Jeremy Alford

Melancon barks the loudest

by Jeremy Alford

Members of the fiscally-conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced this week that U.S. Rep. Melancon, a Napoleonville Democrat, will serve as co-chairman for the group’s communications. Melancon, who represents Acadiana’s lower-lying parishes in the 3rd Congressional District, has been a member of the coalition since his election to Congress in 2004.

“The Blue Dogs have been a constant voice for fiscal responsibility and moderation in Congress, reminding our elected leaders of their duty to the taxpayers of this country,” Melancon says. “In the next Congress, I look forward to working with the other Blue Dog co-chairs to strengthen the influence of our coalition and push our leadership and the new administration in a centrist and fiscally responsible direction as we rebuild our economy.”

The Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 with the goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives and appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are “dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States.” Currently there are 49 members of the Blue Dog Coalition.