Washington DC—Voice for Refuge Action Fund today released scorecards on each current member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, ranking them according to their support for refugee protection. Members with the highest scores are given the title “Pro-Refugee Leader” while those with the lowest scores are dubbed “Anti-Refugee Extremists.”

“Congress first created the life-saving refugee resettlement program in partnership with faith groups and American communities, which for decades has maintained strong bipartisan support. Congress has failed to prevent the Trump administration from trampling on our values and slamming the door on families fleeing persecution. Voice for Refuge’s scorecards will make it clear to constituents and voters whether their senators and representatives have given into Trump’s campaign of racism and xenophobia or stand as defenders of refugees,” said Voice for Refuge Political Director Mustafa Jumale.

Scores were calculated by evaluating each Member’s record on critical pieces of pro-refugee and anti-refugee legislation, whether or not they have signed on to pro-refugee letters, and their public statements and comments made about refugees. Voice for Refuge ranked each Senator and Representative as either a Pro-Refugee Leader, Pro-Refugee, Uncommitted, Anti-Refugee, or an Anti-Refugee Extremist. A comprehensive list of scores can be downloaded here and constituents can search for their Senators and Representatives by state.

Some of the highest ranking Senators include Richard Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Edward Markey (D-MA), James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Kamala Harris (D-CA). The lowest scoring Senators include Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Marsha Blackburn (TN-R), and Ted Cruz (R-TX).

Pro-refugee standouts in the House include Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ted Lieu (D-CA-33), Chris Smith (R-NJ-4), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25), and Joe Neguse (D-CO-02). Lowest scores went to Mo Brooks (R-AL-05), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), Scott Perry (R-PA-10), Louie Gohmert (R-TX-1), Matt Gaetz (R-FL-1), and Ted Yoho (R-FL-03).

Voice for Refuge is the first 501(c)4 organization created to advance pro-refugee policies at the national, state, and local level and to hold elected leaders accountable to upholding America’s legacy of welcome. Voice for Refuge is educating the public about the benefits of refugee resettlement, advocating for pro-refugee policies in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, and increasing civic engagement among refugees through non-partisan voter education. Voice for Refuge will also promote the representation of refugees in government by supporting former refugees and pro-refugee candidates running for office at the national, state, and local level.

For more information or to get involved visit voiceforrefuge.org or contact info@voiceforrefuge.org.

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