Today, the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition called on House leadership to demand greater accountability and fiscal responsibility in Iraq by supporting the War Funding Accountability Act (H.R. 714), a measure introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and endorsed by the Coalition. Recently, the Blue Dogs sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for her support of the bill, which members argue is critical in the wake of President Bush’s request for an additional $46 billion in funding for the war in Iraq.

Tuesday, the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition called for House consideration of H.Res. 97, a measure which demands increased fiscal accountability in the funding of the war in Iraq, following a quarterly report issued by the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). Inspector General Stuart Bowen submitted testimony to the House Budget Committee Tuesday detailing the report, which describes the continued mismanagement of contracts and waste of taxpayer dollars in Iraq.

Today, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition officially unveiled the “Blue Dog Fiscal Accountability Package,” three pieces of legislation that would further restore fiscal discipline to the federal government after years of budgetary mismanagement and irresponsible deficit spending.

Tuesday, members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition held a press conference with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton on the upcoming Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization bill and the need for fiscal accountability in Iraq.