California Representatives

2008 Scorecard
www.CAIR2008ELECTION.com
The 2008 CAIR-CA Congressional Scorecard is a non-partisan document aimed at helping you decide how to vote for your Congressional representatives. Each Congressional
representative’s vote on a specified bill has been rated positive (+) or negative (-) depending on CAIR’s assessment of whether or not his/her vote corresponds with the interests of
the American Muslim community, as reflected in CAIR’s policy positions (for detailed information of CAIR’s stances on these issues, please see www.cair2008election.com). “Present”
denotes the choice to abstain rather than vote yes or no on the issue; “NV,” or “Not Voting” denotes not being present for the roll call vote and therefore not having a recorded vote
on the bill. H.R. denotes House Resoultion that has passed a vote. H. Amdt denotes amendment and/or addition to a House Resolution. The following bills were introduced and voted
upon in the 110th Congress and have been deemed by CAIR as important to the American Muslim community.
Please note that although this scorecard is meant to be used as guide for American Muslims in California, CAIR encourages all voters to independently research the policies of their
Congressional candidates prior to casting their ballot. CAIR makes no claim as to the favorability of one candidate being elected over another.

MUSLIMS:
H. RES. 635- Ramadan Resolution
Passed the House in October 2007
Recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great world religions and
acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses deepest respect
to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this sig-
nificant occasion. Commends Muslims in the United States and across
the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and
movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and
terror.
H.AMDT.1114- Hoekstra Amendment
Passed the House in July 2008
Amends: H.R.5959 which authorizes appropriations for fiscal year
2009 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United
States Government.
Amendment Purpose: To bar the use of funds to prohibit or discour-
age the use of the phrases `jihadist,’ `jihad,’ `Islamo-fascism,’ `caliph-
ate,’ `Islamist,’ or `Islamic terrorist’ within the intelligence community
or the Federal Government.
HATE CRIMES PREVENTION:
H.R. 1592- Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Passed the House in May 2007
Allows the Attorney General to provide assistance for the criminal
investigation of crimes that are considered a felony and are motivated
by prejudice based on the perceived or actual race, color, religion,
national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability
of the victim.
H.R. 1401– Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 – 6
Imams Amendment
Passed the House in March 2007
Provides approximately $7 billion over four years for rail, mass transit
and bus security. It authorizes $3.36 billion for public transportation
security, $2.4 billion for rail security, $200 million for research, $140
million for fire safety improvements to Amtrak tunnels and $87 million
for bus security. It also requires rail and public transportation systems
to submit vulnerability assessments and security plans to the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security (DHS) for approval. These plans would
clarify roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local agencies in
securing rail and public transportation systems.
Amendment which dealt with the 6 Imams who were taken off a flight
for suspicious behavior gives immunity from lawsuits to people who
report suspicious behavior. It requires the Secretary to report to Con-
gress on the feasibility of implementing named-based checks against
terrorist watch lists for all National Railroad Passenger Corporation
(Amtrak) passengers
IRAQ:
H.R. 1591- U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007
Passed in the House in March 2007
Passed in the Senate in March 2007
Vetoed by the President in May 2007
States that American forces will begin to be redeployed from
Iraq by October 1, 2007 if the President determines that certain
benchmarks are being met, or in failing to meet those benchmarks,
to begin redeployment by July 1, 2007 with most being redeployed
by March 2008, leaving a limited number of troops remaining to
protect American personnel and infrastructure, to train and equip
Iraqi forces, and to conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations.
H.R. 2206- U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007
Passed in the House in May 2007
Passed in the Senate in May 2007
Signed by the President in May 2007
Requires the President to submit reports to Congress on how the
Iraqi government is or is not achieving progress in accomplishing
the benchmarks, and to advise Congress on how that assessment
requires, or does not require, changes to the strategy announced
on January 10, 2007. Provides report deadlines.
FISA WIRETAPPING:
H.R. 6304- FISA Amendments Act of 2008
Passed the House in June 2008
Passed the Senate in July 2008
Extends the government’s ability to legally listen in on the tele-
phone conversations of persons of interest, it also effectively grants
legal immunity to telecommunications companies that helped in
this surveillance.
FOOD, CONSERVATION, & ENERGY:
H.R. 2419- Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 H.R. 2419
Passed the House in July 2007
Passed the Senate in December 2007
Increases eligibility for food stamps by raising the income deduc-
tion required to qualify for the program since 1996 and, for the
first time, indexing it to inflation. It also increases funding by $1.26
billion for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which helps
fill food banks, and $1 billion in new funding for the Snack Program,
which provides assistance to schools that serve healthy snacks to
children.
 Iraq FISA hate Crimes/Racial Muslim Americans Food/
WIRE- profiling Energy
TAPPING

California

Hoekstar Amnd.
Troop Readiness

transportation
Troop Readiness

Amendments

Hate Crimes

security act
House of

Resolution

H. Res. 635
Prevention

H.R. 22419
HJR 2206

Extension
H.R. 6304

Ramadan

Farm Bill
H.R. 1592

H. Amdt
H.R. 1591

Public
FISA

H.R.
Act
Representatives

Thompson, Mike. [D-1] + + + + + + + +

Herger, Walter [R-2] - - - - - + + -
Lungren, Daniel [R-3] - - - - +
+ - -
Doolittle, John [R-4] - - - - + - -
Matsui, Doris [D-5] + + + + + + + +
Woolsey, Lynn [D-6] - - + + + + + +
Miller, George [D-7] + + + + + + + +
Pelosi, Nancy (D-8) + + - +
Lee, Barbara [D-9] - - + + + No Vote + +
Tauscher, Ellen [D-10] + + - + + + + +
McNerney, Jerry [D-11] + + - + + + + +
Lantos, Tom [D-12] + + + + + + + +
Stark, Fortney [D-13] Present - No Vote + + + + -
Eshoo, Anna [D-14] + + + + + + + +
Honda, Michael [D-15] + + + + + + + +
Lofgren, Zoe [D-16] + + + + + + + +
Farr, Sam [D-17] + + + + + + + +
Cardoza, Dennis [D-18] + + - + + + - +
Radanovich, George [R-19] - - - No Vote - + - -
Costa, Jim [D-20] + + - + + + - +
Nunes, Devin [R-21] - - - - + + - -
McCarthy, Kevin [R-22] - - - - - + - -
Those that voted or co-sponsored a bill that is in line with the Muslim Community’s views or supports Humanitarian issues receive a (+).
Those that voted or co-sponsored a bill that is not in line with the Muslim Community’s views or does not support Humanitarian issues receive a (-).
Those who receive a (++) or (- -) voted and co-sponsored a resolution in favor or against the Muslim Community’s views or Humanitarian issues.
Those that did not vote are marked (NV), those who were present are marked (Present).
Aye = + Nay = - Present = - No Vote = NV Not in Office= NIO.
 Iraq FISA hate Crimes/Racial Muslim Food/
WIRE- profiling Americans Energy
TAPPING

California

Troop Readiness

Hoekstar Amnd.
Troop Readiness

transportation
House of

security act
Amendments

Resolution

H. Res. 635
Hate Crimes

Farm Bill
H.R. 22419
HJR 2206

Extension
H.R. 6304

Ramadan
Prevention

H.R. 1592

H. Amdt
H.R. 1591

Public
Representatives

H.R.
FISA
Act
Capps, Lois [D-23] + + + + + + + +
Gallegly, Elton [R-24] - - - - + + + -
McKeon, Howard [R-25] - - - - - + - -
Dreier, David [R-26] - - - - - + - -
Sherman, Brad [D-27] + + - + + + - +
Berman, Howard [D-28] + + - + + + - +
Schiff, Adam [D-29] + + - + + + + +
Waxman, Henry [D-30] + + + + + + + -
Becerra, Xavier [D-31] + + + + + + + +
Solis, Hilda [D-32] + + + + + + + +
Watson, Diane [D-33] - - + + + + - +
Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-34] + + + + + + + +
Waters, Maxine [D-35] - - + + + + + +
Harman, Jane [D-36] + + - + + + + +
Napolitano, Grace [D-38] + + + + + + + +
Sanchez, Linda [D-39] + + + + + + + +
Royce, Edward [R-40] - - - - - + - -
Lewis, Jerry [R-41] - - - - - + - -
Miller, Gary [R-42] - - - - - + - -
Baca, Joe [D-43] + + - + + + + +
Calvert, Ken [R-44] - - - - - + - -
Bono Mack, Mary [R-45] - - - + + Present - -
Rohrabacher, Dana [R-46] - - - - - + - -
Sanchez, Loretta [D-47] + + + + + + + +
Campbell, John [R-48] - - - - - + - -
Issa, Darrell [R-49] - - - - - + - No Vote
Bilbray, Brian [R-50] - - - - - + - -
Filner, Bob [D-51] + + + + + + + +
Hunter, Duncan [R-52] - - - No Vote No Vote No Vote - -
Davis, Susan [D-53] + + + + + + - +
Those that voted or co-sponsored a bill that is in line with the Muslim Community’s views or supports Humanitarian issues receive a (+)
Those that voted or co-sponsored a bill that is not in line with the Muslim Community’s views or does not support Humanitarian issues receive a (-)
Those who receive a (++) or (- -) voted and co-sponsored a resolution in favor or against the Muslim Community’s views or Humanitarian issues.
Those that did not vote are marked (NV), those who were present are marked (Present).
Aye = + Nay = - Present = - No Vote = NV Not in Office= NIO

Ballot Recommendations
www.CAIR2008ELECTION.com
Proposition 1
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond
Act for the 21st Century
Voting YES means;
·A high speed train will be built that travels at speeds up to 220mph
(350km/h) and will shorten traveling time from San Francisco to Los
Angeles to as little as two and a half hours. It is estimated that the
railway will be in development for 8-11 years.
·Thousands of jobs in construction will be generated, and a decreased
amount of cars will be on the road and carbon dioxide emissions are
decreased.
Voting NO means;
·High speed train and railway will not be built.
·Over 140-180 parks, wildlife refuges, and protected open spaces will
not be destroyed
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NEUTRAL
Proposition 2
Treatment of Farm Animals Statute
Voting YES means;
·Requires that animal-industry related businesses must allow
specified farm animals to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down,
stand up, and turn around for the majority of every day. Statute will
take effect in 2015.
·Provides misdemeanor penalties, including a fine not to exceed
$1,000 and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days
Voting NO means;
·Statute will not be implemented nor enforced.
·There will be no additional costs to the state for this statute.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: YES
Proposition 3
Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program Statute
Voting YES means;
·California authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds, to be repaid from
state’s General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion,
remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s
hospitals.
·80 percent of bond proceeds go to hospitals that focus on children
with illnesses such as leukemia, cancer, heart defects, diabetes,
sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
·State costs of about $2 billion over 30 years to pay off both the
principal ($980 million) and the interest ($1 billion) costs of the bond.
Payments of about $67 million per year.
Voting NO means;
·The state’s General Fund will not be used for children’s hospitals.
·The state will not be paying a billion dollars interest on bonds for
over a period of 30 years.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NEUTRAL
California
Proposition 4
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before
Termination of Minors Pregnancy Constitutional
Amendment
Voting YES means;
·California Constitution is amended to prohibit abortion for
unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s
parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse reported, an adult family
member.
·Projected annual costs range from $4 million to $5 million for the state
and about $2 million for counties, and potential one-time Medi-Cal
automation costs unlikely to exceed a few million dollars. Costs to
local law enforcement and courts are estimated to be in the range of
$5 million to $6 million per year.
Voting NO means;
·The state will not amend the California Constitution.
·The state will not enforce or implement changes.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: YES
Proposition 5
Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and
Rehabilitation Statute
Voting YES means;
·The state is required to expand and increase funding and oversight for
individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent
drug offenders and parolees, which makes treatment and
rehabilitative services a major focus in the processing of nonviolent
offenders.
·The state will save up $1 billion annually due primarily to reduced
prison and parole operating costs.
Voting NO means;
·Certain marijuana misdemeanors are changed to infractions.
·Changes in the California criminal justices system are not
implemented.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: YES
Proposition 6
Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding Statute
Voting YES means;
·State is required to spend on various programs to combat crime and
gangs, and to operate prison and parole systems.
·State levies increased penalties for several crimes, including violating
gang injunctions, using or possessing to sell methamphetamine, or
carrying loaded or concealed firearms by certain felons.
·Funds to pay for these costs, should Prop. 6 pass, will come from
California’s general fund.[6]
In the current California state budget, $600 million dollars is set aside
to assist with local law enforcement. If the initiative passes, an
additional $350 million will be required to enforce some of its
provisions.
Voting NO means;
·The state will not spend over a half billion dollars annually primarily for
increased funding of criminal justice programs, as well as for increased
costs for prison and parole operations.
·Taxpayers will not pay unknown one-time state capital outlay costs
potentially exceeding a half billion dollars for prison facilities.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NO
Proposition 7
Renewable Energy Statute
Voting YES means;
·Requires all utilities, including government-owned utilities, to
generate 20% of their power from renewable energy by 2010, a
standard currently applicable only to private electrical
corporations.
·Requires utilities to sign longer contracts (20 year minimum) to
procure renewable energy.
Voting NO means;
·Potential, unknown increased costs and reduced revenues,
particularly in the short term, to state and local governments
resulting from the measure’s potential to increase retail
electricity rates, with possible offsetting cost savings and
revenue increases, to an unknown degree, over the long term to
the extent the measure hastens renewable energy
development.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: YES
Proposition 8
Limit on Marriage Constitutional Amendment
Voting YES means;
·Amends the California Constitution to provide that marriage
only between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in
California.
Voting NO means;
·State Constitution remains the same and permits same-sex
partners to have civil marriages.
CAIR believes that no individual or group should be subject to hate or violence
or discriminatory treatment due to their
personal beliefs or preferences. Our faith, however, does not sanction same-sex
marriage. While we respect and continue to serve as allies to the diverse civil
rights community, this is an
issue we cannot support while adhering to our own religious
injunctions.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: YES
Proposition 9
Criminal Justice System Victims’ Rights. Parole
Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Voting YES means;
·Amends the California Constitution and requires notification to
victim and provides opportunity for input during phases of
criminal justice process, including bail, pleas, sentencing and
parole.
·Number of people permitted to attend and testify on behalf of
victims are increased at the parole hearings.
·Unknown potential increases in state prison and county jail
operating costs due to provisions restricting early release of
inmates. To the extent that any such costs were incurred, they
could collectively amount to hundreds of millions of dollars
annually. A potential net savings in the low tens of millions of
dollars for the administration of parole reviews and revocations
if the changes related to parole revocation procedures were not
overturned by potential legal challenge.
Voting NO means;
·California Constitution remains unaltered.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NO
Proposition 10
Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Statute
Voting YES means;
·$5 billion is authorized in bonds paid from state’s General Fund,
allocated approximately as follows: 58% in cash payments of between
$2,000 and $50,000 to purchasers of certain high fuel economy and
alternative fuel vehicles; 20% in incentives for research, development and
production of renewable energy technology; 11% in incentives for research
and development of alternative fuel vehicle technology; 5% in incentives
for purchase of renewable energy technology; 4% in grants to eight cities
for education about these technologies; and 3% in grants to colleges to
train students in these technologies.
·State costs of about $9.8 billion over 30 years to pay both the
principal ($5 billion) and interest ($4.8 billion) costs on the bond.
Payments of about $325 million per year. Increase in state sales tax
revenues of an unknown amount, potentially totaling in the tens of
millions of dollars, over the period from 2009 to beyond 2018.
·Increase in local sales tax and VLF revenues of an unknown amount,
for state agency administrative costs not funded by the measure.
Voting NO means;
·State does not implement or enforce Proposition 10.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NEUTRAL
Proposition 11
Redistricting
Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Voting YES means;
·14-member redistricting commission is created and is responsible for
drawing new district lines for State Senate, Assembly, and Board of
Equalization districts.
·Establishing standards for drawing new lines, including respecting the
geographic integrity of neighborhoods and encouraging geographic
compactness.
·Probably no significant increase in state redistricting costs.
Voting NO means;
·Current political/electoral boundaries remain the same.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NEUTRAL
Proposition 12
Veteran’s Bond Act of 2008
Voting YES means;
·Provides for a bond issue of nine hundred million ($900,000,000) to
provide loans to California veterans to purchase farms and homes.
·Appropriates money from the state General Fund to pay off the bonds, if
loan payments from participating veterans are insufficient.
·Costs of about $1.8 billion to pay off both the principal ($900 million) and
interest ($856 million) on the bonds; costs paid by participating
veterans.
·Average payment for principal and interest of about $59 million per year
for 30 years.
Voting NO means;
·Existing veteran programs remain the same.
CAIR RECOMMENDATION: NEUTRAL
NOTE: Regarding CA Bond Measures (Propositions 1, 3, 10, and 12), CAIR-CA
acknowledges the potential public benefits in the aforementioned proposi-
tions, however, has chosen to remain neutral given conflicting opinions in the
Muslim community as to whether or not interest-added measures should be
acceptable forms of government spending.