Blue Dog Coalition Release on New Members

[2] "The Blue Dogs have been working for bipartisanship and fiscal discipline for years," stated Rep. Jim Turner (TX), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration. "Representatives Pomeroy and Cardoza will join the Blue Dogs in continuing to advocate common-sense policies that place a priority on getting our fiscal house in order and paying down the burdensome national debt."

[3] "I am proud to join a group dedicated to preserving fiscal responsibility, particularly in light of the recently passed budget resolution which will leave our children with nearly $11 trillion of debt. The Blue Dogs are one of the most powerful groups on Capitol Hill, and I am glad to be a member," said Pomeroy.

[4] "I am pleased to be working closely with a group of Democrats who share my values with regard to our party's approach to the budget and other fiscal issues," said Cardoza.

[5] Rep. Pomeroy, who was first elected to Congress in 1992, has a long record of working in a bipartisan manner for fiscal responsibility. He formerly served in the North Dakota House of Representatives and as the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner. Pomeroy was recently elected Co-Chair of the bipartisan Rural Health Care Coalition, and has been a key policymaker on tax, trade, Social Security, and Medicare issues. He also serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee.

[6] Rep. Cardoza's membership affirms his commitment to common sense policies that streamline big government and establish fiscally responsible policies. He is known for his moderate credentials, having started the Moderate Democratic Caucus in the California Legislature. Cardoza formerly served on the Merced City Council and in the California State Assembly, where he was a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, small businesses, and farmers.

[7] The Blue Dog Coalition is a group of 36 moderate-to- conservative House Democrats representing every region of the country who strongly advocate fiscal responsibility. The Coalition was formed in the 104th Congress as a policy-oriented group to give moderate and conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives a common- sense, bridge building voice in Congress. Most experts agree that the Blue Dogs have successfully injected a moderate viewpoint into the Democratic Caucus. Top issues the group expects to be involved with in the 108th Congress include budget, taxes, defense, homeland security, energy, health care, and others.