Blue Dog Coalition

Happy St. Patrick's Day🍀from our pack to yours

I’ve been selected as a designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union, so I won’t be there in person, but I’ll be watching. Americans deserve accountability for the militarization of ICE, terrorization of our communities and killing of American citizens.

I Love and Endorse the Bipartisan 3 % of GDP Budget Deficit Solution In the House of Representatives there is now a bipartisan bill in the works to enact, and a growing agreement that we need, a 3% cap on the budget deficit. The bill was introduced by Representatives Bill Huizenga (R) and Scott Peters (D) to reduce and maintain the federal budget deficit at or below 3% of GDP. While most responsible members of both parties don't agree on much, they agree on this, which is also urged by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and almost all knowledgeable investors, economists, and business leaders beyond them. Treasury Secretary @SecScottBessent has long been a supporter of this path, publicly saying, “I would urge [President Trump] to make public his desire to get the deficit down to 3% by the end of his term.”   In my book How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle, I described the mechanics of how the United States will go broke unless it gets the budget deficit down to 3% of GDP, which I describe as my "3% 3-Part Solution." All leaders from both parties I spoke with in private agree. The only impediment is their fear of the political consequences of being in favor of raising taxes and cutting benefits if that is required to reach the 3% GDP budget deficit. Passing this bill would be a step toward overcoming that objection as it would help legislators argue for fiscal responsibility. A stated 3% GDP ceiling goal would become a benchmark for accountability across administrations, providing both a rule and a report card. With it in mind, each year we would naturally ask, “Is the nation moving toward or away from sustainability?” That stated goal and progress toward fiscal responsibility would strengthens markets, bolster investor confidence, and reduce the risks of the U.S. experiencing a sovereign debt/currency crisis.

The Blue Dog Coalition applauds the passage of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill last week that includes components of @RepGonzalez's bill, the PBM Reform Act, that puts patients first and increases price transparency.

"By pursuing aggressive yet realistic targets, we can spend less on interest payments and focus more on restoring economic agency to American families." See our full statement endorsing the bipartisan 3% Deficit to GDP Budget Resolution below.⬇️

☑️BREAKING: @HouseBlueDogs has endorsed a bipartisan resolution setting a 3% of GDP deficit target. “It's past time to get our fiscal house in order. By pursuing aggressive yet realistic targets, we can spend less on interest payments and focus more on restoring economic agency to American families. It’s time for Congress to come together in a bipartisan manner and put an end to irresponsible budgeting.”  A BIG WEEK for this important fiscal goal!

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"It was a long effort, but not out of complacency: Doing things the right way takes time. Durable coalitions of unlikely allies require patience, genuine conversations, and flexibility." Read more about how hard work pays off from @RepGolden below⬇️

I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from AUSA. Our national defense and security are built on a foundation of the people who serve, ensuring that they are the best equipped fighting force in the world, and that their families are taken care of so that they can focus on the mission at hand. With Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia’s Second Congressional District is home to thousands of military families and veterans, so working on their behalf is not just a matter of principle, it is at the heart of our community. bishop.house.gov/media-center/p…

America must get back into the business of building again. Appreciate the @USChamber backing my bipartisan SPEED Act, and I enjoyed speaking with the group about our shared effort to get permitting reform over the finish line.

I saved this goofy ai video to send Doug “dude” LaMalfa, who passed away this morning before I could share it with him. I’ll miss Doug as a friend, as an ally on western natural resource issues, and a colleague who reliably rolled his eyes at the self-important characters in DC.

My office won the Holiday Decorating Contest. We always bring the Valley to Congress.

🚨Following Blue Dog Coalition’s Lead, House Moves on Permitting Reform See our full statement below 👇

I'm grateful to the linemen and PUD workers who are putting in long hours to turn the lights back on for the thousands of Southwest Washington households who have had their power knocked out. 
Remember to check on your neighbors and stay away from any downed power lines.

I just got off the House floor where we FINALLY voted to reauthorize SRS. It took a lot of work to get here, and it’s a relief to know that rural schools across the West are going to be getting some much needed support.