Blue Dogs Release Blueprint for Fiscal Reform

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition released a comprehensive plan aimed at cutting spending and balancing the budget. The "Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform" outlines an extensive list of legislative priorities (attached) that expand on the group's support for establishing a fiscal reform commission and reinstating pay-as-you-go budget rules.

"The current system is broken and leading the country down a treacherous path," said Representative Jim Matheson (D-UT), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "It is time to start making some tough decisions. The Blue Dogs have a proven track record of offering bipartisan, commonsense solutions to some of the country's most pressing issues. With this proposal, we are offering true structural reform to reduce the deficit over time. We can do what every American family has done and make choices that will put us in better fiscal shape in the future."

Budget experts from across the political spectrum agree that Congress must put a plan in place now in order to balance the budget and lay the groundwork for sound fiscal policies in the future. The Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform puts forth concrete steps – many of which have historically earned bipartisan support – that should be taken to achieve these goals.

"A problem the size of our federal deficit requires a comprehensive and serious set of policy solutions," said Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. "The Blue Dogs recognize that we face difficult decisions in balancing the budget and getting our fiscal house in order – and the first choice we need to make is to stop digging the hole deeper. The Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform charts a path in the short- and long-term to address the critical financial issues that threaten America's security."

"This message of fiscal reform and making tough budget choices is one we're taking straight from our constituents to our colleagues in Washington and the White House," said Representative Baron Hill (D-IN), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. "This detailed plan reiterates our determination to get our deficit under control while enacting real reforms that will guide us back toward balanced budgets."

"Aside from maintaining a strong national defense, balancing our federal budget is the most important thing we can do to secure this country for future generations," said Representative John Tanner (D-TN), a founding member of the Blue Dog Coalition. "I am proud of the Blue Dogs' continued work to reverse the reckless fiscal policies that characterized the early part of this century."

"Wasteful government spending was the status quo in Washington throughout the previous administration. We simply cannot continue to pile government debt on the backs of our children; It's now time to pay the piper," said Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC), Blue Dog Whip. "Passing Statutory PAYGO will be a big step towards stopping out-of-control government spending. American families must live within their means, and it's long past time for the federal government to do the same."

"Implementing sound fiscal policies in Washington will help end reckless spending, stabilize our economy and get the country back on the right track," said Representative Allen Boyd (D-FL), Chairman of the Blue Dog Budget and Financial Services Task Force. "The Blue Dogs have long advocated for returning to fiscally responsible practices in Washington, and this blueprint for responsible reform contains the tools necessary to rebuild the foundations of our economy and reclaim the economic security that makes this country so great."

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