Backbencher of the Week

Blue Dog Democrats are Democrats who claim to be fiscally conservative.   In practice they often obstruct or water down more progressive legislation, and they often voted with the Bush Administration on issues regarding war funding and civil liberties.  In the past week week some members of the Blue Dog coalition tried to slow down progress over the health care reform legislation and objected to the public plan.  There are 52 members of the Blue Dog Coalition and together they are enough to derail the public plan. 

However, not all of the blue dogs are supporting their coalitions stances.  Rep. Loretta Sanchez(D-CA-47) came out Friday in support of a strong public plan.  Rep. Sanchez, unlike some of her other blue dogs, understands that the public plan is way to save money.  In fact, an early Congressional Budget Office report says that the public option will save $150 billion dollars over 10 years.

For understanding that the public option is the fiscally responsible option we are proud to name Rep. Loretta Sanchez as this week's Backbencher of the Week.