Founded in 1989, the Congressional Boating Caucus is a bipartisan group of senators and representatives that advocate for the interests of the recreational marine industry on a wide range of topics, from trade and boating infrastructure to environmental compliance, safety and workforce issues, and more.
Next week, a large portion of those caucus members are up for reelection.
According to National Marine Manufacturers Association’s website, there are more than two dozen senators and over 100 representatives in this session’s Boating Caucus.
The complete list of members can be seen here.
Currently, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., as well as Reps. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., and Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., are the caucus co-chairs for the 116th Congress.
The following senators are up for re-election this year: Gary Peters, Susan Collins, Doug Jones, Ed Markey and David Perdue. All of the house members are up as well.
“Peters is the current co-chair of the Boating Caucus and has an unwavering commitment to the industry,” NMMA senior government and legal affairs vice president Nicole Vasilaros told Trade Only Today. “Senator Jones was a linchpin advocate for the industry in passing Modern Fish and has been a stalwart supporter of sportsmen and recreation issues during his time in Congress.
While the NMMA — as well as candidates — won’t issue statements regarding the caucuses that they are a part of during an election cycle, the NMMA says that they base a candidate’s support on an individual’s record in Congress as advocates for the recreational boating industry.
Next year, the NMMA will choose co-chairs for both the House and Senate — typical for a new cycle — and “look forward to continuing to expand the role of the Congressional Boating Caucus to inform leaders of the top policy priorities of the industry and foster boating champions,” said Vasilaros.
