From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

March 16, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blue Dogs To Speaker: Too Much Red Ink For House to Recess

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson joined his fellow Blue Dogs in asking Speaker Dennis Hastert to forgo adjourning the House and sending members home for March recess until Congress averts an imminent financial crisis and addresses the nation's debt limit.  Twenty-nine Blue Dogs signed a letter to the Speaker, indicating Blue Dogs' support for a responsible plan to extend our nation's credit without further damaging national fiscal security.

On Thursday morning, the Senate voted to raise the country's debt limit to $9 trillion-an increase of $781 billion.

"It is a moral outrage that this government continues to explode its debt without regard for what it means for Americans.  With this action, the government allows more of our currency to be held for foreign governments and it continues the out-of-control spending spree.  We cannot sustain this irresponsible fiscal policy.  I have been saying for years that we need to put in place measures to put us on a path to balanced budgets," said Matheson.

The letter states:  "Congress has abdicated its responsibility to hold hearings and allow a full debate on this important matter, and has instead resorted to parliamentary gimmicks to avoid a direct vote on the largest increases in the statutory debt limit in history."

Matheson said Blue Dogs recognize the necessity for approving an increase in the debt limit, but they object to continually providing a "blank check" for increased borrowing authority absent a commitment to protect taxpayers from further reckless spending and growing interest payments.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)