This came out of another thread -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3242118&mesg_id=3242118 - where the group had sent a letter to Hastert requesting the bankrupcy bill be brought to the floor for debate and vote. I thought it important enough to be a stand-alone.
This appears to be the successor conservative group to the "Blue Dog Coalition". I've not heard anything from them since DeLay's Texas redistricting defeated Charlie Stenholm. The Blue Dog's old website -
http://baronhill.house.gov/bluedogs/ - is dead.
The NDC website -
http://www.house.gov/adamsmith/NDC/ndc.html - is "under construction".
It has a redirect to....
http://www.house.gov/adamsmith/NDC/2005pressrelease.htm===================================================================
For Immediate Release:
February 9th, 2005
Contact:
(Rep. Ellen Tauscher)...Hayley Rumback (202) 225-1888
(Rep. Ron Kind)...Stephanie Lundberg (202) 225-5506
(Rep. Artur Davis)...Cory Ealons (202) 225-2665
(Rep. Adam Smith)...Lars Anderson (202) 225-6902
HOUSE NEW DEMOCRAT COALITION ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERS, MEMBERSHIP FOR 109TH
Ellen Tauscher, Artur Davis, Ron Kind, and Adam Smith to lead group
The New Democrat Coalition (NDC) in the U.S. House of Representatives today announced its leadership and membership for the 109th Congress: Ellen Tauscher (CA), Chair
Ron Kind (WI), Co-Chair
Artur Davis (AL), Co-Chair
Adam Smith (WA), PAC Chair
At today's meeting, the Members laid the groundwork for creating a vibrant and effective caucus in the House, pledging to create a NDC political action committee (PAC), attending 50% of meetings and active involvement within the caucus. The Members in attendance unanimously approved the new leadership.
"As someone who's been heavily involved with the New Democrat Coalition since my arrival in Congress in 1997, I'm very excited about the reorganization and direction of the group," Smith said. "It is a smaller, more unified, more cohesive group, and we're asking more from our Members. We're looking to put forward a positive policy agenda and message that focuses on economic growth and opportunity, international leadership, and personal responsibility."
"I'm honored that my centrist colleagues have chosen me to lead this organization into the future and I look forward to bringing my energy to this leadership post," said Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (CA). "I hope to find new areas of collaboration within the NDC, particularly on the issues that urgently need our attention like Social Security reform and trade."
For the first time, the New Democrats will have a PAC to support both incumbents and challengers. Smith, who will lead the PAC, noted, "The creation of the NDC PAC will give the caucus the flexibility and the capability to help re-elect current Members and to give up-and-coming New Democrats the funds they need in order to be successful in their races. We will support candidates who promote economic growth, securing our country and ensuring that Americans have the opportunities and tools necessary to create a better future for themselves and their families."
"The talent of the NDC membership is by far our strongest asset, and I look forward to working with my esteemed colleagues, Chairwoman Tauscher, Co-Chairmen Davis and Smith, on pursuing an agenda for the Democratic Party that enables everyone in our country to be full participants in the new, global economy," stated Rep. Ron Kind (WI).
"I look forward to working with Ellen Tauscher and Ron Kind as we reorganize the New Democratic Caucus," said Rep. Davis. "New Democrats played a pivotal role in shaping the policy agenda during the Clinton Administration, and we can return to that level of creativity and innovation. New Democrats can help drive the Democratic Caucus toward a more proactive and less reactive stance on the issues of the day."
The following 40 Members of Congress have joined the NDC for the 109th Congress thus far:
Brian Baird (WA)
Shelley Berkley (NV)
Lois Capps(CA)
Russ Carnahan (MO)
Ed Case (HI)
Ben Chandler (KY)
Joseph Crowley (NY)
Artur Davis (AL)
Jim Davis (FL)
Susan Davis (CA)
Rahm Emanuel (IL)
Eliot Engel (NY)
Bob Etheridge (NC)
Harold Ford (TN)
Jane Harman (CA)
Stephanie Herseth (SD)
Brian Higgins (NY)
Rush Holt (NJ)
Darlene Hooley (OR)
Jay Inslee (WA)
Steve Israel (NY)
Ron Kind (WI)
Rick Larsen (WA)
John Larson (CT)
Carolyn McCarthy (NY)
Mike McIntyre (NC)
Gregory Meeks (NY)
Juanita Millender-McDonald (CA)
Dennis Moore (KS)
Jim Moran (VA)
David Price (NC)
Loretta Sanchez (CA)
Adam Schiff (CA)
Allyson Schwartz (PA)
David Scott (GA)
Adam Smith (WA)
Ellen Tauscher (CA)
Tom Udall (NM)
David Wu (OR)
Formed in 1997, The New Democrat Coalition provides moderate, pro-growth Members of Congress the opportunity to advance a common sense policy agenda that will move our country in the right direction. New Democrats have built a reputation as the "go-to" group in Congress on the critical issues of pro-growth, security and personal responsibility. New Democrats hail from every region of the country. Intent on modernizing both the Democratic party and the country, New Democrats support policies to expand economic growth and ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to benefit from that growth; a fiscally responsible and efficient government; a secure home front; and a robust foreign policy that includes trade, constructive U.S. leadership throughout the world, and a modern and strong military.
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