A review of 16 key civil rights votes over the past 20 years demonstrates that several potential GOP challengers to Trent Lott have voting records that are very similar to Lott’s on civil rights enforcement, equal opportunity and related issues.

“These dismal voting records make it clear that the Republican Party’s civil rights problem is far broader and deeper than Trent Lott,” said People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas. “Whether or not Lott steps down or is ousted from his leadership post, the question for Senate Republican leaders is whether they will continue to support efforts that undermine civil rights protections or will they make a sharp departure from the policies they have been advocating until now.”

Comparison of GOP Senate Leader Contenders On Selected Civil Rights Votes

Trent Lott: First elected to the Senate in 1988
Bill Frist: First elected to the Senate in 1994
Mitch McConnell: First elected to the Senate in 1984
Don Nickles: First elected to the Senate in 1980
Rick Santorum: First elected to the Senate in 1994

Confirmation of Dennis Shedd to U.S. Circuit Court, 2002
Lott— Yes
Frist— Yes
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum—Yes

Confirmation of D. Brooks Smith to U.S. Circuit Court, 2002
Lott— Yes
Frist— Yes
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum—Yes

Cloture Motion on the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, 2002
Lott— No
Frist— No
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum— No

Confirmation of John Ashcroft to Attorney General, 2001
Lott— Yes
Frist— Yes
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum— Yes

Hate Crimes Expansion Act, 2000
Lott— No
Frist— No
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum— No

Vote to kill an amendment to repeal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, 1998
The DBE requires that no less than 10% of highway construction projects funded by the government to be contracted to businesses owned my racial minorities and/or women.
Lott— No
Frist— No
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum— No

Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996
Lott— No
Frist— No
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum— No

Amendment to ban affirmative action hiring with legislative branch funds, 1995
Lott— Yes
Frist— Yes
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum— No

National Voter Registration Act of 1993
Lott— No
Frist— n/a
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum (House vote)— Yes

Voting Rights Language Assistance Act of 1992
Lott— No
Frist— n/a
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum (House vote)— No

Confirmation of Clarence Thomas for Associate Justice of Supreme Court, 1991
Lott— Yes
Frist— n/a
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum— n/a

Civil Rights Act of 1990
Lott— No
Frist — n/a
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum— n/a

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988
Lott— Yes
Frist— n/a
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum— n/a

Civil Rights Restoration Act/”Grove City” Bill, 1988
Lott (House vote)— No
Frist— n/a
McConnell— No
Nickles— No
Santorum— n/a

Confirmation of Robert Bork for Associate Justice of Supreme Court, 1987
Lott— n/a
Frist— n/a
McConnell— Yes
Nickles— Yes
Santorum— n/a

Vote for Martin Luther King Holiday, 1983
Lott (House vote)— No
Frist— n/a
McConnell— n/a
Nickles— No
Santorum— n/a

Voting Rights Act Ext., 1982
Lott (House vote)— No
Frist— n/a
McConnell— n/a
Nickles— Yes
Santorum— n/a