Legislative Affairs

Advocating on Behalf of the Sea Services

The Navy League Legislative Affairs team engages Congress to advocate for the resources, policies, and priorities that keep America’s sea services strong. From shipbuilding budgets to personnel readiness, our advocates make the case on Capitol Hill so that the men and women of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S. -flag Merchant Marine have what they need to defend America’s interests. Navy League members can access our Legislative Affairs Action Center to take direct action on current issues.

Legislative affairs action center

Maritime Policy Statement

The Navy League’s Maritime Policy statement is produced by the organization’s Maritime Policy Committee. The analyses and recommendations therein are derived from multiple sources, including the expertise and decades of experience of our members, open-source materials and public information from the seagoing services.

The views expressed in this document are those of the Navy League of the United States and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Maritime Administration.

The Navy League of the United States exists to educate the American public about the importance of the sea services to include the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S.- flag Merchant Marine.

download maritime policy report

Current Legislative Asks

Three U.S. Naval vessels traveling over calm seas directly toward the camera.

U.S. Navy

The Navy League strongly supports a U.S. Navy Shipbuilding and Conversion Budget of at least $50 billion annually to meet the current and future demands of a contested maritime environment.

A group of U.S. Marines in an small vessel traveling towards the camera.

U.S. Marine Corps

The Navy League recommends that Congress fully fund the Marine Corps and the Commandant’s Force Design 2030 initiative to prepare troops for competition with near-peer adversaries.

U.S. Coast Guard

The Navy League supports a $20 billion annual Coast Guard budget to support their ever-broadening mission of responding to rapidly changing conditions off U.S. shores.

U.S. Merchant Marine

The Navy League supports the Jones Act, which requires ships moving cargo between U.S. ports to be U.S.-flagged, owned, and crewed, providing vital support for the U.S. maritime industry.

Maritime Policy Committee

The Navy League’s Maritime Policy Committee brings together maritime leaders and subject-matter experts who help develop the organization’s Maritime Policy Statement and inform its policy priorities.

VADM Joanna Nunan
USMS, (Ret.)

RADM Sinclair Harris
USN, (Ret.) Chairman

Mr. Charles Werchado
SES, (ret.)

Mr. Jon Kaskin
SES, (ret.)

Col Christian Cabaniss
USMC, (ret.)

CAPT Scott Sundt
USN, (Ret.)

LT Col Mark Schouten
USMC, (ret.)

MCPOCG Heath Jones
USCG, (ret.)

Become a Member

Navy League membership gives you access to our Legislative Affairs Action Center, where you can take action on the issues that matter most to America’s sea services.

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Grassroots Outreach

The Navy League’s 30,000-member network advocates for the sea services from Capitol Hill to communities across the country. Join us for our annual Fly-In or request training.