Grades are in for S.C. delegation

By Lee Bandy
SouthCarolina Insider

(3/20/08)The Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law thinks six of the eight members of the South Carolina congressional delegation are hostile to the interests of the poor.

Perhaps predictably, the center – named for the former Democratic vice presidential candidate – found fault with the Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation.

In the Senate, grades are based on how members voted on 14 bills, including providing for legal services for the poor, expanding health insurance for children and providing more tax breaks for low-income Americans.

Here’s how the group rated the lawmakers.

Senate

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from Seneca, was awarded the grade of “F.”

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, a Republican from Greenville, was awarded the grade of “F.”

House

In the House, grades are based on how members voted on 15 bills, including raising the minimum wage, making college more affordable, expanding Head Start and health insurance, and extending aid for Hurricane Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast.

Here’s how the group rated the lawmakers.

U.S. Rep. John Spratt, a Democrat from York, was awarded the grade of “A.”

U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, a Democrat from Columbia, was awarded the grade of “A.”

U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Republican from Westminster, was awarded the grade of “F.”

U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, a Republican from Taylors, was awarded the grade of “F.”

U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, a Republican from Hanahan, was awarded the grade of “D.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican from Lexington, was awarded the grade of “F.”