WASHINGTON - The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring 94 percent on its 2005 Congressional Ratings. The average for the entire House was 45 percent. 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. As one of 52 representatives with a score of 80 percent or higher, Rep. Akin consistently voted to reign in deficit spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers.
"Talk is cheap," CCAGW President Tom Schatz said. "A member's voting record is the best indicator of his or her commitment to fiscal discipline. Rep. Akin votes to ease the burden of a cumbersome, bloated federal government."
The 2005 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2005, the first session of the 109th Congress. CCAGW rated 34 key votes in the House. Rep. Akin helped Congress pass a tax cut extension and a budget reconciliation package that saves taxpayers $39.7 billion over five years. Other votes included: Across-the-board reductions on spending bills; implementing the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendations; holding the United Nations accountable for operational reforms; consolidating duplicative job training programs; eliminating the Market Access Program; and eliminating federal subsidies for specific Amtrak routes.
"Rep. Akin thinks beyond the next election. He recognizes the long-term consequences of excessive spending and works to reduce the enormous debt being left to future generations," Schatz continued.
"No matter how wasteful or ineffective it might be, every government program has a constituency that lobbies Congress for more funding. Rep. Akin puts the national interest ahead of special interests. Thanks to leaders like Rep. Akin, taxpayers have a fighting chance and will continue to score victories," Schatz concluded.
CCAGW's website features the complete 2005 Congressional Ratings, including vote descriptions, scorecards for the House and Senate, personalized scorecards for each member of Congress, historical comparisons, and averages by chamber, party, and state delegation. Visit www.cagw.org.
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
