massive housing bill in July 2008. A Y indicates the Member voted for H.R. 2895 when it passed the House in October 2007.

S. 2523: The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act is the Senate’s version of the above-referenced bill and was introduced by Senator Kerry (D-MA). Unlike the House, S. 2523 did not receive separate consideration before being included in H.R. 3221. A Y indicates the Member was a cosponsor of the bill.

The Homes for Heroes Act was introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 3329) and Senate (S. 1084), but was only voted on and passed by the House. This legislation would address the severe problem of veteran’s homelessness and housing crises by authorizing new housing vouchers for homeless veterans and their families create the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs at HUD, and a new $200 million housing production program to benefit low-income veterans. A Y indicates the Member cosponsored the Homes for Heroes Act.

Extra Credit: Congressmen and Senators often engage in activities that are helpful to a cause without it fitting neatly into something that advocacy organizations can score. The Advocacy Network emailed all housing staffers in the delegation asking them to feel free to contribute ideas of activities the Member engaged in that were helpful in meeting the housing needs of homeless persons and families, and this section reflects some of the answers of those who chose to respond.

Grading Parameters

Based on the information collected for this year’s report card including any extra credit, the New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness established a rating system to grade each member of the congressional delegation. The members, who supported a majority of the issues described below in the description of each member, were rated as Very Supportive. This would equate in report card language to a grade of A/B.

The members, who supported most of the issues described below in the description of each member, were rated as Supportive. This would equate in report card language to a grade of B-.

The members, who supported a minority of the issues described below in the description of each member, were rated as Not Supportive. This would equate in report card language to a grade of F.

What grade did our Senators and Representatives earn in 2008?

The New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness First Annual Congressional Report Card has resulted in a scoring range from top of the class to the bottom. The scores ranged from seven Very Supportive, seven Supportive and one Not Supportive. Overall, it is clear that our Senators and Representatives can and must do better. However, part of the responsibility lies with the citizens of New Jersey for not holding our members accountable.

To view a table of how each member voted click here. The report indicates the votes and actions each member supported in the section in which each legislator is profiled. To view a PDF version of the full Report Card click here.

To read the next page click here.

Share with your social network!