I am pleased to be a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.  I was selected by my colleagues to serve in the Leadership of the Blue Dog Caucus as Whip.  As a “Blue Dog,” I join 37 moderate to conservative Democrats working to bring a common sense, conservative and compassionate approach to many of the tough issues that are facing our country, including balancing the budget, paying down the national debt, and ensuring Social Security and Medicare are there for current and future beneficiaries.  Formed during the 104th Congress (1995-96), the "Blue Dog" moniker was taken by members of the Blue Dogs because their moderate-to-conservative-views had been "choked blue" by their party in the years leading up to the 1994 election.