Washington, DC – Today, leaders of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition pointed to the inclusion of several long-standing Blue Dog priorities in announcing their support of the fiscal year 2010 House Democratic budget resolution.  While acknowledging the tough road that lies ahead, Blue Dog leaders applauded both Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt and OMB Director Peter Orszag for their efforts to restore fiscal discipline to the federal government and bring honesty and accountability to the budget process.

“The House Budget Resolution will put our country on a path to fiscal responsibility by including key budget enforcement tools advocated by the Blue Dogs, most important of which is a clear and definite pathway to statutory PAYGO in the House this year,” said Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Budget Task Force Chairman. “For the first time in eight years we are working with an honest document that takes the necessary steps to reverse the reckless fiscal policies that have led us into this unprecedented financial crisis.  We have much more work ahead of us, and the Blue Dogs are eager to continue working with the President and our colleagues in Congress to put a framework in place that includes statutory PAYGO and allows for long-term fiscal sustainability and economic growth.”

In order to address the issue of long-term fiscal sustainability, the Blue Dogs demanded that the FY ’10 House budget resolution include an iron-clad commitment to statutory pay-as-you-go rules, a deficit neutral reserve fund for health care reform, and funding for program integrity to identify waste and abuse in government spending.  Members of the Coalition also played a critical role in bringing down discretionary spending levels and ensuring that cap and trade legislation is not subject to the budget reconciliation process.

“As Blue Dogs, we understand that passing a budget is necessary if we are going to be successful in putting the country on the road to economic recovery,” said Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “After weeks of negotiations with the administration, Chairman Spratt and members of our leadership, I can positively say that the FY ‘10 House budget resolution includes a number of long-standing Blue Dog priorities that are key to many of our members’ support.”

“This is an honest budget that puts America back on the path to economic growth,” said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), Blue Dog Budget Task Force Vice Chairman. “A recession on the heels of a fiscally disastrous presidency is an ugly hand to play, but through a combination of short-term investment and long-term restraint, this budget moves us toward sustainability. We will continue working with the Obama Administration to pay for our national priorities like health reform, make hard choices to reduce spending, pay down debt and keep our entitlement programs strong.”

“For too long, we have been putting off the tough decisions and relying on dishonest budgeting practices,” said Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  “This Budget Resolution is a step in the right direction that not only brings us closer to Statutory pay-as-you-go, but calls on the Senate and the President - who has voiced his support for a return to this policy - to join with the House in passing a law that requires fiscal discipline.”

“I’d like to thank my Blue Dog colleagues and the Administration for working together to – in my opinion – strengthen the fiscally-conservative aspects of this budget,” said Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy.  “In particular, the statutory PAYGO language is of the utmost importance to our coalition and our constituents back home.”

“A lack of transparency and dishonest budgeting in the business world and in government has gotten us into the mess we are in today,” said Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), Blue Dog Whip.  “Without an honest assessment of where we stand fiscally, we cannot realistically expect to address the challenges before us. This budget provides the American people that honest and transparent reckoning.”