Last week, U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Fla., announced he was honored by the Club for Growth with its “Defender of Economic Freedom Award” due to “his commitment to balance the federal budget and shrink bloated government.”

Franklin weighed in on the award.

“Congress’ insatiable appetite to spend money has run up a $33 trillion national debt and put us on a collision course with bankruptcy. Americans are expecting Congress to have the courage to right the ship before it’s too late.,” Franklin said. “I’m pleased to receive the Defender of Economic Freedom Award from the Club for Growth and will always fight to balance the federal budget and shrink government.”

“We congratulate Rep. Franklin for earning Club for Growth’s Defender of Economic Freedom Award for fighting for policies that advance limited government and prosperity,” said former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh, R-Ind., the president of Club for Growth.

“The Club for Growth is the largest free market advocacy organization in the United States, and the foundation’s 2022 Congressional Economic Scorecard is considered the gold standard in measuring the voting behavior of Members of Congress. The Defender of Economic Freedom Award is given to Representatives and Senators who not only score 90 percent or better on votes cast in a year, but also maintain a lifetime rating of at least 90 percent to receive the award,” Franklin’s office noted.

Now 59, Franklin served more than a quarter-century in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served on the Lakeland City Commission before defeating U.S. Rep. Ross Spano, R-Fla., in the Republican primary and being elected to Congress in 2020. Franklin represents all of DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry Counties and parts of Collier and Polk Counties in a secure Republican district. He serves on the U.S. House Appropriations, Veterans Affairs and the Science, Space, and Technology Committees.