News & Updates from the Blue Dogs

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition's Task Force on National Security, issued the following statement on House passage of the bipartisanNational Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act:"On January 6, a domestic terrorist attack was conducted against the United States of America with the political motivation of preventing the certification of the results of a free and fair election—the cornerstone of American democracy.

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Communications, issued the following statement on President Biden's meeting with House and Senate leadership of both parties:"The Blue Dogs commend President Biden for his continued efforts to bring both parties together to negotiate a bipartisan, bicameral deal for infrastructure legislation. We urge President Biden to continue these talks as long as Republicans continue to act in good faith in the negotiations.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced that Andy LaVigne has joined the Coalition's staff as Executive Director. LaVigne previously served as the Political Director for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). He will work alongside Brooke Lillard, who has served as the Coalition's Communications Director over the past four years, and Krista Wunsche, who has served as the Coalition's Policy Coordinator for the past year."Andy is no stranger to the Blue Dog community.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced its policy task forces for the 117thCongress. The task forces oversee policy development for the Coalition, which will deliver on their promise of a positive agenda to produce pragmatic, commonsense solutions that move our country forward and address the needs of every community, from rural and tribal communities to metropolitan areas."Our Coalition is policy- and results-driven",said Rep.

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), the Blue Dog Coalition's Co-Chair for Communications and Outreach, issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden's address to the joint session of Congress:"As our nation builds back from the pandemic, we commend President Biden's focus on investing in our future. We must pursue bipartisan, bicameral results that create good-paying jobs, strengthen the middle class, invest in rural America, and ensure everyone pays their fair share and gets a fair shake.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced it has welcomed freshmanRepresentative Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07)to its ranks. In total, the Blue Dog Coalition has 19 members."We're proud to welcome Congresswoman Bourdeaux to the Blue Dog Coalition,"said Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications and Outreach."Congresswoman Bourdeaux has come to Congress with the purpose to serve her district first and pursue pragmatic, bipartisan solutions to get things done for her constituents.