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March 16, 2006
Reps. Cooper, Davis, Ford, Tanner:
CONGRESS SHOULD STAY IN WASHINGTON
UNTIL IT FIXES BUDGET PROBLEM
Congressmen Join Blue Dogs in Letter to Speaker Hastert
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congress should not adjourn for its district work period until it has more honestly addressed raising the nation’s credit limit, U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper, Lincoln Davis, Harold Ford Jr. and John Tanner wrote in a March 16 letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, along with 25 other members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition. The House was set to adjourn Thursday evening.
After borrowing record amounts of money to fund the federal government, the Bush administration has asked to raise the federal debt limit to $8.9 trillion to allow for more borrowing. House leaders have refused to hold a true debate or vote on the issue and have not exercised Congressional oversight of how the executive branch is spending taxpayer dollars, the Congressmen said.
“While Blue Dogs recognize the necessity for approving an increase in the debt limit, we believe it would be irresponsible to continue providing a ‘blank check’ for increased borrowing authority absent a meaningful commitment to protect taxpayers from even further increases in the national debt,” the Blue Dogs wrote.
The pending increase would raise the federal debt limit – similar to the credit line on a credit card – to $8.9 trillion, a $3 trillion hike since 2002. The national debt was $8.2 trillion at the time the Blue Dogs sent their letter to Speaker Hastert.
Blue Dogs have expressed support for a debt limit increase if it includes three provisions that would help ensure a similar increase is not needed again: pay-as-you-go rules that require all new legislation is paid for; a balanced budget; and a prohibition on using retirement money to pay for day-to-day government operations.
“Congress has abdicated its responsibility to hold hearings and allow a full debate on this important matter,” they wrote. “Together, we can leave the nation more secure for our children and grandchildren.”
The Blue Dog Coalition is a group of 37 moderate to conservative House Democrats known for their focus on fiscal responsibility. They have authored a 12-step plan to put the nation’s fiscal house back in order.
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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714
