Based upon his pro-taxpayer voting record last year, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) was one of the top six lawmakers in the House and Senate to win the 2007 "Taxpayers’ Friend Award" by the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s largest taxpayers group.
"I am truly honored to receive NTU's 'Taxpayers' Friend Award.' I feel extremely privileged that this nonpartisan citizen organization has recognized my commitment to keeping taxes low and my dedication to reducing the tax burden that weighs on American families.
"With a struggling economy it is important that Americans keep more of their own money to invest in our economy. As pressures continue to rise on American families, like increasing gas prices and healthcare costs, the last thing American families need is another raid on their wallets. I will continue to fight to make certain American families are not punished with a tax increase because of the Democrat majority’s lack of fiscal discipline." -- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
The award is presented to those Members who achieve an "A" grade in NTU’s annual Rating of Congress. The Rating, which is based on every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy, assigns a "Taxpayer Score" to each Member of Congress that indicates his or her support for reducing or controlling federal spending, taxes, debt, and regulation. For 2007, a total of 427 House and 182 Senate votes were selected.
"While many Members of Congress talked about reducing the size of government last year, Congressman Lamborn backed up those words with votes. This award proves that Congressman Lamborn is a staunch ally we can count on in our battle to restore fiscal responsibility to Washington.
"Congressman Lamborn’s pro-taxpayer score of 93% was one of the best in the entire House. By consistently voting to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Congressman Lamborn has led by example in the fight to ease the burden on taxpayers everywhere. This is an achievement for which he should be proud." -- NTU President Duane Parde
From 2006 to 2007, the average "Taxpayer Score" in the House fell four points to 35 percent. In the Senate, the average pro-taxpayer score fell 11 points to 37 percent. However, true "high performers" in Congress are always rare. In 2007, 52 lawmakers earned scores sufficient to win the Taxpayers’ Friend Award (at least 85 percent in the House and 80 percent in the Senate). Meanwhile, more than 260 Members captured the title of "Big Spender" for scoring 16 percent or less in the House and 14 percent or less in the Senate.
Unlike those of other organizations, NTU’s annual Rating does not simplistically focus on only a handful of equally weighted "key votes." For this reason, it has received praise from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including the late Senator (and "Golden Fleece Award" creator) William Proxmire (D-WI).
"If every Member of Congress had voted as responsibly as Congressman Lamborn did in 2007, Americans could have enjoyed much lower taxes and less waste in government. Overburdened taxpayers in Colorado and across the nation owe Congressman Lamborn a debt of gratitude for his hard work on their behalf. He has truly earned the title ‘Taxpayers’ Friend.’" -- NTU President Duane Parde
NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen group founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. Note: The 2007 Rating and a searchable Rating database from 1992 to 2006 is available at www.ntu.org. For questions about the Rating, its history, or methodology, please contact NTU Vice President for Policy and Communications Pete Sepp or NTU Communications Manager Natasha Altamirano at (703) 683-5700.
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