Changes

==111th Congress==

==111th Congress==

Blue Dogs like to consider themselves moderate or conservative that are independent of their liberal leadership. Their website states, “particularly active on fiscal issues, relentlessly pursuing a balanced budget and then protecting that achievement from politically popular ‘raids’ on the budget.”  However, they increasingly vote with [[Nancy Pelosi]] and the liberal leadership on key fiscal policies, which is supposed to be their strong point. The [[Heritage Foundation]] and [[Human Events]] have compiled a list of the 16 top issues before the 111th Congress and scored the Blue Dogs on their votes. <ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=32898&s=rcmc Blue Dog Dems Report Card Human Events, July 29, 2009]</ref> What they found was that the Blue Dog Coalition has voted in lockstep with ultra [[liberal]] Rep. [[Steny Hoyer]] 78% of the time.

Blue Dogs like to consider themselves moderate or conservative that are independent of their liberal leadership. Their website states, “particularly active on fiscal issues, relentlessly pursuing a balanced budget and then protecting that achievement from politically popular ‘raids’ on the budget.”  On the critical health care reform bill that passed the House by 220-215 in Nov. 2009,  22  of the 39 Democrats who voted no were 22 Blue Dogs, including three of the four leaders.

Most of the attacks on the Blue Dogs come from the left, as liberals complain about the betrayal of party principles.  However some attacks on the Blue Dogs have come from the right with complaints they are not conservative enough on every issue. The [[Heritage Foundation]] and [[Human Events]] have compiled a list of the 16 top issues before the 111th Congress and scored the Blue Dogs on their votes. <ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=32898&s=rcmc Blue Dog Dems Report Card Human Events, July 29, 2009]</ref> What they found was that the Blue Dog Coalition has voted in lockstep with liberal Rep. [[Steny Hoyer]] 78% of the time.

*[[SCHIP]]- 96% of all Blue Dogs voted in favor

*[[SCHIP]]- 96% of all Blue Dogs voted in favor