CONGRESSMAN ROSS STATEMENT ON THE PRESIDENT’S BUDGET
February 14, 2011
Today, Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Co-Chair of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, issued the following statement after President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2012 budget proposal:
"Last week during our annual issues conference, the Blue Dogs met with leaders from across the political spectrum – including President Bill Clinton and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg – to discuss ways to bring Republicans and Democrats together to develop middle of the road, common sense solutions to our nation's biggest challenges.
"Paying down our debt and putting our economy back on a path to fiscal sustainability and job creation will require both Republicans and Democrats to come to the table. As we begin the budget process, I would encourage members on both sides of the aisle to take a hard look at the fiscal state of this country before backing into their respective corners.
"We not only have to keep our commitment to the American people to pay for our priorities by enforcing the PAYGO laws that are already on the books, but we also have to find new and innovative ways that we can work together to reduce spending and put our country back on a fiscally sustainable path. The Blue Dogs look forward to playing a constructive role in the budget debate as we work with members of both parties to bridge the partisan divide."
"Last week during our annual issues conference, the Blue Dogs met with leaders from across the political spectrum – including President Bill Clinton and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg – to discuss ways to bring Republicans and Democrats together to develop middle of the road, common sense solutions to our nation's biggest challenges.
"Paying down our debt and putting our economy back on a path to fiscal sustainability and job creation will require both Republicans and Democrats to come to the table. As we begin the budget process, I would encourage members on both sides of the aisle to take a hard look at the fiscal state of this country before backing into their respective corners.
"We not only have to keep our commitment to the American people to pay for our priorities by enforcing the PAYGO laws that are already on the books, but we also have to find new and innovative ways that we can work together to reduce spending and put our country back on a fiscally sustainable path. The Blue Dogs look forward to playing a constructive role in the budget debate as we work with members of both parties to bridge the partisan divide."
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 26 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.
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