Blue Dog leadership on Super Committee’s failure to act
November 21, 2011
Today, members of the Blue Dog Coalition leadership issued the following statement after the ‘Super Committee' announced its failure to come to agreement on a long-term plan to reduce the deficit and put the country on a fiscally sustainable path. The Blue Dogs have been strong advocates of a balanced, bipartisan solution that cuts the deficit by $4 trillion over 10 years.
"The American people expect their representatives in Washington to come together in a bipartisan way to solve the problems facing this country," said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR). "The Super Committee's failure to put politics aside and present a comprehensive plan to bring down our debt and put the country on a fiscally sustainable path not only puts our economy and national security at risk, but also jeopardizes our standing as a world leader.
"This is not a time for political posturing and finger pointing. Republicans and Democrats have a responsibility to come together and figure out a way to move forward in the best interest of the country," added Ross.
"Although disappointing, the Super Committee's failure to come up with a deficit reduction plan isn't all that surprising," said Congressman John Barrow (D-GA). "The entrenched interests on both sides of the political spectrum continue to put politics ahead of our country's fiscal health. The Blue Dog plan was one of several proposals to ‘go big,' control spending, and encourage growth. That the Super Committee couldn't even agree to go small is an indictment of the current political environment."
"It is extremely unfortunate that the Super Committee has allowed partisan politics to direct its deliberations," said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). "This failure is beyond disappointing, especially in light of the broad bicameral, bipartisan support the Super Committee had from nearly 150 Members in Congress to ‘Go Big' and come up with a comprehensive, $4 trillion deficit reduction plan that puts our country on a long-term fiscally sustainable path."
"The American people expect their representatives in Washington to come together in a bipartisan way to solve the problems facing this country," said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR). "The Super Committee's failure to put politics aside and present a comprehensive plan to bring down our debt and put the country on a fiscally sustainable path not only puts our economy and national security at risk, but also jeopardizes our standing as a world leader.
"This is not a time for political posturing and finger pointing. Republicans and Democrats have a responsibility to come together and figure out a way to move forward in the best interest of the country," added Ross.
"Although disappointing, the Super Committee's failure to come up with a deficit reduction plan isn't all that surprising," said Congressman John Barrow (D-GA). "The entrenched interests on both sides of the political spectrum continue to put politics ahead of our country's fiscal health. The Blue Dog plan was one of several proposals to ‘go big,' control spending, and encourage growth. That the Super Committee couldn't even agree to go small is an indictment of the current political environment."
"It is extremely unfortunate that the Super Committee has allowed partisan politics to direct its deliberations," said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). "This failure is beyond disappointing, especially in light of the broad bicameral, bipartisan support the Super Committee had from nearly 150 Members in Congress to ‘Go Big' and come up with a comprehensive, $4 trillion deficit reduction plan that puts our country on a long-term fiscally sustainable path."
The fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 with the goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives and appealing 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. Click here to go the Blue Dog website.
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