Shuler: I am committed, along with my Blue Dog colleagues, to restoring fiscal restraint to the federal government.

Rep. Heath Shuler, together with his colleagues in the Blue Dog Coalition, today introduced legislation aimed at strengthening and increasing the transparency of the budget process. The Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 43 fiscally conservative Democrats, collectively crafted the resolution in an effort to begin the process of restoring fiscal accountability in the federal government.

"For the last six years President Bush and the Republicans in Congress recklessly increased spending, while driving our nation deeper into debt than ever before," said Rep. Shuler. "I am committed, along with my Blue Dog colleagues, to restoring fiscal restraint to the federal government. It is time we end this foolish borrow and spend policy once and for all."

In order to provide for a more open and honest government, the Blue Dog "Strengthening the Budget Process Resolution" ensures that members of Congress have a sufficient amount of time to properly examine legislation to determine its actual cost implications. The resolution also provides that lawmakers have at least three days to review the final text of any bill before casting their votes.

In order to further ensure transparency in the process, the Blue Dog budget process reform resolution also requires that a full Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate accompany any bill or conference report that comes to the House floor. This measure is being introduced as part of the larger "Blue Dog Fiscal Accountability Package," which is designed to build on the progress already made with PAYGO in order to further meet the long-term fiscal challenges facing the country.

"After six years of reckless fiscal practices and irresponsible deficit spending, the Blue Dogs are firmly committed to restoring the fiscal integrity of our nation," said Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "In order to do that, we must reinstitute statutory pay-as-you-go rules and commit to balancing our budget, just as most American families do. This Blue Dog endorsed legislation is a much needed next step to ensure that the Congress does just that."