Navy League of the United States

1. Navy League of the United States Washington Update Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

2. AGENDA • Washington Programs Overview • Legislative News/Outlook • How we can help you • Ideas and Suggestions? Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

3. Washington Programs • Congressional Caucus Support • Office of Legislative Affairs Support • Education • Advocacy Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

4. Caucus Support Congressional Caucuses provide opportunities for Members of Congress to discuss relevant issues, hear from experts, and meet interested parties. The Navy League supports many Caucuses that share our interests: Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

5. Congressional Navy-Marine Corps Caucus • Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), co-chairs • Fills informational gaps from Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus: Marine Corps, aviation, etc. • NLUS supported the Marine Aviation Centennial Breakfast • Honorary Host of the Sea Air Space Congressional Breakfast and helped drive staffer attendance Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

6. Congressional Maritime Caucus • Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY), co-chairs • Focuses on Merchant Marine, ports, maritime industry • Founded in February 2013 • Kickoff event Monday featuring Navy League National Vice President Rob Reilly on cargo preference Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

7. House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant, and Industrial Facilities Caucus • Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA), co-chairs • Dedicated to policy issues that affect military industrial facilities, including aviation depots, arsenals, ammunition plants, shipyards, and energetic material production facilities • NLUS supported briefing on “The Status of the Shipyards and Aviation Fleet Readiness Centers” and “The Health of the Marine Corps Depots” with Rear Admiral Timothy Matthews (Director, Fleet Readiness Division) and Major General Hudson (commanding General, Marine Corps Logistics Command) • Coast Guard Depots will be a topic this fall • Honorary Host of the Sea Air Space Congressional Breakfast Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

8. Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus • Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT), co-chairs • Navy League’s primary partner for advancing sea service interests on the Hill • Briefings at least every quarter • Most significant voice on the Hill for shipbuilding, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard issues • Honorary hosts for Sea Air Space Congressional Breakfast Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

9. Office of Legislative Affairs Support • “Pizza Briefs” is the name of an educational series run by the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs and sponsored by the Navy League. • Primary audience is staffers, who act as advisors and informational resources for Members of Congress • Each week a different Navy command is features • Turnout between 40-100 people at each brief • Considered by OLA to be one of their most significant programs • Provides opportunity for education for new staffers and a chance to get expert answers for veteran staffers • NLUS also sponsors informal receptions and get-togethers, creating opportunities for Navy-USMC-USCG-Congressional interaction • Relationships between staffers and the military are crucial when military programs are up for debate Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

10. Education • The Navy League provides an educational service to Members of Congress • Maritime Policy Report • Seapower Almanac • Seapower subscriptions • We are a resource to offices when they have questions about Navy, USMC, USCG, and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

11. Advocacy The Navy League has an excellent reputation on Capitol Hill and is a trusted resource. • Letters of support or concern • Grassroots education is VITAL • Members of Congress state that Grassroots Outreach is the most important thing we do. Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

12. Advocacy SUCCESS! Thanks to the Navy League, an amendment that would have devastated the Merchant Marine was defeated last night. Our advocacy efforts on this issue included: • Letters to committees that held hearings • NLUS Members calling their offices • VP-LAs activated their councils • Press release blasted to all Hill contacts • Alerting Caucuses on the impacts to watch this issue • Signing group letters opposing the amendments • Other groups asked for our involvment Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

13. How We Can Help You • Provide current, up to date information on what’s happening in Congress • Call or email anytime • Website updates • HQ can help research the relevant staff contacts • We can help respond to post-Grassroots briefings • We can provide draft letters or op-eds on sea service topics to keep engagement open Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

14. Legislative Outlook • NDAA: Passed the House, will pass Senate this week • Appropriations: Passing the House. Senate has not started to mark up, may be a sign of another CR • Sequestration: Still happening—the Call to Action is not over yet! • Environment: Austere atmosphere, disinterest in national security, partisan gridlock Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services

15. Navy League Legislative Affairs • Ideas or suggestions? • Contact us anytime: • Sara Fuentes: 703-312-1560, sfuentes@navyleague.org • Chris Bennett: 703-312-1574, cbennett@navyleague.org Navy League of the United States Citizens in Support of the Sea Services