Suffolk Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01) and Chris Deluzio (PA-17), both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, former Navy Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs), and members of the Armed Services Committee, have announced the launch of the bipartisan Navy and Marine Corps Caucus.

“The best job I ever had was serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Today, it is an absolute honor to launch and Co-Chair the bipartisan Navy and Marine Corps Caucus with my friend and shipmate, Congressman Deluzio. This bipartisan Caucus will work to advance the interests of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, ensuring our Navy-Marine Corps team remains the greatest seagoing force for good the world has ever known,” said LaLota. “This includes promoting policies that improve the quality of life for our Sailors and Marines, supporting them after their service, and doing everything we can to maintain the greatest naval fighting force this world has ever known. The men and women who serve in our Navy-Marine Corps Team are the best and brightest our nation has to offer, and it is humbling to be able to fight for all of them in Washington.”

“I learned a simple lesson in the Navy: Ship, Shipmate, Self. You put the mission first; you put others before yourself,” said Deluzio. “That vision of service guides my days here in Congress. I’m excited to help launch the Congressional Navy and Marine Corps Caucus with my fellow veterans and others. Together, we’ll bring that ethos of public service to the People’s House.”

The Congressional Navy and Marine Corps Caucus aims to champion the rights and well-being of servicemembers in the Navy and Marine Corps while strengthening U.S maritime capabilities through a robust American supply chain and shipbuilding infrastructure.

In addition to LaLota and Deluzio, caucus members include Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-Marine Corps), Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-Marine Corps), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX-Navy), Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-Marine Corps), Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME-Marine Corps), Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY-Navy), and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT-Navy).

Congressman Nick LaLota is a lifelong Long Islander who graduated from the U.S Naval Academy in 2000 before serving on three separate deployments across more than twenty countries as a SWO on USS Curts as Assistant Operations Officer, then as Tactical Action Officer on USS Carl Vinson.

Congressman Chris Deluzio was born in Western Pennsylvania; he graduated from U.S Naval Academy in 2006 with merit before commissioning as an Ensign active-duty SWO serving three deployments including a tour with U.S Army Civil Affairs in Iraq.