Congressional Blue Dogs Launch Surprise Revolt

From The Hill ~ Nearly 30 conservative Blue Dog Democrats voted with Republicans Monday night to defeat an effort by Democratic leaders to pass a resolution that would have allowed Congress to adjourn for the year at the end of this week.

Congressman Dan Boren of the 2nd District is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.

By preventing the House from adjourning, Blue Dogs have in effect taken hostage, at least temporarily, their colleagues’ hopes to be home for Christmas to possibly use as a bargaining chip in tax relief talks.

The surprise revolt sent jitters among Capitol staff who envisioned the less-than-merry prospect of staying in session past this week.

The conservative Democrats blocked their leadership’s attempt to prepare for adjournment after hearing rumors that the House would vote on the Senate’s version of an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) relief bill later this week. Unlike two House-passed versions, the Senate-passed legislation would not offset the cost of tax relief with other tax increases, thus violating budget rules House Democrats adopted at the start of the year.

Earlier this month, 31 House Blue Dogs signed a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) insisting that AMT legislation comply with budget rules known as “pay as you go” or “PAYGO,” which require the cost of legislation be paid for. House and Senate Democratic leaders support paying for the AMT bill, but Senate Republicans refused to a relief measure with offsets.

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