Scores 83 Percent on CCAGW’s Congressional Ratings

(Washington, D.C.) – The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Flake as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring 83 percent on its 2004 Congressional Ratings.  The average for the entire House was a record low of 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 members with a score of 80 percent or higher, Rep. Flake consistently voted to reign in deficit spending and to make government more accountable to taxpayers. 

“Anyone can talk about cutting wasteful spending.  Rep. Flake is one of the few congressmen who ‘walks the walk’ by voting to ease the burden of a cumbersome, bloated federal government,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.

For the 108^th Congress, second session, CCAGW rated 40 key votes in the House.  Votes included a 1 percent across-the-board reduction on several appropriations bills and permanently eliminating the marriage tax.  Of special note are the seven House votes on budget reform bills designed to tighten up and instill discipline to government spending, none of which passed.

“The budget process is in shambles, devoid of accountability, transparency, and enforcement measures,” Schatz continued.  “While most representatives showed contentment with this dire situation, Rep. Flake voted in favor of all seven budget reform bills rated by CCAGW.” 

CCAGW rated several votes that either reduced or expanded funding for specific programs, including the Millineum Challenge Account, the Market Access Program, and the United National Education, Science, and Cultural Organization.    

“Every government program has a constituency that lobbies for its continued existence,” Schatz said.  “Rep. Flake recognizes that wasteful or duplicative programs should not be priorities with a record budget deficit.”  

Entitlement

“There are two kinds of people in Congress – those that seek to stay in office by keeping special interests happy and bribing constituents with pork, and those that serve the taxpayer by reducing the overall size and cost of government.  Rep. Flake works for the greater good.”

The entire House had an average of 39 percent and the Senate averaged 40 percent.  The number of Taxpayer Heros (a score of 80 percent or higher) in the House dropped from 68 in 2003 to 59 in 2004 and in the Senate from 11 to 10.  The average score for Republicans in the House was 63 percent and for House Democrats was 11 percent.

“With all the special interests in Washington clamoring for handouts from a spendthrift Congress, the fight against big government is always an uphill battle.  Thanks to people like Rep. Flake and their constituents, 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.