Duncan Honored by Nation’s Largest Taxpayer Group

April 10, 2009

Washington, DC -- Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) was recognized today for his outstanding pro-taxpayer voting record last year.  The 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU), a nonpartisan citizen group, announced that Duncan is among only a few dozen recipients of the 2008 “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” in the U.S. Congress.

“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 Congressman Duncan, to whom the National Taxpayers Union is proud to present the ‘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. 

“Congressman Duncan’s pro-taxpayer score of 87 percent was one of the best in the entire Congress,” Parde said. “By voting time and again to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Duncan has led by example in the fight to defend overburdened taxpayers across the Country.  He has truly earned the title ‘Taxpayers’ Friend.’”

Between 2007 and 2008, the average “Taxpayer Score” in the House rose slightly from 35 percent to 36 percent.  In 2008, 48 lawmakers in both the House and the Senate attained scores sufficient to win the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.”  Meanwhile, a record 267 Representative and Senators received the title of “Big Spender” for posting “F” grades.

“I truly appreciate this recognition and NTU’s continued efforts on behalf of the Nation’s taxpayers,” Duncan said.  “In the current economic environment, we must continue to look for ways to reduce the tax burden on our citizens and control wasteful spending in Washington.”