How Members of Congress Were Graded

The Genocide Intervention Network’s Darfur scorecard provides a quick summary of important anti-genocide measures and whether or not your elected officials gave support, in both the Senate and House.

In addition to assigning each member of Congress a grade on stopping genocide, the Genocide Intervention Network has compiled a profile for each member. This profile provides an opportunity for members of Congress to present information on non-legislative activities they have undertaken to end the genocide in Darfur. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to: opinion articles about Darfur, speeches that focus on the conflict and protests made outside the embassy of Sudan.

In order to compile these profiles, GI-Net contacted all congressional offices. The information noted in each member’s profile is drawn directly from information that the offices themselves provided. Certain members may have participated in anti-genocide activities that are not noted on this site; if their offices contact GI-Net we will update the profiles.

House Scoring

The Darfur Genocide Accountability Act preceded the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. The former gave way to the latter when the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act was introduced on June 30, 2005.

Because the two bills were part of the same effort, members of Congress were rewarded for having sponsored or co-sponsored either of the bills. For sponsoring or co-sponsoring either bill, the member received 1 point. Members who failed to co-sponsor received 0 points.

The House of Representatives passed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act by unanimous consent on Sept. 25, 2006. Each member received 1 point for this action.

If the member sponsored or co-sponsored House Resolution 723, which called for a NATO bridging force, he or she received 1 point. If the member failed to co-sponsor, he or she received 0 points.

At the end of September 2006, House Resolution 723 passed. All members of the House who voted in favor of the bill received 1 point. Members who did not vote in favor of this bill received 0 points.

Members who sponsored or co-sponsored House Resolution 992, calling for a presidential envoy for Sudan, received 1 point. Members who failed to co-sponsor received 0 points.

House Resolution 992 passed at the end of September 2006. All members of the House who voted in favor of the bill received 1 point. Members who did not vote in favor of the bill received 0 points.

House Amendment 709 to Resolution 4939 made emergency supplemental appropriations for the 2006 fiscal year and added $50 million for the African Union Mission in Sudan. Members who voted for the amendment received 1 point. Members who voted against the bill or did not vote received 0 points.

House Amendment 980 to Resolution 5522 made appropriations for foreign operations, export financing and related programs for the 2007 fiscal year, would have added $50 million for humanitarian aid in Darfur if it had passed. Members who voted for the amendment received 1 point. Members who voted against the amendment or did not vote received 0 points.

Totals: Each Member of the House of Representatives could have earned as many as 8 points. Members earning 7–8 points received an “A”. Members earning 6 points received a “B”, 4–5 points received a “C”, 3 points received a “D”, and 1–2 points received an “F”. If a member earned more than 8 points through extra credit they received an “A+”.

Senate Scoring

If a senator sponsored or co-sponsored the Darfur Accountability Act, introduced on March 2, 2005, by former Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), he or she received 1 point.

If the senator sponsored or co-sponsored the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, introduced on July 21, 2005, by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), he or she received 1 point.

The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act was passed by the Senate on Sept. 21, 2006. Senators who voted in favor of the legislation received 1 point. Those who did not vote in favor of the legislation received 0 points.

If a senator sponsored or co-sponsored Senate Resolution 383, introduced on Feb. 17, 2006, by Sen. Brownback, he or she received 1 point.

Senate Resolution 383 passed by unanimous consent. All members received 1 point for supporting this legislation.

If a senator sponsored or co-sponsored Senate Resolution 559, which called upon the president to take immediate steps to help stop the violence in Darfur, he or she received 1 point.

Senate Resolution 559 passed by unanimous consent. All members received 1 point for supporting this legislation.

Totals: Each Member of the Senate could have earned as many as 7 points. Members earning 6–7 points received an “A”. Members earning 5 points received a “B”, 4 points received a “C” and 3 points received a “D”. If a member earned more than 7 points through extra credit they received an “A+”.

Trips to Darfur

Several members of Congress made trips to Darfur. These members usually returned with a commitment to the issue. All representatives and senators who have traveled to Darfur received a “+” in addition to their letter grade.

Extra Credit

A few members of Congress have taken extraordinary action and received extra credit as a result.