The "Challenge Status Quo" grade is based on whether a Member attempts to challenge the status quo of each key immigration policy problem or chooses to ignore one or more of them.
In most Congresses, it is possible for Members to just avoid doing anything about several immigration problems. Those who run Congress tend to 'protect' Members from having to cast a vote on immigration bills and amendments.
Thus, Members who do act in all the key immigration categories - and do so positively - are showing excellent overall leadership and get a high grade in this Leadership Subject. Members also earn positive points in this category by authoring (not simply co-sponsoring) reduction bills and by providing special leadership on committees and caucuses.
Members who skip doing anything in some or most of the subjects are showing poor leadership by failing to challenge the status quo. This grade recognizes that simply avoiding taking negative actions is not enough because doing nothing at all is a support for the status quo. And status quo immigration policies monthly are adding large numbers of foreign competitors to unemployed Americans who are searching for jobs. The status quo policies also are adding millions of people each decade to the overloaded physical, social and environmental infrastructures of American communities.
In each of the six immigration areas listed in this Subject, there are clear actions needed that Members can take. If a Member takes no action, that is graded 0 of 3 points as a sign of lack of leadership in that Subject . Skipping votes, voting present and failing to co-sponsor positive legislation is not a sign of leadership.
