PETERSON NAMED CO-CHAIR OF BLUE DOG AGRICULTURE AND TRADE TASK FORCE
WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) has been named co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition Agriculture and Trade Task Force.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to work with my colleagues for positive change in agriculture policy, Peterson said.
Peterson hopes to use his leadership role to capitalize on the fact that 14 Blue Dog Coalition members serve on the House Agriculture Committee.
Of the 23 Democrats on the committee, 14 of us 61 percent are Blue Dogs, Peterson said. We are a significant block of votes on the committee, so if we can develop meaningful farm policy changes within our group and reach agreement, we will be in a strong position to advance these ideas through the process.
The Blue Dog Coalition is a consensus-building group of 30 moderate-to-conservative Democratic lawmakers dedicated to finding common sense solutions on public policy issues.
This is a unique opportunity to help build consensus among members of the entire House Agriculture Committee, Peterson said. The reputation of the Blue Dogs for being fair and bipartisan can only help as we consider better farm policy.
Rep. Mike Thompson of California also will serve as co-chair.
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