Toomey's lifetime Americans for Tax Reform rating dwarfs Specter's-- 99.6% to 65.2%

WASHINGTON-The two Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate have stacked up very different records on issues of concern to taxpayers, America's leading taxpayer group says. In its annual ratings of the U.S. Congress, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) grades both Representatives and Senators on key votes such as tax increases or decreases and wasteful spending. Grading their entire time in the Senate and House respectively, Arlen Specter's lifetime average is 65.2%, while Pat Toomey's is 99.6%.

"Sen. Specter deservedly received his first-ever 'Friend of the Taxpayer' award for voting with taxpayers on key votes 85% of the time last year. But Pennsylvanians need to know the full record. Sen. Specter's lifetime record is only 65.2%, including last year's strong showing. " said ATR President Grover Norquist.

Norquist noted that during his career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Toomey has built up a strong record of voting with taxpayers' interests.

"Over the past 5 years, his entire time in Congress, Representative Toomey has averaged over 99% in his votes in support of taxpayers interests. That is a number that few in Congress can beat," Norquist said.

In 2003, Rep. Toomey was one of only 40 members of the House to vote in the interests of taxpayers on 100% of the key votes rated by ATR.

For details on the ratings produced by Americans for Tax Reform, and an explanation of key votes, click here