RECOGNIZED FOR HIS STRONG RECORD ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Washington, Feb 24, 2010 - The National Taxpayers Union (NTU); America’ s independent, non-partisan advocate for overburdened taxpayers; today gave Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth) an 85-percent rating for his votes cast in 2009, the third highest rating in the Florida delegation. According to the NTU, “The Taxpayer Score measures the strength of support for reducing spending and regulation and opposing higher taxes.”

The NTU considered 333 votes cast in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The group included votes cast on appropriations bills, authorization bills, budget resolutions, tax bills, and procedural votes that could affect the burden on taxpayers. Although using hundreds of votes in the ratings, NTU did not include the 2009 procedural vote to stop the congressional pay increase, which Stearns supported.

“I keep in mind that every vote I cast has an impact on American taxpayers,” said Stearns.  “As American families struggle to pay their bills, it is imperative that the federal government tighten its belt as well. I appreciate the dedication of the NTU in advocating for the nation’s taxpayers.”