Isakson honored with ‘Taxpayers’ Friend Award’

ATLANTA — The National Taxpayers Union today gave Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” for his voting record last year.

“I am very proud to receive this honor from the National Taxpayers Union, because I agree with them that we must take large and immediate steps to stop out-of-control federal spending,” Isakson said in a news release. “As a businessman, I more than recognize that the way the government is operating is not only unsustainable, it is a recipe for disaster and failure.”

Isakson’s office said he was one of 55 lawmakers who received an “A” from the non-partisan National Taxpayers Union. The grade was part of the organization’s annual ratings and made the congressman eligible for the award.

“Given today’s economic climate, fiscal discipline is more important now than ever,” NTU President Duane Parde said in a news release. “Fortunately, taxpayers have a staunch ally in Senator Isakson, to whom National Taxpayers Union is proud to present a ‘Taxpayers’ Friend Award.'”

The NTU studied 333 House and 227 Senate votes cast in 2009 as part of its selection. The rating targets votes “affecting fiscal policy,” according to Isakson’s office.

Isakson is co-sponsoring a Constitutional amendment that would give the president line-item veto power and
that would require Congress to balance the federal budget. The congressman says the amendment, if approved, would allow the president to either eliminate or reduce appropriations in bills that Congress passes.

The Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a line-item veto bill that Congress approved in 1996; that bill did not allow the president to reduce the amount of an appropriation, according to Isakson.