Blue Dog Coalition

{{Short description|Moderate/conservative caucus of the Democratic Party}} {{Redirect|Blue Dogs|the American band formed in 1987|The Blue Dogs (band)}} {{Use American English|date=September 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox political party | name = Blue Dog Coalition | logo = Blue Dog Coalition logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | logo_upright = 0.7 | colorcode = {{party color|Blue Dog Coalition}} | leader1_title = Co-Chairs | leader1_name = {{ubl|Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA–3)|Vicente Gonzalez (TX–34)|Lou Correa (CA–46)}} | foundation = {{Start date and age|1995|2|14}} | ideology = {{ubl|class=nowrap | Conservatism | Fiscal conservatism | '''Historical:''' | Social conservatism{{cref|A}} }} | position = Center to center-right<ref name=cenright /> | national = Democratic Party | colors = {{color box|{{party color|Blue Dog Coalition}}|border=silver}} Blue | seats2_title = Seats in the House Democratic Caucus | seats2 = {{composition bar|10|{{HouseDemocraticTally}}|{{party color|Blue Dog Coalition}}}} | seats3_title = Seats in the House | seats3 = {{composition bar|10|435|{{party color|Blue Dog Coalition}}}} | website = {{URL|https://bluedogs-gluesenkampperez.house.gov/}} {{URL|https://bluedogdems.com/}} | country = the United States | footnotes = {{cnote|A|The Blue Dog Coalition is now described as both socially conservative<ref>{{cite thesis |url=https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/d0e83751-a087-4ab9-9a4b-fc042127004a/content |quote=The socially conservative factions, such as the Blue Dog Coalition, and the socially liberal faction, like the Congressional Progressive Caucus, disagree on matters of social and fiscal policy. |page=6 |title=Democratic Digital Campaign Strategies in the Age of Trump: Circulation Theory, Digital Networks, and Memes |first=James |last=Allan |publisher=Baylor University |year=2021 |degree=Master of Arts}}</ref> and socially liberal.<ref name=sociallib>{{cite web |website=Florida Politics |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/701773-hd-113-mailers-depict-gop-incumbent-as-a-blue-dog-progressive/ |date=16 October 2024 |title=Direct mail round-up: In HD 113 GOP incumbent depicted as a 'Blue Dog Progressive' |first=Jesse |last=Scheckner |quote="Blue dog" is a reference to the Blue Dog Coalition, also known as the Blue Dogs or Blue Dog Democrats, a caucus of moderate congressional Democrats who generally hold socially liberal but fiscally conservative views.}}</ref>}} }}

The '''Blue Dog Coalition'''{{efn|or '''Blue Dog Caucus''',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jenkins |first1=Jeffery A. |last2=Stewart III |first2=Charles |title=Fighting for the Speakership: An Update |date=28 August 2023 |ssrn=4553501 |doi=10.2139/ssrn.4553501 |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4553501 |page=44 |quote=The Blue Dog Caucus, which originated in 1995 after the Republicans took control of the House, had been a growing problem for Speaker Pelosi, before they had their ranks cut in half in the 2010 midterms.}}</ref> commonly known as the '''Blue Dogs''' or '''Blue Dog Democrats'''}} is a caucus of moderate<ref name="U.S. House has fewer moderate Democrats">{{cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Susan|title=U.S. House has fewer moderate Democrats|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-02-02/moderate-blue-dog-democrats-house/52992548/1 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204165608/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-02-02/moderate-blue-dog-democrats-house/52992548/1 |archive-date=December 4, 2014|website=USA Today|access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/lobbyist-profiles/535835-lobbying-from-the-center |title=Lobbying from the center |work=The Hill |date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713100829/https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/lobbyist-profiles/535835-lobbying-from-the-center/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and conservative<ref>{{cite book |last1=Duncan |first1=Philip P. |last2=Nutting |first2=Brian |title=CQ's politics in America: 2000, the 106th Congress |date=1999 |publisher=Congressional Quarterly, Inc |location=Washington, DC |isbn=9781568024714 |page=18 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hPEpAQAAIAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Solomon |first1=Norman |title=When the Leaders Lead, the People Have Sorrow |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/when-the-leaders-lead-the_b_586911 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |work=HuffPost |date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130223432/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/when-the-leaders-lead-the_b_586911 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Elections A to Z">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x1ai7Vtiiu0C&q=%22blue+dog+coalition%22+%22center-right%22&pg=PA33|title=Elections A to Z|publisher=SAGE|date=2012|isbn=9780872897694|access-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> members from the Democratic Party in the United States House of Representatives. The caucus was founded as a group of conservative Democrats in 1995 in response to defeats in the 1994 elections. Historically, the Blue Dog Coalition has been conservative, both fiscally and socially. At its peak in 2009, the Blue Dog Coalition numbered 54 members, accounting for 21% of the entire Democratic caucus at the time.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Jonathan |title=The Blue Dogs Are Barking Again |url=https://rollcall.com/2018/05/23/the-blue-dogs-are-barking-again/ |access-date=October 26, 2023 |work=Roll Call |date=May 23, 2018 |archive-date=October 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008175956/https://rollcall.com/2018/05/23/the-blue-dogs-are-barking-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2026, it has ten members, six of whom are also members of the New Democrat Coalition.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Mutnick |first1=Ally |last2=Ferris |first2=Sarah |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Blue Dog Coalition Membership |url=https://bluedogdems.com/ |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=Blue Dog Coalition |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808043210/https://bluedogdems.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2023 |title=Members {{!}} Blue Dog Coalition |url=http://bluedogcaucus-golden.house.gov/members |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=bluedogcaucus-golden.house.gov |language=en}}</ref>

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the coalition's focus shifted towards ideological centrism and constituency-based politics;<ref name="Mendoza"/><ref name="The Washington Post">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/08/blue-dog-democrats-congress-new-leaders/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9|title=Dwindling Blue Dog Democrats look to stage a comeback for moderates|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 8, 2023|archive-date=August 6, 2025|access-date=December 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250806171521/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/08/blue-dog-democrats-congress-new-leaders/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite book|editor=Ruth Bloch Rubin |title=Building the Bloc: Intraparty Organization in the US Congress |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bLYrDwAAQBAJ&q=centrist+Blue+Dog+Coalition&pg=PA188 |quote= In contrast to the halting mobilization of Insurgent Republicans and southern Democrats, the Blue Dogs' adoption of ... ideological bonafides, the Coalition worked to establish a Blue Dog brand and associate it with support for centrist policies. |date=2017 |page=188 |publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781316510421 }}</ref> however, the coalition maintained an emphasis on fiscal responsibility.<ref name="Brindisi"/> The Blue Dog Coalition remains the most conservative grouping of Democrats in the House.<ref name="auto2"/>

== Electoral results == === House of Representatives === {|class=wikitable |- ! Congress ! Democratic seats ! ± |- ! 104th (1994) | {{composition bar|29|204|hex=#01346E}} | {{steady}} |- ! 105th (1996) | {{composition bar|28|207|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 1 |- ! 106th (1998) | {{composition bar|34|211|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 6 |- ! 107th (2000) | {{composition bar|35|212|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 1 |- ! 108th (2002) | {{composition bar|38|205|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 3 |- ! 109th (2004) | {{composition bar|38|202|hex=#01346E}} | {{steady}} |- ! 110th (2006) | {{composition bar|56|233|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 18 |- ! 111th (2008) | {{composition bar|65|257|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 9 |- ! 112th (2010) | {{composition bar|28|193|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 37 |- ! 113th (2012) | {{composition bar|19|201|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 9 |- ! 114th (2014) | {{composition bar|15|188|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 4 |- ! 115th (2016) | {{composition bar|18|193|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 3 |- ! 116th (2018) | {{composition bar|27|235|hex=#01346E}} | {{increase}} 9 |- ! 117th (2020) | {{composition bar|19|222|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 8 |- ! 118th (2022) | {{composition bar|11|213|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 8 |- ! 119th (2024) | {{composition bar|10|215|hex=#01346E}} | {{decrease}} 1 |}

== Overview and history == {{Liberalism US|schools}} The Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/blue-dogs |title=20 years in, Blue Dogs not ready to roll over |first1=Emma |last1=Dumain |date=May 12, 2015 |website=rollcall.com |access-date=May 10, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805120142/https://www.rollcall.com/news/blue-dogs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ross.house.gov/BlueDog/history.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120405021833/http://ross.house.gov/BlueDog/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 5, 2012 |title=History |publisher=Blue Dog Coalition |website=ross.house.gov/BlueDog/ |access-date=April 10, 2012}}</ref> during the 104th Congress to give members from the Democratic Party representing conservative-leaning districts a unified voice after the Democrats' loss of Congress in the 1994 Republican Revolution.<ref>{{cite news |first=Naftali |last=Bendavid |date=July 28, 2009 |title='Blue Dog' Democrats hold health care overhaul at bay |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>

The term "Blue Dog Democrat" is credited to Texas Democratic Representative Pete Geren (who later joined the George W. Bush administration). Geren opined that the members had been "choked blue" by "extreme" Democrats on the left.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wordcraft.infopop.cc/Archives/2004-11-Nov.htm |title=Wordcraft Archives, November 2004 |website=Wordcraft.infopop.cc |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202210226/https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/Archives/2004-11-Nov.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It is related to the political term "Yellow Dog Democrat", a reference to Southern Democrats said to be "so loyal they would even vote for a yellow dog before they would vote for any Republican". The term also refers to the "Blue Dog" paintings of Cajun artist George Rodrigue of Lafayette, Louisiana as the original members of the coalition would regularly meet in the offices of Louisiana representatives Billy Tauzin and Jimmy Hayes, both of whom later joined the Republican Party – both also had Rodrigue's paintings on their walls.<ref name="bluedog.time">{{cite news |last=Suddath |first=Claire |title=A Brief History of Blue Dog Democrats |magazine=Time |date=July 28, 2009 |url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1913057,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731112633/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1913057,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Safire |first=William |title=On Language; Blue Dog Demo |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 23, 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/23/magazine/on-language-blue-dog-demo.html |access-date=September 7, 2009 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507125449/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/23/magazine/on-language-blue-dog-demo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An additional explanation for the term cited by members is "when dogs are not let into the house, they stay outside in the cold and turn blue", a reference to the Blue Dogs' belief they had been left out of a party that they believed had shifted to the political left.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluedogs.us/index.htm |title=Blue Dog Democrats |website=Bluedogs.us |date=November 4, 2008 |access-date=March 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714232550/http://bluedogs.us/index.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> At one time, first-term Blue Dogs were nicknamed 'Blue Pups'.<ref name="bluedog.time" /> Starting in the twenty-first century, the caucus began shifting its ideology and began adopting more socially liberal stances in order to align more closely with mainstream Democratic Party political values.<ref name="Mendoza">{{cite web |last1=Mendoza |first1=Jessica |title=Centrist Democrats are back. But these are not your father's Blue Dogs. |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2019/0604/Centrist-Democrats-are-back.-But-these-are-not-your-father-s-Blue-Dogs |website=Christian Science Monitor |date=June 4, 2019 |access-date=March 6, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229170218/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2019/0604/Centrist-Democrats-are-back.-But-these-are-not-your-father-s-Blue-Dogs |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Disputes within the Democratic Party === Many Blue Dogs voted for George W. Bush's tax cuts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kitchener |first=Caroline |date=2017-12-19 |title=What the Decline of Blue Dog Democrats Tells Us About American Politics |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/membership/archive/2017/12/what-the-decline-of-blue-dog-democrats-tells-us-about-american-politics/548813/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=The Atlantic |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2007, 15 Blue Dogs in safe seats rebelled, and refused to contribute party dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. An additional 16 Blue Dogs did not pay any money to the DCCC, but were exempt from party-mandated contributions because they were top GOP targets for defeat in 2008. One reason for the party-dues boycott was contained in remarks made by Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California, encouraging leaders of anti-war groups to field primary challenges to any Democrat who did not vote to end the war in Iraq. Woolsey later stated that she was misunderstood, but the Blue Dogs continued the boycott. Donations to party congressional committees are an important source of funding for the party committees, permitting millions of dollars to be funneled back into close races.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bresnahan |first=John |title=Blue Dogs refuse to pony up for DCCC |publisher=Politico |date=October 24, 2007 |url=http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=CF01E1BF-3048-5C12-00AB01E6FB9129B8 |access-date=November 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026053746/http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=CF01E1BF-3048-5C12-00AB01E6FB9129B8 |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Role in the passage of the ACA === [[File:President Obama meets with the Democratic Blue Dog coalition in the State Dining Room..jpg|thumb|250px|President Barack Obama meets with Blue Dog Democrats on February 10, 2009.]] In the summer of 2009, ''The Economist'' said the following regarding the Blue Dog Coalition: "The debate over health care ... may be the pinnacle of the group's power so far." ''The Economist'' quoted Charlie Stenholm, a founding Blue Dog, as stating that "This is the first year for the new kennel in which their votes are really going to make a difference".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Democratic Party's centrists: Blue Dog days |magazine=The Economist|date=July 30, 2009 |url=https://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14140214}}</ref> In July 2009, Blue Dog members, who were committee members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, successfully delayed the House vote on the Health Insurance Reform Bill (HR3200) until after the summer recess.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://silverbuzzcafe.com/?p=2649 |title=Are the Blue Dogs really working for you? |publisher=Silver Buzz Cafe |website=Silverbuzzcafe.com |date=August 20, 2009 |access-date=March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwla.org/advocacy/monitoronline-issueHL.asp?ISSUEID=244 |publisher=Child Welfare League of America |title=Two House Committees Approve Health Reform Bill|date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616160410/http://cwla.org/advocacy/monitoronline-issueHL.asp?ISSUEID=244 |archive-date=June 16, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was during this recess that the term 'Obamacare' was first derisively adopted by Republicans on Capitol Hill.<ref name="CNN20120625Obamacare">{{cite news |last=Wallace |first=Gregory |title='Obamacare': The word that defined the health care debate |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/06/25/politics/obamacare-word-debate/index.html |publisher=CNN|access-date=February 26, 2013 |date=June 25, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712181901/http://articles.cnn.com/2012-06-25/politics/politics_obamacare-word-debate_1_health-reform-law-health-care-affordable-care-act?_s=PM%3APOLITICS |archive-date=July 12, 2012}}</ref> Blue Dog opposition to a potential "public option" within Obamacare, together with the contentious town hall meetings faced by House members during the 2009 summer recess, gave the healthcare bill's Republican opponents the opportunity to further escalate their attacks on Obamacare. The Blue Dog's refusal to include the pre-recess bill's public option, subsequently forced that central feature to be dropped from ACA's final text.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stolberg |first=Sheryl Gay |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/health/policy/18talkshows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title='Public Option' in Health Plan may be dropped |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> On Nov. 7, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act 220 - 215<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2009 |title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 887 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=U.S. HOUSE CLERK}}</ref> - a bill that would "provide health coverage to almost every American.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Patrick |date=2009-11-07 |title=House passes historic health bill |website=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/11/house-passes-historic-health-bill-029282}}</ref> While, a majority of the Blue Dogs actually voted for that final healthcare bill, by a 28 to 24 margin, they did so with that central public option removed from the ACA's final passage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ostermeier |first=Dr Eric |date=2009-11-10 |title=All About the 39 Democrats Voting 'No' to the Affordable Health Care for America Act |url=https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/2009/11/10/all-about-the-39-democrats-vot/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Smart Politics |language=en-US}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' stated that the Blue Dogs, with over 50 members, were the most influential voting bloc in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.<ref name="blue-dog-regroup">{{cite news |last1=Kane |first1=Paul |date=January 15, 2014 |title=Blue Dog Democrats, whittled down in number, are trying to regroup |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blue-dog-democrats-whittled-down-in-number-are-trying-to-regroup/2014/01/15/37d4e7e2-7dfd-11e3-95c6-0a7aa80874bc_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116091758/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blue-dog-democrats-whittled-down-in-number-are-trying-to-regroup/2014/01/15/37d4e7e2-7dfd-11e3-95c6-0a7aa80874bc_story.html |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |quote=Four years ago, they were the most influential voting bloc on Capitol Hill, more than 50 House Democrats pulling their liberal colleagues to a more centrist, fiscally conservative vision on issues such as health care and Wall Street reforms.}}</ref>

=== 2010s decline === The Blue Dog Coalition suffered serious losses in the 2010 midterm elections, losing over half of its seats to Republican challengers. Its members, who were roughly one quarter of the Democratic Party's caucus in the 111th Congress, accounted for half of the party's midterm election losses.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nation.foxnews.com/blue-dog-democrats/2010/11/03/blue-dogs-shaved-half |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726103307/http://nation.foxnews.com/blue-dog-democrats/2010/11/03/blue-dogs-shaved-half |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2010 |title=Blue Dogs shaved in half – Blue Dog Democrats |series=Fox Nation}}</ref> Including retirements, Blue Dog numbers in the House were reduced from 59 members in 2009 to 26 members in 2011.<ref name="mcclatchydc.com"/> Two of the coalition's four leaders (Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Baron Hill) failed to secure re-election.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2010/11/blue-dog-wipeout-half-of-caucus-gone-030524?showall |title=Blue Dog wipeout: Half of caucus gone |date=November 3, 2010 |publisher=Politico |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209172815/https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2010/11/blue-dog-wipeout-half-of-caucus-gone-030524?showall |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2010/11/a-vanishing-breed-blue-dogs.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |title=A vanishing breed: Blue Dogs |date=November 3, 2010}}</ref>

The caucus shrank even more in the 2012 House of Representatives elections, decreasing in size from 27 to 14 members. Speculation ensued that the centrist New Democrat Coalition would fill the power vacuum created by the Blue Dog Coalition's decline.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/134961-new-dems-hope-to-be-a-force-in-113th-congress/ |website=The Hill |title=New Dems hope to be a force in 113th Congress |date=November 17, 2012}}</ref> Opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and climate change legislation are believed to have contributed to the defeat of two conservative Democrats in the 2012 House elections in Pennsylvania by more liberal opponents.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/why-the-blue-dogs-decline-was-inevitable/2012/04/25/gIQAhOw8gT_blog.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Why the Blue Dogs' decline was inevitable |date=April 25, 2012 |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610193258/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/why-the-blue-dogs-decline-was-inevitable/2012/04/25/gIQAhOw8gT_blog.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2016 elections, future Blue Dogs accounted for over half of the Democrats' gains in the House.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/blue-dogs-map-congress-democrats-win/ |title=The Blue Dog map is changing. It may even help Democrats win Republican districts |date=2017 |publisher=Politico |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=January 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072724/https://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/blue-dogs-map-congress-democrats-win/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, for the first time since 2006, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee partnered with the Blue Dog PAC (the Blue Dog Coalition's political organization) to recruit candidates in competitive districts across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/24/democrats-blue-dogs-eye-2018-comeback-240813 |title=Blue Dogs eye comeback in 2018 |date=2017 |publisher=Politico |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=January 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072643/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/24/democrats-blue-dogs-eye-2018-comeback-240813 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the 2018 House of Representatives elections, the caucus grew from 18 members to 24.<ref name="mcclatchydc.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article224896090.html |title=Shutdown, health care, budget: How moderate House Democrats will influence the party |website=mcclatchydc}}</ref> All incumbents were re-elected and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema was elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/progressive-caucus-new-dems-blue-dogs-prepare-growth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113144252/http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/progressive-caucus-new-dems-blue-dogs-prepare-growth|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2018|title=House Democratic Factions All See Gains After Midterms |date=November 13, 2018 |website=Roll Call}}</ref> The caucus also added 11 new members who defeated Republican incumbents in the 2018 election in districts that had voted for Donald Trump in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/blue-dog-democrats-are-poised-to-play-a-crucial-role-in-the-next-congress/2018/12/13/4d8168ae-ff1c-11e8-83c0-b06139e540e5_story.html|title=Blue Dog Democrats are poised to play a crucial role in the next Congress|last=Rogin|first=Josh|date=December 13, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>

=== 2020s === The Democratic Party lost seats in the 2020 and 2022 House of Representatives elections, including the Blue Dog Coalition. As of April 2024, during the 118th Congress, the coalition had 10 members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/05-24-2023/foxx-vs-frost-on-student-loans/|title=The Blue Dog Coalition is adding a new member to their centrist ranks, alongside a fresh 'fishing states' leadership group|first=Sarah|last=Ferris|date=May 24, 2023|work=Politico|access-date=January 4, 2025}}</ref>

At the start of the 118th Congress in January 2023, six of the 15 members of the Coalition departed following a failed attempt to rename the group to the "Common Sense Coalition".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Dogs Devour Themselves Over Effort to Rebrand as 'Common Sense Coalition' {{!}} Common Dreams |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/blue-dog-democrats-leaving |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=www.commondreams.org |language=en}}</ref> Freshman representative Don Davis, who was expected to join the Blue Dogs, also chose not to do so.<ref name=":0" /> After this split, the group reorganized and began an effort to stabilize, rebuild, and maintain influence on policy proposals in the closely divided 118th Congress.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mariana Sotomayor |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Dwindling Blue Dog Democrats look to stage a comeback for moderates in Congress |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/08/blue-dog-democrats-congress-new-leaders/}}</ref> The effort included a recruitment drive which prompted Mary Peltola (AK-AL), Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (WA-03), and Wiley Nickel (NC-13) to join, bringing the number of members back up to 10.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Meyer |first1=Theodoric |last2=Caldwell |first2=Leigh Ann |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Analysis {{!}} Meet the new Blue Dogs |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/08/meet-new-blue-dogs/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Under the leadership of Peltola, Perez, and Representative Jared Golden, the caucus shifted its focus towards ideological centrism and pragmatic, constituency-based (especially rural and working-class) politics.<ref name="The Washington Post"/>

Prior to the 2026 House of Representatives elections, the Blue Dog PAC endorsed five candidates: Jasmeet Bains for CA-22, Jamie Ager for NC-11, Bob Brooks for PA-07, Bobby Pulido for TX-15, Johnny Garcia for TX-35, and Rebecca Cooke for WI-03.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Dog PAC Endorses Dr. Jasmeet Bains for Congress in California’s 22nd District – Blue Dog PAC |url=https://bluedogdems.com/news/blue-dog-pac-endorses-dr-jasmeet-bains-for-congress-in-californias-22nd-district/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=bluedogdems.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Dog PAC Endorses Fourth Generation Farmer Jamie Ager in Western North Carolina (NC-11) – Blue Dog PAC |url=https://bluedogdems.com/news/blue-dog-pac-endorses-fourth-generation-farmer-jamie-ager-in-western-north-carolina-nc-11/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=bluedogdems.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-20 |title=Weekly Score |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-score |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DHS funding and a shutdown: What you need to know |url=https://punchbowl.news/archive/12626-am/ |access-date=February 4, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Releases |first=Wisconsin Press |date=2025-06-04 |title=Cooke campaign: Blue Dog PAC endorses Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin’s third Congressional District |url=https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/cooke-campaign-blue-dog-pac-endorses-rebecca-cooke-in-wisconsins-third-congressional-district/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=WisPolitics |language=en-US}}</ref> WelcomePAC, a Blue Dog Coalition-aligned political action committee, is actively supporting and has endorsed the candidacy of former U.S. representative Ben McAdams, who is running for Utah's 1st congressional district and was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition whilst in Congress.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-17 |title=Utah Democrats got a gift. Now comes the headache. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/17/utah-democrats-got-a-gift-now-comes-the-headache-00653575 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref>

== Policy positions == The Blue Dog Coalition is ideologically conservative<ref name=conservatism>{{bulleted list|{{cite book |first1=Samuel J. |last1=Best |first2=Jeffrey W. |last2=Ladewig |title=Toppling Trump: How Party Elites Steered Joe Biden to the Democratic Nomination and Victory in the 2020 Presidential Election |issn=2524-8111 |isbn=978-3-031-55401-8 |series=Springer Series in Electoral Politics |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-55401-8 |page=39 |quote=In the 116th U.S. Congress that took power after the 2018 midterms, 44% of the 233 Democratic members of the House of Representatives participated in the ideologically moderate New Democratic Coalition, 41% of the members aligned with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and 11% belonged to the ideologically conservative Blue Dog Coalition. |year=2024}}|{{cite journal |last=Keppel |first=Emmanuel |title=New Americans and the New Right: Hispanic Voting Trends in the Trump Era of Politics |year=2023 |journal=Political Science Honors Projects |issue=9 |publisher=Macalester College |url=https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1102&context=poli_honors |page=34 |quote=All three were on the conservative end of the Democratic party, with all three serving as part of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition of mostly rural Democrats (Blue Dog Coalition 2023).}}|{{cite book |first=Nicolas |last=Gachon |title=Bernie Sanders's Democratic Socialism: Holding Utopia Accountable |year=2021 |isbn=978-3-030-69661-0 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-69661-0 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |page=89 |quote=Some of them, like Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas), a leader of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats, considered that having a socialist in the caucus may meet with fierce opposition from their constituents.}}|{{cite book |title=Breaking the Impasse: Electoral Politics, Mass Action and the New Socialist Movement in the United States |first=Kim |last=Moody |page=50 |quote=While the liberal Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC)—only 9 of whose “progressive” members endorsed Sanders in 2020, compared to 32 for Biden before Bernie withdrew—grew by 24 percent from 78 to 97 members in the House (plus Bernie alone in the Senate), the militantly centrist New Democrat Coalition shot up from 59 members to 103 or by 75 percent, with the conservative Blue Dog Democrats making a comeback from 15 to 27 members or by 80 percent. |isbn=978-1-64259-726-4 |publisher=Ingram Publisher Series |year=2022}}|{{cite journal |last=Perez |first=Andrew |title=Bg Pharma's Demo Crats |volume=26 |issue=1 |year=2021 |journal=AMASS |publisher=Society For Popular Democracy |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA683998732&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=09753966&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Eeedb484e&aty=open-web-entry |quote="Stephanie Murphy (Fla.), the co-chair of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition, who is the House's fifth largest recipient of donations from the pharmaceutical and health products…"}}}}</ref> and center-right<ref name=cenright /> with fiscally conservative economic policies.<ref name=fiscal>{{bulleted list|{{cite journal |last=Khan |first=Haroon A. |title=President Obama and transformational leadership: an analysis of the passage of the healthcare legislation in the house of representatives |journal=International Journal of Public Leadership |year=2025 |pages=1–15 |quote=Blue Dog Democrats promote fiscally conservative policies and support strong defense. |doi=10.1108/IJPL-02-2025-0044 |url=https://www.emerald.com/ijpl/article-abstract/doi/10.1108/IJPL-02-2025-0044/1300656/President-Obama-and-transformational-leadership-an |publisher=Emerald Publishing|url-access=subscription }}|{{cite book |first=Nicolas |last=Gachon |title=Bernie Sanders's Democratic Socialism: Holding Utopia Accountable |year=2021 |isbn=978-3-030-69661-0 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-69661-0 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |page=89 |quote=The Blue Dog Coalition is a caucus of U.S. Democratic representatives who identify as fiscally conservative, centrist Democrats.}}|{{cite journal |quote=The Blue Dog Coalition was--and still is--a caucus of moderate, fiscally conservative House Democrats who represent swing districts. |page=27 |last=Schulz |first=Henry |title=Blue Dog Blues: The Fall of the Blue Dog Democrats in the 2010 Midterms and the Future of Swing District Representation in a Nationalized Congress |year=2022 |journal=CMC Senior Theses |issue=2911 |url=https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/2911 |publisher=University of Claremont}}|{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/15/kiggans-house-gop-aca-00561747 |date=15 September 2025 |website=Politico |title=This House Republican is no troublemaker. But she's sticking her neck out for Obamacare subsidies. |first1=Benjamin |last1=Guggenheim |first2=Meredith Lee |last2=Hill |quote=Democratic co-sponsors of her bill include Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, the co-chairs of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition.}}|{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/05/20/858600098/progressives-see-coronavirus-crisis-as-a-chance-to-make-big-lasting-policy-chang |website=NPR |date=20 May 2020 |title=Progressives See Coronavirus Crisis As A Chance To Make Big, Lasting Policy Changes |first=Kelsey |last=Snell |quote=Murphy, who is a co-chair of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, said any policies need to be reevaluated over time. |access-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-date=December 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208024059/https://www.npr.org/2020/05/20/858600098/progressives-see-coronavirus-crisis-as-a-chance-to-make-big-lasting-policy-chang |url-status=live }}|{{cite web |website=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-08/spanberger-wins-house-race-in-virginia-democrats-hold?embedded-checkout=true |date=8 November 2020 |title=Spanberger Wins House Race in Virginia; Democrats Hold |first=Caitlin |last=Webber |quote=Spanberger, a former CIA operative, is a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition.}}}}</ref> It's been attributed to both socially liberal<ref name=sociallib /> and socially conservative positions,<ref name=cenright>{{bulleted list|{{cite arXiv |title=Unsupervised Learning via Network-Aware Embeddings |first1=Anne Sophie |last1=Riis Damstrup |first2=Sofie |last2=Tosti Madsen |first3=Michele |last3=Coscia |eprint=2309.10408 |page=16 |year=2024 |class=cs.LG |quote=This should not be a surprise, because Cuellar is considered one of the most conservative Democrats and he is part of the Blue Dog caucus, representing the center-right in the Democratic Party whose members are mostly elected in Republican-leaning districts.}}|{{cite web |website=The American Prospect |date=10 December 2024 |title=Rapacious Capitalism and Upside-Down Politics |first=Robert |last=Kuttner |quote=On the other hand, Golden is a member of the center-right Blue Dog caucus, and he refused to endorse Harris over Trump. |url=https://prospect.org/2024/12/10/2024-12-10-rapacious-capitalism-upside-down-politics-uhc-ceo/}}|{{cite web |website=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4816790-minnesota-gov-tim-walz-climate-record/ |title=Walz's history of green-friendly governance follows mixed House record |date=8 August 2024 |first=Zack |last=Budryk |quote=Democratic opposition to the rule was largely concentrated among the right-leaning Blue Dog Coalition, though Walz was not associated with that caucus during his time in Congress.}}|{{cite web |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/minnesota-voters-prepared-to-determine-winners-in-primary/ |website=Courthouse News Service |title=Minnesota Voters Prepared to Determine Winners in Primary |date=8 August 2020 |first1=Andy |last1=Monserud |quote=Peterson, a moderate founder of the Blue Dog Coalition of right-leaning Democrats, faces two primary challengers but the GOP contest has drawn more attention.}}|{{cite web |website=Slate |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/06/adam-schiff-censured-house-republicans-kevin-mccarthy.html |title=Adam Schiff Is Crying All the Way to the Bank |first=Alexander |last=Sammon |date=26 June 2023 |quote=And Schiff, a former member of the center-right Blue Dog caucus, is the most conservative member of the group of contenders for the sought-after seat.}}|{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/462117-pelosi-to-introduce-plan-to-lower-the-cost-of-prescription-drugs/ |website=The Hill |title=Pelosi to introduce plan to lower cost of prescription drugs: report |date=19 September 2019 |first=Zack |last=Budryk |quote=“We appreciate that Speaker Pelosi took the time to meet with the Blue Dogs to discuss a path forward to lower the cost of prescription drugs,” Rep. Stephanie Murphy (Fla.), co-chair of the center-right Blue Dog Democrats, said after a meeting with Pelosi Tuesday on the proposal, NPR noted.}}|{{cite web |url=https://thevalleycitizen.com/was-the-not-adam-gray-tweet-a-trial-balloon/ |website=The Valley Citizen |title=Was the (not) Adam Gray Tweet a Trial Balloon? |date=6 January 2022 |first=Eric |last=Caine |quote=Harder’s win and subsequent cruise to victory over Republican Ted Howze in 2020 upset the conventional wisdom about Valley politics, which dictates that, in order to win, Democrats must become “Blue Dogs” who follow the lead of former Congressman Gary Condit, one of the founders of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition in 1995. Gray was formerly married to Condit’s daughter, Cadee Condit Gray. They are now divorced. Blue Dog Democrats lean to the right.}}|{{cite web |url=https://www.concordaction.org/news/blogs/in-memoriam-former-congressman-charlie-stenholm-d-tx/ |website=Concord Action |title=In Memoriam: Former Congressman Charlie Stenholm (D-TX) |date=23 June 2023 |quote=He was first elected to Congress in 1979, aligning himself with the Boll Weevils before co-founding the House Blue Dog Coalition, a group of center-right, fiscally conservative Democrats.}}}}</ref> and has historically adhered exclusively to social conservatism.<ref name="Mendoza" /><ref name="blue dog decline">{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Aaron|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/why-the-blue-dogs-decline-was-inevitable/2012/04/25/gIQAhOw8gT_blog.html|title=Why the Blue Dogs' decline was inevitable|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 25, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2016|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610193258/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/why-the-blue-dogs-decline-was-inevitable/2012/04/25/gIQAhOw8gT_blog.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although its members have evolved on social issues over time,<ref name="mcclatchydc.com"/> the group has never taken a position on social issues as a caucus.<ref name="Mendoza" /> Journalists occasionally describe the grouping as centrist<ref name=centrist>{{bulleted list|{{cite book |editor=Ruth Bloch Rubin |title=Building the Bloc: Intraparty Organization in the US Congress |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bLYrDwAAQBAJ&q=centrist+Blue+Dog+Coalition&pg=PA188 |quote=In contrast to the halting mobilization of Insurgent Republicans and southern Democrats, the Blue Dogs' adoption of ... ideological bonafides, the Coalition worked to establish a Blue Dog brand and associate it with support for centrist policies. |date=2017 |page=188 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781316510421 }}|{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/lobbyist-profiles/535835-lobbying-from-the-center |title=Lobbying from the center |work=The Hill |date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713100829/https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/lobbyist-profiles/535835-lobbying-from-the-center/ |url-status=live }}|{{cite web |title=The Blue Dog Coalition is adding a new member to their centrist ranks, alongside a fresh “fishing states” leadership group. |url=https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/05-24-2023/blue-dog-boost-centrists-house/ |date=2023-05-24 |publisher=Politico |author=Sarah Ferris |quote=Gluesenkamp Perez shocked D.C. last fall by beating a far-right Republican for an open, critical Washington state seat. Since coming to Congress, the millennial auto shop owner has kept a low-profile in Congress. Now, she’ll join the leadership of a Democratic centrist bloc that’s been outspoken on fiscal issues and national defense — including the current debt standoff. }}|{{cite web |title=Scoop: Centrist Democrats target Boebert and Van Orden in 2024 |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/12/19/blue-dog-democrats-lauren-boebert-van-orden |date=2023-12-19 |website=axios.com |author=Andrew Solender |quote=The centrist Blue Dog Coalition is backing challengers to high-profile Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisc.) in its first endorsements of 2024. }}}}</ref> or center-left.<ref name=cenleft>{{bulleted list|{{cite web |title=House panel yanks Curbelo invite amid furor from top Democrats |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/10/carlos-curbelo-testify-ways-means-1317597 |date=2019-05-10 |author1=Heather Caygle |author2=Anthony Adragna |publisher=Politico |quote=“This is a mistake & very disappointing. Addressing climate change requires bipartisan cooperation & solutions,” tweeted Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a moderate Democrat who represents Orlando and leads the center-left Blue Dog Coalition. “I hope @WaysMeansCmte reconsiders its decision to disinvite him.”}}}}</ref>

The Blue Dog Coalition is the most conservative grouping of Democrats in the House. It "advocates for fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense and bipartisan consensus rather than conflict with Republicans". It opposes legislation that its members perceive to be too far to the right or to the left on the political spectrum.<ref name="Brindisi">{{cite web|url=https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2019/02/anthony-brindisi-to-co-chair-blue-dogs-caucus-of-moderate-house-democrats.html|title=Anthony Brindisi to co-chair Blue Dogs, caucus of moderate House Democrats|first=Mark|last=Weiner|date=February 1, 2019|website=syracuse.com|access-date=May 10, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308154337/https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2019/02/anthony-brindisi-to-co-chair-blue-dogs-caucus-of-moderate-house-democrats.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The coalition has self-described itself as pragmatic, moderate, and "fiscally-responsible" and supports a strong military.<ref name="Pragmatism">{{cite web |title=ABOUT US |url=https://bluedogs-gluesenkampperez.house.gov/about |website=bluedogs-gluesenkampperez.house.gov |quote=The Blue Dog Coalition is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} fiscally-responsible Democrats. They are pragmatic Democrats, appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people. |access-date=April 25, 2026 |archive-date=March 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314143853/https://bluedogs-gluesenkampperez.house.gov/about |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Dog PAC – bold leadership. commonsense solutions. |url=https://bluedogdems.com/ |access-date=2026-05-21 |website=bluedogdems.com |quote=The Blue Dog Coalition was created in 1995 to represent the commonsense, moderate voice of the Democratic Party, appealing to mainstream American values. The Blue Dogs are leaders in Congress who are committed to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense, and transcending party lines to do what’s best for the American people.}}</ref> In the 2010s, the Blue Dogs became more demographically diverse and less conservative.<ref name="Mendoza"/>

The Blue Dog Coalition is often involved in searching for a compromise between liberal and conservative positions, including classically liberal policies. Most of its members represent competitive swing districts, and are thus inclined to appeal to swing voters.<ref name="Mariana Sotomayor">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/08/blue-dog-democrats-congress-new-leaders/ | author=Mariana Sotomayor | date=August 8, 2023 | title=Dwindling Blue Dog Democrats look to stage a comeback for moderates in Congress | newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

== Membership == {{see also|List of members of the Blue Dog Coalition}} [[File:Blue Dog Coalition in the 119th Congress.svg|thumb|right |upright=2|Blue Dog Coalition in the 119th United States Congress]] In the early years of the caucus, the Blue Dogs were viewed by some as the political successors to Southern Democratic groups such as the Boll Weevils or conservative coalition.<ref>Parties, Rules, and the Evolution of Congressional Budgeting, Lance T. LeLoup, 2005, pp. 185</ref><ref>Encyclopedia of American Parties, Campaigns, and Elections, William C. Binning et al, 1999, pp. 307.</ref> The Boll Weevils may, in turn, be considered the descendants of the Dixiecrats and the "states' rights" Democrats of the 1940s through the 1960s, and even the Bourbon Democrats of the late 19th century.<ref name="glossary">{{cite book|last=Thomson|first=Alex|title=A Glossary of U.S. Politics and Government|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=2007|page=[https://archive.org/details/glossaryofuspoli0000thom/page/14 14]|isbn=978-0-8047-5730-0|url=https://archive.org/details/glossaryofuspoli0000thom/page/14}}</ref>

In 2014, there was no mention of social issues in the official Blue Dog materials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2014/11/12/bye_bye_blue_dog_democrats_what_the_end_of_conservative_dems_means_for_america/|title=Bye-bye, blue dog "Democrats": What the end of conservative Dems means for America|last=Parton|first=Heather Digby|website=Salon|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=December 24, 2016|quote=Not that the members weren't traditional values types. Most were. And they surely ran for office on those issues as well. But there is not one word in the official Blue Dog materials about social issues.|archive-date=December 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223070351/http://www.salon.com/2014/11/12/bye_bye_blue_dog_democrats_what_the_end_of_conservative_dems_means_for_america/|url-status=live}}</ref> By January 2019, McClatchy reported a transformation of the Blue Dogs from a coalition of 'southern white men' to 'a multi-regional, multicultural group.' At that time, the coalition included two African-American members, one Vietnamese-American, one Mexican-American, and only five members from Southern states.<ref name="mcclatchydc.com"/>

As of April 2024, the coalition included 10 members. At that point, the coalition's membership was smaller than it had ever been since its formation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Mariana Sotomayor"/>

=== Co-chairs === The co-chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition for the 119th Congress are U.S. representatives Lou Correa, Vicente Gonzalez, and Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez.

{|class="wikitable sortable" !scope="col" |Start !scope="col" |End !scope="col" |Chair for Administration !scope="col" |Chair for Communications !scope="col" |Chair for Policy |- |{{dts|February 14, 1995}} |{{dts|April 11, 1995}} |rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Gary|Condit}} (CA) |rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John|Tanner|dab=Tennessee politician}} (TN) |{{sortname|Nathan|Deal}} (GA) |- |{{dts|April 11, 1995}} |{{dts|January 3, 1999}} |{{sortname|Collin|Peterson}} (MN) |- |{{dts|January 3, 1999}} |{{dts|January 3, 2001}} |{{sortname|Bud|Cramer}} (AL) |{{sortname|Chris|John|dab=politician}} (LA) |{{sortname|Charlie|Stenholm|Charles Stenholm}} (TX) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2001}} |{{dts|January 3, 2003}} |{{sortname|Chris|John|dab=politician}} (LA) |{{sortname|Jim|Turner|dab=politician}} (TX) |{{sortname|Allen|Boyd}} (FL) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2003}} |{{dts|January 3, 2005}} |{{sortname|Jim|Turner|dab=politician}} (TX) |{{sortname|Baron|Hill|dab=politician}} (IN) |{{sortname|Charlie|Stenholm|Charles Stenholm}} (TX) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2005}} |{{dts|January 3, 2007}} |{{sortname|Jim|Matheson}} (UT) |{{sortname|Dennis|Cardoza}} (CA) |{{sortname|Jim|Cooper}} (TN) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2007}} |{{dts|January 3, 2009}} |{{sortname|Allen|Boyd}} (FL) |{{sortname|Mike|Ross|dab=politician}} (AR) |{{sortname|Dennis|Moore|dab=politician}} (KS) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2009}} |{{dts|October 7, 2009}} |rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Stephanie|Herseth|Stephanie Herseth Sandlin}} (SD) |{{sortname|Charlie|Melancon}} (LA) |rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Baron|Hill|dab=politician}} (IN) |- |{{dts|October 7, 2009}} |{{dts|January 3, 2011}} |{{sortname|Jim|Matheson}} (UT)<ref>https://www.ksl.com/article/8217852/matheson-joins-leadership-of-conservative-blue-dog-group</ref> |- |{{dts|January 3, 2011}} |{{dts|January 3, 2013}} |{{sortname|Heath|Shuler}} (NC) |{{sortname|Mike|Ross|dab=politician}} (AR) |{{sortname|John|Barrow|dab=U.S. politician}} (GA) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2013}} |{{dts|January 3, 2015}} |{{sortname|John|Barrow|dab=U.S. politician}} (GA) |{{sortname|Kurt|Schrader}} (OR) |rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Jim|Cooper}} (TN) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2015}} |{{dts|January 3, 2017}} |{{sortname|Kurt|Schrader}} (OR) |{{sortname|Jim|Costa}} (CA) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2017}} |{{dts|January 3, 2019}} |{{sortname|Jim|Costa}} (CA) |{{sortname|Henry|Cuellar}} (TX) |{{sortname|Dan|Lipinski}} (IL) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2019}} |{{dts|January 3, 2021}} |rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Stephanie|Murphy}} (FL) |{{sortname|Lou|Correa}} (CA) |{{sortname|Tom|O'Halleran}} (AZ) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2021}} |{{dts|January 3, 2023}} |{{sortname|Tom|O'Halleran}} (AZ) |{{sortname|Ed|Case}} (HI) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2023}} |{{dts|May 24, 2023}} |colspan=2 align=center |{{sortname|Jared|Golden}} (ME) |{{sortname|Jim|Costa}} (CA) |- |{{dts|May 24, 2023}} |{{dts|January 3, 2025}} |{{sortname|Jared|Golden}} (ME) |{{sortname|Marie|Pérez|Marie Gluesenkamp Perez}} (WA) |{{sortname|Mary|Peltola}} (AK) |- |{{dts|January 3, 2025}} |present |{{sortname|Marie|Pérez|Marie Gluesenkamp Perez}} (WA) |{{sortname|Vicente|Gonzalez|dab=American politician}} (TX) |{{sortname|Lou|Correa}} (CA) |}

== Current members == {|class="wikitable sortable"; id="votingmembers" |- style="vertical-align:bottom" !State !District !CPVI<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-03 |title=2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress) |url=https://www.cookpolitical.com/cook-pvi/2025-partisan-voting-index/district-map-and-list |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Cook Political Report |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509095247/https://www.cookpolitical.com/cook-pvi/2025-partisan-voting-index/district-map-and-list |url-status=live }}</ref> !Member !Also a member of |- |rowspan=4 |California |CA-4 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |D+17 |{{sortname|Mike|Thompson}} |- |CA-13 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |R+1 |{{sortname|Adam|Gray}} |New Democrat Coalition |- |CA-21 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |D+4 |{{sortname|Jim|Costa}} |New Democrat Coalition Problem Solvers Caucus |- |CA-46 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |D+11 |{{sortname|Lou|Correa}} |New Democrat Coalition Problem Solvers Caucus (former) |- |Georgia |GA-02 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |D+4 |{{sortname|Sanford|Bishop}} | |- |Maine |ME-02 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |R+4 |{{sortname|Jared|Golden}} |Problem Solvers Caucus |- |New Jersey |NJ-05 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |D+2 |{{sortname|Josh|Gottheimer}} |New Democrat Coalition Problem Solvers Caucus |- |rowspan=2 |Texas |TX-28 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |R+2 |{{sortname|Henry|Cuellar}} |New Democrat Coalition Problem Solvers Caucus |- |TX-34 |{{Party shading/None}} |EVEN |{{sortname|Vicente|Gonzalez|dab=American politician}} |New Democrat Coalition Problem Solvers Caucus (former) |- |Washington |WA-03 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |R+2 |{{sortname|Marie|Gluesenkamp Perez}} |Problem Solvers Caucus |}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == *{{Official website}}

Category:Centrism in the United States Category:Centrist political advocacy groups in the United States Category:Democratic Party (United States) organizations Category:Factions in the Democratic Party (United States) Category:Ideological caucuses of the United States Congress Category:Political terminology of the United States