Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

“It can be easy to walk through the marble halls of Congress and forget that we have huge budget deficits and a staggering national debt,” said Cardoza, co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative House Democrats with reputations as fiscal hawks.  “Now, members of Congress and visitors to Capitol Hill will have no choice but to face these daunting statistics on daily basis.  In order to cure our nation’s addiction to deficit spending, we have to realize there’s a problem.”

Several other members of the Blue Dog Coalition joined Cardoza 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 get America’s fiscal house in order.

1)       Require a balanced Budget

2)       Don’t let Congress buy on credit – Restore PAYGO

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)       Justify spending for pet 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

“What comes as common sense to American families and business owners doesn’t come that easily to members of Congress and the Administration,” Cardoza said.  “We need to inject a little common sense into the way our federal government does business.  The importance of the Reform Plan is only underscored by the ever rising numbers that are now posted in front of our offices.”