BLUE DOGS ANNOUNCE TASK FORCES FOR THE 112TH CONGRESS
February 16, 2011
Today Congressman John Barrow (D-GA) and Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), Co-Chairs of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, announced the Blue Dog Task Forces for the 112th Congress.
"Fiscal responsibility, growing the economy, regulatory reform, and energy independence are what the Blue Dogs are all about," said Congressman Barrow, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. "These task forces will be focused on ways to make these principles work for the American people, and we look forward to working with both our Democratic and Republican colleagues in Congress to adopt smart policies that will strengthen our economy — and our country — for generations to come."
"If we are going to accomplish what the American people sent us here to do, both Republicans and Democrats are going to have to come to the table with innovative ideas about how to create jobs, grow the economy and pay down the debt," said Congressman Ross, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "These task forces will spearhead Blue Dog efforts as we work to develop common sense, middle of the road solutions to our nation's biggest challenges."
Blue Dog Task Forces for the 112th Congress:
Task Force on Economic Growth
Chair: Rep. Joe Donnelly
Vice-Chair: Rep. Dan Boren
The Task Force on Economic Growth's primary focus will be on creating a positive economic climate geared toward bolstering growth and promoting innovation. Under the leadership of Chair Joe Donnelly (IN-02) and Vice-Chair Dan Boren (OK-02), the Task Force will advance policies that accelerate the economic recovery, create opportunities for middle class Americans to rejoin the workforce, and to assist small business owners grow their companies.
"I'm proud to lead this task force charged with the crucial challenge of addressing economic growth," said Donnelly. "I have great faith in the abilities of American entrepreneurs—from small businesses to large corporations—to lead the way and believe government's role is to make sure that policies are in place that foster and reward responsible risk-taking and innovation. As a coalition, I am confident that the Blue Dogs will put forth common-sense, fiscally responsible ways to fast-track our economic recovery and develop a stronger, more competitive American economy."
Task Force on Energy
Chair: Rep. Jim Matheson
Vice-Chair: Rep. Jason Altmire
The Task Force on Energy will proactively engage on issues that promote U.S. energy independence and security. The Task Force will strive to find consensus on positions that provide Americans with reliable and affordable energy sources. Under the leadership of Chair Jim Matheson (UT-02) and Vice-Chair Jason Altmire (PA-04), the Task Force will review proposals that promote responsible, diverse domestic energy production, increased energy efficiency, greater use of natural gas, renewable energy, electric transmission, and research and development on advanced energy technologies.
"Energy independence is vital to the U.S. economy and to our national security. As Blue Dogs, we can put forward a balanced, common sense plan that provides Americans with secure, reliable and affordable energy to power their lives and their businesses," said Matheson.
Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility
Chair: Rep. Kurt Schrader
Vice-Chair: Rep. Jim Cooper
The Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility is charged with building on the Coalition's recognized leadership and record of accomplishment in addressing our nation's fiscal challenges. Under the leadership of Chair Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Vice-Chair Jim Cooper (TN-05), the Task Force will pursue policies to reduce federal spending and stabilize the nation's mounting debt.
"If we're going to encourage business growth and market stability we must make the hard choices necessary to deal with our long-term debt issues," said Schrader. "We can no longer afford to put these difficult choices off for future Congresses. Fiscal responsibility has always been a central tenant of the Blue Dog Coalition and that puts us in a perfect position to bring Republicans and Democrats together to forge a path back to surpluses through responsible fiscal policies."
Task Force on Oversight and Regulatory Review
Chair: Rep. Ben Chandler
Vice-Chair: Rep. Tim Holden
The Task Force on Oversight and Regulatory Review is responsible for taking a look at the nearly 8,000 regulations issued annually by the federal government and for analyzing these new rules to ensure Congressional intent is appropriately followed. Under the leadership of Chair Ben Chandler (KY-06) and Vice-Chair Tim Holden (PA-17), the Task Force will monitor implementation efforts, identify overly burdensome regulations, and seek to modify rules problematic to job creation.
"I am so honored to be a part of this pivotal task force," Chandler said. "This task force gives us a chance to open up a dialogue, to better understand the effects of new legislation on everyone, from individual citizens to the private sector. In the wake of this recession, it is even more important to be conscious of the different ways regulations and legislation actually affect our nation, especially our small businesses."
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 26 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.
"Fiscal responsibility, growing the economy, regulatory reform, and energy independence are what the Blue Dogs are all about," said Congressman Barrow, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy. "These task forces will be focused on ways to make these principles work for the American people, and we look forward to working with both our Democratic and Republican colleagues in Congress to adopt smart policies that will strengthen our economy — and our country — for generations to come."
"If we are going to accomplish what the American people sent us here to do, both Republicans and Democrats are going to have to come to the table with innovative ideas about how to create jobs, grow the economy and pay down the debt," said Congressman Ross, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "These task forces will spearhead Blue Dog efforts as we work to develop common sense, middle of the road solutions to our nation's biggest challenges."
Blue Dog Task Forces for the 112th Congress:
Task Force on Economic Growth
Chair: Rep. Joe Donnelly
Vice-Chair: Rep. Dan Boren
The Task Force on Economic Growth's primary focus will be on creating a positive economic climate geared toward bolstering growth and promoting innovation. Under the leadership of Chair Joe Donnelly (IN-02) and Vice-Chair Dan Boren (OK-02), the Task Force will advance policies that accelerate the economic recovery, create opportunities for middle class Americans to rejoin the workforce, and to assist small business owners grow their companies.
"I'm proud to lead this task force charged with the crucial challenge of addressing economic growth," said Donnelly. "I have great faith in the abilities of American entrepreneurs—from small businesses to large corporations—to lead the way and believe government's role is to make sure that policies are in place that foster and reward responsible risk-taking and innovation. As a coalition, I am confident that the Blue Dogs will put forth common-sense, fiscally responsible ways to fast-track our economic recovery and develop a stronger, more competitive American economy."
Task Force on Energy
Chair: Rep. Jim Matheson
Vice-Chair: Rep. Jason Altmire
The Task Force on Energy will proactively engage on issues that promote U.S. energy independence and security. The Task Force will strive to find consensus on positions that provide Americans with reliable and affordable energy sources. Under the leadership of Chair Jim Matheson (UT-02) and Vice-Chair Jason Altmire (PA-04), the Task Force will review proposals that promote responsible, diverse domestic energy production, increased energy efficiency, greater use of natural gas, renewable energy, electric transmission, and research and development on advanced energy technologies.
"Energy independence is vital to the U.S. economy and to our national security. As Blue Dogs, we can put forward a balanced, common sense plan that provides Americans with secure, reliable and affordable energy to power their lives and their businesses," said Matheson.
Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility
Chair: Rep. Kurt Schrader
Vice-Chair: Rep. Jim Cooper
The Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility is charged with building on the Coalition's recognized leadership and record of accomplishment in addressing our nation's fiscal challenges. Under the leadership of Chair Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Vice-Chair Jim Cooper (TN-05), the Task Force will pursue policies to reduce federal spending and stabilize the nation's mounting debt.
"If we're going to encourage business growth and market stability we must make the hard choices necessary to deal with our long-term debt issues," said Schrader. "We can no longer afford to put these difficult choices off for future Congresses. Fiscal responsibility has always been a central tenant of the Blue Dog Coalition and that puts us in a perfect position to bring Republicans and Democrats together to forge a path back to surpluses through responsible fiscal policies."
Task Force on Oversight and Regulatory Review
Chair: Rep. Ben Chandler
Vice-Chair: Rep. Tim Holden
The Task Force on Oversight and Regulatory Review is responsible for taking a look at the nearly 8,000 regulations issued annually by the federal government and for analyzing these new rules to ensure Congressional intent is appropriately followed. Under the leadership of Chair Ben Chandler (KY-06) and Vice-Chair Tim Holden (PA-17), the Task Force will monitor implementation efforts, identify overly burdensome regulations, and seek to modify rules problematic to job creation.
"I am so honored to be a part of this pivotal task force," Chandler said. "This task force gives us a chance to open up a dialogue, to better understand the effects of new legislation on everyone, from individual citizens to the private sector. In the wake of this recession, it is even more important to be conscious of the different ways regulations and legislation actually affect our nation, especially our small businesses."
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 26 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.
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