For Immediate Release                                                           Contact:  Kristen Hawn 202-226-9782
December 4, 2007

Blue Dogs: "We Will Not Back Down on Our Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility"
Coalition Reinforces Its Support of PAYGO Budget Rules as the Senate Considers AMT “Patch”

Washington, D.C. – Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition called on the Senate to craft fiscally responsible legislation to ensure that the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) does not threaten 23 million middle-class American families.  The Blue Dogs publicly reinforced their longstanding commitment to pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules as a way to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to government.

Under the leadership of the Blue Dogs and the new Democratic-controlled Congress, every bill passed by the House this year has complied with PAYGO rules.  As the focus of the debate over AMT reform turns to the Senate, the Blue Dogs urge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus to maintain their commitment to fiscal responsibility and send the House legislation that adheres to this strict standard of fiscal discipline.

“We made a commitment to the American people to reinstitute PAYGO budget rules and restore fiscal responsibility to government, and we will stand by that commitment,” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “We will not pass the burden of unmanageable debt on to our children and grandchildren just so we can avoid the difficult decisions that Americans expect their government to make.”

“Reinstating PAYGO rules at the start of the 110th Congress was one of the most significant long term policy changes that this Congress has made, and we must continue our record of compliance with PAYGO as we finish our work this year,” said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  “Waiving PAYGO rules in the face of tough decisions and political pressure is fiscally reckless, an abdication of our duties, and frankly, a broken promise.  The Blue Dogs urge our colleagues in both the House and the Senate to stand strong behind our commitment to the bedrock principle of fiscal responsibility through PAYGO.”

“Setting budget priorities is often a difficult and challenging process,” said Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy.  “But, we simply can’t pick and choose when we comply with PAYGO rules if we hope to reverse the irresponsible policy of the last few years.  By following PAYGO rules, we can provide AMT relief to 23 million middle-class families now without mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren.”

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 47 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.  For more information, visit the Blue Dog website at http://www.house.gov/ross/bluedogs/.