Press Release

April 20, 2005

Bishop Calls Attention to National Debt by Placing Debt Clock in Front of D.C. Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford Bishop today placed a debt clock in front of his Washington office in an effort to call attention to the nation’s mounting national debt.  The clock, which will be updated daily, currently reads $7.6 trillion, or $27,000 per person.

“It is our hope that by providing a daily, visual reminder of our nation’s staggering national debt, we will inspire Congress to work for a solution,” said Congressman Bishop, member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative House Democrats with reputations as fiscal hawks.  “In order to cure our nation’s addiction to deficit spending, we must first admit that we have a problem.”

Several other members of the Blue Dog Coalition joined Congressman Bishop in displaying a debt clock in front of their offices.  By next week, more than two dozen Coalition members are expected to participate. Earlier this year, the Blue Dogs released a 12-Step Reform Plan to get America’s fiscal house in order.

1) Require a balanced Budget
2) Don’t let Congress buy on credit - Pay as you go
3) Put a lid on spending
4) Require federal agencies to put their fiscal houses in order
5) Make Congress tell taxpayers how much they’re spending
6) Set aside a rainy-day fund
7) Don’t hide votes to raise the debt limit
8) Written justification for earmarked projects
9) Ensure that Congress reads the bills it’s voting on
10) Require honest cost estimates for every bill that Congress votes on
11) Make sure new bills fit the budget
12) Make Congress do a better job keeping tabs on government programs

“With record deficits on the rise, it is clear that the only way to get our fiscal house in order is to change the way Congress budgets taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Bishop.“We must take a cure from the Common Sense approach that American families and business take to their own budgets.  The importance of the Reform Plan is underscored by the ever rising numbers that are now posted in front of our offices. This is a call for action”

Attached is a picture of Congressman Sanford Bishop explaining the importance of the National Debt Clock now being displayed outside of his Washington, D.C. Office.

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