VOTE RATINGS

Most Liberal Members of Congress

Updated: May 29, 2013 | 11:12 p.m.
February 26, 2011 | 10:10 a.m.

Nine senators tied for most liberal in National Journal's 2010 Vote Ratings issue. Here's a look at the 10 most-liberal senators:

For the 10 most-liberal representatives head to the end of the gallery.

Tied for first—Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio

(Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Although he could face a tough reelection battle in 2012, Brown shows no signs of trimming his sails. He was tied as the most-liberal senator in 2009, making it two years straight he’s been tied for most liberal.

GALLERY:Who are the most conservative members of Congress?

Tied for first—Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Both Maryland senators tied most-liberal senator in the 2010 vote ratings. Cardin also tied for most-liberal senator in 2009.

Tied for first—Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

(Richard A. Bloom)

Leahy was the 29th most-liberal senator in 2009 with a composite score of 73.8.

Tied for first—Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

(Liz Lynch)

Levin tied for 11th most liberal in the 2009 vote ratings with a composite score of 84.3.

Tied for first—Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

(Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Mikulski ranked eighth most liberal in 2009 with a composite score of 85.2, which was a more-liberal score then the 83.3 that tied her for most liberal in 2010.

Tied for first—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

(TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Reid made a big jump to tie as the most-liberal senator in the 2010 ratings. He was 22nd most liberal in 2009 and the 25th most liberal in 2008.

Tied for first—Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

(Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Sanders is the only independent senator with a most-liberal vote rating in 2010.

Tied for first—Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

(Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Stabenow ranked the 21st most-liberal senator in 2009 with a composite score of 78.3.

Tied for first—Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

(Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Whitehouse also tied for the title of most-liberal senator in 2009.

Tied for 10th—(left to right) Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Jack Reed, D-R.I.

(GETTY IMAGES)

Senators from seven states had identical liberal scores. Gillibrand and Schumer are one set of the pairs.

Top Ten Liberal Representatives

Tied for first—Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Judy Chu, D-Calif., John Lewis, D-Ga., Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., John Olver, D-Mass., Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Linda Sanchez, D-Calif.

(left to right) Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Judy Chu, D-Calif., Linda Sanchez, D-Calif. and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.

In 2010, four of the 10 most-liberal members of the House were women (pictured above). Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., almost made the list as the 11th most-liberal member in 2010, a big jump from the 51st most liberal in 2009.

GALLERY:Who are the most conservative members of Congress?

Tied for eighth—(left to right) Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., George Miller, D-Calif., and Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

(Almanac Of American Politics)

With composite scores of 95.3, Markey, Miller, and McGovern round out the 10 most-liberal members of the House. All three members had a composite score in the 80s in the 2009 vote ratings.

GALLERY:Who are the most conservative members of Congress?

Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.


Leave A Comment
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus
Follow National Journal
Expert Opinions
Transportation Experts

Hands-Free Won't Cut It

June 18, 2013

Latest Response by Robert L. Darbelnet: Consider the Opportunity Before Us

Energy Experts

What's the Future of Electric Cars?

June 17, 2013

Latest Response by Phyllis Cuttino: TBD

Energy Experts

What's the Future of Electric Cars?

June 14, 2013

Latest Response by Brigham McCown: Electric Cars and Their Dirty Secret

More Expert Opinions »
Columns
Norm Ornstein: Washington Inside Out

Government Privatization Paves the Way for Crony Corruption

9:30 p.m.
It’s dangerous business when private contractors recruit top government employees and then effectively lease them back to the government.
Major Garrett: All Powers

Obama’s Second-Term G-8 Dance Card: Judo With Putin, Trade, and Syria

June 18, 2013
The president returns to Berlin five years later less the rock star and more the battle-hardened pragmatist.
Josh Kraushaar: Against the Grain

Why Democrats Are Already Jumping Aboard the Hillary Clinton Bandwagon

June 18, 2013
Claire McCaskill's endorsement was a bow to reality: Democrats don't want to challenge Clinton in 2016.
More Columns »