News & Updates from the Blue Dogs

Congressman Jared Golden of Lewiston today announced his campaign for re-election to Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. “While I have considered many options for how best to continue serving the people of Maine, I have decided to run for re-election because the surest way to restore balance in Washington is for Democrats to win back the House of Representatives,” Golden said. “While the election is still 18 months away and I remain focused on my responsibilities to my constituents and my family, I also know the path to the majority runs through Maine. And I am going to do what it takes to make sure no one like Paul LePage blusters his way into Congress.”

What kind of politics would it take to restore the material and moral foundations of democratic life? Gluesenkamp Perez doesn’t offer a direct answer to that question. But the way she talks about work, ownership, obligation, and time gestures toward a different starting point—one rooted in her community’s particular needs, rather than any comprehensive ideology.

Last week, as part of National Police Week, House Blue Dogs joined leaders from across the country to recognize and honor law enforcement officers by participating in memorial events throughout the week and hosting a special reception for officers and their families.

This week, Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13), Blue Dog Coalition Whip, led a majority of the Blue Dog Coalition in authoring an op-ed in The Hill advocating for fiscal responsibility in the reconciliation process.

In an interview with political commentator and journalist Ezra Klein, Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chair Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez lays out a bold case for the forgotten middle and the need to return to localism. Representing rural Southwest Washington, Marie talks candidly about how Democrats can rebuild trust with working-class and rural voters—by listening harder, focusing on real-world results, and fighting for pragmatic, common-sense solutions.

Today, House Blue Dogs announced the hiring of Katie Phillips as executive director. Phillips previously worked as Senior Director at Federal Hall Policy Advisors, a bipartisan public policy firm.

“Our nation is on an unsustainable fiscal trajectory. Interest payments on the national debt are now our nation’s second-largest expenditure, exceeding spending on Medicare or defense this year and will reach $1 trillion next year. That, in turn, squeezes out critical investments and makes it harder for working Americans to build and exercise economic power.

Today,Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Blue Dog Coalition Admin Co-Chair, led a majority of theBlue Dog Coalitionin a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson calling on him to bringS.331, theHalt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act,to the House floor for a vote.

Today, theBlue Dog Coalitionmarked its 30th year of fighting for pragmatic policy and commonsense action. To celebrate this milestone, Coalition leadership penned an op-ed to reflect on the history of the Coalition, the present moment, and what the future holds.Their op-ed can be foundhere.

Today, Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), Blue Dog Coalition Policy Co-Chair, led a majority of the Blue Dog Coalition in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith calling on them to work on bipartisan, fiscally responsible policies that support Main Street as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) expiration approaches, advocating against a blanket extension and pushing for robust, bipartisan, and common-sense negotiations ahead of the budget reconciliation process.

Today, theBlue Dog Coalitionannounced its new leadership for the 119th Congress. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) will serve as Co-Chair for Administration, Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) will serve as Co-Chair for Policy and Legislative Strategy, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) will serve as Co-Chair for Communications and Outreach, and Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13) will serve as Coalition Whip.

The Blue Dog Coalition released the following statement endorsing the bipartisan solution proposed in today's letter from the Democratic Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus Executive Council to the Speaker Pro Tempore:"A bipartisan majority of lawmakers needs to step up, work together, and address urgent issues facing our country.We need to eliminate the threat of a government shutdown next month, continue working on the FY2024 appropriations bills, and ensure the people of Israel and Ukraine have what they need to defend themselves against Hamas and Russia.

In response to the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, the members of the Blue Dog Coalition released the following statement in support of freezing Iranian assets:"Saturday was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The brutality of the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are difficult to comprehend: children ripped from the arms of their parents and taken as hostages, entire families gunned down in their own homes, police officers and firefighters executed for being public safety officers.

Blue Dog Co-Chairs Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02) issued the following statement on the loss of Buzzy Peltola, husband of fellow Blue Dog Co-Chair Rep. Mary Peltola (AK-AL):"We are completely heartbroken by the loss of Buzzy Peltola, the loving husband of our friend and colleague Mary.

Washington – TodayRep. Wiley Nickel(NC-13) – joined by Blue Dog Coalition Co-ChairsRep. Jared Golden(ME-02),Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez(WA-03), andRep.

Washington – Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chairs and Members offered their heartfelt congratulations to newly sworn-in US Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.Torres Small served as a Blue Dog Member in the House from 2019 - 2021, and quickly became a linchpin in the group, co-chairing the Blue Dog Task Force on Rural Opportunity.

Washington –Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced its formal endorsement of a bipartisan letter urging reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The letter also puts a spotlight on PEPFAR's maternal care programs.

Washington – Today the Blue Dog Coalition announced Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13) as its newest member. Rep. Nickel is the third freshman Democrat to join the Blue Dog Coalition in recent months, growing the group's membership to 10.

Washington – Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced its new leadership for the 118th Congress. Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) will serve as Co-Chair for Administration, Congresswoman Mary Sattler Peltola (AK-AL) will serve as Co-Chair for Policy and Legislative Strategy, and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03),will serve as Co-Chair for Communications and Outreach.

WASHINGTON—The Co-Chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition—Reps. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Ed Case (HI-01), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), and Kurt Schrader (OR-05)—issued the following statement on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement that she would not seek an elected leadership position in the 118th Congress: