Blue Dog statement on Fiscal Commission report
December 1, 2010
Matheson to fiscal commission members: “This is your moment of truth”
Today, Representative Jim Matheson (D-UT), Co-Chair of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, issued the following statement after the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform released its comprehensive report to address the nation's long-term fiscal crisis.
"The report released by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is appropriately titled ‘The Moment of Truth.' The federal debt is the single biggest threat to our economy and national security today. Make no mistake, this threat is real, and the consequences of doing nothing about it are also real.
"To the members of the fiscal commission: This is your moment of truth. You were appointed to the commission to address this crisis in a serious manner. This is not about politics. It's not about progressive versus conservative; it's about doing what's right for the country. This report may not include all of the options that should be considered, and you may not agree with all of its recommendations, but it's a starting point, and elements of it deserve real consideration.
"To the incoming Members of Congress: Deficit reduction is one of the easiest things to talk about, and one of the most difficult to implement. The hard work has yet to even begin.
"I hope that all Members – both Republicans and Democrats – are willing to put away the talking points and start making some tough decisions going forward. The Blue Dogs certainly are, and while we were denied a seat on the commission, we are ready to sit down with anyone who is willing to come to the table and do the hard work to put our country back on a fiscally sustainable course."
The Fiscal Commission's report includes a number of ideas Blue Dogs have proposed as part of their blueprint for fiscal reform, including aggressive deficit reduction targets, discretionary spending caps and a sunset commission to cut wasteful spending and invest federal dollars where they are needed most. To read more about the Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform, visit the Blue Dog website.
"The report released by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is appropriately titled ‘The Moment of Truth.' The federal debt is the single biggest threat to our economy and national security today. Make no mistake, this threat is real, and the consequences of doing nothing about it are also real.
"To the members of the fiscal commission: This is your moment of truth. You were appointed to the commission to address this crisis in a serious manner. This is not about politics. It's not about progressive versus conservative; it's about doing what's right for the country. This report may not include all of the options that should be considered, and you may not agree with all of its recommendations, but it's a starting point, and elements of it deserve real consideration.
"To the incoming Members of Congress: Deficit reduction is one of the easiest things to talk about, and one of the most difficult to implement. The hard work has yet to even begin.
"I hope that all Members – both Republicans and Democrats – are willing to put away the talking points and start making some tough decisions going forward. The Blue Dogs certainly are, and while we were denied a seat on the commission, we are ready to sit down with anyone who is willing to come to the table and do the hard work to put our country back on a fiscally sustainable course."
The Fiscal Commission's report includes a number of ideas Blue Dogs have proposed as part of their blueprint for fiscal reform, including aggressive deficit reduction targets, discretionary spending caps and a sunset commission to cut wasteful spending and invest federal dollars where they are needed most. To read more about the Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform, visit the Blue Dog website.
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. Currently there are 25 members of the Blue Dog Coalition. For more information, visit the Blue Dog website.
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