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Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced their official support for a recoupment plan to protect taxpayers as negotiations are finalized on a broader package to address the current financial crisis. Throughout negotiations, Blue Dog members have consistently worked with parties on all sides to ensure that the final rescue package includes a standard of fiscal discipline that would protect Main Street and prevent the country from falling deeper into debt.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition applauded Chairman John Spratt for bringing H.Res. 484, Blue Dog-endorsed legislation aimed at strengthening and increasing the transparency of the budget process, before a House Budget Committee hearing to examine budget reform proposals for the 111th Congress. The Blue Dogs have long pushed H.Res. 484 as a responsible and necessary approach to reforming the budget process so that the Congress maintains a high standard of fiscal discipline.

Today, Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications, released the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office's outlook on the budget and economy.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition responded to a report released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), entitled "Long-Term Effects of Indexing the Alternative Minimum Tax and Extending the Tax Reductions of 2001 and 2003." The report, requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, provides analysis of the long-term economic effects of forgoing pay-as-you-go budget rules and continuing to pass temporary relief of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) without providing offsets.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition criticized the President's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget as a clear extension of the Administration's reckless fiscal policies over the past seven years. Blue Dog members reinforced the importance of reversing the country's precarious fiscal course and maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal discipline, including pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition commended the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, for his recent statement in support of ending the irresponsible practice of funding U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through emergency supplementals, rather than through the normal appropriations process.

Today, the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition called on House leadership to demand greater accountability and fiscal responsibility in Iraq by supporting the War Funding Accountability Act (H.R. 714), a measure introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and endorsed by the Coalition. Recently, the Blue Dogs sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for her support of the bill, which members argue is critical in the wake of President Bush's request for an additional $46 billion in funding for the war in Iraq.

Tuesday, the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition called for House consideration of H.Res. 97, a measure which demands increased fiscal accountability in the funding of the war in Iraq, following a quarterly report issued by the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). Inspector General Stuart Bowen submitted testimony to the House Budget Committee Tuesday detailing the report, which describes the continued mismanagement of contracts and waste of taxpayer dollars in Iraq.