Advocacy group for women in government rates lawmakers

Federally Employed Women, a 3,500-member advocacy group, issued its voting score card for the 108th congressional session Tuesday, dubbing 28 legislators "Honorable Lawmakers."

FEW officials graded legislators in the House and Senate on 10 amendments and bills that affected the federal workforce-each vote that supported the position endorsed by FEW received credit on the score card. If the lawmakers sided with FEW on every vote, they received a 100 percent grade. The four senators and 24 representatives who achieved a 100 percent record were placed on the "Honorable Lawmakers" list. All the legislators on the list were Democrats.

"We are pleased that some legislators scored a perfect 100 percent during the 108th Congress," FEW President Patricia Wolfe said Tuesday. "However, we would like to double these numbers during the 109th congressional session. We urge legislators coming back to work today to support the goals of federal workers nationwide, and we stand ready to work with all lawmakers to achieve our legislative priorities."

Republicans were far more likely to vote against the FEW agenda, according to the group's ratings. All 78 representatives and 16 senators who received a score of zero were Republicans.

In the House, the score card included two amendments that opposed outsourcing of federal government work. FEW also included an amendment opposing the Bush administration's plan to revise overtime pay regulations. The House score card had three separate votes that opposed the Defense Department's overhaul of its personnel system. FEW opposes existing outsourcing plans, the new overtime regulations and the Defense Department personnel changes.

In the Senate, the score card included four votes that opposed federal outsourcing. The Senate score card also included an amendment that opposed the White House overtime plan. Again, FEW opposed the outsourcing and the overtime plan.

From the Washington area, only Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., made the "Honorable Lawmakers" list. Van Hollen is an outspoken critic of existing outsourcing plans, and he achieved a 100 percent grade on the score card.

"I am proud to receive this rating from the Federally Employed Women," said Van Hollen. "I have worked hard to protect the rights of our hard-working federal employees and their families. I will continue this fight in the 109th Congress."

FEW officials also promised to remain vigilant in the next Congress.

"Our organization and its members will monitor the actions and votes of the 109th Congress," said Rhonda Trent, FEW's vice president for congressional and government relations. "As our priority issues are debated, we will urge federally employed women to contact their legislators."