FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 1995
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty (202) 225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- Calling for an end to petty partisan politics, a group of reform-minded House members from across the country today announced the formation of THE COALITION.
Congressman Collin Peterson (DFL-7th District) has been elected THE COALITION's vice chair of the Central Region of the United States. In addition, he will chair the group's task force focusing on regulatory reform issues.
"This group was formed in an effort to get legislation that we believe is good for this country passed by this Congress," Peterson said. "This does not signal a split from the Democrat Party. There will be times when our position is in-line with Democrats, and other times when our position is more in-line with the Republicans. Last November, the voters of the country said they wanted a leaner, more responsive government, a government that worked for them, not against them. It is our intention to show the people of this country that they don't have to be disenchanted with government. The people asked for change, and it is our goal to give it to them."
THE COALITION is dedicated to moving forward common sense legislation that embraces the ideas and values of Mainstream America.
While THE COALITION presently consists of moderate-to-conservative Democrats, the members have encouraged both Democrats and Republicans to join their effort to put America first. The group's pro-active, centrist agenda offers a historic opportunity to build alliances and forge bipartisan cooperation.
THE COALITION's founding members include U.S. Reps. Scotty Baesler (D-KY), Bill Brewster (D-OK), Glen Browder (D-AL), Gary Condit (D-CA), Bud Cramer (D-AL), Pat Danner (D-MO), Nathan Deal (D-GA), Peter Geren (D-TX), Ralph Hall (D-TX), Jimmy Hayes (D-LA), Greg Laughlin (D-TX), Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR), William Lipinski (D-IL), David Minge (D-MN), Bill Orton (D-UT), Mike Parker (D-MS), L.F. Payne (D-VA), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Owen Pickett (D-VA), Charlie Stenholm (D-TX), John Tanner (D-TN), Billy Tauzin (D-LA), and Gene Taylor (D-MS).
One of the primary goals of THE COALITION is to moderate the differences of both parties. Even though THE COALITION will not take a position on every legislative issue, it will aggressively pursue legislation that is critically important to the country's future. Tax reform, budget reform, Congressional reform, welfare reform, regulatory reform and property rights, national security, health reform, and crime control are among the issues THE COALITION will address over the next two years.
Many of this year's major reform issues and legislative priorities have been championed for years by founding members of THE COALITION. Three weeks ago, the House passed Rep. Stenholm's balanced budget amendment as well as Rep. Condit's unfunded mandate legislation.