Washington D.C (September 19, 2005) - The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring 94 percent on its 2004 Congressional Ratings. The average for the entire House was a record low 39 percent. Since 1989, 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 61 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 108th Congress, second session, CCAGW rated 40 key votes in the House. Rep. Miller helped the House pass marriage penalty relief and an amendment to create a federal sunset commission. Other votes included across-the-board reductions on several appropriations bills and budget reform bills designed to tighten up and instill discipline to government spending.
“The budget process is in shambles, devoid of accountability, transparency, and enforcement measures,” Schatz continued. “While most representatives shrugged their shoulders at this dire situation, Rep. Miller voted for all eight budget reform amendments and bills rated by CCAGW.”
CCAGW rated votes that altered funding for specific programs, including the Millennium Challenge Account, the Market Access Program, and the United National Education, Science, and Cultural Organization.
“Cutting waste is a politically difficult task because almost every program has an active constituency that profits from the status quo,” Schatz continued. “But Rep. Miller recognizes that the federal government must set priorities. He has taken a long-term view of the nation’s fiscal problems and makes a serious effort to tackle the enormous debt being left to future generations.”
“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 2004 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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