Blueprint for Fiscal ReformA plan to balance the budget, cut spending and secure America’s futureDemocratic Blue Dog CoalitionDBDC_758d7e06-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aThe 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 _758ed058-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aTo balance the budget, cut spending and secure America’s future_758ed170-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aPAYGORestore Pay-As-You-Go budget rules._758ed2ba-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a1The first step we can take to ensure that government does not spend beyond its means is to restore the proven, bipartisan pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules that effectively brought about budget surpluses in the 1990’s._758ed378-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aFederal SpendingPut the lid on federal spending. _758ed404-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a2In addition to balancing the federal checkbook, Congress should set limits on discretionary spending. Just like American families who make tough decisions every day, Congress must learn to live within its means._758ed486-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aProgram CutsCut programs that don’t work._758ed512-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a3Congress must work with the Administration to identify and cut programs that don’t work. A commonsense budget enforcement tool, “expedited rescission” was passed by the House with bipartisan support in the 1990’s._758ed59e-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aDeficit ReductionReduce the deficit. _758ed620-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a4This tool forces Congress to live within its means by keeping our federal budget on setting a path towards balance. Congress would be required to cut spending to meet these targets, effectively reducing the deficit over time._758ed6ac-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aBalanced BudgetBalance the budget. _758ed742-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a5A critical component of the plan, a constitutional amendment would require that Congress balance the budget by 2020._758ed7ce-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aFiscal HonestyBe honest about our long term fiscal obligations._758ed864-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a6Congress should be required to produce an honest and open assessment of the government’s long-term financial obligations as part of the budget resolution every year._758ed8fa-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aFiscal CommissionEstablish a bipartisan fiscal commission._758ed990-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a7A fiscal reform commission should be established to force Congress’ hand in making the tough decisions necessary to put the country back on a fiscally sustainable path._758eda30-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aTransparency and AccountabilityImprove transparency and accountability._758edac6-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a8Congress has a responsibility to hold government agencies accountable for wasteful spending. This measure would reduce the estimated $98 billion that is wasted annually when a federal agency pays too much or pays twice for a product or service._758edb70-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aPerformance-Based BudgetingEstablish performance-based budgeting. _758edc10-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a9Performance-based budgeting is a results oriented budget tool that sets goals and performance targets for agencies, and measures their results, much like a small business. It is a commonsense policy that has been successfully implemented on the state level for many years._758edcb0-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aWaste, Fraud and AbuseEliminate waste, fraud and abuse. _758edd50-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a10Research shows that for every $1.00 we put into “program integrity accounts” that identify and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, we get $1.50 back. The authorization levels for these programs should be increased._758eddfa-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aAccountingAccount for every dollar. _758edf1c-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a11Evaluating every dollar spent on our national defense is not only good fiscal practice; it is a matter of national security. Like all other major federal agencies, the Department of Defense should be subject to annual audits._758edfd0-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aTax LoopholesClose tax loopholes. _758ee084-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a12It is critical that the federal government continue to identify and report loopholes and inefficiencies within the current tax system. We can expand on these reports to reflect the total revenue lost and to identify inefficient tax subsidies._758ee12e-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aNonpartisanshipTake the politics out of the equation. _758ee1ec-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a13In 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._758ee2aa-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aDuplication and InefficiencyEliminate duplication and inefficiency. _758ee368-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a14Government programs that are duplicative or inefficient can be a substantial drain on the federal budget. Establishing an independent, bipartisan commission to recommend reorganizational changes to the federal government would help to streamline these programs and save taxpayer dollars._758ee430-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2aProgram Review and TerminationReview and terminate unnecessary federal programs. _758ee4f8-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a15A “Sunset Commission” should be established to conduct regular reviews of federal programs and agencies, and make recommendations as to those which should be terminated._758ee5b6-94e9-11df-8541-aa3c7a64ea2a2010-07-21http://www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/Press%20Releases/2010%20-%20Blue%20Dog%20Blueprint%20for%20Fiscal%20Reform.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net