John Kline once again named "Hero of the Taxpayer"

Council for Citizens Against Government Waste issues John Kline one of the highest marks in Congress

August 28, 2008

Burnsville – John Kline received one of the highest marks in Congress when the Council for the Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) this week released its 2007 Congressional ratings. Congressman Kline’s impressive 95 percent ranking with the CCAGW earned him the “Hero of the Taxpayer” award.

"I am honored to again be recognized by the Citizens Against Government Waste, and I will continue to push for fiscally responsible legislation and comprehensive bipartisan earmark reform,” said Congressman Kline, who two years ago was one of the first members of Congress to call for major reform and not participate in the earmark process. “Washington is stuck, and reforming earmarks is a step in the right direction. As members of Congress, we should continue to work for Americans, not at the trough of broken principles, but by fighting to rid Washington of wasteful pork-barrel spending.”

The 2007 Congressional ratings cover votes taken during the first session of the 110th Congress. CCAGW rated 100 key votes in the U.S. House of Representatives. The entire House averaged 30 percent. House Republicans averaged 60 percent – 35 points less than Congressman Kline’s ranking. House votes included 50 amendments relating to pork-barrel spending in the appropriations and authorizing bills.

“In spite of a growing recognition that earmarks are a problem, Congress still spends more than is necessary,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said. “Taxpayers would be wise to hang onto their wallets and demand that Congress refocus its priorities and cut wasteful spending.”

To view the complete list of groups who have endorsed Congressman Kline’s 2008 campaign for Congress, please click here. To visit Congressman Kline’s StopthePork website and sign his petition to tell his colleagues in Congress to stop the wasteful spending, please click here.

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Prepared and Paid for by Kline for Congress