Giffords Elected to Prestigious Blue Dog Coalition

June 13, 2007

Washington, D.C. €“ Today, Co-Chairs of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04), Rep. Allen Boyd (FL-03) and Rep. Dennis Moore (KS-03), announced the expansion of the group to its full membership capacity of 47. The following individuals were elected by the full Blue Dog membership to join the Coalition: Rep. Christopher Carney (PA-10), Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08), Rep. Bart Gordon (TN-06), Rep. Nick Lampson (TX-22) and Rep. Zack Space (OH-18).

“I would like to join my fellow Co-Chairs in congratulating the newly elected members of the Blue Dog Coalition, € said Rep. Mike Ross, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. “These individuals are true fiscal conservatives who are willing to work across party lines to protect the financial stability and national security of the United States. They will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to bring back accountability and responsibility to the fiscal practices of the federal government. €

During their annual retreat, in order to ensure that the Blue Dogs remain a cohesive and effective group, the members of the Blue Dog Coalition implemented a membership cap that is equal to twenty percent of the Democratic Caucus. This floating cap will fluctuate with each new Congress and ensure that the Blue Dog membership will remain an influential and moderate voice within the caucus for fiscal responsibility and strong national defense.

The Blue Dog leadership team includes the following members: Rep. Allen Boyd, Co-Chair for Administration, Rep. Dennis Moore, Co-Chair for Policy, Rep. Mike Ross, Co-Chair for Communications, and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Whip.

The fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 with the goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives and appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States. There are now 47 members of the Blue Dog Coalition. For more information, visit the Blue Dog website at http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/.