Americans for Tax Reform issues its 2001 Congressional Ratings; Georgia Senator receives a 15% rating
WASHINGTON -America\’s leading taxpayer advocacy organization, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), today issued its "Enemy of the Taxpayer" awards.
Among the recipients this year was Georgia Senator Max Cleland, who received a dismal 15% rating from ATR. This unsavory reputation is beset upon members of Congress who consistently vote against taxpayers and for bigger government, on important legislative issues.
"Max Cleland\’s record speaks for itself: his support of tax-and spend special interests is reflected in his voting record," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, who heads ATR in Washington. "With an abysmal 15% score, opposing the presidents stimulus legislation, opposing eliminating the death tax supporting corporate welfare, subsidies and internet taxes Cleland consistently slights taxpayers to support the raptorial government spending lobbies that swarm around his office building in Washington."
ATR began issuing "Hero of the Taxpayer" and "Enemy of the Taxpayer" awards in 1995. The awards are based on 18 congressional votes per senator and representative, and Members receive five points for each issue on which they sided with taxpayers. Members also receive ten points if they have signed ATR\’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which is a written commitment to their constituents not to raise taxes, making for a highest possible score of 100. The votes chosen for the awards can be viewed on ATR\’s website at www.atr.org.
"Taxes are the single most important domestic policy issue in America today," continued Norquist. "Until President Bush\’s tax relief legislation last year, taxes when compared to the economy were at a post WWII high – yet, tax levels remain well above the historical average even with the tax cut. Voters should know that Max Cleland supports big government and the high taxes and regulations that come with it."