The Human Rights Campaign recently released its annual Congressional Scorecard, which rates politicians according to their voting records on LGBT-related issues, and locals placed high.
Both Congressmen from Philadelphia — Bob Brady (D-First Dist.) and Chaka Fattah (D-Second Dist.) — received perfect 100 scores. Both also received perfect scores for the past two Congresses.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D) also received the top score, up from 94 in the last session, while Republican Sen. Patrick Toomey scored a 40, up from a 0 the previous session.
Of the 541 members of Congress profiled, 210 received a perfect rating, up from 139 in the last session. Just two Republicans received a 100.
Local Republican standouts include Charlie Dent (15th Dist.), who scored an 84, up from a 6 in the previous session. The next highest-scoring Pennsylvania Republican was Michael Fitzpatrick (Eighth Dist.), who received a 68, up from last session’s 5. Nine Pennsylvania Republicans (out of 13 total) scored a 0.
This year’s report was based on lawmakers’ votes and co-sponsorships of legislation that were key indicators of support for LGBT equality, as well as their public support for marriage equality. Legislation included addressed issues like marriage equality, the inclusion of LGBTs in the Violence Against Women Act, LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying efforts, increased funding for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and LGBT employment nondiscrimination.
In Pennsylvania, the Violence Against Women Act amendment garnered the most Republican support.
For more information visit www.hrc.org/resources.