(Washington, D.C.)  – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, hosted the Caucus’ first event of the 112^th Congress today. 

The successful event brought together Members of Congress, leading Administration officials, and service members and their families in a common purpose to draw attention to the needs of military families and advocate legislative solutions on their behalf.

“As the President said at a recent White House event, ‘While less than 1% of Americans may be fighting our wars, 100% of Americans should be supporting our troops and their families,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. 

Rep. McMorris Rodgers announced that she, Rep. Bishop, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) are planning to introduce a bill that would create flexible spending accounts for military families. 

Speakers at the event included Robert Gordon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy, and Dr. Karen Guice, Executive Director, Federal Recovery Coordination Program.

In the 112^th Congress, the Military Family Caucus will address critical issues that uniquely challenge military families with a particular focus on mental health, Wounded Warrior support, homeless veterans, health care and education. 

“There are programs that are working and we must replicate them to extend their impact,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “We must also be willing to have frank discussions about programs that are not working, or identify needs where no coherent programs exist and then address those needs.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ husband, Brian, is a retired Naval pilot.