The Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative House Democrats, announced today it was formally endorsing their party's budget proposal.

In past years the Blue Dogs often had rejected the Democratic budget proposal, opting to draft their own more conservative version.

But Blue Dogs say this year they're pleased with the almost $3 trillion budget for fiscal year 2008 crafted by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. John Spratt, South Carolina Democrat, particularly because they say it includes no new taxes.

"When you offer an alternative it's because you don't like what's put forth before you," said Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas and coalition co-chairman. "If there was a single penny of new taxes in the Democrats budget, the Blue Dogs wouldn't have supported it."

The coalition says Mr. Spratt's budget proposal includes several other vital accomplishments, including: balancing the budget by 2012; providing adequate funding for the military and defense matters; and providing more money for children's health care programs, law enforcement and community block grants than President Bush's budget proposal.

"This budget demonstrates that the Democratic Party is the party of fiscal responsibility," said Blue Dog Rep. Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota.

The House today began debate on the budget. A vote is expected tomorrow.

-- Sean Lengell, Capitol Hill correspondent, The Washington Times