Civil Rights Coalition Releases Congressional Scorecard

Washington, DC – As Americans prepare to cast their votes in this historic election year, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) and its sister organization, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF), today released their two annual publications – LCCR’s Voting Record and LCCREF’s Civil Rights Monitor – detailing the current state of play of civil rights in America.

With the nation grappling with the current financial crisis, a deficit, and an ongoing war, the issues highlighted in the Voting Record and Monitor are more relevant than ever. 

“LCCR rated the entire U.S. House and Senate on a variety of civil rights legislation ranging from mortgage reform to the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” said LCCR President Wade Henderson. “Though the civil rights community can count some key victories in the 110th Congress, such as the bipartisan, bicameral ADA Amendments Act, we must continue to work toward equality and strengthen laws to protect Americans from discrimination.”

In sum, LCCR and its coalition members could count on 229 House members and 37 senators in the 110th Congress to support civil rights issues on 80 percent or more of the votes in the LCCR Voting Record. LCCR’s full voting record, including detailed vote tables for all U.S. House and Senate members, is available online.

“With the current state of the financial and housing market, Americans are craving something new and they are demanding an end to partisan bickering in Washington,” said LCCR Executive Vice President Nancy Zirkin. “The next Congress and a new administration have the opportunity to make even more progress on civil rights issues like predatory lending and fair pay, and fulfill an unfinished agenda.”

LCCREF, LCCR’s sister organization, released the Civil Rights Monitor, which reviews the state of play for civil rights issues across all three branches of government. The Monitor also provides a historical context within which to assess current civil rights issues.  

*LCCR ratings cannot indicate the full extent of a legislator’s support for or opposition to LCCR positions and represents neither endorsement nor condemnation of any member of Congress.