Dear Leader Boehner:
On behalf of the 362,000 members of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), I write to support Representative Jeff Flake's bid for the open seat on the House Appropriations Committee. His pro-taxpayer voting record, behind-the-scenes efforts for responsible budgeting, and principled floor fights against pork all recommend his appointment to a committee that is in sore need of a fiscal "course correction."
Representative Flake has a stellar record in our annual NTU Rates Congress evaluation, in which we analyze all Congressional roll call votes affecting fiscal policy (including taxation, spending, regulation, and trade votes). The resulting "Taxpayer Scores" reflect a Member's commitment to reducing or controlling the burden of the federal government. As you'll see from the following chart outlining Representative Flake's score and ranking, he is clearly a friend -- and often the best friend -- of the taxpayer.
Grade | Rank | |
2006 | A | 1 |
2005 | A | 1 |
2004 | A | 1 |
2003 | A | 1 |
2002 | A | 2 |
2001 | A | 2 |
There is also systematic data that can provide insight into Congressman Flake's agenda relating to federal spending. According to BillTally software developed by NTU's research affiliate, during the first seven months of the 110th Congress, Representative Flake cosponsored bills that, if passed, would have the net effect of cutting the federal budget by over $38.3 billion.
If House Republicans are serious about returning to a tradition of fiscal responsibility, you need Members on the Appropriations Committee dedicated to pruning out-of-control spending and rooting out waste. Jeff Flake is, from the taxpayer perspective, the right man for the job.
Sincerely,
Kristina Rasmussen
Director of Government Affairs