Texas Delegation Scores Well in Congressional Liberty Index

The Republican Liberty Caucus just released its annual Liberty Index for 2013.  The Texas delegation performed fairly well in this national ranking of Congressional performance, with some members standing out at the top of the pack in the House and Senate.

The Liberty Index ranks legislators based on a selection of key votes on issues of economic and personal liberty, producing rankings on both of those scales as well as a combined ranking.  This year the top position in the Senate was a tie between Sen. Mike Crapo (ID) and Sen. Jim Risch (ID) who both scored straight 100s.  The top position in the House went to Mark Sanford (SC) who was the only representative to score a perfect 100 in both categories.

The Texas delegation scored well overall, led by Senator Ted Cruz who had the third highest overall ranking in the Senate at 95, tied with Senator Rand Paul (KY).  Our top performing Texans in Congress were Michael Burgess, Steve Stockman and Ted Poe. Burgess was ranked third in the House and Poe and Stockman tied for fourth.  Overall the Texas delegation was dragged down by lower than average rankings on personal liberties, despite their strong performance on economic issues.  All three of the top Texas Congressmen scored perfect 100s on the economic index.

Not surprisingly Texas Democrats scored dismally in the index.  The absolute devotion of legislators like Marc Vessey and Joaquin Castro to big government is not surprising, but in most states the better Democrats at least do somewhat reasonably on the Personal Liberty Index, but in Texas for some reason our Democrats are below average even in that area, falling behind most Republicans.

This year’s rankings were somewhat skewed by the lack of major votes on personal liberties in the Senate and the large number of gun rights votes which tends to make Republicans clump together.  A more complete picture of voting performance will be available when lifetime voting figures are updated.

Ratings for Texas can be seen below.  To view the complete 2013 nationwide Liberty Index with extensive analysis, download the PDF.

TABLE 2. 2013 Liberty Index – U.S. Senate

			Economic Liberties	Personal Liberties	2013 Liberty Index
Cornyn, John	TX	R	95	85	90
Cruz, Ted	TX	R	95	95	95

 

TABLE 2. 2013 Liberty Index – U.S. House of Representatives

			Economic Liberties	Personal Liberties	2013 Liberty Index
Barton, Joe	TX	R	100	50	75
Brady, Kevin	TX	R	100	30	65
Burgess, Michael	TX	R	100	75	88
Carter, John	TX	R	90	30	60
Castro, Joaquin	TX	D	10	42	26
Conoway, Mike	TX	R	85	32	58
Cuellar, Henry	TX	D	40	32	36
Culberson, John	TX	R	95	45	70
Doggett, Lloyd	TX	D	20	70	45
Farenthold, Blake	TX	R	85	60	73
Flores, Bill	TX	R	100	40	70
Gallego, Pete	TX	D	30	16	23
Gohmert, Louie	TX	R	100	67	83
Granger, Kay	TX	R	78	32	55
Green, Al	TX	D	20	50	35
Green, Gene	TX	D	26	63	45
Hall, Ralph	TX	R	85	45	65
Hensarling, Jeb	TX	R	100	45	73
Hinojosa, Ruben	TX	D	18	53	35
Jackson Lee, Sheila	TX	D	11	42	27
Johnson, Eddie Bernice	TX	D	10	63	37
Johnson, Sam	TX	R	95	40	67
Marchant, Kenny	TX	R	100	42	71
McCaul, Michael	TX	R	100	37	68
Neugebauer, Randy	TX	R	95	63	79
O’Rouke, Beto	TX	D	15	75	45
Olsen, Pete	TX	R	95	37	66
Poe, Ted	TX	R	90	84	87
Sessions, Pete	TX	R	90	47	69
Smith, Lamar	TX	R	95	32	63
Stockman, Steve	TX	R	100	74	87
Thornberry, Mac	TX	R	90	35	63
Veasey, Marc	TX	D	5	32	18
Vela, Filamon	TX	D	42	42	42
Weber, Randy	TX	R	95	42	69
Williams, Roger	TX	R	95	50	73