Blue Dog Leaders Respond to President Obama’s Remarks

Today, leaders of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's remarks before tonight's joint session of Congress.

"After 8 years of reckless fiscal policies and misleading budget gimmickry, it is refreshing to hear President Obama's clear and honest talk about the state of affairs as it pertains to our economic and fiscal outlook," said Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "We are in a deep fiscal hole. However, with the right tools – including statutory PAYGO budgeting – we can reverse this dangerous trend and begin to put the country back on a fiscally sustainable path. The Blue Dogs look forward to working President Obama to accomplish this goal."

"The President was refreshingly frank about the challenges our great nation faces," said Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. "One of those challenges – addressing long-term fiscal reform and paying down the deficit – is something the Blue Dogs will certainly work with President Obama to confront and tackle."

After years of unrestrained spending, budget gimmicks and rampant waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending, it's clear we cannot continue along the same fiscal path," said Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. "In the opening weeks of his administration - including a meeting he held with Blue Dogs late last month, at yesterday's fiscal responsibility summit and tonight during his speech – President Obama has demonstrated his support for principles Blue Dogs hold dear, including long-term fiscal responsibility, honesty and transparency in budgeting and a serious commitment to cutting the deficit. I'm particularly pleased that the President has shown a willingness to reach across the aisle for constructive input, because the challenges we face are both too large, and too important for politics as usual.

"I was pleased to hear President Obama give an honest account of our nation's financial future -- an honest reckoning that was long overdue" said Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), Blue Dog Whip. "The Blue Dog coalition looks forward to working closely with him to restore America's fiscal health and put an end to the budget deficits that threaten future generations."

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