News & Updates from the Blue Dogs

WASHINGTON—Today, the House of Representatives passed two Blue Dog Coalition-endorsed bills as part of theNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), the Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy, issued the following statement on the election of Rep. David Scott (GA-13), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, to be Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee:"We congratulate Rep. David Scott on his election to be Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Jim Costa on a well-run race. The Blue Dog Coalition was proud to have two of its finest members as candidates in this race."A longtime member of the Blue Dog Coalition, Rep.

WASHINGTON—This week, Rep. Kendra Horn (OK-05), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, moderated a Rural Opportunity Roundtable discussion oneducation and workforce development.A champion for public education, Rep.

WASHINGTON—Today, members of the Blue Dog Coalition senta letterto Speaker Pelosi urging her to continue negotiations with the White House over the weekend on a fifth COVID-19 relief package until an agreement is reached.The letter was signed by the following members of Blue Dog Coalition leadership: Reps.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced its endorsement bipartisan, bicameral legislation to provide robust support to state and local governments on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. TheState and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Actwill provide $500 billion in emergency funding to every state, county and community in the country, while prioritizing assistance to the areas with the greatest need.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition endorsed the"March to Common Ground" framework, which was developed by members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC) in order to help break the gridlock on a fifth COVID-19 relief package and encourage House leadership, Senate leadership, and the White House to go back to the negotiating table.The framework includes

WASHINGTON—Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, moderated aRural Opportunity Roundtable discussionon small business and entrepreneurship.

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), Co-Chair for Whip of the Blue Dog Coalition, moderated a discussion on mental health care and addiction treatment as part of the Coalition's Rural Opportunity Roundtable series.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition hosted itsthird discussionas part of the virtual Rural Opportunity Roundtable series. Specifically, today's discussion focused on expanding access to quality, affordable health care in rural America.Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02), Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Task Force on Rural Opportunity, Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16), participated in today's discussion.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition hostedits second discussionas part of the virtual Rural Opportunity Roundtable series. Specifically, today's discussion focused on expanding access to high-speed broadband internet in rural America. It was moderated by Rep.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition launched its first-ever virtual Rural Opportunity Roundtable series starting witha discussionwith local and tribal leaders about the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on rural and tribal communities.The Blue Dogs are developing a forward-looking plan to strengthen rural America by building a strong economic foundation and creating good-paying jobs.

WASHINGTON—Today, members of the Blue Dog Coalition senta letterto House and Senate leadership urging them to restart bipartisan negotiations on a fifth COVID-19 relief package to address the current public health and economic crisis. Additionally, the Blue Dogs urge leadership to include a set of priorities that have earned bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced its endorsement of a set of bipartisan legislation that aims to keep American workers on payroll and to protect their jobs. Specifically, the Blue Dogs backedH.R. 7481, Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in Twenty-twenty(RESTART) Act, andH.R. 6776,Jumpstarting Our Businesses' Success Credit (JOBS Credit) Act of 2020.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Policy, Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), issued the following statement in response to recent changes to long-standing practices at United States Postal Service (USPS):

The headlines speak for themselves. Washington Post noted it's a different kind of Blue Dog Coalition today. Christian Science Monitor declared these aren't your father's Blue Dogs.

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Whip and Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Task Force on Economic Growth, issued the following statement on the current state of pandemic response negotiations:

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition, which focuses on issues related to fiscal responsibility and national security, announced its endorsement of two bills,H.R 7553,Deadly Escalation by Foreign Entities Notification and Disclosure (DEFEND) Act,andH.R. 7561,Stopping Malign Actions from Russian Terrorism (SMART) Act.

WASHINGTON—Today, the House passed the bipartisan, bicameralSeeding Rural Resilience Act, which was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).Endorsedby the Blue Dog Coalition, theSeeding Rural Resilience Acthelps to address the growing rate of suicide in rural communities across the country.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Communications, Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), issued the following statement in response to the passing of civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis:

WASHINGTON—Today, members of the Blue Dog Coalition senta letterto House and Senate leadership urging them to include measures to further protect taxpayer dollars in the next round of pandemic response funding.