Methodology
How the Legislative Performance Index scores members of Congress objectively, transparently, and without ideological bias.
Core Principles
Objective Data Only
Every metric is based on verifiable, publicly available data. No subjective editorial judgments.
Non-Ideological
We measure effectiveness, not political positions. Liberal and conservative members are evaluated using identical criteria.
Transparent & Replicable
Our scoring formulas are public. Anyone can verify the calculations independently.
Regularly Updated
Scores are recalculated automatically each session using the latest available data.
Scoring Structure
Total Score: 100 points
4 Categories × 25 points each
Each category = 5 sub-metrics × 5 points
School-style grading. Transparent. Replicable.
The Four Scoring Categories
Each member receives up to 25 points in four categories for a total possible score of 100 points. Below are the detailed scoring rubrics for each category.
1. Productivity (0–25 points)
Legislative output + reliability. Does the member show up and produce legislation that moves?
1) Roll-Call Attendance (5 points)
- ≤ 1% missed → 5 points
- 1–2% missed → 4 points
- 2–3% missed → 3 points
- 3–5% missed → 2 points
- > 5% missed → 0–1 points
2) Bills Introduced (5 points)
Relative to House median
- Top quartile → 5 points
- Above median → 4 points
- Around median → 3 points
- Below median → 2 points
- Bottom quartile → 0–1 points
3) Bills Sponsored (5 points)
Primary ownership
- Top quartile → 5 points
- Above average → 4 points
- Average → 3 points
- Below average → 2 points
- Minimal → 0–1 points
4) Bills Advanced (5 points)
House Passage — 1 point per sponsored bill that passes the House, up to 5
- 0 bills passed → 0 points
- 1 bill passed → 1 point
- 2 bills passed → 2 points
- 3 bills passed → 3 points
- 4 bills passed → 4 points
- 5+ bills passed → 5 points
5) Bills Enacted (5 points)
Normalized for difficulty — enactment is rare
- 0 points → Minimal legislative activity overall
- 1 point → Baseline for active members
- 2 points → 1 bill enacted
- 3 points → 2 bills enacted
- 4 points → 3 bills enacted
- 5 points → 4+ bills enacted
2. Cooperation (0–25 points)
Coalition-building capacity. Can the member work with others to move legislation in a pluralistic body?
1) Bipartisan Index (5 points)
Lugar Center ranking
- Top 10% → 5 points
- Top quartile → 4 points
- Middle → 3 points
- Bottom quartile → 2 points
- Bottom decile → 0–1 points
2) Cross-Party Cosponsorship (5 points)
- Frequent & recurring → 5 points
- Regular → 4 points
- Occasional → 3 points
- Rare → 2 points
- None → 0–1 points
3) Intra-Party Cosponsorship (5 points)
- Broad coalition → 5 points
- Above average → 4 points
- Average → 3 points
- Narrow → 2 points
- Isolated → 0–1 points
4) Total Cosponsors Accumulated (5 points)
- Top quartile → 5 points
- Above median → 4 points
- Median → 3 points
- Below median → 2 points
- Minimal → 0–1 points
5) Unique Members Supporting Bills (5 points)
- Very broad (hundreds) → 5 points
- Broad → 4 points
- Moderate → 3 points
- Narrow → 2 points
- Minimal → 0–1 points
3. Integrity (0–25 points)
Financial conflict exposure (verified only). How entangled is the member with moneyed interests they regulate?
1) Corporate PAC Money (5 points)
- None → 5 points
- Minimal → 4 points
- Moderate → 3 points
- High → 2 points
- Extreme → 0–1 points
2) Lobbyist-Linked Funding (5 points)
- None → 5 points
- Limited → 4 points
- Moderate → 3 points
- High → 2 points
- Extreme → 0–1 points
3) Stock Ownership (5 points)
- None → 5 points
- Minimal / passive → 4 points
- Moderate → 3 points
- Large → 2 points
- Extensive → 0–1 points
4) Stock Trading Activity (5 points)
Periodic Transaction Reports (PTRs)
- None → 5 points
- Rare → 4 points
- Occasional → 3 points
- Frequent → 2 points
- Active / heavy → 0–1 points
5) Ethics Findings (5 points)
Only verified findings count. Allegations = zero weight.
- None → 5 points
- Minor compliance issues → 4 points
- Repeated issues → 3 points
- Serious violations → 2 points
- Criminal findings → 0 points
4. District Impact (0–25 points)
Tangible benefits delivered to the district. Can the member convert power into real, local outcomes?
1) CPF Requests Submitted (5 points)
Community Project Funding
- Many projects → 5 points
- Above average → 4 points
- Average → 3 points
- Few → 2 points
- None → 0 points
2) Projects Advanced Through Committee (5 points)
- Most or all → 5 points
- Majority → 4 points
- Some → 3 points
- Few → 2 points
- None → 0 points
3) Funding Enacted / Approved (5 points)
- Many enacted → 5 points
- Several enacted → 4 points
- Some enacted → 3 points
- Rare → 2 points
- None → 0 points
4) Dollar Scale & Substance (5 points)
District-level impact, not national scale
- Major infrastructure/safety needs → 5 points
- Significant district impact → 4 points
- Moderate → 3 points
- Minor → 2 points
- Symbolic → 0–1 points
5) Consistency Over Time (5 points)
- Clear, multi-year pattern → 5 points
- Mostly consistent → 4 points
- Mixed → 3 points
- One-off → 2 points
- None → 0 points
Letter Grade Scale
The Legislative Performance Index uses a standard U.S. school-style grading system with plus and minus distinctions for clarity and precision. Letter grades are derived directly from the final LPI score (out of 100). No subjective adjustments or ideological weighting are applied.
Full Transparency Coming Soon
This conceptual overview explains our approach. Detailed point formulas, weighting algorithms, and complete data source documentation will be published as the system is finalized. Our goal is to make every aspect of the LPI independently auditable.