Dreier Named "Hero of the Taxpayer" and
"Champion of Small Business"

September 30, 2002

WASHINGTON - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee was recently named a "Hero of the Taxpayer" and "Champion of Small Business" by two Washington-based advocacy groups, Americans for Tax Reform and the Small Business Survival Committee. The awards were based on various votes during the 107th Congress that were considered in the interest of America’s taxpayers and small businesses.

"Providing incentives for small business expansion and reducing the tax burden on America’s working families are key to restoring economic growth," Dreier said. "This Congress, we have made historic strides on both accounts. We passed the most significant tax relief package in a generation, and we finally secured trade promotion authority for the President. These items, and many more votes, clearly demonstrate our commitment to pursuing pro-tax payer, pro-small business policies."

The tax relief legislation passed in 2001 package and legislation to make the tax relief permanent after 2010 were among the votes scored by Americans for Tax Reform. Also scored were prescription drug legislation, the fiscal year 2003 budget resolution, and retirement savings security legislation. The Small Business Survival Committee scored the vote for Presidential Trade Promotion Authority, establishing a national energy policy, and tax relief for small businesses.

Tax relief allows Americans to keep more of their hard earned money, providing greater freedom of choice to save, invest, or plan for retirement, and helps foster consumer spending, all of which strengthens the U.S. economy. Small businesses represent 96 % of all U.S. businesses. Providing relief from burdensome taxes will allow these businesses to remain the driving force of our economy.

"I’m very pleased to have been recognized for these important votes," Dreier said. "When I came to Congress with Ronald Reagan, I ran on a platform of lower taxes and encouraging the growth of small businesses, the true foundation of our economy. I remain committed to the same ideals."