News & Updates from the Blue Dogs

Blue Dog Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON— Blue Dog Coalition Communications Co-Chair Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., issued the following statement regarding President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address:

Blue Dogs Condemn Putin’s Actions in Ukraine; Urge Both Parties to Stand Firm Against Russia’s Aggression

WASHINGTON—Today, Blue Dog Coalition leadership condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine and urged both parties to stand firm against Russian aggression:

Blue Dog Leadership Says Continuing Resolutions Hurt National Security; Calls on Congress to Pass Omnibus Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition's leadership issued statements criticizing the use of continuing resolutions arguing they hurt our national security and fiscal stability and urged Congress to pass an omnibus appropriations bill that is now almost than four months behind.

House Passes Blue Dog-Endorsed Ocean Shipping Reform Act

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which is bipartisan legislation to bolster the Federal Maritime Commission, strengthen the overseas supply chain, and ensure fairness in the global ocean shipping industry. The Blue Dog Coalition endorsed the legislation last month.Rep. Kurt Schrader, a Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, issued the following statement upon the bill's passage:

Blue Dogs Commend Passage of National Defense Authorization Act; Urge Swift Senate Passage

WASHINGTON—Today, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — bipartisan legislation that includes Blue Dog endorsed measures to counter China.

Blue Dogs Endorse Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives comprised of fiscally-responsible Democrats, announced its endorsement of H.Con. Res. 44, the Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution. House leadership intends to consider this bill on the House floor this week as part of a recent negotiation tied to a previous vote increasing the debt ceiling.

Blue Dog Leadership Statement on Delayed Vote on Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Communications and Outreach, issued the following statement on the delayed vote on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package:

Blue Dog Leadership Supports Vote on Fiscal State of the Nation

WASHINGTON—Today, Blue Dog leadership expressed its support for a vote on a bipartisan resolution that would require an annual fiscal state of the nation be presented to Congress. The resolution, H.Con.Res. 44, authored by Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., would require the Comptroller General to present a "Financial Report of the United States Government" to an annual joint hearing of the House and Senate Budget Committees, open to all Members of Congress.

House Passes Blue Dog Priorities, Endorsed Legislation to Strengthen National Defense

WASHINGTON— Today, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included several Blue Dog Coalition priorities to strengthen our nation's defense apparatus as outlined in a June letter from Coalition leadership. Specifically, the letter listed the following priorities to ensure a strong national defense for the United States: 1) Increase defense funding; 2) Fund measures to counter China; 3) Support watchdogs to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse; and 4) Boost cyberspace-related capabilities.

Blue Dogs Back Slate of NDAA Amendments to Support U.S. Servicemembers, Counter the China’s Global Influence, Hold Foreign Adversaries Accountable, Enhance Oversight

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition, which focuses on issues related to fiscal responsibility and national security, announced it has endorsed a slate of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These amendments include measures that would accomplish the following: 1) Strengthen support for U.S.

Blue Dog Coalition Endorses Senate-Passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Calls for Vote as Quickly as Possible

WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced it has endorsed the bipartisanInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the Senate passed on August 10, 2021.

Blue Dog Leadership Urges House Leadership to Bring Up Senate-Passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for a Vote as Quickly as Possible, Opposes Unnecessary Delays

WASHINGTON—Today, the Co-Chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition—Reps. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Ed Case (HI-01), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Kurt Schrader (OR-05)—issued the following statement on the Senate passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a landmark piece of legislation that will deliver the largest long-term investment in our nation's infrastructure in nearly a century, and it will ensure our nation can remain at the cutting edge of international competition. From ensuring every American can connect to high-speed internet to fixing our crumbling roads and bridges, this bipartisan bill will deliver much needed results from rural to urban America. Now that the Senate has done its job, we reiterate our call for House leadership to follow suit and bring the bipartisan infrastructure legislation to the House floor for a vote as a standalone bill as quickly as possible. The Co-Chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition remain opposed to any effort to unnecessarily delay consideration of these critical infrastructure investments, which will create good-paying jobs, keep American businesses competitive, and grow our nation's economy. The House should move now to deliver this legislation to President Biden's desk for his signature and give the American people the results they need and deserve."

Blue Dogs Back Bipartisan Legislation to Help Americans Return to Work

WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, announced it has endorsed theStrengthening Unemployment Programs to Provide Opportunities for Recovery and Training (SUPPORT) for New Workers Act, which helps unemployed Americans return to work by ensuring that they do not lose income when they take a new job, while also continuing to provide critical assistance to millions of people who cannot find work.

Blue Dog Leadership Hails Senate Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal as Important Achievement for the American Economy, Calls for Immediate House Vote

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Communications, issued the following statement on the bipartisan infrastructure deal achieved in the United States Senate:"After months of negotiations, the Senate's bipartisan infrastructure deal is an important achievement for President Biden's agenda, and it demonstrates that lawmakers from both parties can come together to work in the best interests of the nation as we rebuild from the pandemic.

Blue Dogs Back Legislation to Support U.S. Efforts to Counter China’s Global Influence

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition, which focuses on issues related to national security, announced its endorsement of two pieces of legislation aimed at supporting the efforts of the United States to counter the Chinese government's influence around the world.The Blue Dogs endorsed theBoosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act, also known as theBLUE Pacific Act, which would establish a comprehensive, long-term U.S.

Blue Dogs Call on Congress to Investigate Origins of COVID-19 in China, Assess United States’ Domestic Pandemic Response

WASHINGTON—Today, members of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition senta letterto House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling for the establishment of a bipartisan Commission to assess the United States' preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the origins of the COVI

Blue Dogs Back Bill to Establish Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition, which focuses on issues related to national security, announced its endorsement of H. Res. 503,Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Whip, issued the following statement on the endorsement:"I worked as a national security specialist at the Department of Defense after 9/11. Our country investigated this foreign terrorist attack and learned from it.

Blue Dog Leadership Calls for Increased Defense Funding, Other Priorities to Strengthen Nation’s Defense

WASHINGTON—Today, Blue Dog Coalition leadership senta letterto House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers, House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum, and House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Calvert, outlining the Coalition's main priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 National D

Blue Dogs Announce Additional Co-Chair, Leadership Role Changes for the 117th Congress

WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced the addition of Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) to the Coalition's leadership and other leadership changes for the 117thCongress. These changes adhere to the Coalition's bylaws, which prohibit Members from serving in the same Coalition co-chair position for more than one Congress.

Blue Dogs Call for Measures in Pending Infrastructure Bill to Ensure Rural Broadband Funds Go Where They Are Most Needed

WASHINGTON—Today, members of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition senta letterto House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, calling for the funds to expand broadband in the pending infrastructure legislation to be flexible. This would ensure that broadband funds are delivered to areas of the country where they are most needed.