AFSCME selects a few roll-call votes from the hundreds cast by members of Congress every session. In choosing these votes, AFSCME attempts to fairly represent a lawmaker's position on issues that are important determined to be important to AFSCME members — first and foremost as workers, but also as citizens and union members.

This voting scorecard is one of the key factors used in making judgments on AFSCME campaign support, endorsements or contributions from PEOPLE — AFSCME's Political Action Committee or PAC. Other important factors often include the member's official leadership position, chairmanship or seniority on important committees, leadership in a state's congressional delegation and accessibility and responsiveness to AFSCME's lobbying efforts.