For Immediate Release                                                            Contact: Kristen Hawn (202) 226-9782
November 25, 2008                                                          

    Blue Dog Co-Chairs Commend Orszag Appointment to Top OMB Post, Applaud
           Obama’s Early Efforts to Restore Fiscal Responsibility to Government

Washington, DC – Today, the co-chairs of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition released the following statements in response to President-elect Barack Obama’s appointment of Congressional Budget Office Director Peter Orszag as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, as well as his reiterated commitment to transparency, efficiency and fiscal responsibility in the federal budget:

“The Blue Dogs commend President-elect Obama’s appointment of Peter Orszag as the next Director of the Office of Management and Budget,” said Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “The President-elect could not have chosen a more uniquely qualified individual to lead his administration’s efforts to implement critical budget reforms and put the federal government back on a path to fiscal responsibility.”

“This is a challenging time for our country.  Americans are struggling to make ends meet, and as a result of the reckless fiscal policies of the current administration, we are faced with a record national debt that is crippling our economy and threatening our national security,” said Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  “Streamlining the federal budget and eliminating wasteful spending, as is President-elect Obama’s intention, will jumpstart efforts to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to the federal government.”

“President-elect Obama has demonstrated that he is serious about tackling the fiscal and economic challenges facing us today,” said Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy.  “The Blue Dogs look forward to working together with Peter Orszag, and other members of his budget and economic teams, to develop a realistic strategy to pay down the national debt over the long term and to restore the economic health of the country for generations to come.”

The fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 with the goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives and appealing to the mainstream values of the American public.  The Blue Dogs are dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States.  Currently there are 51 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.  For more information, visit the Blue Dog Website at http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/.