House resolutions included a call for the U.S. to support a Nineveh Plain province for its inhabitants who were persecuted by the Islamic State and a "call for the global repeal of blasphemy laws."
Most of the highly-recognized leaders on the issue are members of the House, as "the Senate has been less engaged in promoting religious freedom than the House," the Wilberforce Initiative noted.
The Wilberforce Initiative also noted that low scores "do not necessarily indicate disagreement with international religious freedom, but reflect that it was not a high priority for that legislator. Conversely, high scores demonstrate that a given legislator actively supported international religious freedom legislation and has made support of international religious freedom a priority."
It also stated that a scorecard "is an imperfect tool" and that "there are are additional factors that cannot be reflected," such as quiet diplomacy and casework.
Of legislators who earned an "A", 56 percent were Republicans and 44 percent were Democrats. Those with "B" and "C" ratings were also majority Republican. But among legislators who scored a "D", 62 percent were Republicans and 38 percent were Democrats. No legislators earned an "F".
Marco Rubio was the only Senator to receive an "A+", while 13 Representatives received the score: Robert Dold (R-Ill.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Joseph Pitts (R-Penn.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), David Trott (R-Mich.), and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.).
Aside from Rubio, 2016's presidential contenders did not fare so well on the list. Sens Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) got "C" marks, and Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) received "D" ratings.
Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.