Taxpayers for Common Sense

Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) is a nonpartisan federal budget watchdog organization based in Washington, D.C. in the United States. TCS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; its 501(c)(4) affiliate is Taxpayers for Common Sense Action (TCS Action). The current president of TCS is Steve Ellis. Founded in 1995 by Jill Lancelot and Rafael DeGennaro, TCS states that its mission is to ensure that the federal government spends taxpayer money efficiently and responsibly.[1]

TCS creates complete databases of the earmarks that appear in Congressional spending bills. TCS is credited with labeling the Gravina Island Bridge proposal in Ketchikan, Alaska as the "Bridge to Nowhere."[2]

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the group received $178,500 in federally backed small business loan from Citibank as part of the Paycheck Protection Program. Their loan was seen as notable, since they campaign against excess government spending and are small-government advocates. TCS said it was the first time they have accepted government money.[3][4]

References
  1. Panagopoulos, Costas. (2008). All roads lead to Congress : the $300 billion fight over highway funding. Schank, Joshua. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. p. 164. ISBN 9780872894617. OCLC 167763994.
  2. William Safire (October 8, 2006). "Bridge to Nowhere". New York Times.
  3. Syed, Moiz; Willis, Derek. "TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE - Coronavirus Bailouts - ProPublica". ProPublica. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  4. Tom Hamburger; Aaron Gregg; Anu Narayanswamy (8 July 2020). "After railing against federal spending, GOP lawmakers, conservative groups benefit from government aid program". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2020.


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