The National Journal has released its annual vote ratings, ranking members of Congress by how liberal and conservative they are. Montana’s Democratic U.S. senators fall about in the middle of their chamber.
Sen. Max Baucus is the 46th most liberal (or 54th most conservative) member of the 100-member Senate, according to the rankings, while Sen. Jon Tester is the 49th most liberal.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., was rated the most liberal senator, while Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, the most conservative.
In the U.S. House, former Montana Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg was ranked the 172nd most conservative member in the 435-member House. Rehberg lost his seat after unsuccessfully challenging Tester last year. Republican Steve Daines took his place.