Institute for Legislative Analysis

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Institute for Legislative Analysis
FormationMay, 2023
92-3231068
Headquarters300 Independence Ave SE Washington, DC 20003
Chief Executive Officer
Ryan McGowan
President
Fred McGrath
Vice President
Francis T. Finnegan III
Websitewww.limitedgov.org

The Institute for Legislative Analysis (ILA) is an American political research organization which "serves as a data and policy hub for right-of-center organizations" and analyzes legislation introduced in the US Congress and the 50 state legislatures.[1] The ILA publishes the most comprehensive congressional scorecard which provides "much greater ability to pinpoint exactly where lawmakers stand across the full spectrum of issues," through the collection of roughly 40,000 votes cast by members of congress each year.[2][3] The ILA constructs scorecards for other national conservative and libertarian organizations through its Limited Government Index (LGI), which is a platform containing bill analyses and lawmaker vote data to "help the groups more effectively lobby lawmakers and deploy their activists".[4][5]

History[edit]

"The ILA is led by Ryan McGowan, the former CFO of the American Conservative Union (ACU), also known as the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)."[6][7] McGowan has been named by the Washingtonian as among the top 500 most influential people in DC.[8] ILA's leadership team also includes Fred McGrath and Francis T. Finnegan III who are the original architects of the nation's first 50-state comprehensive scorecard, which they spent nearly a decade constructing while at the ACU.[9][10]

The GOP Presidential Primary[edit]

On September 15, 2023 the ILA published what it claims was the most comprehensive policy record analysis ever performed on a GOP presidential primary.[11][12] The study was based on over 350 previous actions taken by the leading contenders: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Tim Scott and Chris Christie. Each of these individuals was graded across 10 different core public policy fields based on their adherence to limited government principles on an “A to F” scale.

The report garnered significant media attention, with longtime D.C. journalist Paul Bedard and the Washington Examiner reporting that “Nikki Haley tops limited government scorecard”.[13] However, the report itself did not declare an actual “winner” and Donald Trump also received strong marks in certain categories within the report such as “Regulations”.[14]

According to the Washingtonian, Nikki Haley heavily touted the report on the campaign trail and in the following weeks her polling numbers climbed, eventually becoming the top challenger to Donald Trump.[15] [16][17][18]

State GOP Party Platform Ratings[edit]

ILA's data system has been utilized to construct scorecards grading adherence to State GOP party platforms.[19] The system has been utilized by state and local level Republican party to evaluate incumbents for renomination.[20][21][22]

Limited Government Index[edit]

"Unlike the vast majority of scorecards that are based on a particular political party or philosophy (which tend to evolve overtime), the LGI provides a non-partisan measurement that is based on the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution."[23] The ILA grades all elected officials on a 100-point scale, with a 0% score representing a big government voting record and a 100% score a limited government voting record.[24] The ILA has also developed the nation’s first rating system for Governors based on their bill signage and veto history.[25][26][27] Each year the ILA holds a congressional award event which is attended by 50 members of congress who receive recognition for earning the highest ratings on the Limited Government Index.[28][29]

Controversies[edit]

The ILA reports relabel lawmakers to the political party which best matches their voting record, a practice which has sparked controversy amongst some legislative leaders. The Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives Albert Sommers called ILA’s Wyoming report “a bunch of bull—” and that ILA is a “national effort to try to take over the Wyoming Legislature”.[30] However, Wyoming Representative and State Freedom Caucus Chair John Bear defended the report stating constituents “should take it under consideration for elections and believes it will have an impact.”[31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (2023-06-14). "Political Notes: A new scorecard, GOP claims vindication in poll, and Perez's new post". Maryland Matters. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  2. ^ "Institute for Legislative Analysis". Institute for Legislative Analysis. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  3. ^ Gillespie, Brandon (2023-05-22). "New conservative group grades lawmakers on limited government principles. See where yours stands". Fox News. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  4. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (2023-06-14). "Political Notes: A new scorecard, GOP claims vindication in poll, and Perez's new post". Maryland Matters. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  5. ^ "About | Institute for Legislative Analysis". www.limitedgov.org. 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  6. ^ Darnell, Tim; Press, The Associated (2023-05-30). "Georgia's Andrew Clyde opposed to Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling package". atlantanewsfirst.com. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  7. ^ "About | Institute for Legislative Analysis". www.limitedgov.org. 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  8. ^ "Washington DC's 500 Most Influential People of 2024". 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  9. ^ "ACU Ratings". ratings.conservative.org. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  10. ^ Newsradio, K. I. D. (16 July 2021). "Featured Interview: Fred McGrath – Director, Center For Legislative Accounablity". KID Newsradio. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  11. ^ https://scorecard.limitedgov.org/ILA_2023_Special_Report.pdf
  12. ^ "2023 Special Report". Institute for Legislative Analysis. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  13. ^ Bedard, Paul (2023-09-15). "Nikki Haley tops limited government score card - Washington Examiner". Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  14. ^ "2023 Special Report". Institute for Legislative Analysis. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  15. ^ "Haley Campaign Press Release - Nikki Haley Tops Limited Government Score Card | The American Presidency Project". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  16. ^ https://milled.com/nikkihaley.com/pounding-the-pavement-XRhXFleLBv_olmce
  17. ^ "Washington DC's 500 Most Influential People of 2024". 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  18. ^ Wiederkehr, Ryan Best, Aaron Bycoffe, Ritchie King, Dhrumil Mehta and Anna (2018-06-28). "Nikki Haley : Favorability Polls". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2024-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "Idaho GOP Platform Rating". Institute for Legislative Analysis. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  20. ^ Roberts, Avery (2024-02-29). "IDP Statement on New Idaho GOP Platform Rating Site". Idaho Democratic Party. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  21. ^ columnist, BRYAN SMITH | Republican (2024-01-03). "Opinion: Democrats control Idaho Senate, GOP narrowly holds House". Post Register. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  22. ^ "Analysis of Idaho State Legislature Concludes That Many Lawmakers are Aligning with the Wrong Party". Idaho Dispatch. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  23. ^ Dispatch, Tampa (2023-05-30). "Kathy Castor ranks very low on limited government principles". Tampa Dispatch. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  24. ^ "Methodology | Institute for Legislative Analysis". www.limitedgov.org. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  25. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  26. ^ "https://scorecard.limitedgov.org/lawmakers?state=VA". Institute for Legislative Analysis. Retrieved 2024-05-15. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  27. ^ "New Study Reveals BIG Divides Between Governors DeSantis & Newsom on Individual Liberties, etc. – California Globe". 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  28. ^ "Gallery | Institute for Legislative Analysis". www.limitedgov.org. 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  29. ^ Okun, Eli (2023-06-09). "Playbook PM: Shakeup rattles Trump's legal team". POLITICO. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  30. ^ Exchange, Jasmine Hall Jackson Hole News&Guide Via Wyoming News (2023-11-22). "Scorecard from national group rebrands GOP lawmakers as Dems". Gillette News Record. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  31. ^ Hall, Jasmine (2023-11-24). "Who runs the Wyoming Legislature? National group argues 'Democrats'". Jackson Hole News&Guide. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
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