Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) announced today that he has accepted an invitation to join the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate democrats within the House of Representatives. Cardoza’s membership in the coalition affirms his commitment to balanced policies that streamline big government and establish fiscally responsible policies.

“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 issues that differ from the more liberal wing of our party,” said Cardoza. “The Blue Dogs provide a platform for the moderate and conservative members of the Democratic Caucus to address issues such as the current budget crisis.”

The Blue Dog Coalition has built a reputation as a serious player in the policy arena, promoting positions which bridge the gap between ideological extremes. Many of the group's policy proposals have been praised as fair, responsible, and positive additions to a Congressional environment too often marked as partisan and antagonistic.

Cardoza is known for having started the Moderate Democratic Caucus in the California Legislature. Under his leadership, the Caucus successfully defeated numerous proposals that would have paralyzed the business community. Cardoza’s membership in the Blue Dog Coalition signals his ongoing commitment to represent the Valley’s interests in working toward policies that create a business-friendly environment, which will stimulate the economy and encourage growth in the job market throughout the Central Valley.

The conservative and moderate Democrats in the group hail from every region of the country. 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 within the institution. Most agree that the Blue Dogs have successfully injected a moderate viewpoint into the Democratic Caucus.

The Coalition has been particularly active on fiscal issues, relentlessly pursuing a balanced budget and then protecting that achievement from politically popular "raids" on the budget. The Coalition also played a significant role in welfare reforms signed into law in recent years. Their proposals served as middle-ground markers which laid the foundation for the bipartisanship necessary to bring about fundamental reforms, and helped set into law policies reflecting the "common sense, conservative compassion" so often attached to the group's efforts. The Coalition has also worked on common sense solutions to our energy, health care, and homeland security problems.

In the 108th Congress, the Coalition intends to continue to make a difference in Congress by forging middle-ground, bipartisan answers to the current challenges facing the Country. A top priority will be to refocus Congress on truly balancing the budget and ridding taxpayers of the burden the national debt places on them. The group also expects to be involved in education, regulatory reform, taxes, defense and veterans affairs.