Leading members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition released the following statements today after attending the fiscal responsibility summit hosted by President Obama at the White House:

Today, Blue Dog leaders released the following statement in response to reports that President Obama will propose a return to the statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) requirements of the 1990’s, a longstanding priority of the Blue Dogs and a move that would strengthen the PAYGO rule considerably, rendering it a more effective tool for deficit reduction.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition met with President Obama at the White House to discuss the need for long-term fiscal reform, including ways to balance the budget and bring much-needed accountability to the federal government. Blue Dogs have been longstanding advocates of responsible fiscal policy and have committed to working with the President and leaders in Congress to take meaningful steps to put the country back on a path to fiscal and economic sustainability.

Today the House passed H.Res. 40, a measure introduced by Tennessee Representative John Tanner and hailed by the Blue Dog Coalition as a way to bring an unprecedented level of responsibility and accountability to the federal government. H.Res. 40 adds a systematic mechanism so the House rules reflect the Democratic Congress’ commitment to weeding out waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in federal spending, a longstanding priority of the Blue Dogs. Specifically, H.Res. 40 requires that each House committee conduct:

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced their official support for a recoupment plan to protect taxpayers as negotiations are finalized on a broader package to address the current financial crisis. Throughout negotiations, Blue Dog members have consistently worked with parties on all sides to ensure that the final rescue package includes a standard of fiscal discipline that would protect Main Street and prevent the country from falling deeper into debt.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition applauded Chairman John Spratt for bringing H.Res. 484, Blue Dog-endorsed legislation aimed at strengthening and increasing the transparency of the budget process, before a House Budget Committee hearing to examine budget reform proposals for the 111th Congress. The Blue Dogs have long pushed H.Res. 484 as a responsible and necessary approach to reforming the budget process so that the Congress maintains a high standard of fiscal discipline.

Today, Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications, released the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office’s outlook on the budget and economy.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition responded to a report released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), entitled “Long-Term Effects of Indexing the Alternative Minimum Tax and Extending the Tax Reductions of 2001 and 2003.” The report, requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, provides analysis of the long-term economic effects of forgoing pay-as-you-go budget rules and continuing to pass temporary relief of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) without providing offsets.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition criticized the President’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget as a clear extension of the Administration’s reckless fiscal policies over the past seven years. Blue Dog members reinforced the importance of reversing the country’s precarious fiscal course and maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal discipline, including pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition commended the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, for his recent statement in support of ending the irresponsible practice of funding U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through emergency supplementals, rather than through the normal appropriations process.