Rep. Bishop, Rep, McMorris Rodgers Work for Military Families at 2016 Congressional Military Family Caucus Summit

Press Release

Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus (CMFC) and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies joined Co-Chair Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), staff from Congressional offices, officials from the Department of Defense and Fairchild Air Force Base, representatives from military service organizations, and over 60 military family and service members at the annual Congressional Military Family Caucus Summit at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington.

"We must remember that when men and women join our armed forces, their families join as well," said Congressman Bishop. "This understanding led Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and me to found the Congressional Military Family Caucus nearly seven years ago. This Summit, as well as previous Summits and future Summits, continues the dialogue between families, lawmakers, military leaders, and support organizations to address the unique hardships that military families face. After asking our Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve members and their families to endure multiple deployments, we in Congress must fulfill our obligation to support increased spousal and widow employment, the education of military children, fair and complete benefits, as well as health care options and coverage.

According to Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, the goal of the caucus is to "bring together Members of Congress, Administration officials, and service members and their families in a common purpose to draw attention to the needs of military families and advocate legislative ideas on their behalf."

"The strength of our military is drawn from the strength of their families and we want to do all we can to protect our warriors and their loved ones," concluded Congressman Bishop.

Hosted by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, today's CMFC Summit serves as a direct channel between the Caucus and military families. Held by the CMFC annually, the Summit works to connect military families with Members of Congress, the Department of Defense, and private sector groups to discuss the challenges and pressing issues impacting America's servicemen and their families as well as offer resources. Panel discussions addressed critical issues including military pay and benefits; military child education; and military spousal employment, community involvement, and transition.

The CMFC is a bipartisan congressional caucus that educates elected officials, congressional staffers, senior military leaders and the public on a wide range of unique issues that affect military families. Currently, over 80 Democrats and Republicans are members of the CMFC.

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