The ten least effective members of Congress

Gary Jacobsen
Published: July 15, 2008

According to the nonpartisan Congress.org, nine of the 10 least effective (i.e., least powerful) members of Congress are Republicans. Five are senators and four are members of the House of
Representatives. The lone Democrat on the list is Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana.Congress.org rated all members of the Senate and House of Representatives and assigned power rankings to them
according to four broad criteria. Here are the criteria as listed on Congress.org:

1. Position: How much power might the legislator wield through his/her position in the Congress by virtue of tenure, new committee assignments or new leadership position? This Power Category includes
some new weightings for all committees, subcommittees, and leadership positions, taking into consideration the new majority or minority party status of the member.

2. Indirect Influence: How much power has the legislator demonstrated or may be capable of demonstrating to influence the congressional agenda or outcome of votes through the media or congressional
caucuses.

3.  Legislative Activity: How much power has the legislator demonstrated through the passage of legislation or shaping legislation through amendments thus far? Not included are data items which did not
substantially change a bill or existing law. These included amendments dealing with technical changes or bills of a ceremonial or commemorative nature such as naming of post offices or other public
buildings, or non-binding resolutions that expressed the “sense of the Congress.”

4.  Earmarks: This is a new criteria added to the 2008 Power Rankings as a result of Congress’ decision in 2007 to make the earmarking process more transparent. How successful was the legislator at
securing funds for local projects in his or her district or state?

Well, just who are the least effective legislators? In the U. S. Senate, Republicans occupy the five lowest positions: George Voinovich, Ohio; Lisa Murkowski, Alaska; Bob Corker, Tenn.; John Barrasso,
Wyo.; and Larry Craig, Idaho.

Senator Craig was arrested and charged with lewd conduct in a public restroom in August. He ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

In the U. S. House of Representatives, Republicans occupy four of the five lowest positions: Paul Broun, Ga.; Robert Wittman, Va.; Robert Latta, Ohio; and Rick Renzi, Ariz.

Representative Wittman represents Fredericksburg, Williamsburg and surrounding areas. He served in Virginia’s House of Delegates from 2005 to 2007 and was elected to the U. S. House of
Representatives in December. His low ranking by Congress.org may be based on the fact that he has served less than a year in office.

Representative Renzi has been indicted on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, extortion and insurance fraud. He has stated that he will not seek re-election.

The only Democrat among the five least effective congressmen is William Jefferson, who represents the 2nd district in Louisiana. Jefferson is currently under investigation by the FBI for corruption in office.
In June 2006, the House of Representatives removed him from the Ways and Means Committee by a voice vote.

Interestingly, the ten most effective (i.e., most powerful) members of Congress (five in the Senate, five in the House) are all Democrats.

I guess there really are differences between the two major political parties.

Gary Jacobsen lives in Woodbridge.