Washington, DC (August 29, 2008) - The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring 96 percent on its 2007 Congressional Ratings. Miller had the highest ranking in the State of Florida. The average for the entire House was a record low 30 percent. Since 1991, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the good stewards of taxpayer dollars from the politicians who support wasteful programs and pork-stuffed spending bills. As one of 59 representatives with a score of 80 percent or higher, Rep. Miller consistently voted to reign in deficit spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers.
“Anyone can talk about cutting waste and taxes. Rep. Miller is of the rare breed who ‘walks the walk’ by voting to ease the burden of a cumbersome, bloated federal government,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.
For the 110th Congress, second session, CCAGW rated 100 key votes in the House. House votes included 50 amendments relating to pork-barrel spending in the appropriations and authorizing bills, amendments to cut spending across the board by 1 percent and 0.5 percent, and the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
“The budget process is in shambles, devoid of accountability, transparency, and enforcement measures,” Schatz continued. “Taxpayers would be wise to hang onto their wallets and demand that Congress follow Jeff Miller’s lead and refocus its priorities and cut wasteful spending.”
The total number of Heroes in the House increased from 39 in 2006 to 59 in 2007. On the lower end of the scale, there were two House members, both Democrats, who received a score of zero in 2007. In 2006, there were nine members with a zero rating.
“With all the special interests in Washington clamoring for handouts from a spendthrift Congress, the fight against big government is an uphill battle. Thanks to people like Rep. Miller, taxpayers have a fighting chance and will continue to score victories,” Schatz concluded.
Visit www.ccagw.org for the complete 2007 Congressional Ratings.
The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.
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