Blueprint for Fiscal ReformA plan to balance the budget, cut spending and secure America’s futureDemocratic Blue Dog CoalitionDBDC_9d6d5b4e-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aThe Democratic Blue Dog Coalition is a group of conservative Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives committed to financial and national security, favoring compromise and bipartisanship over ideology and party discipline.Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL)Blue Dog Co-Chair for AdministrationRep. Baron Hill (IN-09)Blue Dog Co-Chair for PolicyRep. Jim Matheson (UT-02)Blue Dog Co-Chair for CommunicationsRep. Heath Shuler (NC-11)Blue Dog WhipKristen HawnCommunications Director_9d6d5d9c-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aTo balance the budget, cut spending and secure America’s future_9d6d5edc-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aPAYGORestore Pay-As-You-Go budget rules._9d6d5fae-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a1The first step we can take to ensure that government doesnot spend beyond its means is to restore the proven, bipartisan pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules thateffectively brought about budget surpluses in the 1990’s._9d6d604e-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aFederal SpendingPut the lid on federal spending. _9d6d60e4-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a2In addition to balancing the federal checkbook, Congress shouldset limits on discretionary spending. Just like American families who make tough decisions everyday, Congress must learn to live within its means._9d6d6184-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aProgram CutsCut programs that don’t work._9d6d6224-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a3Congress must work with the Administration to identify and cutprograms that don’t work. A commonsense budget enforcement tool, “expedited rescission” waspassed by the House with bipartisan support in the 1990’s._9d6d62ce-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aDeficit ReductionReduce the deficit. _9d6d6382-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a4This tool forces Congress to live within its means by keeping our federal budgeton setting a path towards balance. Congress would be required to cut spending to meet thesetargets, effectively reducing the deficit over time._9d6d6436-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aBalanced BudgetBalance the budget. _9d6d64f4-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a5A critical component of the plan, a constitutional amendment would requirethat Congress balance the budget by 2020._9d6d65bc-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aFiscal HonestyBe honest about our long term fiscal obligations._9d6d6684-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a6Congress should be required to produce anhonest and open assessment of the government’s long-term financial obligations as part of thebudget resolution every year._9d6d674c-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aFiscal CommissionEstablish a bipartisan fiscal commission._9d6d681e-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a7A fiscal reform commission should be established to forceCongress’ hand in making the tough decisions necessary to put the country back on a fiscallysustainable path._9d6d68fa-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aTransparency and AccountabilityImprove transparency and accountability._9d6d69d6-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a8Congress has a responsibility to hold governmentagencies accountable for wasteful spending. This measure would reduce the estimated $98 billionthat is wasted annually when a federal agency pays too much or pays twice for a product or service._9d6d6abc-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aPerformance-Based BudgetingEstablish performance-based budgeting. _9d6d6bac-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a9Performance-based budgeting is a results orientedbudget tool that sets goals and performance targets for agencies, and measures their results, muchlike a small business. It is a commonsense policy that has been successfully implemented on thestate level for many years._9d6d6cce-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aWaste, Fraud and AbuseEliminate waste, fraud and abuse. _9d6d6dc8-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a10Research shows that for every $1.00 we put into “programintegrity accounts” that identify and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, weget $1.50 back. The authorization levels for these programs should be increased._9d6d6ecc-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aAccountingAccount for every dollar. _9d6d6fda-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a11Evaluating every dollar spent on our national defense is not only goodfiscal practice; it is a matter of national security. Like all other major federal agencies, theDepartment of Defense should be subject to annual audits._9d6d70de-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aTax LoopholesClose tax loopholes. _9d6d71f6-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a12It is critical that the federal government continue to identify and reportloopholes and inefficiencies within the current tax system. We can expand on these reports toreflect the total revenue lost and to identify inefficient tax subsidies._9d6d75d4-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aNonpartisanshipTake the politics out of the equation. _9d6d7750-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a13In order to promote efficiency and eliminate undue political pressures, this provision would transition the Joint Committee on Taxation to an independent, nonpartisan legislative branch agency._9d6d78ae-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aDuplication and InefficiencyEliminate duplication and inefficiency. _9d6d7a52-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a14Government programs that are duplicative or inefficient canbe a substantial drain on the federal budget. Establishing an independent, bipartisan commission torecommend reorganizational changes to the federal government would help to streamline theseprograms and save taxpayer dollars._9d6d7b9c-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2aProgram Review and TerminationReview and terminate unnecessary federal programs. _9d6d7ce6-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a15A “Sunset Commission” should beestablished to conduct regular reviews of federal programs and agencies, and makerecommendations as to those which should be terminated._9d6d7e26-94e9-11df-a267-59487a64ea2a2010-07-21http://www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/Press%20Releases/2010%20-%20Blue%20Dog%20Blueprint%20for%20Fiscal%20Reform.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net