Club for Growth

The 2006 Congressional Scorecard - Senate

Senate Vote 13: S. 852 - Asbestos: Medical Criteria
Vote to table, or kill, the Cornyn amendment no. 2748 that would require plaintiffs to meet stricter criteria in order to bring asbestos-related injury claims in court. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because abusive class action lawsuits harm entrepreneurship and increase the cost of doing business. Passed, 70-27, February 9, 2006.

Senate Vote 38: S. Con Res 3013 - TAXGO Rules.
Vote on Conrad amendment no. 3013 to reestablish pay-as-you-go rules, which would require tax cuts and new spending to be offset by tax increases or spending cuts. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because PAYGO rules result in tax hikes to cover increases in government spending. Defeated, 50-50, March 14, 2006.

Senate Vote 50: S. Con Res 83 - Medicare Price "Negotiation"
Vote on Snowe amendment no. 3004 to create a reserve fund to pay for legislation authorizing the government to negotiate lower drug prices. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because price negotiations invariably result in government-imposed price controls that would stifle pharmaceutical innovations that create well-paying jobs and save and enhance lives. Passed, 54-44, March 15, 2006.

Senate Vote 62: S. Con Res 83 - Mandatory Spending Restraint
Vote on Cornyn amendment no. 3100 to require the Finance Committee and Energy and Natural Resources Committee to report legislation that would lead to savings. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because government spending has been growing at an unsustainable pace and measures like this are needed to slow the growth to a level the economy can sustain in the long run. Defeated, 43-57, March 16, 2006.

Senate Vote 65: S. Con Res 83 - Discretionary Spending Limit.
Vote on Inhofe amendment no. 3093 that would create a 67-vote point of order against any non-defense discretionary spending that exceeds spending levels for the previous year. The pro-growth vote is "yea" because government spending has been growing at an unsustainable pace and measures like this are needed to slow the growth to a level the economy can sustain in the long run. Defeated, 35-62, March 16, 2006.

Senate Vote 68: S. Con Res 83 - Social Security Reserve Fund.
Vote on DeMint amendment no. 3087 that would bar Congress from borrowing from the Social Security trust fund to finance other government programs. The pro-growth vote is "yea" because Social Security is already insolvent, and government spending is out-of-control. Defeated, 46-53, March 16, 2006.

Senate Vote 70: S. Con Res 83 - Medicare Point of Order.
Vote on Bingaman amendment no. 3121 to strike a new 60-vote point of order against legislation that would cause a net increase in direct spending when government revenue (other than Medicare taxes) subsidizes more than 45% of Medicare costs. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because external restraints like the 60-vote point of order need to be retained in order to keep a check on wasteful spending. Defeated, 50-50, March 16, 2006.

Senate Vote 97: HR 4939 - Trim Supplemental Spending Hikes
Motion to table, or kill, the Ensign motion to recommit an appropriations bill with instructions to limit spending to $94.5 billion. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because government spending has been growing at an unsustainable pace and measures like the Ensign motion are need to slow the growth to a level the economy can sustain in the long run. Passed, 68-28, April 26, 2006.

Senate Vote 99: HR 4939 - Cut Rail Line Pork.
Motion to table, or kill, Coburn amendment no. 3641 that would strip the 2006 supplemental appropriation bill of $700 million to build a freight line. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because pork-barrel projects are an inefficient allocation of taxpayer dollars and increase federal taxes and debt. Passed, 50-47, April 26, 2006.

Senate Vote 100: HR 4939 - Cut Seafood Promotion Pork.
Motion to table, or kill, Coburn amendment no. 3641 that would bar the use of appropriation funds by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because pork-barrel projects are an inefficient allocation of taxpayer dollars and increase federal taxes and debt. Defeated, 44-51, April 27, 2006.

Senate Vote 105: HR 4939 - Cut Shipbuilder Pork
Vote on Division IV of Coburn amendment no. 3641 that would defund the money in the bill to pay for shipbuilding losses from 2005 hurricanes. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because the federal government should not be involved in the activities that are covered by the private insurance market. Defeated, 48-51, May 2, 2006.

Senate Vote 115: S. 22 - Medical Liability Legal Reform.
Motion to limit debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of a bill that would cap damage awards in medical liability lawsuits. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because abusive class action lawsuits harm entrepreneurship and increase the cost of doing business. Defeated, 48-42, May 8, 2006.

Senate Vote 118: HR 4297 - Extend Tax Cuts.
Vote of a bill that would extend about $70 billion in tax cuts over a five-year period. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because tax cuts promote economic growth. Passed, 54-44, May 11, 2006.

Senate Vote 119: S 1955 - Small Business Health Plans.
Vote to limit debate on Frist substitute amendment that would allow small businesses to pool their employees to provide group health insurance coverage. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because the amendment allows for greater competition in the healthcare marketplace. Defeated, 55-43, May 11, 2006.

Senate Vote 164: HR 8 - Death Tax Repeal.
Motion to limit debate on the motion to proceed to a bill that would permanently repeal the estate tax. The pro-growth vote is "yea" because tax cuts promote economic growth. Defeated, 57-41, June 8, 2006.

Senate Vote 179: S. 2766 - Minimum Wage Hike.
Vote on Kennedy amendment no. 4322 to increase the federal minimum wage. The pro-growth vote is "nay" because such price controls lead to distortions in the labor markets and create fewer jobs. It also denies many new or lower-skilled workers the first step on the economic ladder. Defeated, 52-46, June 21, 2006.

Senate Vote 219: S. 3711 - Gulf Offshore Drilling.
Vote on passage of the bill that would end a federal moratorium on some offshore drilling of oil and natural gas. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because economic growth depends in part on reliable energy sources. Royalties from new natural resource development may cause less economic distortions than income taxes. Passed, 71-25, August 1, 2006.

Senate Vote 250, HR 5684 - Oman Free Trade Agreement.
Vote on passage of the bill that would enact a free trade agreement between the United States and Oman. The pro-growth vote was "yea" because free trade increases commerce, competition, and innovation while increasing the national standard of living for both countries. Passed, 62-32, September 19, 2006.

Senate Vote 271: HR 5384 - Waive Budget Act For Ag Approps.
Vote on a motion to waive a point of order against Conrad amendment no. 5144 that would add $4.8 billion in emergency funding for farmers and ranchers. A three-fifth majority was required. The pro-growth vote was "nay" because earmarks are an inefficient allocation of taxpayer dollars and increase federal taxes and debt. Defeated, 56-38, December 5, 2006.

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