Blue Dogs Join Obama to Advance Statutory PAYGO

Today, leaders of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition stood in strong support of President Obama as he urged members of both the House and Senate to pass legislation requiring that any new mandatory government spending be matched with budget cuts or savings elsewhere. In a press conference with members of the Coalition, the President announced his support for legislation that would reinstitute statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules, a move long advocated by the Blue Dogs as a way to restore much-needed fiscal discipline to the federal government.

"If we are going to get our nation's fiscal house in order, we have to start paying our bills," said Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "If we do not take action now, we will continue to short-change future generations who will face higher taxes and cuts to federal investments in priorities such as education, health care and national security. With the President's support, the Blue Dogs look forward to working with members in both the House and Senate to enact PAYGO into law."

"The President's continued emphasis on PAYGO is applauded and appreciated by the Blue Dogs," said Representative Baron Hill (D-IN), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. "With his support, I truly believe statutory PAYGO will come to fruition."

Today's announcement marks the first time the Obama Administration has officially transmitted legislation to Congress, a sign of the President's continued commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility and accountability to government over the long-term.

"For years, the Blue Dog Coalition has worked tirelessly to require the federal government to spend within its means. Passing statutory PAYGO into law is a significant step forward in meeting that goal," said Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. "Blue Dogs are proud to stand together with partners in this effort to return to the strong tools of fiscal responsibility that brought us budget balance – and surplus – in the 1990's."

"Reinstituting statutory PAYGO has been the top priority for the Blue Dogs since this proven enforcement tool was allowed to expire in 2002," said Representative Allen Boyd (D-FL), Chairman of the Blue Dog Budget and Financial Services Task Force. "President Obama's strong support of PAYGO sends a very clear message to the entire Congress and to the American people that we are committed to getting our country's finances in order and doing so in a responsible way. The Blue Dogs and I stand ready to work hand-in-hand with the President to get this bill signed into law so that we don't continue to leave our children and grandchildren to foot the bill for our national priorities."

"President Obama inherited an economy in freefall and a $10.6 trillion national debt," said Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN), Vice-Chairman of the Blue Dog Budget and Financial Services Task Force. "While short-term spending was necessary to get the economy moving again, our long-term fiscal problems became that much more urgent. Congress should heed President Obama's call to reinstate statutory PAYGO now, or we risk damaging America's competitiveness for generations."

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