The report outlines three major steps the Democratic majority in Congress has taken to restore fiscal discipline in the first nine months of the 110th Congress. The steps are: strict pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules requiring all new spending bills to include cost offsets; a budget resolution aimed at balancing the national budget by 2012; and a rule prohibiting fast-track reconciliation procedures from being used on bills that will increase the budget deficit.

“The report released today by the House Budget Committee reaffirms what the Blue Dogs have been saying for years – pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget discipline is an effective tool to curb government spending and eliminate waste,” Rep. Ross said.  “Under the leadership of the Blue Dogs and Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (SC-05), every single bill passed by the House this year has complied with strict PAYGO rules, leading to cuts in lower priority spending totaling $276 billion.

“After 6 years of out-of-control deficit spending by the Administration and the Republican majority, we have finally tightened the purse strings and put government back on a path to fiscal responsibility and accountability.  Now that strict PAYGO rules are in place, members are once again forced to make the tough decisions necessary in order to bring our budget to balance.

“As this report clearly indicates, the time for unchecked government spending came to an end at the beginning of the 110^th Congress.  The Blue Dogs are committed to restoring the fiscal integrity of our nation and will continue to push members on both sides of the aisle to make the difficult decisions necessary to accomplish this goal.”

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