Blue Dogs throw support behind Balanced Budget Amendment
November 16, 2011
Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced their support for H.J.Res.2, the Balanced Budget Amendment, a fundamental principle of the Blue Dog Coalition for over 15 years. The Blue Dogs have always put the American people before either political party, and they have shown overwhelming support for this measure as a way to bring down the debt, restore faith in the economy and bring jobs back home. With their support of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, the Blue Dogs continue to represent the majority of American people who are in the common-sense middle.
"The Balanced Budget Amendment is a common-sense idea whose time has come. It requires the federal government to do what 49 of 50 states must do – live within their means. People want and need leaders to put in place the structural budget reforms that will rein in spending and decrease debt and-- as a result-- strengthen our economy over the long term," said Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT).
"Congress has demonstrated that regardless of which party is in charge, out-of-control spending is a hard habit for them to kick. It's become clear that a constitutional amendment is the only way to force Congress's hand toward fiscal responsibility," said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR). "Since the founding of the Blue Dog Coalition in 1995, we have been pushing Congress to send a balanced budget amendment to the states for consideration and we are pleased to finally see renewed bipartisan support for its passage. The American people are demanding bold action to get our fiscal house back in order and I urge members of both parties to listen to the American people and pass this amendment now."
"If we have learned anything in Washington in the past decade, it is that neither party can be trusted to do the right thing when it comes to fiscal responsibility," said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). "A balanced budget amendment will force Democrats and Republicans in Congress to exercise fiscal restraint and put our country on a long-term fiscally sustainable path. The Blue Dogs have long supported a balanced budget amendment as an important tool for fiscal responsibility, and I am glad to see that a bipartisan majority in the House is serious about getting spending under control and reigning in the national debt."
"The Blue Dog Coalition has long advocated for a Balanced Budget Amendment that takes a realistic approach to the balancing the budget," said Congressman John Barrow (D-GA). "We have endorsed H.J.Res.2, the amendment the Republicans will be bringing to the floor this week, because we believe it is a reasonable approach and will help us put our financial house back in order."
"Blue Dogs have long believed that a balanced budget amendment will improve fiscal responsibility in government. For this reason, the endorsement by the Blue Dog Coalition of H.J.Res. 2 should come as no surprise," said Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK). "For many years, government spending has been out of control. Each American's share of the national debt today exceeds $48,000. This is more than the average household income in my state of Oklahoma. This is simply unacceptable, and it is time to put partisanship aside and face the facts. If we want to make future investments in national security, education, and infrastructure, we must take serious and meaningful steps to get our fiscal house in order."
"The Balanced Budget Amendment is a common-sense idea whose time has come. It requires the federal government to do what 49 of 50 states must do – live within their means. People want and need leaders to put in place the structural budget reforms that will rein in spending and decrease debt and-- as a result-- strengthen our economy over the long term," said Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT).
"Congress has demonstrated that regardless of which party is in charge, out-of-control spending is a hard habit for them to kick. It's become clear that a constitutional amendment is the only way to force Congress's hand toward fiscal responsibility," said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR). "Since the founding of the Blue Dog Coalition in 1995, we have been pushing Congress to send a balanced budget amendment to the states for consideration and we are pleased to finally see renewed bipartisan support for its passage. The American people are demanding bold action to get our fiscal house back in order and I urge members of both parties to listen to the American people and pass this amendment now."
"If we have learned anything in Washington in the past decade, it is that neither party can be trusted to do the right thing when it comes to fiscal responsibility," said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). "A balanced budget amendment will force Democrats and Republicans in Congress to exercise fiscal restraint and put our country on a long-term fiscally sustainable path. The Blue Dogs have long supported a balanced budget amendment as an important tool for fiscal responsibility, and I am glad to see that a bipartisan majority in the House is serious about getting spending under control and reigning in the national debt."
"The Blue Dog Coalition has long advocated for a Balanced Budget Amendment that takes a realistic approach to the balancing the budget," said Congressman John Barrow (D-GA). "We have endorsed H.J.Res.2, the amendment the Republicans will be bringing to the floor this week, because we believe it is a reasonable approach and will help us put our financial house back in order."
"Blue Dogs have long believed that a balanced budget amendment will improve fiscal responsibility in government. For this reason, the endorsement by the Blue Dog Coalition of H.J.Res. 2 should come as no surprise," said Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK). "For many years, government spending has been out of control. Each American's share of the national debt today exceeds $48,000. This is more than the average household income in my state of Oklahoma. This is simply unacceptable, and it is time to put partisanship aside and face the facts. If we want to make future investments in national security, education, and infrastructure, we must take serious and meaningful steps to get our fiscal house in order."
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.
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