For Immediate Release                                                           Contact:  Kristen Hawn 202-226-9782
January 5, 2007

Blue Dog Democrats Hail Key Measures to Restore Fiscal Discipline in House Rules Package

WASHINGTON D.C.- Members of the Blue Dog Coalition today hailed key measures they fought to get included in the House rules package to help restore fiscal discipline in our nation’s budgeting process.  The members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition were joined by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol today to tout the measures.

Included in the House rules package are key principles of the Blue Dog Coalition’s 12-point plan to end the nation’s addiction to deficit spending.  Specifically, the package requires pay-as-you-go budget discipline, known as “PAYGO,” with no new deficit spending.  The rules package also requires full transparency by ending the abuse of special interest earmarks. 

“Today we have begun to bring back fiscal sanity to our government through proposals that inject a little common sense into the way Congress does business,” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “We heard the message the country sent Congress in November and that’s why passing PAYGO budget rules to stop any new deficit spending is a first step to getting our country back on track fiscally.”

“The American people want and deserve fiscal discipline from the federal government,” said Congressman Baron Hill (D-IN).  “I was happy to speak on behalf of the PAYGO amendment to the House rules package today.  Changing the rules is only the first step.  Blue Dogs are committed to changing the statute to make PAYGO law.”

“The American people spoke very clearly last November. They said they were tired of Congress spending recklessly and budgeting irresponsibly. With this PAYGO legislation we are taking the first steps to restoring fiscal sanity to our nation’s budget. Congress must live within its means, just like our families and our businesses,” said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). 

“Today is an exciting day for the Blue Dog Coalition,” said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  “The passage of the Blue Dog-endorsed PAYGO rules marks the first, and most important, step to getting our country back on track fiscally.  With the Blue Dogs leading the charge, the Democratic-controlled Congress has demonstrated their strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and subsequently, a strong commitment to the future of our children, our grandchildren, and our great nation.”

“In a time when people are increasingly distrustful of government, we have a responsibility to bring meaningful openness and accountability to Congress,” said Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy.  “In doing so, I believe we can increase public confidence and trust, and ensure that our government is more thoughtful and responsible in the way it spends our money.”

"Blue Dog reforms will make the Congress more open, transparent and fair - and the American people expect and deserve nothing less,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (SD-AL), Blue Dog Whip.  “It is particularly significant that these key reforms are included as some of the very first acts of the 110th Congress, demonstrating their central importance to the process." 

The conservative Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 as a response the Republican tidal wave that swept Democrats out of power.  Blue Dogs represent the center of the House of Representatives and appeal 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.

The Blue Dog 12-point plan for budget reform includes 12 common sense measures aimed at putting the nation’s fiscal house back in order.  It is based on the Blue Dogs’ commitment to solving growing fiscal problems facing our country.   

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