Group hails Lynn as 'Taxpayer Hero'
Washington,
Oct 16 -
The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste named U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland as a "Taxpayer Hero" for his high score -- 88 percent -- in the group's 2008 congressional ratings.
The average for the entire House was 35 percent, and the average for the Senate was 38 percent; that makes Westmoreland's score that much more impressive. Since 1989, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the taxpayer advocates in Congress from those who favor wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending.
The 2008 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2008, the second session of the 110th Congress. CCAGW rated 48 key votes in the House and 42 in the Senate.
CCAGW president Tom Schatz said Taxpayer Heroes "consistently put the interests of taxpayers ahead of politics during a particularly profligate spending season in Congress. They voted to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers. The 2008 Congressional Ratings show that many elected officials continue to demonstrate little regard for the harmful effect a large and cumbersome federal government has on taxpayers' wallets. Out-of-control spending reigned over Capitol Hill, leading to a record $1.6 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2009, and an $11.8 trillion national debt. Taxpayers from their respective districts should be very proud; these lawmakers' votes give all taxpayers hope for the future. We heartily commend them."
House Democrats scored an average of 6 percent; House Republicans scored an average of 70 percent. In the Senate, the average for Democrats was 4 percent, and Republicans averaged 72 percent.
CCAGW's website, www.ccagw.org, features the complete 2008 Congressional Ratings, including vote descriptions, scorecards for the House and Senate, and averages by chamber, party, and state delegation.
