The 1997 ratings of Congress by the American Conservative Union show a sharp move to the left by Texas congressmen, particular-ly among Republicans.

In 1996, the ACU scoring showed eight Texas congressmen rated 100 percent -- all of the them Republicans. By contrast, in 1997 only two, Republicans House members -- Pete Session and Kevin Brady, earned a perfect score from ACU.

The average of Republicans in Congress was 91.3, slightly down from the 1996 average of 96. But while Texas Republicans shifted to the left, the delegation as whole is a more conservative, an average of 58.9 compared to 53.4 in 1996. This probably reflect the addition of one more Republican.

In the Senate Sen. Phil Gramm was rated 100 and Sen. Kay B. Hutchison scored 92 having voted wrong (in favor of) national education testing and funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.

The leftward shift was most pronounced in the GOP leadership. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott -- who scored a perfect 100 in 1996 fell to 72 for 1997. In the House, Speaker Gingrich, while only voting a few issues, managed a perfect 100 in 1996 and was down to 75 for 1997. Similarly, Texas Reps Dick Armey (Majority Leader) and Tom DeLay (Majority Whip) dropped from 100 to 88.

The ACU rated 25 votes in the House, and 24 votes in the Senate.