Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), today was recognized for his outstanding pro-taxpayer voting record last year. The 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU), a nonpartisan citizen group, has announced that Schweikert is among the recipients of the 2011 “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.”

“As our nation continues to confront challenges to a strong economic recovery, fiscal discipline in Washington, DC has never been more important. Fortunately, residents in Arizona’s 5th District can count on Rep. Schweikert, to whom National Taxpayers Union is proud to present a ‘Taxpayers’ Friend Award,’” said NTU President Duane Parde.

The award is given to Representatives and Senators who achieve an “A” grade in NTU’s annual Rating of Congress. The Rating, which is based on every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy, assigns a “Taxpayer Score” to each Member of Congress that indicates his or her support for reducing or controlling federal spending, taxes, debt, and regulation. For 2011, a total of 337 House and 234 Senate votes were selected.

NTU Executive Vice President Pete Sepp said, "Congressman David Schweikert’s excellent performance on our 2011 Rating placed him in the top tier of House Members working to protect taxpayers. By casting wise votes day in and day out on behalf of limited government, David Schweikert has proven he’s willing to do more than just talk about restoring fiscal responsibility to Washington. NTU welcomes Congressman Schweikert to the elite circle of Taxpayers’ Friends!"

In the latest Congress, 53 lawmakers attained scores sufficient for an “A” grade (a minimum score of 85 percent in the House and 90 percent the Senate) and therefore won the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” – representing a decline from the 79 who achieved the honor in 2010. On the other hand, more than 200 Senators and Representatives were tagged with the title of “Big Spender” for posting “F” grades (20 percent or less in the House and 19 percent or less in the Senate).

Unlike those of other organizations, NTU’s annual Rating does not simplistically focus on only a handful of equally weighted “key votes.” For this reason, it has received praise from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including the late Sen. (and “Golden Fleece Award” creator) William Proxmire (D-WI).

BACKGROUND

NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen group founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. Note: The 2011 Rating and a searchable Rating database from 1992 to 2011 is available at www.ntu.org. For questions about the Rating, its history, or methodology, please contact NTU Communications Manager Doug Kellogg at (703) 683-5700.

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