Democrats and spending

In 1992, then-candidate Bill Clinton campaigned on promises to increase federal domestic spending, provide middle-class tax cuts and still reduce the deficit by 50 percent in his first term. He arrived in Washington only to discover that — even with a “peace dividend” made possible by the end of the Cold War — he could not keep his domestic spending promises and also reduce the deficit unless he reneged on his promise to cut taxes. The budget realities he faced once in office (huge and growing deficits) required a different approach than the rhetoric of his campaign.

Like Mr. Clinton in 1992, congressional Democrats today face a similar dilemma. In short, Democrats must feel like the dog that finally caught the tire. After sweeping to victory in nearly every closely fought congressional race, they now have a majority in both congressional chambers. From the war Iraq, to ethics, to deficits, the Democrats spent the election season criticizing Republican mismanagement of the people’s business — while seldom offering a coherent alternative of their own. Now they are in charge of Congress and must deliver. What will they do? What can Democrats agree upon?

Thankfully, Democrats will be led by two experienced and respected Budget Committee chairmen, Rep. John Spratt of South Carolina and Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, both of whom are serious about reducing deficits. Mr. Spratt has recently gone on record calling for a balanced budget within five years. To reach that goal, they might start by looking to the Blue Dog caucus — 44 moderate and fiscally conservative members (nine of whom were newly elected this fall). In the immediate aftermath of the elections, a key Blue Dog had this to say:

“We’re not going to be a rubber stamp for anyone. We’re going to help bring our party back to the middle. We have a lot to say about what passes or doesn’t pass when it reaches the floor.”

And, the Blue Dogs do have a lot to say about how to handle the federal budget and reduce the deficit. Their prescription for fixing the budget morass created in recent years by Republicans is worth a serious look. Blue Dogs have proposed the following:

A constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget;

Restoration of “pay-as-you-go” budget guidelines through 2010;

Implementation of new rules requiring roll-call votes for spending bills with more than $50 million in new spending;

Establishment of strict rules on emergency spending, as well as establishing a “rainy day” fund;

Subjecting any increase in the debt limit to a roll-call vote;

Implementing new rules requiring all congressional earmarks to include publicly accessible justifications;

Creating new guidelines requiring a three-day minimum for members to review legislation before a scheduled vote;

Enacting new guidelines requiring House committees to detail their oversight efforts in biannual reports.

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