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Average State Power Score and Ranking - The Power Scores for each member of the House and Senate from each state were averaged by chamber and then averaged together to determine the Power Score for the delegation of each state. Bill A Member of Congress introduces text for a new law or proposed change to existing law or for other purposes. This text, known as a bill, is assigned a number and then referred to the appropriate committee for consideration. A bill can be approved, disapproved or amended. It is voted on by the chamber. The other chamber must approve the bill as written or a committee must work out any differences and the bill then approved again by both chambers before it is submitted to the President for signature or veto. Power Rank credits points for success at different points in the process. Committee Nearly all of the work in Congress is conducted in committees organized by topics. Each committee has a chair from the majority party and a ranking member of the minority party. The chair and ranking member are often determined by their tenure or years in office. Depending on the committee, ranking members may have more influence than others. It is in committee where the language of the bill is set. Because some committees deal with topics that have a greater impact than others do, we have assigned values or weight to each committee relative to other committees. Members of the Appropriations committee for example, because this is where tax dollars are allocated, is one of the most important committees and its members receive more points toward their Power Score than members of other committees. Earmark - Refers to congressional funds allocated for a specific project or program, usually benefitting a specific state or congressional district. Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan budget watchdog organization, provided 2007 earmark data for each member of Congress. Indirect Influence Refers to the action taken by a Member of Congress in 2007 to attempt to affect the outcome of an issue or bill by proactive means. For example this may include, appearing on a Sunday morning talk show, being featured in newspaper interviews or leading a caucus such as the Congressional Womens Caucus or Congressional Black Caucus demonstrates that the Member of Congress influenced the legislative agenda of Congress. Legislation Refers to the success at each stage of the lawmaking process of the passage of a bill into law in 2007 as of February 16. Members receive points when their bills are passed out of committee, successfully passed on the floor in their chamber, passed by the other chamber, and then signed into law by the President. This also includes attempts to shape the bill through amendments. Party Rankings Based on the Power Score, the members of each party in the House and Senate are ranked in order from highest score (most powerful member of that party) to the lowest score (least powerful member in that party). Independents are grouped with the party with which they caucus or vote for organizational purposes. Position Position is based on numbers of years served in Congress as well as committee assignments and leadership positions the Member of Congress holds. Much of the power a member wields is directly a result of their seniority on a committee or in the chamber as a whole. Power Category All 20 factors that determine the Power Score are grouped together into four broad Power Categories: Position, Influence, Legislation and Earmarks. Power Rankings by Chamber - Based on the Power Score, the Members of Congress are ranked in the House and the Senate from highest score (most powerful) to the lowest score (least powerful). This is their overall ranking in the House or in the Senate heading into 2008. Power Rankings by Party - Based on the Power Score, the members of each party in the House and Senate heading into 2008 are ranked in order from highest score (most powerful member of that party) to the lowest score (least powerful member in that chamber). Independents are grouped with the party with which they caucus or vote for organizational purposes. Power Rankings by State The Power Scores for members of the House and Senate for each state were ranked heading into 2008 to allow comparisons of power within each state. Power Rankings by Tenure (Class of:) - The Power Scores for members of the House and Senate were ranked by year they were elected. Tenure refers to the number of terms or years a member has served since he/she was first elected to Congress. In some cases, members who left office and returned later are granted their tenure back or given credit for those earlier years in office. Because tenure determines rank on committees it is an important factor. Tenure, for our purposes, is identified as the year the member was first elected or credited for tenure and is listed as "Class of" and the year. Members elected in a special election or odd numbered year are assigned to the most recent class. For example, someone elected in 1995 is assigned to the class of 1994. Power Score The cumulative weighted score derived from the four Power Categories and 20 factors heading into 2008 considered in determining the power and effectiveness of a Member of Congress. All the factors are scored, assigned relative weights and then computed into the Power Score. Rankings for chamber, state and other factors are all derived from this score. Rank/Overall Rankings Based on the Power Score, members are ranked in the House and the Senate from highest score (most powerful or effective) to the lowest score (least powerful or effective.). This is their overall ranking heading into 2008. Tenure Tenure refers to a Member's length of service or relative power based on the number of terms or years they served since they were elected in a particular chamber. In some cases, members who left office and returned later are given credit for previous service granted their tenure back or given credit for those earlier years in office. Because tenure determines your rank on committees it is an important factor. Tenure, for our purpose, is identified as the year the member was first elected or credited for tenure and is listed as "Class of" and the year. Members elected in special elections are assigned to the most recently elected class. For example, a member elected in 1995 is assigned to the class of 1994. |
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