REPS. BISHOP & KIGGANS LEAD MILITARY FAMILY CAUCUS IN THE 119TH CONGRESS

WASHINGTON – In January, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Congresswoman Jen A. Kiggans (VA-02) re-registered the Congressional Military Family Caucus and will serve as the caucus’s bipartisan Democratic and Republican co-chairs, respectively.

The Congressional Military Family Caucus educates Members of Congress about, and works to improve, resources that support the United States's military families at home and abroad. Specifically, the caucus focuses on issues such as education, childcare, healthcare, spousal employment, and the effects of multiple deployments.

“Our military is only as strong as our servicemembers and so much of their strength comes from their families. The caucus is here to make sure Congress does its best for our military families because the quality of life they have affects our recruitment and retention. Taking care of military families is a matter of national security and the future of our armed forces,” said Congressman Bishop. “I am happy to welcome our new Congressional Military Family Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Kiggans of Virgina. She comes to Congress having served in our country’s armed forces and knows, from personal experience, the challenges that our military families face. I look forward to working with her in the months ahead.”

“When our brave men and women in uniform make the decision to serve our country, their families commit to serving alongside them - relocating frequently and making great sacrifices themselves,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. “No matter where their service takes them, we must ensure our military families are properly cared for and work to improve their quality of life. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, Navy spouse, and now a Navy mom, I have lived these sacrifices and know how important it is to give our military families the resources they need. Representing one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, standing up for these families is one of my top priorities, and I look forward to doing just that as co-chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus.”

The Congressional Military Family Caucus was started in 2009 by Congressman Bishop and former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington State, who served as the caucus's Democratic and Republican Co-Chairs, respectively. The caucus recognizes that America's military strength is drawn from its military families and every year the caucus hosts its signature event, a summit focusing on the military family.

At the conclusion of the 118th Congress and after more than a decade of leadership in the caucus, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers retired. At the outset of the 119th Congress, the caucus welcomed a new Republican Co-Chair, Congresswoman Jen A. Kiggans.

Georgia’s Second Congressional District is home to Fort Moore, Marine Corps Logistic Base Albany, and Robins Air Force Base. Georgia is home to 13 major U.S. military installations and the servicemembers and military families that are stationed there.

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PHOTO: Reps. Bishop and Kiggans, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus