For Immediate Release                                                            Contact: Kristen Hawn (202) 226-9782
February 23, 2009                                        

Blue Dog Leaders - We stand ready to work with President Obama to restore fiscal discipline to Washington

Washington, DC – Today, Blue Dog leaders released the following statement in response to reports that President Obama will propose a return to the statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) requirements of the 1990’s, a longstanding priority of the Blue Dogs and a move that would strengthen the PAYGO rule considerably, rendering it a more effective tool for deficit reduction. 

“This week alone, President Obama is doing more to address the serious long-term fiscal problems facing our country than former-President Bush and his congressional allies did during his entire 8-year tenure in office,” said Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “The Blue Dogs will be President Obama’s allies in Congress as he moves to reinstitute tough budget enforcement mechanisms, such as pay-as-you-go rules, that have the force of law.”

“The members of the Blue Dog Coalition and our constituents appreciate President Obama’s firm commitment to restoring fiscal sanity to Washington,” said Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy.  “We have a true partner in our work to address the long-term budget reforms that our nation so desperately needs.”

Blue Dog leaders pointed to that fact that years of reckless fiscal policies and uninhibited deficit spending have led to a weakened economy, record deficits, and a staggering level of debt that has left the country vulnerable at home and abroad.  They also noted that the crisis the country faces over the long-term, if the federal government refuses to act in a fiscally responsible manner, is arguably the greatest threat facing the nation today.  

“Over the past weeks and months, Blue Dogs have been working with President Obama and his team with the goal of developing a strategy to put the country back on a fiscally sustainable path,” said Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  “This goal is not beyond our reach.  Through tough choices and shared sacrifice, together we can begin to heal the economy, pay off our debts, and leave this country a better place for our children and grandchildren.  Statutory paygo is a critical tool and Blue Dogs continue to stand as willing partners in this effort.”

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 49 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.  For more information, visit the Blue Dog Website at http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/.