For Immediate Release                                                            Contact: Kristen Hawn (202) 226-9782
March 12, 2009                                             

Blue Dogs Announce Budget and Financial Services Task Force

Washington, DC - Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced the organization of the Blue Dog Budget and Financial Services Task Force for the 111th Congress.  Chairing the group will be Representative Allen Boyd (D-FL), a senior member of the House Budget Committee and long-time leader of Blue Dog efforts to restore fiscal discipline to the federal government.  Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN) and Representative Dennis Moore (D-KS) will serve as task force vice chairmen, guiding the Coalition’s efforts to push for smart, responsible fiscal reform through the budget process, as well as other financial services-related legislation.

“The Blue Dog Budget and Financial Services Task Force will be the lynchpin within the Coalition for developing policies and strategies that address the long-term fiscal challenges facing this country and doing so in a responsible and sustainable way,” said Boyd. “I am pleased to lead this group as we work to promote accountability and honest budgeting with the ultimate goal of balancing the budget through meaningful reform and budgetary enforcement tools such as statutory PAYGO.”

“Blue Dogs are committed to long-term fiscal responsibility, and this task force will help us get America back on the right track,” said Cooper. “Honest budgets are a good first step. But Congress and the President will have to make some tough choices about our national priorities. Blue Dogs will be a constructive voice in that conversation.”

“I look forward to working with the Task Force to ensure we have strong oversight and accountability over the use of TARP funds and various economic rescue efforts,” said Moore.  “These are difficult times and we must deal with stabilizing the marketplace first.  I will continue to work with my colleagues toward the implementation of vital Blue Dog principles as Congress begins to consider rewriting the financial regulatory structure.”

The full Blue Dog Budget and Financial Services Task Force membership will include: Rep. Allen Boyd, Chairman, Rep. Jim Cooper, Vice Chairman, Rep. Dennis Moore, Vice Chairman, Rep. Michael Arcuri, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Rep. Travis Childers, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Jane Harman, Rep. Frank Kratovil, Rep. Charlie Melancon, Rep. Mike Michaud, Rep. Walt Minnick, Rep. Heath Shuler, Rep. John Tanner and Rep. Charlie Wilson.

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/.