Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

Included in the House rules package are key principles of the Blue Dog Coalition’s 12-point plan to end the nation’s addiction to deficit spending.  Specifically, the package requires pay-as-you-go budget discipline, known as “PAYGO,” with no new deficit spending.  The rules package also requires full transparency by ending the abuse of special interest earmarks.

 “Today, we have taken the first step in moving our country in a more fiscally responsible direction,” said Cardoza. “It won’t be easy, and won’t happen overnight, but it is the responsibility of this Congress to reverse the tide of deficit spending we have seen over the past six years.”

“Today we have begun to bring back fiscal sanity to our government through proposals that inject a little common sense into the way Congress does business,” said Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “We heard the message the country sent Congress in November and that’s why passing PAYGO budget rules to stop any new deficit spending is a first step to getting our country back on track fiscally.”

“The American people want and deserve fiscal discipline from the federal government,” said Congressman Baron Hill (D-IN).  “I was happy to speak on behalf of the PAYGO amendment to the House rules package today.  Changing the rules is only the first step.  Blue Dogs are committed to changing the statute to make PAYGO law.”

PAYGO Under the new Pay-As-You-Go Rules (PAYGO), any new spending must be paid for by cuts in other programs or by new revenues. Restoring PAYGO will help end irresponsible deficit spending an put our nation back on track toward fiscal responsibility.

Earmark Reform Under previous rules, some Members of Congress were permitted to include earmarks with no transparency and accountability, to provide favors to special friends through earmarked special projects – putting special interests ahead of the public interest.  The new rules will outlaw secret deals between legislators and special interests -- there will be full disclosure of all earmarks, requiring Members to certify that earmarks provided would be for the public good -- not financially benefiting themselves or their spouses.

The Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 as a response the Republican tidal wave that swept Democrats out of power.  Blue Dogs represent the center of the House of Representatives and appeal 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.

 The Blue Dog 12-point plan for budget reform includes 12 common sense measures