For Immediate Release                                                           Contact:  Kristen Hawn 202-226-9782
December 12, 2007

BLUE DOGS CALL ON THE SENATE TO UPHOLD COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Washington, D.C. – At a press conference today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition joined House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in calling on the Senate to uphold its commitment to fiscal responsibility.  Members of the Coalition again urged Senate leaders to pass legislation providing relief of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) that is fiscally responsible and adheres to the pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) standard of fiscal discipline.

 “The House has already passed fiscally responsible AMT relief that adheres to PAYGO rules and ensures that we’re not simply passing the bill on to future generations,” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “We made a commitment to the American people to reinstitute PAYGO budget rules and restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to our government, and we will stand by that commitment.”

“I was proud to support The Middle Class Tax Relief bill in the House earlier this year, not only because it provided important tax relief for families that were never intended to be affected by the AMT in the first place, but because it was fiscally responsible policy,” said Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Whip. “We can’t merely pay lip service to fiscal responsibility and ignore that it will require tough choices in the process. Now is the time for fiscal discipline and I urge my colleagues in the House and the Senate to maintain our commitment to future generations not just when it is easy, but when it is difficult as well.”

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, including legislation providing AMT relief without adding to the $9 trillion national debt.

“Every single bill passed by the House this year has complied with PAYGO rules, whether it was the Farm Bill, SCHIP reauthorization, or AMT relief,” said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  “This Congress, under Democratic leadership, has shown that it has the ability, the will, and the backbone to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.  Even with the Republicans holding the Senate hostage, we must not falter now.  The Blue Dogs and the House Leadership are standing behind PAYGO rules for one simple reason:  it’s the right thing to do.  We strongly urge the Senate to follow suit.” 

“We must take the deficit seriously.  We can’t pick and choose when to comply with PAYGO rules, said Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy.  “I hope the Senate will follow the House and pass a bill that provides AMT relief to 23 million middle-class families now without mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. Without this patch, thousands of my constituents would be shocked to learn how much this stealth tax would increase their 2007 taxes.”

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/.