29 Lawmakers Achieve Sentinel Status for 112th Congress
Washington -- Today, Heritage Action for America announced 29 Members of Congress -- six Senators and 23 Representatives -- achieved Sentinel status in the 112th Congress by scoring a 90% or higher on the organization's comprehensive legislative scorecard.
"Americans worried about our country's future should sleep better at night knowing a dedicated group of lawmakers are fighting for freedom every day in Washington," CEO Michael A. Needham said. "We congratulate these Sentinels who stood guard, vigilantly protecting our freedoms during the 112th Congress. Not only did they advance the conservative cause, but they also held back the incessant tide of tax increases, out-of-control spending, and harmful policies that breed dependency on government. In Washington, this is no easy task, which makes these Members all the more commendable."
When Heritage Action unveiled its legislative scorecard in August of 2011, we described it as "a comprehensive and revealing barometer of a lawmaker's willingness to fight for conservative policies in Congress." It has been just that -- "a hugely influential cheat sheet for determining conservative bona fides in Congress." This "scorecard for conservatives" reveals which lawmakers talk like a conservative and which ones act like a conservative.
"Our country requires bold leadership and principled action," Needham continued. "These Sentinels represent the tip of the spear in Washington, but they are not alone. All across the country citizen Sentinels are acting as America's firewall for freedom."
Much like their elected counterparts, these citizens are committed conservatives dedicated to bringing about pro-growth reforms that enhance opportunity. By making timely contact with elected officials and their fellow constituents, Heritage Action's citizen Sentinels are doing the hard work of keeping Congress accountable.
"With each vote cast, freedom either advances or recedes, and these Sentinels are crucial to ensuring a prosperous and safe America," Needham concluded.
Heritage Action's legislative scorecard included 66 House votes and 8 cosponsorships and 67 Senate votes and 7 cosponsorships. Republicans averaged 66 percent in the House and 73 percent in the Senate. Democrats averaged 15 percent and 6 percent, respectively.
See the scorecard: Heritage Action Scorecard
Senate Sentinels (6):
| Jim DeMint (R-SC) | 99% |
| Mike Lee (R-UT) | 99% |
| Rand Paul (R-KY) | 96% |
| Marco Rubio (R-FL) | 96% |
| Ron Johnson (R-WI) | 94% |
| Orrin Hatch (R-UT) | 91% |
House Sentinels (23):
| Jeff Duncan (R-SC) | 97% |
| Jeff Flake (R-AZ) | 97% |
| Trent Franks (R-AZ) | 97% |
| Tom Graves (R-GA) | 97% |
| Paul Broun (R-GA) | 96% |
| Jim Jordan (R-OH) | 95% |
| Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) | 95% |
| Trey Gowdy (R-SC) | 94% |
| Doug Lamborn (R-CO) | 94% |
| David Schweikert (R-AZ) | 94% |
| Jeff Miller (R-FL) | 93% |
| Ben Quayle (R-AZ) | 93% |
| Joe Wilson (R-SC) | 93% |
| Joe Walsh (R-IL) | 93% |
| Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) | 92% |
| Louie Gohmert (R-TX) | 92% |
| Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) | 92% |
| Dennis Ross (R-FL) | 92% |
| Justin Amash (R-MI) | 91% |
| Michele Bachmann (R-MN) | 91% |
| John Fleming (R-LA) | 90% |
| Scott Garrett (R-NJ) | 90% |
| Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) | 90% |