Blue Dog Coalition Elects New Leadership
Murphy, O’Halleran, Correa to Lead Efforts in Brokering Bipartisan Compromise in the 116th Congress
On Tuesday, the Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally responsible House Democrats announced its new leadership team as their party is poised to retake the gavel in the 116th Congress. The Blue Dogs, known for their bipartisan approach to legislating, look to play a major role in brokering compromise positions on legislation with a Republican-held Senate and President Trump.
“I’m proud to help lead this hardworking group of principled, pragmatic Democrats who will develop solutions that move this country forward,” said Florida Representative Stephanie Murphy, incoming Co-Chair for Administration.
Representative Murphy, who handily won her re-election in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, has been rated one of the most bipartisan members of the House of Representatives and is the first woman of color to lead the Coalition.
“In this new era of divided government, we Democrats must introduce bold ideas and fight for our shared values, and we must also seek bipartisan cooperation that keeps our government functioning and improves the lives of our constituents; the alternative is a partisan stalemate that brings our country to a halt,” she added.
With the Senate remaining under Republican control, both parties will have to come to the table to pass significant pieces of legislation next Congress. With partisanship at an all time high, many are looking to members of the Blue Dog Coalition to work across party lines to address legislative challenges including infrastructure and health care, among others.
Incoming Co-Chair for Policy, Representative Tom O’Halleran, said of his new position, “I am ready to help lead the Blue Dog Coalition as we give these Americans a seat at the table. The Blue Dog Coalition is ready to hit the ground running with a positive agenda to address the lack of good-paying jobs and stagnant pay checks, rising health care costs, and our crumbling infrastructure. Most importantly, we are ready to be the voice of commonsense and thoughtful leadership the American people want.”
In making the announcement, the Blue Dog Coalition said the group will continue to focus on its “long-held mission to pursue commonsense, bipartisan solutions that will get our country’s fiscal house in order and ensure a strong national defense.”
Representative Lou Correa, the Coalition’s incoming Co-Chair for Communications, said the group would focus on restoring the American dream.
“As the son of working-class Americans, I understand that the path to the middle class depends on a strong education, a good job, and a robust infrastructure. That is why I have made it my mission to keep the American Dream alive for all Americans. As a leader in the Blue Dog Coalition, I will put working-class families first, and ensure hardworking families get what they deserve,” he said.
The Blue Dog Coalition’s leadership for the 116th Congress will include:
- Representative Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Co-Chair for Administration
- Representative Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Co-Chair for Policy
- Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), Co-Chair for Communications
The Blue Dog Coalition’s new members for the 116th Congress will include:
- Representative-elect Anthony Brindisi (NY-22)
- Representative-elect Ben McAdams (UT-04)
- Representative-elect Max Rose (NY-11)
- Representative-elect Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)
- Representative-elect Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)
- Representative-elect Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02)
- Representative-elect Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02)
