Matheson group targets spending

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is leading a small band of conservative House Democrats into a battle seeking to kill congressional budget gimmicks and loopholes they say are ballooning the $7 trillion national debt.

"Unless the rules enforcing budget discipline are reinstated, Congress and the president will continue to enact more legislation that puts the budget in an even deeper hole," Matheson said Tuesday at a Capitol press conference.

He is co-chairman of the budget task force for a group of 38 conservative Democrats — who promote fiscal restraint — called the Blue Dogs. "We've talked about this for so many years we're blue in the face," said fellow Blue Dog Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind.

Matheson unveiled Monday their alternative to GOP budget enforcement plans floating in the House.

The Blue Dogs called for capping discretionary spending for the next three years to levels President Bush proposed in his budget. And they call for requiring Congress to either raise taxes or cut other programs to pay for any new programs it creates — and to cut spending to compensate for any tax cuts.

They also propose tightening definitions of "emergencies" that are exempt from budget caps — and holding separate votes to approve any actions that would exceed spending caps.

"The first rule when you find yourself in a hole is: quit digging," said Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas.

Matheson added, "Strong budget enforcement will serve as a fiscal guardrail to restrain Congress and the president from enacting legislation that further increases the debt."

Matheson said no business or family would dare budget the way Congress does, saying it passes a spending plan — but then ignores it to avoid any painful cuts.

"You have to set your priorities and make tough choices. And the reason we don't seem to do that here in Congress is we really don't have to live within limits in a budget — and to me that's really the cornerstone of these budget enforcement rules we're proposing," Matheson said.

Blue Dog Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., planned to introduce the Blue Dogs' plans as amendments to the budget resolution Wednesday in debates before the House Budget Committee — and said he hopes it will attract moderates in both parties.