National Taxpayers Union Gives McCarthy an “F” Year After Year

Orginally Released: July 24, 2012

Non-Partisan, Independent Organization Ranking further Proof fixing National Economy is over McCarthy’s head; 16-Year Incumbent rated a “Big Spender” in “Most Accurate Guide Available on Congressional Fiscal Performance”

A day after Legislator Fran Becker (R-Lynbrook) released his Middle Class Jobs Plan in front of 16-year Washington incumbent Carolyn McCarthy’s meagerly attended “Long Island Jobs Fair,” the Republican candidate for Congress revealed a startling report by the National Taxpayers Union: for the past eight years, the 16-year Democrat incumbent was awarded an “F” – a failing grade – by the non-partisan, independent National Taxpayers Union (NTU), including for the 1^st Session of the current 112^th Congress.

From 2003 to 2011, McCarthy received an “F” from the NTU.  This less-than-stellar ranking for McCarthy comes after a deficient 2011 National Journal Economic Rating of 34%. 

“While American businesses and local commerce are hurting – and as too many of our neighbors and young professionals are searching for work – Carolyn McCarthy continues to fail us.  We need real, workable solutions to fix our economy, not more of the same hands-off attitude and lack of concern,” said Legislator Fran Becker.  “My opponent is clueless on how to create jobs and grow our economy.  She’s failed to explain how raising taxes on small businesses – which she’s voted time and again to support, most recently with her two votes in favor of ObamaCare – will create jobs or spur economic growth.”   

“My Middle Class Jobs Plan has bi-partisan answers to help fix our economy and get our communities, and all of Long Island, back on track,” Becker stated.  “While our working families and seniors continue to struggle to make ends meet, only one candidate for Congress actually has a plan supported by 132 American economists.  Jobs and economic growth are the backbone of our community and Country.  My commonsense plan will fix Carolyn McCarthy’s mess,” said Becker.

“The difference between me and my opponent is clear.  While I’ve proposed actual common-sense solutions to create jobs and improve our economy, Carolyn McCarthy keeps voting for job-killing taxes,” observed Becker.

Becker continued to prod McCarthy to hold the long-time incumbent accountable for failing to improve the national and local economic picture recently, especially while she was in the Congressional Majority.

“Unfortunately, during the Obama presidency, including two years where she was part of the huge Democrat Majority of Congress, Carolyn McCarthy refused to create jobs, cut spending or even put Washington on a long-term, sustainable fiscal path,” said Becker.

“Today, in the worst national economy since the Great Depression, Carolyn has been singled out – yet again – as a ‘big spender’ by a non-partisan and independent organization while doing absolutely nothing to get us out of the economic mess she put us in,” Becker added.

The National Taxpayer’s Union (NTU) is the only national independent, non-partisan advocate for overburdened taxpayers in the United States.  A mega-civic organization, the “NTU mobilizes elected officials and the general public on behalf of tax relief and reform, lower and less wasteful spending, individual liberty, and free enterprise. Founded in 1969, [the NTU] work[s] at all levels for the day when every taxpaying citizen’s right to a limited government is among our nation’s highest democratic principles.” (Source: National Taxpayer’s Union website, accessed July 22, 2012)

To formulate their rankings, which they call “the most accurate guide available on Congressional fiscal performance,” the non-partisan National Taxpayers Union analyzed every roll call vote taken in 2011 (First Session of the 112th Congress) and selected all votes that could significantly affect the amounts of federal taxes, spending, debt, or regulatory impact. A total of 337 House votes were selected.

Analysis included votes cast on appropriations bills, authorization bills, budget target resolutions, tax bills, amendments, and certain procedural votes that could affect the burden on taxpayers.  Votes that simply shifted equal amounts of spending from one area to another were excluded. Also excluded were votes where there was a significant difference of opinion on how to vote to reduce or control government and unanimous votes.  (Source: National Taxpayer’s Union website, accessed July 22, 2012)

The number of votes used in the analysis, the objective and nonpartisan weighting of the votes, computerized calculations, and many error checks all combine to ensured the highest possible standards of accuracy.  (Source: National Taxpayer’s Union website, accessed July 22, 2012)

Unlike most organizations that publish ratings, NTU refuses to play the “rating game” of focusing on only a handful of congressional votes on selected issues. The NTU voting study is the fairest and most accurate guide available on congressional spending. It is a completely unbiased accounting of votes.  NTU has no partisan axe to grind. All members of Congress are treated the same regardless of political affiliation. Their only constituency is the overburdened American taxpayer. Grades are given impartially, based on the Taxpayer Score.  (Source: National Taxpayer’s Union website, accessed July 22, 2012)