Tanner, Blue Dogs Release Blueprint For Fiscal Reform

Press Release

U.S. Rep. John Tanner joined fellow members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition in releasing a comprehensive plan to cut spending and balance the budget.

The "Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform" provides a concrete pathway to reduced deficits and includes a number of proposals that historically have earned bipartisan support.

"Aside from maintaining a strong national defense, balancing our federal budget is the most important thing we can do to secure this country for future generations," said Congressman Tanner, a founding member of the Blue Dog Coalition. "I am proud of the Blue Dogs' continued work to reverse the reckless fiscal policies that characterized the early part of this century."

Budget experts from across the political spectrum agree that Congress must put a plan in place now in order to balance the budget and lay the groundwork for sound fiscal policies in the future. The Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform puts forth concrete proposals that can be taken to achieve these goals.

"Wasteful government spending was the status quo in Washington throughout the previous administration," said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC), a Blue Dog leader. "We simply cannot continue to pile government debt on the backs of our children; it's now time to pay the piper. Passing Statutory PAYGO will be a big step towards stopping out-of-control government spending. American families must live within their means, and it's long past time for the federal government to do the same."

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