By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, May 12, 2015 – US Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) and US Representative Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) both released statements following the American Conservative Union (ACU) awards ceremony where they received the ACU Conservative Achievement Award for their conservative voting record in the second session of the 113th Congress.
Sen. Shelby said, “It is an honor to receive the ACU Conservative Achievement Award for my voting record in the United States Senate. I hear from my constituents every day about their dissatisfaction with the growing role of government in their lives and their desire for leaders in Washington to stand up for conservative principles. I remain committed to fighting for a smaller, more effective government to give all Americans an opportunity to succeed.”
ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp presented Rep. Bradley Byrne with the ACU Award for Conservative Achievement based on his score of 88/100 as part of ACU’s Annual Rating of Congress. The 2014 Rating of Congress grades members of Congress based on their votes on issues important to conservatives and have been a yearly occurrence since 1971.
Chairman Matt Schlapp said, “For 44 years, our ACU Ratings have been considered the gold standard in determining a Member of Congress’ courage to stand up to big government liberals and to stand strongly in favor of policy positions important to conservatives. Our award-winning Senators and Congressmen are fighting to protect the rights and freedom of all Americans by honoring President Reagan’s three-legged stool of economic, national security, and cultural conservative issues.”
ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp continued, “Rep. Bradly Byrne figured out quickly how to effectively fight for the conservative cause. The American Conservative Union is proud to honor his solid voting record, and I am pleased to have his voice in Congress.”
Since 1971, the nation’s oldest grassroots conservative organization has annually graded members of Congress based on their votes on issues important to conservatives.
In 2014, Senator Jeff Sessions received a 96 rating. Sen. Shelby received an 88, Congressman Byrne received an 88, Rep. Mo Brooks received a 84, Rep. Mike Rogers received an 84, Rep. Spencer Bachus (who retired in December) received a 72, Rep. Robert Aderholt was awarded a 61, Rep. Martha Roby received a 56, and Rep. Terri Sewell received an 8.
