Sen. Maria Cantwell is a big gainer in the latest Congress power rankings
Congress.org ranks the current Congress according to various indicators of power.
The measurements are position, indirect influence, legislative activity, and "sizzle-fizzle" factor. Congress.org's new rankings of current members of Congress put the Washington and Oregon delegations about even in influence, in the upper-middle of the pack, with Oregon ranked 10th and Washington ranked 15th. Idaho was dead last among all states.
Top Senate scorers for the Northwest were Patty Murray at 15th; Ron Wyden at 30th; and Maria Cantwell at 36th – up from 99th last year and the second-biggest gainer.
For the House, Norm Dicks ranks 11th; Jay Inslee is 63rd; and Darlene Hooley (74), Peter De Fazio (78) and Earl Blumenauer (103) all moved up dramatically. Surprise is Jim McDermott, 115th despite years of seniority. Other rankings for Washington: Rick Larsen 180, Adam Smith 190, Brian Baird 220, Cathy McMorris Rodgers 231, Doc Hastings 281, Dave Reichert 419. Oregon: David Wu 208, Greg Walden 377.
All of Idaho's delegation is Republican, so their power rankings are understandably low in a Democratic Congress. But the delegation had an average In the Senate, Larry Craig is 61st and Mike Crapo is 66th. In the House, Mike Simpson is 318th and William Sali is 423rd.
Up in Alaska (delegation rank: 31st), Republicans Ted Stevens is 46th and Lisa Murkowski is 96th in the Senate, and Don Young is 140th in the House.
Like what you just read? Support high quality local journalism. Become a member of Crosscut today!
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feeds
Comments:
Posted Wed, Apr 4, 10:34 a.m. Inappropriate
Maria's rise because of gaining the majority is mirrored by Reichert's fall because of losing the majority. He fell further than any other member of the House -- and now Reichert shares the basement just below nonvoting members from American Samoa and Guam.
One of the arguments the Seattle Times made for Reichert (and he repeated ad naseum) was his influence as a freshman committee chairman and consequently a power broker for Western Washington.
This ranking shows just how tenuous his position was -- and how completely irrelevant he has become.
My guess is that voters will want to trade in Mr. 419 for someone who brings more bang for their vote.
Posted Wed, Apr 4, 5:48 p.m. Inappropriate
Why are you following the lead of the current day media that tries to make everything in politics analogous to sports, with rankings, numbers and standings? It's dumb. It only distracts and confuses. The reality of Congress is a bit more complex. And it's surprising that you'd give it this kind of coverage.
Most telling is the admission on the part of the creators that "Of course this tool does not reflect the totality of contribution that a Member of Congress makes to his or her constituents or the nation…" Really? Do you think so?
Login or register to add your voice to the conversation.