Nation's Largest Taxpayer Group Honors Jordan

Today, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) 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 Rep. Jordan is among only a few dozen 2008 "Taxpayers' Friend Award" recipients out of the entire House of Representatives and Senate.

"Given today's economic climate, fiscal discipline is more important now than ever," NTU President Duane Parde said. "Fortunately, taxpayers have a staunch ally in Rep. Jim Jordan to whom National Taxpayers Union is proud to present a ‘Taxpayers' Friend Award.'"

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 2008, a total of 182 House and 104 Senate votes were selected.

"Jordan's pro-taxpayer score of 89 percent was the eighth-highest in the House and the highest in Ohio," Parde said. "By voting time and again to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Jim has led by example in the fight to defend overburdened taxpayers across the country."

Between 2007 and 2008, the average "Taxpayer Score" in the House rose slightly from 35 percent to 36 percent. The Senate's average dropped by five points, from 37 percent to 32 percent. In 2008, 48 lawmakers attained scores sufficient to win the "Taxpayers' Friend Award" (at least 80 percent in the House and 76 percent in the Senate). Meanwhile, a record 267 Senators and Representatives captured the title of "Big Spender" for posting "F" grades (scores of 25 percent or less in the House and 14 percent or less in the Senate).

"If every Member of Congress was as principled as Rep. Jordan, current and future generations of Americans could enjoy much lower taxes and a less wasteful government," Parde concluded. "Hard-working families in Ohio's Fourth District and across the nation owe Rep. Jordan a debt of gratitude for his effort on their behalf. He has truly earned the title ‘Taxpayers' Friend.'"

NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen group founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels.