December 11, 2012

WASHINGTON – Members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition have elected their new leadership team for the 113th Congress:

• Rep. John Barrow., D-Ga., Co-Chair for Administration
• Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., Co-Chair for Policy
• Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., Co-Chair for Communications

The Coalition also formally welcomed Rep.-Elect Pete Gallego, D-Tex., into the ranks of fiscally conservative Democrats who have renewed their pledge of working in a bipartisan manner to solve the extraordinary challenges facing the nation.

"I'm proud to announce that Congressmen Barrow, Cooper and Schrader will be leading the Blue Dogs in the 113th Session of Congress," said Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., current Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. "Each of them is a strong fiscal conservative with a history of working with both Democrats and Republicans to find balanced and bipartisan solutions. Now, and in the next Congress, the Blue Dogs will be at the negotiating table – ready and willing to work with both sides to address the fiscal cliff and the fundamental budgetary problems that face this country."

"The American people insist on a more bipartisan approach to addressing the problems we face as a nation," said Barrow. "People are tired of the 'all-or-nothing' strategy of both parties in Washington. I'm honored to continue my work with the Blue Dog Coalition, and I'll continue to promote bipartisan, commonsense legislation that restores fiscal responsibility and promotes job creation across the country."

"Never have America's challenges looked so big, and Congress looked so small," said Cooper. "That's why the Blue Dogs will remain an important voice in a deeply divided House, as we face our mounting national debt and looming debt ceiling."

"I am honored to serve the Blue Dog Coalition in this capacity and appreciate the trust my colleagues have instilled in me to help lead in our policy efforts," said Schrader. "I look forward to continuing to build the Blue Dog brand by working with both Democrats and Republicans to find the most commonsense solutions to restoring our nation's fiscal health and encouraging economic opportunities here at home."

The new slate of leaders will succeed Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., and Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., in their posts as co-chairmen for the Coalition.

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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. Visit the Blue Dog website at http://ross.house.gov/BlueDog to learn more. You can also get up-to-the-minute news updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/BlueDogPress.