|
|
| |
| Wed, Dec. 3, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Blue Dogs laud pay-as-you-go rules Saturday, Jan 6, 2007 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats took credit Friday for House passage of rules they say will rein in federal budget deficits. The House adopted pay-as-you-go rules that require any increased spending or tax cuts to be offset by either reductions in other programs or tax hikes. Pay-go was championed by members of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscal conservatives co-chaired by Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark. The rule, which applies only to the House, was approved 280-152. Blue Dogs said at a news conference Friday they were confident House leaders would propose making paygo federal law, much like in the 1990s when the rule was credited with helping end deficits. Budget deficits have returned under President Bush, and since a previous paygo law expired in 2002. Bush likely would veto paygo legislation if it passed the House and Senate. Critics of the rule say it opens the door for tax increases. Others say the pay-go rules may make it difficult for Congress to make changes that might involve big costs, like the Medicare prescription drug benefit program or shielding middle class families from the alternative minimum tax . Defense spending is exempt from paygo requirements. The 44-member Blue Dog Coalition is attempting to position itself as a major player in the Democrat-controlled Congress. Ross said the successful paygo vote this week proves the coalition's strength. The House rules package also requires public disclosure of earmarks, or money for pet projects. "This demonstrates that the new leadership is listening to us," Ross said. "Both of these measures are in the Blue Dogs' 12-point plan for budget reform. The fact that two of the 12 have been included in the first hours ... is very significant." |
