A REPORT BY THE
DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE
NETWORK

2008 Drug Policy Reform
Congressional Voter Guide
A DRUG POLICY REFORM SURVEY
OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 2008
Bill Piper, Director, National Affairs

Drug Policy Alliance Headquarters

DPA Office of National Affairs

70 West 36th Street
16th floor
New York, NY 10018
212.613-8020 voice • 212.613.8021 fax
nyc@drugpolicy.org

925 15th Street
2nd floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
202.683.2980 voice• 202.216.0803 fax
dc@drugpolicy.org

www.drugpolicy.org

2008 DRUG POLICY REFORM
CONGRESSIONAL VOTER GUIDE
A DRUG POLICY REFORM SURVEY OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A REPORT BY THE DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE NETWORK

__________________________________________________________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Drug Policy Alliance Network (DPA Network) is the nation’s leading organization promoting
alternatives to the war on drugs. We seek to reduce both the harms associated with drug misuse and the
problems created by drug prohibition.
DPA Network’s Congressional priorities include:
•

removing barriers to drug treatment;

•

eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing;

•

cutting wasteful drug war spending;

•

prohibiting the federal government from undermining state medical marijuana laws;

•

eliminating collateral sanctions associated with drug law convictions; and

•

implementing policies that reduce drug overdoses and the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.

The 2008 Drug Policy Reform Congressional Voter Guide is a nonpartisan tool for gauging members of
Congress on their commitment to reforming failed U.S. drug policies. It covers key drug policy votes and
related legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives during 2007 and 2008 (the 110th Congress).
Most important to this survey is how they voted on the following four pieces of legislation:
1. House Vote 589. An amendment to H.R. 2829 that would have prevented the city of Washington,
D.C. from spending its own, non-federal money on syringe exchange programs to reduce the
spread of HIV/AIDS. (DPA Network opposed the amendment.)
2. House Vote 733. An amendment to H.R. 3093 that would have barred the U.S. Justice
Department from undermining state medical marijuana laws. (DPA Network supported the
amendment.)
3. House Vote 1083. The Second Chance Act, legislation that provides money to improve the
treatment of people in prison and help them reintegrate into society upon their release. (DPA
Network supported this legislation.)
4. House Vote 456. H.R. 3546, legislation reauthorizing the corrupt and troubled Byrne Justice
Assistance Grant Program. (DPA Network opposed this legislation.)
Another factor considered in evaluating members of Congress is their support for drug policy reform
legislation that was not voted on.

Highlights of the 2008 Drug Policy Reform Congressional Voter Guide:
9 Perfect Scores: No Representative voted the right way on all four measures. (In particular,
reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program had near unanimous congressional support, despite
criticism from civil rights and criminal justice reform organizations).
9 Three out of Four: 106 Representatives voted the right way on three of the measures.
9 Reason for Hope: Only 10 (out of 435) Representatives voted the wrong way on all four
measures.
9 The Drug Policy Alliance Network’s 2008 “Champions” were Rep. José Serrano (D-16th/NY)
and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) who succeeded in repealing the D.C. syringe ban.
9 The Drug Policy Alliance Network’s 2008 “Heroes” were Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th/IL), Rep.
Sam Farr (D-17th/CA), Rep. Barney Frank (D-4th/MA), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-22nd/NY), Rep.
Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18th/TX), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-9th/CA), Rep. Ron Paul (R-14th/TX), Rep.
Charles Rangel (D-15th/NY), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-46th/CA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D3rd/VA).
9 The Drug Policy Alliance Network’s 2008 “Puzzlers” were Rep. Hank Johnson (D-4th/GA) and
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-16h/CA).
9 The Drug Policy Alliance Network’s 2008 “Villain” was Rep. Mark Souder (R-3rd/IN).

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2008 DRUG POLICY REFORM
CONGRESSIONAL VOTER GUIDE
A DRUG POLICY REFORM SURVEY
OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A REPORT BY THE DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE NETWORK

__________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary .............................................................................................2
About the Drug Policy Alliance Network ........................................................5
About the 2008 Voter Guide..............................................................................5
Letter from the Director of National Affairs...................................................6
Introduction: A New Bottom Line....................................................................7
Background on Key 2007/2008 Votes .............................................................8
Drug Policy Reform Bills in Congress ..............................................................9
Heroes in the U.S. House of Representatives..................................................11
2008 Champions .......................................................................................11
2008 Heroes...............................................................................................11
2008 Puzzlers ........................................................................................................13
2008 Villian............................................................................................................14
How Your Representative Voted (alphabetical by state) ................................15
Cosponsors of Drug Policy Reform Bills.........................................................28
Endnotes................................................................................................................31

4

5

About the Drug Policy Alliance Network
The Drug Policy Alliance Network is the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives
to the failed war on drugs. Headquartered in New York City, we also have offices in Berkeley, Los
Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Trenton and Washington, D.C. Our goal is to institute a
new bottom line for America’s approach to drugs – one that focuses on reducing the harms associated
with both drug misuse and drug prohibition. We pursue this goal through lobbying policymakers,
educating stakeholders and the general public, organizing voters, and enacting reforms at the ballot box.
More information on DPA Network can be found at www.drugpolicy.org.

About the 2008 Voter Guide
The 2008 Drug Policy Reform Congressional Voter Guide is designed to educate voters on which
members of Congress support drug policy reform and which do not. It covers key drug-related votes in
the 110th Congress (2007/2008), as well as support for reform legislation in Congress that was not voted
on.
This guide has three limitations, however. First, it only covers recorded floor votes that every U.S.
Representative had an opportunity to participate in (committee votes are excluded). Secondly, because
some bills are never called up for a vote, we are limited to what Congress decides to vote on. We have,
however, included a helpful overview of the most important drug policy reform bills in Congress and the
supportive members of Congress. Finally, this guide only covers the U.S. House of Representatives
because of the lack of meaningful or recorded drug-related floor votes in the U.S. Senate in 2007 or 2008.
An electronic copy of this guide can be found at www.drugpolicy.org. To find out who represents you in
the U.S. House of Representatives call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 or visit
www.house.gov.

Letter from the Director of National Affairs
In 2006, the Drug Policy Alliance Network released its first congressional voter guide. We graded
members of Congress based on their votes on issues ranging from protecting state medical marijuana laws
to expanding access to drug treatment. Thirty-three U.S. Representatives received perfect scores. Another
77 Representatives received near-perfect scores. No Representative received a zero.
Putting together our 2008 voter guide was difficult because there were few drug-related votes in the 110th
Congress. Moreover, on one of the most important votes – whether or not to reauthorize the Byrne
Justice Assistance Grant Program “as is” with no reform – even our traditional allies voted the wrong way
(although in their defense, House leadership prevented amendments reforming the bill from being
offered).
On the flip side, even some of the drug war’s most fervent cheerleaders voted for the Second Chance Act,
which expands drug treatment and other re-entry services. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 347 to 62. This
reflects, in part, a growing bipartisan sense that our nation is incarcerating too many people. Fortunately
for Americans, “rehabilitation” and “treatment” are replacing “three strikes” and “zero tolerance” as the
criminal justice buzzwords of the day.
In fact, more drug policy reform bills were introduced in the 110th Congress than the previous Congress.
Reform legislation included three different bills to eliminate the crack/powder cocaine sentencing
disparity, three bills to eliminate various types of collateral sanctions that come with being convicted of a
drug law violation, a bill to decriminalize marijuana, and a bill to repeal the federal syringe ban, to name
just a few.
Policymakers are finally beginning to catch up with the American people. A September 2008 Zogby poll
found that 76% of Americans say the war on drugs has failed. Substantial majorities favor diverting
nonviolent drug law offenders to treatment instead of jail (polling ranges from 69 to 81 percent), legalizing
marijuana for medical use (70 to 80 percent), fining recreational marijuana users instead of jailing them (61
to 72 percent), reforming or eliminating mandatory minimum drug sentences (57 to 78 percent), and
publicly funding syringe exchange programs (58 to 71 percent).
Millions of families have been negatively affected by drug misuse; millions more have been hurt by
punitive drug policies. Policymakers who reduce the problems associated with both drugs and drug
prohibition stand to benefit politically. The tide is turning against the failed war on drugs. The American
people may not be ready to completely end this war, but they overwhelmingly want significant reform
now.
Sincerely,

Bill Piper
Director, National Affairs

Introduction: A New Bottom Line
Despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars and incarcerating millions of Americans, illegal drugs
remain cheap, potent and widely available in every community. Meanwhile, the harms associated with
substance misuse – addiction, overdose and the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis – continue to mount.
Add to this record of failure the collateral damage of the war on drugs – broken families, racial disparities,
wasted tax dollars and the erosion of civil liberties – and it is easy to see why so many Americans are
frustrated with our nation’s drug policies.
Policymakers should adopt a new bottom line for U.S. drug policy – one that focuses policy decisions on
the best way to reduce the problems associated with substance misuse, while ensuring that the policies
themselves do not exacerbate those problems or create new social problems of their own. The optimal
drug policy, of course, would be the one that best reduces both the harms associated with drug misuse and
the harms associated with the war on drugs. A good drug policy should reduce both drug addiction and
racial disparities in the criminal justice system, keep our streets safe and families together, reduce drug
overdoses and wasteful government spending, protect young people and the Bill of Rights.
Members of Congress should be judged on their willingness to support this new bottom line. Are they
working to reduce drug addiction, overdoses, and the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C? Are they also
working to reduce racial disparities, civil rights abuses, government waste and the number of nonviolent
prisoners behind bars?
The 2008 Drug Policy Reform Congressional Voter Guide is a nonpartisan tool for gauging members of
Congress on their commitment to reforming failed U.S. drug policies. It covers key drug policy votes and
related legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives during 2007 and 2008 (the 110th Congress).

Background on Key 2007 and 2008 House Votes
HOUSE VOTE 589 – AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2829 ON SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
In 2007, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, chaired by Rep.
José Serrano (D-16th/NY), repealed a long-standing federal provision prohibiting Washington, D.C. from
spending its own, non-federal money on syringe exchange programs. Rep. Mark Souder (R-3rd/IN) offered
an amendment on the House floor to restore the ban. DPA Network opposed the Souder amendment
because it would have robbed local officials of the right to do what is best for their citizens and
jeopardized the lives of thousands of people in D.C., where 1 in 50 residents is living with HIV/AIDS.
Every established medical and scientific body to study the issue has concluded that syringe exchange
programs are essential to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases,
including the National Academy of Sciences, American Medical Association, American Public Health
Association, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The amendment was rejected, 208-216. [DPA Network: Vote NO]

5

DPA Network
Victory

House Vote 255 – Amendment to HR 2862 on Medical Marijuana
HOUSE VOTE 733 – AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3093 ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Sponsored by Rep. Hinchey (D—22nd/NY), Rep. Rohrabacher (R-46th/CA), Rep. Farr (D-17th/CA), and
Rep. Paul (R-14th/TX), this amendment would have prohibited the U.S. Department of Justice from
spending any money on undermining state medical marijuana laws. DPA Network supported the
amendment because marijuana should be made available for medical use and the federal government
should stop wasting resources arresting medical marijuana patients and their caregivers. More than 60
health organizations support legal access to medical marijuana, including the American Academy of Family
Physicians, American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, Lymphoma Foundation of
America and the American Preventive Medical Association. The Institute of Medicine has determined that
nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety “all can be mitigated by marijuana.” The esteemed medical journal,
The Lancet Neurology, reports that marijuana’s active components “inhibit pain in virtually every
experimental pain paradigm.”
The amendment was rejected, 165-262. [DPA Network: Vote YES]
HOUSE VOTE 1083 – THE SECOND CHANCE ACT (H.R. 1593)
Sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th/IL), the Second Chance Act provides grants to states and local
governments to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into the community. By making funding
available for drug treatment, mentoring and other services the legislation is expected to reduce recidivism,
increase public safety and save taxpayer money. DPA Network supported the legislation both to reduce
the harshness of current drug policies and to highlight the need for major sentencing reform so nonviolent
drug law offenders are not incarcerated in the first place. The United States ranks first in the world in per
capita incarceration rates, with 5% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s prisoners. Roughly
500,000 Americans are behind bars for a drug law violation. That is ten times the total in 1980, and more
than all of Western Europe (with a much larger population) incarcerates for all offenses.
The legislation was passed, 347-62.

[DPA Network: Vote YES]

5

DPA Network
Victory

HOUSE VOTE 456 – LEGISLATION REAUTHORIZING THE BYRNE GRANT PROGRAM (H.R. 3546)
Sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-4th/GA), H.R. 3546 reauthorized and extended the Byrne Justice
Assistance Grant Program through at least 2012. This program, which provides funding for local and
state law enforcement, keeps the drug war going and perpetuates racial disparities, police corruption
and over-incarceration. DPA Network opposed the bill because it rubber-stamped the Byrne Grant
Program without making any reforms to it. Dozens of civil rights and criminal justice reform groups
have urged Congress to reform the Byrne Grant Program, including the ACLU, the Brennan Center,
the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, the National Black Police Association, the
NAACP, and the National Council of La Raza. At least four leading conservative organizations want
to go further and completely eliminate the program, including the American Conservative Union,
Americans for Tax Reform, Citizens Against Government Waste, and the National Taxpayers Union.
The legislation was passed, 406-11. [DPA Network: Vote NO]
Hou

Drug Policy Reform Bills in Congress
A number of good drug policy reform bills were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007
or 2008 but were not called up for a vote. Ten stand out:
™ H.R. 253 - No More Tulias: Drug Law Enforcement Evidentiary Standards Improvement Act
of 2007
Introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18th/TX)
The No More Tulias Act would prohibit federal Byrne grants from funding regional narcotics
taskforces in states that have not passed laws preventing people from being convicted of drug law
violations based solely on the uncorroborated allegations of one undercover officer or informant.
__________
™ H.R. 460 - The Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2007
Introduced by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-15th/NY)
H.R. 4545 - The Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007
Introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18th/TX)
H.R. 5035 - Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2008
Introduced by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-3rd/VA)
In 1986, Congress enacted legislation creating a 100-to-1 sentencing disparity between crack cocaine
and powder cocaine offenses. It takes just five grams of crack cocaine (about several sugar packets’
worth) to receive a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence, but it takes 500 grams of powder
cocaine – a chemically identical substance – to receive the same sentence. Fifty grams of crack cocaine
triggers a mandatory 10-year sentence, but it takes 5,000 grams of powder cocaine to receive that much
jail time. While there are differences in these three bills, all three would eliminate the 100-to-1
crack/powder sentencing disparity by treating crack cocaine offenses the same as powder cocaine
offenses.
__________

™ H.R. 5157 - The Removing Impediments to Students Education Act (RISE Act)
Introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-4th/MA)
The RISE Act would repeal the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty, a provision of federal
law that denies higher education loans and other kinds of assistance to students convicted of drug law
violations.
__________
™ H.R. 5802 - The Food Assistance to Improve Reintegration Act of 2008
Introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-9th/CA)
H.R. 5802 would repeal the federal provision that denies food stamps and other public assistance to
people convicted of drug law violations.
__________
™ H.R. 5842 -The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act
Introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-4th/MA)
H.R. 5842 would prohibit the federal government from interfering with state medical marijuana
programs. It would also reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, allowing doctors to prescribe
marijuana-based medicines.
__________
™ H.R. 5843 - The Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by
Responsible Adults
Introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-4th/MA)
H.R. 5843 would eliminate federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to 100 grams of
marijuana for personal use.
__________
™ H.R. 6680 - The Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act
Introduced by Rep. José Serrano (D-16th/NY)
H.R. 6680 would repeal the federal provision prohibiting states from using their share of federal
HIV/AIDS prevention money on syringe exchange programs.
__________
™ H.R. 6785 - The No One Strike Eviction Act of 2008
Introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18th/TX)
H.R. 6785 would reform a federal provision that denies public housing to families that have a member
who has committed a drug law violation.
__________
A complete list of U.S. Representatives who are cosponsoring one or more of these bills can be found on
page 28. It should be noted that just because a Representative is not a cosponsor of a bill does not mean
that the Representative does not support the bill. The text of each of the bills can be found online at
www.thomas.loc.gov.

11

No member of Congress cosponsored all 10 bills in the 110th Congress. Two Representatives, however,
sponsored or cosponsored eight out of ten of the bills: Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-18th/TX) and Rep.
Barbara Lee (D-9th/CA).

Heroes in the U.S. House of Representatives
While there were many drug policy reform heroes in the 110th Congress, 12 stand out.

2008 Champions of Reform
Congressman José Serrano (D-16th/NY)
Rep. Serrano worked with Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) in 2007 to repeal a provision of federal
law that prohibited the city of Washington, D.C. from spending its own, non-federal money on syringe
exchange programs. Then, in 2008, he introduced the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act
(H.R. 6680), which would repeal federal provisions preventing states from using their share of federal
HIV/AIDS prevention money on syringe exchange programs.
Rep. Serrano also voted the right way on three out of four of the major drug policy reform votes in the
110th Congress, scoring 75 percent, but voted to reauthorize the Byrne Grant Program without reform. He
cosponsored bills to eliminate the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R. 460, H.R. 4545 and
H.R. 5035), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), and repeal the
federal provision that denies food stamps and other public assistance to people convicted of a drug law
violation (H.R. 5802).
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
Del. Norton worked with Rep. Serrano (D-16th/NY) to repeal a provision of federal law prohibiting
Washington, D.C. from spending its own, non-federal money on syringe exchange programs. She also
cosponsored legislation to eliminate the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R. 4545, H.R.
5035), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), repeal the federal
provision that denies food stamps and other public assistance to people convicted of a drug law violation
(H.R. 5802), protect state medical marijuana programs from federal interference (H.R. 5842), and repeal
the federal syringe ban (H.R. 6680). She voted the right way on two of the important floor votes, but was
ineligible to vote on the other two.1

2008 Heroes of Reform
Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th/IL)
Rep. Davis sponsored the Second Chance Act (H.R. 1593). He also cosponsored legislation to reform the
Byrne Grant Program (H.R. 253), eliminate the crack/powder sentencing disparity (H.R. 4545 and H.R.
5035), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), repeal the federal
provision denying food stamps to people convicted of drug law violations (H.R. 5802), and eliminate the
federal syringe ban (H.R. 6680). He voted the right way on three of the important floor votes, scoring 75
percent, but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.

12

Rep. Sam Farr (D-17th/CA)
Rep. Farr cosponsored the amendment prohibiting the federal government from undermining state
medical marijuana laws (Roll Call Vote 733). He also cosponsored legislation to eliminate the Higher
Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), protect state medical marijuana programs from
federal interference (H.R. 5842), and repeal the federal syringe ban (H.R. 6680). He voted the right way on
three of the important floor votes, scoring 75 percent, but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the
Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-4th/MA)
Rep. Frank introduced three important drug policy reform bills in the 110th Congress, the RISE Act (H.R.
5157), the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (H.R. 5842), and the Act to Remove Federal Penalties
for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults (H.R. 5843). He also cosponsored legislation to
eliminate the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R. 4545) and repeal the federal syringe ban
(H.R. 6680). He voted the right way on three of the important floor votes, scoring 75 percent, but voted in
favor of legislation reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-22nd/NY)
Rep. Hinchey was the lead sponsor of the medical marijuana floor amendment (Roll Call Vote 733). He
also cosponsored legislation to eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157),
repeal the federal provision denying food stamps to people convicted of drug law violations (H.R. 5802),
protect state medical marijuana programs from federal interference (H.R. 5842), and repeal the federal
syringe ban (H.R. 6680). He voted the right way on three of the important floor votes, scoring 75 percent,
but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18th/TX)
Rep. Jackson Lee introduced three important drug policy reform bills in the 110th Congress, the No More
Tulias Act (H.R. 253), the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act (H.R. 4545), and
the No One Strike Eviction Act (H.R. 6785). She also cosponsored two other bills to eliminate the
crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R. 460 and H.R. 5035), as well as legislation to eliminate the
Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), repeal the federal provision denying food
stamps to people convicted of drug law violations (H.R. 5802), and protect state medical marijuana
programs from federal interference (H.R. 5842). She voted the right way on three of the important floor
votes, scoring 75 percent, but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without
reforming it.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-9th/CA)
Rep. Lee introduced the Food Assistance to Improve Reintegration Act (H.R. 5802). She also cosponsored seven other important reform bills, including legislation to eliminate the crack/powder disparity
(H.R. 460 and H.R. 4545), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157),
protect state medical marijuana programs from federal interference (H.R. 5842), eliminate federal criminal
penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use (H.R. 5843), eliminate the federal
syringe ban (H.R. 6680), and reform a federal provision that denies public housing to families that have a
member who has committed a drug law violation (H.R. 6785). She voted the right way on three of the
important floor votes, scoring 75 percent, but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the Byrne Grant
Program without reforming it.

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Rep. Ron Paul (R-14th/TX)
Rep. Paul cosponsored the amendment prohibiting the federal government from undermining state
medical marijuana laws (Roll Call Vote 733). He also cosponsored legislation to eliminate the
crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R. 460), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid
Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), protect state medical marijuana programs from federal interference (H.R.
5842), eliminate federal criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use
(H.R. 5843), and repeal the federal syringe ban (H.R. 6680). He voted the right way on three out of four of
the important floor votes, scoring 75 percent, but missed one of the four votes.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-15th/NY)
Rep. Rangel introduced the Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2007 (H.R. 460). He also
cosponsored another bill to eliminate the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R. 5035), as well
as legislation to eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), repeal the
federal provision denying food stamps to people convicted of drug law violations (H.R. 5802), and repeal
the federal syringe ban (H.R. 6680). He voted the right way on three of the important floor votes, scoring
75 percent, but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-46th/CA)
Rep. Rohrabacher cosponsored the medical marijuana floor amendment (Roll Call Vote 733). He also
cosponsored legislation to allow states to set their own medical marijuana policies (H.R. 5842). He voted
the right way on two out of four of the important floor votes, scoring 50 percent, but voted against the
Second Chance Act and in favor of reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-3rd/VA)
Rep. Scott introduced the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2008 (H.R. 5035). He also cosponsored
legislation to eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157) and repeal the
federal provision denying food stamps to people convicted of drug law violations (H.R. 5802). He voted
the right way on three of the important floor votes, scoring 75 percent, but voted in favor of legislation
reauthorizing the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.

Honorable Mentions
The following Representatives deserve special recognition. Their position aligned with ours on three out of
four of the important floor votes and they cosponsored at least five drug policy reform bills in the 110th
Congress.
•
•
•

•
•
•

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-7th/AZ)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-51st/CA)
Rep. Fortney “Pete” Stark (D-13th/CA)
(Rep. Stark missed the vote on medical
marijuana, but has voted the right way on
it in the past).
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-23rd/FL)
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-2nd/IL)
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-5th/MN)

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-1st/MO)
Rep. Donald Payne (D-10th/NJ)
Rep. Yvette Clark (D-11th/NY)
Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-10th/NY)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-3rd/OR)
Rep. Robert Brady (D-1st/PA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-7th/WA)

2008 Puzzlers
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-4th/GA)
Rep. Johnson introduced and passed legislation in the 110th Congress reauthorizing the troubled Byrne
Grant Program (H.R. 3546). The Drug Policy Alliance Network opposed his bill because it extended the
program until 2012 without reforming it. On the other hand, Rep. Johnson cosponsored the No More
Tulias Act (H.R. 253), which would reform the program (but House leadership never called it up for a
vote). He also cosponsored legislation to eliminate the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity (H.R.
460, H.R. 4545 and H.R. 5035), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157),
repeal the federal provision denying food stamps to people convicted of drug law violations (H.R. 5802),
and repeal the federal syringe ban (H.R. 6680). He also voted the right way on three of the important floor
votes, scoring 75 percent. Overall, Rep. Johnson is definitely reform-oriented, but his willingness to
reauthorize the Byrne Grant Program without reforming it is troubling.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-16th/CA)
Rep. Lofgren cosponsored the Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by
Responsible Adults (H.R. 5843), but then later withdrew her support. This is a major blemish on an
otherwise decent record. She still supports legislation to eliminate the crack/powder disparity (H.R. 460
and H.R. 5035), eliminate the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty (H.R. 5157), and protect
state medical marijuana programs from federal interference (H.R. 5842). She also voted the right way on
three of the important floor votes, scoring 75 percent, but voted in favor of legislation reauthorizing the
Byrne Grant Program without reforming it.

The 2008 “Villian”
Congressman Mark Souder (R-3rd/IN) was unquestionably the 110th Congress’s biggest drug war villain.
For years he has used his perch on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to advance
punitive and counterproductive drug policies, from new mandatory minimum sentences to kicking people
out of college for minor drug law violations. In 2007, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Financial Services
and General Government repealed a federal spending provision that prohibited the city of Washington,
D.C. from spending its own, non-federal money on syringe exchange programs to reduce the spread of
HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. Rep. Souder offered an amendment on the House
floor to restore the ban. If passed, his amendment would have likely led to hundreds, perhaps thousands,
of D.C. residents contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C. Fortunately, the U.S. House of Representatives
rejected his amendment.

15

How Your U.S. Representative Voted
To find out who represents you in the U.S. House of Representatives call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at
202.224.3121 or visit www.house.gov. For more information about the votes highlighted here see page 8.
Vote Key
AL
At-large Congressional District
+
Member’s yes or no vote corresponds with DPA Network position
Member’s yes or no vote does not correspond with DPA Network position
(+)
Member would have agreed with DPA Network position if they had voted (based upon announced position)
(-)
Member would have disagreed with DPA Network position if they had voted (based upon announced position)
X
Member did not cast a yes or no vote and did not officially declare a position
Member was ineligible to vote or was not a U.S. Representative at the time of the vote
I

Vote Number:

District/Representative

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

25%
25%
25%
50%
0%
25%
25%

1/4
1/3
1/4
2/4
0/3
1/4
1/4

+
-

X
-

+
+
+
+
X
+
+

-

0%

0/3

-

X

-

-

N/A

1/2

+

-

I

I

50%
25%
75%
75%
75%
75%
50%
0%

2/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
2/4
0/4

+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
-

50%

2/4

+

-

+

-

Alabama
4
6
1
5
7
2
3

Aderholt (R)
Bachus, S. (R)
Bonner (R)
Cramer (D)
Davis, A. (D)
Everett (R)
Rogers, Mike (R)

Alaska
AL Young, D. (R)
American Samoa
AL Faleomavaega (D)2
Arizona
6
Flake (R)
2
Franks, T. (R)
8
Giffords (D)
7
Grijalva (D)
5
Mitchell (D)
4
Pastor (D)
1
Renzi (R)
3
Shadegg (R)
Arkansas
1
Berry (D)

Vote Number:

District/Representative
Arkansas cont.
3
Boozman (R)
4
Ross (D)
2
Snyder (D)
California
43 Baca (D)
31 Becerra (D)
28 Berman (D)
50 Bilbray (R)
45 Bono Mack (R)
44 Calvert (R)
48 Campbell (R)
23 Capps (D)
18 Cardoza (D)
20 Costa (D)
53 Davis, S. (D)
4
Doolittle (R)
26 Dreier (R)
14 Eshoo (D)
HERO 17 Farr (D)
51 Filner (D)
24 Gallegly (R)
36 Harman (D)
2
Herger (R)
15 Honda (D)
52 Hunter (R)
49 Issa (R)
12 Lantos (D)3
HERO 9
Lee (D)
41 Lewis, Jerry (R)
16 Lofgren (D)
3
Lungren (R)
5
Matsui (D)
22 McCarthy, K. (R)
25 McKeon (R)
11 McNerney (D)
7
Miller, George (D)
42 Miller, Gary (R)
38 Napolitano (D)

589

733

1083

456

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

25%
25%
50%

1/4
1/4
2/3

+

-

+
+
+

X

50%
75%
75%
25%
25%
25%
75%
75%
50%
50%
75%
0%
25%
75%
75%
75%
0%
75%
25%
75%
0%
50%
N/A
75%
25%
75%
25%
75%
25%
0%
50%
75%
0%
75%

2/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
2/4
2/4
3/4
0/3
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
0/4
3/4
1/4
3/4
0/4
2/4
3/3
3/4
1/4
3/4
1/4
3/4
1/4
0/4
2/4
3/4
0/4
3/4

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
I
-

%
Voted
For
Reform

Vote Number:

District/Representative
California cont.
21 Nunes (R)
8
Pelosi (D)4
19 Radanovich (R)
37 Richardson (D)5
HERO 46 Rohrabacher (R)
34 Roybal-Allard (D)
40 Royce (R)
Sanchez, Linda
39
(D)
Sanchez, Loretta
47
(D)
29 Schiff (D)
27 Sherman (D)
32 Solis (D)
12 Speier (D)6
13 Stark (D)
10 Tauscher (D)
Thompson, M.
1
(D)
35 Waters (D)
33 Watson (D)
30 Waxman (D)
6
Woolsey (D)
Colorado
1
DeGette (D)
5
Lamborn (R)
4
Musgrave (R)
7
Perlmutter (D)
3
Salazar, J. (D)
6
Tancredo (R)
2
Udall, M. (D)
Connecticut
2
Courtney (D)
3
DeLauro (D)
1
Larson, J. (D)
5
Murphy, C. (D)
4
Shays (R)
Delaware
AL Castle (R)

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

25%
N/A
25%
N/A
50%
75%
25%

1/3
1/1
1/4
1/2
2/4
3/4
1/4

X
+
I
+
+
-

X
I
+
+
+

+
X
+
+
+
-

X
-

75%

3/4

+

+

+

-

75%

2/3

+

+

(+)

-

75%
75%
75%
N/A
50%
75%

3/4
3/4
3/4
0/0
2/3
3/4

+
+
+
I
+
+

+
+
+
I
X
+

+
+
+
I
+
+

X
-

75%

3/4

+

+

+

-

50%
75%
75%
75%

2/3
3/3
3/4
3/4

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+

X
+
+
+

X
-

75%
0%
25%
75%
50%
75%
75%

3/4
0/4
1/4
3/4
2/4
3/4
3/4

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
-

75%
75%
75%
75%
50%

3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
2/4

+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+

-

50%

2/4

+

-

+

-

Vote Number:

District/Representative
District of Columbia
CHAMP AL Norton (D)7
Florida
9
Bilirakis (R)
2
Boyd, A. (D)
3
Brown, C. (D)
5
Brown-Waite (R)
13 Buchanan (R)
11 Castor (D)
4
Crenshaw (R)
21 Diaz-Balart, L. (R)
Diaz-Balart, M.
25
(R)
24 Feeney (R)
23 Hastings, A. (D)
8
Keller (R)
22 Klein, R. (D)
14 Mack (R)
16 Mahoney (D)
17 Meek, K. (D)
7
Mica (R)
1
Miller, J. (R)
12 Putnam (R)
18 Ros-Lehtinen (R)
6
Stearns (R)
Wasserman
20
Schultz (D)
15 Weldon (R)
19 Wexler (D)
10 Young, C.W. (R)
Georgia
12 Barrow (D)
2
Bishop, S. (D)
10 Broun (R)8
9
Deal (R)
11 Gingrey (R)
4
Johnson, H. (D)
1
Kingston (R)
5
Lewis, John (D)
7
Linder (R)
8
Marshall (D)

589

733

1083

456

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

N/A

2/2

+

+

I

I

25%
50%
50%
25%
25%
50%
25%
25%

1/4
2/4
2/4
1/4
1/4
2/4
1/4
1/4

+
+
+
-

-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

-

25%

1/4

-

-

+

-

25%
75%
25%
50%
25%
25%
50%
0%
0%
0%
25%
25%

1/4
3/4
1/4
2/3
1/4
1/3
2/4
0/4
0/4
0/3
1/4
1/4

+
+
+
-

+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

X
(-)
(-)
-

50%

2/4

+

-

+

-

25%
50%
0%

1/4
2/3
0/4

+
-

+
-

+
X
-

-

25%
50%
N/A
0%
0%
75%
0%
75%
0%
25%

1/4
2/3
2/3
0/4
0/4
3/4
0/4
3/4
0/4
1/3

+
I
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
X

+
X
+
+
+

+
-

19

Vote Number:

District/Representative
Georgia cont.
6
Price, T. (R)
13 Scott, D. (D)
3
Westmorland (R)
Guam
AL Bordallo (D)9
Hawaii
1
Abercrombie (D)
2
Hirono (D)
Idaho
1
Sali (R)
2
Simpson (R)
Illinois
8
Bean (D)
13 Biggert (R)
12 Costello (D)
HERO 7
Davis, D. (D)
5
Emanuel (D)
14 Foster (D)10
4
Gutierrez (D)
17 Hare (D)
14 Hastert (R)11
2
Jackson, J. (D)
15 Johnson, T. (R)
10 Kirk (R)
18 LaHood (R)
3
Lipinski (D)
16 Manzullo (R)
6
Roskam (R)
1
Rush (D)
9
Schakowsky (D)
19 Shimkus (R)
11 Weller (R)
Indiana
5
Burton (R)
4
Buyer (R)
7
Carson (D)12
7
Carson, A. (D)13
2
Donnelly (D)
8
Ellsworth (D)
9
Hill (D)

589

733

1083

456

For
Syringe
Exchange

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

0%
50%
0%

0/4
2/4
0/4

-

+
-

+
-

-

N/A

1/2

+

-

I

I

50%
75%

1/2
3/4

X
+

+
+

(+)
+

-

25%
25%

1/4
1/4

-

-

+
+

-

50%
25%
25%
75%
75%
N/A
75%
75%
N/A
75%
50%
50%
0%
25%
0%
25%
75%
75%
25%
0%

2/4
1/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
0/1
3/4
3/4
0/2
3/4
1/3
2/4
0/1
1/4
0/4
1/4
3/3
3/4
1/4
0/4

+
+
+
I
+
+
X
+
+
X
+
+
-

+
+
I
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
I
+
+
+
(+)
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
-

I
(-)
-

25%
25%
N/A
N/A
25%
25%
50%

1/4
1/4
2/2
0/1
1/4
1/4
2/4

+
I
+

+
I
-

+
+
X
I
+
+
+

I
-

20

Vote Number:

District/Representative
Indiana cont.
6
Pence (R)
3
Souder (R)
1
Visclosky (D)
Iowa
3
Boswell (D)
1
Braley (D)
5
King, S. (R)
4
Latham (R)
2
Loebsack (D)
Kansas
2
Boyda, N. (D)
3
Moore, D. (D)
1
Moran, Jerry (R)
4
Tiahrt (R)
Kentucky
6
Chandler (D)
4
Davis, G. (R)
2
Lewis, R. (R)
5
Rogers, H. (R)
1
Whitfield (R)
3
Yarmuth (D)
Louisiana
5
Alexander, R. (R)
6
Baker (R)14
7
Boustany (R)
6
Cazayoux (D)15
2
Jefferson (D)
1
Jindal (R)16
4
McCrery (R)
3
Melancon (D)
1
Scalise (R)17
Maine
1
Allen (D)
2
Michaud (D)
Maryland
6
Bartlett (R)
7
Cummings (D)
4
Edwards, D. (D)18
1
Gilchrest (R)
5
Hoyer (D)
2
Ruppersberger(D)

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

25%
25%
50%

1/4
1/4
2/4

+

-

+
+
+

-

25%
25%
0%
25%
75%

1/4
1/3
0/4
1/4
3/4

X
+

+

+
+
+
+

-

50%
75%
25%
0%

2/3
3/4
1/4
0/4

+
+
-

+
-

+
+
+
-

X
-

25%
25%
0%
25%
25%
75%

1/4
1/3
0/4
1/4
1/4
3/4

(-)
+

+

+
+
+
+
+

-

25%
N/A
25%
N/A
25%
N/A
25%
50%
N/A

1/4
1/3
1/4
0/1
1/2
1/3
1/3
2/4
0/1

I
+
X
I

I
+
I

+
+
+
I
X
+
+
+
I

I
X
I
-

75%
50%

3/4
2/3

+
+

+
X

+
+

-

50%
50%
N/A
75%
75%
75%

2/4
2/4
0/1
3/4
3/4
3/4

+
I
+
+
+

+
I
+
+
+

+
+
I
+
+
+

-

21

Vote Number:

District/Representative
Maryland cont.
3
Sarbanes (D)
8
Van Hollen (D)
4
Wynn (D)19
Massachusetts
8
Capuano (D)
10 Delahunt (D)
HERO 4
Frank, B. (D)
9
Lynch (D)
7
Markey (D)
3
McGovern (D)
5
Meehan (D)20
2
Neal (D)
1
Olver (D)
6
Tierney (D)
5
Tsongas (D)21
Michigan
4
Camp (R)
14 Conyers (D)
15 Dingell (D)
3
Ehlers (R)
2
Hoekstra (R)
5
Kildee (D)
13 Kilpatrick (D)
9
Knollenberg (R)
12 Levin, S. (D)
11 McCotter (R)
10 Miller, C. (R)
8
Rogers, Mike (R)
1
Stupak (D)
6
Upton (R)
7
Walberg (R)
Minnesota
6
Bachmann (R)
5
Ellison (D)
2
Kline, J. (R)
4
McCollum (D)
8
Oberstar (D)
7
Peterson, C. (D)
3
Ramstad (R)
1
Walz (D)

589

733

1083

456

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

75%
75%
N/A

3/4
3/4
3/3

+
+
+

+
+
+

+
+
+

I

75%
75%
75%
50%
75%
75%
N/A
75%
75%
75%
N/A

3/4
3/4
3/4
2/4
3/4
3/4
1/1
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/2

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
I

+
+
+
+
+
I
+
+
+
I

+
+
+
+
+
+
I
+
+
+
+

I
-

25%
75%
50%
25%
25%
75%
75%
25%
50%
25%
0%
25%
50%
25%
25%

1/4
3/4
2/4
1/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
2/4
1/3
0/4
1/4
2/4
1/4
1/4

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

X
-

25%
75%
0%
75%
50%
50%
25%
75%

1/4
3/4
0/4
3/4
2/3
2/4
1/4
3/4

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
X
+
+
+

-

22

Vote Number:

District/Representative

Mississippi
1
Childers (D)22
3
Pickering (R)
4
Taylor (D)
2
Thompson, B. (D)
Missouri
2
Akin (R)
7
Blunt (R)
3
Carnahan (D)
1
Clay (D)
5
Cleaver (D)
8
Emerson (R)
6
Graves (R)
9
Hulshof (R)
4
Skelton (D)
Montana
AL Rehberg (R)
Nebraska
1
Fortenberry (R)
3
Smith, A. (R)
2
Terry (R)
Nevada
1
Berkley (D)
2
Heller (R)
3
Porter (R)
New Hampshire
2
Hodes (D)
1
Shea-Porter (D)
New Jersey
1
Andrews (D)
7
Ferguson (R)
11 Frelinghuysen (R)
5
Garrett (R)
12 Holt (D)
2
LoBiondo (R)
6
Pallone (D)
8
Pascrell (D)
10 Payne (D)
9
Rothman (D)
3
Saxton (R)
13 Sires (D)
4
Smith, C. (R)

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

N/A
25%
0%
50%

0/1
1/4
0/3
2/4

I
+

I
-

I
+
X
+

-

0%
25%
75%
75%
75%
25%
25%
25%
25%

0/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4

+
+
+
-

+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

-

50%

2/4

-

+

+

-

25%
25%
25%

1/4
1/4
1/4

-

-

+
+
+

-

75%
25%
50%

3/4
1/4
2/4

+
-

+
+

+
+
+

-

75%
75%

3/4
3/4

+
+

+
+

+
+

-

75%
25%
50%
25%
75%
25%
75%
75%
75%
75%
0%
75%
25%

3/4
1/4
2/4
1/4
3/3
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
0/3
3/4
1/4

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+

X
-

23

Vote Number:

District/Representative
New Mexico
2
Pearce (R)
3
Udall, T. (D)
1
Wilson, H. (R)
New York
5
Ackerman (D)
24 Arcuri (D)
1
Bishop, T. (D)
11 Clarke (D)
7
Crowley (D)
17 Engel (D)
13 Fossella (R)
20 Gillibrand (D)
19 Hall, J. (D)
27 Higgins (D)
HERO 22 Hinchey (D)
2
Israel (D)
3
King, P. (R)
29 Kuhl (R)
18 Lowey (D)
14 Maloney (D)
4
McCarthy, C. (D)
23 McHugh (R)
21 McNulty (D)
6
Meeks, G. (D)
8
Nadler (D)
HERO 15 Rangel (D)
26 Reynolds (R)
CHAMP 16 Serrano (D)
28 Slaughter (D)
10 Towns (D)
12 Velazquez (D)
25 Walsh (R)
9
Weiner (D)
North Carolina
1
Butterfield (D)
6
Coble (R)
2
Etheridge (D)
5
Foxx (R)
8
Hayes (R)
3
Jones, W. (R)
10 McHenry (R)

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

25%
75%
25%

1/4
3/4
1/4

+
-

+
-

+
+
+

-

75%
50%
75%
75%
75%
75%
0%
50%
50%
75%
75%
75%
25%
25%
75%
75%
75%
25%
50%
50%
75%
75%
25%
75%
75%
75%
75%
25%
75%

3/4
2/4
3/4
2/3
3/4
3/4
0/4
2/4
2/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
2/3
2/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
3/4

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
(+)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

-

50%
25%
25%
0%
25%
25%
0%

2/4
1/4
1/4
0/4
1/4
1/4
0/4

+
-

-

+
+
+
+
+
-

-

24

Vote Number:

District/Representative
North Carolina cont.
7
McIntyre (D)
13 Miller, B. (D)
9
Myrick (R)
4
Price, D. (D)
11 Shuler (D)
12 Watt (D)
North Dakota
AL Pomeroy (D)
Ohio
8
Boehner (R)
1
Chabot (R)
5
Gillmor (R)23
7
Hobson (R)
4
Jordan (R)
9
Kaptur (D)
10 Kucinich (D)
14 LaTourette (R)
5
Latta (R)24
15 Pryce, D. (R)
16 Regula (R)
17 Ryan, T. (D)
2
Schmidt (R)
18 Space (D)
13 Sutton (D)
12 Tiberi (R)
11 Tubbs Jones (D)
3
Turner (R)
6
Wilson, C. (D)
Oklahoma
2
Boren (D)
4
Cole (R)
5
Fallin (R)
3
Lucas (R)
1
Sullivan (R)
Oregon
3
Blumenauer (D)
4
DeFazio (D)
5
Hooley (D)
2
Walden (R)
1
Wu (D)

589

733

1083

456

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

25%
50%
25%
75%
25%
75%

1/4
2/4
1/4
3/4
1/4
3/4

+
+
+

+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+

-

25%

1/4

-

-

+

-

0%
25%
N/A
50%
25%
75%
75%
75%
N/A
25%
25%
75%
25%
50%
75%
25%
75%
25%
25%

0/4
1/4
0/2
2/4
1/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
0/1
1/2
1/4
3/4
1/4
2/4
3/4
1/4
3/4
1/4
1/4

+
+
+
+
I
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
I
+
+
+
-

+
I
+
+
+
+
+
I
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

I
X
-

25%
25%
25%
25%
0%

1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
0/4

-

-

+
+
+
+
-

-

75%
75%
75%
25%
75%

3/4
3/4
3/4
1/4
3/4

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+

-

25

Vote Number:

District/Representative
Pennsylvania
4
Altmire (D)
1
Brady, R. (D)
10 Carney (D)
15 Dent (R)
14 Doyle (D)
3
English (R)
2
Fattah (D)
6
Gerlach (R)
17 Holden (D)
11 Kanjorski (D)
8
Murphy, P. (D)
18 Murphy, T. (R)
12 Murtha (D)
5
Peterson, J. (R)
16 Pitts (R)
19 Platts (R)
13 Schwartz (D)
7
Sestak (D)
9
Shuster (R)
Puerto Rico
AL Fortuno (R)25
Rhode Island
1
Kennedy, P. (D)
2
Langevin (D)
South Carolina
3
Barrett (R)
1
Brown, H. (R)
6
Clyburn (D)
4
Inglis (R)
5
Spratt (D)
2
Wilson, J. (R)
South Dakota
Herseth Sandlin
AL
(D)
Tennessee
7
Blackburn (R)
9
Cohen (D)
5
Cooper (D)
1
Davis, David (R)
4
Davis, L. (D)
2
Duncan (R)

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

25%
75%
25%
25%
50%
25%
75%
25%
25%
75%
50%
25%
75%
25%
25%
25%
50%
75%
25%

1/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
2/3
1/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
3/4
2/4
1/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
2/4
3/4
1/4

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

-

N/A

0/1

X

-

I

I

75%
75%

3/4
3/4

+
+

+
+

+
+

-

0%
25%
50%
50%
25%
0%

0/4
1/4
2/4
2/4
1/3
0/4

+
X
-

-

+
+
+
+
-

+
-

25%

1/4

-

-

+

-

0%
75%
50%
0%
50%
0%

0/4
3/4
2/4
0/4
2/4
0/4

+
+
+
-

+
-

+
+
+
-

-

26

Vote Number:

District/Representative
Tennessee cont.
6
Gordon (D)
8
Tanner (D)
3
Wamp (R)
Texas
6
Barton (R)
8
Brady, K. (R)
26 Burgess (R)
31 Carter (R)
11 Conaway (R)
28 Cuellar (D)
7
Culberson (R)
25 Doggett (D)
17 Edwards, C. (D)
1
Gohmert (R)
20 Gonzalez (D)
12 Granger (R)
9
Green, A. (D)
29 Green, G. (D)
4
Hall, R. (R)
5
Hensarling (R)
15 Hinojosa (D)
HERO 18 Jackson Lee (D)
3
Johnson, S. (R)
30 Johnson, E. (D)
22 Lampson (D)
24 Marchant (R)
10 McCaul (R)
19 Neugebauer (R)
27 Ortiz (D)
HERO 14 Paul (R)
2
Poe (R)
16 Reyes (D)
23 Rodriguez (D)
32 Sessions, P. (R)
21 Smith, L. (R)
13 Thornberry (R)
Utah
1
Bishop, R. (R)
3
Cannon (R)
2
Matheson (D)

589

733

1083

456

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

50%
25%
0%

2/4
1/4
0/4

+
-

-

+
+
-

-

25%
25%
25%
0%
0%
50%
0%
75%
50%
0%
75%
25%
75%
50%
0%
25%
25%
75%
0%
75%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
75%
25%
50%
50%
25%
25%
0%

1/4
1/4
1/4
0/4
0/4
2/4
0/4
3/4
2/4
0/4
3/4
1/4
3/4
2/4
0/3
1/4
1/3
3/4
0/4
3/4
1/3
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/3
3/3
1/4
2/4
2/4
1/3
1/4
0/4

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
X
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
-

X
+
X
+
+
+
+
-

25%
25%
50%

1/4
1/3
2/4

+

-

+
+
+

X
-

27

Vote Number:

589

733

1083

456

For
Medical
Marijuana

For
Second
Chance
Act

Against
Byrne
Funding

%
Voted
For
Reform

Agreed/
Cast

For
Syringe
Exchange

Welch (D)

75%

3/4

+

+

+

-

Christensen (D)26

N/A

2/2

+

+

I

I

Boucher (D)
Cantor (R)
Davis (R)27
Davis, T. (R)
Drake (R)
Forbes (R)
Goode (R)
Goodlatte (R)
Moran, James (D)
Scott, R. (D)
Wittman (R)28
Wolf (R)

50%
25%
N/A
25%
25%
25%
0%
0%
50%
75%
N/A
25%

2/3
1/4
0/0
1/3
1/4
1/3
0/4
0/4
2/3
3/4
0/1
0/3

+
X
+
X
+
+
I
-

X
X
+
+
I
-

+
+
I
X
+
+
X
+
I
(+)

I
-

Baird (D)
Dicks (D)
Hastings, D. (R)
Inslee (D)
Larsen, R. (D)
McDermott (D)
M. Rodgers (R)
Reichert (R)
Smith, Adam (D)

75%
50%
0%
75%
50%
75%
25%
25%
50%

3/4
2/4
0/4
3/4
2/4
3/4
1/4
1/4
1/3

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
(+)

-

Capito (R)
Mollohan (D)
Rahall (D)

25%
50%
25%

1/4
2/4
1/4

+
-

-

+
+
+

-

Baldwin (D)
Kagen (D)
Kind (D)
Moore, G. (D)
Obey (D)
Petri (R)
Ryan, P. (R)
Sensenbrenner (R

75%
50%
75%
75%
75%
25%
0%
25%

3/4
2/4
3/3
3/4
3/4
1/4
0/4
1/4

+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

X
-

Cubin (R)

0%

0/1

-

X

X

X

District/Representative
Vermont
AL
Virgin Islands
AL
Virginia
9
7
1
11
2
4
5
6
8
HERO 3
1
10
Washington
3
6
4
1
2
7
5
8
9
West Virginia
2
1
3
Wisconsin
2
8
3
4
7
6
1
5
Wyoming
AL

28

Cosponsors of Drug Policy Reform Bills
If your U.S. Representative is not listed that means he or she did not sponsor or cosponsor a major
drug policy reform bill in 2007 or 2008. If your state is not listed that means no Representative from
your state sponsored or cosponsored a major drug policy reform bill in 2007or 2008. For more
information about the bills highlighted here see page 9.
Key
YES - sponsored the reform bill

Yes - cosponsored the reform bill

H.R.253 – No More Tulias
H.R. 5157 – RISE Act (HEA)
H.R. 5842 – Medcial Marijuana
H.R. 6680 – Syringe Exchange

H.R.460/ H.R.4545/ H.R. 5035 – Crack/Powder reform bills
H.R. 5802 – Food Assistance to Improve Reintegration Act
H.R. 5843 – Marijuana Decriminalization
H.R. 6785 – No One Strike Eviction Act

District/Representative

H.R.
253

H.R.
460

H.R.
4545

H.R.
5035

H.R.
5157

H.R.
5802

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

H.R.
5842

H.R.
5843

H.R.
6680

H.R.
6785

Arizona
7
4

Grijalva (D)
Pastor (D)

2

Snyder (D)

Yes

28
23
14
17
51
15
12
9
16
5
7
46
34

Berman (D)
Capps (D)
Eshoo (D)
Farr (D)
Filner (D)
Honda (D)
Lantos (D)
Lee (D)
Lofgren (D)
Matsui (D)
Miller, George (D)
Rohrabacher (R)
Roybal-Allard (D)
Sanchez, Linda
(D)
Solis (D)
Stark (D)
Thompson, M.
(D)
Waters (D)
Watson (D)
Waxman (D)
Woolsey (D)

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Arkansas
California

HERO

HERO

HERO

39
32
13
1
35
33
30
6

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
YES

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Colorado
1
Connecticut
3

DeGette (D)
DeLauro (D)

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

253
Connecticut cont.
4
Shays (R)
District of Columbia
CHAMP AL Norton (D)
Florida
3
Brown, C. (D)
23 Hastings, A. (D)
17 Meek, K. (D)
18 Ros-Lehtinen (R)
Wasserman
20
Schultz (D)
Georgia
2
Bishop, S. (D)
4
Johnson, H. (D)
5
Lewis, John (D)
13 Scott, D. (D)
Hawaii
1
Abercrombie (D)
2
Hirono (D)
Illinois
HERO 7
Davis, Danny (D)
4
Gutierrez (D)
17 Hare (D)
2
Jackson, J. (D)
1
Rush (D)
9
Schakowsky (D)
Indiana
7
Carson, A. (D)
Louisiana
2
Jefferson (D)
Maine
1
Allen (D)
Maryland
7
Cummings (D)
8
Van Hollen (D)
4
Wynn (D)
Massachusetts
8
Capuano (D)
10 Delahunt (D)
HERO 4
Frank, B. (D)
7
Markey (D)
3
McGovern (D)
1
Olver (D)
6
Tierney (D)
Michigan
14 Conyers (D)
13 Kilpatrick (D)
Minnesota
5
Ellison (D)

460

4545

5035

5157

5802

5842

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

5843

6680

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

YES
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

YES
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

30

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

YES

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

6785

253
Minnesota cont.
4
McCollum (D)
Mississippi
2
Thompson, B. (D)
Missouri
1
Clay (D)
Nevada
1
Berkley (D)
New Jersey
1
Andrews (D)
10 Payne (D)
9
Rothman (D)
13 Sires (D)
New York
5
Ackerman (D)
11 Clarke (D)
7
Crowley (D)
HERO 22 Hinchey (D)
14 Maloney (D)
6
Meeks, G. (D)
8
Nadler (D)
HERO 15 Rangel (D)
CHAMP 16 Serrano (D)
28 Slaughter (D)
10 Towns (D)
12 Velazquez (D)
9
Weiner (D)
North Carolina
1
Butterfield (D)
12 Watt (D)
Ohio
10 Kucinich (D)
17 Ryan, T. (D)
13 Sutton (D)
11 Tubbs Jones (D)
Oregon
3
Blumenauer (D)
4
DeFazio (D)
Pennsylvania
1
Brady, R. (D)
14 Doyle (D)
2
Fattah (D)
South Carolina
6
Clyburn (D)
Tennessee
9
Cohen (D)
Texas
20 Gonzalez (D)
9
Green, A. (D)

460

4545

5035

5157

5802

5842

5843

6680

6785

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

YES
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
YES

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

31

Yes

253
Texas cont.
15
HERO 18
30
HERO 14
16
Utah
2
Virgin Islands
AL
Virginia
9
8
HERO 3
Washington
7
Wisconsin
2
4

Hinojosa (D)
Jackson Lee (D)
Johnson, E. (D)
Paul (R)
Reyes (D)

YES

460
Yes

4545
YES

5035
Yes

Yes

5802

5842

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

5843

6680

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Boucher (D)
Moran, James (D)
Scott, R. (D)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes
YES

McDermott (D)

Yes

Baldwin (D)
Moore, G. (D)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Endnotes
1

Congressional restrictions limit when the delegate from Washington, D.C. can vote.
Congressional restrictions limit when the delegate from American Samoa can vote.
3
Rep. Lantos died in office before Vote 456 occurred.
4
By custom the Speaker of the House does not vote, except in close votes or special circumstances.
5
Rep. Richardson was elected to Congress in a special election after Votes 589 and 733 occurred.
6
Rep. Speier was elected to Congess in a special election after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 occurred.
7
Congressional restrictions limit when the delegate from Washington, D.C. can vote.
8
Rep. Broun was elected to Congress in a special election after Vote 589 occurred.
9
Congressional restrictions limit when the delegate from Guam can and cannot vote.
10
Rep. Foster was elected to Congress in a special election after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 occurred.
11
Rep. Hastert resigned from Congress before Vote 456 occurred.
12
Rep. Julia Carson died before Vote 456 occurred.
13
Rep. Andre Carson was elected to Congress in a special election after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 occurred.
14
Rep. Baker resigned from office before Vote 456 occurred.
15
Rep. Cazayoux was elected to office in a special election that occurred after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 took place.
16
Rep. Jindal was elected Governor and resigned his Congressional office before Vote 456 took place.
17
Rep. Scalise was elected in a special election that occurred after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 took place.
18
Rep. Edwards was elected to office in a special election that occurred after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 took place.
19
Rep. Wynn resigned from office before Vote 456 took place.
20
Rep. Meehan resigned from office before Votes 733, 1083 and 456 took place.
21
Rep. Tsongas was elected to office in a special election that occurred after Votes 589 and 733 took place.
22
Rep. Childers was elected to office in a special election that occurred after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 took place.
23
Rep. Gillmore died in office before Votes 1083 and 456 took place.
24
Rep. Latta was elected to office in a special election that occurred after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 took place.
25
Congressional restrictions limit when the delegate from Puerto Rico can vote.
26
Congressional restrictions limit when the delegate from the Vigrin Islands can vote.
27
Rep. Jo Ann Davis died in office before votes 1083 and 456 occurred.
28
Rep. Wittman was elected to office in a special election that occurred after Votes 589, 733 and 1083 took place.
2

32

6785
YES

Yes

Matheson (D)
Christensen (D)

5157