April 11, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Scott Lynch 202-862-9740 ext. 3030, mobile 703-725-5680
Peace Action Education Fund Releases 2002 Voting Record:
Congress makes America Less Safe by Following the Administration's Radical UnilateralismHouse Minority Leader Earns a Perfect Score
Washington, DC - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi led a struggle against the administration's reckless foreign policies last year. Congresswoman Pelosi, along with 24 of her colleagues in the House, earned a perfect score on the Peace Action Education Fund's 2002 Congressional Voting Record. Only one member of the Senate, Senator Russ Feingold, earned a 100% score.
Members of Congress were judged by their votes on key nuclear weapons and foreign policy legislation, that will effect millions around the world. In 2002, members of Congress failed to present a meaningful alternative to the administration's extreme unilateral policies. As a result military aid to countries with poor human rights records was expanded and the war on Iraq continues to threaten lives and has increased anti-American sentiment. Nuclear nonproliferation and international cooperation have suffered as well.
The scores for Democratic members of Congress running for president varied in the House and Senate. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH) earned a 100% score, while Rep. Dick Gephardt (MO) earned a 70%. Senators Bob Graham (FL), John Kerry (MA), and Joseph Lieberman (CT) all earned a 40%. Sen. John Edwards (NC) earned the lowest score of potential Democratic nominees: 20%.
On average, House members voted for more responsible foreign policies only 22% of the time. The entire delegations to the House of the following 5 states earned a 0% score: Delaware, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Wyoming.
In the Senate, the average score was 28%. While this average is slightly higher than the House average, both senators from the following 7 states earned a 0% score: Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, South Carolina and Virginia.
In addition, members of Congress received over $6.5 million from military-related Political Action Committees in 2002.
"Over all, there has been poor leadership on foreign policy issues in Congress," said Kevin Martin, Executive Director of Peace Action and the Peace Action Education Fund. "The war on Iraq, the tendency toward unilateralism, the renewed emphasis on nuclear weapons and the expansion of military training and arms sales will create more resentment toward the US and will ultimately make us less safe."
"In the coming year, Congress will make decisions affecting national and global security for decades to come. It is crucial that leaders in Congress assert a new direction for US policies," said Martin. "The people of this country expect Congress to affirm a foreign policy based on American values like human rights and democracy and international cooperation. Affirming these values, along with reducing the threat of weapons of mass destruction, will make Americans more safe in the long run and will lead to greater global security."
The 2002 Congressional Voting Record is available online at www.peace-action.org. Print copies can be ordered by contacting Carrie Benzschawel at cbenzschawel@peace-action.org or 202-862-9740 x3041.
The Peace Action Education Fund (formerly Sane and The Freeze) informs the public, media, and policy makers about alternatives in order to cut military spending, end global weapons trafficking, and abolish nuclear weapons. www.peace-action.org
