Blue Dog Coalition Announces Leadership for the 118th Congress: Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Mary Sattler Peltola
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.
With the addition of Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, the Blue Dog Coalition now totals 9 members, representing districts from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Statements From Blue Dog Coalition Leadership for the 118th Congress
"It's a new day for the Blue Dogs, and I'm looking forward to leading our caucus alongside Rep. Perez and Rep. Peltola," said Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02). "We came to Washington to faithfully represent our districts. We believe in our hearts that our politics can and will be better when regular people come to Washington and band together, putting politics and personal interest aside, to pursue the common good.
"As Blue Dog Co-Chairs we will work together to protect the financial stability and national security of our country. And we will support each other as we do our best to represent the rural communities and hard working people of our districts.
"At this moment, Blue Dogs are ready to work with members of both parties on the significant fiscal challenges this Congress must confront in the days and weeks ahead. We should not be flirting with a default on the national debt. This current standoff is just one more example of the ugly politics our constituents have come to expect from Congress. There's no time to waste, and the Blue Dogs stand ready to support genuine efforts to reach an agreement for the good of the country."
"White nationalist and anti-democracy activists are gaining influence in institutions across America, including here in the U.S. House. Their poisonous political ideology is incompatible with constitutional government and basic principles of a free market economy. My district in Southwest Washington is on the frontline of this fight," said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03).
"The antidote to this poison is a democracy led by normal people, who are rooted in their communities and loyal to their constituents. Normal people who run for office for love of country and the common good, and who want to build bridges within their party and across party lines. Normal people who live in rural America, work in the trades, and believe in public service.
"I believe the Blue Dogs can be a caucus for public servants like these, who prioritize fiscal stability, national security, rural America, and the dignity of blue collar work. Our country needs public servants who are sick of clickbait politics, and who are ready to serve as independent voices and free thinkers in Congress. I'm looking forward to leading our new caucus alongside Rep. Golden and Rep. Peltola, and I hope more of my colleagues and all Americans interested in this work will join us."
"I'm excited to be co-chairing the Blue Dog Coalition alongside Rep. Golden and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez," said Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (AK-AL). "This is the first time that the Blue Dog leadership is made up of fishing states, and it is a unique opportunity to expand the definition of ‘mainstream America' beyond central states and onto the coasts.
"Blue Dogs know there is nothing more mainstream than the American blue-collar worker: union members, farmers, fishermen, and more. Our upcoming legislative agenda will be focused on what the three of us and the Blue Dog Coalition represent: America's working people and their mainstream values."
The three co-chairs also expressed their deep gratitude to Rep. Jim Costa for his service as a Co-Chair since the beginning of the 118th Congress.
The Blue Dog Coalition is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives comprised of fiscally-responsible Democrats, who are leading the way to find common sense solutions. They are pragmatic Democrats, appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense for our country, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people.
To learn more go to: https://bluedogcaucus-golden.house.gov/
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