The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste on Wednesday recognized U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, R-13, for what it calls “relentless and unwavering support of the fiscal interests of American taxpayers.”

Budd, whose district covers parts of Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Iredell and Rowan counties, is one of only 12 lawmakers to earn a perfect score in council’s 2017 congressional ratings. Since he was first elected in 2016, he begins his tenure in the House with a lifetime rating of 100 percent from the council.

The report, which the council has issued since 1989, highlights the voting records of all 535 members of Congress. It identifies members whose voting records it says have helped save the taxpayers’ money. They are labeled “Taxpayer Super Heroes.”

The report also notes members of Congress who “consistently vote against the fiscal interest of taxpayers.”

The council rates members of both the House and Senate on a 0-100 percent scale. Members are rated by category: 0-19 percent is “hostile”; 20-39 percent is “unfriendly”; 40-59 percent is “lukewarm”; 60-79 percent is “friendly”; 80-99 percent “taxpayer hero”; and 100 percent is “taxpayer super hero.”

The 2017 report scored 93 votes in the House of Representatives and 27 votes in the Senate.

“We applaud and wholeheartedly thank Rep. Budd for his tireless work on behalf of the taxpayers while serving in Congress,” said the council’s president, Tom Schatz. “His courageous votes to eliminate rogue earmarks and make government more accountable should serve as an example to other members, challenging them to make good on promises to protect the fiscal interests of American taxpayers.”

Budd said he is proud to be one of the 12 members of Congress to receive top marks.

“I came to Washington to fight waste, fraud and abuse, and my voting record shows that I have done just that,” Budd said. “Our work is not done, and I look forward to continuing to fight for taxpayers in North Carolina and across the country.”