Salazar Recognized by Blue Dog Coalition for Commitment to Restoring Fiscal Responsibility to Government

Colorado Rancher Draws on Rural Values in Guiding Congress on a Path to Fiscal Restraint

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition recognized Colorado Congressman John Salazar for his commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility to government by naming him “Blue Dog of the Week.”   Since entering Congress in 2005, Rep. Salazar has drawn on his experience as a potato seed farmer and cattle rancher to bring accountability to the fiscal process and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

“As a rancher and a family man, Rep. John Salazar knows the importance of keeping a balanced budget,” said Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications.  “Now, he brings these rural values to the table as a member of Congress.  Together with his Blue Dog colleagues, Rep. Salazar will continue to be a leader in the movement to restore fiscal responsibility to government.”

Salazar said, “Americans deserve to know where their tax dollars are going. It’s our duty in Congress to hold ourselves accountable to the people we represent and run the government the way a responsible family runs their household—don’t buy what you can’t pay for.”

Due to the efforts of Salazar and his Blue Dog colleagues, the House rules package for the 110th Congress was passed in the first 24 hours of the new session and includes key principles of the Coalition’s 12-point plan to end the nation’s addiction to deficit spending.  Specifically, the package requires pay-as-you-go budget discipline, known as “PAYGO,” with no new deficit spending.  This rule, which was in place when the nation had its first balanced budget in nearly 30 years from 1998 to 2001, has recently been extended to the Senate with the passage of the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution.

The conservative 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 43 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Salazar is currently featured on the Blue Dog Coalition website, located at http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/