Blue Dog Democrats struggle to square Obama spending
Blue Dog Democrats struggle to square Obama spending limits
Congress’s Blue Dog Democrats released a set of principles they say will allow them to support both President Barack Obama’s proposed budget and the cause of limiting government spending. Their task may only get tougher with time.
The Blue Dog Coalition -- a group of Democrats who mostly come from Republican-leaning or swing districts -- called for pay-as-you-go budgeting, deficit reduction and restrictions on health-care spending.
“I want the president to succeed but at the same time I don’t want our country to continue down the same road it has been going for the last eight years,” said Representative Charles Melancon, 61, a Louisiana Democrat and Blue Dog spokesman. With 51 votes in the 435-member House of Representatives, the Blue Dogs are essential to Obama’s economic agenda.
They already provided the critical votes to pass the president’s $787 billion stimulus plan after Republicans rebuffed his efforts to forge a bipartisan majority. Their numbers may be even more vital to pass Obama’s budget.
Welcome to the Blue Dog Coalition website!
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 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 49 members of the Blue Dog Coalition. Click here to learn more...
1 comment:
In more normal times, I would agree with the Blue Dogs about the need for deficit reduction but we could be on the verge on another Great Depression. Public spending is essential to stimulate the economy. America needs another New Deal.
If we are going to worry about a deficit right now, let's get concerned about the massive trade deficit. Far too much of our wealth is going to China or OPEC and not coming back. We must revitalize our industrial capacity and attain energy independence. Our infrastructure is falling apart and must be rebuilt. And it is going to take a major public investment to accomplish such goals.
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