The Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) is a joint research, education, and outreach initiative between the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University. To complete their ranking, CEL analyzed a combination of fifteen metrics that measure a legislator’s success in introducing bills, advancing them through Congress, and enacting their policies into law.

 

The report states, “In addition to setting herself apart from her Democratic freshman counterparts, a deeper consideration of Rep. Tokuda’s legislative record demonstrates that she cultivated a highly specialized policy agenda during her freshman term...” with over 70 percent of her sponsored bills addressing issues facing Hawaiʻi. The report also recognizes Rep. Tokuda as part of a distinguished group of women lawmakers whose heightened effectiveness in the minority party highlights the growing impact of women lawmakers in the legislative process and their significant contributions to passing legislation.

 

“I am honored to be recognized for my work in Congress, which has always focused on the people of Hawaiʻi and ensuring that the federal government is delivering for our people back home and making a real difference in their lives,” stated Rep. Tokuda. “Despite the challenges we continue to face working in a Republican-controlled Congress and a hack-and-slash administration, I will continue to fight tirelessly to advance the needs of our communities and remain committed to working across the aisle to ensure that our people have the support and resources they need.”

 

Rep. Tokuda introduced 30 bills in the 118th Congress, with three passing the House and two becoming law.

The full report on the Legislative Effectiveness Scores is available here. Each legislator’s LES can be found here.