Congressman Dan Boren

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition announced that Representative Dan Boren of Oklahoma has been named Blue Dog Whip.  Boren will join Representatives John Barrow (D-GA), Mike Ross (D-AR) and Heath Shuler (D-NC) in leading the coalition’s efforts in the 112th Congress.

“It is an honor to be named Whip for the Blue Dog Coalition," said Boren. “I look forward to working with the Blue Dog leadership team and the rest of the Coalition's members to make sure that moderates have a voice within our Caucus and that fiscally-responsible Democrats have a role in Congress.”

“As the Congress becomes even more starkly divided, the Blue Dogs will continue to be a moderating force, bridging the gap between ideological extremes," said Ross.  "Dan Boren will be a critical part of that effort, and I look forward to working with him to lead our coalition next year.”

Boren will succeed Shuler, who will be taking the helm as Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration.  Blue Dog by-laws require that the leadership team alternate every session of Congress so that the group’s focus continues to be the advancement of the larger Blue Dog movement.

The full Blue Dog leadership team for the 112th Congress:

▪ Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), Co-Chair for Administration
▪ Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Co-Chair for Policy
▪ Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Co-Chair for Communications
▪ Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK), 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.  Currently there are 54 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.  For more information, visit the Blue Dog website.