Only Member to Score 100 Percent on CCAGW’s Congressional Ratings

(Washington, D.C.) – The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) as this year’s sole Taxpayer Super Hero for scoring a perfect 100 percent on its 2008 Congressional Ratings.  The average for the entire House was 35 percent, and the average for the Senate was 38 percent; this makes Rep. Broun achievement that much more impressive.  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.  In 2007, there were three House members with a perfect score.  The 2008 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2008, the second session of the 110^th Congress.  CCAGW rated 48 key votes in the House and 42 in the Senate.

“In only his second term in Congress, Rep. Broun has displayed extraordinary leadership on fiscal issues,” said CCAGW President Tom Schatz.  “Voting to cut wasteful spending is not always the most popular position, but it is the right path to take for his district and the nation.  As a family physician, Rep. Broun understands the impact on families of the record budget deficit and increasing national debt,” continued Schatz.  “If more members of Congress had followed his example in 2008, there would be lower taxes and less spending in Washington, which would allow Americans to keep more of their money.”  House Democrats scored an average of 6 percent; House Republicans scored an average of 70 percent.  In the Senate, the average for Democrats was 4 percent, and Republicans averaged 72 percent.  “Rep. Broun’s voting record give taxpayers hope for the future, concluded Schatz.

The 2008 Congressional Ratings show that many elected officials continue to demonstrate little regard for the harmful effect a large and cumbersome federal government has on taxpayers’ wallets.  Out-of-control spending reigned over Capitol Hill, leading to a record $1.6 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2009, and an $11.8 trillion national debt.  CCAGW’s website, www.ccagw.org, features the complete 2008 Congressional Ratings, including vote descriptions, scorecards for the House and Senate, and averages by chamber, party, and state delegation. 

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.