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For Immediate Release
January 17, 2008

Washington, DC – As Americans prepare to make key decisions about the leadership of our country, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) and its sister organization, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF), today released two new reports – LCCR’s Voting Record and LCCREF’s Civil Rights Monitor – detailing the state of play of civil rights in this historic election year.

“LCCR scored the entire U.S. House and Senate on a variety of civil rights legislation ranging from DC Voting Rights to minimum wage,” said LCCR president Wade Henderson. “Of the leading Presidential contenders in the U.S. Senate, Hillary Clinton received a civil rights rating of 92 percent, John McCain 22 percent, and Barack Obama 100 percent.”

LCCR’s full voting record, including detailed vote tables for all U.S. House and Senate members is available for viewing. A brief analysis of how the three senators running for president voted on key civil rights issues follows:

• Senator Clinton maintained a progressive record on civil rights with an overall rating of 92 percent. She voted for the controversial REAL ID Act and was absent for only one LCCR scored vote, which was to confirm President Bush’s then Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey.
• Senator McCain received a 22 percent civil rights rating. He voted against increasing the federal minimum wage, expanding labor protections, and voting rights for DC. He also voted to confirm President Bush’s divisive nominee to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Leslie Southwick. Although regarded as progressive on immigration, he was absent for key votes on the DREAM Act, the REAL ID Act, and a bill requiring photo ID for voting.
• Senator Obama received a solid 100 percent civil rights rating. He was only absent for two of LCCR’s scored votes: a vote requiring photo ID for voting and for the confirmation vote on Judge Mukasey for Attorney General.

“At a time when our country is stymied by comprehensive immigration reform and ravaged by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, Americans can’t afford to lose sight of important legislative priorities that protect and advance civil and human rights,” said LCCR vice president Nancy Zirkin.

LCCR considers a voting record score of 90% and above strongly supportive of civil rights legislation. In the voting record, there is a one vote difference between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama.

LCCR's sister organization, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF), released the Civil Rights Monitor, which reviews the state of play for civil rights issues across all three branches of government. The Monitor also provides a historical context within which to assess current civil rights issues.

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The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most diverse civil and human rights coalition. For more information on LCCR and its nearly 200 member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org