WASHINGTON -- A group of federal lawmakers, led by Virginia's U.S. Rep. Ed Schrock, R-2nd District,, launched a bipartisan effort Wednesday to promote Navy and Marine Corps interests within the House of Representatives.
New congressional caucus promotes Navy and Marines
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 31, 2002Rep. Ed Schrock
The Navy-Marine Corps Caucus will press for additional shipbuilding and aircraft purchases. It will also seek increased spending on maintenance of existing equipment and facilities, and better military pay and benefits, Schrock said this week.
To date, 52 members have joined the caucus, Schrock said.
Rep. Susan A. Davis, D-Calif., and Schrock will serve as group co-chairs. Her San Diego district is home to much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; Schrock's Hampton Roads district includes the Norfolk Naval Base and several other major Navy and Marine Corps facilities.
Schrock said the caucus idea grew out of last summer's whirlwind tour of military facilities around the United States. He said he was particularly struck by the deteriorating condition of Navy and Marine Corps bases and the constant scramble among sailors and Marines to keep aging equipment in service.
As a congressional freshman, ``I noticed there was a caucus for just about everything but the Navy and Marine Corps,'' Schrock said. ``So we set out to form this caucus to show our support for these two services.''
