Blue Dog Coalition Statement on House Adoption of Senate Amendment to H.Con.Res. 14

“Our nation is on an unsustainable fiscal trajectory. Interest payments on the national debt are now our nation’s second-largest expenditure, exceeding spending on Medicare or defense this year and will reach $1 trillion next year. That, in turn, squeezes out critical investments and makes it harder for working Americans to build and exercise economic power. 

Last November, the American people voted to rebuild wealth in the middle class, invest in the things that are worth having, and put the country back on track to sound fiscal health. Rather than confronting this reality and paying down the deficit towards a balanced budget, this budget would make devastating cuts to lifesaving programs and make it easier to paper over deficits, further driving up debt and long-term interest rates. By adopting a current policy baseline, this budget attempts to obscure fiscal reality from our constituents. This accounting gimmick makes it easier for Congress to add to the deficit without accountability, something we cannot support.

Folks in our districts understand the need for responsible budgeting, they have to do it every day at their kitchen tables. The Blue Dog Coalition believes Congress should hold itself to the same standard and work together on a bipartisan basis to meet our country's fiscal challenges.”

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ABOUT THE COALITION: The Blue Dog Coalition is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives composed of fiscally-responsible Democrats, who are leading the way to find common-sense solutions. They are pragmatic Democrats, appealing to mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense for our country, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people.