WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Co-Chairs of the fiscally conservative, Democratic Blue Dog Coalition commended House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt for including key Blue Dog budget priorities in the Democratic Budget Resolution.

The Blue Dog Co-Chairs applauded Chairman Spratt for including the following Blue Dog-advocated budget priorities:

• Adherence to pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget discipline, a principle long advocated by the Blue Dogs as a solution for putting an end to deficit spending and reducing the nearly $9 trillion national debt;
• A commitment to the extension of statutory PAYGO requirements, a tool that was instrumental in the return of budget surpluses during the 1990s;
• A commitment to provide adequate funding for our government’s number one priority: the defense of our country and our citizens. This budget provides for a strong national defense, matching the funding request in the President’s budget and providing increases in homeland security funding levels;
• Holding the line on mandatory spending levels, putting our country back on the path to fiscal responsibility; and,
• Putting an end to irresponsible deficit spending, providing for a budget surplus by 2012 and greater deficit reduction than the President’s budget over 5 years.

“I applaud Chairman Spratt for his commitment to two principles we as Blue Dogs believe are essential if a government is to be accountable to its people – a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility,” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. “Since PAYGO requirements expired in 2002, out of control deficit spending has resulted in trillions of dollars in new national debt. By returning to PAYGO budget discipline, this Budget Resolution takes the first step toward balancing the budget and returning our government to a fiscally responsible course.”

“With the inclusion of key Blue Dog priorities in the budget resolution, it is clear that the Blue Dogs are enhancing the Democratic agenda and making headway to restore fiscal honesty and responsibility to our budget,” said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. "As we work to reverse the tide of deficit spending that we have seen over the past six years, the Blue Dogs will continue to play a strong and central role in restoring our fiscal house and plotting a path for a brighter fiscal outlook in the future.”

“As a member of the Budget Committee and Policy Co-Chair for the Blue Dogs, I am proud that Congress is finally returning to the principle of fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS). “Americans are not afforded the luxury of living beyond their means and our government should stop doing so at the expense of future generations. Strong PAYGO rules that the Blue Dogs fought for years to restore will help us achieve the first balanced budget proposed by Congress in six years.”

Blue Dog Whip Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) said, “Budgets are statements of our nation’s values and priorities. Unfortunately, for far too long, leaders in the House have had the wrong priorities and have been unwilling to make the tough choices necessary to balance the federal budget. By adopting strong PAYGO rules and making a commitment to fiscal responsibility, this budget takes key initial steps toward restoring our nation’s financial health.”

The conservative 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 43 members of the Blue Dog Coalition. For more information, visit the Blue Dog Coalition website.