July 20, 2006—The Council for Citizens against Government Waste (CCAGW) this week honored Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring ninety-one percent on its 2005 Congressional Ratings.  The average for the entire House was forty-five percent. As one of fifty-two representatives with a score of eighty percent or higher, Congressman Franks consistently voted to reign in deficit spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers. 

Congressman Franks said, “Americans have a tradition of hard work and motivation. When government exercises fiscal responsibility and we are allowed to keep the money we earn, it creates an even greater incentive to continue improving ourselves and the communities and projects we love. I will continue upholding my commitment to the American taxpayer.”

“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. Franks votes to ease the burden of a cumbersome, bloated federal government.”

 “Rep. Franks 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. Franks puts the national interest ahead of special interests.  Thanks to leaders like Rep. Franks, taxpayers have a fighting chance and will continue to score victories,” Schatz concluded.  

 CCAGW’s website at www.cagw.org features the complete 2005 Congressional Ratings, including vote descriptions.

Congressman Franks’ award falls on the heels of the announcement by President Bush that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projected that there has been a $127 billion reduction in the annual federal budget deficit, which is thirty percent less than what was forecasted 6 months ago.

 This goes to show that tax relief for families and business, coupled with the promotion of free enterprise, will continue to cut the national deficit and will allow hard-working Americans to keep the fruits of their labor, and sustain a flourishing economy.

Trent Franks represents the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.