Sens. Carper, Udall, Hagan to Lead Moderate Senate Dems Group in 112th Congress

WASHINGTON – A diverse coalition of moderate Senate Democrats today announced they have re-formed for the 112th Congress with new leadership and new members. The Moderate Dems will be co-chaired by Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware, Mark Udall of Colorado, and Kay Hagan of North Carolina. All three leaders are honorary co-chairs of Third Way, a leading moderate Democratic policy group.

The Senators’ goal is to work with the Senate leadership and the Administration to craft common-sense solutions to urgent national problems, including paying down the national debt, education reform, and energy policy. As they did in the 111th Congress, the group will meet every other Tuesday before the Democratic Caucus lunch to discuss legislative strategies and ideas, including the importance of passing a fiscally responsible spending plan in the Senate.

While the Senators acknowledged that such a large group won’t agree on everything, they share a commitment to pursue pragmatic, fiscally sustainable policies across a range of issues.

In addition to Sens. Carper, Mark Udall and Hagan, others joining the group include Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Mark Begich of Alaska, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Chris Coons of Delaware, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Jon Tester of Montana, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Mark Warner of Virginia.

“With the many challenges facing us today, Delawareans and all Americans need us to work together to get things done,” said Sen. Carper. “While this group of moderate Democrats might not agree on everything, we do agree that we are here to solve problems, to bring common-sense solutions to Congress and to help reach out across the aisle to get pragmatic and fiscally responsible results. My hope is that our group can help bridge the gap that divides us by finding common ground. Some of the issues that this Congress will face have been on the agenda for Democrats and Republicans for a long time, issues such as budget reform, education reform and a common-sense energy policy. Now, more than ever, the Senate needs to put partisan gridlock aside in order to find consensus on critical issues and to deliver real results for the American people.”

“Coloradans want leaders who will work together to solve problems – and that’s what this group is all about,” said Sen. Mark Udall. “We come from different areas of the country: Some from Blue states, some from Red, some from Purple, and we come from small states and big states. But we share a desire to bring common-sense solutions to Congress. This group made a difference last Congress – one of the most productive in history. This Congress, it’s even more important to reach across the aisle to get things done. I’m pleased to build on our experience from the 111th Congress and return as a co-chair for the 112th.”

“North Carolinians want balanced, pragmatic solutions to our country’s challenges,” said Sen. Hagan. “I am proud to join with Senators Carper and Udall in convening a group of moderate Senators who meet regularly to discuss commonsense policy ideas. Our group will advance moderate ideas in Congress and put our imprint on legislation. Working together, we will break through the Washington-as-usual partisan gridlock that so often grinds us to a halt.”